game changer

part 8

you and blair arrive at the party, the noise and energy hitting you as soon as you step inside the frat house. it's just as crowded as you expected, and you've heard it's a no hockey team allowed party.

you glance around, trying to spot the baseball players. your eyes land on jake standing by the backdoor. you turn to blair and say, "i'll see you later," before heading over to him.

jake notices you approaching and smiles. you can tell he's already intoxicated just from looking at him. the cup he's holding is sure to have alcohol in it.

"hey, y/n!"

"hi jake!"

"i didn't expect to see you here of all people."

you laugh, "yeah, me neither."

jake spreads out his arms to show off the busy house, "well welcome to our party!"

you nod along, laughing at house extraverted and drunk he is. "yeah, how is the team doing?"

"we're doing great! heeseung's been killing it all season."

you tilt your head at the mention of heeseung, "right, i heard he's pretty good."

jake nods enthusiastically. "yeah, he's the best. i've known him for a while."

"really? how did you guys meet?"

"we went to the same high school," jake explains. "he was already a legend back then."

you nod along, smiling, but your mind is racing. you realize that jake could be a goldmine of information about the rivalry. he must know something. you're determined to get as much out of him as you can.

"that's cool," you say. "so, what's the deal with this rivalry with the hockey team? seems intense."

jake's expression shifts slightly. "yeah, it's complicated. a lot of history there."

you're about to press him more when another baseball player bursts in, shouting, "jake, come outside! jeongin is doing a beer keg!"

jake grins, "one sec!" he turns back to you and says, "i'll see you later?"

you nod, "yeah, sure."

jake smiles and runs out to join his friends, leaving you alone. you huff in frustration, looking around the crowded room. blair is nowhere in sight.

you start to weave through the crowded rooms, the partiers dancing around you. your eyes scan for any sign of blair, but she seems to have vanished into the sea of people. you turn a corner and nearly collide with someone.

"hey," a familiar voice says.

you look up and find yourself face to face with heeseung. up close, his attractiveness catches you off guard again, and you're momentarily speechless. "oh, hi heeseung," you manage to say.

he flashes a charming smile. "i've literally never seen you at a party before, let alone my own party."

you laugh nervously, "yeah, it's not really my thing."

heeseung's eyes twinkle with amusement. "oh, so why'd you choose to come to this one?"

"uh," you hesitate, your mind racing. you can't exactly tell him you're here to gather information about the rivalry for your report.

heeseung raises an eyebrow, his smile turning slightly mischievous. "to see me?"

you laugh awkwardly, feeling a blush creep up your cheeks. "well, i mean..."