Goals

Goals: Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Party and the Revelation

The inside of Jack's house was a world away from the storm brewing in Nastya's mind. The place was packed with students, the air thick with the smell of sweat, perfume, and something slightly burned—probably from the makeshift snacks someone had attempted to cook. Pop music blared from the speakers, and people were scattered across the house, talking, dancing, and laughing.

Lily was quick to grab Nastya's hand, pulling her through the throng of people towards the living room. "Come on, this is going to be fun! You need this."

Nastya allowed herself to be dragged along, trying to push her worries aside. But as soon as they entered the living room, she spotted Jack across the room, leaning casually against the wall, talking to a group of friends. He was laughing at something someone said, his blue eyes twinkling with that familiar mischief.

For a moment, he caught Nastya's eye, and the corner of his mouth lifted into a small, knowing smile. She quickly looked away, feeling a strange flutter in her stomach.

Lily noticed the interaction and raised an eyebrow. "You two seem to be getting along better these days."

"Barely," Nastya replied, but even as she said it, she couldn't deny that something had shifted between them. Whether she liked it or not, Jack was getting under her skin.

Lily shrugged, then nudged her with a playful grin. "Well, just be careful. Jack Sullivan is trouble."

"Good thing I'm not looking for trouble," Nastya muttered, though she wasn't sure if she believed it herself.

As the night wore on, Nastya tried to relax and enjoy herself. She and Lily danced with some of their classmates, and for a while, the tension in her shoulders eased. She even found herself laughing at one of Lily's jokes, the stress of the day momentarily forgotten.

But as the party continued, Nastya couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. It wasn't just paranoia—she could feel eyes on her, tracking her movements. She scanned the room, but everyone seemed engrossed in their own conversations and activities.

Just as she was about to chalk it up to her imagination, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and found herself face-to-face with Jack.

"Hey," he said, his voice smooth and easy. "You looked like you could use some fresh air."

Before Nastya could respond, Jack took her hand and led her through the crowd toward the back door. She followed him out into the backyard, where the noise of the party was muffled by the thick night air.

The backyard was surprisingly serene compared to the chaos inside. Fairy lights were strung up along the fence, casting a soft glow over the space. A few people were lounging on the patio, but for the most part, it was quiet.

Jack let go of her hand and walked over to the far end of the yard, where a large oak tree stood. He leaned against the trunk, looking up at the sky.

Nastya hesitated before joining him, unsure of what to say. She wasn't used to this—these quiet, almost intimate moments with someone who wasn't family. But there was something about the way Jack stood there, seemingly lost in thought, that made her want to stay.

"So, what's up?" Jack asked after a long silence. He kept his eyes on the sky, but Nastya could tell he was waiting for her to speak.

She sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. "I don't know... I guess I'm just...feeling out of place."

Jack glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "In New Orleans, or in general?"

"In general," she admitted. "This city... it's so different from where I grew up. And everything's just...complicated."