제이크. 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝘆 ✔

chapter 1: a chance encounter

first person pov.

growing up as a good girl like me, you might also experience that lingering desire to be in a relationship—or at least crave the presence of a guy, specifically the kind of handsome, green-flag type you read about in books.

aside from my expensive college tuition, that’s been my only real problem:
getting a boyfriend.

my friend, yoon jiah, has her own ideas on how to solve my problem, and i’m starting to think she’s going to ruin my gpa in the process. her grand plan is to drag me along to the nightclub she frequently visits, a place packed with rich people, celebrities, and those with... questionable reputations.

"i never agreed to this," i blurt out, eyeing my reflection in the mirror. "this is a terrible way to get my first boyfriend."

"and yet here you are, letting me doll you up." she smirks, arms crossed. "don’t deny your desperation."

i purse my lips, unable to argue because she’s right. i was the one who wanted this. there’s no backing out now. i’m an adult, after all. i can handle myself. what’s the worst that could happen?

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

night falls, and we arrive at the nightclub.

the place beams with lights, and even from the outside, you can hear the music thumping from inside the building.

jiah takes my hand, leading me inside. after flashing our legal ids, we’re let in.

the atmosphere here is nothing like the world i know. it reeks of alcohol, sex, money, and everything my strict asian parents warned me about. but in this moment, it feels like all their warnings have vanished into thin air.

"first impression?" jiah shouts over the music.

"loud!" i respond instantly, still glancing around. "and like i really don’t want to be here."

"good. you’re stepping out of your comfort zone." she gives me a mischievous grin as she pulls me further inside.

we weave through the crowd, trying to get past the swarm of people. after what feels like an eternity, we finally reach the bar. the bartender watches us with a poker face, waiting for us to order.

jiah leans against the counter and smiles flirtatiously.
"a tequila shot, please."

she turns to me. "and for you?"

"uh... something not too strong," i say awkwardly.

she smirks, as if she was expecting that answer. turning back to the bartender, she says,
"and a vodka cranberry, on the rocks."

the bartender nods and gets to work. while we wait, i glance around again. it’s just like the movies—dimly lit, filled with flashing lights, and a pulsing beat that vibrates through my entire body.

as an introvert, it’s overwhelming, to say the least. but i’ve made it this far, so there’s no turning back now.

college is already draining me, even though it’s only my first year. i need something thrilling in my life, and maybe this is the right time to try something different.

jiah pokes my arm.
"miss jang looks like she’s about to snag her first boy tonight."

i give her a coy smile, shaking my head.

"if you do, you better buy me a drink next time."

"you’re getting ahead of yourself, jiah."

soon, our drinks arrive. i take a sip and immediately make a face. the taste of alcohol is unmistakable, and i’m clearly not used to it.