in the ring / harry styles

5- An Unwanted Reunion

The pounding beat of the music hit me as soon as we crossed the threshold of the frat house. The air was thick with the mingled scents of spilled beer, cologne, and the faint tinge of something burning, each smell competing with the other in the dense, crowded space. It was just after 10 p.m., and the house was already packed with people laughing, dancing, and shouting to be heard above the blaring music. Colored lights flashed sporadically, casting momentary glows across faces, illuminating the laughter and wild eyes that filled every corner of the place.

I hadn't texted Harry back yet, his last message still sitting unanswered on my phone. But that was a problem for later. Right now, I was here for Lynn—and for her brother, Eric.

"There's Eric!" Lynn shouted, pointing to a group gathered by a makeshift bar set up in the corner. The house seemed to stretch endlessly with people everywhere, some pressed into the walls, others forming tight circles, each person absorbed in their own world of freedom and noise.

Emilia and I followed her gaze, spotting Eric in the center of his new frat brothers. His face was bright with excitement, a wide grin stretching across his features as he saw us approaching. His laughter seemed to rise above the chaos, momentarily pulling our attention as we made our way toward him.

"Hey, sis!" he called, pulling Lynn into a bear hug that lifted her off her feet. "Glad you could make it!"

"Like I'd miss it!" Lynn teased, a playful smirk growing as she adjusted her shirt, still beaming with excitement. "And look, I even dragged Lucy and Emilia along for moral support."

"Hey, Lucy! Hey, Emilia!" Eric greeted us with a broad smile. "Thanks for coming!"

"Congrats on officially being in, Eric!" I said, forcing a smile that I hoped looked genuine despite the nerves slowly coiling in my stomach. "It's a big deal."

"Yep, I'm a full-fledged frat brother now." He grinned, puffing up with exaggerated pride. We all laughed, but I couldn't shake the tension building inside me. Somewhere in this house, Jake was lurking, and even the thought of him sent a cold prickle down my spine.

As if on cue, I spotted him across the room, leaning against a wall, his eyes already fixed on me. My stomach twisted, and I felt my feet instinctively want to back up, to escape. But he was already moving toward me, his gaze steady, a determined look on his face.

"Lucy," he said, stopping in front of me, his voice low and intense, nearly drowned out by the thrum of the music. "Can we talk?"

I clenched my jaw, avoiding his eyes. "I don't think that's a good idea, Jake."

"Just for a minute," he insisted, his tone almost pleading, an edge of urgency in his eyes. "Please."

Emilia's gaze flickered between us, her concern evident. I could feel Lynn's frustration simmering beside me, but she stayed silent, watching. Taking a steadying breath, I finally nodded. "Fine," I muttered, giving Emilia a quick nod to let her know I'd be okay. "One minute."

Jake led me upstairs, away from the crowd and the music, which faded to a muffled beat under our feet. We entered one of the frat rooms—a cramped, dimly lit space that smelled heavily of stale cologne and spilled alcohol. The walls were plastered with faded posters, their corners peeling, a silent testament to the people who'd passed through here before. A small bed was pushed against the wall, barely made, and a cluttered desk sat in the corner, covered with beer bottles, a textbook, and a crumpled shirt. The only light came from a small lamp on the nightstand, casting deep shadows across Jake's face as he closed the door behind us.

I felt trapped. The room felt smaller by the second, its walls pressing in, amplifying the tension between us. The urge to run tightened in my chest, but I forced myself to stand still, my arms crossed over my chest in a stance I hoped looked stronger than I felt.