Between Us

The invitation Part Two

The house pulsed with bass as Jayden, Konner, and Juni stepped inside. The faint smell of spilled beer mixed with the sharp tang of something fruity hung in the air, and the chatter and laughter of a hundred voices almost drowned out the music. Lights flashed in wild colors, bouncing off the walls, casting the crowd in flickering purples, blues, and reds. Jayden's heart was already racing, his senses overwhelmed as he took it all in.

Julio's house had been transformed for the night. The usual cozy living room was packed with people, and the furniture had been shoved aside to make room for a makeshift dance floor, where a crowd of teens swayed and jumped, lost in the music. Julio had gone all-out—streamers hung from the ceiling, and every other surface was covered in half-empty cups and abandoned plates of snacks. It was chaotic, but it was exactly the kind of energy that Julio thrived on.

"Come on, Jay!" Julio shouted over the music, pulling Jayden further into the crowd with a bright, reckless grin. "This is amazing, isn't it?"

Jayden tried to smile, but his nerves were buzzing. He felt Konner's reassuring hand on his shoulder, grounding him, and he let out a slow breath. "Yeah... yeah, it's... something," Jayden said, trying to take it all in without feeling dizzy.

Juni disappeared into the crowd, laughing and chatting with everyone she passed. Konner stayed close by, his eyes scanning the room, both curious and cautious. Jayden felt a sense of comfort in his steady presence, like an anchor in the midst of chaos.

They made their way to the kitchen, where a counter was lined with every drink imaginable, from soda to bottles of mysterious brightly colored liquor that someone had probably snuck in. A group of teens crowded around, some already giggling and stumbling as they poured themselves drinks.

"Want anything?" Konner asked Jayden, gesturing toward the drinks.

Jayden shook his head quickly. "Uh, no thanks. I think I'm good with water for now."

Just then, a familiar voice rang out behind them, smooth and dripping with sarcasm. "Well, well, well... Look who decided to make an appearance."

Jayden's stomach dropped as he turned around to see William, his ex. Dressed sharply as usual, with that same smug smile on his face, William looked Jayden up and down with a raised eyebrow. His British accent cut through the noise with a sharp edge, and Jayden felt a rush of tension flood through him.

"Didn't think parties were your thing, Jayden," William sneered, his voice just loud enough to carry over the music.

Jayden's face flushed, but before he could respond, Konner stepped forward, subtly putting himself between Jayden and William. "Maybe he's here with friends. Not that it's any of your business," Konner said evenly, his gaze steady and unyielding.

William smirked, giving Konner a once-over. "Ah, a protector now, is he? Charming."

Jayden gritted his teeth, trying to keep his composure. Memories of William's cutting words and manipulative behavior flooded back, making his stomach twist. But Konner's presence beside him reminded him that he wasn't alone, that he didn't have to let William get under his skin.

Before the tension could escalate, a loud voice interrupted them. "There you are, you idiots! Come dance!"

Julio stumbled over, already halfway through a drink, his face flushed with excitement. His eyes lit up when he saw Jayden and Konner, and he threw his arms around them, pulling them both toward the dance floor. Jayden could smell the faint trace of tequila on Julio's breath, and he knew his friend was already feeling the buzz.

"Jay! Konner! You have to meet some people!" Julio yelled, his words slightly slurred. He led them through the crowd, past clusters of dancing teens and people chatting loudly over the music.