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i stood in the living room of madelyn's house, swirling my glass of champagne as the minutes dragged on. every few seconds, i found myself pulling my phone out of my pocket, the motion becoming an obsessive habit.
it wasn't as if i expected a miracle text, but the silence from my so-called date was almost worse than his pathetic excuse. car broke down, he'd said.
a classic. what he really meant was obvious: have fun ringing in the new year alone.
the party around me was loud and chaotic, the energy of the countdown building with every passing moment.
everywhere i looked, people were pairing off, gravitating toward whoever they planned to kiss at midnight.
madelyn strolled through the party, her fingers laced with the guy she'd chosen for the night. in the kitchen, chase had his arms wrapped securely around his girlfriend, their heads bent close in whispered conversation. madison had already disappeared with her girlfriend, leaving me as the odd one out.
well, almost.
across the room, i spotted drew leaning against the wall, his beer dangling lazily from his fingers. he stood there like a portrait of indifference, his eyes scanning the room with the same detached expression i'd probably been wearing all night.
the black leather jacket he wore made him look effortlessly cool, but something in his stance gave him away. maybe it was the way his gaze lingered a little too long on the couples forming nearby, or the way he rolled the neck of his beer bottle between his hands as if it gave him something to do.
whatever it was, he looked about as thrilled as i felt.
with a sigh, i pushed my way through the growing crowd. everyone seemed to vibrate with excitement, the energy in the air contagious in a way that only made me feel lonelier.
finally, i reached him.
i swung around, leaning against the wall beside him. taking a sip of my champagne, i gave him a knowing look. "enjoying yourself over here, starkey?"
he glanced down at his feet, a low chuckle rumbling from his chest. "couldn't you tell?"
i raised my eyebrows, letting out a small laugh. "you've been standing here for at least an hour. i'd say you're having the time of your life."
"you know me so well, y/n," he said dryly, lifting his beer with a mock toast and a fake grin before letting out a huff.
i tilted my head, studying him. "so, your date bailed too?"
his head snapped toward me, amusement showing in his eyes. "that obvious?"
"you're drinking a beer alone in a corner, surrounded by girls who would probably kill to kiss you at midnight," i commented, gesturing toward the room with my champagne glass.
