radiance | baekhyun

10

22:58.

it wasn't a date.

of course, it wasn't.

that's what roma kept on repeating to herself.

the setting of the party was dim, unhurried and slow-moving, an absence of light enveloping some of the corners of the room, and the music provided a mellow background. roma felt uncomfortable in her black shorts and dark grey crop-top, thighs rubbing against one another.

sweat perspired at the base of her neck. roma's hands reached around to gather her long, dark hair so it fell over her shoulder. the heat of her skin was evident, and the dizziness in her vision only proved to herself that she'd drank too much already.

breathe.

people crowded around, smoking, drinking, laughing, dancing; everything roma wasn't accustomed to. heat prickled beneath her shirt and took over her senses. if she'd have been alone, she would've panicked, tried to find mia.

but, all of it, all of her uncertainties and troubles, sort of didn't matter. they'd gone; vanished by the protective hold of baekhyun's strong embrace.

baekhyun had his arm draped around roma's waist as the two of them stood, backs against the wall, as he chatted to some other person, a friend, his grip on her tightening by the minute. warm hands.

she was relaxed against his hold, body moulding against his for support and security. the promiscuous stares and careful touches had not gone unnoticed by either of them, baekhyun's grip only preventing others.

she wanted to ask him what they were doing; why were they here together. she felt stupid, again, for letting herself get into such situations.

roma tried to pay attention, but couldn't. it was too loud and noisy to decipher what it was he was discussing. she wished mia was here, so she had someone--anyone--else to converse with, to find solace in.

"roma!" someone shouted, catching her attention as baekhyun's grip instinctively tightened. she held close to him; wary and unsure. small grip clinging to his robust arms. "baekhyun!"

the sea of people parted--revealing deafening music and perspiring, swaying bodies--only to show a drunken boy with glasses and a drink in his hand, advancing towards her. arm reached outwards. a huge grin plastered his face. red lips.

kai. she remembered him, from the other night. what seemed a thousand years ago.

drunk. he was very drunk. perhaps, like her.

"romaaa!" he yelled repeatedly, sounding out her name at the highest possible volume. it was drowned out by the thumping bass.

with a rush of quick movements and spilt drinks, kai enveloped roma into a huge hug, engulfing her in his warm scent of faded cigarettes and cheap wine. his glasses caught against the side of her face, as she buried herself into his shirt unintentionally. the absence of baekhyun's hold was apparent, his arm slipping, kai's body warmth feeling strange and unknown.

"missed you, babe," kai shouted into the curve of her ear, attempting to be heard above the uproar of noise.

kai's overly-friendly manner of exchange startled her. she hardly knew him.

subtly, baekhyun encircled his arm around her waist, yanking her away from the boisterous nature of kai's overwhelming presence.

strobe lights flashed.