Euphoria

1~Energy

Jae's POV

"Come on, Jae-Jae. Hurry up!" September shouted impatiently. I groaned at the weird nickname she came up with now and quickly just put on a t shirt and jeans. Nothing too flashy or exciting. I just want to blend in. I walk downstairs and I see September in the opposite of what I'm wearing: a tight short sequinned red crop top, burgundy high heels and tiny black denim shorts. Of course she had to go full out.

"I can't believe you convinced me to go to this party." I glare at her evilly. She ignores me and looks at my outfit disapprovingly. Thankfully, Tae comes before she can comment any further, and kisses her. I fake gag. I still can't get over the fact that they are dating. I mean, they are pretty cute together, I'm not gonna lie, but no way am I going to tell them that. They're egos are already beyond imagining.

Rolling my eyes at them, I shove my cheap fake filas on and into the car. I hear her squeal loudly and she somehow manages to get in the car without breaking an ankle.

"Drive safe, hyeong." He laughs before hugging me hesitantly

"걱정 하지마." He whispered, hugging me tightly. I hug back. In the end, he's really just my sweet brother that I love.

I drive, glaring at the lit-up road. I feel my knuckles tightening and my whole face pale as we got closer to the party. The most popular guy in the school, Park Whatsitcalledagain, is hosting the party. I  hate going to loud drunk places where I stand out like a sore thumb. I rather Maths class or English class where I can just hide behind my test paper like a shield. At parties, I'm vulnerable. I've got nowhere to hide. I hate that.

"Hey, Jelly. You can do this." I hear September say in the background. I smile faintly. I remember the time she called me that because she said it was my whole name fused together into Jae Lee: Jelly. Damn it, September, why do you have to be the perfect best friend.

"Thanks, Seppie." I mutter out.

I take a deep gulp of air and walk out of the car. I can hear the loud booming music ringing in my ears already. My tongue's gone dry. I cough anxiously, feeling the
stink of alcohol, smoke and plastic mixed together in my throat. Disgusting. Already drunk people are swarming around me, half naked. My throat closes up and my chest tightens.

Oh my fucking god, this can't be happening.

I need air. My vision blurs as I stumble around trying to find either September or the exit. I see a tall guy with girls surrounding him like moths to a flame but I can't make out who he is.

I breathe shallowly, not able to control my breathing now, my hands trembling. Suddenly, someone guides me towards the door, each little step echoing in my ears. I feel the cool air in my lungs and slowly I regain focus. Still, the person leads me into a car and I can hear the engine start.

Am I being kidnapped? Dear god, I hope not. Unless it's September. I peer at the person carefully. My vision is still quite blurry so I can't see properly but it's definitely a guy. I scream inwardly. What the hell? Who is this guy? Where is he taking me? My glasses are really blurry but I don't have my cloth thingy so I wipe them with my thumb. That only makes them worse.

"Here." I hear a low husky voice. I blush bright red. I forgot there was someone here. He gives me a glasses cloth and I quickly wipe them, my head bowed down in embarrassment. I put them on and stare at the guy driving.

"Holy crap." I mutter. He's Parker something. We reach a stop and I'm still trying to figure out why I'm in the most popular guy in school's car.

We get out, me stumbling like Bambi.

Fuck, I'm going to embarrass myself in front of him aren't I?

We're in a desolate forest with rocks everywhere. It's silent but a sort of white noise. Like it's invisible.

"Sorry I had to drag you out of there, you just seemed like you were having a panic attack." He says awkwardly, shifting from toe to toe.

"Wait, no no no." I laugh ridiculously "that wasn't a panic attack. I always get them. It's fine." He leans on his BMW.

"Anyways," he says, ignoring me "I didn't like the party anyways. It was annoying."

I scoff "You? Mr Party All Day and Party All Night? Find a party annoying? Wow, what has the world turned to."

"You don't know me. No one knows me."

I'm surprised at how dark he sounds. And also a little guilty for judging him so quickly. And maybe a little scared.

"Sorry." I mutter

"Eh," he rejects my apology "What's your name by the way?"

"Jaehyun Lake Lee."

"Cool. I'm Parker Jones."

Ohhh. Of course. Jones. Why couldn't I think of that before? It's such a plain common surname. I struggle to think of what to say now. His eyes look up, staring directly into mine. His eyes are beautiful, like tiny crystals hidden in snow. His hair is soft and curly, like a fluffy cloud from heaven.

Wait, what? What am I thinking for fucks sake?

"Come on, I'll take you home, Lake." He says, sounding extremely confused. Lake? That's new...

I tell him my address but after that we drive in silence. Something feels dangerous about this but it somehow feels satisfying. My mind is sprawled everywhere, clotting up fantasy with reality. What is this weird feeling? I pinch myself, trying to distract myself from the pricks of colour on my face. It's not working.

As soon as I see my house, I dart out of the car, falling face flat.

Dang it, Jae, you couldn't have gotten to your house before summoning your supernatural clumsiness, could you?

I feel a soft hand grasp mine and I feel electric energy flow through my body. God. I snatch my hand away at the same time Parker does.

Stumbling upwards, I plaster a grin on my face and limp away, flustered.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He shouts in the distance.

"Yep." I pop the p "I'm fine, Jones." I run into the house and shut the door, gasping. I take my phone out and I see 5 missed calls from September. Shit.

I gradually start breathing properly. What the hell?

I see my three nosy siblings in the corner, peering at me anxiously. I open my arms out and Bada runs into them, sniffling.

"Appa and Amma are fighting again." She cried

"Don't worry, Apple, I'm here now." I whisper into her ear, hugging her tightly. I hear our parents screaming at each other again. Fuck them, can't they be nice for their five year old daughter for once?

Mina looks at me doefully like she knows about all my troubles and insecurities. Maybe she does. She's studying psychology after all.

Jae doesn't do anything except look out the window to see Parker driving away. His fists clench up and for a second I'm scared.

Bada buries her head in my shoulder but there are too many thoughts and emotions swirling through my brain right now like a pot full of chili and haribos and chicken soup. But most of all, Parker Jones.