The party finally came, everyone with their date, dressed elegantly. The light in the hall, the drinks, everything was perfect and set for a party.
The hallway outside the hall was quiet, the low pulse of bass echoing from the lavish party beyond. Vinny stood near the mirrored wall, straightening his blazer, contemplating going in alone. He wasn't sure why he even came.
Then he heard the click of heels behind him. He turned and there she was.
Jenna dressed in a sleek, dark red dress, her hair pinned up just right. She stopped when she saw him.
"Oh… Vinny?" Jenna called
"Jenna. Didn't think you'd be walking in solo." Vinny blinked
"Well, not everyone I wanted to come showed up. Guess it's just me tonight." Jenna said smiling lightly
"Same. Looks like we're two people too cool to bring dates." he smirked
Jenna studied him for a moment. The clean look, the low confidence that somehow made him stand out.
"You look good tonight." she said
"You don't look too bad yourself." he shrugged
"Careful. Say that again and I might make you my arm candy for the evening." She grinned
"I've been called worse things." Vinny said tilting his head
She raised a brow. The energy between them shifted light, teasing, but crackling with something unspoken.
"Well then, Vinny… shall we?" Jenna asked as she offered her hand, and after a half-second pause, he took it.
They stepped into the party together, arm-in-arm and immediate whispers spread like wildfire
"Is that Jenna? With Vinny?" Cyma asked confused
" I expected it" victor thought
"Jenna came with him?" Someone said
" Who his he again?" Another person asked
"She usually doesn't look twice at guys like that..." Someone said
"Your fan club seems confused." Vinny leaned in, amused
"Let them be. I like giving them something to talk about." Jenna smirked
They made their way to the lounge area, stopping for drinks. Every eye in the room trailed them, people trying to figure out what this pairing meant. Jenna, always poised, took a slow sip of her cocktail, then glanced at Vinny sideways.
"You know what I like about you? Jenna said
"I'm afraid to ask" he said
"You don't try too hard. Everyone here is trying to be someone. You? You are just you?" She said
He looked at her, surprised by the compliment and maybe a little thrown off by how genuine it felt coming from her.
"Well… maybe I just don't have anything to prove." he said
"Exactly." she said
They held each other's gaze for a second longer than necessary. Then, with a flash of her trademark mischief, Jenna leaned closer, voice barely above the music.
"If anyone asks… just say we're dating." she said hesitating for a while
"Should I be flattered or worried?" Vinny smirked
"Both." she said
"To fake dates." she said clinking her glass gently against his
"To confusing everyone we know." Vinny said
They laughed, the tension easing, but the chemistry lingered. And across the room, a few jealous eyes lingered too.
The party was alive, music thumping through the walls, laughter echoing from the living room, flashes from photos and drinks passed between hands. But on the balcony, it was quiet.
Dani leaned on the railing, the city lights flickering beneath the night sky. Behind them, the glass door muffled the chaos inside. It was just the two of them now.
Lucas joined him, handing over a drink.
"I figured you needed a break." he said
Dani gave a small, grateful smile.
"You know me too well." he said as he collected it
They stood in silence for a while, sipping from their cups, the cool breeze brushing past.
"You've been quiet tonight." Lucas said glancing sideways and Dani sighs
"I've been thinking. A lot." he said and Lucas chuckled.
"That's dangerous." Lucas said
Dani laughed softly, then went quiet again. Not because he didn't have something to say, but because he finally did.
"Do you ever wonder if we missed something?" Dani said without looking at him and Lucas frowned slightly.
"Missed something… how?" he asked
Dani turned to face him, hands in his pockets now, his voice was now lower than usual.
"All this time we've been best friends. You've seen every version of me, the good, the ugly, the broken and you still stayed."he said
Lucas tilted his head, his gaze steady.
"Of course I stayed." he replied and Dani stepped a little closer.
"But I didn't just want you to stay because we're friends. I wanted you to stay because… I love you, Lucas." Dani said and Lucas froze, his heart skipping.
"I've been in love with you for longer than I can admit. I never said anything because I didn't want to lose what we have, but pretending it doesn't hurt a little more every day." Dani said quickly but the honest was clear in his voice
The balcony was silent now, even the sounds from inside seemed distant.
Then Lucas finally spoke, his voice soft and steady.
"You think I haven't been holding this in too?"he said and Dani blinked.
Lucas stepped forward, close enough that Dani could feel the warmth between them.
"I've loved you since you made fun of my hoodie in tenth grade and gave me your own because you said it was cooler. Since you showed up to every one of my worst days with coffee and your dumb jokes. I just thought… maybe you didn't feel the same." Lucas said and Dani exhaled, shaky.
"I did. I do." he said
Lucas looked at him, full of something fierce and gentle all at once.
"Then what the hell are we waiting for?" Lucas said
Dani didn't answer. He just leaned in, and Lucas met him halfway. The kiss was soft, careful, but full of everything they hadn't said. Years of silence, now bursting open in one stolen moment on a balcony, away from the noise, where the world had finally made sense.
When they pulled back, Lucas whispered with a grin,
"We should've done this ages ago." he said and Dani smiled, his cheeks flushed.
"Yeah. But this? This was perfect." Dani said
"C'mon let's go down before the girls starts looking for us" Lucas said holding Dani's hand.
They went back to the party hang in hand and it didn't take long before the girls knew, they were now together.
" Congrats Dani, you did it" cyma teased as he approached them
" Yeah, it all thank to you" Dani said
" Do you use me pick up lines?" Cyma asked
" Is it the ' when I see you, I see us' or the ' I would jump down from the balcony just to be with you if it possible" Kiara said
" Yeah, I know, It's cheesy" cyma said
" It's so cringe" Kiara said
" Anyways, thank for you help. I need to get back to meet my man" Dani said
" Oh he's the man, I was about to ask who was the man but you clarified it already so, no problem. Enjoy" cyma said
" Cyma" Kiara said
" That's just how she express her love for me" Dani said
" Yep, I tricked him to going to the balcony while Kiara just stood there with Kelvin doing nothing" cyma said
" Thank you for your help, for the third time" he said
" You're always welcome" cyma said
" Have fun" Dani said leaving
" Looks like you're about to have lots of fun" cyma said
" Does he need a condom, I mean which one if then gets to use a condom?" Cyma asked kiara
" Cyma" she said
" I'm sorry, I'm just curious" cyma said
" I'll be right back" Kiara said noticing Peter sit quietly at one corner
" Yeah, I'll be here by myself having fun" she said sarcastically as Kiara left
The music thumped from inside the hall, bodies moving, lights pulsing, laughter echoing, but in one dimly lit corner of the hall, Peter sat alone, slouched on the edge of a low wall, nursing a plastic cup half-filled with soda. His jersey jacket was draped over his lap, hair tousled, eyes low. The sting of their earlier soccer match loss still clung to him like sweat, but that wasn't all that had him off balance.
Kiara took a deep breath as she made her way through the crowd towards where Peter sat. She hadn't spoken to him properly in days, weeks even, and though she told herself it was nothing, the ache in her chest when she saw him and Jenna together never really went away.
"Hey... you always pick the darkest corners, you know?" Kiara said softly approaching him
Peter looked up, surprised to see her and something in his chest stirred.
"Sometimes it's the only place to think. Or hide, depending on how the night's going." Peter said with a weak smile
"Bad game?" she asked
"Bad everything." he replied
She sat beside him, not too close, not too far, hands folded nervously on her lap.
"I wasn't avoiding you… well, maybe I was. I just… I thought you and Jenna—" she said and Peter turned sharply.
"Wait, you thought me and Jenna—? Kiara, no. Jenna and I… we're just friends. She's Jason's little sister. I mean, yeah, she liked me once, a long time ago, but that's over. Now? She literally calls me her annoying big brother."he said
"Then what about that day in your room… after the fight with your dad? I walked in, and it looked like you were about to kiss her." she said quietly and Peter sighed and rubbed his face.
"She tripped, Kiara. I caught her before she fell. That was it. Nothing happened. I swear." he said
Kiara didn't answer at first. Her gaze drifted toward the house. The lights. The noise.
"The reason we've been talking a lot lately... it's not what you think. She's into Vinny. And she's been asking me for advice." he added and Kiara blinked. That wasn't what she had expected.
"Wait, she likes Vinny?" she asked
"Yeah. Like… full-on butterflies and all. I've been trying to help her figure it out." he said and Kiara let out a small laugh, more at herself than anything.
"God, I feel stupid. Everyone kept saying how she's always by your side. How she's always smiling at you like…" she said
"Like how you used to smile at me?" he said cutting her short
She looked at him, and something in her chest clenched.
"Can I ask you something?" Peter asked and she nodded
"That music guy… Kelvin? Are you into him?" he asked
Kiara hesitated a bit before she shook her head.
"No. I mean… it wasn't anything serious. I was just angry. And jealous. And maybe trying to make myself feel something else. Something that wasn't you." she said and Peter's expression soften
"I heard. The talk with Cyma and Dani. I didn't mean to, I just… overheard it."he said and Kiara's face flushed and she looked down.
"I was upset. And stupid. And maybe I thought if I just… distracted myself, it would go away." she said
"You're the reason I was off today. The reason I missed three passes and forgot my own play." he said gently and she looked up, surprised.
"I've fallen for you, Kiara. Somewhere between our stupid arguments and late-night walks, you happened. And I kept telling myself no strings, no feelings, remember? That was the rule."he said
"And now?" she teased
"I take it back. All of it. I want strings. I want you. I want everyone to know you're mine — if you'll have me." he said and Kiara smirked as her heart raced
"Wow, so dramatic. You sure you're not in the theater club?" she teased and he chuckled, nervously.
"So... is that a yes?" he asked
" Is that a new way of asking a girl out?" She said
" I'm not use to it, I just grab any girl and that's all" he said
" Here you go again boosting" she said rolling her eyes
" But you're different from any other girl" he said with a seductive look
" Don't flatter me with your words and looks" she said and he chuckled slightly
" So what do you say?" He asked and she leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with something playful but sincere.
"Only if you kiss me first." she said playfully but Peter didn't wait another second.
He leaned in, slow at first, uncertain, until their lips met. It wasn't rushed, or messy, just a quiet, perfect seal of everything unsaid until now. When they pulled apart, her forehead rested gently on his.
"So… I guess this means we're official?" she said shy as they gave their self space
"More than. Now let's go back in there and prove everyone right." he said str hung his hand to her
"Right about what?" she asked
"That I've always been crazy about you." he said
" Oh, you've started with the charming lies" she said and they both chuckled
Elena overheard when Peter told Kiara that Jenna had a huge crush on vinny. Looking at Vinny and Jenna chat happily at a corner annoyed her. She hate to see Jenna happy after trying to destroy her own happiness. She watched both of them leave the party, walking side by side. Jenna's hand brushed Vinny's arm and she laughed at something he said.
Something twisted in Elena's chest, it stung badly. She had told herself it was nothing, that Jenna could be around Vinny without it meaning anything. But the way she smiled at him… the way Vinny smiled back...No. She wasn't letting Jenna win. Not again. Seeing Jenna so happy felt like she should rip all her happiness away, someone like her doesn't deserve to be happy.Without thinking, Elena pushed past the groups on the lawn, her heels clicking fast against the pavement as she ran after them.
"Vinny!" she yelled and they both turned
"Elena?" Vinny blinked in surprise
Jenna crossed her arms slowly, tilting her head.
" What's up?" He asked
" Where are you going, the party isn't over yet?" She asked breathless
" I'm just seeing Jenna off to her car and the I would go home"
" Oh okay, that's good."
" Yeah" he said turning but she held him grabbing his attention.
" I just wanted to thank you for being a good friend to me, I know how much you cherish me and I also cherish you back. You really did a lot for me even in the geng" Elena said
Vinny gave a small smile, but his eyes flicked awkwardly to Jenna.
"Uh, sure… anytime." Vinny said and Elena stepped closer. Too close.
"No, really. You really did a lot for me and you look amazing tonight." she said
And before Vinny could say a word, before Jenna could even roll her eyes... Elena leaned forward and kissed him. Not a soft, accidental brush but a deliberate, confident kiss right in front of Jenna. Vinny froze, caught off guard. Jenna's expression changed. Her arms dropped.
Elena pulled back slowly, her lips curved into a smug smile. Her eyes locked with Jenna's.
"Thanks again, Vinny. I'll see you around." she said
Then she turned on her heel and walked back toward the house, shoulders squared, not looking back.Jenna's jaw was clenched, and Vinny stood in stunned silence, unsure if he should chase after Elena abd ask why she kissed him. She was dating Leo and if Leo found out he is good as dead. Either way, the damage had been done. And Elena knew it.
" Um... I, um.. you..."Vinny stammered finding words but nothing came out
" It's fine, I can walk myself" Jenna said leaving angrily and Vinny sighed in frustration