Ryan's POV- Stranger Under the Moonlight
Engine roared beneath me, vibrating through the steering wheel.
Gasoline and burning rubber filled the cold night air.
Most people hated it.
I didn't.
To me, it smelled like adrenaline.
I got my first car at fifteen.
Started Street racing at sixteen.
By twenty, I was racing professionally—one of the names people saw on TV.
Apparently, that made me a big deal.
At the university, people watched. Talked. Followed.
I never understood why.
Maybe the races.
Maybe the reputation.
Or maybe just my face.
Either way—
I never cared.
Some racers love the attention— They stop for photos, flirt with every girl, playing the crowd.
Not me.
I'm here for one thing.
Race.
Win.
Leave.
Right now, nothing else mattered.
My grip tightened as the engine growled—restless, alive. The vibration ran through me like the car and I were breathing as one.
A girl stepped between the cars, flashlight raised.
Silence.
My foot pressed down.
The engine snarled.
This moment—
the anticipation, the danger—
This is where I feel alive.
The light dropped.
I launched.
The car shot forward, the world collapsing into speed and sound. Lights stretched into blurs.
The other car stayed beside me—
for a second.
I shifted.
The engine screamed.
I pulled ahead.
And just like that—
I crossed first.
The crowd rushed in, shouting, filming, replaying it like it meant more than it did.
I leaned against my car, letting the adrenaline settle.
"That was insane," Lance said, walking over with a grin. "You didn't just win—you destroyed him."
Mark chuckled.
France smirked. "I almost feel bad for the guy."
"Almost," Kurt added.
I didn't reply—just smirked.
A girl stepped in front of me.
"Ryan, can we take a picture?"
Lance grinned. "See? Fame."
"Make it quick."
Click.
She ran off like she'd won something.
"You act like you hate it," France said.
"I don't," I replied. "I just don't care."
Attention like that doesn't excite me.
Too easy.
And easy things never feel real.
That's why racing still does.
If I flirt—
it's because I want to.
Not because they expect me to.
Most of the time, I'd rather just be with my friends.
Lance threw an arm over my shoulder.
"Since that's done—let's go."
"The plan?" Mark asked.
"Obviously. Villa's empty. No classes. No responsibilities."
France pushed off the car. "I'm surprised you didn't invite half the university."
"Relax," Lance said. "It's not that kind of party."
Kurt gave him a look. "You say that now."
Lance grinned. "Okay… maybe a few people."
"Of course," Mark laughed.
"Ryan," Lance said. "Let's go."
"Yeah."
"Good. Villa's waiting."
"Food, drinks, music…" Mark added.
"…and trouble," Kurt finished.
Lance grinned wider. "We celebrate properly."
And with him—
"properly" meant chaos.
By the time I got to the villa, the party had already started.
Music echoed before I even parked.
My parents were away.
The house was empty.
Perfect.
The moment I walked in, people noticed.
Some greeted me. Others just stared.
A few girls approached like we already knew each other.
I nodded politely but didn't stop.
I never stay in conversations longer than necessary.
Near the bar, Lance, Mark, and Kurt were already surrounded.
"There he is!" Lance called.
"Finally," Kurt said, raising his drink.
Mark handed me a glass before I could refuse.
"Where's France?" I asked.
They exchanged looks.
"Not here yet?" Mark said. "That's new."
"He said he's running late," Kurt added.
Lance laughed. "Probably flirting on the way."
I took a small sip, letting the burn settle.
The music got louder. The room tighter.
Across the room, a group of girls kept glancing over, whispering.
I exhaled.
"I thought this was a small party," I said.
Kurt chuckled. "That was before you showed up."
"I doubt that."
Mark shrugged. "It's a party. Relax."
I leaned back slightly.
"I am."
"You look bored."
"I am."
That made them laugh.
More people tried to talk to me. I kept it short.
Too many voices. Too many eyes.
After a while, I set my glass down.
"Where are you going?" Mark asked.
"Terrace."
Lance smirked. "Running already?"
"Enjoy your party."
Kurt lifted his drink. "Don't worry. We will."
I walked away before anyone could stop me.
The noise faded as I climbed the stairs.
...........................…
The air up here was perfect—cool, quiet.
Better than pretending to socialize with people I didn't even know.
At least here, I could breathe.
The irritation I carried slowly faded as I looked up at the moon, hanging clear above the terrace.
Nothing had changed.
Just like before.
My phone vibrated.
France.
Where are you? Just got here.
I glanced at it.
Late. I'll be downstairs later.
I sent the reply and slipped my phone back into my pocket.
It buzzed again.
I was about to check it—
When the terrace door opened.
A girl walked in.
My hand stopped mid-motion.
She didn't notice me. Didn't even bother looking around her eyes were fixed straight ahead as she kept walking further inside.
"Huh?"
I watched her in silence, already annoyed.
Who was this?
How did she even get up here?
This wasn't a place people just wandered into.
A lot of questions immediately crossed my mind.
She looked like she had been drinking.
"Is this real… or am I just drunk?"
I blinked once.
…She's talking to herself?
A quiet scoff slipped out.
"Seriously… what a weird girl."
Still—
I didn't look away.
She walked in, casually dropping the heels in her hand.
For some reason, I felt like laughing.
I didn't even know why.
My gaze followed her as she tilted her head up, staring at the moon stretching her hand as if she could actually reach it.
"She's definitely not in her right mind," I said with a small chuckle.
Then I noticed the dress she was wearing.
Simple.
But somehow… attractive.
The pearl-colored fabric suited her perfectly, making her skin glow softly under the moonlight.
And then I realized—
I still hadn't seen her face.
My interest flickered.
Is she even worth this much attention?
A faint smile formed.
Let's see.
"Hey. You."
My voice cut through the silence, sharp and controlled.
"How did you get here?"
She turned—
Too slow.
"AHH—"
I moved without thinking, covering her mouth before she could scream.
"Quiet," I whispered. "They'll hear you."
Her body stiffened, her eyes widened as she quickly removed my hand from her mouth.
"You scared me!" she said, stepping back, breathing heavily, unsteady. "I thought you were a ghost."
I didn't answer.
Just watched.
No fake smile. No flirting. No attempt to impress.
Just… annoyed.
…Interesting.
Then—
I saw her face.
And paused.
My gaze locked onto hers.
Her eyes.
Her nose.
Her lips.
For a second, I couldn't move.
She reminded me of someone.
I was still staring when I noticed she was staring at me too.
I couldn't tell what she was thinking, but the way she looked at me… there was something in it.
And suddenly—
The image of Someone I knew appeared in my mind.
Something in me shifted—and I didn't like it.
It was instant.
My expression turned cold.
Whatever interest I had… disappeared.
"I don't mean to be rude," I said, voice even, almost indifferent, "but you're not one of those girls stalking me, are you?"
"H-huh?" she stuttered.
"S-stalking you? Excuse me?!"
She looked completely shocked.
"Why would I do that? I don't even know you!"
"Oh really?" I smirked.
"Then what are you doing here?"
"I told you!" she replied quickly, stumbling over her words. "I was looking for the restroom and somehow ended up here!"
I glanced around lazily, hands in my pockets.
"Look around," I said flatly. "Did you find what you were looking for?"
"I told you I didn't—"
"Why do you even care?!" she snapped.
There it was again.
Emotion.
She went serious—like she might actually leave.
…And I didn't like that.
I wasn't done yet.
"Alright, alright," I raised my hands slightly, letting out a quiet laugh.
"Relax. I was just joking."
Not really.
I stepped closer.
She didn't move this time.
"Since you've already passed my standards…"
A playful smirk appeared on my face.
"You can stay here. With me."
Before she could speak, I lifted a finger and pressed it lightly against her lips.
She froze.
Of course she did.
They always do.
I leaned in just enough for my voice to drop into something softer—dangerously casual.
"Want to sleep with me?"
Her eyes widened instantly.
"E-excuse me?!"
I pulled back slightly, watching her reaction that almost made me laugh.
She was clearly offended.
At least she wasn't boring.
Then her expression shifted.
Subtle—but I caught it.
Her balance wavered.
Her breathing changed.
Drunk.
"…Enough… I can't—"
Her body tilted.
For a second, she tried to steady herself.
Didn't work.
Her vision blurred—I could see it in her unfocused eyes.
And then—
She dropped.
"Miss?"
Luckily, I caught her before she hit the floor. Otherwise, her pretty face would've smashed straight into it.
"…Now what?"
I looked down at the unconscious girl in my arms.
Annoying.
I wasn't going downstairs to look for her friends.
I carried her to a lounge chair and laid her down carefully.
But before pulling away—
I paused.
Up close, she looked softer.
Too close.
Her scent lingered—sweet, distracting.
For a second, a dangerous thought crossed my mind.
I almost leaned in—
Then a familiar face flashed in my head.
I stepped back immediately.
Distance.
I looked down at her, expression unreadable.
Of all places… she had to collapse here.
I exhaled, running a hand through my hair.
What was I supposed to do?
If I left her—
Someone else might find her.
No.
I couldn't risk that.
I walked to the railing, glancing at the crowded party below.
Then back at her.
A quiet sigh left me.
I ran a hand through my hair.
"…Guess I don't have a choice."
She was light—too light—as I carried her through the noise. Music, laughter, chaos. No one paid attention. Perfect.
I kept my head down and moved.
I slipped through the crowd without stopping, keeping her close so it looked… almost normal. Like she was just tired.
Outside, the night was quiet. Finally.
I settled her into the car. Still out. circling to the driver's seat.
For a second,
I just sat there, hands resting on the wheel.
"…What am I even doing?"
No answer.
I started the engine. The drive was quiet. Just the road—and her.
By the time I reached my condo, the streets were nearly empty.
I parked, stepped out, and moved to her side.
Still unconscious.
"…Unbelievable."
I lifted her again and headed inside.
The lobby was quiet—just the night guard at the desk.
He glanced up briefly, then looked away like he saw nothing.
Good.
The elevator ride was silent. Just the soft hum of movement and her steady breathing.
When the doors opened, I walked straight to my unit.
Unlocked it.
Stepped inside.
And finally— set her down on the couch. I exhaled slowly, staring sat her.
"…Now what?"