The music was blaring as I stepped through the doorway. Hot air hit me in the face as I made my way through the crowd, hoping to find someone I knew. It was late. Too late for me to be out but Rose had insisted I had to socialize with my workmates. 

"Rie, you made it!" Someone screamed.

I scanned the room for whoever had called out to me. Anita pushed her way through the crowd, drink in hand. Her curly hair was tied in a loose bun and she looked stunning in booty shorts, crop top, and sneakers.

"Glad you found the place!" She said, trying her best to speak above the loud music.

"I could hear the music from the subway and I Pied Pipered my way here," I replied giggling. I was nervous. Too nervous.

"Come, I'll get you something to drink," She said, leading me through the dancing crowd to the kitchen. "Some punch, wine, beer, vodka? Jake went all out today since it's kind of my farewell party too."

"Water will be fine," I replied. "For now," I added when she raised her eyebrows at me. I looked around and spotted Candace dancing. She seemed to be having so much fun.

"He's not here yet," Anita said.

"Huh?"

"Haruto, he hasn't come yet."

"I wasn't—"

"Your water," she added, cutting me off, a weird smile on her face. I took the glass from her and gulped it down.

What was she going on about?

Candace spotted me and smiled broadly. She came towards us dancing and I knew I had to run.

"We have to dance! We came here to have fun and not stand around the snacks," she screamed, pulling me towards the dancefloor. She took hold of Anita's wrist and dragged us both through the crowd that fluidly parted for us.

Candace had this challenging expression on her face. The kind that makes you do things without thinking them through. I could tell she was daring me to bust a move and my blood was racing. I threw my hands in the air and gave myself to the music. I could feel the vibrations through the floor and the bodies that rubbed against me. For a moment, I was free. 

When the music slowed down, I knew I had to step off the floor. I joined Anita at the "bar" and poured myself some sparkling water.

"I gather you don't take alcohol," Anita said.

"You gathered right."

When I turned to face the dancing crowd, my heart stopped the moment our eyes locked.

"Oh, look who finally made it."

"I need to use the ladies, where is it?" I asked Anita.

"Really?" She shot back.

What was up with her tonight?

"Down the hall to your right."

I could feel eyes on me as I quickly made it through the crowd. I slipped into the bathroom and shut the door behind me.

"What the hell was that?" I gasped, my heart racing.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

"Hurry up in there!"

I washed my hands and grabbed some toilet paper to dry them. The hand towel was far from sanitary.

"Sorry," I said, moving out of the way as a couple rushed in, clearly higher than kites. I walked out of the apartment and headed for the park in front of the apartment complex. The air was cool outside. Calming. I sat on the bench and watched a couple of people trickle out of the party.

How does Jake know so many people? 

"So this is where you ran off to."

"Holy Sh—" I gasped, jumping.

Oh, no.

"Sorry if I startled you," Haruto said. "Mind if I sit?"

"Uh—not at all."

Why does the bench seem so small all of a sudden?

"That's weird?"

"What?" I asked, shifting uneasily.

"We are wearing the same outfit," he replied, a slight chuckle completing the sentence.

"Wait, what?"

I glanced at him and instantly burst out laughing.

There's no way!