The music thumped loudly in the room as everyone swayed to its infectious beat. People were lost in dance, sipping drinks, and engaging in lively conversations. Some were already sprawled out, already drunk, while others fought to keep their eyelids from drooping. And let's not forget the couples, making out in every corner. 

The party was scheduled for 7 PM, but the real festivities didn’t kick off until about 7:35. I had helped with the preparations, which meant I arrived well ahead of time. Darla and Aria had just shown up a few minutes ago. Samson was absent today, still recovering from his illness. 

I was taken aback to see Matt at this party; he rarely shows up. Normally, he opts for the bar whenever we throw a house party. Did Rex convince him to join us? 

I lifted my cup to my lips but shook my head and set it down again. I wasn’t about to let history repeat itself. 

I refused to get tipsy because of Rex. 

Speaking of Rex, he was here, donned in a blue denim jacket and pants, his hair slightly tousled. Meanwhile, I was dressed in a brown vintage shirt paired with black trousers. 

We hadn’t exchanged a word since the party kicked off; we were positioned at opposite ends of the room. He was accompanied by a few guys, presumably his former coursemates. 

“Come on, let’s hit the dance floor, Darla!” Aria slurred, her excitement evident. 

Darla took her shot and nodded, letting Aria pull her away. At least she got to dance with her crush. 

“Hey, Casper, why are you just sitting there looking all moody?” Benson called out from behind me. 

“I’m just taking it all in,” I replied, accepting the shot he poured for me. 

"Come on, man. You used to be so full of life—what's changed? I know what could spark that energy back: some lovely girls!" he exclaimed, taking a hearty swig from his bottle. 

"I don’t—" I started, but he walked off before I could finish. Glancing around, I spotted Rex deep in conversation with Matt. Why did Matt have to show up? And why am I even bothered? 

I downed another shot just as Benson arrived with two girls in tow. 

"Thank me later, alright?" Benson whispered before slipping away, leaving me with two girls I wasn't particularly interested in. 

"Hi, I’m Natasha," one introduced herself, playfully rubbing my chest. 

"Benson was just joking around. I didn’t ask for—" 

"So, you don’t want us?" the other chimed in, trying to give me a sultry look that surprisingly worked. What did I have to lose? Rex was entirely focused on Matt, the one he liked, while I stood here feeling foolish. 

"I didn’t say that..." I replied, playfully meeting her gaze. She smirked and leaned closer, but suddenly a glass of wine appeared between us. 

"Get a room," I heard Rex’s voice as he stepped in, sipping his drink and swirling the glass effortlessly. 

"I'm up for a threesome if that's what you're hinting at," the other girl said, inching closer to him. 

He downed the rest of his drink, setting the glass down with that annoying ‘ahh’ sound. 

"I meant with someone else. Blondie here and I need to have a chat." 

The girls merely shook their heads and walked off. "What the hell did you just do?" 

"What do you mean?" He replied, feigning innocence. 

"I was in the midst of something. And I know for a fact we have nothing to discuss." 

"Who says? I've got plenty to talk about with you." 

"Why are you pestering me? Go back to your conversation with Matt." I said, taking a sip of my drink. 

Rex leaned in closer, his face mere inches from mine. "Do you get tipsy when you're jealous?" 

We locked eyes, neither of us flinching. "N-No, I don’t," I heard myself stammer. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly before he pulled back. 

Darla and Aria returned from dancing, looking flushed and a bit unsteady. Aria had a rosy glow on her cheeks as she leaned into Darla. 

"Is she alright?" 

"Yeah, just a little tipsy." They headed toward the chair on our right. "I kinda miss Samson now; he would’ve entertained us with his drunken ramblings," Darla chuckled. 

"Can we go home? I’m not feeling so great," Aria said to Darla, who nodded without hesitation. She then looked at me, "I'll catch you later, and maybe ease up on the drinks. You get a bit feisty when you're tipsy." 

I frowned, "That’s not true." 

"I’ve got him covered, don’t worry," Rex chimed in, flashing a goofy grin. Darla shot him a disapproving look before shrugging it off. 

Once they left, I turned to Rex. "You’re not babysitting me." 

“Yeah, I am,” he replied before heading off to meet Matt. As soon he started chatting with him, I turned my gaze away. I let out a scoff, muttering, “you meant taking care of Matt.” Rising from my seat, I made my way out of the room. That was the end of my night. 

Benson was right; this isn’t my usual self at parties. Rex has such a profound impact on me, and I loathe it. I despise how I find myself searching for him whenever I know he’s nearby. I can’t stand the way I secretly yearn for his attention. I hate every bit of it. 

I hate the fact that he likes Matt, instead of me. 

Then the memory hit me. I recalled what I had whispered to Rex that night when I was drunk and passed out. 

“Why Jess? Why couldn’t it have been me that night?” I had murmured to him. 

“Damn it! Why am I so utterly pathetic?” I said to myself as I approached my apartment building. Standing there, my vision started to blur. “What? Am I actually going to cry now?” I blinked hard, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill down my cheeks. 

“Casper?” I heard his voice behind me. 

I wiped my eyes quickly before turning around. “What?” I asked, my tone dripping with irritation. 

“You left.” 

“And? We didn’t arrive together.” 

“Yeah, but—” 

“You keep bothering me, even after I told you to back off.” 

He looked at me as I spoke. “Is it entertaining for you, knowing I once had a crush on you?” 

“That’s not—” 

“Just leave me the hell alone, Rex. Please.” With that, I turned on my heel and walked into my apartment. 

I collapsed onto my bed, wishing that by morning, my feelings for him would simply vanish.