Different

"We're here. Let's go inside," Jace says, that same bored tone lingering in his voice.

He still hasn't looked at me once. His strange, distant energy is unsettling, crawling under my skin. I hesitate. Something's wrong. And if he's acting like this, do I even want to go inside with him? 

"Wait," I say, and surprisingly, he stops.

"What's going on?" I ask, swallowing the nerves bubbling inside of me. "If you didn't want to come, why'd you even pick me up? It's fine, really. Just - take me home." My voice wavers between courage and apology. 

He exhales slowly, his head dropping slightly. A beat of silence stretches between us. 

"I'm sorry", he says at last, voice low. "I didn't mean to be a dick. Something happened earlier. But I shouldn't let it out on you." With that, he shuts his car door.

I blink, surprised by his honesty. Before I can respond, he's already walking around to my side, opening the door for me. 

"What happened?" I ask him softer this time. 

"It doesn't matter" he says with a small, tired smile. "Come on - we're here to have a good time." He holds out his hand. "You look gorgeous by the way."

A shy warmth blooms inside me. "Thanks," I whisper, taking his hand. 

He places his other hand gently on my back, gliding it down to my waist. His touch is light but electric, guiding me toward the front door. I'm hyper-aware of the eyes following us, but I push the feeling down. The house looms ahead, music pulsing through the walls. The door swings open, releasing a wave of heat, noise, and bodies.

Inside, the air is thick - stifling. Someone really needs to crack a window. My discomfort prickles, but I paste on a calm face. Beer pong tables crowd the kitchen, the living room, even spilling into the backyard. Bottles and red cups litter every surface. This place is a disaster.

"You look surprised." Jace leans close to my ear, his breath sending a shiver down my spine. "Never been to a party?"

"I have," I reply, tilting toward him so he can hear. "Just... not one like this."

He laughs and laces his fingers with mine, pulling me deeper into the chaos. Every few steps, someone calls his name. He greets them easily, flashing smiles and handshakes. I've never seen someone so at home in a crowd. Bree wasn't kidding - Jace is popular. Especially with the girls. Their stares cling to him, assessing me like I'm some uninvited interloper. 

I shrink a little under their scrutiny, feeling smaller by the second.

"Alright, what can I get you to drink?" Jace asks once we stop near a crowded coffee table stacked with bottles. 

I know he's expecting me to say water, or maybe soda. But instead, I surprise us both. "Is there any wine?"

He arches an eyebrow, then chuckles. "I'll see what I can do."