The party had changed.
What started as a birthday celebration had slowly turned into something louder, messier, and harder to control.
Music blasted through the speakers. Someone had turned the volume up so high the floor vibrated with every beat. Empty bottles and plastic cups covered the kitchen counter.
People were dancing everywhere.
Some were laughing too loudly.
Some were already drunk enough to lean on walls to stay balanced.
And in the middle of it all—
Andrea Paisley was very, very drunk.
Her head felt heavy, like the world was slightly tilted. The lights blurred together every time she blinked.
She laughed at something someone said, though she barely understood the joke.
Her sister passed her another drink.
Andrea took a sip.
Bad idea.
The room spun slightly.
"Okay," Andrea muttered to herself.
She needed air.
Or silence.
Or something that didn't include loud music and flashing lights.
She slipped away from the living room slowly, holding onto the hallway wall for balance.
The bathroom door was half closed.
Andrea pushed it open and stepped inside.
Finally—
Quiet.
She leaned against the sink and stared at her reflection.
Her hair was messy.
Her cheeks were flushed.
Her eyes were glossy from alcohol.
Andrea splashed cold water on her face.
"Pull it together," she whispered to herself.
The door opened behind her.
Andrea groaned without turning around.
"Bathroom's occupied."
A familiar voice answered.
"Relax. I'm not here to steal your mirror."
Andrea looked up slowly.
Samuel Daňko leaned against the doorframe, watching her.
"Of course," she muttered.
Samuel closed the door behind him.
"You disappeared," he said.
Andrea leaned against the sink again.
"I needed quiet."
Samuel glanced around the small bathroom.
"Your party is chaos."
"Not my idea."
Samuel smirked slightly.
"Your sister seems proud of it."
Andrea laughed weakly.
"Yeah… she really went all out."
For a moment, they just stood there.
The muffled bass of the music thumped faintly through the walls.
Samuel looked at her carefully.
"You're really drunk."
Andrea squinted at him.
"You're observant."
Samuel stepped closer.
"Can you even walk?"
Andrea pushed herself upright.
"Watch me."
She took one step.
Then another.
Then immediately grabbed the sink again as the room tilted.
Samuel laughed quietly.
"Impressive."
Andrea pointed at him.
"You're not allowed to laugh."
Samuel raised his hands slightly.
"Sorry."
Andrea sighed and leaned back against the counter again.
The room felt smaller suddenly.
Or maybe it was just the alcohol.
Samuel watched her for a moment.
Then he said softly,
"You know… you're different tonight."
Andrea frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"You're not yelling at me."
Andrea thought about it.
"Give me a minute."
Samuel chuckled.
A strange silence filled the bathroom.
Not awkward.
Just… close.
Andrea noticed how near he was standing now.
Samuel noticed too.
Neither of them moved away.
Samuel stepped closer, his gaze locked on Andrea's lips. He could feel the heat radiating off her body, and the alcohol in her system made her seem even more alluring.
He leaned in slowly, his breath brushing against her cheek.
"Samuel," Andrea whispered, her voice barely audible.
She knew she should push him away, but something about him made her feel safe.
"Shh," he whispered back, his fingers tracing the outline of her jaw.
"Just let go for a moment."
Andrea closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment.
She felt Samuel's lips brush against hers, soft and gentle.
It was unlike any kiss she had ever experienced.
He pulled away slightly, his forehead resting against hers.
"You're different tonight," he murmured.
"More vulnerable."
Andrea opened her eyes, her heart racing.
"I'm drunk," she said, trying to sound casual.
"And you're not helping."
Samuel chuckled softly.
"I'm not trying to take advantage of you," he said.
"I just want to be close to you."
Andrea sighed, leaning back against the sink. "I'm a virgin, Samuel," she blurted out.
"I've never... you know."
Samuel's eyes widened slightly, but he didn't say anything.
Instead, he reached out and gently traced the outline of her collarbone with his fingers.
"I won't do anything you don't want me to," he promised.
"But I can give you something else."
Andrea looked up at him, confusion written all over her face.
"What do you mean?"
Samuel stepped even closer, his body pressed against hers.
"I mean," he whispered, his breath hot against her ear, "that I can make you feel good without going all the way."
Andrea swallowed hard, her heart racing.
She had never considered anything like this before.
But the way Samuel was looking at her, the way he was touching her... it felt right.
"Okay," she whispered back.
"Show me."
Samuel smiled, his lips brushing against her neck.
He slid his hands down her sides, slowly, teasingly, until they reached her hips.
He pulled her closer, grinding his hips against hers.
Andrea gasped, feeling a wave of pleasure wash over her.
She hadn't realized how aroused she was until now.
Samuel continued to move against her, his hips grinding against hers in a slow, sensual rhythm.
They stood there like that for what felt like hours, lost in the moment.
The bathroom was forgotten, the party outside was a distant memory.
All that mattered was the two of them, caught up in a web of desire and lust.
Downstairs, the party continued.
Matthew stood near the kitchen, scanning the room.
His expression was tense.
He hadn't seen Andrea in a while.
He approached her sister, who was dancing near the couch.
"Hey," he said. "Where's Andrea?"
Her sister turned toward him, laughing.
"What?"
"Where's Andrea?" Matthew repeated.
"Oh!" she said loudly.
Then she pointed vaguely toward the hallway.
"Somewhere."
Matthew frowned.
"That's not helpful."
Her sister laughed again and spun back into the music.
Clearly too drunk to answer properly.
Matthew sighed.
Across the room, Tom noticed him.
Tom walked over.
"You looking for Andrea?" he asked.
Matthew nodded.
"Yeah. Have you seen her?"
Tom shook his head.
"Not for a while."
Matthew glanced toward the hallway again.
Then something clicked in his mind.
"Have you seen Samuel?"
Tom looked around.
"…Actually, no."
Matthew's stomach tightened slightly.
Tom noticed the change in his expression.
"You think they're together?" Tom asked.
Matthew didn't answer.
He was already walking toward the hallway.
Tom followed.
The music faded behind them as they moved away from the living room.
Matthew checked the kitchen.
Nothing.
Tom checked the back door.
Empty.
Then Matthew noticed the bathroom light under the door.
He stopped walking.
Tom looked at him.
"You think—"
Matthew knocked on the door.
Once.
Twice.
The music downstairs kept thumping through the house.
And inside the bathroom—
Andrea and Samuel weren't alone anymore.
Not in the way Matthew hoped.