Loud music was playing in room 3-11, the bass carrying into the hallway through the open door. Someone had pushed the chairs against the wall to make room, but the place was already packed with students holding red plastic cups and talking over each other.
A few were dancing near the speakers, while two boys argued over which song to play next, both reaching for the same laptop. Open bags of chips covered half the desk, and someone had left a wet ring on a textbook beneath their beer.
Liam slowed at the doorway with Clara and Megan beside him. The room smelled of beer, perfume, and too many people squeezed into one small space. Near the bed, a girl burst out laughing and slapped her friend’s arm, making him spill his drink onto his own shoes.
He looked down in disbelief while everyone around him laughed harder. Dylan spotted the three of them from across the room and immediately raised his cup, squeezing past a pair of boys blocking his way.
"Hey! You actually came! Come in, come in. Drinks are over there. Grab one before these animals finish everything."
"It’s alright. Let us enjoy the evening sober for a bit first."
Liam turned down the beers with a smile and entered the room, Clara and Megan following beside him. As soon as they stepped inside, the atmosphere changed. The music kept playing, but a few conversations near the door trailed off as the freshmen turned to look at the trio.
One boy started to raise his cup in greeting, then hesitated when Liam’s eyes briefly met his. No one quite dared to approach them yet. With Liam towering over most of the room and the two girls beside him, they looked different enough to make even the louder students suddenly conscious of how they were standing.
"To think this cramped room can make people happy."
Liam said it before he could stop himself, his old soul slipping out again as he looked around at the crowded room. Before he ruined the mood for the girls, he smiled and gestured for them to go ahead, gently letting go of Clara’s hand.
Without her beside him, he would be a normal human again with just 30 Charisma, and the girls could socialize as well. He stepped aside to let someone squeeze past, then gave Clara a small nod to reassure her that she didn’t need to stay attached to him all evening.
...
They had already been at the party for two hours, and the girls had easily bonded with a few people there. Megan had even found herself a dance partner in Choi Yeji, the dance club president.
Yeji was an aspiring K-pop idol, while Megan wanted to become a triple threat, so the two had plenty to talk about between songs. By now, Megan was smiling freely, leaning closer whenever the music made it difficult to hear Yeji.
"So, you’ll move back to Korea if you get a chance with a big company?"
Megan asked, brushing a loose strand of hair away from her cheek. Yeji nodded, a bright smile spreading across her face at the thought, and stepped closer so she wouldn’t have to shout across the music.
"I’d prefer a big company. They offer good deals. I’m flying back to Korea next month to audition for YG Entertainment. They’re putting together a new girl group called Blackpink, and I want to try my luck."
"Oh? Tell me more."
The two huddled together to discuss how things worked in Korea, with Megan leaning closer and asking questions whenever Yeji mentioned something unfamiliar.
Meanwhile, Clara had found a group of people playing poker. She had already lost a hundred dollars and wasn’t happy about it at all, her cheeks puffing out as she looked down at her cards. Still, she pulled her chair closer instead of leaving. She wanted to play more and drink more, especially now that she had money to win back.
"So, you also come to parties just to sit somewhere and enjoy being around people?"
"Yeah."
Liam had asked the boy seated beside him, who answered with a small smile before looking out the window again. From their seats, they could see the campus and the old church beyond it, its outline standing out against the night sky.
A passing comment about the building had given them something to bond over, and neither seemed bothered when the conversation slowed. Liam leaned back comfortably, listening to the music and chatter behind them while enjoying a spot where he didn’t have to raise his voice every few seconds.
"So, where are you from?"
"I’m from Washington. What about you?"
"California. LA."
"Great parties out there, right?"
"Well, I spent most of high school studying, so I never really got to attend one. Never threw one myself either, so..."
Liam replied with a small smile and a shrug. LA was famous for its nightlife, but he had never been part of it. Looking back into the room, he spotted Clara, who had been rumored to be the queen of house parties back in school.
Now she was sitting calmly at the poker table, holding her cards close while watching the others take their turns. The sight made him smile again, and he lingered on her for a moment before turning back to the boy beside him.
"She’s your girl?"
The boy with glasses asked, following Liam’s glance toward Clara. He seemed like an observer too, someone who watched more than he talked. He adjusted his glasses slightly and waited for Liam’s answer without leaning forward to get a better look at her.
"Yep."
"What about the other one?"
He pointed toward Megan, who was laughing freely with Yeji, her usual reserved expression nowhere to be seen. Liam noticed the drink in her hand, then glanced back at Clara and saw her taking a sip from her own cup. Both girls were drinking now, looking quite comfortable with the people around them.
"She’s a good friend. We’re from the same city."
"So, she’s single?"
"I don’t know. Ask her."
Liam shrugged his shoulders. He wasn’t going to give out that kind of information on her behalf. He hadn’t even asked Megan about her relationship status himself, and being from the same city didn’t mean he knew everything about her.
"I won’t... I’m not interested in women."
Hearing that, Liam pulled his gaze away from the distant church. He had been looking at its tall, pointed spire, making up stories in his head about the old building, but the boy’s answer interrupted his thoughts. He turned toward him with a slightly raised eyebrow.
"You gay?"
"No... I’m not gay either. I just don’t feel attracted to real women or men... I prefer anime waifus."
Liam blinked slowly, then looked at the boy for another second to see if he was joking. He wasn’t. The guy sat there looking perfectly comfortable with his answer, which made Liam let out a small laugh and nod his head.
"Fair enough. What’s your favorite anime?"
"High School DxD. It’s so cool."
"DxD, huh? That thing does have an interesting storyline if you skip all the fan service."
"Why skip the fan service, though?"
The boy asked so genuinely that Liam scratched his head. He had turned fully toward Liam now, his eyebrows drawn together as if Liam had suggested skipping the best part.
Liam opened his mouth to explain, then remembered what the guy had said about anime waifus and let out a small laugh. He really should have expected that answer.
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