ELI
After the dinner, the night started off in the most unserious way possible.
We were all supposed to work on the project. That was the plan or at least the excuse we told ourselves and Damir. But who were we kidding? The moment we got into my room and the laughter started, that so-called "group project" flew out the window.
Lian threw himself onto my bed dramatically, and I collapsed beside him, laughing until my sides hurt. Adam, as usual, sat more composed, cross-legged on the carpet near my makeup mirror, fiddling with the brush I used to highlight my cheekbones. The energy was playful, relaxed, warm. There's something so intimate about letting your friends into your space, and it felt like nothing could ruin the vibe.
That was until Lian's sneaky little hands pulled out a slim black bottle from his bag like it was contraband treasure. "Don't scream," he whispered with a mischievous grin, his eyes twinkling as he raised the bottle like he had just retrieved a golden trophy. "Imported. Straight from the States. Cost me my left lung."
My eyes widened. "Lian! Are you mad?!" I half-whispered, half-yelled, jumping off the bed.
"Relax, princess," he giggled, unscrewing the cap. "Just a little sip won't kill us."
Adam looked up from the floor, surprised. "Wait… alcohol?"
"Yeah," Lian said, already pouring it into the mini crystal glasses from my vanity. "Just a bit of fun. Don't be such a dad, Adam."
I hesitated. My heart thudded a little faster, not because of the drink itself, but because Damir wasn't here. Damir was always the one watching over me, the one making sure I didn't get too far gone. I'd only ever drank in his presence. But part of me… maybe it was the excitement or the need to show I could have fun without supervision. Either way, I grabbed the glass and took a sip.
It burned a little. Sweet at first, then a sharp edge that tickled my throat.
"Okay, that's strong," I coughed, fanning my face.
Lian burst into laughter. "Weak!"
Adam didn't look as amused. "Maybe just a little, Eli. Damir…."
"Damir's not here right now," I interrupted, flashing a cheeky smile. "And don't worry. I'm a big boy."
He didn't look convinced, but didn't stop me either.
One glass turned into two, then three. We danced to random songs, took blurry selfies, complained about school, and spilled all the gossip we'd gathered in a week. My cheeks felt hot, and everything was starting to feel… floaty.
It was my idea to go downstairs. I don't even remember how I blurted it out, but before I knew it, we were giggling and stumbling through the hallway.
"I want to show you something!" I said, practically skipping down the grand staircase, still in my shirt and Damir's suit trousers that hung low on my hips.
The guards gave us side-eyes, but they didn't stop us. They knew me. Maybe they assumed I had Damir's permission…which I absolutely didn't.
We exited into the moonlit estate garden, and I pointed toward the amusement park tucked just behind the glassy greenhouse. "Damir built that for me," I slurred proudly. "The whole thing. For me."
Lian gasped. "You serious?!"
"Mm-hmm."
Adam was unusually silent.
I took out my phone and contacted the operator. "Open it up. Everything. The lights, the music, the fountains. I want the whole thing running."
Within minutes, the soft hum of power surged to life. Lights lit up, colors twinkled in the darkness, and the air filled with the faint jingle of theme park melodies. The place glowed like a secret dream.
Lian sprinted ahead, not even waiting for permission. "I CALL DIBS ON THE WATER SLIDES!"
"IT'S NOT EVEN SUMMER!" I shouted after him, laughing so hard I tripped over my own feet and landed on the soft grass.
I looked up and saw Adam staring.
Not at the park.
At me.
He wasn't even pretending. His eyes followed every little sway of my hips, every stumble, every grin. I tilted my head, my smile stretching wider.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I teased, wobbly on my feet. "You wanna kiss me or something?"
Adam's mouth twitched into a half-smile. "Would you stop me if I did?"
Something in his voice sobered me for a moment. There was no giggle in that tone.
Still, I laughed it off, stepping back. "You're drunk."
"I've barely drank anything," he said, stepping closer.
That's when I started feeling a little uncomfortable.
"Adam… I have a boyfriend. You know that."
"I know," he whispered, his voice low.
I took another step back. My heart was pounding, but not from excitement.
"Okay, okay, let's not ruin the night," I said, trying to smile. "Go join Lian. I'll come soon."
He didn't move.
Instead, he took a step forward.
And the last thing I remembered was his lips meeting mine….