"Hey Gabe, our classmates are going to drink to welcome some freshmen, are you coming?" Adrian asked, stuffing his books into his backpack.
Gabrielle arched an eyebrow, her voice dripping with disinterest. "I'm not even a senior. Why would I waste my time meeting people I don't know?"
Adrian slung his bag over his shoulder and pushed his chair in. "Fine. If you don't want to go, then don't. Right. I heard senior Caleb's going to be there, too." He offered a shy smile, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks.
"That jerk?" Gabrielle scoffed, a frown creasing her forehead.
"Hey, don't call him that! He's actually really nice," Adrian retorted, a defensive note in his voice. "Anyway, I gotta go. See ya!" He said hurried out of the classroom, leaving Gabrielle alone with her thoughts.
Tonight was a rare chance to see Caleb, a senior he'd been crushing on, and the thought alone made him grin from ear to ear. He practically bounced down the hallway, earning strange looks from passersby.
As he was about to cross the street, a sudden, blaring horn startled him, making him stumble back.
HOOONNNGGGG!
"What the hell, Gabrielle! You scared the shit out of me!" Adrian exclaimed while clutching his chest.
The window of the flashy black car rolled down, revealing Gabrielle, effortlessly cool in a pair of dark sunglasses. A smirk played on her lips as she gestured for him to get in. "Get in."
Adrian rolled his eyes but quickly rounded the car, hopping into the passenger seat. "Where are we going?" he asked, shutting the door.
Gabrielle pulled off her shades and tossed them onto his lap, then started the engine. "Taking you to your beloved senior."
""What?! Really?!" Adrian shrieked, his voice a mix of utter surprise and pure joy. He practically launched himself at Gabrielle's arm, hugging it tightly. "Oh my God! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"Ugh, get off me!" Gabrielle snapped, swatting his face away. You're only grateful when it's about that bastard. Hey, put your seatbelt on!"
"Oh, right! Always forget that!" Adrian quickly released her, fumbling with the seatbelt until it clicked securely.
The rest of the drive was a symphony of Adrian's incessant, off-key humming and a wide, goofy grin. He was already lost in daydreams of meeting his crush.
About halfway to the club, Gabrielle's patience finally snapped. "If you don't stop that racket, I swear I'm throwing you out the window!" she threatened, her ears feeling like they were about to burst. Adrian, thankfully, clamped his mouth shut instantly.
"We're here," Gabrielle announced, pulling her flashy Ferrari into a parking spot. The car's vibrant red paint job immediately drew curious glances from passersby.
They both got out and headed straight for the pub. Even from the entrance, the raucous cheers and laughter from within were unmistakable.
"They're over there," Gabrielle said, pulling Adrian's arm and skillfully weaving through the crowded entrance towards the source of the commotion.
As they neared the group, Jackson, one of the seniors, spotted Gabrielle and approached them.
"Gabrielle, I thought you weren't going to make it."
"Yeah," Gabrielle replied curtly, already moving past him to find a seat.
Jackson scratched his head, a look of embarrassment spreading across his face. Those who'd witnessed the brief exchange burst into laughter, mercilessly teasing him.
"Oh no, Jackson got rejected again! Hahahaha!" someone shouted.
The crowd roared with laughter, and another voice chimed in, "Aiyahh, my poor friend. Here, have a drink. There's no way she'll ever look at you, you're ugly as hell!"
The laughter intensified as Jackson playfully punched his friend. "Fuck off, you're uglier than me!"
Adrian, now seated next to Gabrielle, chuckled along. He nudged her with his elbow. "Why are you always so cold with Jackson? He seems nice."
Gabrielle popped open a bottle of beer, took a sip, and glanced at Adrian. "Why would I bother wasting my time on someone who's not even my type?"
Adrian snorted. "Someone like you, with your endless string of ex-boyfriends, and still picky?"
Gabrielle just laughed.
"So, what is your type then?" Adrian asked, genuinely curious.
"Hey! Don't drink it like that!" Adrian exclaimed, watching in disbelief as Gabrielle chugged the entire bottle in one go.
Gabrielle wiped the beer foam from her mouth with the back of her hand and crooked a finger, beckoning him closer.
Adrian leaned in, and Gabrielle leaned in even further, whispering into his ear, "You're my type."
Adrian instantly felt a shiver run down his spine and pushed Gabrielle away, recoiling. "Stop messing with me! Ugh! You're so annoying!"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Gabrielle roared with laughter, leaning back against the sofa.
Adrian was about to retort when Ellie's voice cut through the loud music. Ellie, holding out a glass of beer, slid onto the sofa beside him, her body already swaying to the beat. "What took you so long?"
Adrian had to practically yell to be heard over the pulsating music. "Why are you guys welcoming freshmen at here? This is a club, you know!"
"I don't know, Senior Olivia picked it!" Ellie yelled back, shrugging.
"Eh? If you're coming to a club, why not the one where I work part-time? I could sell you guys drinks then!"
Ellie just shrugged again, pushing the beer into his hand. "Stop asking questions and just drink!"
Adrian absently took a gulp, still feeling a bit bewildered. He turned to ask Gabrielle something, but saw her already deep in conversation with some guy.
He sighed, shook his head, and took another swig of the beer, immediately coughing as the bitter liquid hit the back of his throat.
"Cough! Cough!"
"Geez, slowly! That's not water, idiot!" Ellie exclaimed, patting Adrian's back as he continued to cough.
Adrian slammed the beer glass onto the table, still sputtering. A hand suddenly entered his vision, offering a clean handkerchief. Adrian smiled inwardly, taking the cloth and silently thanking Gabrielle.
Despite their constant bickering and her annoying antics, she was truly his best friend. She had even given him a ride tonight, knowing he'd otherwise take the bus, even though she initially seemed reluctant to come.
Once his coughing subsided, Adrian leaned towards Ellie, whispering, "Oh, right, have you seen Senior Caleb?"
Ellie looked at him meaningfully, a teasing smile playing on her lips. At that moment, the crowd erupted again with shouts and laughter. Someone had been dared to strip and dance in the middle of the dance floor, eliciting excited cheers while the embarrassed person reluctantly made their way to the center.
Ellie's eyes lit up, and she clapped gleefully. "Go get 'em, girl! Hahahaha!" After her cheer, she turned back to Adrian. "I saw him earlier, helping a drunk freshman to the restroom."
Just then, two figures approached their table, a man and a woman. Adrian's gaze, however, was fixed on only one.
The man was strikingly handsome, with a strong jawline and expressive eyes that immediately drew you in. His hair, whether perfectly styled or casually tousled, framed his face effortlessly. Beyond his good looks, he carried himself with an easy confidence and an approachable charm that made him effortlessly captivating.
Adrian felt his heart pound, seeing the person he'd dreamt of day and night standing right in front of him.
"Senior!" Adrian blurted out.
Caleb glanced at Adrian, acknowledging him with a nod before turning to Ellie. "I'll be going now. I'm taking her home."
What? He just got here. Does that mean he won't even get a chance to talk to him today?
Just as Adrian was about to ask, Ellie voiced his thoughts. "What?! Just grab a taxi, don't go yet. It's only 9 PM, it's still too early."
"It's dangerous. Besides, Chloe's house is on my way home anyway," Caleb replied, tapping Ellie's shoulder. "I'll make it up to you next time. Take care of the freshmen."
Caleb nodded in Adrian's direction before helping the visibly drunk Chloe make their way out of the club.
"Tsk, it seems like the rumors about them are true." Adrian suddenly heard Ellie mutter.
Adrian spun his head towards her. "What rumors?" he asked, his voice sharp with sudden dread.
Ellie raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "You don't know?" She paused, picking a grape from the table and popping it into her mouth.
As she chewed, she delivered the crushing blow, "Caleb and Chloe are said to be engaged."
Adrian felt as if heaven and earth had just collapsed on him. His heart tightened, a sharp, searing pain blossoming in his chest. He glanced at the door where Caleb had exited, then back at Ellie, before lowering his head.
All his previous excitement vanished, replaced by a sudden, profound weakness that left his body feeling limp.
He grabbed the glass of beer and, mimicking Gabrielle from earlier, chugged it in one go. He vaguely registered Ellie taking the glass from him and scolding him for drinking it like that.
The beer burned its way down into his empty stomach. It tasted bitter, but nothing compared to the overwhelming bitterness gnawing at his heart. It's so painful. Why does it hurt so much?