Dead Inside at Tyler's Party

I felt like a zombie before I even walked through the door. Three hours of sleep, chemistry homework that made zero sense, and now Jasmine's party. The social pyramid was real, and I was somewhere in the basement level, possibly below the actual basement.

"You coming in or what?" Maya yanked my arm. She'd already drunk two Solo cups of whatever punch was in the bowl. "Don't be such a baby."

"I'm not being a baby," I protested, but my voice cracked. Classic.

Inside, the air was thick with expensive perfume and nervous sweat. Someone had set up beer cans in a literal pyramid on the kitchen counter. Two guys from the football team were already taking bets on who could knock it down first. One of them — Jason, I think — kept staring at me like I was a goldfish in a bowl. Like I was something to look at, not talk to.

"That's such bull," Maya whispered, following my gaze. "He thinks he's so smooth."

"I was literally just looking—"

"You were blushing. I saw it."

I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt. Then lightning flashed through the window, and suddenly everyone was screaming because the power cut out. Pitch black. Complete chaos.

Someone grabbed my hand. Not Maya. Warm fingers, a little sweaty. My heart did this weird lurch thing that had nothing to do with the storm.

"Hey," a voice said. Jason. Of course. "You okay?"

"Fine," I squeaked. "Totally fine. Love the dark. Great ambience."

He laughed, and I could feel it in his chest because we were standing way too close. "You're funny."

"I'm not trying to be—"

"I know. That's the thing." His thumb traced circles on my palm. "You're not like performing for everyone. You're just... real."

Outside, thunder cracked. Inside, something shifted. The social pyramid didn't matter anymore. The power was still out, but I was pretty sure I'd never been more awake in my entire life.

"So," Jason said. "Want to help me find the breaker box before your friend drinks the rest of that punch?"

I smiled in the darkness. "Lead the way."