“I don't know her personally, but I'm pretty sure that's J.Lo"
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@clarkslvbugThe bass thrummed through the floorboards like a second heartbeat. Briar's annual Halloween bash was in full swing—the old frat house practically vibrating with bodies, cheap beer, and bad decisions.
Dean Di Laurentis leaned against the kitchen doorframe, one hand wrapped around a red Solo cup he'd barely touched. His costume—a half-assed attempt at a "sexy cop"—consisted mainly of a tight black t-shirt, fake badge, and handcuffs dangling from his belt loop. He'd put in approximately zero effort. Tonight wasn't about effort, though. Tonight was about escaping.
Dean Di Laurentis
takes a sip, grimacing This beer tastes like ass. Who the hell bought this?
John Logan
appearing beside him, dressed as a-zombie with smeared fake blood on his neck Bro, you've been standing here for twenty minutes looking like someone pissed in your cheerios. Live a little.
Dean Di Laurentis
I'm living. I'm living my best life. deadpan Can't you tell? The way I'm suffering is basically a spiritual experience.
John Logan
grins Uh-huh. Sure. nudges him That glittery angel chick still hunting you down? I saw her cornering you by the stairs earlier. She looked determined. And also like she was about to explain blockchain to you
Dean Di Laurentis
groans Don't remind me. I think I lost three brain cells in that conversation. She asked me if I'd ever considered "investing in my future" and then tried to sell me on some NFT nonsense. I'd rather get checkered into the boards than hear the word "decentralized" again
John Logan
laughs Rough night, pretty boy. takes a swig of his own drink Maybe you need a distraction. I saw a couple of cute girls in the living room dressed as the Powerpuff Girls. Blossom looked at you twice
Dean Di Laurentis
shrugs, not bothering to look Not interested
John Logan
frowns, genuinely confused Since when are you not interested in girls looking at you twice? Did you hit your head during practice? Did the coach finally break you?
Dean Di Laurentis
I'm just not in the mood, alright? rubs the back of his neck It's been a long week. Long month. Hockey's been kicking my ass, and I've got a paper due Monday I haven't started, and... trails off
John Logan
raises an eyebrow And? There's an "and" there. I can hear it. You've got your "and" voice on
Dean Di Laurentis
opens his mouth, then closes it There's no "and." I'm just tired. That's all
Dean didn't miss the way Logan's eyes narrowed. His best friend knew him too well. But before Logan could poke any further, the front door swung open againstthe wall with a bang loud enough to cut through the music.
A gust of cold October air swept through the crowded living room. Then came the laughter.
Bright, easy, utterly carefree laughter.
Dean's gaze drifted toward the door almost involuntarily. And then it snagged. And held.
You walked in flanked by Allie and Hannah, all three of you dressed to the nines. But Dean barely registered your friends. Because his entire attention had just been hijacked by the green dress hugging every curve of your body like it had been sewn onto you.</br>
The jungle print. The gold jewelry catching the dim party lights. The way your hair fell perfectly around your shoulders. The way your smile lit up your entire face as you laughed at something Allie said. The way you looked around the room like you owned the place—not in an arrogant way, more like you were simply happy to be here, happy to be alive, happy to be you</br>
Dean's grip tightened around his cup. He forgot Logan was standing next to him. Forgot about the shitty beer. Forgot about the glittery angeland the crypto lectureand the paper he hadn't started.
All he could see was you.
</br>
John Logan
following his gaze, smirk spreading Oh. singsong Oh. Well, well, well. Look who's suddenly interested in the party after all
Dean Di Laurenttis
voice slightly rough Shut up
John Logan
ignoring him entirely That's Y/n, right? Sean's girl? turns to look at Dean properly Bro. You're staring. Like, staring staring. Close your mouth before you catch flies
Dean Di Laurenttis
forces his jaw shut, drags a hand through his blond hair I'm not staring. I was just— pause —looking. At the room. Generally. As one does at a party
John Logan
snorts Sure, man. That's why you've gone all statue on me. glances toward you again Look, I'm not judging. She's hot. Like, objectively hot. And that dress? Jesus Christ. But she's also got boyfriend written all over her, so maybe keep the eyeballs in your skull, yeah?
Dean Di Laurenttis
jaw ticks I know. voice lower Trust me. I know
The song shifted. The opening synth of On The Floor blasted through the speakers, and the entire room seemed to collectively lose its mind. A roar went upthe crowd, bodies suddenly moving, hands in the air, voices screaming the lyrics
And you?
Your face lit up like someone had flipped a switch.
You threw your hands in the air and started dancing like no one was watching, like the music had physically grabbed you and you had zero interest in fighting it. Allie cheered beside you, and Hannah laughed, and you just—moved. Fluid, joyful, completely in your element. The gold jewelry caught the lights with every twist of your hips. The dress moved with you, hugged you, celebrated you, and Dean's throat went dry
He couldn't look away. He didn't want to look away.
John Logan
over the music, amused Bro. Bro. You're doing it again
Dean Di Laurenttis
doesn't hear him
John Logan
Dean. waves hand in front of his face Earth to Di Laurentis. Your boy is leaking out of his ears
Dean Di Laurenttis
blinks, shakes his head slightly What? Yeah. I'm good. I'm— clears throat —fine
John Logan
grins, clearly enjoying this far too much You're a terrible liar, you know that?
Dean opened his mouth to fire back some sarcastic retort—and then you spun around, laughing at something over your shoulder, and your gaze accidentally caught his across the room
The eye contact lasted half a second. Maybe less. But in that half second, Dean felt like someone had just body-checked him into the boards, all the air knocked out of his lungs
Your smile faltered. Just barely. A flicker of recognition crossed your face. And then something else. Something smaller. Something almost shy as you looked away, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear as a faint flush crept up your cheeks
Dean took a slow sip of his beer. It still tasted like ass. He barely noticed
Dean Di Laurenttis
mutters, almost to himself Dangerous
John Logan
overhears, eyebrows shooting up Dangerous? Bro, what's dangerous? The dress? Because I was literally just thinking—
Dean Di Laurenttis
cuts him off, setting his cup down on the counter I need air
John Logan
There's air right here
Dean Di Laurenttis
already moving toward the back door Not this air. This air's got too much glitter in it