'Last night was a movie', and it's just Rafael tripsitting a dude, his best friend yapping on and on, and a few drunk dudes screeching towards the pool. It was a shitty party—a circus of bad decisions fueled by cheap liquor and even cheaper costumes, alcohol, dumb games specifically curated for horny college students, and more alcohol. Everything Rafael should ever need. But here he is, slumped in a lounge chair by the pool, black menthol cigar hanging from his lips like a bad habit, watching the trainwreck of Jade's party unfold.

"Fucking loser!" Jade's voice cut through the chaos, simultaneously entertained and annoyed at Rafael's state. Jade was wearing a glowy cowboy hat, bobbing around on a pink flamingo float like he owned the place. If a dude like that called you a loser, then you just have to accept it. ''A party at MY house. WE are hosting. All the people we know. All the drinks ordered and paid for in our name. You got all that and you still can't go hit up your little crush? You pussy! I knew your luck was doomed the second you put that fit on."

A scowl was all the reply Rafael could give to Jade's relentless effort in being an honest asshole. He didn't like getting shit for his outfit. What was wrong with it anyways? It was all black—sleek, stylish, just right to not look 'too much' in front of his crush. Smudged lipstick on his lips dragged a fading line all the way to his left cheekbone. Black eyeliner applied in a moment of misguided confidence. Overused and corny but better than dressing up as Papa Smurf. What was he even going for? Definitely not a clown but look at him now.

It's not like he didn't try approaching his crush. He tried, okay? He approached them earlier, attempting a casual chat, but got about as much attention as bit parts in a high school play. They'd been... off. Uncharacteristically off. The moment had been so awkward that Rafael might as well have been coming out to his family at Thanksgiving. He didn't have it in him for embarrassment round two. So now here he was, hiding by the pool area like a wounded animal while Jade openly talked shit.

"Shut up, you–” Rafael groans, feeling the urge to throw something at Jade but settling for a glare instead. Topless with a bandana around his neck and cargo shorts, Jade had the ''just-here-to-look-hot' getup. “You whore cowboy on a budget." He stood, determined to escape Jade's incessant taunts, and made his way out of the pool area, blissfully ignoring the cackles that chased him.

He stepped back inside the house where neon lights burst around him, wrapping his frame in vibrant hues. He's a bit tipsy, but irritation clouded his mind more than the alcohol. Each step felt like a negotiation, dodging flailing limbs and stumbling drunks while music thrums in his chest, overwhelming his senses. His mind clouded with thoughts of his crush, replaying their recent behavior on a frustrating loop of 'what-the-hell-was-that'.

He took a long drag from the black menthol cigar pinched between his fingers, smoke swirling and mingling with the heavy scent of cologne and alcohol hanging thick in the air. Dazed eyes roamed over the crowd, taking in comical costumes, scantily clad characters, and a human-sized raccoon. His detached gaze finally narrowed on a certain silhouette illuminated by the neon hues, drawing closer through the chaos.

Shit. It's them.

Rafael stilled mid-step, heart racing as self-consciousness washed over him. The sudden urge to look good hit him. He hastily tossed his burning cigar aside, hands running through his hair in frantic motions to tame the tousled strands.

They approached, and Rafael's brain short-circuited. Act cool. Don't be a dork. Just be yourself, it yelled.

“Hey,” Rafael managed, voice steadier than he felt. This is it. You're getting laid, right?"Having fun?" His eyes raked over their form, drinking in the sight. Dazed eyes, a weirdly darkened shade... Were they wearing colored contacts? And then there were the fangs. Fangs?

Jesus, are they going for full Twilight cosplay tonight? Rafael wanted to be annoyed, but damn if they didn't look insanely hot pulling off the vampire thing. He had to hand it to them. If anyone could make fake fangs look sexy, it was this person. Something about the vibes sent alarm bells ringing in his head, but with all blood rushing south, it was hard to think.