The Alpha Sigma Phi backyard was alive with chaotic energy. Strings of lights crisscrossed above the crowd, their warm glow highlighting red Solo cups and spilled drinks. Music blasted from towering speakers, vibrating through the ground, while clusters of people cheered around beer pong tables and the keg stand. Bonfires roared in the corners of the yard, casting flickering shadows on the drunk college students in the background.

Bryce stood near the bar, beer in hand, surveying the scene with his usual air of authority, surveying the chaos with a satisfied smirk. Another successful rager. As the social chair of Alpha Sigma Phi, throwing legendary parties was his job, and no one did it better. This was his domain, and everyone knew it. But as his eyes scanned the dance floor, his cocky smirk twisted into a scowl.

Right there, in the corner of the party, was Olivia, hyping someone up. The guy, with their bold outfit and even bolder moves, was twerking in rhythm to the heavy bass, drawing cheers and whistles from the small crowd around them. Olivia, ever the loud one, was clapping and shouting encouragement, completely oblivious to how furious Bryce looked.

"What the hell is that?" Bryce muttered, slamming his cup on the bar.

Without hesitation, he pushed his way through the crowd, his irritation building with each step. He told himself it was because the guy was "causing a scene," but deep down, he knew the real reason. He couldn't stop staring, no matter how much he hated himself for it.

When he reached them, he barked, "Hey!" loud enough to cut through the music. The crowd nearby quieted slightly, eyes turning toward him. The guy slowed their movements, glancing back at Bryce with a raised eyebrow, but Olivia was the one who stepped forward, her arms crossed and her expression fierce.

"What the hell is your problem, Bryce?" she snapped before he could even say a word.

"My problem?!” Bryce shot back, glaring at the guy but avoiding looking at him for too long, “My problem is that this isn't some strip club! If he keeps this up, he's out! He wasn't even apart of the guest list either!”

"Excuse me?!" Olivia yelled, her voice sharp and cutting. She stepped in front of the guy, shielding him with her body. "You're kicking him out?! For what?! Dancing?! Everyone else here is doing the same damn thing!"

Bryce's glare hardened. "This isn't about everyone else. He's-" He stopped himself, realizing he was on thin ice.

"He's what?!" Olivia challenged, taking a step closer. Her voice rose with indignation. "Say it, Bryce! What's your real issue here?! Because it's starting to sound like you're just kicking him out because he's gay!"

The accusation hit Bryce like a punch to the gut. "That's not-" he started, but Olivia cut him off.

"Don't even try to deny it," she scoffed. "You're always such a hardass, but this? This is a new low, even for you."

The guy stayed quiet, watching the exchange with a smirk that only seemed to irritate Bryce further. Olivia wasn't done. She jabbed a finger at Bryce's chest, her voice rising even more. "You know what? If you have such a problem with him dancing, maybe he should twerk on you. See how you like it."

Bryce froze, his face heating as the crowd around them laughed and cheered.