[Word Count: 1608]

The thing about music is that it has a way of getting inside you, of taking hold and refusing to let go. It's a melody that plays on repeat in your head, a rhythm your heart can't help but dance to, even when you're trying your hardest to stand still.

Nico D'Arias knew this better than most. As he walked alongside his dorm neighbor, Liam, through the busy city streets, the distant sound of a violin stirred something deep within him, a longing he'd spent the last few years trying to bury under layers of carefully cultivated apathy.

"Man, this party is gonna be lit!" Liam exclaimed with a wide grin. "I heard the host got a killer band, and you know what that means - hot girls who are super into sensitive musician types."

Nico nodded absently, his mind still preoccupied by the notes of the distant violin. The notes wavered out of tune, revealing subtle imperfections in the violinist's fingering. He knew he could play it better, much better. He could almost feel the instrument's weight in his hands, the strings biting into his fingertips. A swell of pride washed over him, but with it came the unwelcome realization of just who those thoughts mirrored...

"Yo, earth to Nico!" Liam waved a hand in front of his face. "You good, bro?"

Nico shook his head, dark brown curls falling into his eyes. "Yeah, my bad. Just got lost in thought for a sec. Let's just get to this supposedly epic party of yours."

Liam grinned. "Hell yeah, man! I'm telling you, this party is gonna be fire!"

As they approached the party house, the thumping bass of the music grew louder, vibrating through Nico's chest. Liam bounded up the steps dapping up the person standing guard outside, his connections allowing them to skip the proverbial "Who do you know here?" preamble. Nico followed close behind as Liam threw open the door, revealing a scene of controlled chaos.

Inside was the quintessential party scene - a living room packed with bodies, some dancing, others clustered in groups around the edges of the room. Plastic cups littered every surface and the air heavy with the mingled scents of sweat, alcohol, and cheap cologne.

Nico scanned the room, his gaze landing on the live band in the corner illuminated by strings of colorful Christmas lights. They played with passion, their fingers flying over guitar strings and keyboard keys.

Once upon a time, that had been him, losing himself in the music. For a moment, Nico was transported back to his childhood bedroom, the impromptu sessions with his best friend a vivid memory in his mind. Those countless hours spent creating music together had been the foundation of their friendship. Before it had all gone to shit.

Nico shook off the encroaching memories and made a beeline for the drinks table. He grabbed a cup of some neon pink concoction and tossed it back, welcoming the burn of the alcohol as it slid down his throat.

As he took another swig from his cup, Liam bounded over, a grin plastered on his face. "Nico, my man! Come meet some of my buddies from the soccer team." He slung an arm around Nico's shoulders and steered him towards a group of guys in varsity jackets.

He forced a smile as Liam made the introductions, but his mind was elsewhere. The conversation swirled around him, tales of epic parties, complaints about tough professors, boasts about sexual conquests. He nodded along, chiming in with the occasional sarcastic comment, but his heart wasn't in it.

Nico drained the last of his drink and excused himself from the group for a refill. He was just about to take a sip when a sudden impact knocked it out of his hands, and drenched the sleeve of his shirt with punch.

"Oh shit, I'm so sorry!" a female voice exclaimed. Nico turned to see a pretty brunette with wide green eyes looking up at him in mortification. "Total party foul. My bad! Let me get you a napkin."

"All good, don't worry about it," He said waving off her apologies with a wry grin. "It'll dry. Better a wet sleeve than a wet crotch."

The girl laughed. "I like the way you think....?"

"Nico," he supplied. "And you are?"

"Sophia," she replied, flashing him a smile in return. "How about I replace that drink to make up for assaulting you with this one and you tell me more about this fascinating 'wet crotch' philosophy of yours?"

Nico chuckled. "I mean, I wouldn't say no to that."

As Sophia fetched fresh cups of jungle juice, Nico allowed himself a moment to study her. She was certainly attractive, with delicate features and curves in all the right places. Maybe this party wouldn't be a total bust after all.

Nico leaned against the wall, as Sophia returned and handed him his drink, her fingers brushing against his. "One punch, as promised," she said with a playful smile. "So, Nico. What brings a handsome brooder like you to this fine event? Let me guess - you're only here for the free booze and scintillating conversation?"

Nico snorted, taking a sip. "Pretty much. My dorm neighbor dragged me along. Gave me some line about 'expanding my social horizons.' I figured I could at least expand my BAC."

"Ah, and here I thought you came for the ambiance," Sophia said, gesturing around at the drunken debauchery surrounding them. "I mean, you just can't find this level of sophisticated charm anywhere else."

"Oh completely," Nico said, enjoying the verbal back and forth. "The vomit in the corner really ties the room together. Brings a certain je ne sais quoi."

Sophia giggled and clinked her plastic cup against his. "A man of culture and taste. I knew I liked you, Nico. So tell me, what's your major?"

"Psych," he replied, taking a sip of his drink. "Trying to hack the secrets of the human psyche."

"Ooh, a future shrink!" Sophia teased. "Should I be worried you're analyzing me right now?"

"Nah, I'm off the clock," Nico said with a wry grin. "What about you? Wait, let me take a stab at it... Drama? You seem like the theatrical type."

Sophia laughed, shaking her head. "I'll take that as a compliment, but no. Art history, spending my days analyzing the subliminal homoeroticism in Renaissance sculpture and Baroque Jesus paintings."

Nico snorted. "Damn. And here I thought the most action those naked marble statues were getting was from pigeons shitting on them."

Sophia threw her head back and laughed. "Stick with me and I'll show you the secret sexy side of art," she said, green eyes glinting mischievously over the rim of her cup.

As they slipped into easy, flirtatious conversation, Nico found himself forgetting about the thoughts that always seemed to linger in the back of his mind. Before he knew it, they had killed the better part of an hour trading jokes and gently ribbing each other. The alcohol buzzed pleasantly in his veins and Sophia had gravitated closer, her shoulder now brushing his arm. He was contemplating making a move when the band finished playing and a new song came blasting through the speakers, a throbbing electropop beat that had Sophia's eyes lighting up.

"Oooh, I love this song!" she squealed, grabbing Nico's hand. "Dance with me!"

Nico recognized the song as Sia's Chandelier, a popular song that came out earlier in the year, he drained the last of his punch, the liquid courage igniting a spark of reckless abandon within him. He set the cup aside, ready to dive headfirst into the unknown. His fingers twined with Sophia's, "Alright, Art Girl," he said with a grin, his voice laced with a hint of challenge. "Show me what you got."

Sophia's face lit up with triumph as she tugged him towards the mass of writhing bodies on the dance floor. "Oh, you are so on, Psych Boy. Prepare to have your mind blown!"

They slipped into the undulating crowd, finding a pocket of space to call their own as their bodies began to move to the driving beat. Sophia shimmied up against him with a wicked grin, her hips swaying hypnotically. Nico let the music wash over him, losing himself in the primal thrum of the bass and the heat of Sophia's body pressed against his.

He gripped her hips, pulling her closer, relishing the little gasp that escaped her parted lips. There was nothing but this moment - the music pounding, their bodies grinding, the electric charge building between them. Sophia looped her arms around his neck, her fingers tangling in the hair at his nape.

Their faces were inches apart now, hot breath mingling, eyes locked in an intense stare. Nico's gaze dropped to her lips, mesmerized by the way her tongue darted out to wet them. An unspoken agreement hung in the air, and then they were crashing together, mouths slanting over each other with primal intensity.

Sophia's lips were soft and pliant beneath his, tasting of the sugary punch. Nico nipped at her bottom lip, swallowing her moan as his hand slid under the hem of her shirt to stroke the satiny skin of her lower back. They kissed with the clumsy, fevered passion of the inebriated, all tongue and teeth and roving hands.

For blissful moments, Nico's mind went quiet, consumed only by physical sensation - the wet heat of Sophia's mouth, the roll of her hips against his, the intoxicating scent of her. He was just about to suggest taking this somewhere more private when an unwelcome voice cut through the heady fog.