The evening arrived, buzzing with excitement across campus. Word had spread about a party hosted by a senior, and it seemed like the entire student body was ready to join in.
In their dorm, Zina and Aria were preparing for the night. Aria nervously checked her reflection in the mirror while Zina lounged on her bed, scrolling through her phone.
"I can't believe we're going to a senior's party," Aria muttered, adjusting her top for the hundredth time. "What if we don't fit in?"
Zina smirked, "Relax, Aria. It's just a party. Besides, you handled Alex just fine earlier, didn't you?"
Aria rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. "Barely. I don't know how you can be so calm about all this."
Zina shrugged. "It's a chance to meet new people and see what the upperclassmen are like."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Aria sighed, finally settling on her outfit.
As they headed to the party, the sound of music and laughter grew louder. Zina glanced at the upscale apartment complex where the party was held, impressed by the twinkling lights and the stream of students entering.
Inside, the party was in full swing. Music pounded through the speakers, and the living room was packed with people dancing and chatting. Zina exchanged glances with Aria, both feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.
Zina spotted a striking figure near the bar, her fiery hair catching the light. The girl was tall and elegant, with sharp grey eyes observing everything around her. There was something unapproachable about her, like an invisible barrier keeping others at a distance.
"That must be Jade," Zina said, nodding toward the redhead.
Aria followed her gaze. "Yeah, she definitely looks like she's in charge."
Jade caught their eyes and raised an eyebrow, a small, knowing smile on her lips.
"Come on, let's get a drink," Zina suggested, straightening her posture.
They made their way to the bar, blending in with the crowd. While waiting for their drinks, Zina glanced over her shoulder, meeting Jade's sharp gaze head-on.
"What's her deal?" Zina muttered.
Aria shrugged. "She's probably just curious. We are freshmen, after all."
"Maybe," Zina replied, though she felt something more calculating in Jade's gaze.
Just then, a familiar voice interrupted. "You two made it!"
Zina turned to see Alex, his playful grin in place. "Glad to see you're fitting in."
"Of course we did," Zina replied, smirking. "We couldn't miss a party like this."
Alex chuckled, glancing over his shoulder. "You met Jade, right?"
Before they could respond, Jade appeared beside Alex. "I see you've found my guests, Alex," she said coolly.
"Yeah, just making sure they're enjoying the party," Alex replied, not moving closer to her.
Jade's gaze flicked over Zina and Aria. "Hi. I hope you're having a good time."
Zina met Jade's gaze directly. "It's a great party."
Jade's gaze lingered on Zina for a moment. "Enjoy yourselves," she said, her tone polite yet firm.
With that, Jade moved back into the crowd, her presence lingering even after she was gone.
As soon as she was out of earshot, Aria let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Well, that was… intense."
Alex chuckled. "Don't let her intimidate you. Jade's all bark and no bite. Mostly."
Zina raised an eyebrow, curious. "Mostly?"
Alex grinned. "Trust me, she's not as scary as she seems."
Zina exchanged a glance with Aria, both girls unsure but intrigued.
"Let's find a place to sit," Zina suggested. "This party is huge."
"Good idea," Alex agreed, leading the way through the throng of students.
They found a cozy corner on a sofa, away from the main crowd. As they settled in, Alex leaned forward, a playful glint in his eyes. "So, what do you two think of the party so far?"
"It's definitely lively," Zina said, glancing around.
"Yeah," Aria added, a nervous smile on her face. "A bit overwhelming, but in a good way."
Alex laughed. "Just wait until the dancing starts. That's when the real fun begins."
Zina shot him a teasing look. "Are you sure you're not just trying to drag us onto the dance floor?"
"Me? Never," Alex said, pretending to be innocent. "But if you change your mind, I'll be right here."