– Amber's POV
The music thumped in my chest like a second heartbeat, drowning out every other thought as I let myself get lost in the rhythm. The air was hot and thick, charged with the wild energy of the party, and the pulsing lights cast the crowded room in hues of blue and gold. Around me, people danced like they were trying to burn away the stress of the entire week, their bodies moving in sync with the bass-heavy track blasting from the speakers.
Luna and Sapphire were right by my side, both of them laughing and throwing their hands in the air as we moved to the beat. The three of us were having the time of our lives, and for the first time in a long while, I didn't care about school, responsibilities, or anything else. Tonight was about freedom.
"Amber, you're killing it!" Luna shouted over the music, her cheeks flushed from dancing.
"You too!" I replied, grinning as I spun around.
Sapphire grabbed my hand and twirled me playfully, her blonde curls bouncing around her face. "This is exactly what I needed," she said, her voice loud enough to rise above the pounding music.
"Same," I admitted. "Tonight is perfect."
We kept dancing, our laughter blending with the music and the chatter of the crowd. I couldn't remember the last time I felt this carefree.
As the three of us danced in our little corner of the living room, a boy with a confident smirk approached me. He was tall, with tousled brown hair and a button-down shirt that clung to his frame. He leaned in slightly, his voice barely audible over the music.
"Hey, wanna dance?" he asked, his tone smooth but persistent.
I gave him a polite smile and shook my head. "No, thanks. I'm good."
"Aw, come on," he pressed, trying to step closer.
"She said no," Sapphire chimed in, giving him a pointed look that made him back off.
"Suit yourself," he muttered before disappearing into the crowd.
"Some guys just don't take no for an answer," Luna said, rolling her eyes.
"Tell me about it," I replied, grateful for my friends.
We burst into laughter and continued dancing, the moment already forgotten. Around us, the party continued in full swing. Some people were huddled in groups, shouting over the music, while others were openly making out in the corners. The energy in the room was electric, and I couldn't help but get swept up in it again.
After what felt like hours of nonstop dancing, Sapphire nudged my arm and pointed toward the kitchen. "Isn't that Marco?"
My head snapped in the direction she was pointing, and sure enough, there he was. Marco, our flamboyant and lovable best friend, stood near the counter with a drink in hand, chatting animatedly with a group of guys. His outfit was as bold as ever—a sequined blazer over a mesh shirt, paired with skinny jeans and boots that sparkled under the party lights.
"Marco!" I called out, weaving through the crowd with Luna and Sapphire behind me.
His head turned, and his face lit up when he saw us. "Oh my God, my girls!"
We practically tackled him in a group hug, laughing and chattering all at once.
"Where have you been?" Luna asked, punching his arm playfully. "We've been calling you all day!"
"I know, I know!" Marco exclaimed, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "I lost my phone this morning. Total disaster. I've been using one of those ancient burners until I get a new one."
"That explains it," Sapphire said, shaking her head. "We thought you were ghosting us."
"Please. Like I could ever ignore my queens," Marco said dramatically, flipping his hair for emphasis.
We all laughed, the tension melting away as we caught up with him. It wasn't long before the music called to us again, and Marco pulled me back to the dance floor.
"Amber, darling, you owe me a dance," he said, grabbing my hand and twirling me around.
"You're so full of yourself," I teased, but I couldn't hide my grin as we moved to the beat.
Our dance started off playful, but as the music shifted to something slower and heavier, Marco leaned in with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Let's give them a show."
"What are you talking about?" I asked, laughing nervously.
"Come on," he said, placing his hands on my hips. "It's called a seductive dance, Amber. Work with me here."
I rolled my eyes but decided to play along, letting the music guide my movements as I swayed to the rhythm. Marco matched my pace, his movements smooth and confident as we danced in sync. Around us, the crowd seemed to fade away, leaving just the music and the heat of the moment.
"Okay, I'll admit it—you're good," I said, laughing as he spun me around again.
"Good? Sweetheart, I'm great," he replied, flashing me a wink.
What I didn't notice was the pair of eyes watching us from the balcony above.
*****
Alex's POV
From his vantage point on the balcony, Alex sipped his drink and watched the chaos unfold below. The party was a whirlwind of noise and movement, with people dancing, laughing, and making out in every corner. But his attention wasn't on the crowd—it was on her.
The girl from earlier, the one who had caught his eye in the hallway, was now dancing with a guy in the middle of the room. The way she moved, her confidence, her energy—it all drew him in like a magnet.
He didn't even realize he was gripping the railing until he felt the cold metal dig into his palms. With a scowl, he forced himself to look away, trying to ignore the strange pull he felt toward her.
But no matter how hard he tried, his gaze kept drifting back to her.
*****
Amber's Pov
Back on the dance floor, I was too caught up in the moment to notice the eyes on me. Marco and I laughed as the song came to an end, and I felt a sense of exhilaration I hadn't felt in ages.
"Alright, I think I'm done," I said, catching my breath as the next song started.
"Quitter," Marco teased, but he didn't push it.
I stepped off the dance floor to grab a drink, still smiling as the night carried on.