Chapter 5 FIRST PARTY

After a few classes, lunch finally came, and I still hadn't seen Sebastian.

The cafeteria buzzed with low chatter and the clatter of trays, but I moved through it like a ghost. I wasn't hungry.

I spotted an empty table near the window and sat alone, pulling out a book I had no intention of reading. I could feel eyes on me, hear whispers just low enough to ignore.

Then, I felt it-a shift in the air.

Someone sat down across from me.

I looked up.

Sebastian.

He set his tray down across from me, moving with that same smooth, confident ease, as if the noise and chaos of the lunchroom didn't touch him.

"You don't mind, do you?" he asked, already sitting.

I shook my head. "No. It's fine."

He didn't bother with the food. Just sat there, watching me with that unreadable expression he always wore.

"I didn't see you in the last class," I said, trying to sound casual.

He smirked.

Skipped it. Too many windows. Too much sun."

Of course. Vampire problems.

He studied me for a moment, head tilted slightly. "You seem... different today. More curious. Interested."

I gave him a look.

He held up both hands, a teasing glint in his eyes. "I'm not reading you. Promise."

His smile widened, and my eyes caught it-one fang, just barely slipping past his lip.

I lowered my eyes. "Careful. One fang's showing."

He ran his tongue over his teeth and smirked. "Oops. Guess I'm a little hungry."

I gave him a look. "You should probably handle that before someone else notices."

He leaned in slightly, his voice lower. "Don't worry. I'm very good at control."

Good. I thought.

Just then, someone stopped at our table.

She didn't look happy, but her beauty was hard to ignore. Delicate features, beautiful, dark curly hair. She looked almost like a doll or a cheerleading uniform.

Something in the way she looked at Sebastian said this wasn't a casual visit.

"Hey," she said gently, though her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "Can I steal you for a minute?"

That made me feel a little uneasy.

Sebastian leaned back. "Have a seat. You can say whatever you need right here."

She sat slowly and glanced at me.

"You must be the new girl. My apologies," she smiled.

"I'm Evie."

"Noah," I replied calmly.

"Cool name," she said, returning her gaze to Sebastian.

I poked at my food, pretending to be interested. I wasn't hungry-just didn't want her thinking I was eavesdropping, even though I was.

Evie leaned in slightly, her voice low. "He's been avoiding me. I've tried everything."

Sebastian stayed composed. "He probably just needs space."

She shook her head, blinking fast. "You're his best friend. Please, talk to him."

She wiped beneath her eyes with her fingers-her manicured nails were painted beautifully.

"I don't think it's about what I did anymore," she said quietly. "I know him. Something's... different."

Sebastian didn't respond right away. His expression was blank.

I sat in silence, caught between two stories I didn't understand. Yet.

He finally exhaled. "He's throwing a party tonight. You should come. Find an opportunity, talk to him."

Evie let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Of course. I had to hear about it from you. That says everything, doesn't it?"

She stood slowly. Her eyes were puffy, like she was holding back tears she didn't want anyone to see.

"I hope he's happy, whatever this is," she said.

Then she gave me one last glance.

"See you, Noah."

And with that, she walked off.

I sat there, unsure whether to speak or stay quiet.

Sebastian leaned back, arms crossed. "Well, that wasn't awkward at all," he muttered.

I raised a brow. "Ex-girlfriend?"

He shrugged. "Of a friend."

I smirked. "Aren't you a little too old to have high schoolers who have friends?"

He laughed. "Ouch. Low blow." He leaned in, eyes glinting.

"We're not like them, Noah. You can be eighteen forever."

The realization sent a chill down my spine-half thrilling, half terrifying.

"You should come to the party," he continued, more casually now. "It'll be fun. I'll clear it with your parents."

I tilted my head. "What are you now, my bodyguard?"

He smirked. "Only if you need one."

I didn't respond. Mostly because I wasn't sure if I did.

By the time I got home, the sun was already low, casting warm light across the hallway tiles.

My parents asked the usual questions, mostly about classes, and I gave them just enough to keep them satisfied.

I didn't mention Aiden, Evie.

Or the party.

Sebastian showed up that evening, just as the sky faded from gold to deep blue.

I heard the car before I saw it-quiet, smooth.

By the time I opened the door, he was already there, leaning against the frame in all black, his eyes lit by the last bit of daylight.

"You're really taking me to a party," I said, half-smiling.

He gave a slight nod. "That was the deal."

I glanced back toward the house. "My parents?"

"Already handled. I called." His lips curved. "Your mom trusts me, I told her it was a school thing. She didn't ask more."

I frowned slightly. Strange, she hadn't mentioned it.

But maybe that was the whole point-she trusted him enough not to.

I looked at what I was wearing. It was decent. Didn't have a reason to do too much anyway.

Sebastian opened the passenger door. "You look perfect," he said, like he'd read my thoughts.

I rolled my eyes but got in. "You always say things like that?"

He closed the door with a grin.

The car glided forward, silent like the night wrapping around us.

We pulled up to a massive house, the kind that didn't try too hard to show it was expensive.

Whoever owned this place clearly had money and wasn't home tonight.

Laughter and music floated from the open front door, where groups of students were already gathered, drinks in hand.

The house looked like it belonged in a magazine-Rich-kid energy, loud and obvious.