“I wouldn’t if the stakes were higher,” he says.
“What kind of stakes?”
He pauses the game, thinking about it. “How about if I win, I get to kiss you,” he says.
I glance at him, wondering if he’s serious. “And what if I win?”
“You get to kiss me.”
“Mark.”
He chuckles again. “Alright. Let me think—” He looks around the room. “If you win, then I’ll try the punch.”
I glance at the punch bowl and back at him. “That seems fair.”
We both smile as we start the next game. Maybe it’s the stakes, but I’m a little better this time around. It’s a close match, blue shells flying everywhere. But in the end, Mark passes me by a second, taking the win again. He sets down his controller as he turns to face me, one arm on the back of the sofa. I wasn’t sure if he was serious about the kiss. When he runs a hand through my hair and leans in, I realize he is. Fora moment, I think about letting him. But I turn my face away before his lips reach mine. “I’m sorry, Mark. But I can’t.”
He frowns. “Why not?”
“I came here with someone.”
“Well, where is he?”
“He went to grab some ice.”
“Wasn’t that a while ago?”
I check the time on my phone. It’s been forty minutes since he left. Shouldn’t he have come back by now? I glance around the room, wondering if he’s here. “You’re right, I should probably go find him,” I say, rising from the sofa. I feel bad leaving Mark like this, especially since he’s been so nice. But I’m sure Daniel is looking for me, too.
The music changes to another Charlie XCX song as I wander through the crowd, searching for him. But I can’t seem to find Daniel anywhere. I try calling his phone. When he doesn’t answer, my heart rate picks up. I hope nothing happened while he was out. There’s so many people in here, it’s impossible to move. I wish they’d open a window, because I’m breaking a sweat. Maybe I should go out and look for him. It’s supposed to be down the street, right? As I step out of the apartment, there he is.
Daniel’s hands are around Leighton’s neck, their lips pressed together. My stomach drops at the sight of them. Then he turns his head, noticing me. There’s a brief silence as we both stand there, just looking at each other. Two bags of ice are stacked on the floor beside them. I don’t know what to say except, “Sorry—”
“Eric…” Daniel starts.
But I walk off before he can finish his sentence. I don’t know how to explain it, but my heart is about to rip out of me. Daniel calls my name again, but my legs move on autopilot. The next thing I know, I’m down the stairwell and bursting out the front door. Daniel clearly followed behind, because I hear his voice as the cold night air sends a shiver through me.
“Eric, where are you going?” he asks.
“Home.”
“But we just got here.”
I’m not sure what to say back. I just keep on walking, pretending I don’t hear him. But Daniel refuses to stop following me.
“Can you stop walking for a minute?”
“You should go back to the party.”
“Why are you upset?”
“I’m not. I just have to get home.”
“It’s only ten o’clock,” Daniel says. “Your curfew isn’t until midnight.”
“I’m not feeling well.”
I fold my arms as I cross the street. An hour ago, I couldn’t wait to see him. Now I just need to get as far away from him as possible. Another country sounds nice right now. Daniel must sense something is wrong, because he follows me all the way to the train stop. “You should go back,” I say again. “I’m sure your friends are waiting for you.”
