The party

Aiden's pov.

I spent an hour just staring at my closet. Every shirt looked wrong. Too plain, too neat, too much like the person I was supposed to be — not the person I really was.

“It’s just a party,” I muttered to myself, buttoning the same blue shirt I wore to every campus event. “You’re going to see Peter. That’s all.”

But I knew that wasn’t true. I wasn’t going there to “see Peter.” I was going there to see what I’d lost.

When I got to the mirror, I tried smiling. It didn’t reach my eyes. I looked like someone pretending to be fine. Someone who’d practiced it too long.

My phone buzzed — a text from Peter.

“You coming, man?”

I rolled my eyes, staring back at the mirror. I was having a second thought about everything but my hands had didn't quite agree with me.

I typed back. “Yeah. On my way.”

I slipped my phone in my pocket and headed out. My heart felt heavier with every step.

The music from the house hit me before I even reached the front door. It was loud, full of bass and laughter. I could already tell this wasn’t my kind of place.

Inside, lights flashed in every color. People danced, shouted, and held red cups. I stood there awkwardly until Peter spotted me.

“Aiden!” He grinned and walked over, holding two drinks. “You actually came!”

“Yeah,” I said, forcing a smile. “Didn’t want to miss it.”

He handed me a cup. “Drink this. It’ll help you loosen up.”

I took it, sniffed it, then laughed quietly. “Smells like bad decisions.”

He chuckled. “Exactly.”

We talked for a bit — or, more like, he talked. I just nodded and watched his eyes light up when he mentioned Daniel.

“He’s around somewhere,” Peter said, looking over the crowd. “You’ll like him.”

“I already hate him,” I wanted to say. Instead, I nodded. “Cool. Can’t wait to meet him.”

A few minutes later, Peter waved someone over. My stomach tightened when I saw the guy walking toward us — tall, clean-cut, with that calm confidence people are born with.

“This is Daniel,” Peter said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Daniel, this is Aiden, my old roommate.”

Daniel smiled politely and reached out to shake my hand. “Nice to meet you, man. Peter’s told me a lot about you.”

I shook his hand, forcing a smile. “All good things, I hope.”

Peter laughed. “Of course. I told him. How smart you are and completely boring but still the best person I have lived with.”

I pretended to laugh too. “Yeah, that sounds like me.”

They both laughed again, and for a second I felt invisible — like I was the outsider in my own life.

We stood there, the three of us, but most of the time Peter and Daniel just talked to each other. I tried to join in, but it always felt like I was interrupting something.

“So,” I said after a while, trying to keep the conversation alive, “how long have you two been… you know, together?”

Peter grinned. “Almost a year now.”

“A year?” I repeated, trying not to sound bitter. “That’s nice.”

Daniel smiled. “He’s amazing, honestly. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”

“Yeah,” I muttered, staring at my drink. “He’s great.”

Peter turned to me. “You okay, Aiden? You look a little off.”

I looked up quickly. “No, I’m fine. Just… tired from the meeting earlier.”

Daniel nodded. “School stuff can be draining.”

“Yeah,” I said, taking another sip to hide my frown.

They started talking again — about restaurants, travel plans, music. Every word between them sounded soft and perfect. Peter laughed in a way I hadn’t heard in months.

And I hated it.

I hated that someone else could make him laugh like that. I hated that I was just standing there, pretending to be happy for him.

At one point, Daniel leaned in to whisper something into Peter’s ear, and Peter blushed. I turned away, pretending to check my phone.

When I looked back, they were kissing.

Right there, in front of everyone.

My chest tightened. I forced out a laugh that wasn’t really a laugh. “I’ll go get another drink,” I said quickly, though my cup was still full.

Peter didn’t even notice me leave.

I walked away fast, pushing through the crowd until I got outside. My hands were shaking, and my throat felt tight.

I shouldn’t have come. I shouldn’t care. But I did.

I walked down the street, not really knowing where I was going. The air was cold, and I could still hear the music faintly behind me.

That’s when I noticed another building nearby — fancy, quiet, with people dressed in black and gold masks going in. There was a sign that said Private Event.

A man at the door stopped me. “Invitation?”

I hesitated. “Uh… I left it inside,” I lied.

The man laughed and shook his head. “Not my first rodeo. Turn back or I'm going to call the cops.”

That was my cue, alright.

“Hey,” the bodyguard greated a man with a high five. He looked really happy to see him.

“How are you doing?” The man laughed, staring at me with a suspicious look. “Who's this?”

The bodyguard turned to me with a glare. “A reporter.”

He thought I was a reporter. That's a first. There was no need defending myself, I should just get the hell out of here.

“Doesn't look like one to me,” the man smiled. “Let him in. All on me.”

He looked me up and down, then shrugged. “Fine. Don’t cause trouble.”

I nodded and slipped in.

Inside, it was completely different from the noisy house party. Soft music played in the background, and everyone wore masks — elegant ones, with feathers or gold edges. The room smelled like perfume and expensive wine.

I grabbed a mask from a nearby table and put it on, hoping no one would notice I didn’t belong.

But I could tell I didn’t fit in. Everyone looked confident and rich. I looked like a lost student.

I went to the bar and sat down. The bartender looked at me curiously. “What’ll you have?”

“Something strong,” I said.

He nodded and poured something amber into a glass. I didn’t even ask what it was.

I collected it and took a quick glance around and that's when I noticed something strange. Most of the people were men. I couldn't see their faces but I was sure they were of high class.

This was a private event.

I looked around and took in deep breaths, finally realizing what this place was. It was a gay club or similar to that. And a high one for that matter.

I stood up from my chair and decided to leave but the memory of Daniel and Peter kissing flashed in my head, making my fists clenched.

This was all my father's fault. Always talking about me maintaining a perfect reputation and for what? Nothing but sadness. I have led a boring and miserable life because I wanted to please my father.

I turned back to the bar, gulping my drink down. Tonight I was going to live for myself. Tonight, I was going to rebel.