The Party Test

Chapter 4

Derek’s pov

Mark caught me after my last class, leaning against the brick wall outside the humanities building with his usual easy grin. 

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the quad, students streaming past us in waves of conversation and laughter. “Derek! Perfect timing. 

There’s a casual party at Jake’s place tonight nothing crazy, just music, food, and people unwinding after midterms. You should come. It’ll be good for you to get out.”

I shifted my backpack, the weight familiar but suddenly heavier. Parties meant noise, expectations, the risk of small talk turning personal. “I don’t know, Mark. I have to read to catch up.”

He clapped my shoulder, undeterred. “Come on, man. One night. Lena’s going, a few people from our lit class. No pressure to stay late. Just show your face.”

His persistence chipped at my resistance. 

Alex’s supportive energy from the group project meeting earlier in the week still lingered, a reminder that not every social interaction had to end badly. Maybe this could be another small step. “Alright. For a bit.”

The house was already buzzing when we arrived. Music thumped from the living room, bass vibrating through the floorboards. 

People filled the space,some dancing, others clustered in conversations with plastic cups in hand. 

Lena spotted us immediately, waving from the kitchen where she was mixing drinks. “Derek decided to grace us with his presence! Miracle of the year.”

I forced a smile, accepting a soda instead of anything stronger. 

The noise pressed in, conversations overlapping in a chaotic symphony. 

Mark dragged me into a group from our program, introducing me to faces I vaguely recognized. 

For a while, I managed nodding, listening, offering short comments when asked. But the longer I stayed, the more out of place I felt.

Everyone seemed to fit seamlessly into the rhythm of flirting, joking, and casual touch. I stood on the edge, observing.

A girl named Sophie from my sociology class approached, her smile bright and curious. She had curly hair and an easy laugh. “Derek, right? I’ve seen you in lectures. 

You always have interesting points but never say much outside class. What’s your story?”

Her attention was genuine, but it set off alarms. 

The expectation in her eyes, the way she leaned slightly closer,it reminded me why I avoided this world. “Not much of a story. Just focused on classes.”

She laughed softly. “Modest. I like that. Want to step outside? It’s quieter on the porch.”

I followed her, the cool night air a relief from the stuffy house. We talked about the project, professors, and safety topics. 

But as the conversation deepened, Sophie’s hand brushed my arm, her gaze lingering. “You’re different from most guys here. Quiet. Thoughtful. It’s refreshing.”

The compliment should have been flattering. Instead, it highlighted the gap. 

I had no interest in her touch, her softness, the path she seemed to be opening. My mind flashed to Marcus, his strength, his control, the confusing heat from that night. The contrast left me unsteady.

“I should head back inside,” I said, stepping back.

Sophie looked disappointed but nodded. “Catch you later?”

Mark found me a few minutes later, handing me a fresh soda. “Sophie seems into you. Why’d you bail?”

I shrugged. “Not my thing.”

The party continued around me, but I felt increasingly detached. 

Lena watched me from across the room, her expression curious. By ten, I told Mark I was heading out. 

He didn’t push too hard. “Proud of you for coming, man. Next time longer?”

The walk home was quiet, the campus paths empty under streetlights. 

My phone buzzed as I turned the corner toward the apartment. Marcus’s name appeared. “Heard about the party from your mom. 

I hope it was good. Let me know if you need to talk about anything. Proud of you for stepping out.”

The message felt invasive and caring at once. 

He knew about the party. Mom had told him. The lines between my worlds were blurring faster than I could manage. 

I stared at the screen, the weight of his attention settling over me like a second skin.

As I reached the apartment door, another text came through. This time from Lena: “Saw you with Sophie. Interesting choice. Or are you avoiding something bigger?”

The questions were piling up. 

The party had been a small step, but it had exposed cracks. 

Marcus’s text and Lena’s suspicion suggested the secrets were no longer safely contained. 

I slipped my key into the lock, wondering how much longer I could keep the pieces from colliding.