chapter 5

ZARA.. Bambi.

“This is ridiculous, Jace. You didn’t tell me you were throwing an after-party here?” I whispered, trying to keep my voice low but failing to hide the irritation.

We stood in a corner while the others filled the living room with laughter and loud chatter. Jace was giving me that just-this-once look he always used whenever he wanted to get away with something.

“I’m sorry, Zee. I didn’t plan it, I swear. Amber suggested we throw an after-party at my place, and I didn’t want to let her down. We just… got together.”

Together? The word echoed in my mind. They were already together and her name was Amber?

I parted my lips to speak, but nothing came out. My throat felt tight.

“Zee, pleaseee,” he begged softly.

I pressed my lips together. My opinion didn’t matter not when he’d already brought them all here before even asking me.

“Jace…”

“Jace!” a girl’s voice called from the living room, light and teasing. It was probably her.

I sighed. “Fine.”

“Thank you!” he grinned, already distracted. “Go change into something nice and join us.”

He didn’t wait for an answer. He just hurried off toward the noise and laughter, leaving me standing there with my chest tightening and my hands clenched at my sides..

After a few minutes, I threw on a beige hoodie and black joggers, then stepped into the living room. The music was loud, and the place buzzed with laughter and chatter. There were about ten people plus Jace and me, probably the new friends he made. Amber sat glued to Jace, her hands wrapped around his neck.

While I scanned the room, our eyes met, and she leaned closer to whisper something in his ear. I sighed quietly and made my way to an empty spot, settling down without saying a word.

“Jace, aren’t you going to introduce us to your housemate? You said you guys are like siblings,” Amber called out, her voice quite louder than the music.

I rolled my eyes slightly.

“Yes, yes,” Jace said, unlinking her arms and standing up.

“Everyone, attention! Turn the music down,” he demanded. I was quite uncomfortable but that’s what comes with being friends with someone who always loves the spotlight.

When the music quieted, he began, “Everyone, meet my best friend and sister, Zara. We’ve been like this since we were kids. People always say it’s impossible for a guy and a girl to be best friends without strings attached but Zara and I proved them wrong.”

I have feelings for you, dummy, I muttered silently to myself.

A chorus of “wows” and laughter filled the air. Some clapped, others whispered, and I just sat there, smiling faintly like it didn’t sting.

"Zee, say hi to my new friends," Jace said, and I squeezed my face a little but had to comply.

"Hi," I muttered, my voice low. I didn’t even raise my head. The room went silent for a few seconds, kind of awkward.

"Oh, Zara doesn’t like crowds, and she hates parties," Jace explained before heading back to Amber’s side.

I pressed my lips together. Why did I even bother coming out? I should’ve just stayed in my room. I gently stood up, about to leave, when I heard my name and it made me freeze.

"Zara... where are you going?"

I turned and saw Amber walking toward me with a wide smile. I couldn’t tell if it was genuine or not.

She linked her arm with mine and, before I could react, dragged me back toward the group. Unfortunately, we stopped right in front of everyone.

"You guys are making Zara feel bored. How about we play a game?" she suggested, locking eyes with me. I tried to free my arm, but her grip tightened.

"Yes, I’m in!" Jace chimed in excitedly.

"I don’t " I tried to counter, but Amber cut me off.

"C’mon, it’ll be fun!" she insisted.

I sighed deeply. I don’t have a good feeling about this.

The others began agreeing to the game, and Amber’s smile widened. She tugged me down to sit, and soon everyone gathered around in a loose circle.

"Let’s play Truth or Dare. And Zara, I’ll start with you," she announced. My heart skipped a beat.

"Okay," I replied quietly, trying to keep myself composed.

"Truth or dare?"

"Truth," I answered.

Amber’s eyes glinted. "Ever had a crush or feelings for Jace? Ever?"

My heart dropped. For a moment, I couldn’t even breathe.

"Amber..." Jace called out, his voice uneasy.

"It’s just a game," she said with a shrug. "All she needs to do is answer."

Everyone’s eyes were on me. I swallowed hard, trying to sound confident even though I felt like melting into the floor.

"I haven’t," I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. "You heard what he said, we’ve been friends for a long time. He’s like a brother to me, and that’s all."

Amber tilted her head, smirking. "Fair enough. Not like you’d be his type anyway… barely anyone’s type."

My chest tightened, and the room went silent. No one said a word, not even Jace.

And that right there was why I didn’t go to parties. I could feel my eyes sting, but I clenched my jaw, determined not to let any tears fall.

"I told you not to worry about Zee," Jace finally said, breaking the silence. "Let’s move on."

"Zee, it’s your turn to ask someone," he added quickly.

"Okay," I said, trying to brace myself, but before I could speak, someone from the group laughed.

"Someone better dare Zara to show us her abs, I bet she doesn’t even have any!"

Laughter broke out. Even Jace chuckled a little. Maybe they thought it was harmless fun, but it hit deeper than they would ever know.

I forced out a weak laugh, pretending it didn’t bother me, but inside I was crumbling. If I stayed any longer, the tears I was holding back would definitely slip out.

As soon as the laughter faded, I smiled faintly and stood.

"Can I take a little break from the game? I just need to call my mom on the balcony, she asked me to by this time " I lied, forcing my voice to sound casual.

Before anyone could say a word, I stood up and walked out of the living room, heading straight for the back balcony that connected to the kitchen.

The moment I stepped outside, the cool air hit me, and I sank to the floor, my back against the wall. Tears slipped down my cheeks before I could stop them. That same heavy, familiar feeling, the one I’d been avoiding for so long, came crashing back all at once.

I pressed both hands over my mouth to muffle the sobs, not wanting anyone to hear. From inside, loud laughter echoed through the walls. They were probably still playing, still having fun, completely unaware of how small and invisible I felt.

I hugged my knees tighter, trying to steady my breathing, but more tears came anyway slow, quiet, endless.

Yeah, I'm not the type guys would fall for. I'm not slender, or tall enough, not pretty enough I guess..

“You seem to enjoy parties when you’re alone, don’t you? Bambi?”

A deep, low voice drifted in, slicing through my thoughts.

I looked up, my eyes still wet when I saw him, our third housemate, standing by the balcony door, one hand tucked into his hoodie pocket, a half-smirk on his face.

Bambi?

No one has ever called me that. It sounds pretty.