The New Year's party at the sorority was in full swing, and I was finally dressed and ready to make my entrance. I slipped into my silver glitter dress, which hugged my body just right, making me feel confident and excited for the night ahead. After spending what felt like an eternity getting ready with the other girls, we finally descended the staircase together, a whirlwind of glamour and laughter.

As we stepped down, the cheers and whistles from the guys waiting in the big hall echoed around us, making me smile. "Look at them!" I laughed, nudging Maeve. "We really know how to make an entrance."

"Damn, Maeve! You look amazing!" Dan shouted, his eyes wide as he pretended to swoon. "But too bad you like the same thing as me since you're into girls."

Maeve rolled her eyes, laughing. "Thanks, Dan, but I think I'll stick with girls who actually like me!"

Max stepped forward, his charming smile lighting up the room. "And Evelyn, wow! You look absolutely stunning tonight." He extended his hand, his eyes sparkling. "May I escort you to the party?"

"Of course, Max," I replied, slipping my arm through his as we walked toward the throng of partygoers. I could feel some eyes on us, and I instinctively glanced back, catching a glimpse of Alex. He stood with a few guys, his gaze fixed on us. I quickly shrugged it off, convincing myself that it was just my imagination.

When we entered the main hall, the atmosphere was intoxicating, filled with sparkles, balloons, and glitter everywhere. Everyone wore fancy, shiny formal clothes, and the energy was electric. Dan spotted a table with jelly shots and shouted, "Everyone! Look what I found! Let's kick off the New Year right!" He grabbed a few glasses and practically dragged everyone over to join him.

"Jelly shots? Count me in!" I exclaimed, laughing as I took one from Dan's hand. I could already feel the excitement bubbling inside me as we toasted to the new year, downing the shots with playful shouts.

As the night continued, I was swept up in the festivities. Max pulled me to the dance floor, and we danced together, our laughter mingling with the upbeat music. "You really know how to bring life to the party, Evelyn," he said, his voice barely audible over the music.

"Thanks! Just trying to keep up with all this craziness," I replied, feeling the energy of the room wash over me.

The party was wild. At one point, I glanced over and saw Dan dancing on top of a kitchen table, wearing nothing but his boxers. People were cheering, throwing dollars into his waistband, and I couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Only Dan," I said, shaking my head.

In another corner, I spotted Thomas lounging on the couch, smoking weed with Charlotte. That was a sight I didn't expect to see, and it made me chuckle. Meanwhile, Maeve and Julia had disappeared somewhere, likely off to a private room. I wondered what they were up to but figured it was probably nothing too scandalous-hopefully.

As the night wore on, I noticed Amelia and James playing Just Dance in a corner, clearly already drunk. Their movements were loose and carefree, and I joined in for a few rounds, giggling as we danced like no one was watching.

But as I scanned the room for Alex, I realized he was nowhere to be found. I felt a slight twinge of disappointment. Where could he be?

"Hey, you okay?" Max asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. "You've been looking around a lot."

"Yeah, I'm good!" I said, forcing a smile. "Just... curious about where everyone is, I guess."

"Worried about someone special?" he teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Not at all," I replied, brushing it off, but my mind flickered back to Alex and how he hadn't been around.

Just then, Dan stumbled past us, still in his boxers, shouting, "Where's the next drink? This party needs more chaos!"

Everyone erupted in laughter, and I couldn't help but join in. The night was chaotic and fun, but there was still a lingering thought in my mind-where was Alex?

The night buzzed with excitement as midnight drew closer, and couples throughout the party leaned in, inching toward each other with anticipation. Max, without saying a word, reached for my hand, his intentions clear. Panic crept in; I could already feel the pressure of an awkward explanation forming in my throat. So, forcing a smile, I said quickly, "Be right back! Just need to run to the bathroom." He squeezed my hand gently, nodding, but urged me to hurry.

I made a quick escape up the stairs, hoping I'd find a bathroom to hide in until the countdown ended. But to my dismay, every bathroom door was shut, each one with muffled laughter or... other sounds. Panic mounting, I scanned for an empty room, figuring maybe a suite would have an extra bathroom. With mere seconds ticking away, I spotted a dimly lit room down the hall.

Just as I reached it, I saw a figure by the window, smoke curling from the cigar between his fingers. I froze, realizing my escape was about to be cut short as Max's voice drifted down the corridor, calling my name.

I muttered to myself, "I'm done for," when suddenly, the shadowy figure by the window grabbed my hand, pulling me into the dark walk-in closet nearby. A firm hand covered my mouth as the figure drew close, whispering, "Shh."

When my eyes adjusted, I realized my "savior" was none other than Alex. My heart gave a small leap, finally recognizing his familiar face-the same one I'd been searching for all night. Outside, Max called my name, wandering past the door. Only when the footsteps faded did Alex remove his hand from my mouth.

"What are you doing here?" he whispered, eyes narrowed.

"Uh, hiding," I whispered back, glancing away.

"From what? Max?" He asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Yes, from Max," I replied, feeling my cheeks flush. "He's, uh, he's expecting me to kiss him by midnight, and I... well, I don't exactly want to."

His expression was unreadable, but his jaw tightened. "Really? Isn't that what you've been waiting for?"

"Why would you think that?" I shot back, genuinely confused by the sharpness in his tone.

He scoffed, looking away. "It's obvious. You like him, and he likes you. Everyone can see it."

"Who told you that?" I asked, annoyance bubbling up inside me.

"Does it matter?" he muttered, his voice low. "You're all the same. Just interested in appearances, doing whatever it takes to keep everyone on your side."

My chest tightened at his words, and I found myself stepping closer, my voice barely a whisper. "If you think you know me so well, then why are you hiding here too, Alex?"

He looked at me, the dim light catching his eyes in a way that made them smolder with an unspoken intensity. "Maybe I'm hiding from all of this too," he muttered, his voice low and gravelly. "Or maybe from you."

His words sent a shiver down my spine. I opened my mouth to reply, but just then, we heard Max again, closer this time. We fell silent, inches apart in the cramped closet, as the countdown echoed through the room outside.

"Ten... nine... eight..."

Our faces were close, his breath warm against my cheek as we whispered.

"Why are you always pushing me away?" I murmured.

He looked at me, his eyes darkening. "Why do you always act like none of this matters?"

"Three... two..."

Our argument faded as something charged and unspoken simmered between us. And just as the crowd outside shouted, "One! Happy New Year!" the tension cracked. Our faces hovered, inches apart, breaths mingling in the charged silence.

Alex's gaze was sharp, like he was daring the world to test him while he looked at me. But I didn't break; instead, I shot back, "You should really show people who you are, instead of hiding behind this-this attitude."

"Oh, so you think you know who I am?" His tone was biting, his gaze never wavering.

I shook my head and turned, storming out of the closet with him close behind. Our voices grew louder as we argued our way down the hallway, neither one willing to back down. But just as I rounded a corner, a guy-clearly wasted-stumbled toward me, slurring with a nasty smirk, "So, you done with Max yet? If you're free, I can be next. Don't waste all that on one guy."

My stomach twisted, and I froze, feeling my face flush with a mix of shock and anger. Before I could react, Alex immediately stepped in, grabbing my hand and moving me behind him with a fierce protectiveness that took me by surprise. His shoulders were tense, like he was one second away from doing something he'd regret.

But just then, Max appeared out of nowhere and, without hesitating, swung a punch straight at the guy's jaw. The room seemed to explode around us as people gasped, pulling out their phones, and the guy staggered back, dazed but now just as furious. Max moved in again, fists clenched, ready to take it further.

Alex's grip on my hand tightened, either to hold himself back or to get Max out of this mess before it got worse. But before he could act, Thomas and Dan rushed in, grabbing Max and pulling him back.

"Take her and go, Alex," Dan muttered urgently, glancing around as more people gathered, a few starting to recognize us. "Get her out before this gets bigger."

With a firm nod, Alex's hand tightened around mine, and without a second thought, he pulled me through the crowd. We darted through side corridors, avoiding stares and slipping past open doors, while I could hear murmurs of confusion behind us: "Who was that girl?" and "Where'd they go?"

Finally, we ducked out a side entrance into the night air, the sound of the party muffled behind us. We kept moving through side paths and back alleys, Alex not loosening his hold on my hand. The adrenaline coursed through me as we put as much distance between us and the chaos as possible, to the treehouse.