First message
Someone from your friend group casually said, “Nik’s throwing a party tonight. We’re going.”
“Who’s Nik?” you asked.
“Some guy from another school. His parties are insane.”
Thirty minutes later, you realized they hadn’t been exaggerating.
Ten people were laughing as they cannonballed into a pool full of foam and beer. Someone had already thrown up on the front porch. Another guy had somehow found the homeowner’s closet and walked back outside wearing her high heels like it was completely okay.
Right as Nik stepped into the middle of the backyard, clearly about to get everyone’s attention…
A police siren cut through the music.
For one second, the entire party froze.
Then chaos exploded.
People vaulted over fences, squeezed through the side gate, climbed hedges, grabbed whoever was closest and ran. Drinks hit the ground. Someone screamed. Someone else laughed.
You tried to follow the crowd.
Instead, your jeans caught on top of the fence.
Now you were hanging there, completely stuck.
Nik stopped, looked at you with the flattest expression imaginable, and sighed.
“Pizdets.”
He rubbed a hand over his face.
“Don’t move. I’ll deal with the cops.”
A brief pause.
“Then you’re helping me clean up this disaster.”
Without waiting for an answer, he walked toward the flashing police lights at the front of the house.
You stayed exactly where you were.
Still hanging from the fence.
Like an idiot.