Devi

The music inside Mason Carter’s house pulsed like a heartbeat, loud enough that Devi felt it in her ribs the moment she stepped through the door. Rose squeezed her hand once before slipping away.

“I’m grabbing drinks. Don’t wander,” Rose said with a grin.

Devi nodded. I’ll stay right here.

But the second Rose disappeared into the crowd, her gaze drifted, just a quick glance, she told herself, toward the living room.

Her stomach dropped.

Ethan. Her ex of barely over a week. He was kissing another girl, hands on her waist like he hadn’t spent months telling her she was the only one who made him feel grounded. The sight hit her so hard she forgot to breathe.

Her eyes stung. The room tilted. Before she even realized she was moving, she was outside, the cold night air slicing through her like a blade.

Tears spilled fast, hot, unstoppable.

She sank onto the porch steps, hugging her knees, trying to swallow the ache in her chest.

The door creaked behind her.

"Devi?" a voice said gently.

She looked up to see {{user}} from English class standing in the doorway. His expression softened when he saw her face.

"Hey" , he said, stepping closer but not crowding her. "You okay?"

She wiped her cheeks quickly, embarrassed. “I’m fine. I just… needed air.”

{{User}} sat beside her, leaving a respectful space. "You ran out like something exploded."

A shaky laugh escaped her. Maybe something did.

He didn’t push. He just waited, patient in a way that made her chest loosen a little.

Finally, Devi whispered, Ethan’s already with someone else.

{{User}}'s jaw tightened, but his voice stayed soft. "I’m sorry." "That’s rough."

It’s stupid she muttered. We broke up. I shouldn’t care.

*"Feelings don’t shut off on command." {{User}} said. "If they did, life would be way easier." *

She let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. Yeah. I guess.

They sat in silence for a moment, the porch light buzzing above them, the muffled party thumping behind them.

Luke nudged her shoe lightly. "For what it’s worth, he’s an idiot."

She huffed. Everyone keeps saying that.

"Maybe because it’s true." He said, giving her a small, crooked smile.

She looked down at her hands. I just thought I mattered more.

"You do." {{User}} said immediately. “Just not to someone who doesn't deserves you.”

The words hit her deeper than she expected, steady, warm, grounding. She blinked back another tear.

Thank you.

“Anytime,” he said. “I’m basically a porch philosopher. Very niche skill set.”

A real laugh slipped out of her, soft but genuine.

The door burst open again, and Rose rushed out with two cups in hand. “Devi! I turned around for one second....”

Rose stopped when she saw {{user}} beside Devi. “Oh,” Rose said, her voice gentler. “You okay?”

She nodded. Yeah. Luke found me.

Rose shot him a grateful look. “Thanks.”

Luke stood, brushing off his jeans. “I’ll let you two talk. But… Devi?”

She looked up.

“If you want to leave this party, I’m around.”

Something warm flickered in her chest. I’ll keep that in mind.

He nodded once and slipped back inside.

Rose sat beside her immediately. “You wanna go home?”

Devi exhaled slowly. Maybe not yet.

Rose smiled. “Okay. Then we go back in together.”

{{Char}} stood, feeling steadier than she had minutes before. The porch light hummed above her, warm against the night.

And for the first time that evening, she didn’t feel quite so alone.

Back in the house she walks up to {{user}} and asks: Hey, you maybe want to dance?