warnings: underage drinking, partying, slight mentions of drugs
I Only Threw this Party 4 U
She really, really didn’t want to do it.
Not the party. Not the music. Not the people brushing past her with drinks in both hands, or the half-lit hallway where someone was already throwing up, or the smell of cheap vodka, weed, and cologne sticking to the walls. None of it sounded fun. It sounded like social hell.
“No one’s gonna care,” her brother had said, already rearranging the furniture like this was a frat house and not their parents’ actual living room. “You don’t even have to talk to anyone. Just show up. Be a body.”
She was halfway through turning him down again when he dropped it—too casually, too deliberate.
“I told Rafe to come. Might show up later.”
She froze. And then, to her own horror, she said okay.
She regretted it immediately, standing in her room twenty minutes later, half-dressed and trying to pick between outfits that all felt like someone else’s skin. The one she finally chose didn’t scream look at me—but it whispered it. It was tighter than what she usually wore. Softer. A little shorter. It made her feel like she might not disappear.
She brushed her hair. Put on lip gloss. Practiced not flinching at the thought of being seen. She told herself it was nothing. Just four hours. Just pretending to be brave.
People started showing up before it even hit 9:00. Her brother handed out beers like candy and told everyone to toss their empties in the sink. Someone brought a handle of tequila and a few joints; someone else unwrapped a little foil square and asked if anyone wanted to split it. She watched it all from the couch with wide, uncertain eyes, clutching her own drink that she barely sipped.
The house filled fast. Sweat, perfume, bass, and laughter poured through the rooms like steam, and she stayed near the corner, half-hidden behind the couch, trying not to get caught in anyone’s Snap story.
The only person she was looking for hadn’t shown up.
She checked the door. Once. Twice. Then five more times, eyes darting to every knock, every slam. But it wasn’t him. Not Rafe.
She overheard someone say he’d gone to another party. Her stomach dropped so fast she almost felt sick. He wasn’t coming. He probably didn’t care. He probably forgot her name.
She wasn’t mad. Just stupid. She shouldn’t have worn this. Shouldn’t have hoped. She didn’t even like parties. What had she expected? That he’d walk in, lock eyes with her, and suddenly see her?
Her brother didn’t notice her slipping out the front door. He was busy taking shots with kids who definitely weren’t legal. She stepped out onto the porch and sat down hard on the steps, elbows on her knees, legs tight together. The cold air bit at her bare arms, but it helped clear her head.
She watched the street for a while. Just her and the quiet and the muffled music bleeding through the windows. She told herself it didn’t matter. Rafe didn’t owe her anything. She was nobody to him. Just a shy girl in the corner wearing makeup that didn’t belong on her face.
But then headlights flashed. Brakes hissed. Gravel shifted under tires.
Her chest squeezed tight.
She didn’t look up until the car door slammed shut.
“Yo,” a familiar voice called out.
Her head snapped up before she could stop herself.
Rafe Cameron stood at the edge of the lawn, hands in his pockets, hoodie unzipped over a plain white t-shirt, eyes already locked on her like he’d walked straight here and expected her to be waiting.
She blinked fast. “Um—hi.”
He grinned and walked up, beer still in hand. “You always sit outside during your own party?”
She felt her cheeks heat instantly. “It’s not—I mean—I wasn’t…”
He chuckled, flopping down beside her like it was the most natural thing in the world. He smelled like weed and aftershave and maybe something stronger beneath that. Not gross. Just sharp.
“Your brother said you were acting weird. Said I had to show up or you’d be, like, devastated or something.” He smirked sideways at her. “Is that true?”
She shook her head quickly. “No. I mean, maybe. I don’t know.”
He tilted his head, eyes narrowing like he was figuring her out. “You look different tonight. Like, actually dressed up.”
Rafe raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Did you wear that for me?”
She wanted to lie. Say no. Say she just felt like it. But the words stuck in her throat. Her hands twisted in her lap and she gave the world’s smallest nod.
To her surprise, he didn’t laugh. His smirk softened into something that looked almost fond.
“That’s cute,” he said, quiet now. “Didn’t know I rated that much effort.”
She glanced at him, just once. His knees were spread, hand dangling loosely between them, fingers still curled around the beer. He wasn’t teasing anymore. He looked… kind. In his Rafe way. Still cocky. But real.
“Sorry I was late,” he said. “Was at some senior thing. Kinda sucked. Your brother texted and said you looked nervous as hell and I should stop being an asshole.”
She made a tiny, embarrassed sound in her throat.
Rafe smiled. “I’m glad I came.”
She didn’t say anything. Couldn’t. Her tongue felt like lead. But she smiled—small and shaky and hidden behind her hair.
He bumped his knee into hers. “Next time, just say you want me there. I’ll come sooner.”
Her heart kicked. She nodded again, eyes down, cheeks on fire.
Inside, the party was still going—loud and bright and wild. But out here, just for a second, everything felt still. Her hands weren’t shaking quite as much. Her breath came easier.
And she mattered enough for that.
dividers: @/hyuneskkami @/forleehan
tags: @amelialovesrafe @alyisdead @illumoria @blissfulbutterfliess @sydneysslove @sc04 @matthewswifeyy @meetmeintheemeraldpool @lcversvoid @honeyinthesummer @dolli333 @lolabunnyworldss @sabrina-carpenter-stan-account @rafessbaby @rafesbabygirlx @cokewithcameron @drewrry @harubunnyyy @ellayahhs @lifeonawhim @usseraloo
