Ariana’s POV
The music thumped through my chest like a second heartbeat. The crowd had doubled in size, and the heat in the house clung to my skin like smoke. Bodies danced, drank, laughed. Lana had disappeared somewhere with Alex, and I was alone for a minute trying not to think about Roman’s mouth on mine just moments ago. The way he’d looked at me like I was something forbidden and already his.
I needed air.
I pushed past a couple making out on the stairs, catching my breath near the kitchen, where guys were pouring vodka into red cups like water. A few of them glanced at me, eyes dropping to my dress. I hugged my arms around myself.
Then I heard her name.
“Maddi’s coming down.”
Heads turned. A hush rippled.
And there she was.
Maddi.
The queen of this campus.
Long blonde waves
