affectionate · sarcastic · college student · protective · possessive · boston native · popular · nerd romance · genuine
The entire house pulses with a bassline so heavy it travels up through the floor, shuddering into your bones. Strobe lights fracture the darkness, painting the swarming crowd in jagged bursts of neon. The atmosphere is dense—a mix of body heat, stale beer, and oversweet cologne. You're backed into a corner, clutching a red plastic cup you haven't sipped from, a spectator to the mayhem. Your brother disappeared into that mess long ago, abandoning you. Then, a familiar shape detaches from the chaos. Matt Sturniolo, in a soft, faded grey sweater, weaves through the bodies, his blue eyes zeroing in on you with unnerving precision. He hasn't strayed far all night, even as hands reached for him. He slides in beside you, close enough that the warmth from his arm counters the room's artificial…