The music pounds through the crowded room, colored lights sweeping across faces I don’t bother to remember. I stand leaning against the wall, hands tucked into my pockets, eyes scanning the dance floor without really moving. Sam asked me to look after {{user}} tonight; refusing wasn’t an option.

It isn’t hard to keep track of her—red hair catching the flashes of neon, loose clothes moving with each step she takes among strangers. My gaze lingers, following every small movement, every glance someone throws her way.

I remind myself why I’m here: for Sam. That should be enough. Yet when {{user}} looks back at me, even for an instant, there’s something in her eyes I can’t quite name—something that makes it impossible to look away. Almost against my will, I step away from the wall, moving through the press of bodies until I’m close enough to speak.

" You should be more careful," I say, my voice low, meant for her ears alone despite the pounding music. " Sam wouldn’t feel at ease seeing you this distracted."

I adjust the watch on my wrist, eyes locked on her dark red ones. " Stay where I can see you," the words come out firm but not harsh—an unspoken promise that, whether she likes it or not, I won’t be leaving her side tonight.

I raise an eyebrow. "And risk someone taking advantage of you while Sam isn't looking? No. I won't." My gaze flicks past her shoulder to where the crowd parts briefly, revealing a dark hallway beyond. "Stay close, and keep your phone charged," I say more quietly, not quite sure why I feel the need to share that advice. Perhaps it's because I don't trust myself with her so much tonight.

I follow her gaze and nod slightly in understanding before my eyes refocus on hers again. "Don't be long," I warn. "And don't wander off." There's an edge to my voice that I can't quite hide, a hint of possessiveness that makes me feel strange even as the words leave my mouth.

But she just gives me a small smile and turns back toward the crowd, disappearing into the press of bodies with an easy grace that belies her apparent vulnerability.

I watch her go, my gaze flickering between her and the exit to the hallway, as if I could somehow keep track of both at once. The tension in my shoulders eases slightly when she returns a moment later, but it doesn't vanish entirely. Something about tonight feels... off. Like there are currents moving beneath the surface that even I can't quite sense yet.

I take out my phone, pretending to check for messages while really keeping an eye on Eveiynn from the corner of my eye.

The taller boy's hand lands lightly on her lower back as he leans in close to whisper something in her ear. I feel a sharp spike of annoyance at his familiarity and the way he touches her, even though it isn't sexual. It's still too much.

I push off from the wall and approach them slowly, my steps silent despite the noise around us. When I'm close enough to speak without being overheard, I clear my throat loudly. "Excuse me,"

The boy turns toward me, a surprised expression crossing his features as he takes in my less-than-friendly demeanor. Eveiynn looks at me with wide eyes before glancing nervously away.

"Ah, yes?" The boy says slowly, seemingly trying to gauge the situation. "Is there a problem here?"

I focus on him, ignoring Eveiynn for now. "Yes," I say coolly. "There's a problem. My friend asked me to watch out for her tonight."

"Well, you see..." The boy begins, but I cut him off with a raised hand.

"Your point is?" I ask, voice deliberately hard now. "Because as far as I can tell, you're not her friend." My gaze flicks briefly to Eveiynn before returning to the boy. "So unless you want me to make things uncomfortable for you, I suggest you back off and find someone else to talk to."

The boy's face reddened slightly at that, his lips thinning into a line. For a moment it looks like he might argue, but then he takes another look at me and seems to think better of it. "Fine," he grumbles, stepping away from Eveiynn with an exaggerated sigh. "But she's not that interesting."

Eveiynn flinches visibly at his words, but I ignore her reaction. "I'm sure you have plenty of other people to talk to,"

For a moment I consider pushing it further, reminding her of how easily she could have gotten hurt, but then I see the sparkle in her eyes as she glances at me and realize that wouldn't be fair. Instead, I offer her a curt nod before turning back to the crowd. "Come on," I say quietly, taking her arm and guiding her through the press of bodies toward the hallway. "Let's get you away from all this."

The hallway is dimly lit, the harsh glare of fluorescent lights replaced by soft, flickering candles set along the walls. It's quieter here too, only the distant music and muffled laughter reaching us from the party beyond. I let go of Eveiynn's arm but don't step away; instead, I lean against the wall beside her, watching as she looks around with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.

"Better?" I ask quietly.

We stand there in silence for a moment, both of us lost in our own thoughts. Her hair falls across her face as she looks down at the floor, her lips moving slightly as if she's talking to herself. I study her profile, trying to read her expression. It isn't until she meets my gaze again that I realize how long I've been staring.

"What?" She asks, eyes narrowing slightly.

I shake my head, clearing the sudden awkwardness from my voice. "Nothing,"

"Maybe I'm just... protective." It's the truth, but it doesn't explain everything. There's something more here, a strange pull between us that I can't quite understand. "You shouldn't have to deal with people like that," I continue, motioning vaguely toward the party behind us. "Not tonight."

Her eyes search mine for some hint of what I'm really feeling, but all she sees is my usual calm and analytical expression. Finally, she seems to give up on trying to figure me out.

"I suppose," I say reluctantly. "But stay close to the wall, and keep your wits about you. You never know who might try something stupid when they think no one's looking." There's an edge to my voice again, but it's softened by concern for her safety.

She nods, apparently satisfied with that. "Alright," she says with a small smile, placing a hand on my shoulder briefly before stepping away from the wall and back into the fray of the party.

I watch her go, feeling an odd mixture of possessiveness and relief as I see her disappear once more among the crowd of revelers. There's something about Eveiynn that sets me on edge tonight, but despite my better judgment, I can't seem to look away from her. Maybe it's because she reminds me of someone I once knew... or maybe there's something else entirely at play here.

The music pulses through me, each beat an echo of my racing heart. I can't take my eyes off Eveiynn as she laughs and dances with her friends, moving gracefully among the crowd. But then something changes. Three boys move in closer to her, their hands landing possessively on her hips or shoulders, whispering things in her ear that make her blush and giggle.

Rage boils up inside me, hot and sudden as a blown fuse.

I force myself to remain calm, to think clearly. I can't lose my temper here; it would only make things worse for her. So instead, I carefully push away from the wall and begin moving through the crowd toward them. My steps are deliberate, calculated. The closer I get, the more my heart races with a mixture of anger and protectiveness.

When I'm close enough to see their faces clearly, I stop abruptly, forcing myself to calm down further. "Gentlemen," I say in a low, dangerous voice, "