Untitled Love

She pulls away slightly and says “do you want to go back to my place?”. Hello in case you didn't know I am Zara. And I know this situation is crazy but first let me tell you how I got here. 2 hours ago, “He’s cute” Dari says as she hands me my drink, I look up to see who she is talking about. Dari has always been trying to set me up with boys and girls.

It's crazy and overwhelming. As I take a sip of my drink I say “Yeah totally” just to ease her pain. She push me towards him “go talk to him” i look back at her and nervously smile signaling her to stop but he turns around just to see its Carissa

“h-hi” i say stuttering surprised at how she would well … look so different and manlike she looks at me obviously seeing im nervous and smile flirtatiously, she grabs my hand i feel a shock go through my body as her chest meets mine what am i doing i say to myself at least 7 times. She pulls me in the dance circle and starts dancing without saying anything else obviously she had too much to drink, but i don't say anything and start to dance feeling excited, then i look back at Dari to see she is talking to her ex which took her at least a year to get over.

“Excuse me” I say to Carissa as I walk over to Dari. I go straight to her ex and throw my drink in his face. “Zara” Dari yells trying to stop me but my anger for her overcomes me “how does that feel” I say while striking up both middle fingers for him to see, if he can still see.

I turn to Dari “what are you doing talking to that cheater?” I say my voice stern and straight forward. “He came up to me”

Dari’s eyes widen in disbelief, and I can

Dari’s eyes widen in disbelief, and I can see the mix of anger and embarrassment in her expression. “Zara, you can’t just—” she starts, but I cut her off.

“I can’t just what? Let him get away with it?” I shoot back, my heart racing. My adrenaline is still pumping from the confrontation, and I’m not sure if I’m more upset at him or at the way I just lost control.

Dari looks torn. “I know he messed up, but I didn’t ask for this!” She gestures towards her ex, who’s wiping off his face with a scowl.

“Then why even entertain him? You deserve better,” I say, my voice low but intense. I don’t care if I’m being dramatic; I just want her to see how much she’s worth.

She hesitates, glancing back at her ex. “It’s complicated.”

“Complicated?” I repeat, my frustration bubbling. “He hurt you, Dari. You don’t owe him anything!” I realize I’m raising my voice, drawing the attention of a few nearby partygoers.

Just then, I feel a presence beside me. It’s Carissa, her expression curious yet amused. “Nice move,” she says, nodding towards the mess I made of Dari’s ex. “Didn’t know you had it in you.”

I smile weakly, still fired up from my confrontation. “I’m just looking out for my friend.”

Carissa tilts her head. “You’re a good friend. But maybe you should focus on what’s right in front of you.” She gestures toward the dance floor, where the music pulses like a heartbeat.

I feel my cheeks flush. “I—”

“Come on,” she says, taking my hand again. This time, the spark is electric, igniting something deep within me. Before I can think it through, I let her pull me back into the crowd.

As we dance, the chaos of the moment fades away, replaced by the rhythm of the music and the heat of her body against mine. I try to focus on the fun, but my mind keeps drifting back to Dari. I glance back to see her talking to her ex again, her expression conflicted.

“Are you okay?” Carissa asks, her voice low, drawing my attention back to her. There’s genuine concern in her eyes.

I take a breath, shaking off my worries. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just… worried about my friend.”

Carissa leans in closer, the music drowning out the rest of the world. “You know, sometimes you have to let people make their own choices, even if it hurts you to watch.”

I nod, but my heart feels heavy. “I just want her to be happy.”

“I get that,” she says, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “But you deserve to be happy too, Zara. Don’t forget that.”

Her words hang in the air, and I feel a swell of emotion. The dance floor spins around us, and for a moment, it’s just me and Carissa, lost in our own world. She pulls me closer, and I can’t help but lean into her warmth.

Suddenly, the moment shifts as Dari appears at the edge of the dance floor, her eyes searching for mine. I see a flicker of something—uncertainty? Regret?—but before I can decipher it, she turns away, disappearing into the crowd.

“Zara?” Carissa’s voice breaks through my thoughts. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

I swallow hard, torn between my loyalty to Dari and the undeniable connection building with Carissa. “I think I should go talk to her.”

Carissa looks disappointed, but she nods. “Okay, but don’t be gone too long.” She gives me a soft smile, and I feel the weight of her gaze as I slip away.

As I weave through the throng of bodies, the music fades into the background, and I spot Dari sitting on a couch in the corner, her head in her hands.

“Dari,” I say softly, approaching her. “We need to talk.”

She looks up, her eyes glassy but determined. “I messed up, didn’t I?”

I sit down beside her, searching for the right words. “We all mess up. But you deserve better than him.”

She nods slowly, wiping away a tear. “I know. I just… it’s hard to let go.”

“Let me help you,” I offer, placing my hand on hers. “I’ve got your back, no matter what.”

As we sit there, I feel a sense of resolve wash over me. Maybe tonight is about more than just the chaos of the party. Maybe it’s about learning to navigate friendships and finding what truly matters.

“Let’s get out of here,” I suggest. “We can grab food and talk. Just us.”

Dari’s face brightens a little. “Yeah, I’d like that.”