State of Fear -1

The living room of Levi's flat is modest but cozy. A few bean bags are scattered around, and a makeshift bar with a couple of bottles of whiskey, rum, and some mixers is set up on the dining table. The four friends sit cross-legged on the floor around a small coffee table, the mood buzzing with excitement.

Angel: (raising her glass with a grin) "Let's party tonight! After all, one of our friends has started his startup."

Finn: (grinning and nudging Luke) "Yeah, Mr. CEO. Already rolling in cash, huh?"

Luke: (chuckling, leaning back against the sofa) "Hold on, hold on! Don't make it sound like I've made it big. I've only got the funding—nothing else. No product, no customers. Let me actually start the business before you call me a CEO."

Levi: (pouring himself another drink) "One lakh dollars, bro! That's huge. Do you realize how much that is? I'm sitting here wondering if I can afford Maggi next week."

Angel: (laughs) "Forget Maggi. Levi's flat might as well be the first headquarters of your startup. What do you think, Luke?"

Luke: (teasing) "Well, it's cozy enough. Maybe I'll put you guys on payroll—Angel for PR, Finn for coding, and Levi for... um... comic relief?"

Levi: (mock-offended) "Excuse me! Comic relief? I could manage your finances, man."

Finn: (snorts) "Yeah, by spending all the money on junk food and video games."

Luke: (laughing) "Exactly my point!"

Angel: (to Luke, more serious now) "Okay, jokes apart, what's your plan? I mean, you've got the funding, so what's next?"

Luke: (sipping his drink) "Honestly? It's overwhelming. Investors are asking for updates, and I haven't even finalized the team. I've got ideas, sure, but execution is the tough part. I'm trying not to screw this up."

Levi: (clinking his glass with Luke's) "You won't, bro. You've got us. If nothing else, we can always be your unpaid interns."

Finn: "Speak for yourself, Levi. I'd at least charge pizza and beer."

Angel: (smirking) "I'll need designer shoes if I'm doing PR for you."

Luke: (laughing) "Wow, you guys are expensive for interns! I'm broke before I've even started."

Angel: "Relax, Luke. You're doing great. One lakh dollars is no joke. Just take it one step at a time."

An hour later, the group is in Levi's car, cruising down an empty highway. Music blasts through the speakers as the cool night breeze rushes in through the open windows.

Levi: (driving, slightly tipsy but focused) "This is the life, man. Good friends, good music, and no worries."

Finn: (leaning back in the passenger seat) "Speak for yourself. I'm still thinking about that one lakh dollars. Luke, you should've treated us to something fancier tonight."

Luke: (from the backseat) "Yeah, because I have so much left after setting up the office that doesn't exist yet."

Angel: (next to Luke, gazing out at the stars) "You'll get there, Luke. And when you do, we'll be the first to throw you a big party. Right, guys?"

All: (in unison) "Definitely!"

Levi: (grinning) "And the party will still be at my flat because why not?"

They all burst out laughing as Levi speeds up, the car cutting through the quiet night. The conversation shifts to memories of their college days, embarrassing stories, and future dreams.

The group returns to Levi's flat, tired but happy. The atmosphere is lighter now, the earlier tension about Luke's startup replaced with playful camaraderie.

Finn: (flopping onto the couch) "Man, that drive was refreshing. We should do this more often."

Angel: (grabbing a blanket) "Yeah, but maybe without Levi's questionable driving skills next time."

Levi: (mocking) "Questionable? You're alive, aren't you?"

Luke: (smiling, raising his glass one last time) "Thanks, guys. For everything. I know I've got a long way to go, but having you three around makes it feel less scary."

Angel: (clinking her glass with his) "To Luke. And to us. May we always have nights like this."

All: "Cheers!"

As the night deepens, the group drifts into quieter conversations, the bond between them strengthened by shared dreams, laughter, and the promise of brighter days ahead.

 The living room is dimly lit, the bottles on the table nearly empty. The music is still playing, but the mood has shifted. Levi and Angel sit across from each other, both visibly drunk. Finn is slumped on the couch, barely paying attention, while Luke watches with growing unease.

Levi: (slurring) "You always do this, Angel. Acting like you know everything about everyone. Just because you're good at giving advice doesn't mean you're perfect."

Angel: (offended, her voice rising) "Excuse me? At least I'm not the one cracking jokes all the time to avoid serious conversations. What's your problem, Levi?"

Levi: (leaning forward, pointing at her) "My problem? My problem is that you're always judging! Like tonight, with the driving comment. What was that about?"

Angel: (standing up, her cheeks flushed with anger and alcohol) "Oh, come on, Levi! You drive like a maniac, and everyone knows it. Don't act like I'm the bad guy here."

Luke: (trying to mediate, raising his hands) "Hey, guys, calm down. It's late, and we're all a bit too drunk for this."

Levi: (ignoring Luke, standing up to match Angel's energy) "No, let her talk. She always has something to say, doesn't she? Always needs to be the center of attention."

Angel: (glaring, stepping closer) "At least I'm not a freeloader who sits around cracking jokes and pretending it's enough!"

Finn: (groaning, still half-asleep) "Oh, my God, can you two just shut up? Some of us are trying to enjoy the buzz here."

Luke: (firmly, stepping between them) "That's enough! Both of you. Sit down and stop acting like kids."

Angel: (shoving Luke aside) "Don't tell me what to do, Luke. I'm not the one starting fights over nothing."

Levi: (laughing bitterly) "Oh, now it's nothing? Typical Angel. Always dismissing everyone else's feelings like they don't matter."

Angel grabs a bottle from the table, takes a long swig, and slams it down, her eyes blazing. Levi mirrors her actions, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a knife.

The argument escalates, with both Angel and Levi shouting over each other. Luke struggles to intervene, but their drunken state makes reasoning impossible.

Angel: (mockingly) "Maybe if you actually took life seriously for once, Levi, you'd get somewhere!"

Levi: (smirking) "And maybe if you loosened up for once, Angel, you wouldn't be so unbearable to be around!"

Angel, furious, grabs a pillow from the couch and hurls it at Levi. It hits him square in the face. Levi retaliates by grabbing a half-empty bag of chips and dumping it over her head.

Luke: (yelling) "Guys! Stop it! This is ridiculous!"

But the chaos continues. Angel picks up a cushion and swings it at Levi, who dodges and stumbles into the coffee table, knocking over a bottle of whiskey. The liquid spills everywhere, the room now reeking of alcohol.

Finn: (finally sitting up, annoyed) "What the hell is going on? Did you two forget how to be human beings?"

Angel: (ignoring Finn, pointing at Levi) "You're impossible, Levi. I don't even know why we're friends!"

Levi: (equally heated) "Maybe we shouldn't be!"