chapter 24

The party was already in full swing by the time Andrew stepped into the grand hall, dragged half-willingly by Kate. Lights shimmered across ornate ceilings, painting the walls in strokes of crimson and gold. Someone had hauled in a record player from the old archives, and the crackle of vintage jazz filled the room, warm and chaotic.

Andrew adjusted the collar of his coat and scanned the crowd. Too many people. Too many voices. But Kate, dressed in a dark emerald blouse and her usual quiet confidence, simply smiled and nudged his shoulder.

"Come on," she said. "We can hide near the drinks."

He followed her through the crowd, where students danced in loose circles and laughter spilled from every direction. It was the kind of energy that never suited Andrew—but tonight, he tolerated it.

They stood near a long table where punch bowls steamed like cauldrons and pastries sat untouched. Kate handed him a glass.

"You're sulking less than I expected," she teased.

"I'm adapting," he replied.

Kate grinned. "That's new."

They found a quieter spot near an open balcony. The rain had let up, and cool air drifted in, brushing Andrew's face like a half-forgotten memory. For a moment, it felt manageable.

Until Emma entered.

Her laughter reached him before he saw her—bright, unmistakable. She wore a navy-blue dress with silver embroidery, her curls pinned loosely, her presence magnetic. She walked in with Jason, whose hand rested lightly on her back. He looked sharp, cocky as ever in his black jacket, exchanging nods with passing students.

Andrew's gaze drifted down.

Kate noticed.

"I should've known," she said quietly.

"I didn't expect her here," he admitted.

Kate tilted her head, observing Emma. "She's always here, in some way or another."

They stood in silence. Then Kate excused herself to the restroom, disappearing into the hallway.

That's when Emma noticed him.

She broke away from a conversation with two girls and walked straight toward him. For a second, Andrew felt rooted in place.

"Andrew," she said with a breathy smile. "You came."

He returned her smile, cautious. "Kate made me."

Emma laughed. "Sounds like her."

There was a pause. The music softened into something slower, gentler.

"You look well," Emma said.

"Do I?"

She shrugged, eyes playful. "Better than you did last week."

Andrew let out a dry laugh. "Maybe I'm adapting too."

Emma smiled again, a little more genuinely this time. "I miss this. Us. Talking like this."

He glanced at her. "Then why did it stop?"

Her expression faltered, just for a moment. "I don't know. Things got... complicated."

Andrew leaned against the balcony rail. "They didn't have to."

She looked at him, that same earnest confusion in her eyes. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Andrew."

"I know," he said. "You just did."

Before she could respond, Jason appeared behind her, slinging an arm around her shoulders with casual possession.

"There you are," Jason said, tone light but eyes narrowing slightly at Andrew. "Been looking all over."

Emma turned to him, a little startled. "I was just talking—"

Jason's gaze flicked to Andrew. "Yeah. I can see that."

Emma hesitated, then gave Andrew a soft smile. "See you later?"

He nodded. "Sure."

She turned and walked away with Jason, disappearing into the crowd.

Kate had returned, unnoticed. She stood behind Andrew, having seen everything.

Her expression was unreadable.

Andrew didn't notice her at first, but when he turned and saw her, something in her gaze made him pause.

"What?" he asked.

Kate looked away. "Nothing."

"Kate."

She met his eyes again. "I think she enjoys it."

"Enjoys what?"

Kate's voice was barely above a whisper. "Making you hurt. Pretending not to know she's doing it."

Andrew didn't reply.

But the weight in his chest grew heavier.

And for the first time that evening, the party felt exactly like what it was—a battlefield dressed in lights.

The music dimmed as the night thinned out. The lights softened, flickering in hues of amber and gold, as though the party itself was growing weary. Laughter was quieter now, condensed into corners and whispered exchanges.

Andrew had moved from his solitary place by the bookshelf to a wide window ledge just outside the main hall, the cool stone beneath him grounding. Rain misted the panes, a light drizzle blurring the world beyond into watercolors. He rested his head against the glass and closed his eyes.

Kate sat beside him, knees tucked close to her chest.

Neither of them spoke for a while. Not until the quiet was too full.

"I shouldn't have come," he murmured.

"You needed to see it," Kate replied, her voice soft, but steady.

Andrew looked at her, her face partially lit by the hallway light. "See what?"

"Her. The way she treats you. The way you look at her like it means something, while she…" Kate sighed. "She doesn't see it, Andrew. Or maybe she does, and she likes it that way."

Andrew rubbed a hand over his face. "You think I don't know that?"

Kate's expression softened. "Then why let her keep pulling you in?"

"I don't know," he said after a moment. "Maybe because I remember who she used to be. Or who I used to be around her."

Kate looked down at her boots. "And who are you now?"

He gave a humorless smile. "A fool with a broken compass."

Kate leaned back against the window. "You're not a fool. You're just... holding on to something that doesn't exist anymore."

He looked at her sideways. "And you? What are you holding onto?"

She hesitated. "Maybe I'm holding on to the hope that you'll stop hurting yourself."

The hallway door opened suddenly, letting in a wave of music and chatter. Jason stepped out first, looking agitated, followed by Emma, who was clearly trying to calm him.

They didn't see Andrew or Kate tucked into the shadowed alcove by the window.

"I'm tired, Jason," Emma said, exasperated.

"Then go home," Jason snapped.

Emma folded her arms. "We came together."

Jason turned to her sharply. "So go. Or stay. Do whatever. Just stop hovering like you're my babysitter."

Emma's face paled, but she didn't reply. She turned and walked back into the hall.

Jason watched her go, jaw clenched, before storming off down the opposite corridor.

Kate and Andrew sat in silence.

Finally, Kate whispered, "He's falling apart too."

Andrew exhaled slowly. "Yeah. But he still has her."

Kate stood, brushing off her coat. "Come on. Let's get out of here before you say something stupid like that again."

Andrew followed her out into the rain.

They didn't speak much on the way back to the dorms. But when they reached the doors, Kate turned to him.

"You're not alone, Andrew. Even if she never sees you… I do."