The party was already a mistake.

I’d told myself I was over this over crowded houses reeking of cheap beer, over bass that made my chest vibrate, over pretending to have fun. But my roommate had begged, and I owed her.

So here I was, pressed against a wall, nursing lukewarm beer and counting down the minutes until I could leave.

“You look thrilled to be here,” Becca shouted over the music.

I forced a smile. “Just taking it all in.”

“Liar.” She rolled her eyes but didn’t push it, turning back to her boyfriend.

I took another sip, grimacing. I hadn’t always been this cynical. A year ago, I...