The building looked like it used to be a study lounge or maybe some old club room. It was tucked behind one of the dorms on campus, easy to miss unless you knew what you were looking for. The walls were solid brick, thick enough to block out any sound, and the windows were dark, covered up from the inside. No signs, no lights outside. Lowkey, just the way they liked it.
At the entrance stood a girl, probably their age, maybe 19 or 20. She had on a plain white shirt and a long skirt, nothing flashy, the kind of outfit that could pass in any class or club meeting. If you walked by, you'd honestly think this was just a regular student gathering.
She greeted them with a little smile and handed each of them a paperback book. James looked down. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf.
"Wait, what? We're not here for an actual book club" James said, confused.
"Shut up, dumbass," Tami muttered, smacking him lightly. "Nevermind him."
The girl squinted at James, then looked at Barry. "Who's the dumbass newbie?"
"He's my course mate. First time," Barry said, chuckling.
The girl nodded. "Alright. Just don't let him mess anything up."
"it's all good liz, he's actually really chill." Barry said.
She gave a quick smirk, stepped aside, and pulled the door open. "Welcome to the club. Enjoy your Woolf."
Inside, the lights were low, music already thumping from deeper in the building, and the air smelled like drinks, perfume, and something slightly burnt. Whatever was happening, it definitely wasn't about books.
The hallway opened up into a wide room that felt way bigger on the inside than it looked from outside. The place was alive. Warm lighting—just enough to see people's faces, but soft enough to keep the mood feeling secret. The walls were still that same old brick, but decorated now with random posters, faded art, and scribbles probably left behind by other students over the years. It was giving vintage chaos.
The music was playing at that perfect in-between volume. Vibey, but not too loud. Something with a slow bass and catchy rhythm, the type that made your head nod without thinking. You could dance to it or just sit back and chill, it didn't force you to do either.
Clusters of students were scattered everywhere. Some leaned against the walls, deep in convo, red cups in hand. Others danced in loose circles like nobody was watching. A few sat on the floor in the corner, legs crossed, passing around something that definitely wasn't a pencil.
Tami led James through the room like she'd been there a hundred times. She looked back once to make sure he wasn't lost. "Come on," she said, waving him toward the bar setup in the back.
As they moved, James glanced around—faces he'd never seen, outfits ranging from cozy hoodies to glittery tops, sneakers to bare feet. Everyone looked like they belonged, even the ones sitting alone.
By the time they reached the bar... well, technically just a long table covered in bottles, mixers, and a few LED strips, Barry was already gone, nowhere in sight. Maybe went to hang with his friends.
Tami looked around. "He just dipped?"
James shrugged. "Yeah. He does that."
"Dickhead.... Don't worry, I got you." Tami pat his back.
"What?"
She gave him that same look from before, amused. "I'm not blind, dude."
James sighed. "It's whatever."
Behind the table stood a guy, tall, chill, and probably a senior. He had dark skin, a clean fade, and wore a simple hoodie with the sleeves pushed up. Casual, but confident.
"What can I get you?" he asked, like he'd been bartending here since freshman year.
James hesitated. "Uh…"
"Just get us a beer" Tami cut in. "He's new."
The guy just nodded, already reaching for a bottle. "Say less, I Gotcha"
The guy grabbed two cold bottles from the mini fridge behind him, popped them open like a pro, and slid one across to James.
"So… what's up with that face?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he leaned on the counter. "You tryna scare someone off or what?"
James blinked, caught off guard mid-gulp. "I'm sorry, who's he again?" he said, glancing at Tami like she'd dragged him into a weird interview.
The guy laughed. "Name's Kade. Sophomore. Been around this scene a bit. And I'm just sayin', that face? Not your best look."
James set the bottle down. "Cool. I'm James. Weird freshman you prolly don't know about... 'cause, y'know, this place is huge and I barely know where my classes are." Then he paused. "Why am I still talking?"
Kade chuckled, shaking his head. "Nah, you're good. You're actually chill. That face was just... intense, bro. Like you were beefing with gravity or something."
James snorted. "Yeah, well. Maybe I was."
Kade took a sip from his own bottle, still watching him with a half-smirk. "Glad you dropped it though. You seem alright when you're not brooding like a Netflix anti-hero. Beer helping?"
James looked at the bottle in his hand. "A little. Might need like, three more though."
Tami grinned beside him, sipping hers. "Told you he's dramatic."
Kade raised his bottle like a toast. "To dramatic freshmen and mysterious book club basements."
James clinked his bottle with his. "And to beer solving trust issues."
"Nah, I don't think you got trust issues, James" Kade said, leaning back with that half-smirk again.
"Ohhh, really?" Tami perked up, voice already kinda loud from the drink. "Okay okay, tell me what you really think of him."
"Yeah" James added, mock-serious. "And I'd love to hear your wild theory about me."
Kade looked between them, then set his drink down slowly, dramatic for no reason. "Well, you asked for it"
"You said 'well, you asked for it' like you've been waiting all night for this" Tami grinned.
"Actually, I have. Aight then" Kade chuckled, pointing at James. "I got one word. Inferiority."
Tami damn near choked. "Noooo wayyyy! Inferiority???" she repeated, blinking at James like he was a case study.
James raised an eyebrow, trying not to grin. "Wow. You're good."
"Yeah, see... this guy thinks he's less than" Kade went on, casual like he wasn't unpacking trauma at the bar. "Thinks he doesn't fit, probably overthinks everything. Got that whole gloomy, mysterious loner vibe. But deep down? Bro just wanna be seen."
Tami laughed, almost too loud. "FR??? Not him being emotionally transparent with just one drink... James, babe, you're kinda cooked."
James held up his hand like a referee. "Alright, that's enough. You've proven yourself, Otis."
Kade just shrugged. "Hey, you asked. Don't blame me for being observant."
"Yeah, yeah" James muttered, sipping again. "Next round's on me if you shut up."
"So hey" James said, blinking at Tami through the dim lights. "Why aren't you hanging with your friends? I'm sure they're here."
"Nah" Tami sighed, swirling the drink in her hand. "It's always the same bullshit boyfriend drama with them. Gets boring after a while."
She looked up at him, eyes a little lazy from the alcohol. "Besides… you're an interesting one."
"Oh really?" James raised an eyebrow, trying to play it cool.. but his voice cracked just enough to expose him.
"This is getting spicy," Kade chimed in from behind the counter, grinning as he wiped a glass.
James didn't even look away. "Then don't mind if I do this" he said, and before anyone could say anything, he leaned in. Then he kissed her.