“Then don’t.”

Mariel was dead tired. She dropped her grocery bags on the dingy apartment floor and flicked on the light. It flickered. She slumped onto the counter and sighed.

“Party at Risha’s. 9” Mariel saw the text light up her old cracked screen. Alissa, her best friends from kindergarten was always invited to parties and sometimes Mariel tagged along. Between her work and nearly suffocating deadlines of rent and assignments, Mariel had lost any excitement she once had at the idea of a party. And Risha’a parties were so extravagant. His mansion fit dozens of people, drinks and so many rooms you could get lost.

“Mariel!” She jumped. Someone banged on her door again.

She picked herself off the counter, her legs complaining as she opened the door. Perfect. Her ex.

She stared at him level eyed. Parker, with his lanky form and tall hair, looked over her shoulder. No eye contact.

“What?” Mariel asked flatly. The breakup between them, while one of Mariel’s better ones, wasn’t something she wanted to deal with now.

“Um, well, Knives Out is playing at Bloor - wanna go?” Bloor had been one of their favourite places to sneak into. Left-hand balcony seats where you could make out without anyone seeing.

Mariel and Parker had agreed to stay friends and make an effort, but Marile couldn’t imagine trying to suffer between awkward conversation and sitting in seats next to where they had their first kiss.

“Actually, I have a party tonight,” Mariel said on a whim.

“Oh.” Parker stood in the doorway.

No way was she inviting him. “I’m going with Alissa,” Mariel added.

“Okay. I’ll see you around then.” Parker turned away faster then Mariel had ever seen him move and started downstairs.

“Parker. Thanks for the invite though.” Mariel called out half-heartedly. He was trying, more than her, after all.

Mariel stepped into Risha’s party, the floor already vibrating from the music and the lights set to dim. Why was she here again?

“Mar! I’m so happy you came.” Alissa smiled warmly. In ripped jeans, crop top and slicked backed bob, Alissa looked nothing short of stunning. On the other side, Mariel had only brushed her hair and thrown on a black hoodie overtop her jean shorts.

“Yeah, I’m so tired but missed you.” Mariel grabbed a cup of punch. Eventually, she drifted away from Alissa and skirted the outsides of the party. Mingling with old classmates and new people whose name she instantly forgot, Mariel felt her stress melt away. At least for the night.

“Hey, that’s my cup.” Mariel barely heard a girl over her thoughts and the music. Abruptly a girl lifted the red cup out of Mariel’s hand and gulped back the contents in one shot.

“Oh, well, it is definitely now.” Mariel went back to trying to find her cup in the sea of them on the grey table. She gave up in vain.

“I’m Kai.” The girl stuck out her hand. Mariel shook it. “I’m Mariel.”

“Let me get you another drink.” Kai smiled briefly and then darted into the crowd, leaving Mariel to stand there awkwardly.

“Here. I honestly couldn’t tell you what it was. It’s from the bowl.” Kai pushed it at her hands. Mariel took her and out of politeness sipped. It was too bitter but also too sweet at the same time.

“So what brings you here?” Kai looked out into the crowd. Her eyes glistened almost mischievously as if she knew something they didn’t.

“My friend.” Mariel gestured to the crowd, where she had last seen Alissa maybe an hour ago.

“Same. Not really a party person, but well, here I am.” Kai laughed.

“I got you.” Mariel felt their conversation fall into silence. She glanced at Kai, who seemed undisturbed. Gold hoops, black flowing top, short hair. She was cute. Kai looked back at her and raised an eyebrow.

“Let’s dance.”

Kai dropped her red cup on the grey table and swept herself into the floor. She glanced back at Mariel and threw her hands in the air. Mariel felt herself also setting down her cup and walking over to the dance floor. In the centre of the crowd, the dance floor felt like a club. Mariel swayed to the music, watching Kai’s smooth moves. A song played, another player and another, until Mariel lost track of time.

“Hey.” Mariel heard Kai on her right. A slow song had just started, for once. Mariel couldn’t feel her legs much anymore. Kai smiled at her.

“Hi back.” Mariel, feeling reckless for some reason propped her arms up onto Kai’s shoulders.

“Oh, I see you.” Kai’s voice was raspy as she laughed. Mariel felt Kai rest her hands on Mariel’s waist.

As they swayed to the music, Mariel realized she was slightly taller than Kai and pulled her in a little closer. Kai smelled like dry cleaned clothes with cinnamon - maybe. Mariel couldn’t be sure. She hummed along to the song under her breath, barely hearing it herself. Sometime in the middle of the song Kai dropped her head to rest on Mariel’s chest. Mariel wrapped her arms around Kai and could just rest her chin gently above Kai’s head. Their bodies were in parallel with each other, left and right, left and right.

When the song ended Mariel didn’t want to move. She kept her hands pressed into Kai’s back and hummed the tune slightly louder so Kai could hear it. Kai sighed and pulled away after a minute or two.

She tucked her hair behind her ears. It curved slightly forwards and Mariel melted a little when Kai glanced up again. The music was starting up again, an upbeat overplayed pop song. Mariel held out her hand and fell into a little curtsey.

"Care to join me for drinks m'lady?" She was looking down, but if she had been looking Mariel could imagine seeing Kai smile. She felt Kai gently place her hand in Mariel's and latch their fingers together. Mariel pulled Kai to the punch bowl. It would be useless trying to find their old cups, after all.

There was almost nothing left in the bowl. Mariel poured a cup of the mixture into a cup and handed it to Kai. Kai took a big gulp and handed it back to Mariel. Mariel sipped from the same cup. Just as sweet and bitter as before.

"Y'know," Kai started to remark. Her voice was raspier, but matter of fact, something that startled Mariel a bit. Kai slowly took the cup from Mariel. "In Japan, drinking from the same cup where someone's lips have touched is like kissing."

Kai locked eyes with Mariel and took a slow, long sip.

"Oh," Mariel didn't know what to say. So had they kissed? But they didn't. But - well, Mariel's brain had stopped working well. And the drink wasn't helping. She was transfixed by Kai anyway, with her eyes flashing and the radiation of electric energy coming off her. "I didn't know that."

When Kai gave her another look, Mariel simply said, "I don't know what to say."

"My gosh, Mariel." Kai set down the cup as if out of patience and crossed her arms. "Then don't."

Kai leaned forwards and pushed her lips gently against Mariel's. Mariel didn't do any more talking.