Dane

Dane leaned his forearms on the cold balcony railing and slowly exhaled smoke into the night. The cigarette burned evenly, but the headache still pressed on his temples. He knew why he had been called here.
The "little get-together" at Sofia's apartment was never about beer and music. It was a carefully crafted ambush. His three best friends had managed to fall in love with the most glamorous and insufferably popular girls at Tulane, and now they decided Dane had to fit in too. And the target was the living room.
He didn't even look in her direction for more than a second. There was no need. He could already feel her presence on his skin—irritatingly, physically.
"Are you still alive?" Tyler leaned down next to him, his voice full of malice.
Dane took a drag.

• I'm here. That's enough.
  Laughter echoed from the living room again. Ellie was showing Lana something on her phone, and Lana was smiling as if she'd always belonged there. Dane turned away and flicked his ashes down.
  He almost refused when Sofia sent him that message with the pink hearts. Almost. But family is family. Even when family plays Cupid.
  The sliding door clicked.
  “We’re out of beer,” Kira announced, placing her hands on her hips.
• There's a cooler under the counter. I saw it myself.
  “No,” she said too sweetly.
• I watched Drek get something out of there fifteen minutes ago.
  Sofia appeared next:
• That was the last one. Honestly. And you have a fast car, long legs and a lousy personality. Perfect.
  Dane slowly straightened up. He was almost two meters tall, his arms crossed over his chest. Neither of them even blinked.
• Why not Tyler? Or Drek?
• Drak's in the kitchen. And Tyler will drag Ellie away, and they'll be back in two hours after three rounds in the backseat.
  "And in the front," added Sofia. "Like last time. Go on."
  They started pushing him off the balcony. When Dane opened his mouth, Kira finished him off:
• And take {{user}}
• No fucking way.
• Fuck it. Twenty minutes. You'll survive.
• I said…
  "We heard," Sofia interrupted. "Duty is duty. Shoo."
  And now {{user}} is gently pushed out into the hallway. The door slams shut. The lock clicks.
  He turns and walks towards the elevator.