3. Lose Faith

As I stand in the middle of the Cielo club, the red and green lights blind my eyes. The knee-length dress that is hugging my body and that I put on after much deliberation appears to be nothing compared to the revealing dresses that the other girls are wearing tonight here. This is a relief to me because I was hoping that my attire (chosen against my wishes by my so-called best friend) wouldn't draw the attention of the male audience because, to be honest, I'm not looking forward to kicking someone's balls because they couldn't keep their hands to themselves.

I'm not a fan of fancy clubs and partying. I've never attended one. I wasn't aware of many clubs in Worcester, and to be honest, I wasn't interested in that type of social activity. Furthermore, I've heard and seen enough news about all the girls who are drugged and used in these types of activities to keep me completely away from it.

Scarlet reassured me that it only happens to 20% of the girls and that in her experience, she has never witnessed such an event. But I had agreed to accompany Scarlet on the condition that we return if I didn't feel comfortable.

Needless to say, the moment I walk into the club, I forget about my worries and allow my body to take over instead of my mind for a change. But I still kept an eye on whoever approached me and politely declined if I got a bad vibe from them. So here I am, dancing to the electrifying music provided by professional DJs. I must admit that it did take my mind off of everything and let me loose for a solid hour and a half.

I excuse myself from Scarlet and head to the bar to quench my dry throat which was difficult to acquire when you’re practically being crushed between the people on the dance floor. With difficulty, I reach the open bar and order sparkling water and then decide to indulge in my phone to take a break.

“I didn't expect you to order sparkling water when you're dancing on the floor like that.” When I raise my head to look at the source of the voice, I cringe at how close Andrew's face was to mine. The strong odor of alcohol hits my nose, causing me to scrunch my nose even more and lean back a little.

Despite my protests, Andrew is also here with us. When Scarlet and I decided to come here, 'someone' insisted on accompanying us so that there would be a male to keep an eye on those who tried to attack us. Scarlet swooned over that, but she had no idea it was her boyfriend who needed to be watched.

“You look beautiful tonight, cupcake” I watched his eyes scan me from head to toe and I made a face in disgust.

“Where is Scarlet? Aren’t you supposed to be with her?” I ignore his flirty remark and ask.

“You don't have to be concerned about her at all. She is fine on her own.” I ignored him once more, as well as the double meaning with which he spoke, and went back to the dance floor to find Scarlet so that we could return home. It's been two hours since we arrived, and my body is tired from the intense dancing I did.  If jumping and swaying your hips is considered dancing.

But as soon as I stood up from the barstool, I was caged between the bar table and Andrew’s arm. 

“Move,” I gritted angrily, fists clenched at my sides. He smirked lazily, stepping closer until his chest almost touched mine. Gross!

“What's the matter with you, cupcake? We can have a good time together,” he boasted. I swear, this guy is waiting for a punch in the face!

“Step back or I'll slap you,” I threatened. He is attempting to persuade me to harm him.

“Geez,” he chuckled and took a step back. With my jaw clenched, I pushed him away, causing him to stumble on his heels, and walked away.

Scarlet resisted for a long time, but I eventually got her out of the bar and into the cab that we were hailing to get to our apartment because we didn't have a car. Even if we did, I don't think it would have been useful because Scarlet and Andrew are too drunk to drive it and I don't get my official driver's license until next week.

Scarlet passed out on the way home, but she continued to mumble some incoherent words that were difficult to understand. Andrew was still keeping up with us and giving us glances from the passenger seat, and I completely ignored him. I just wanted to slap that jerk in the face. Scarlet needs to end her relationship with this man because he is not healthy for her. I'll show her how bad he is for her. But I must devise a strategy to present it to her, or else she will dismiss me again.

He said he'd leave after getting Scarlet into the apartment and tucking her into bed, but something told me he was planning to do more than that, so I warned him to leave right away.

I assist Andrew in putting Scarlet to bed and making her comfortable. I take off her high heels and leave a glass of water and some pain relievers for her headache, which she will need when she wakes up. I notice Andrew has been quiet the entire time, lost in thought as he sits on the corner of the bed.

“You can leave now.  It's getting late, and I'd like to lock the doors,” I say without looking at him, intending to sound rude so he doesn't argue with me. He kisses Scarlet's forehead, but what grossed me out was the look he gave me as if he was planning on kissing me. It made me feel sick to my stomach.

“Alright. Goodnight, cupcake,” he says in his sultry voice as he approaches me, making me want to puke. Andrew is being especially difficult tonight because he has alcohol in his system. I sigh in relief as the front door closes and exit Scar's room.

I take off the killer heels that I borrowed from Scarlet and was about to head upstairs to my room when I was pulled back into a hard chest. I immediately recognize the stinking smell of alcohol and turn to face him ready to snap.

“What the hell are you doing here again? I told you to leave.” I narrow my eyes at him when I see his eyes getting darker as he takes in my body. I feel disgusted and wanted to cover myself but I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of my reaction. 

“Well, I was planning on leaving, but I realized how stupid I would be to leave such a beautiful girl alone. I'm here to keep you company,” he adds seductively, and I was literally seconds away from punching his disgusted face.

“I don’t want your company, now or ever. Get out of here before you regret this.” I tell him sharply. 

“I don’t think I’m ever gonna regret doing something to you, sweetheart” I shivered in disgust.

"Over my dead body," I growled. 

"Oh, come on! Don't be shy. Just one time" He took a step forward, pouting. "No," I said firmly, taking a step back to maintain a safe distance from him. My heart was pounding harder with each step I took back.

Suddenly, he encased me between him and the wall, my wrist held above my head. Then, out of nowhere, he smacked his lips against mine. I struggled against his grip, but it was in vain as he pressed his lips harder onto mine until I couldn't feel my own lips and tightened his grip on my wrists. I was about to bring my knees up to kick him hard when I heard a voice that made Andrew stop and pull away as if he had been burned by me.

"Karolia! Andrew !" We jumped apart and stared at the person in front of us.

Scarlet!

She looked tired and disoriented standing in the middle of the dimly lit hallway. But her eyes are wide as she watches us. Andrew grew tense and started to fidget in his position.

"What the hell were you doing," she asked us, mostly directed towards me. Huh?

"It's not what you think, Scarlet," I said, my eyes widening. I cringe inwardly at my choice of words because almost everyone says this when they are caught red-handed..

"Oh yeah?" she asked me angrily.

"You can't deny that you had a great time, Karolia. You were pleading with me, weren't you?" Andrew said this, causing me to choke on my saliva. What the hell is going on?

"What? I didn't beg you for anything. Y-You- liar" I yelled at him. "Scarlet, I swear I didn't do –

"Just stop it, Karrie," She said, hurt evident in my voice.

"But he's lying -" she raised her hand, silencing me.

"Just stop making excuses Karrie. He never lies to me," she said and I stared at her in disbelief.

"So you trust him over me? You're accusing me of being a whore. That I pleaded with him to kiss me?" I asked her, rage coursing through my veins. How dare she! I staggered back, my heart slowly breaking again, as she looked down, not meeting my gaze.

She remained silent, her gaze fixed on Andrew, who approached her and took her hands in his. She didn't object, and I noticed Andrew's subtle smirk, which made me realize that the tables had been turned and there was nothing I could do to make her understand.

 "I should've known," I mumbled, as a tear rolled down my cheeks. She doesn't trust me.

"Where are you going?" Scarlet asked as I walked away from the living room.

"Away from this place. I don't wish to stay with a person who doesn't trust me." I finally yelled at her, tears falling down my cheeks uncontrollably. She widened her eyes and shook her head.

"You don't have any other place to stay -"

"I'll make it. If I've made it this far without my parents, I'm sure I can make it through this. But let me tell you something, Scarlet: I'm not angry at you; I just pity you for being unaware of what's going on around you. Don't make a fool of yourself by hanging out with him. He is not who you think he is, and I'm sure you'll find out sooner or later. And the day you find out, you're going to be sorry for everything." I stated, unable to control myself any longer. I turned around and dashed upstairs to my room, packing my bags as quickly as I could, making sure to take all of my necessities as well as Mom's diary, which was under my pillow.

To keep my tears at bay, I took deep breaths. I couldn't believe she'd done such a thing to me. She didn't even bother to listen to the reason. She had blind faith in that jerk. It hurts to know she doesn't have enough faith in me. She is my closest companion. I knew our relationship wasn't that deep because she moved to New York when she was 14 years old. However, this.....! I know I'm acting on impulse, but believe me, even if I had time to think about it, I wouldn't want to stay here after what happened, especially with her doubtful eyes and that cunning boyfriend of hers. It's worse than her throwing me out.

When I entered the living room, I found Scarlet sobbing hysterically in Andrew's chest. I walked down, trying not to show any emotion on my face.

"Karolia, don't do this," Scarlet said quietly. I ignored her and continued walking, my mind racing with ideas. So, what should I do next? Where should I spend the night? Except for Scarlet and Grecia, I don't know anyone in New York. I'm aware that I don't have a place to stay at this hour, and it would be a bad idea to leave this place. But my pride wouldn't let me stay in this hell hole any longer.

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-Middlebencherzz