1: Part 2

"I said you deserved what you got. Your parents are dead, you work at a café. I bet my purse costs more than your last paycheck. So keep a distance from me, you little bitch."

I didn't understand what her problem was. She never acted this way with others, even the people who were close to my level in terms of wealth. She was always sweet to everyone else but me. It was like she intentionally wanted to rile me up.

That was enough to crush my self control. My hands balled up into a fist and before I knew, my hand was deposited on her artificially pink and soft cheek. She stumbled back and her minions caught her.

"Don't you dare say anything about my life. You are no one to comment on it." I snapped at her as I saw her struggle to get up without flashing anything. I dashed out of the class without waiting for her reply.

I didn't care what anyone said about me. But things like that hurt. I lost my parents when I was thirteen and then I was adopted by my uncle and aunt. They were really sweet to me and raised me well. But I knew that I was a burden to them. They were poor but they never made me feel like I was short of anything. So once I turned eighteen, I rented a small room for myself a bit far away from them and got a job as a waitress at a café. That was where I met Olivia and Mrs. Odin. That was almost an year and ten months ago when I was a freshman in college and had just recently turned eighteen. My uncle and aunt moved back to countryside house.

And how could Ashley talk to me like that? What did I ever do to her? She didn't know how it felt to be without one's parents and I hoped she wouldn't have to experience that. It was the most painful thing for me, losing my parents. But I wouldn't let her get to me. I was strong, I knew I was.

Once I was done with the classes, I reached the café at around 4:16 in the afternoon. I saw Olivia behind the counter, taking a customer's order. I opened the door of the cafe, hearing the bell chime above it and walked towards her.

"Hey, took you quite some time," Olivia said, smiling at me as I came and stood next to her.

"Not everyone has that gorgeous car of yours. Some of peasants have to walk or take the bus," I replied.

She chuckled and shook her head. "You've forgotten the part where I've basically stolen it from my parents."

"And what luck. They don't report it."

"Parting gift for disowning me, I suppose." She cleared her throat. "Anyways I'll do the cleaning today. You do the registers. Don't make any mistakes."

I nodded at her and got to work. There weren't many customers. By the end of the day, I was done with the records and even got some time to study.

That was the good part of having this​ part time job, I got loads of free time even when I was at work. And also I was paid quite well. But the timings were so long. I worked at the café from four in the afternoon to nine in the night.

"Julie," Olivia called from behind me.

I turned around. She was done with her work too and was leaning against the counter, a coffee cup in her hand. She took a sip, her tongue sliding over her lips as she wiped the coffee off of her lips.

"Yeah?"

"You know my friend, Wilma. Her birthday is this Saturday. She is throwing a big party for it and she invited me. You should come too."

Olivia was a party animal. She loved parties. However, I didn't. I hated parties because it made me feel uncomfortable and out of place, and all that I saw at parties was loud music, people dancing like there was no tomorrow and alcohol. It was really not my choice of fun.

"I can't, Liv. I don't like parties. You know that. But don't worry, you can go with your other friends," I said and saw her face fall.

"No one else is free for the night. Don't worry, its not a high school type party. Please, come on. We won't be there for long, just a couple of hours. Please, for me." She gave me the puppy eyes.

"No. I have to study. Why don't you go alone?"

"It would be very awkward for me. I don't know anyone but her in her entire family! I won't leave your side ever. I'll stick with you all the time. You'll be completely okay. Don't worry. Please." She pleaded.

Why was she so desperate to go to that party? Didn't she ever go to one?

I knew how Olivia was. She didn't give up unless she got what she wanted. She was a headache for me sometimes.

"Please. Just for a few hours. We'll be back before eleven. You won't regret going. Please!"

I sighed. No matter how much I hated parties, no matter how much I would say no to her, I knew she'd get her way around me eventually.

"Fine. But like you promised, just for a few hours, we should be back before eleven. You'll stick by my side all the time. Got it?"

She nodded her head excitedly. "Yes, yes!"

"Good," I said and she turned back to leave when I suddenly remembered the most important thing that I should tell her.

"Liv!" I called out. She turned around with curious eyes.

"What?"

"And no, I mean absolutely no drinking."

"What? No way. I'm gonna drink a bit. Who says no to free drinks?" She whined after me as I turned to leave. No way in hell would I allow her to drink.

"Nope." I said.

She kept on whining but I ignored her and walked towards my apartment.