"Wake up baby girl." Emile's voice echoed in my ears.
My eyes quivered as it set on the both of them.
They were both elegantly dressed.
I took in a quick breath. "Where are you guys going?" I said.
"Oooh come on have you forgotten about the party coming up tonight." Ivy said, sitting on my bed.
"I'm not going with you guys." I responded.
"Ooh come on this is your chance to show them that you don't care, that you are who you are despite whatever they have done, come on!" Emile voiced out.
"Do it also for our friend, baby girl." Ivy added.
" Alright, fine, give me some minutes. " I responded, staggering up from the bed.
I stood at the front of the mirror in a body hugging knee length gown.
My bright brown eyes ran through my reflection in the mirror.
Emile and Ivy had succeeded in forcing me to attend James's party.
My brows drew together. "Don't you think this gown is too short? " I said, turning to face Ivy.
Her eyes suddenly widened. "Oh my God, Clara. You look so fantastic!" She exclaimed.
I tucked in a smile and I looked back at the mirror.
I knew the gown was nice and it was really a fitting one for me but that's not who I am.
I'd prefer a cold normal life to an excessive fashionista.
"But I don't feel comfortable with it." I voiced out.
"Oh come on Bestie, it's nice on you and I don't expect you to wear one of those plain gowns." She said and brought out her make up kit.
" I've shirts and trousers, Joyce." I replied and pouted my lips.
" No baby, I love this one of you." She responded.
Her hands moved really fast as she added all manner of sorts on my face.
" Are you guys not done?" Emile said, the moment she stepped in.
" Almost." Ivy and I said at the same time.
" You guys need to be fast, I will be back soon." She said and walked out, shutting the door behind her.
She was heading to her boyfriend's place; he'd planned to follow them before I joined.
Silence stretched between I and Ivy. Ivy's hand moved quick and fast like she was born for make- up.
"Alright sweetie I'm done, check out yourself in the mir..ror." She said and swung the chair.
I let out a little gasp the minute I saw myself in the mirror.
If not because Joyce was with me I could have said it was a dream.
I knew I was beautiful but not as pretty as this lady staring back at me in the mirror.
"What do you think?" She asked.
"Perfect, you're the best, Ivy. Thank you." I replied.
"Always welcome Bestie, we need to go now so we don't get there late." Ivy mouthed.
"Okay, give me a minute to arrange the kits." I replied, my hands hovering on the kit box.
By the time we arrived at the party it was already in its full swing.
"I will see you guys later." Emile said with a broad smile.
Her hand trapped in her boyfriend, Mark, hand.
" Sure." I replied.
" Let me get a drink." Ivy yelled over the loud blasting of music.
I forced a smile. " Okay." I yelled back, watching her go off.
I lifted my legs and sat on the chair next to me.
With Ivy gone. I somehow felt lost. I noticed some faces from school but wouldn't make out any of their names.
Parties like this were not meant for people like me.
Tuesday night, I would rather be in my room reading my books than partying.
There were no traces of Samantha or even Ethan.
I'm sure no one noticed me and I'm happy about that.
Everyone was busy enjoying themselves.
Emile and Ivy were right. I needed to let go a little.
My eye landed on James Hunter, there was a group of guys with him as usual.
"Up next is James Hunter!" The MC announced.
Screams and shouts erupted as James walked up to the stage with the group of guys.
"Hello guys I hope you're having a great night party." He screamed out.
"Yeah." Some people responded while some jumped up in response.
"Oh..yeah." He said, starting one of his popular songs.
I know I'm not a fan but no matter how hard I try I still feel welcomed by his songs.
I nodded my head slightly, moving my body to it.
It was really interesting I must say and his voice was really good.
" Thank you, thank you." The MC mouthed after he was done.
I drew down my short body hugging gown immediately and I stood up.
I was pressed and I needed to ease myself.
My throat sucked dry as I waded through the crowd.
I covered my ears with my hands as I walked past one of the large speakers.
The bass pounding as loud as my heart. Shoulders bumping into mine.
Flashing light blurred my vision.
I turned around to check if I could see Ivy, she had been gone for too long.
Maybe she was enjoying his singing and forgot all about me.
The air was suffocating. I took a deep breath, wishing I hadn't come here at all.
I needed air. I spun around and searched for the next available exit.
I sighed as I made my way to the door. I pushed through the entrance and made my way to the hallway.
The cold AC welcomed me as I stepped into one of the toilets to ease myself and then continue searching for Joyce.
I flung the door open and walked in. I bent down to wash my face when I heard a voice behind me.
"What are you doing here?" I heard a voice behind me.
I turned and met with a guy no one needed to tell me he was excessively drunk.
A smile surfaced on his cheeks as he scanned my body.
I walked past him to enter into one of the enclosed toilers.
"Hey baddie, what do you want to do in the guys' toilet? "
I froze. The guy's toilet? I didn't look well before entering.
"I'm sorry." I mumbled as I tried to walk out.
Something in his eyes told me it wasn't going to be that easy.
Before I could go, he dug his dirty fingernails into my sleeveless arm and squeezed.
I regretted wearing this dress for the first time tonight.
"You look hot, girl." His breath burned my skin.
"Please, " I begged him. Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes.
"We're only going to have a little fun," he said, trailing his hands up my hips.
I squeezed my eyes shut to block the thought of his hands on my boobs.
Before I could process what was happening.
My eyes landed on an alcohol bottle, I held it with my last strength and smashed it on his head.
My heart skipped a beat as blood flooded the toilet.
There was nothing left to say. I pushed open the door and quickly ran out
My heart raced as I ran as fast as I could.
The humiliation wasn't over. I don't think so.
I hurried over to a nearby tap and cleaned myself up from the blood.
I walked into the party and it was still at its peak.
I guess no one noticed anything. I just hope the drunk guy gets help quickly.
I was still hurrying off when I collided with something hard.
I quickly stepped back struggling to catch my balance.
Whispers came from people standing nearby.
"Don't you watch where you are going to." I heard a sharp masculine voice.
I looked up to see who it was. It was James Hunter. The popular celebrity king.
The celebrity everyone was dying to take a pic with.
The one all girls were trying to have a chance with.
James Hunter. The campus icon.
I swallowed the fear and forced my voice steady.
I wouldn't let anyone see me at all. Not again. Not tonight.
I blinked. "Maybe if celebrities stopped walking like they owned the world, people wouldn't bump into them." I fired back at him.
My eyes scanned around, phones were already raised.
That was the main thing I hated about campus life. Gossip and Unnecessary drama.
His brows suddenly drew together. "Did you just talk back to me?" He asked.
I sniffed. "Yes. And I will do it again if you keep blocking my way." I replied without blinking.
His friends suddenly burst out laughing.
"Bro she doesn't know who you are." One of them said to James.
I could sense some people stare at us and quiet whispers circulated around my ears.
I took a quick breath and was about to walk past when a hand drew me back.
"Aren't you going to apologize to James Hunter?" One of them blurted out.
"Why should I? " I said.
They let out a little gasp. My heart skipped a beat at every step they took closer to me.
What did they want to do? This wasn't funny anymore.
I stepped back clutching my Journals tightly. "What do you want?" I yelled out.
"Drop it guys." James mouthed, raising up his hand.
I blinked my eyes rapidly as they stopped to hear his words.
A smirk appeared on his face as he bent close enough for me to feel his breath near my ear.
"Careful, I'm not the cause of your pain." He said, his smirk deepened.
"Then let me be." I mouthed and walked past him when I heard his next words.
"Next time you aren't going to go scot free, Clara Washington Julia."
My blood ran cold. How on earth did he know my name? And then Julia.
No one knew that name. Not even Ivy.