Chapter 27 CHAPTER 27

Chapter 27 CHAPTER 27
Chapter Twenty Seven

Henna's POV
"What do you all think you're doing?" I ask in a blind panic. I watch, paralyzed, as the girls' hands slide over Caroline. They’re pushing her, their fingers digging into her skin, pressing against her. To make matters worse, another girl snatches Caroline away, her lips crashing into hers, while another presses against her from behind. One is busy with her hands on Caro's breasts, mocking her fear.

"Please..." I squeal, my eyes filling with so much horror. My heart is hammering against my ribs so hard it hurts. "Please make it stop! Make them stop!"

"Stop what?" Yellow asks with a casual smile, leaning back as if she’s watching a boring movie. "Caro is enjoying it. Her body is made to enjoy things like that."

"Please..."

It is my fault. Everything that is happening to Caro is because of me. I finally understand what she meant...I am exposing her to problems she can't handle. Maybe I should have just kept my mouth shut. Maybe Ulrich was right; I’m in the lowest rank, and getting on the nerves of people like this is suicide.

"Please..." I plead, shaking my head as the tears finally spill over. "Make it stop. I'm sorry... I should never have splashed water on you. Anything you want to do, do it to me instead. Just leave her alone."

Yellow looks at me, her expression shifting from boredom to amusement. She starts laughing. "Our girl is so scared..." She signals to the others. They shove Caroline away, and she falls to the floor, squealing. Her skin is flushed red, and her entire body is shaking with silent sobs.

"You will do as I say, right?" Yellow asks. I nod my head frantically, forcing back the fresh tears gathering in my eyes.

She squats in front of me, grabbing a firm hold of my face. "I like it now that you get it," she says. She signals the girls to let go of my arms. I stay slumped on the floor, my eyes locked on them. She tilts my head upward, her gaze scanning my features. "You're so beautiful..." she muses, her fingers trailing through my hair.

Before I can pull away, her mouth brushes against my neck. I freeze, my breath hitching in my throat.
"I didn't know your kind could also be this beautiful."

I hear that phrase again—my kind. The thought tries to take root in my mind, but it’s swallowed by the revulsion of her lips on my skin.

"And she smells good too, for morning," she remarks to her minions. she pulls back, looking at me with a dark intensity. "I want to have you all to myself."

I look up, stunned into speaking. "I'm straight. I'm not a lesbian," I manage to say.

Yellow just laughs. "Even pastas are straight until they get wet, don't you think?" she asks with a smirk. "I love your defiance. No one ever stood up to me or made me so angry throughout the night like you did."

She reaches down, helping me to my feet and guiding me to sit on the couch. It’s a terrifyingly civil gesture.

"You're my girlfriend from today. Do you agree?" she asks. I stare at her, a debate raging in my head. If I say no, will they go back to Caroline? My roommate is still on the floor, weeping quietly in her nakedness.

"At least... throw some clothes on her," I say, my voice trembling as I look at Caro.

Yellow watches me for a long moment, then signals the girls. They grab a blanket from my bed and toss it over Caroline. Yellow then shifts closer, resting her hand firmly on my thigh.

"So? What are you saying? Should I give you time to think about it?"

I nod immediately, desperate for any escape. "Give me some time to think about..."

"Think about what?"

A sharp voice cuts through the room from the doorway. It’s Ric. Relief washes over me so fast I almost feel dizzy, but it’s quickly followed by a flash of white-hot anger. What took him so long?

Yellow turns toward him as he advances into the room. The other girls instinctively move back, clearing a path.

"Why are you interrupting my meeting?" Yellow asks, not moving an inch. Her hand remains heavy on my thigh, and I dare not move.

"You're causing quite a havoc here, Yellow."

She frowns at him. "And you're butting into my business. What are you doing here in the East Wing?"

"To escort you out of here, even if it leads to a fight between us."

"A fight between us?" She snorts and stands up. "Or a fight that will never stop between but extends towards...you know...? Why are you even here? Don't tell me you're here for Caro?"

Ric’s face darkens into a scowl. "What's that supposed to mean?" His eyes flicker toward me and then to Caroline, who is huddled on the floor under the blanket.

"What it means..." Yellow says, her voice dropping to a dangerous, low vibrato. "After all, you and Dre have a knack for lowly beings... Am I wrong? Sephine was lowly too..."

In a flash, Ric’s hand is at her throat. The girls behind Yellow charge forward, their faces contorting, but Ric doesn't flinch.

"She's sorry, okay?" Ric growls, his voice tight with restrained power. "She didn't mean to splash water on you, but you started it. You wanted to crash Olenna's birthday and needed leverage. Isn't that why you went to the cafeteria yesterday to attack her?"

"I was just checking on the newcomer," Yellow says, pushing his hand away and straightening her clothes. She looks back at me briefly. "I didn't know she would get violent, but I've forgiven her already."

"You've forgiven her?" Ric asks, sounding skeptical.

"Yes, I have. We're talking about starting a relationship, right Henna?" she asks. I just nod, too terrified to do anything else.

"Relationship with her!" Ric yells, his eyes wide with shock. He looks like he’s just seen a ghost.

"Why? Is that wrong? Are you her keeper? Did she come here in your name?"

"Yellow, we need to talk," Ric says through gritted teeth. He grabs her by the arm and drags her out of the room.

The girls follow them out like a loyal pack. As the room finally empties, I exhale so deeply my lungs ache. My hands are shaking uncontrollably as I rush over to the floor.

"Caro, are you okay?" I whisper, reaching for her.
Caroline pulls the blanket tighter, her eyes red and swollen. "I would've been," she snaps, her voice trembling with rage, "if you knew how to keep quiet and didn't make a fuss!"