CHAPTER 18 (2)

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 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 Bryle and Mrs. Lee. 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 Zoe 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 4:30 in the afternoon.

I saw Bryle 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, " Bryle said, smiling at me as I came and stood next to her.

" Not everyone has that gorgeous car of yours. Some of us 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 cafe from 4 in the afternoon to 9 in the night. " Sophie ," Bryle 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, Sam. Her birthday is this Saturday. She is throwing a big party for it and she invited me. You should come too. Bryle 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, Bryle . 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 Bryle 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 12. 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 l should tell her.

" Bryle ! " 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 l ignored her and walked towards my apartment.