Chapter 30 Bully

Chapter 30 Bully
I finished getting ready. Wearing a black, huge ball gown with corset on. I’ve never worn something extremely big and heavy like this.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I don’t know if I look good or weird but I know that I look different… really different from my normal self. 

I still think my outfit is a little too much but Emma and Jessica said it was good. They picked it out for me, they told me that's what all the Lunas would wear. And since I am one, I just have to go with it even though the corset under the dress is really tight. I can’t even breathe properly because of it.

But I’m not complaining, after all, they did say beauty is pain,

I grabbed my bag and put on my high-heeled shoes before leaving the room. Jessica and Emma are dressed in beautiful yet elegant dresses, theirs aren’t too much compared to mine. And that’s because they aren’t Luna’s but I am one.

When we got to the event venue, I felt completely out of place. Everyone’s outfit was nothing like mine, even the Lunas aren’t wearing a dress as big as mine, their outfit, matched the one Jessica and Emma were wearing.

I turned to Emma feeling betrayed "I thought you said all Lunas would wear a ball dress."

She glanced at Jessica and then me before responding "That’s what they normally wear every year but I think I’ve changed their dressing choices."

"And you didn’t care to tell me that?"

"I didn’t know. I’m sorry." She said, "But if you look at it, it’s not even bad at all. You still look good, just a little too good but it’s fine, everyone would love your outfit."

I sighed. If only she knew. Just like always, I am out of place again.

Jessica chirped in "Just have fun, don’t think much of it," She said as ahead grabbed Emma and walked into the party.

I took a deep breath, I just have to have fun. It would be great even with the outfit I’m wearing.

I stepped in and the moment I was inside the party, everyone’s eyes turned to me. Some were shocked, others confused, and most seemed to find it funny. I wonder why. 

I quietly walked looking at each of them wondering who to sit with. Emma and Jessica were busy talking and laughing with other people, but when I looked at them, they didn’t look like they wanted to be around them so I didn’t bother to sit with them.

I continued looking around, and then finally I noticed a lady who seemed a lot better than the others. She smiled at me and I didn’t resist asking "Is this seat taken?"

"Not at all. You can sit here." She said

I thanked her and sat down. 

"I’m Milan, what’s your name?" She asked

"Eliana but you can call me Eli," I said 

"Okay, Eli." She smiled "This is your first time here right?"

I nodded 

"But didn’t anyone tell you it’s a tea party and we don’t wear ball gowns at tea parties,"

My heart dropped "I was told it’s a ball dance,"

"No it’s not. Who told you that?"

"My mother-in-law Jessica and my sister in law Emma," I said

Her eyes widen in shock "You’re married to Alpha Malik?"

"Yeah," I said. I feel everyone I tell that to gets super surprised. Alpha Malik really has a horrible reputation around here.

"Wow! I don’t know what to say,"

"It’s fine, I get that response and reaction a lot."

She sighed as she looked like she was about to speak but then suddenly kept quiet. She hesitated for a moment before she said "I don’t know if I should say this or not but you look like a great person and I don’t want anything bad happening to you." She said, she looked at me closely as she added "You shouldn’t trust Jessica and Emma, they are shady people and I’ve done a lot of shady things to me in the past. I know you’re not related to them but you should keep one eye open around them. They are not trustworthy, they are just like Alpha Malik, maybe even worse." She said 

I couldn’t help but ask "What do you say that?"

"Because it’s the truth. Just be careful around them." She stood up and walked to the drink section.

I kept my gaze on her processing what she said to me and then looked around Jessica and Emma who didn’t care to look at me. Maybe Milan is right about them, maybe they are shady but really, how shady can they be? 

My thoughts scattered when the glass clinked.

"Attention, everyone," The host announced. "It’s time for the dance. As usual, pick a partner and let’s get the floor ready."

I glanced to my left but had no partner. I turned to my right and it was the same.

Around me, the girls quickly found their matches. I spotted Milan and was about to ask her, but another girl reached her first. Emma was with Jessica, and soon everyone had someone to dance with except me.

When the music began, the host gestured toward me. "Go on, join the floor and Dance."

"But I don’t have a partner."

"It doesn’t matter, just go." She encouraged 

I nodded and stepped onto the dance floor. 

It felt strange and heavy, especially in the dress I was wearing, but I tried to shake off the awkwardness. I told myself I would make the best of it. So I danced, hesitant at first, then a little more freely as I let myself enjoy the moment.

Suddenly I felt a shove. I turned to see who had done it, but before I could focus another shove came. Then another. Each one is from a different girl.

They pushed me to the center of the floor, circling me and pressing harder each time. Laughter rippled around me. I tried to keep my balance but the shoves grew rougher until finally I was knocked to the ground.

The laughter exploded. Emma and Jessica were laughing too.

Tears filled my eyes. The stares and whispers cut so deeply that I scrambled to my feet and rushed off the floor, only to collide with Malik at the door. 

He looked at my teary eyes and then at the girls. His hand clenched into a fist and I could tell that he was upset… really upset.