Chapter 25

Drasa’s POV 

I dragged my exhausted ass back to the hostel after telling Cassian exactly where he could shove his party invitation. The audacity of that guy thinking he could just declare me his "girlfriend" after calling me a slut and expect me to play along like some kind of accessory.

"Fuck off, Cassian. I'm not following you anywhere," I'd snapped at him, and even when he got that stubborn look on his face the one that probably worked on other girls I made myself crystal clear. I wasn't interested in being anyone's fake girlfriend, especially not his.

By the time I made it back to my dorm room, it was already evening and I felt like I'd been hit by a truck. Thankfully, my roommate wasn't there. I didn't have the energy for small talk or explanations about why I looked like death warmed over.

I collapsed onto my bed, finally allowing myself to process the morning's chaos. Just as I was settling into the quiet, my phone started ringing.

"Hello?" I answered groggily.

"Drasa, it's Amelia. Don't bother coming in to work today."

I sat up, suddenly alert. "What? Why? Did I do something wrong?"

"No, no, nothing like that," Amelia's voice sounded stressed. "The boss owes some people money, and they showed up at the club this morning causing a scene. Broke some tables, scared the customers... it's a mess. We're closed until further notice."

I stared at the ceiling, not sure whether to be happy or devastated. On one hand, free weekend. On the other hand, no paycheck.

"I... okay. Thanks for letting me know."

"sorry. I know you need the hours. Hopefully we'll be back open by Monday."

After hanging up, I lay there for a few more minutes, trying to decide how I felt about having the entire weekend to myself. Eventually, my growling stomach made the decision for me.

The school café was busier than usual for a Saturday afternoon. As soon as I walked in, I felt the familiar weight of stares following me. People always gawked at my silver hair like I was some kind of circus act. I'd learned to ignore it, but today it felt more intense somehow.

I grabbed a sandwich and found a corner table, eating quickly while pretending not to notice the whispers and pointing. By the time I finished, I was ready to retreat back to my room.

my roommate  still wasn't back when I returned, which was fine by me. I was emotionally drained and physically exhausted. I crawled back into bed and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

When I woke up, the room was pitch black. I fumbled for my phone 7:30 PM. I'd slept for hours.

"Oh good, you're alive," my roommate  voice came from across the room. She was sitting at her vanity, applying makeup in the glow of her ring light.

"Was I snoring?" I asked, still groggy.

She laughed. "No, but you've been dead to the world for like four hours. I was starting to wonder if you were pregnant or something."

"What? No!" I sat up quickly, heat rushing to my cheeks. "Definitely not pregnant."

She paused her mascara application to give me a look. "Relax. Stop acting like such a virgin."

I was indeed a virgin, but there was no way I was admitting that to her. Instead, I changed the subject.

"Where are you going this late?" I asked, taking in her carefully applied makeup and the party dress laid out on her bed.

"A pool party. You know, the one everyone's been talking about?" She turned back to the mirror. "You interested?"

My stomach flipped. So it was the same party Cassian had mentioned. "No, I'm good."

"Come on," she said, now working on her eyeshadow. "When's the last time you did something fun? And before you say I'm being nosy, I'm just looking out for you. You spend way too much time sleeping."

I wanted to go. God, I wanted to go so badly it physically hurt. I was tired of being the girl who stayed home, tired of being invisible, tired of letting my fears control my life.

But every time I considered it, Elara's face flashed in my mind. The humiliation from that last party, the laughter, the way everyone had looked at me like I was pathetic...

"I can't," I whispered.

She stopped what she was doing and turned to face me fully. "What happened to you? And don't say nothing, because normal people don't react to party invitations like they're death sentences."

I was quiet for a long moment, debating how much to tell her. Finally, I said, "Someone... hurt me. At a party. Made me look stupid in front of everyone. I just... I can't go through that again."

Her expression softened. "Hey, look at me. You can't let one asshole ruin everything fun for the rest of your life. Besides, I'll be there. I'll look out for you."

"I don't know..."

"What's the worst that could happen? If it sucks, we leave. But what if it doesn't suck? What if you actually have a good time?"

I stared at her, torn between want and fear. The rational part of my brain knew she was right. I couldn't hide forever. But the scared part of me wanted to pull the covers over my head and pretend the world didn't exist.

"I promise I'll stick with you," she said gently. "And if anyone gives you trouble, they'll have to deal with me."

Something in her tone made me believe her.

"Okay," I said before I could change my mind. "I'll go."