Chapter 3

I still haven't been able to get the image of his dick off my mind. Even while shopping with Mira, I still don't know where she got her energy from. I thought she would still be hungover from the drinks she took last night, but she proved me wrong. I'm tired. Shopping should be every girl's favorite thing to do, but when it comes to Mira, that's a deadly obsession, and it should be banned.

We have been moving around the mall for over three hours. I'm exhausted already, but for her, that's nothing to write home about. I'm famished, and I need some rest. My feet are killing me.

"Oh my gosh! You need to see this!" she screams.

"Not again. I can't handle any more."

I stop complaining when I see what she is pointing to.

"There is no way we are buying this. I've allowed you to drag me through this mall. That's enough torture, but this is a no for me."

"But it's so good! We are going to university. We are supposed to have some fun. Don't tell me you are planning on being a virgin till you die, or are you going to wait for him to finally see you? We need to buy this, no two ways about it."

Her words hit me like bricks. Six years of having a crush on him. Six years of not being seen, hiding my feelings while other people keep asking me out and I'm turning them down while he lives his best life and I'm waiting around the corner.

"Yeah, it's fine. We'll buy it, but it's barely going to hold my breasts, and you know that," I grumble, trying to make her see some sense about the dress she is buying.

It's a black leather mini skirt and a sequin top. Did I mention it's backless? It has two tiny shoestring straps that hold it together in the back, one hooked around the neck and the other around the back of the ribs. As for titty support... none!

"That's what I love about you, Summer. You know when to give way for fashion. I heard there is this new sex club that opened. It has been getting feedback on the school portal. The first thing we're going to do when we get there is go there and have some fun.

This dress is the best for it. Trust me, it's going to be so much fun."

I should be feeling uneasy when I hear her talking about a sex club, but I think it's best to leave the old me behind and face the new me.

I won't be sticking around waiting for any drop of attention he throws at me. I'm going to find real love, and this time around it's not going to be one-sided. He's going to love me for me because he wants to, not because I have a crush on him. Love is reciprocal, not the other way around.

We paid for the dress, but my mind was not yet at ease. I had a lot of questions to ask her. I couldn't hold my tongue anymore.

Who cares if she gets angry? If she's going to drag me to a club where I might get fucked, she will really have to explain if it's safe. I'm not going to a place that will kill me. I'm still too young to die.

I knew from the moment she told me she was going to the same university as me, it was going to be trouble.

We headed to the restaurant across the mall, dragging our shopping bags behind us. I ordered a burger with an iced Americano, picking a nice table by the window.

Nothing beats a nice view as you eat your stress away.

"Why didn't I see anything about the club on the portal, or is there something you aren't telling me?"

She takes a sip of her orange juice, giving me a look.

"I knew you were going to ask. That's why I kept it a secret from you. There is this group—actually, it's not on the portal. This club is secret. Not everyone knows about it. Just the higher-ups who go there to satisfy their dark cravings.

Before you enter, you must first become a member and swear an oath that you won't disclose any information you see. You are going to keep your mouth shut. People don't even know it exists because it's hidden behind an alley. They have everything that will make you feel comfortable. They won't do anything you don't like. Whatever you don't like, you get a form to fill out. Amazing, isn't it?"

Well, I won't lie.

If she says there are safety precautions, then I will give it a try. I trust her. I know she is not the type of person who would cause me pain.

We have known each other since we were in diapers. She is more than I could ever want.

We ate in silence. I know she is just giving me time to think about it, but deep down I know she is not taking no for an answer. If she could place a board around my neck stating, This bitch is ready for love, she would have done that already to help me find someone better than Ace.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when Michael, the boy from the drama club at school, dragged a chair close to me.

"Hey, pumpkin. What's popping?"

He was one of those guys who asked me out, but I turned him down. Good thing I did because I heard a rumor his dick is quite small, and I'm not trying to settle for less. Well, I guess that's ironic because the big dick is nowhere to be seen, not to talk of the small one. I've had none, not even seen one. Or am I just looking for an excuse to make fun of him since my heart already belongs to someone else?

I try so much not to show that I'm uncomfortable with the way his hands are on my shoulder. I keep shifting in my seat. The last place I want to be is in his hands. Maybe that's because the connection isn't there, or maybe I'm just not cut out for it.

"I'm having a pool party at my place.

It's going to be like a get-together for all of us before we head to the university, and I want this pretty damsel to light up my party. What do you say, Summer? Hope you will come.

The fun is not complete without you."

I nod. "Sure, I will be there. Your parties are always the best."

I didn't lie. He throws the best pool parties, so much that he was nicknamed the King of Fun. I wouldn't mind a few drinks to clear my mind.

I was startled when he placed a kiss on my lips.

"What the heck? Eww!

Don't do that!"

I stood to my feet, ready to give him a piece of my mind.

"I don't know where those lips of yours have been. I don't want them near me."

I turned to look at Mira, but she was staring at something. I was shocked when my gaze landed on Ace standing with my brother at the center of the restaurant, both of them staring at me. My heart sank. He just saw Michael kiss me.

Michael stood up and leaned closer to my ear.

"Chill, sweetie. It gets better. If you let me, I will make you feel better, I promise."

He pecked my cheek and left.

I still hadn't recovered from the first one, and he did another one. But that should be the least of my problems. Josh made his way over to me.

"Who the hell was that?"

"No one you should worry about."

I packed up my bags, getting ready to leave. I can't stay here with them anymore, not with Ace looking at me like he's judging me, his gaze still lingering on where Michael disappeared.

I have enough on my plate. The last thing I want is to explain myself and my life to someone who has done worse than me.

He might as well enroll me to become a nun. That would be better.

"Does she have a boyfriend? Is there something she's not telling us?" he redirected his questions to Mira, who looked like she wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole. I don't blame her. He's making a scene when there should be none.

I headed to the door, needing nothing but fresh air and trying to hold my tears from spilling. I'm such a crybaby, and I hate that.

My body shook as the cold wind hit my skin the moment I stepped out of the door. The sky looked gloomy, like it was about to rain. Fuck my luck. I had no umbrella, and Mira had the car keys. I didn't want to go back into that café to face his questions. I moved toward the parking lot. I looked around for any familiar face I could catch a ride with, but I found none.

I headed toward our car and sat on the bonnet. I just hoped Mira would be out any moment now. I took out my cell phone, staring at the screen, my fingers hovering over her contact. Maybe I should call her, but I know deep down Josh won't let her leave without saying everything on his mind.

I heaved a sigh, resting my back against the car. I stared at the lights, my mind going back to the look Ace gave Michael. It looked neutral, but I know Ace. He's never the type to be calm. His gaze has always held something, but I still can't quite read it.

My thoughts were cut off when I heard the sound of footsteps getting louder in my direction. I sat upright, my gaze landing on Mira. She raised a bag in front of my face.

"Guess what I found on my way here?" Her voice was filled with excitement. "You won't believe this. I didn't know we had this store here."

She dropped the bag beside me, opened it, and brought out a neatly wrapped box. She smiled at me, and I knew that look very well. She was up to something again.

"Here, take yours. I bought two," she said, shoving the box toward me.

I opened it, and my nightmare was staring back at me. I looked at her in shock, but her grin only grew wider.

"I knew you would like it. I got the best one in the store just for you. It will keep that cunt active till it finds its rightful owner."

She bought me a fucking rose. How am I supposed to hide this in my room? That should be the least of my worries. What if my mum finds it? She will skin me alive. But the mastermind of this still looked completely unbothered. I can't even complain. I brought this upon myself.

I'm pulled out of my thoughts when Mira taps my hand. I look at her, confused, until she points at something. I follow her gaze

to what she is looking at.

Ace stands there, looking at the vibrator in my hands.

I'm shocked. My hands shake, and I drop it to the floor.

When did he get here?

His stare leaves the toy and locks with mine.

"I thought you were a virgin.”