Chapter 4

Chapter 4

DAWN

“What?!” I coughed, nearly spilling my drink, and Kiara reached out, patting my back like I was the dramatic one.

She rolled her eyes, completely unfazed. “Relax Dawn, I just want to talk, not marry him.”

“Kiara…” I lowered my voice, glancing toward where he stood, now surrounded by a small crowd of not just girls, but guys as well. “Do you see the people around him? That’s not a ‘walk up and say hi’ situation.” I raised a brow.

She smirked, smoothing down her dress. “Watch me.”

Before I could grab her hand and drag her back to safety, Kiara was already walking.

I wanted to follow, already taking a few steps forward, but I stopped in my tracks, afraid of drawing the slightest attention.

My eyes never left Kiara, as she weaved through the clusters of students. My anxiety was free as she got closer, my mind was utterly indecisive, unsure of whether I could keep hiding away or give Kiara the support she needed.

“Oh Kiara…”My stomach twisted as I took another step forward, and then another, I moved past the cluster, thinking too loudly to keep any whisper or comment away from my ear.

I retraced my gaze back to Kiara, and I was too late,she was barely two steps away from Aiden.

In the blink of an eye, two tall bimbo looking girls stopped before Kiara, blocking her path.

My heart swelled in my chest as I struggled to move closer, Aidden was disappearing further into the crowd, while the girls remained in Kiara's part.

I didn't personally know them, but I instantly knew the kind of people they were. The kind of girls who looked at you once and decided your entire worth.

I grew closer to Kiara, but a swarm of students rushed past, as though their favourite show was about to start. They blocked my path, making my anxiety grow even worse.

The girls had an all too familiar look on their faces, one of them tilted her head, her lips curling into a slow, mocking smile as her eyes dragged, and the other stood beside her, arms crossed, gaze sharp and unimpressed. I knew their tone, I knew that stupid look.

I knew exactly what it felt like to stand there, pretending you weren’t shrinking while someone picked you apart piece by piece.

“Well,” the first drawled, her voice dripping with amusement, “a freshman trying to be bold.”

“Oh no, Clarissa has found herself another unlucky freshman again.” Someone whispered behind me.

“Right, Clarissa and Sasha are the worst, this is going to be messy.” Another said, and my heart leaped to my throat.

No, Kiara cannot fall into the hands of this bullys.

“Let me through,” I said, pushing against the crowd.

“Why try this hard freshman? Do you not know your place?”

“Excuse me?” I heard Kiara's voice.

“Oh, don’t act confused,” the second one, Sasha said, stepping slightly closer. “This thing you are trying to pull off, is not really appreciated in our territory.” Her eyes flicked to Kiara’s dress. She chuckled. “Who are you trying to impress?”

My hands curled into a fist.

Kiara’s voice lowered. “I’m just here to enjoy the party.”

Clarissa raised a brow. “Enjoy? Or embarrass yourself?”

“I know.” Sahsa choked in, “She's definitely here to embarrass herself, why don't we help?” She grabbed a glass from one of the students, and before I could blink, she splashed it on Kiara, ruining her dress.

Something inside me snapped,they had gone too far.

My heart started pounding, not from fear, but anger. I pushed past the crowd, not caring that anyone was tripped over, cutting the distance before that familiar voice in my head could tell me to stay quiet, to stay small.

“Enough!” I voiced out, stopping in front of Kiara.

Both girls turned to me, surprise flickering briefly across their faces before it melted into something colder.

Sasha’s gaze swept over me, slower this time, more deliberate. I felt it… the judgement, the silent assessment, the mockery that slowly graced her eyes, and I almost shrank.

She smirked. “And you are…?”

“Someone who doesn’t see why you chose to block my friend's path,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt.

Kiara’s fingers brushed mine, but I ignored them, too angry to just back down.

Clarissa let out a soft scoff. “Stay out of this Fatty, we don't want you sucking out everyone's air,” she remarked, and an uproar of laughter surfaced behind me.

I bit my cheek, “No,” I said, shaking my head slightly. “I don’t think I will.” I remained defiant, despite the fear setting in.

I stood my ground even though I knew everything could go sideways here.

Sasha’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve got some confidence for someone who…” her lips curled slightly, “...looks like that in a bodycon dress.”

The words hit, really hard, like they were meant to. For a split second, everything went quiet in my head. The music faded, the chatters disappeared…It was just me… and that familiar sting. The same one I had experienced for far too long.

But this time…I didn’t let it dwell, I lifted my chin, clenching my jaw to keep myself from bursting out in tears.

“Funny,” I said, a small, tight smile forming. “I was just thinking the same thing about your personality.”

Kiara sucked in a breath beside me, while Clarissa’s expression darkened instantly. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” I continued, my voice gaining strength with every word. “At least she” I gestured to Kiara “dared to step out for a style party.”

I met their gaze directly, “Can you say the same? Or do you just stand around judging people to feel better about yourself? Claiming a stupid territory when you are just mean heads.”

Silence.

I could feel a million eyes on me, and it was slowly messing with my resolve, but outside I remained unfazed.

Sasha’s smile vanished completely now, replaced by something sharp and dangerous. “You really don’t know who you are up against, do you?”

My heart was racing so fast I could feel it in my throat.“Bunch of nothingness if you ask me.” I said, and a wild gasp spread across the room.

Clarissa’s eyes widened, and she stepped forward, raising her hand, but I moved faster, pushing her with all my strength.

She stumbled backwards and Sasha struggled to catch her, but the bitch ended up falling.

Looking to my side, I found someone with a drink, without thinking I grabbed it and tossed it in their direction, spilling it on their visibly expensive dresses.

“Grow the fuck up!” I yelled at their faces and grabbed Kiara's hand, running off before I would lose my confidence and trip myself.