At noon the next day, Veronica and I had lunch together at the cafeteria. While we were talking about the play 'Swan Lake', Layla suddenly appeared.
"Oh, I kept wondering why you didn't text me asking me out to eat today. So you found a new friend?" Layla came with a few girls, smiling at me.
"This is Veronica. Veronica, this is Layla Meadow, my friend."
Veronica nodded to say hello to Layla, but Layla didn't seem to mind.
"So... Where's Garrick Harvey?" Layla asked me.
"I do not know."
"Hmm, boring. I was looking for him, I thought I would find Garrick if I found you."
"Hey, don't you think it's normal? If you want to find Garrick Harvey then just contact him, why do you bother Esther?"
"What the hell did she say?"
Veronica seemed quite angry, she was about to get up and argue with Layla, but luckily I stopped her.
"Don't argue. Listen, Layla. I don't always go with Garrick. I know you like him, so go find him yourself if you want."
Layla's friends all froze when I revealed that Layla had a crush on Garrick.
"Damn it, why do you say that?"
Layla's whole face was red and her eyes were full of anger. She scurried off with her friends. Garrick is the hot boy of the academy and is Kaylin's best friend, so although many girls like Garrick, they do not dare to express their feelings to him for fear of offending Kaylin.
Now it looks like Layla is in big trouble.
"Thank you, Veronica... for protecting me."
"That's what friends should do."
Now, I have a clear understanding of who are really good friends and who are bad friends.
Layla's jealous and annoyed attitude towards me started to appear since Garrick and I became close. I purposely ignored that because I didn't want to ruin my friendship with Layla, but maybe there's no need for it now.
Unexpectedly, just a few days later, Layla came to find me again. She looked worn out and tired.
"What's wrong with you, Layla?"
"Esther Joan, I'm really sorry. I didn't treat you well, I'm a bad friend."
Seeing Layla sobbing, I went to hug her and comfort her.
"It's okay, I don't blame you. Everything is fine, don't be upset."
"Um, thank you Esther. You've been really nice to me. I was wrong to be jealous of you, I should have understood that you and Garrick are just friends."
I tried to reassure Layla and she seemed to be feeling better. It's not a good thing to see a friend of mine looking upset after arguing with me.
That night, Layla insisted on inviting me to a party at a busy bar in the city. I was going to refuse because I had an appointment with Veronica that I would practice with her. But Layla just had a bad time, she said she needed me and wanted to mend our friendship. That's why I couldn't refuse her.
I had to text Veronica, apologize to her for the delay, and ask her to practice together another day.
"Hurry over here, Esther, these are my friends. They're all ladies of noble families. Let's get to know each other."
Layla was full of excitement and entices me to join the trendy girls. Her expression was much brighter and more excited than before.
Honestly, this is my first time going to such an expensive and degrading place. This nightclub always plays loud and lively music all night until morning. Those who want to enter here must give a special card to the guard to check, it is a card that proves that person's identity belongs to prestigious families.
This nightclub is extremely luxurious, a cocktail here can be almost as expensive as a designer handbag.
The young masters and ladies all wear sexy clothes, they laugh and dance, some are even nude. I'm like a lost girl, only I wear jeans and a normal t-shirt, not flashy and stylish like other girls.
This scene is far from my imagination of young masters and ladies with gentle, docile and non-naughty personalities. Now it looks like anything unbelievable could be true.
"Have a drink of this cocktail, Esther. It's fruity."
Layla handed me a glass of water, and I smiled and took a sip. Its taste is delicious, delicate and sweet. Layla and the other girls whispered something to each other and burst into giggles. Through their gazes, I vaguely realized that they were making fun of me, but they just didn't want to say it outright.
Layla's stylish friends all seemed outgoing and boisterous, and they grabbed my arm and dragged me into the crowd. The music was loud and people were dancing wildly. I see Layla hugging a handsome guy by the neck and they kiss passionately. The other girls also joined the crowd and played.
Only I feel confused and lost, I really want to leave here.
Obviously, that cocktail didn't have a lot of alcohol mixed in, but my mind kept buzzing, and my steps staggered out of control.
As I was trying to get away from the noisy dancing crowd, I bumped into a man, his wine glass falling on top of me.
"Oh I'm sorry, are you okay?" The strange man shouted in my ear.
"I'm fine." I shouted back, the music so loud it drowned out my voice.
"Let me take you to the dressing room."
The other man took my arm and dragged me down the hallway of the nightclub. I felt it was really unsafe to go alone with a stranger, so I tried to call Layla. Apparently she heard me and turned to look at me, I happily waved and signaled for help. But Layla just looked at me for a moment and then turned away, completely leaving me to be taken out of the dance hall by a strange man.
My strength was too weak and my head was spinning.
"I don't want to go with you. Let me go." I tried to get rid of the man but couldn't.
"Be good girl, I'm just helping you change. Look, your white shirt is all dirty with my alcohol."
"No, I want to go home."
The man's slurred and wry voice disgusts me, I'm aware he has bad intentions towards me and I need to get out of here as quickly as possible.
As soon as he entered the break room, he immediately threw me on the bed.
"Well, your friends gave you to me. Don't be mad at me, I just did what they asked. But... I have to admit you look really sexy. Even though you don't wear a mini skirt, it's still sexy."
He squeezes my butt and constantly compliments it on tight and plump, accompanied by lewd laughs.
I panicked and begged him.
"Don't touch me, please."