SOC 101 (SUBJECT 2)✓

1

-ADVISABLE DISCRETION-

I steered clear of the path I had taken some days back, my palm hitting my forehead as I realized I could have simply asked for directions from other students before landing face first in the world of sin. I should have figured out the stares I was getting were different, I wasn't getting mocked for my clothes -at least I'll like to think so- I was getting mocked for going into the danger zone.

What were they thinking? So open and risky. My insides churned at the thought and my vagina suddenly developed a heartbeat of its own. This was the third time it had occurred, first had been back at the County, I had told my mother about it and she prayed for the demon of arousal to leave me be and stay in the light. I never told her anything else after that, not when I witnessed the commencement of my cycle and my celebration as being a woman officially and not now when I caught students on campus ground engaging in unadulterated sin.

She'd pull me out without hesitation, she'd make me homeschooled again. Anything but that, I'd take this world of sin over and over.

"Hi." A voice said, and I looked up to see my roommate. She was pretty, had a lithe form to her that made her look even more beautiful. She owned clothing items my mother will burn while dousing it with anointing. I never told her that though.

"Hi, Ryth." I had had trouble coming to terms with her name.

"You should go out today, you know. There are very nice places on campus that I can show you." She mumbled, picking out three dresses. They looked quaint, girly.

"Ah, I'm not so sure." I stuttered, rubbing the nape of my neck as I did so and pushing down the novel on my laps.

"Why not? Don't tell me you're scared." She said, her voice amused as she cocked her head to the side while staring at me through her mirror.

"Of course not." I spluttered, color rose to my cheeks, and I suddenly looked like the sister to a tomato.

"If you say so. Which one do you think will look better on me?" She asked, lifting the dresses so I could see them better in the light.

"The black one." I pointed and dragged down my blouse when I felt cool air on my stomach.

"I can give you one of my clothes." She suggested, lifting one of her dresses towards me.

I chuckled under my breath before shaking my head. I considered mentioning how the dress would rip before I even got it on, but I decided against it, biting my tongue.

"You're such a downer, let's go."

"I don't remember agreeing to that, Ryth." I whined, covering myself in my duvet and hiding my face in the pillow," This bed is comfort, why will I ever want to leave?"

"To create your social life? Make friends?" She questioned, undressing, and wearing the black dress I had picked out for her.

"Who ever said I needed those?" I pouted, staring at her as she wore her small earrings and used her bangles.

"Me! I said so, now can we go?" She groaned loudly, standing in an unladylike manner as she stared.

"Fine." I agreed to her bidding, putting on my shoes before asking," Where are we going?"

"You'll see," Ryth said, pulling my hand and making sure to tightly enclose her palm with mine so I won't escape.

Turns out 'you'll see' is actually a bar, a local joint. I shook in anticipation, joints were banned in the County, they were believed to be demonic as they pulled in customers or so mother said.

"Have you ever tried pepper soup?" She asked, leaning against the counter as she stared at me.

"No, what's it made of?" I asked genuinely, very curious, and hungry.

"You'll see." Twice in one night, that was worrying.

I nearly screamed when I swallowed the first spoonful, it stung my tongue.

"It's so peppery."

"It's literally called pepper soup, thought you were a smartie." She replied, taking her own spoonful and swallowing without blinking.

She was very crazy.

"I'm not used to food like this, I don't know if I like it," I complained, picking up the meat in it and chewing. They tasted amazing. Just how sinful could I get behind my mother's back?

"Hello." A deep voice said from behind before he made his way to sit. Ryth stared him up and down before she recoiled.

"What do you want?" She growled, her voice raspy from the pepper soup.

"Calm down, be carrying someone's matter on your head. I'm not here for you. I'm here for this pretty looking lady."

The whole time, I had been slowly sipping my pepper soup till I felt his eyes on me; I hated interacting. Back at the County, the kids avoided me, I had the 'cold' look. Mother had beaten me more than enough to make me let it go, but it was in me.

"I've noticed you staring for some time now, are you shy to talk to me?" He asked, shoulders high with pride as he smiled.

"I'm backing you," I replied, sipping on my pepper soup.

"What?"

"Unless I have eyes behind my head, then it's pretty impossible for me to have been staring at you," I answered pointedly, finally staring at him.

He gulped, I smirked.

"Ah, I was just messing around. That was a joke honey, don't stress your little head." He joked, but he sounded sad.

"Okay," I replied, looking up to stare at Ryth who had abandoned her food to watch our interaction. I rolled my eyes at her and she just smiled cheekily.

"Can I get your name?" He asked, smiling.

"Don't you already have one?" I asked, appearing to look surprised, and this time, Ryth laughed.

"I'm so sorry, I shouldn't be laughing. Please go on." As if she wasn't the one that dragged me out.

"Stop being so dramatic, I can tell that you want me."

I looked at him, my eyes squeezing shut as I breathed," I want you to leave but it seems like you have no plans of doing so, so we'll gladly leave for you. Have the table, honey. "

I got up, pulling Ryth with me, and walking out into the chilly night. My shivers weren't from the cold though, but from the adrenaline still buzzing inside me.

"I'm never letting you take me out again."

~

Just so you know, Theresa might be innocent but she is entirely naive.

Don't get too shocked by her replies to the man, there were guys in the County too, you know.

Ryth is pronounced Raith