Back to You

Hard Times

Carrying on with our fun night as the time passed, things out of the blue took a bad turn. I heard a vexing clap and voice coming through the crowd ahead that could ruin it all in an instant.

"Bravo! Bravo! Bravo..." Olivia moved up to where we were.

Glancing over to Ryder's excited demeanor, it quickly turned into a pale and despondent one while his smile vanished. Mines started to dwindle as well.

Forming an enclosed circle group of other kids, she and Andrea abruptly stopped in motion standing directly in front of us with their hips swished and their arms crossed.

"Liv! I was just about to give you a buzz after I was done with-" Ryder began to speak.

"Yeah, right. Just save it. We're all still here. Aren't we, Harper?" She questioned coldly, but still carrying herself surprisingly well.

"Olivia look, it's not what it looks like. We were just singing-" I started to explain cautiously.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I don't remember saying you can try to reason anything with me. So if I were you, I'd advise you to shut up." She replied spitefully.

"Hold up. Last time I checked, her mamma wasn't you." Jasmine uttered smirking.

"Like I care about what little loser's friend has to say about the matter." Olivia fired back.

"Want a piece of me, then?!" Jasmine asked angrily, ready to take action. I couldn't have her do this though and get in trouble. Not for me. I just needed Olivia to get her rant out of her system, so she could go about her business after.

I grabbed her shoulder. "Jaz, it's okay." She hesitantly listened.

"Actually it's not! See, when Adam texted me while I was in the process of deciding on outfit ten out of seventeen—stating that my boyfriend has pretty much completely lost his mind, I didn't think anything of it. But when he told me it was the school's freak again...that's where I got pissed. Now, I tried cutting you some slack." When was this? "But since you left me with no choice, you're about to learn how bad I can really get."

"Liv, just relax. She didn't do anything wrong." Ryder tried to add on.

"Okay, babe! I don't know what sort of spell she's got you under tonight, but to me and everyone else here at the end of the day, she'll always be nothing. But sure! Please stay and enjoy your night. It's not like someone with your low level of popularity gets to feel like a tacky and unattractive Cinderella often. Or better yet, as your little friend would cheer to sum up your entire personality and appearance—just downright...U.G.L.Y." Instantly, the crowd wince and 'ooo'. A sharp dagger felt like it came into my heart. "Nice to know though after this is over, you'll be back in your little raggedy cage you call a home, right where you belong realizing...you will never be one of us."

I wanted to scream out to the sky all my frustrations and feelings, but I wasn't going to. At least not in front of her or anyone who thought they could break me with harsh and terrible words.

So with a gracious and calm manner, I rolled my eyes still hoping that she would just leave. And at first, it started to work out...until she decided to take it a step further.

Pushing by, she shoved my shoulder forcefully. I immediately lost balance and fell back accidentally into one of the kids holding a few drinks in their hand. The next few seconds were just a complete nightmare.

Before I knew it, the potent scent of spiked fruit punch and beer poured out all over me and Jasmine's clothes as the whole building gasped in shock and astonishment. Without question, I could feel Andrew and Jasmine rushing over to help clean up as best as they could.

"Oh my god, Faith! Come here! Are you okay?!" She screamed concerned.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Ryder was trying to race over to lend a helping hand too or something.

At this point, however, I felt like a dazed idiot and wanted to go.

But one thing was clear. I just embarrassed myself in front of nearly the entire school. Laughing menacingly with Andrea and Adam now joined into the front crowd, Olivia smirked and shrugged doing the same—holding Ryder back from moving at all. "Uh-oh...did I do that?" She asked.

"Olivia! You've crossed the line!" Jasmine started to yell, lunging over to her.

I pulled her back, still speechless as the liquid was dripping down from my whole body. "Jasmine, don't!" I said, staring over to Ryder. His eyes were angered more than I've ever seen. "She's not even worth it." I remained collected.

Petty teenage fights were beneath me to engage with, especially with the things I really came here to do. All the same, it did tremendously hurt me emotionally. I could see in her posture as we continued to try to pull myself together. Everyone around was also becoming shocked that I wasn't going to do anything to her. But I meant what I said.

I took ahold of Jasmine's arm with my cheeks burning with humiliation and tears swelling up in my eyes that weren't coming out yet, and sighed. "Let's just go." I pleaded, still staring at the only man that mattered who was becoming visibly upset too.

Apologetically, Jasmine nodded and waved goodbye to Andrew—rushing through the crowd and we left.

Getting back into the car though, my name was faintly being called out from behind. But instead of figuring out who it was, I could only make out Jasmine muttering insults to Olivia all in Spanish that I barely understood.

Still, I could tell who it was soon enough.

It was Ryder.                           

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