Face Falsa

**Chapter 3: Escapism and Strangers**

A/N: there's a reason there is two asterisks, it's not an accident. This chapter could be very triggering, proceed with caution. Also, if you read Ch 2, before Apr 5, there has been a major update, so I recommend rereading that chapter if you read before my edit on the fifth. The comment explains the trigger, so you can open it to see whether you can read or if you don't think you can handle it.

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Hey I'm sorry for scaring you

I'm ok

It was a text I had sent out last night, and he still hasn't responded. Maybe  was expecting too much, but he always responded quickly. He never left me on read.

"You sure you don't want to go," Nova asked, "You look like you could use a little bit of fun."

I looked up from my new phone, "You know what? Fuck it, it's fine. I'll go, I need the escape."

Nova looked at me, a little shocked, and then shrugged, and said, "I didn't think you would budge, but ok, cool. So, I have this little black dress that you would look like so hot in it."

She went over to her closet and grabbed it out. Nova was right, it was gorgeous, sparkly, with a neckline that was hot, but I wouldn't have to worry about the girlies popping out, if you know what I mean. 

"I love it, Nova, but I'm not sure it's me," I explained, worried that it was too much. Was it too late to take my yes back?

Nova shook her head and set the dress down. She reached out to touch my shoulders but stopped at the last moment, deciding against it. 

"Look, Lia, here's some advice if you'll let me. You can't discover new parts of your identity if you care about what others think. You can't even enjoy yourself if you care, ok? So, even if they do judge, let's say in this hypothetical world, do not let their judgmental asses ruin your life with their jealousy," Nova said, setting out her own outfit, a black short dress with spaghetti straps and cute heels.

I sighed and smiled, "Yeah, you're right. I should just wear the dress and look hot. Everyone else be damned."

She laughed at that, "Of course, dumbass!"

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So here I am, my vision blurry and my head pounding, from both the music and whatever was in the pills Nova handed to me. We were at a college party, but no seemed to notice our age, and even if they did, they didn't care. Imanbek blared from the speakers and a frat boy walked up to me.

He was hot, but in a way where he thought he was Adonis, which was usually a turn off. However, right now, I didn't care. What was wrong with me? I thought to myself. I moved out of the way, thinking he wanted access to the spiked punch on the counter. 

He smiled at me, lopsided, "What's a cutie like you doing here all alone?"

The smile would be kinda cute, if his voice wasn't dripping with condensation. 

"'M not 'lone," I slurred, taking another sip of the spiked punch. I cursed myself. I was slipping, slipping down a slippery slope. 

He chuckled, "Of course not, sugar, I'm here now."

He put his hand on my back, the part exposed by the dress, and slowly moved down, his hand cold and sweaty, until it rested on my ass. I froze, not expecting this in front of so many people. I breathed in unsteadily, increasingly uncomfortable with this much older guy. My stomach sloshed in disgust and dread started to pool in my gut. Time slowed down, the people around us, high as a drunk elephant, moved in slow motion.