Victim

That is making her your victim

Malia's POV

As I slam the door in Kylie's face, her muffled sobs pierce through the wood. The sound tightens something in my chest, twisting guilt around my ribs. I immediately regret my coldness, the anger I threw at her. I've never wanted to hurt her like this. Part of me wants to open the door, let her in, and just talk. Maybe we could finally have an honest conversation. But the sound of her footsteps retreating tells me she's leaving, and the chance slips away. I close my eyes, taking a steadying breath, only to feel a hand on my shoulder.

"Are you okay?" His voice pulls me back abruptly. I'd nearly forgotten he was here.

"I-I..." The words stumble out, disjointed as my breathing quickens. My stomach churns with anxiety as the weight of the situation sinks in. "You have to leave," I tell him, forcing the words out, but I see his expression change from one of concern to something colder, something darker.

"You're kidding me, right?" he snaps, his voice sharp and angry, tightening his grip on my shoulder. I flinch, fear jolting through me. His hand is too firm, pressing down with a possessiveness that makes my skin crawl.

I try to pull away, but he's stronger than I expected, and the panic rising in me makes it hard to think. My heart races, and all I can manage is a faint, trembling, "Please, just leave."

He doesn't back down. His expression darkens further, his voice almost mocking. "What do you mean, leave? You were all over me a minute ago—" His words are cut short as the door swings open, and I glimpse Momona and Xóchitl walking in. They stop in their tracks, taking in the scene.

Xóchitl's eyes flash, her gaze dropping to his hand gripping my shoulder. I can see a quiet fury building in her, but she pauses, looking to Momona for a signal. Momona gives a sharp, immediate nod.

"Bryce, what the fuck are you doing in my dorm?" Momona's voice is like steel, slicing through the tension. Xóchitl seizes his arm, her fingers digging in. He tries to shake her off, but Xóchitl holds firm, her strength catching him off guard.

"You know she wanted me here first," he mutters, defiance still simmering in his voice.

"She's a lesbian, you creep," Momona snaps back, her tone dripping with disdain as she watches his face fall, shock spreading across his features. Xóchitl yanks him toward the door, practically tossing him out as she slams it shut, cutting off his protests.

Momona turns back to me, her voice immediately softening as she takes in my shaken expression. She wraps an arm around me, gently guiding me to the couch. We sit, and she holds me close, letting me rest my head on her shoulder as she runs a comforting hand down my back, grounding me. Xóchitl hands me a glass of water, then settles next to me, her gaze filled with quiet concern.

"Mia, what happened? Are you okay?" Momona's voice is steady, but I can feel the underlying worry.

I nod mechanically, but my fingers start picking at my nails, my tell whenever I'm anxious or overwhelmed. Momona notices immediately, her hand tilting my face up so I'm looking into her patient, steady gaze.

"Mia," she says softly, her voice gentle but insistent, "tell me what happened."

I take a shaky breath, struggling with the lump in my throat. "K-Kylie came over, and—" I stammer, trying to find the words, but Xóchitl jumps up, fury in her eyes.

"I'm gonna talk to her," she mutters, her voice a simmering threat.

I feel Momona tense beside me, and a fresh wave of anxiety twists in my stomach. Have I set off another fight because of Kylie? I can't handle that right now I can barely keep myself together.