FUCKED.

11

Sapphire hadn't done her research well because it was a full-blown carnival, not just a fair. The place was packed, making it nearly impossible to move. Every inch of space was occupied by people eager to enjoy the festivities. To make matters worse, my cramps were hitting me hard, and I was struggling to maintain a semblance of normalcy.

"Are you okay, babe?" Travis asked, noticing my discomfort. I nodded, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace.

"You look like a drowned rat with that smile. We all know you want to sleep and relax, but this is karma paying you back for last summer," Keisha said, yanking my hair playfully. I groaned in response. "At least you've embraced your real self now, and I'm proud of you," she added with a smirk, giving me the finger before laughing.

We wandered around, chatting and exploring the carnival, when we stumbled upon a large crowd. Curiosity piqued, we moved closer to see what was happening. Keisha's excitement grew as she started shouting, and I tried to keep my composure, but my cramps were relentless.

Sapphire was right about celebrities making appearances. Standing just fifteen feet away was Nicki Minaj, who looked even more stunning in person than in photos. She was performing "Stupid Hoe," and the energy was electric. Nicki and her backup dancers were on the floor, twerking in sync, and the crowd was going wild. When "Anaconda" started playing, the scene got even more intense. Nicki called a blonde guy on stage, who looked visibly nervous. A chair was placed in front of him, and he was asked to sit. The crowd's anticipation was palpable, knowing that a lap dance from Nicki Minaj, clad in only a g-string, would be unforgettable.

The guy, named Michael, seemed overwhelmed. As Nicki began her performance, his reaction was a mix of excitement and embarrassment. Travis, sensing my discomfort, took my hand and placed it on his lap, where he was already hard. His silent demand was clear: "Satisfy me." I smiled, finding his reaction amusing, but kept my focus on the show. Despite my attempts to enjoy the performance, Travis's insistence on holding me close made it difficult to fully engage with the spectacle.

"Damn, that was hot. I could feel the pressure," Keisha said, still buzzing about Nicki's performance as we walked away to grab ice cream and cotton candy for everyone. Sapphire, who had spotted Trey Songz earlier, was still gushing about him.

"I just saw Trey Songz, and he is so fucking to die for! I wish I could be all up in his face," Sapphire said dreamily.

"That's not really relevant right now. I'm going to get wasted," Keisha said, rolling her eyes before walking off.

"Where's Jason, and why are you so hyper today?" Travis asked Sapphire, sensing the shift in her mood.

"I have something to share with you guys, but you have to promise to keep it from Jason and Keisha," Sapphire said, her voice lowering to a whisper. We exchanged curious glances.

"I'm...pregnant," she finally revealed, her words leaving us stunned into silence. "I found out two days ago, but I don't want to tell Jason until the Exhibition. I'm afraid he'll freak out," she added, her voice trembling.

"Congratulations, Sapphire. I hope you're ready for this," Travis said, giving me a nudge to respond.

"I'm still in shock but happy for you, Sapphire. Just make sure you stay safe," I said, hugging her tightly. Sapphire broke down in my arms, tears streaming down her face.

"It's the hormones," she sniffled, but a smile was spreading across her face. She pulled Travis into the hug, and despite her tears, her happiness was evident. We all offered our support, trying to reassure her.

"Oh, let's go try the ghost ride. I hear it's really cool," Sapphire said, her excitement momentarily lifting her spirits. Without waiting for our approval, she grabbed us and led us to a dark cave-like structure filled with mirrors. It was eerie and disorienting, but Sapphire and Travis seemed to be enjoying it. I decided to set my worries aside and try to have some fun.

"You guys go ahead. My cramps are starting to hurt badly," I said, waving them off. Travis looked concerned but reluctantly followed Sapphire into the ride.

I stayed behind, scrolling through my phone and catching up on texts I had ignored. They all seemed to focus on my relationship with Travis, which was no surprise given the day's events. An unknown number kept ringing, but I declined the calls, knowing who they were from. The joy of the carnival seemed to fade as I grew more anxious about the psycho who had been tormenting me.

When a new text arrived from the unknown number, I hesitated before opening it. The message contained a video of Iris and me, and if that wasn't disturbing enough, there were photos of me nude and engaging in intimate acts. I was overwhelmed with shame and fear as tears streamed down my face.

The final video came with a threatening message: "Break up with Travis within twenty-one days, or I'll post your nudes on the school page and send the videos to him." My heart raced with terror. The call that followed confirmed my worst fears.

"Coco."

"Why are you doing this?" I sobbed, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Do as I say, and you'll be free," his voice was cold and menacing.

"I love Travis. You can't just interfere in my life," I shouted.

"Defying me, are we? Do you want me to send this to your boyfriend, or should I take care of the blonde with the bun in the oven?"

I gasped, the threat about Sapphire's pregnancy hitting me hard.

"Shocked, are we?" His tone was almost gleeful. "Twenty-one days, Coco, or your friend loses the baby. It's your choice."

With that chilling ultimatum, he hung up, leaving me in a state of panic and despair. The reality of my situation hit me hard, and the joy of the carnival was overshadowed by the fear of losing everything I cared about.