The Wrong Crowd [Wattys 2020]

Chapter 9

Dedicated to PrimLihle25 ❤️

The motorcycle skidded to a stop directly opposite the black gates of the club and Ore heaved a sigh of relief. She was grateful that she hadn't fallen off on the way or she would have sustained some major injuries which invariably resulted in a hospital admission. There was nothing she hated more than hospitals.

Leaning a firm hand on Mercy's shoulder, Ore clambered out of the bike with an annoyed Mercy who paid for the transport fare without counting her change. The bike man tucked the cash in his jacket pocket and turned the heated engine on, blowing off at a fast rate without so much as a glance back.

Ore watched Mercy in shock as she began leading the way. There was a petrol station just by her right and the bright lights from the overhead bulb twinkled in the thick darkness. The shuffling about of the workers in their day uniforms showed that they hadn't closed yet. Ore needed an extra boost in case something catastrophic was going to happen.

Although Ore wasn't sure what, she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that settled in the pit of her stomach. Mercy marched on barely sparing her surroundings a glance and Ore was wondering if this wasn't her first time coming to a place as this. Since this was the spot her brother frequented, anything was possible.

Immediately Ore stepped foot inside the massive parking area, she gawked at the pretty sight in front of her. There was a huge building by her left flagged by a wide front porch. The entrance was made of a glass sliding door which parted ways on it's own accord when someone was within close range.

A golden chandelier with small heart shaped lights engraved in a circular pattern was the main centre of attraction. The walk way was tiled and gleamed regardless of the number of people who stepped on it with their dirt soiled shoes.

Ore marvelled at the different types of cars that were parked side by side, lining the large area that it was inevitable for people to exit the building without bumping into each other. The loud music that was booming from the club and the bar arena made her toes curl. She had to block her ear drum. Mercy stopped cat walking and turned to stare at her.

Ore barely noticed Mercy stamping her feet on the floor, instead she mindlessly glanced at the girls that were passing by and was dressed in skimpy dresses that showed off their skin. It was either they chattered in groups amongst themselves or they linked arms with their various sugar daddies while walking to his car, their heads bent over their lighted screen.

Mercy who was growing impatient stepped back and grabbed Ore's hand, pulling her out of her trance. Ore's fingers twirled around the short jean skirt she had borrowed from the room before hers. She was partly friends with Edikan, the girl who owned space d and was the oldest amongst her roommates. At first Ore thought she was going to shun her and preach a long sermon before giving her the cloth but none of that happened.

Edikan only gave her a knowing smile as she sifted through the dresses that were carefully arranged in her wardrobe. Ore waited for what seemed like hours, she stood apprehensively at the ajar door and her head was bowed in shame. It had gotten to the point where she was borrowing clothes to look good for others to appraise. Ore found herself wishing she was going to the club with Tami instead of Mercy who wore a long black skirt with a short slit by the side and a brown long sleeved shirt.

The girl lacked a sense of fashion and appeared unbothered by the odd looks people were giving her. Mercy lifted her chin high and kept her eyes straightforward. The fast pace Mercy was walking made it hard for Ore to keep up and she stumbled over her own two feet. She wasn't able to catch herself in time before plunging into the swimming pool by her side.

Ore felt herself sinking deep into the dark waters with no hope of escape. Her lungs burned as she tried to lift her head up for some air but only ended up blowing bubbles to the surface. She struggled to flap her legs but they felt like heavy pots of lead and the dim lights in the bar area reflected on the calm waters and made her vision blurry.

Ore kicked and muffled screams escaped her constricted throat before she felt a strong hand clamp down on her outstretched arm and pulling her to the surface. Ore took in huge gulps of air and coughed out the liquid that she swallowed because of her failed attempt in swimming out of the pool.

Ore's hair was dripping water onto her already wet clothes and she shivered as the cold slowly began seeping into her bones. She leaned on her side and hurled herself over the edge of the pool only to find the whole crowd of people who had been having fun, staring at her with mouth agape. The music had stopped and from her view, she spotted a frightened Mercy dragging a thick white towel off a bartender's shaky hands and running the short distance to offer it to her.

Ore's nostrils were fuming with each inhale and exhale and her calm eyes were now clouded with rage. The towel that Mercy placed about Ore's shoulders to shield her from the cold was thrown into the pool and floated calmly on the surface. Ore looked Mercy in the eye, she shook her head in regret and smirked.

Ore wished she hadn't followed stupidly behind her. After all, she was only being a caring friend. She didn't deserve all the disgrace Mercy had brought on her. Hell, she didn't deserve the awkward attention she was getting from the mob of people who didn't give two fucks about a stupid idiot like her.

They all came from their various houses to share a few drinks with their partners with no sense of the drama that would unfold. Even with their faces filled with pity and fake plastered smiles, Ore shrunk into her enclosed shell and a muscle twitched in her squared jaw. This was another reason why she enjoyed her own company.

Ore stormed off in anger, not minding the way her skimpy clothing clung to her body, her nipples were jutting out of the white crop top she was putting on. Mercy's pleas fell on deaf ears as she hovered about Ore like a frightened chicken. Ore was going back the way she had come. The magnificent sight no longer attracted her, she felt used and neglected. Never in her entire life could she have imagined something so embarrassing happen to her.

Mercy's cracked voice faded away in the noisy background as Ore quickened her pace, her eyes were burning with unshed tears. She didn't think the Mercy she knew could act so childish, how the fudge had she accepted to follow in the first place? With her thoughts jumbled and shoulders slumped, the last thing she was expecting was for someone to grip her arm so tight and hold her firmly in place.

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Author's note: whose fault does it lie in? Mercy or Philip?