Chapter 23

Flashback before the party

I and Diana approached Nancy consciously, we knew she could be highly irritable, especially now it seemed Nancy was siding with me. "Oh look who is back, if it isn't miss dramatic, I thought you would be at least half way home but here you are, what was ot that changed your mind little miss prime and proper?".

Am sorry, I panicked were the only words I uttered from my suddenly dry lips, Nancy sat up straighter , emotions warred in her usually stoic expression , Then I began to cry my sobs tearing through the quiet night as I clung desperately to Nancy's dress. "Nancy, I'm sorry! I swear I'm so, so sorry. Please don't leave me. I promise to be good, I'll do whatever you ask," she pleaded, her voice quivering with desperation.

Nancy, who had initially turned to walk away, paused. The desperation in Leila's voice seemed to strike a chord, and she sighed deeply. "Next time, if you don't want to do something, don't do it. Avoid embarrassment for both yourself and us. Oh, and just so you know, there won't be a next time we're done hanging out with you."

Leila's heart shattered at those words. She couldn't afford to be left behind in this desolate place, surrounded by strangers. These were her best friends at least, they were the closest thing to friends she had in this city. The idea of losing them, of being left alone, was unbearable. She gripped Nancy's clothes so tightly that even if Nancy wanted to leave, she couldn't without ripping her dress.

Seeing the desperation in Leila's eyes, Nancy finally relented. She squatted down and helped Leila to her feet. "That's more like it, Leila. You should know your place. Don't displease us anymore, or you'll find yourself discarded. There are plenty of people willing to take your spot."

Leila nodded, still sniffling, as Nancy dusted her off, brushing the sand from her clothes. The taxi driver, who had been patiently waiting, stared ahead, his expression frozen in an emotionless glaze. But Leila barely noticed him, too consumed by the remnants of fear and anxiety that still clung to her.

As Leila climbed into the car, Diana pulled her into a comforting hug, running her hand through Leila's hair. "You shouldn't annoy Nancy, Leila. She can be really hot-tempered," Diana murmured softly.

From the front seat, Nancy muttered under her breath, "You guys know I can hear you, right? Thanks a lot for the help, Diana."

The comment would have been funny if Leila wasn't still rattled by the night's events. Diana, trying to lighten the mood, handed the flask back to Leila. "You're going to be a good girl and either drink in sips or gulp it down, it's up to you. But you have to drink it if you want to stay with us."

Leila closed her eyes and took several quick gulps, the alcohol burning a fiery path down her throat. She handed the flask back to Nancy, who took a long swig before passing it to Diana. Diana took her turn and then handed it back to Leila. "You're going to need it more than we do," Diana said with a knowing look.

As Leila stared at the flask in her hands, Nancy casually mentioned, "Oh, Leila, I forgot to tell you something—we're kind of overdressed for the party."

Leila looked at her friends, puzzled, until she saw them begin to strip down to their bikinis. She gulped, suddenly feeling a fresh wave of anxiety. She didn't want a repeat of what had happened earlier, so she took another gulp from the flask, swallowing the rest of the liquid for some extra courage.

It was then she remembered she didn't bring a bikini. Trying to smile at Nancy, though it was more of a grimace, Leila said, "I didn't bring a bikini. You didn't tell me it was a pool party."

Nancy smiled back, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oops! Poor you. But since I'm your best friend, I took the liberty of getting you a bikini."

Nancy handed over a tiny bikini that practically exposed everything. It was a G-string with a flimsy bra that left nothing to the imagination. Leila stared at the garment in horror. Even Nancy and Diana's bikinis were more modest than this.

"You can't be serious," Leila whispered, her voice trembling.

Nancy's expression hardened. "I'm as serious as hell, Leila."

Realizing she had no choice, Leila finally relented. She took the bikini and began to change, stripping completely in front of the others to put it on. The bikini was a bright, notice-me red—a color she despised. The alcohol buzzed through her veins, numbing the edges of her anxiety. Without it, she doubted she would have had the courage to wear such an outfit or strip in front of a total stranger.

As the warmth and euphoria from the alcohol took over, everything around her began to seem more beautiful, more vibrant. She giggled, forgetting that she had been sobbing just thirty minutes ago. As if on cue, the club, Teaser's, came into view.

Despite the alcohol-induced courage, Leila still felt a knot of nerves in her stomach. Nancy handed out pills to each of them, which they took without hesitation. Leila followed suit, swallowing the pill with a deep breath. The three of them stepped out of the car, ready to face the night.

"Who's ready to party? Let's go have some blockbuster fun!" Nancy exclaimed as she handed each of them a mask, effectively shielding them from wandering eyes. Amidst excited screams, Leila found herself taking the lead, propelled by the liquid courage coursing through her veins.

As they entered the club, the music hit them like a wall of sound. The bass thumped in her chest, and the lights flashed in dizzying patterns. People danced wildly, their bodies moving in sync with the pulsating beats. The atmosphere was electric, charged with the energy of people who were there to forget their troubles and live in the moment.

Leila was still adjusting to the sensory overload when Nancy leaned in close, whispering softly so only Leila could hear her. "You shouldn't see me as evil or look so accusingly at me. I would never have let you walk in there with your identity on display. You'll be queen after all."

The words, though meant to be comforting, only served to further confuse Leila. Nancy's motives were always a mystery to her, a tangled web of manipulation and supposed care. But there was no time to dwell on it. The night was just beginning, and she had to keep up.

The club was packed, a sea of bodies moving in rhythm to the music. The alcohol and the pill were starting to kick in, and Leila felt a wave of euphoria wash over her. The lights, the music, the people—it all seemed so surreal, like she was floating through a dream.

Nancy and Diana were in their element, immediately drawing the attention of the crowd. They danced with abandon, their bodies moving fluidly to the music. Leila watched them for a moment, feeling a pang of envy at how effortlessly they commanded the room. But then, she reminded herself that she was here with them, part of their world, at least for tonight.

As they danced, Leila tried to lose herself in the music, to forget everything that had happened earlier. The alcohol and the pill made it easier, dulling the sharp edges of her anxiety and fear. She moved to the beat, letting the music take control of her body. For the first time that night, she felt free, unburdened by the weight of expectations.

But the freedom was fleeting. Every now and then, she would catch a glimpse of Nancy watching her, a calculating look in her eyes. It was a reminder that this was all temporary, that her place in this world was precarious at best. One wrong move, one slip-up, and she would be out, discarded like yesterday's trash.

Leila pushed the thought away, focusing on the music, the lights, the feel of the crowd around her. She couldn't afford to think about that now. She had to stay in the moment, to keep up with Nancy and Diana, to prove that she belonged here.

As the night wore on, the club became more chaotic. The crowd seemed to grow larger, the music louder, the lights brighter. Leila was starting to feel the effects of the alcohol and the pill more intensely. The room spun around her, and the faces of the people blurred together. Everything felt disconnected, like she was floating above it all, watching herself from a distance.

She stumbled slightly, catching herself on the edge of the bar. Diana noticed and was by her side in an instant, concern etched on her face. "Leila, are you okay?"

Leila nodded, though she wasn't sure she believed it herself. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just… everything's a little intense."

Diana frowned, her hand on Leila's arm steadying her. "Maybe you should sit down for a bit. You don't look so good."

Leila shook her head, forcing a smile. "No, I'm fine. I just need to keep moving."

Diana didn't look convinced, but she nodded, letting Leila make her own decision. "Just let me know if you need anything, okay?"

Leila nodded again, and Diana gave her a reassuring pat on the back before turning back to the dance floor. Leila took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. The room was still spinning, but she forced herself to move, to keep up with the rhythm of the music.

But as she tried to rejoin the dance floor, she felt a wave of nausea hit her. The room tilted, and she had to grab the bar again to keep from falling. Panic started to set in as she realized she was losing control. The alcohol and the pill were too much, too strong for her to handle.

She stumbled her way through the crowd, pushing past dancing bodies, trying to find a way out. She needed air, she needed her head to stop spinning for a moment.