Catherine’s POV
By the ti my last class ended, I was sure my soul had evaporated between the boring lectures. I didn’t even have the energy to pretend to smile. My head was pounding, my feet hurt, and if I heard one more person whisper "that’s her," I might’ve actually scread.
When the dismissal bell rang, it felt like being released from prison. I shoved my books into my bag, said bye to Tessa, and practically sprinted for the exit, until I noticed Julian’s car parked by the gate.
Gabriel was leaning against it, texting, and as for Julian, he was nowhere in sight.
"Hey!" I called, jogging toward him. "Please tell I am getting a ride back ho."
He looked up, instantly sympathetic. "Julian already left with one of his friends to get sothing. He didn’t say anything about letting you in."
I exhaled through my nose. "Of course he didn’t."
"But not to worry, I can try calling him?"
"Don’t bother," I said, cutting him off. "He’ll act like I begged him."
Gabriel sighed. "I’m the one who is doing the begging here."
"Don’t act like you don’t know your brother."
Right then, Tessy ca jogging up behind , waving. "Hey! Still here?"
I turned, relief washing over . "Yeah, I’m trying to figure out how I’m supposed to get ho."
That’s when it hit that she had transport. "Tessy," I said quickly, "please tell you’re heading ho. Can I get a ride with you?"
She grinned, pulling her keys from her pocket and jingling them right in front of my face. "Sure, baby girl," she said, popping the "r" with playful ease.
I exhaled in relief. "Thank goodness."
Gabriel chuckled under his breath. "Guess you’re safe now. I’ll et you at ho, yeah?"
"Yeah," I said, smiling a little as he turned to leave.
Tessy gestured for to follow, and I trailed after her across the parking lot, expecting her to stop beside a car but she didn’t.
She stopped beside a sleek black power-bike, completely not what I’d pictured.
My eyes widened. "Wait... this is your ride?"
Tessy glanced back at with a smirk, tossing a spare helt. "You were expecting a limo or sothing?"
I blinked, still stunned. "No, just... wow. This is actually kind of cool."
She laughed and slid into the seat. "I only drive cool."
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help grinning as I slipped on the helt. "You’re insane."
"Maybe but you’ll love it," she said, revving the engine. "Hop on, princess."
All through the ride, I gasped partly in fear and partly in thrill. I held onto Tessy’s jacket tighter, the world spinning in color and sound.
When we finally stopped, I pulled off my helt, my hair was flying everywhere, and Tessy laughed at the sight of .
"See?" she said. "Told you you’d love it."
"I certainly did. Thank you, Teasy."
She patted my shoulder. "No need to thank , it’s sisterhood."
I watched her drive off. By the ti I got into the house, I was tired enough to sleep in my clothes. I dropped my bag in the hallway, kicked off my sneakers, and dragged myself upstairs.
Mom’s voice floated from the kitchen. "Baby, you are back? How was school?"
"Bad," I muttered, too drained to sugarcoat it.
She peeked out, concern written all over her face. "What happened?"
I replied flatly. "I’m not in the mood to talk about it, Mom."
Lisa looked like she wanted to push, but she nodded instead. "Alright, sweetheart. I’ll save so dinner for you."
"Thanks." I trudged upstairs and collapsed face-first on my bed.
-
I must’ve dozed off because when I woke up, it was dark outside. My stomach growled, so I dragged myself downstairs, yawning, half-dead.
That’s when I heard the voices of Mom and Gabriel talking in the living room.
I paused near the doorway, invisible for a few seconds, catching bits of their conversation.
"...she really should go," Mom was saying. "It’ll help her make friends."
"I don’t think she would want to but you could ask her."
"It’s just the welco gala. It’s school stuff and it is for everyone."
I coughed and both their heads turned.
Lisa smiled imdiately. "Hey, honey! We were just talking about you."
"Uh-oh. That never sounds good." I walked closer, rubbing my eyes. "What’s going on?"
Gabriel straightened up from the couch. "The Welco Gala tonight at the university. I’m going with my friends. Thought maybe you’d wanna co too?"
"No," I said instantly.
Mom frowned. "Oh, co on, Catherine. It might be good for you. You can et new people."
"Mom, I already t people today," I said dryly. "And almost all of them were annoying."
Gabriel chuckled. "Okay, fair but it’s just one evening. No classes, free food, music. Plus, it’s kind of a big deal. Everyone shows up."
I groaned. "I don’t care. Besides, I don’t think I’ll be missing out on anything if I don’t attend."
"Catherine, you should do this. It’s a one-ti experience," Mom teased.
She was right, unfortunately.
"Fine," I muttered. "I’ll go but I don’t have a dress or a ride."
Gabriel smiled. "I got you covered. My friends and I are heading there soon, you can co with us."
"And I’ll help you sort a dress. By the way, where’s Julian?" Mom asked.
"He’s at his friend’s place. Said he won’t be coming ho tonight."
"Of course," I muttered. "Lucky ."
Mom grinned and stood up, clearly pleased with herself. "Let’s go get ready. Sothing simple but classy."
I grabbed so doughnuts and we headed upstairs.
I wasn’t sure how long I spent in front of the mirror, but when I finally stepped out, I actually didn’t look bad.
My dress was light blue, soft, and just elegant enough to pass the "Vaughn family" vibe Mom wanted. My hair was in loose waves, and I went with nude heels that I prayed wouldn’t kill .
Gabriel whistled when I ca downstairs. "Wow. You looked so breathtaking."
I almost wanted to coil. "Stop, don’t complint , it makes shy."
He laughed. "Alright, Catherine. Let’s roll."
-
The gala was insane.
There was champagne everywhere, and people dressed like they were attending a royal wedding, not a university party.
I stayed close to Gabriel, who kept introducing to people I didn’t care to rember. He finally disappeared after he was done with his introductions, leaving by the refreshnt table.
"Wow, didn’t think you’d show up."
I turned and of course, there was Sasha.
"Hi."
Before Sasha could respond, a group of students called her na. She smiled sweetly and waved but not before brushing past just a little too closely.
That was when I felt a soft tug and a rip.
I gasped, spinning around. The back seam of my gown had torn open slightly.
Sasha feigned shock, placing her hand over her mouth. "Oh my, I’m so sorry! I didn’t think your dress material would be that easy to rip. This is why I hate cheap things."
Her minions began to laugh and soon other bullies joined in. My face went hot with humiliation.
Gabriel rushed to instantly, his voice calm but firm. "Sasha?"
She blinked at him innocently. "What? It was an accident."
"Stop lying, you did this intentionally," My voice was now weak, as tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill.
Her lips twitched, satisfied. "Why are you blaming ? Maybe next ti you’ll wear sothing that matches your status."
"Picking on a freshman now, huh? How low can you go, Sasha?"
Julian’s voice ca from behind and I froze. He was here.
He moved forward. He was in a dark suit, giving the whole bad-boy-ets-royalty vibe.
"Julian? Don’t be unfair," Sasha cried. "This wasn’t intentional."
Almost everyone was looking at us now.
"Save the lies for who cares to listen," he replied and turned to , he slipped off his suit jacket and placed it around my shoulders.
Wait, was this real? Julian, fighting for and giving his jacket in front of everyone.
"Julian?" Sasha purred behind us, but he ignored her, took my hand, and led out.
Once we were outside, he threw my hand off.
"Thank you," I muttered, with my head lowered to the ground, clutching the jacket tighter.
"Return it washed," he said lazily, not even glancing back. "I don’t want your cheap scent on it."
The words hit harder than the cold air outside. For a second, I had almost thought he was being sweet, stupid !
My head snapped toward him, ready to fire back, but he was already walking away.
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