Groaning, I scratched my head, coughing slightly at how dry my mouth was.

I opened my eyes, squinting at the bright light filtering through my room.

What happened?

The last thing I remember was Brandon inviting me and Brenda to his vip section, drinking, taking weed for the first time, and then kissing Brandon.

My eyes widened at that, why...., I groaned loudly, hiding my face under my pillows.

How could I have been so stupid....

O. M. G, how will I face Brandon now?

I need to apologize to him immediately. God knows the last thing I need is this horrible mistake blowing up.

The shrill tone from my alarm alerted me to the fact that I was also late for classes.

Grudgingly, I stood up, wincing at the pain slamming inside my head.

I didn't know how I got back to my room, but I knew I should probably thank Brenda for it.

O God.... Brenda!, I am sure after this, she probably wouldn't want me following her to any party again.

I stood up, taking an advil, for my headache, before going about my business.

I would honestly have loved to just jump back to bed, sleeping away my headache, but this was my second day, and I didn't want to start college by skipping.

The house was quiet, alerting me to how really late I was.

Quickly, I dressed up, before hurrying towards campus.

I was late for my first class anyways, so instead, I turned, walking towards where my second class for the day was being held.

I sighed as I got to the class, breathing out in exhaustion.

Only one person was in the class, brown short hair bent over the desk as whoever slept on, oblivious to the world.

I passed by, making sure to be quiet, before sitting at the far back.

I brought out everything I needed, sighing softly.

I had forgotten to charge my phone yesterday, and had equally forgotten to bring my powerbank to class, so right now my phone was dead, and I could do nothing but antagonize myself about my actions last night.

Soon enough, the class was filled up, and the lecture was ongoing.

The lecturer was a younger lady, and honestly I felt her.

I knew how it was when a young teacher came to my high school, I can only imagine how tedious it would be in college.

Soon enough, it was time for lunch break, and I packed my bag, making sure I avoided Kelvin.

I didn't know he was in this class, and the sight of his wide mischievous grin was making me uncomfortable.

I walked faster, hunger controlling my legs.

"Christy!! hey... wait up!"

I turned, the sight of a struggling Brenda pushing past different students trying to reach me, almost hilarious.

Finally, she stopped in front of me, panting slightly as she adjusted her bag over her shoulder.

"Hello... are you ok?" I asked her.

"Yes, just give me a minute."

She handed me the book in her hands, before typing on her phone.

"What happened to your phone? I have been trying to contact you since."

"Oh sorry," I mutter, "forgot to charge it."

"Look Christy, what I am about to show you isn't your fault, just dumb teenagers acting like kids."

I frowned, my heart rate increasing as I thought of every of my actions since coming to New York.

"What is it?" I whisper, moving closer to Brenda, trying to peep at her phone.

"Oh.... If it isn't that fat girl from last night," a group of girls utters, giggling as they pass by.

I blushed in embarrassment, shuffling awkwardly as more people turned their attention towards me.

Brenda grabbed my hands, dragging me out of there as jestering whispers followed me.

She took me towards an abandoned class, dragging me inside, before locking the door.

"What is going on?" I asked in panic, clutching the book in my hands.

"Yesterday, I had to call Kelvin of all people to come help me bring you home. But that's not even the issue."

"Then what is?" I asked, cutting her off, my mind briefly wandering to the thought of Kelvin carrying my drunk ass.

Brenda sighed, stretching out her phone towards me.

I collected the phone, playing the video on the screen.

My face was clear in the video, along with Brandon.

Oh no, I mutter, watching myself as I lean closer to Brandon, dragging from the blunt he had offered to me. I closed my eyes, slightly biting my lips.

I already knew what happened next, yet I forced myself to watch as I leaned in, kissing Brandon.

I thought I had simply pecked him, but no, the kiss was longer than I thought.

The video ends with Brandon pushing me off him, the disgust clearly written all over his face.

O God, I mutter, blinking rapidly as hot tears pour down my face.

"What am I going to do now?" I asked Brenda, pacing up and down.

"Look calm down," she says, resting her hands on my shoulders.

"We just need to find Brandon, apologize to him. I am sure he can clearly see how high you were, otherwise this won't have happened right?"

"Of course," I bellowed, "I don't want to kiss him, that's not who I am. I just..."

"Hey! Hey it's ok," Brenda consoled me, standing awkwardly while I cried my eyes out.

It wasn't even up to a week, and I was already trending on the school gossip site.

This was why I tended to avoid parties.

"Do you know where I can find Brandon?" I asked.

"Are you sure you want to see him now or just wait to let everything calm down for some time?"

"I need to see him now and apologize, then beg him to at least talk to whoever uploaded this video."

"Ok then, let's go," Brenda says.

"Thank you Brenda," I told her, hugging her briefly.

"It's fine, now clean your tears girl. It's not the end of the world yet," she added, chuckling loudly.

I cleaned my tears, branching into the girl's toilet to freshen up my face, ignoring stupid questions from random girls while Brenda snapped at them, threatening to punch anyone asking questions.

Brandon was sitting with his friends, the blonde girl from yesterday on his lap, while I breathed out, clenching my hands tightly.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Brenda asked, glancing around the makeshift cafeteria.

"Well it's now or never I told her," before marching towards where Brandon and his friends were seated.

Immediately I got to where they were sitting, loud jestering laughter rang out, almost shrinking whatever remaining confidence I had.

"Hello, Brandon, can we talk?" I asked, turning towards him.

He ignored me, while the blondie from yesterday threw me a wicked smirk.

I sighed out, "look yesterday I was high, and honestly didn't mean to kiss you. Believe me, I will never kiss someone like you in my right senses."

Honestly I didn't intend for my words to come out like that, but the sudden quietness told me I had bitten more than I can chew.

Next thing I knew, I was flying to the floor, hot pain flowing through my head as Brandon stood over me, his hands raised as if to hit me again.

I sat there in shock, while Brenda gasped loudly behind me.

Brandon leaned down, his cold green eyes boring into mine as he held my cheeks tightly.

"This is your second strike against me," he gritted out.

"Use your last one wisely, otherwise this school would be hell for you."

He removed his hands from my cheek filled with tears by now, staring at me for a while.

Before standing up, his hands in his pockets as he walked out of the cafeteria, his friends, laughing loudly as they followed him out.

Cheers……, Brenda drunkenly slurred, while I mumbled cheers back, downing my fourth or was it fifth glass of tequila.

For someone who didn’t drink, alcohol was slowly becoming my go to solution for everything.

It was obvious now, why my mother had them in ample supply.

It’s been two weeks since the most embarrassing day of my life, and I have made it my mission to avoid Brandon and his so-called friends.

They were assholes, and I pray I never have any more encounters with them till I leave this school.

“Ohhh… stop thinking,” Brenda slurs, running her sweaty hands over my face.

“I am not,” I grumble out, removing my face from her hands.

“Hello.., beautiful ladies” a thick voice interrupted us.

“Hello….” me and Brenda, greeted back at the two muscular boys behind us.

“Can we join you pretty?” the blonde one asked, eyeing Brenda up and down.

“Sure,” Brenda says giggling, before winking at me.

The both boys brought their chairs closer, before introducing themselves as Ethan and Cole.

It was obvious Ethan was interested in Brenda, the guy couldn’t keep his eyes off her and well Brenda was milking it.

I watched as she laughed at something Ethan had whispered to her, before taking his hands as the both walked off to the dance floor.

I ordered for another tequila, downing it immediately.

Shit, I mumbled, blinking my eyes rapidly as the alcohol flowed fast through my body.

I laughed at nothing in particular, briefly glancing at Cole from my side eye.

It’s not as if I expected the guy to want me or anything of that sort, but would it actually kill him to say something to me.

Instead he was focused on his phone, occasionally glancing at the dance floor where his friend and Brenda were dancing their hearts out.

I cleared my throat, gripping the edge of my seat.

I was way way drunk, and the lights were brighter.

“Are you ok?” Cole asked, his hot breath warming my face.

I giggled, nodding my head.

“So what is your major?” he asked.

“Business,” I told him, “and you?” I asked, leaning even closer so I could hear him over the loud music playing.

“Computer science,” he told me, before downing a glass of tequila.

I nodded my head, while we both sat there awkwardly, not knowing what else to say.

“Excuse me,” I told him, as I stood up, almost tripping.

He held my hand, while I smiled thankfully at him.

“Are you sure you can walk to the restroom on your own?" Cole asked, staring at me as if I would fall at any moment.

Honestly, I didn’t know. My legs were like jelly to me, but I didn't want to embarrass myself.

“Yes, thank you,” I told him, before walking off.

Please, please, I mutter quietly, concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other.

Finally I made it to the restroom, splashing water on my face not even caring about my makeup.

I did my business, splashing more water on my face, before leaving the restroom.

I needed to sleep, and the once amazing music was now an annoyance, increasing my headache.

Before I could step even further, a tall tattooed covered man stepped in front of me.

“Hello!! pretty…” he slurred, his breath stinking from the alcohol he must have consumed.

I backed against the wall as the man moved even closer.

“What’s your name huh?” he asked, a creepy grin on his face.

“Christy,” I murmured, glancing around.

“You want to have fun with me tonight?” he asked, running his hands over my face.

I slapped his hand away, pushing him slightly to create enough space between us.

“No thank you,” I told him firmly, before turning to leave.

The man dragged me back, his hands gripping my forearm tightly as I struggled against him.

“Let me go you scumbag,” I screamed, struggling hard why others minded their business, oblivious or choosing to ignore what was going on.

“Shut up,” he gritted out, dragging me to a darker corner of the lounge we were in.

I was hyperventilating now, my situation becoming clearer to me.

“Please stop,” I pleaded, struggling against the man as he pushed me into the wall, his hands gripping my waist.

He leaned on me, kissing my mouth aggressively. While I struggled even further, tears of frustration poured down my face.

His sweaty hands were running over my exposed legs, while he used his body to fully press me against the wall.

His dirty stinky breath fully in my nose as he tried to force my mouth open.

Before his hands could go any higher, his body was yanked off me.

I screamed, as I watched as another man kept punching him without relenting.

Whoever it was stopped punching the now unconscious man, taking my hands as he dragged me out of the lounge.

As if my body suddenly remembered to react, I started struggling, screaming for help.

“Shut your goddamm mouth before I shut it for you.”

That voice….., I squinted my eyes as we walked into somewhere brighter, the angry face of Brandon staring back at me.

Why…., why did it have to be him to see me in that kind of situation.

“Thank yo…,” before I could get my words out, Brandon exploded.

“Is this what you do?” He exclaimed, his green eyes staring at me with disgust.

“I get that with your kind of body it might be hard to get someone interested in you, but seriously…. Do you go about throwing yourself at any available man?”

I slapped him before I could even stop myself, tears silently streaming down my face.

We were the only ones at what seems to be the back of the lounge or something, crates of empty bottles scattered about.

He snapped his head toward me, his jaws clenching tight as he stared at me with anger.

Fuck.., I shouldn’t have done that. I’m

Brandon pushed me against the wall, his hands squeezing my neck lightly.

“Is this the thanks I get for saving you?" he gritted out.

“I didn’t ask you to save me,” I also gritted out.

We stared at ourselves, my mind briefly wandering to how close we really were.

I could see how green his eyes really were, and the hardness of his body against mine.

His hands slowly left my neck, moving slowly toward my face.

Slowly he wiped away my tears, while my breath quickened.

I hated how my body always responded to him.

I mean after what just happened, and how he just treated me, I shouldn’t be noticing how green his eyes were, or his hard body against mine, or even the way his hands still lingered on my face, his eyes briefly flickering to my lips.

I licked my lips, clenching my hands tightly.

Brandon…, Brandon.., were are you….., fuck I thought I saw him come towards this direction someone says loudly, breaking whatever spell was between us.

He shifted away from me immediately, his hands in his pockets as he called back to his friends.

“O my God are you ok?” the voice of Brenda called, as she and three other of Brandon's friends walked towards where we were.

Brenda glanced from me to Brandon, stretching out her hands for me to take.

I took her hands, clinging to her side as we walked out of there.

“Next time fatty, don’t throw yourself at a man,” Brandon says coldly behind me.

I paused, breathing out sharply, before walking away, refusing the urge to look back.

I was done drinking, I promised myself, but most importantly.

I needed to avoid Brandon at all costs.

"Hurry up I am going to be late for classes," I shouted, banging on the door.

"I am almost done," Bryan shouted back.

Sighing, I walked towards the living room, plowing down on the cushion.

"Good morning," Brenda greeted from the kitchen, where she currently was with Kelvin.

"Morning," I greeted back.

Ah yes, it seems they were back together for now, who knows what would happen in the next seconds.

I didn't understand their relationship, and was even more confused when Brenda tried to explain to me the dynamics of their relationship.

Kelvin cleared his throat awkwardly, avoiding my eyes as he walked towards his room.

I didn't know if this sudden awkwardness between me and Kelvin was a good thing or not.

Last week, we had been arguing about something as usual and Kelvin had pushed me against the wall, his large body towering over me.

I don't know what happened, but next thing I was hysterical, crying and stuff like that.

It was as if I was back at the lounge, that drunk man taking advantage of me.

I guess I wasn't as unaffected as I had led myself to believe.

Bryan and Brenda had rushed in, trying to calm me down while Kelvin had stood there wide eyed and confused.

I had been so embarrassed to see everyone the next day, and till now haven't told Brenda what happened.

In some ways, maybe Brandon was right.

If only I hadn't stopped when that man stopped me, or even responded when he asked for my name, maybe I wouldn't have been sexually assaulted.

"Are you ok?" Brenda asked, snapping me from Whatever daze I had been in.

"Yes, just tired. Classes have been really overwhelming lately."

"I understand girl, that's exactly why I am skipping today."

I snapped my head towards Brenda.

"Really Brenda, you can't keep skipping classes every time. This is your fourth time this week."

She shrugged her shoulders, chewing the fries on her plate, before swiping through the TV channels.

"Hey yo, am done," Bryan called.

Sighing, I stood up, briefly contemplating just skipping like Brenda.

Heaven knows I need the rest more.

Well I had promised myself not to slack off on my studies or attending lectures.

College was really different, no one to disturb you if you didn't want to attend lectures, or do anything productive.

So it was up to you, to discipline yourself.

With that in mind, I went to the bathroom, took my bath, the dilemma of what to wear another obstacle.

I eventually decided on some creme colored cargo trousers and a white tee, something simple but still cute. I paired it with an oversized cardigan in case it got windy.

I packed my bag with my essentials, checked the time, before walking out of my room. Brenda was still lounging lazily on the couch, typing on her phone.

"Hey um see you later," I told her.

"Yea later babe," she responded, not even glancing up from her phone.

I just shaked my head, walking out of the house.

The air was a bit chilly, and for that I was glad i brought my cardigan. I knew later in the day, it might get more chilly.

I put my AirPods in, the extraordinarily voice of Sza blasting through my eardrums. I went into the nearest shop, grabbing some granola bar, juice, gum. Before walking to campus.

The class was almost filled up when I got there.

Quickly, I signed the attendance sheet, our lecturer made it mandatory, claiming that we get higher scores from attending his class than passing his test.

After that, I took my seat at the back, bringing out my books for this class.

I took off my AirPods, tucking it into my bag along with my phone, before going through what I had jotted down the last class.

From the little gossip I had heard around, Mr killian, our lecturer for business 101 liked springing up surprise test.

So I wanted to be thoroughly prepared incase something of that sort happens.

Loud commotion made me glance up from my book.

Brandon and one other of his friends I think Max or something was walking towards the back seat.

Shitttt, I mutter, bending my head over my desk.

I didn't know he took this class, the last time i didn't see him, but then again, someone like Brandon was sure to be skipping his classes.

I am sure the only reason the class was filled up today, was because of the new mandatory sign in Mr Killian had imposed.

Why...., why couldn't I successfully avoid Brandon.

The school was big enough, yet fate always found a way to torment me.

I raised my head up, resisting the urge to glance back.

All I needed to do was keep my head down, make myself as invisible as possible and then run out immediately class was over.

Mr killian glanced at the attendant sheet, before glancing at everyone.

"We will be starting the first project for this year, I want everyone in a group of five now."

Immediately, everyone started moving about, choosing their partners while I sat there utterly confused.

Before I could stand up, Brandon and his sidekick was already in front of me, a nasty smirk on his face.

I whimpered, biting my lips as I avoided his gaze.

He sat down at the chair close to me, and before you know it, almost every girl and boy was clamoring to join our group.

"We are already three, and just need two more people. It's up to our group leader to choose, not me." Brandon says, pointing at me.

Every head snapped towards me, while I sat there embarrassed.

I didn't even agree to be in his group, now he was leaving me to choose.

Um... I cleared my throat, glancing at each hopeful face.  

I chose a small petite girl, before choosing a boy standing at the far back.

After we were complete, others let out disappointing groans, some even glaring at me, before choosing other partners.

"If everyone is complete now," Mr Killian called out, "then the group leaders should come forward."

I stood up, my eyes briefly meeting that of Brandon, before walking forward.

Mr Killian took down our names, before handing us a file.

I went back to my seat, dropping the file on the table.

"Inside that file contains instructions for this project. Each group will come up with a business idea. You have three weeks to finish the project, and only three winners."

After giving us instructions, Mr killian left the class.

"Hello my name is Camille," the small petite girl introduced herself.

"My name is Jason," the other boy says, his deep voice ringing out.

I blushed at his intense stare, before introducing myself.

"Well I believe everyone here knows who we are," Brandon spoke out.

"Yes," Camille sighed out dreamily.

While i simply rolled my eyes, before opening up the file.

Nothing much was written on it, just simple instructions to follow.

I showed it to everyone, before turning towards Jason.

"So, um.. do you have any business ideas in mind"

Jason scratches his head. "Um, how about conventional buses for the physically impaired."

"Oh," I mutter dumbly. "Um how will that work, and how do you make it a business?"

"Well, it is just like normal buses where you have to swipe with your card to pay, but this is more modified for the physically impaired, conveying them to school and back."

I stared at Jason with admiration.

"Wow, that's really thoughtful." I murmured out.

"That's bullshit!!," Brandon exclaimed with a loud annoying laugh.

"How do you think that would be profitable? And really, how do you expect such buses to work huh. Let's not forget, Mr Killian told us there will only be three winners, so we need to come up with something better than this."

"Well, Mr I know it all, please enlighten us with your better idea," I say in annoyance.

"I will, just not today. We have three weeks, I am not in a rush."

I sighed, gathering all my books.

That was until one of my books was snatched out of my hand.

It was a novel I was currently reading, yes, reading was one of my hobbies.

I smiled at Brandon not wanting to show how upset and annoyed I was, Why couldn't he just leave me alone?

"Can I have my book back please?" I asked politely.

"You read some weird shit," Brandon says, squinting at the novel in his hands. "What the fuck is wrong with you Christy?"

My heart sank at his harsh tone. "Nothing is wrong with me, give me my book," I spat out harshly.

My voice faltered, and I felt like crying because everyone was looking at me now, some even laughing.

I hated it. It was like the only time I got attention was when Brandon was teasing me.

"You are so week," Brandon says maliciously, before throwing the book at me.

He scoffed, shaking his head.

While I grabbed my bag and my book, before running out of the lecture class,

Their cruel laughter echoing behind me.