“Are you even old enough to be here?” he asks, head cocked. “You look like fuckingjailbaitin that dress.”
My whole body goes still. My grip tightens on the glass, my knuckles whitening. I tug at the hem of my dress, like it’llmagically grow two inches if I pull hard enough. My pulse thunders in my ears, a warning I can’t ignore.
Breathe. Don’t look scared. Don’t let him see your hands shake.
He steps closer, the space between us evaporating. The scent of his cologne is overpowering, mixed with sweat and something sharp that makes my stomach roll.
My mind races, trying to figure out how to escape without making it obvious I’m panicking. But I’m fucking panicking.
“Relax, little Sadie. I’m only playing around.”
The hallway spins slightly.
What…?
My feet suddenly feel unsteady. A wave of heat floods my skin, and a fog settles behind my eyes.
Shit.
I didn’t even drink anything, except that one sip. Did I?
No. I’m being stupid. I never should’ve taken it. I should’ve said no. I should’ve walked away the second I saw him—
“You okay?” His voice is closer now. Too close. “You look a little…off.”
My head lolls slightly as I blink hard, trying to stay upright.
Then his hands are on me. Shoving me back roughly. My back slams into the wall, my head cracking into the framed art behind me.
Pain blooms instantly, sharp and ringing.
No. What’s happening?
His hands inch up my dress. I try to shove him off, to scream, but everything is wrong—everything isslow.
No. No. No.
“Stop,” I say, ortryto. My voice comes out in a raw whisper.
The slap comes out of nowhere—sharp, bright, and blinding. For a second, I don’t even feel it. The sound echoes before the sting catches up. Then his hand covers my mouth, pressing hard.My eyes sting as the faint, metallic taste of blood spreads across my tongue.
He leans in slowly, his breath hot on my neck.
“Shhh. Don’t make me have to ruin this pretty little dress, too.”
A vile, sick twist ripples through my gut.
Is this really happening?
This can’t be real. This is the kind of story that happens to someone else. Someone careless. Not me. I’m careful. I’m always careful. Aren’t I?
I try to scream, but my voice is muffled beneath his rough hand. I kick. Squirm. Fight. But my body won’t move the way I need it to.I’m screaming, but no one can hear me.
Then—a burst of light floods the hallway.
“Hey!”
A voice, sharp and male, cuts through the noise.
