Kallie came to a halt. “Hold on. I’ll give you a boost.”
“Sure.” I gripped the armrests as Kallie used her telekinetic magic to levitate me and the chair up onto the platform. I was aware everyone at the bar was watching, and nobody gave me the courtesy of pulling away their stare. People at the Institute could be real dicks.
I was truly thankful that my friends were willing to help me. At the same time, it was a little embarrassing that everyone had to help me with so many things that I used to take for granted.
I rolled up to the bar, but it was taller than I was sitting down, so the bartender didn’t see me. Kallie had to order for me.
A horse-like laugh filled the room, and I wrinkled my nose as I looked around the end of the bar. Fucking Danielle. I didn’t know how she’d gotten in here, since anyone who hung out with Naya was forbidden to set foot in Ivy’s club. She must’ve snuck in here. She had a full fifth of vodka in front of her, and was drinking it straight from the bottle.
Even worse, she’d brought Esther. Of course, Esther, good girl she was, sipped at plain sparkling water.
Whatever. I just wanted a drink. But before the bartender could process our order, Danielle’s pruny eyes settled on me.
She gave a disgusted noise. “Do you and your stupid wheelchair always have to be the center of attention? Nobody wants you here.”
“It’s Ivy’s club, Danielle. If anything, you’re the one who needs to leave,” I shot back.
“You should beresting,” Danielle said in a placating voice. “Unless your condition isn’t as bad as your stupid husband says. Where is he, anyhow?”
“Cut the shit, Danielle. I’m sorry you’re jealous he’s fucking me and not you,” I said bluntly.
Danielle’s face flushed, and she took a hasty sip of vodka, but Esther added quaintly, “Canyou still do that? Be intimate with your husband, I mean.”
She did not, Oberi gasped.
I was momentarily speechless— something that had never happened before when I was in the middle of an argument.Well done, Esther, for being a shittier person than I thought.
Kallie came back holding two drinks for the both of us. She’d overheard what Esther had said and shouted, “Wow, takes talent to be that much of a dick!”
“Come now. What Danielle says has to be true. Ava must not bethatsick, if she can go to a club,” Esther said. “She can probably walk. She’s just faking it.”
Kallie turned toward us. “Ava, I’m sorry if you’re thirsty, but this has to be done.”
She stomped toward Esther and dumped both of the drinks onto her head. A margarita and virgin cocktail trickled down her blonde curls and all over her face. Esther shuddered, her lips opening to form a quivering look of rage.
Danielle stood drunkenly from her seat and went to storm toward Kallie, but Oberi placed himself in front of her. She tripped over Oberi and fell on her ass, spilling vodka all over her dress.
Esther let out a shriek that was louder than the noise in the club. We took that as our cue to leave. Kallie had to help me down the step, and Oberi let out loud barks as Kallie wheeled me away from the bar. Esther began running after us, but she stumbled into Danielle, and the two of them lost us in the crowd.
“That was fucking amazing,” I told her, giving a laugh.
“I wish we’d ordered more,” Kallie said. “Gods, what a bitch.”
“Fuck her! Let’s get out and dance again,” I suggested.
We immediately went to the middle of the crowd. The music changed, and I was about to ask Kallie if she had any more paint, before I was roughly jolted forward.
“Ow! Hey!” I exclaimed. I did my best to turn around. Someone had accidentally run into my chair.
No big deal. At least, it wouldn’t be, if the dick who’d done it didn’t look like he was set on ruining my day. Worse, it was Edwin— one of Charlie’s enemies that I couldn’t fucking stand— as well as Brianna. By the way she was hanging on him, I had to assume they were dating.
“You must be lost. The infirmary’s that way,” Edwin sneered, jerking his thumb toward the door. His girlfriend laughed.
“Excuse me?” Kallie belted, while I felt myself melt into my seat.
“You need to get off the dance floor. You’re taking up space,” Brianna whined.
“She has just as much a right to be here as you!” Kallie snapped, placing her hands on her hips.
