━━━+*:ꔫ:*+ﾟ━━━

'Cause baby, I could build a castle
Out of all the bricks they threw at me

New Romantics (Taylor Swift)

ꔫ

At first, I was confused because the moment I stepped out of the quiet room the whole atmosphere changed. Instead of the quiet room lighted only by a dim light, I was thrown into a world of chaos. This place didn't feel like Maxton Hall at all. The colorful lights had been replaced by strong flashes that could cause a headache. And the soft music was also gone. Instead of the slow and calm songs, the sounds of a new rock record screamed through the room.

A person didn't have to be a genius to figure out that the ones who caused this scene were the teenage boys standing on top of the stairs. James was inspecting the room with watchful eyes while his friends were laughing, entertained by all of this. Only one boy of the group was missing. And that boy was still in the room where I was just a moment ago.

Then I realized that there was a commotion somewhere in the front. Curiously I pushed my way through the crowd to see what was happening there. And then it finally fell upon me what the people back in the small room were there for and why they were wearing capes in the first place.

This wasn't Maxton Hall anymore. This was a strip club.

The capes were gone. There were only shirtless men and women with diamond strapless tops. Of course, pants weren't a thing either.

I was about to leave the crowd and performance behind me but before I could move farther from the scene, I felt a hand grab mine and pull me toward them. I got no chance to object because before I could even comprehend what was happening I was thrown on a chair. A naked chest showed itself into my face and I spotted a black bow around the man's neck. Then I felt the same person wrap their hands around my wrists as he brought them to his skin.

My body froze.

At first, I believed I could make it without any flashbacks but feeling the warm skin underneath my hands was too much. The last time I was made to touch a man unwillingly was when I swore to never let anyone take control over me. And the rational part of my brain was aware that I was in no real danger here, in front of everyone. But then there was the other half which was actively ignoring it.

Not fully thinking it through, I let my instincts kick in as my leg shot out and landed right between the man's legs. His reaction was immediate and he jumped away, covering the painful body part. However, I didn't give him any apology. Instead, I leaped out of my chair and let the crowd engulf me. Some of the people attempted to speak to me but I ignored them.

I needed to get out of here.

Finally when I reached the exit, I flew through the doors and found the nearest wall. I leaned my full weight against it since I felt like my legs could give out at any moment. Flashbacks I hadn't seen in a while kept rushing in. It was like I was drowning in wild waters with no way out. There was nothing to save me.

And then I threw up.

I held my hair behind my neck to keep it out of any harm. Finally, I felt a small portion of relief when I stopped puking. But the disgusting taste was still present in my mouth.

"That was quite the show indeed. Again."

I could easily guess the identity of the person behind me just from the sound of his voice.

"Leave," I said sharply to Cyril without turning to him. I didn't want anyone to see me in this state. My lips and mouth were as dry as the Sahara desert. However, I could feel the nausea slowly drifting away which was a good sign.

He chuckled, oblivious to my situation. "You really have a talent for it, Sassy Betty."

"Cyril," I uttered in one breath, wishing he'd just go away.

I leaned against the wall, thankful for the coldness it offered. I expected him to make another silly comment but it wasn't coming. He must have realized that I wasn't in the shape to exchange words this time.

"What's the matter with you?"

"And you're the one asking," I said in disbelief.

"What are you talking about? This party was so lame and when I tell you that Wren has such cool ideas sometimes–"

"Shut up, Vega!" I sent a look of daggers his way.

"What?" he yelled back.

"Are you really that egocentric not to notice that those people out there are touching the guests without their consent?" I asked, working very hard to stop my voice from cracking. I wouldn't let myself cry. Not in front of him. He'd just find a way to make fun of me. "That is not okay!"

"It's just a stupid prank, dude!"

"Grow up, Vega! This is sick! Underage students attend this school. Most people from the event committee are underage and you being stupid you pay no mind to it, do you? Do you?!"

"I didn't think anyone would overreact like this," he said, shaking his head as if I was the one who didn't make sense here.

I unstuck myself from the wall, taking very careful steps toward Cyril. When I stopped there was still a discreet distance between us. "You never know what someone is going through. But obviously you're so self-absorbed that the only one you care about is you, right? Your world consists only of money, parties and your buddies. There's no room for empathy or even a tiny bit of care. Who knows, maybe you've just sent someone spiraling down with your actions but I'm sure you don't give a fuck."

And that's when I made myself show my back to him because if I didn't, tears would reveal themselves and the last thing I wanted was to allow him to see me this weak. I had to be strong because if not then I wouldn't survive between all the lions.

I started walking away, almost tripping in my heels numerous times. In the end I decided to just take them off and carry them in my hands.

"Betty!"

I was surprised to hear Cyril's voice but he was the last person I wanted to see. I quickened my steps and finally reached the parking lot where I instantly spotted the car that was waiting there with Percy in the driver's seat.

"Betty."

I ignored Cyril's calls. Instead I focused on Percy who finally noticed me as well and he got out of the car to open the door for me. I swiftly slid inside, hiding behind the darkened windows. From my position I could clearly see Cyril approach the car as well but before he could come any closer, Percy stepped in front of him, stopping him. It looked like Cyril didn't want to risk anything because he turned away and I was finally left alone in the comfort of the car.

I didn't know how much time passed but finally James and Lydia arrived as well. However, it caught me off guard when James walked to the passenger's side where I was sitting and he opened the door. Then he threw something in my lap and I realized it was my purse. The purse I left by the wall where I threw up.

James didn't even wait for my reaction because he closed the door and went to sit in the back.

"Thank you," I said.

He shrugged. "Thank Cyril. Said he couldn't find you."

Realization hit me. So that's why he was following me. Just so that he could give me back my purse. And here I was, a sliver of me hoping that I managed to speak into his mind and possibly make him realize how wrong his actions were. But no. It was only my stupid glittering purse.

Cyril Vega would never change.

ꔫ

The welcome party ended up being a disaster. Apparently, James was witnessed as he bribed the DJ and as a punishment he got kicked out of the lacrosse team. And where was he going? To the event committee. I supposed I should be grateful that Cyril got out of this situation unpunished because if he was part of the committee as well, I didn't know how I would survive that.

But I should have expected that James wouldn't be willing to attend the committee meetings either. Even today he was late and of course he didn't bring the good mood along with him. But he did bring a good idea for the theme for the ball we were hosting and everyone agreed that his was better than Kieran's, another member of the event committee. And that's how we set the Victorian theme for the ball.

Once the meeting came to its end I hurried out of the room. My poor mood hadn't left though. It clung to me like bad luck – something I wished so desperately to get free of. I avoided any conversation and thankfully nobody seemed to want to start talking to me either. Even Paul gave me some freedom. However, that didn't mean he had stopped trying to win my forgiveness. Today, when I walked over to my seat in the Philosophy Course, there was a red rose on my side of the table. It brought back memories of how he'd send me a red rose emoji every morning. That was something I used to look forward to every night I lay down to rest. Those times had ended a long time ago though. There was no reverse button.

I exited Maxton Hall and started walking to the car which was waiting here somewhere. But before I could move any further from the school, two girls stepped in front of me.

"Beatrice," one of them greeted me with a smile that lacked honesty.

"It's Betty," I corrected her, even though I was convinced she chose that version purposely. "Can I help you?"

The second girl spoke up. "Actually, we were curious about your life before you moved in with the Beauforts."

I didn't like where this conversation was leading.

"Yeah, we've read your mom worked at a café but why was she not married? I mean, did no one want her? Or her with a kid on her neck?"

"I'm not going to talk about this with you," I said and tried to walk past them but they stood in my way, preventing me from leaving. "I suggest you step out of my way."

"What's wrong, Beatrice? Oh, sorry, Betty. Maria, don't you think it has the ring of a prostitute? I mean, no wonder when you grow up with a mother like that..."

"What did you just say?" I asked, clenching my fist.

She wasn't even faded by my words. "Don't think anyone considers you a real Beaufort here. We see how James treats you and it's not a surprise. You're just an intruder. Maria, what did you say, what school did she use to attend?"

"In a small town somewhere in the middle of nothing, if I recall correctly," her friend Maria answered. "But I've heard almost every student does drugs there. There was even a girl who got expelled because she got pregnant with her teacher."

"That's right. Fucked up place. Doesn't even reach the ankles of Maxton Hall," she agreed. "Beatrice, do you do drugs? I mean, if you were to get caught with it, I don't think your daddy would help you out. At least he'd finally have a reason to disown you."

I was fuming inside. I noticed that a small crowd had already formed around us, craving a show. They were lucky because they were about to get what they wished for.

"Shut up or you'll regret it," I warned her.

"Oh, dear, you can't hurt me," she mocked.

I glanced down at the ground and noticed a medium sized puddle that was left there by the rain. I knew very well that the vipers here enjoyed making a show. They gladly turned every word upside down. If I started yelling here at her, she'd act like the victim of the whole situation and it wouldn't be shocking if our observers even confirmed her words.

I looked down at her legs. "Your socks are so stylish." And then I brought my right foot over to the puddle and stomped really hard.

The girl in front of me squealed and she instantly jumped away but it was far too late. Her snowwhite socks weren't so flawless anymore and they were covered in dirt.

"Such a shame for them," I commented with fake empathy.

Her friend Maria was luckier than her because her clothes didn't get as dirty as hers but there was still proof of my revenge.

"You'll regret this, bitch," she seethed in anger.

"It's Betty," I reminded her. "And if I were you, I'd hide away before anyone sees your muddy look."

She pursed her lips so hard that they turned white. If she was a snake, she would be already showing me her long tongue and preparing her venomous teeth at me. But finally she gave up and she raised her head high in the clouds in hopes she still had some dignity left inside. Maria followed right behind her like a little minion.

I turned around as well, walking away.

Someone whistled. "Sassy Betty."

I stopped in my tracks. Now it was no question who was that person.

With eyes that could shoot daggers I approached Cyril who was smirking next to his friends. When I halted in front of him, his gaze landed on me playfully. He found this amusing. Well, his mood wouldn't last long.

"Do you want a dose of my anger too?" I asked him bitterly. The girl's words were still flowing in my veins like a venom, making my blood boil and Cyril happened to be the closest to me which meant he'd get the biggest portion of my outburst. "You act like you're the coolest of them all but guess what, you with your pathetic hair are just a part of the stupid ton."

His smile faltered.

"Touch some grass, will you?" I continued and this was aimed at everyone whose eyes were glued on us.

Leaving my words resonating there, I walked away and didn't even glance back to see their expressions. I didn't want to know whether Cyril was back to his old self or was still wearing the surprised look on his face from when I was standing right in front of him. It was obvious that our conversation at the welcome party didn't even fade him and it never would.

And then I felt a single warm tear roll down my cheek and I immediately brushed it away. I didn't even realize there was one waiting to appear and now I wondered whether Cyril had seen this sign of my weakness.

I prayed he didn't because if he did, then he'd see through my mask of bravery which I built with blood and sweat. I wasn't sure if he saw me puking at the welcome party but even if he didn't, he didn't need any more proof of my weakness.

And the last thing I wished for was for Cyril to find something that would make me vulnerable in front of him.

ꔫ

Hii!

In this chapter we got to see another side of Betty and a potential hint into her past... Also, do we think Betty will forgive Paul and get back together or not? Do we want her to?

If you liked this chapter, feel free to vote and comment!

I hope you have a nice day/night!

Sincerely, writingmagic 🖤