Elizabeth

It had been two weeks and I had not found her. It was pissing me off more than I anticipated and I was in such a dark, foul mood that Joanne Liu and Stephanie Chan, two of my closest friends, were walking on eggshells around me.

"I don't know why you're still mad about it. So what if someone stole your glasses? Not like you don't have replacements that your dad sends over to you," Stephanie complained as she flipped through her textbook.

We were currently in the library study lounges and her remark was not making my mood any better. I shot her a look but she had her head bowed down, pretending to be absorbed with the textbook. Joanne glanced at me warily, seeing my frown deepen.

She nudged Stephanie below the table and Stephanie straightened up with a squeak, rubbing her ticklish side as she peered at me closely. She patted her highlighted hair nervously, trying to laugh it off.

"Seriously, Liz, just chill. I'm sorry about what happened, but it's really nothing. Don't let that person get to you," Stephanie tried to reason with me, her voice trailing off as I glared at her.

"I'm not mad," I lied through my teeth. "I just want my glasses back."

My friends nodded at me slowly, disbelief clear in their faces. "I guess we should go back to studying," Joanne suggested lightly, trying to relieve the tension in the table.

I didn't speak to either of them for the next hour, only speaking to answer their questions related to their assignments and slowly, I began to relax, growing more focused on my studies. The hours passed until we decided to take a quick coffee break. I voted to stay to reserve the seats and they both headed back into the cold, returning shortly with a tray of hot coffee.

"Liz, would you be interested in coming with us?" Stephanie asked suddenly as she paused mid-conversation with Joanne. I had tuned them out while they chatter away , my eyes focused on the screen so diligently that I had missed all of their conversation.

I glanced up, pushing my glasses up my nose. "What?"

"Oh, we want to check this new nightclub scene. It's not too far from campus," Joanne explained eagerly, exchanging glances with Stephanie.

"Nightclub? That's not my scene," I remarked, furrowing my brows at them.

Joanne had a similar personality as me and I had known her as a freshman in high school. She was painfully shy at first and more introverted, and I grew fond of her. At least, when she speaks, I don't find myself getting irritated. Stephanie, on the other hand, was a recent addition to our duo about four years back and she was the complete opposite. For one, she was very outgoing and thoroughly spoiled by her rich, millionaire parents and although she tried her hardest to hide it from me, she was the type to party and drink all night. I was able to tolerate her only because she was academically intelligent and could hold a steady, intellectual conversation and we had certain things in common, but she still irritated me at times.

"Joanne? I didn't know you were into clubs," I turned my attention to her, raising a brow.

Her pale skin went pink and she shrugged helplessly. "It's not...but I always want to experience new things. You should come with us, the more the better." she admitted, avoiding my stare studiously.

"C'mon, Liz, stop being a party-pooper. One night of fun, just us three. I promise I won't get too drunk," Stephanie added, a pleading expression on her face. She grabbed my hand quickly and gave me her best puppy eyes.

"I don't know," I muttered hesitantly, pulling my hand away. "What about our normal study schedule?"

"Just one night, Liz. I promise. The moment you want to leave, we will all go. I will order an Uber the second you say we have to go. I promise I will get you back into the dorm before you know, so please, please, pretty please..." Stephanie began to beg me, rather dramatically, grabbing my hand with a desperate expression.

I tugged my hand again, frowning at her antics. "Jeez, Steph, calm down. Okay, fine, but don't make me regret it," I warned her sternly.

She basically bowed her head at me, her hands clasping into a prayer. "Thank you," she whispered, beaming joyfully at me. "Thank you, thank you, thank you–"

"When?" I interrupted her, trying to hide my amusement. She was really acting like a whining puppy and although sometimes she got on my nerves, it was also an interesting sight to see.

"Next weekend, and I already checked all your classes. No exams coming on Monday. We can go on Saturday."

"What time?"

Stephanie hesitated for a moment, looking at Joanne for support. Joanne nodded, offering me an appeasing smile.

"At eleven," she said apologetically, looking crestfallen as I shook my head swiftly.

"No."

"Liz, the club doesn't open until then," Stephanie chimed, her happy smile disappearing as I shot her a look.

"No."

"Please, Liz! Just once. One hour, only one hour," she swore, clenching her hands tightly in a gesture that seemed to implore me.

"I sleep at ten, you guys know this," I began harshly but Stephanie cut me off.

"Liz, I am this close," she announced, pinching her thumb and pointer finger together, her black eyes blazing passionately. "I am this close to crawling on my knees and begging you," she threatened loudly, causing the other students to glance over in curiosity.

I leaned back on my chair, confident that she wouldn't dare make a scene. I took a sip of my lukewarm coffee, and stared across the table at her. Her head tilted when I refused to concede.

"Fine, you don't believe me?" She challenged, pushing herself off the chair. Before she could drop down on her knees, I stopped her, raising a hand in a show of surrender.

"Fine, just this once. But, if you try to pull this same shit with me, I will mess you up," I hissed, watching as she sat back down with a serene smile. She blinked at me innocently, her mascara-heavy lashes fluttering at me.

"I wouldn't dream of it," she purred at me and I rolled my eyes, sighing in exasperation. "I am sorry to say this, but I am more scared of you than my parents."

I rolled my eyes harder this time at her and Joanne stifled her giggle at our interaction. I shot her an annoyed glance but she simply shrugged, her shy grin flashing at me.

I had no choice. They ganged up on me and peer-pressured me so effectively that even my word was not enough to turn them down. To make matters worse, I had never drank, smoked or entered any club scene and I hated the idea of it with all my whole heart. Just the thought of hearing the ear splitting bad music and facing a crowd of sweaty, nasty bodies made me shudder in horror. Why did I agree to this?

Joanne and Stephanie continued to chatter amongst themselves excitedly, talking about what they would wear, what they would make me wear and all of the other things I lacked an interest in. Per usual, it was easy to tune them out as I refocused on finishing up the homework. Just when I began to sink into my own world, I felt a tingling sensation down my nape and I looked up sharply, feeling weirdly alert.

I scanned the library with sharp eyes but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. So, what is this strange feeling I'm having right now? It was hard to explain it, but my skin hummed in awareness and suddenly, I was feeling apprehensive. Something was wrong and my friends seemed to notice a change within me.

"Liz, are you okay?" Joanne asked, seeing my face turn pale. Stephanie paused to stare at me questioningly.

"I'm f-fine," I stuttered uneasily, my eyes darting around the library again.

"Liz, you look like you're going to be sick, are you–" Stephanie began but suddenly went silent as her eyes focused on something behind me. Joanne's expression mirrored hers and quickly, I turned around in my seat, trying to locate exactly what made them look so wary.

Leo.

She was standing behind me, so close that I caught a whiff of the disgusting scent of her cigarettes. I flinched as her savage smirk spread across her elfish face. Joanne and Stephanie remained silent, watching with widening eyes as I started to glare at her.

"Where are they?" I demanded harshly, feeling my fists curl in my lap. The rush of anger flooded through my body and I was practically trembling with renewed rage. Her frigid eyes swept over my tight expression and there was a hint of satisfaction in her gaze.

She didn't answer me, straightening up completely until she loomed over me. She smiled at my suddenly mute friends and started to walk away, ignoring my question completely. I gaped after her retreating back in shock, unable to move from my seat. The anger that overtook me was surprising and I've never felt such red-hot emotions before, capable of removing every logical thought in my brain. Just then, before she exited the library, she turned slightly with that annoying smile and beckoned at me tauntingly with a flick of her finger.

She opened and closed her mouth and even from the growing distance, I could see that she was mouthing,

"Come for me, bitch."

🍓🍓🍓

I left in a hurry, not even bothering to gather my stuff from the table. Stephanie and Joanne gawked after me, their protesting warnings falling on deaf ears.

"Sorry, guys. I'll be back," I muttered under my breath, leaving the library promptly.

I could feel blood roaring through my ears as I stomped down the hallway, easily finding her retreating back as she just turned the corner. She was making me chase her. I hated the immaturity of it all, and it was clear that she held some type of grudge against me.

Technically speaking, it was all her fault. If she hadn't been smoking illegally and disregarding other pedestrians, I would have never even spoken to her and minded my business instead. There would have been no conflict but I realized that she was not the type to take kindly to people telling her what to do.

I turned around the corner, and paused, unable to find her. She was gone—like smoke in the air. Then, at the furthest end of the hallway, where the restrooms were, a door slammed shut. Determined, I marched as quickly as I could, thinking about all the things I would say to her to tell her off.

I entered the blue-tiled restroom in a huff, and faced her. She was already waiting for me, leaning casually against the wall, towards the last stall. A cigarette was already perched on her pierced lips and she gazed at me coolly. It was still unlit and I had a feeling she had done it on purpose. She really wanted to make me angry, but I composed myself, folding my arms over my chest.

"Can I have my glasses back?" I asked calmly, trying to hide the animosity in my steady voice.

She pulled a lighter from her back pocket and pressed her thumb on the igniter, flicking it until the small ball of flame appeared. She repeated the motion, staring at me wordlessly.

"Can you?" She drawled, a dangerous smile on her face. The flame appeared and disappeared, and it was obvious that she was trying to intimidate me. "What happened to saying please?"

My molars grounded together in response and I offered her a tight smile. "Can I please have my glasses? I would greatly appreciate it," I stated as politely as I could. It took everything in me to not recoil as she barked out a husky laugh.

"Much better, Karen," she chortled, her eyes squinting in amusement. "And what if I say no?"

The disbelief on my face was evident, much to her delight. Her grin widened in response, as she pushed her back off the wall, approaching me slowly. I stood my ground as she towered above me, a good few inches taller than me. Her inky hair swished over a pierced eyebrow as she reached into her pocket, pulling out my glasses and dangling it before me.

"Please, may I have my glasses back?" I repeated myself, the edge in my voice sharpening.

"It doesn't sound sincere enough," she mused thoughtfully, pulling the glasses further away from my reach.

"Just give me the glasses!" I finally snapped, stepping forward to snatch the glasses from her grimy hands. Before I could grab them, she shoved me with one hand, pushing her palm firmly on my shoulder, making me stumble slightly. Her wicked laugh echoed in the bathroom and her face twisted into a sickening expression.

She was having fun–she was having fun toying with me and my pride. I didn't know it was possible to hate a random person more than now, but the emotions spilling out of me was uncontrollable. I glared at her heinously, reaching over again to grab the glasses from her grasp.

She shoved me again, harder this time but I was prepared for it. I steeled myself and shoved her back, much to her amusement.

"Do it again," she snickered, her lighter flicking towards my direction. I jumped back in alarm as she waved the flame in my face, close enough that I could feel the heat on my face. "Are you scared?"

Her taunting voice grew louder and I trembled in barely contained fury. "Just give me my glasses back," I whispered, unable to hide the tremble in my voice.

"Or what?"

"I'll pay you," I offered suddenly, noticing her dirty sneakers. "Give them to me and I'll pay you whatever you want."

Her expression went taut with irritation, her tawny eyes narrowing at me. She didn't like that I was refusing to play her childish game and it was evident in her scowl, her smile nowhere to be found.

"How kind of you," she sneered, looking me up and down. "Rich little brat trying to pay me off to return her little Gucci glasses. How adorable."

I remained silent, my eyes focused on the glasses clenched in her fist. If only I could close the distance before she tried to push me again–if only I was fast enough, I would have been able to get them back. The look in her eyes was enough to make stay still and slowly, she stretched her arm, her fist loosening, dropping the glasses on the floor.

Before I could bend down to pick them up, her foot slammed down on the glasses and grinded it into smithereens, stomping on it a few times for good measure. When she was done and the glasses were no longer a recognizable shape, she looked up at me and smiled spitefully.

"Now, where's the money you promised to pay me?"

I was in shock for a moment, staring down at the floor littered with pieces of sharp glass. While it seemed strange to be mad over broken glasses, those actually belonged to my father who had passed down to me when he realized I had inherited retinitis pigmentosa from him, causing me to have night blindness and gradual shrinkage of my peripheral vision, but those glasses were custom-made in Germany and thankfully, the genetic eye disease I inherited at a young age wasn't as severe as his. Despite it all, it only took the she-devil less than five seconds to destroy them before me.

Uncontrollable emotions surged within me, and this time, I readily welcomed the heat of rage inside me.

With a strangled cry, I launched myself at her.