I felt bad for hitting Nolan hard, I didn't want to but my hand moved on its own and moreover his date slapped him too, that was unexpected but I guess its normal. Of course, a girl will slap you when you wrong her. But there's no reason for me to feel bad, right? He deserved it and I apologized as well.

I shrugged the thoughts off and we went inside Five High and saw Amy at the corner table and joined her. Now, all three of us were talking about stuff or more of how I got back at Nolan earlier.

Ruby and Amy both broke out laughing once I told them the whole thing. “Pregnant? Seriously! Oh my god, Kayra,” Amy covered her mouth to control her laughter, which didn't help much. She was laughing her ass off and here I thought Amelia Carter was a timid girl.

Amy was my other roommate and the younger sister to Ruby's boyfriend, Asher. In fact, she was the reason Ruby and Asher met and were now together. It still feels weird to think that they both are siblings with how different their personalities are. But again they looked quite similar. Blondes with same hazel eyes with the only difference being their height.

I sighed, “I couldn't think of anything else. So, please stop teasing me now.” I knew they'd tease me if they knew what I did, even, I was also embarrassed by it.

“Okay, we'll talk about something else. But let's order first,” Ruby passed the menu among us and we gave our orders. Our weekly outing had become a ritual for us. I couldn't go to clubs and bars and Ruby didn't like anything else other than bars, so this place was the best for our hangout.

"I'll have to go home this holiday. Dad's been bugging me since last year and besides he wants me to learn the ways of the hospital," Ruby sighed, chugging down her beer. Surely a subtle way of bragging about your family wealth and status. But really, Ruby was way too humble for a rich heiress from a family full of doctors and hospital owners.

"Well, I'll be going back too," I told them about the message as I played with my mocktail glass. Their reactions were mixed after hearing me but they knew my family well, even if they'd never met them. My father would never text me first, so I almost believed his phone was hacked or broken.

I didn't give it much thought back there but I should confirm with my mother. It's been more than a year since I left home to fulfill my dreams. I miss them but I love my dreams and freedom more. But even upto this day, I didn't enjoy my complete freedom. I feel like I am still tied down by the chains, the only difference being that there's no one to check on me now.

I am afraid, one mistake, one wrong step and everything will be taken away from me. My dreams, freedom, these people and the life I want to live.

Ruby's question brought my attention back, "Wanna go to the club? Asher just texted, Jake's in too.” I looked at both of them, their eyes glinted with exhilaration. Amy wasn't much of a party girl but I knew why she was excited to go.

A heavy rock weighed on my heart, like always, "You both go,” I put on a smile to assure them, “don't hold back because of me." I knew they felt bad but I'll feel worse if they won't go. It's fine for the first few times but it'll happen. It happened every time. I can't let them sacrifice their happy times because of me.

“You sure?” Ruby asked, with those eyes. Pitying and apologetic eyes. I nodded with the same heavy smile to let them know I was fine. Ruby sighed and nodded as well.

By now, they knew there was no point in asking me, so they didn't press more. I don't drink, club and am still a virgin at twenty two. These are all the things my parents want me to do, and be a good daughter. So, I have to do it. Listening to them is the only way for me to survive. But only until I am truly independent.

Once I'm free, once I break the chains and fly far, far away, I wouldn't ever look back. Just two more years until graduation and I'll have it, the life I want to live.