NADIA
It's always messed up!
ONE YEAR AGO.
The guys had organized a pool party, and when Jasmine first mentioned it to me, I felt a pit in my stomach. I didn’t really feel good about attending, but Jasmine had this way of pulling me out of my comfort zone that I couldn't easily resist.
"It's just a pool party," she said, waving her hand dismissively as if I was making too big of a deal out of it.
“It's not just a pool party. You seem to have forgotten how we were treated the last time,” I reminded her.
“Come on, Nadia, that was just a mistake, and the guys apologized. Everyone makes mistakes, even you, my friend.”
“I'm surprised you consider their sarcastic words an apology,” I said, clearly not impressed with her desperate attempt to make me see them for who they were clearly not.
“It's just a pool party, Nadia. We are not the only people who will be attending, you seem to forget,” she said. I could see she was beginning to get frustrated.
“Do you ever take no for an answer?” I joked, trying to lighten the mood.
“You know the answer already, my friend,” she said with a cheeky grin.
“I see.”
“So, what’s it gonna be?” she asked.
I sighed, knowing she wouldn’t let this go.
“Why am I even asking when I know,” she jumped in, finishing my thought as if she could read my mind.
And that was how we found ourselves at the pool party, surrounded by throngs of students from our high school. The moment we walked in, it was like stepping into a different world. Laughter and loud music filled the air, and the colorful pool glimmered under the afternoon sun, splashing with the sounds of teenage thrill.
I still didn’t feel right about being there. Jasmine and I had always been considered outcasts at this school. Despite what some might think, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were unwanted. As we moved through the crowds, no one seemed to acknowledge us. It was as if we were ghosts floating through a party we weren’t supposed to attend.
And I hated to have that feeling!
“Maybe we should never have come. Let's just go back,” I whispered to Jasmine, my discomfort bubbling to the surface as I scanned the pool area.
“Why?” she questioned, looking at me as if I had lost my mind. Unlike me, she seemed to truly be enjoying herself, dancing with the rhythm of the music as if nothing could bother her.
“No one has come to say a word to us. It’s obvious we are not wanted here,” I said, a little more forcefully this time, hoping she would take my worry seriously this time.
But to say I didn't already know how she would react would be a joke, an absolute joke!
“You worry too much, Nadia,” she replied, her shoulders bouncing as she continued dancing, seeming utterly carefree about my concerns.
“Oh no!” I cried out suddenly, my heartbeat quickening as I spotted the guys approaching.
"What?" Jasmine asked, eyes wide with surprise as she turned to look at me.
“Look!” I said, pointing hastily towards Hardin, Alex, and Sandro, who were making their way through the crowd, their expressions mischievous. “We should leave now before they get to us!” My voice wavered with panic.
“Why are you so scared?,” she asked, surprised.
“Don't you see the way they are looking at us?,” I said, looking jittery.
“It's nothing,” she said, sounding dismissive.
Angry, I tried to drag her with me, but it was too late. They caught up with us before we could make our way out of the pool area.
“Were you trying to run away from me? Tell me!” Hardin yelled at Jasmine, grabbing her wrist firmly.
I hated how easily he bullied her, treating her like she was his possession.
“You’re hurting me, Hardin,” Jasmine cried, trying to wriggle her wrist free from his unyielding grip.
“You're hurting her!” I said, anger boiling within me.
“Shut up!” Hardin retorted, dismissing me with a glare. “This isn’t your business, except you want to feel my wrath!”
“Please let me go,” Jasmine pleaded, her eyes shimmering with fear and desperation, searching for any sign of compassion.
“Surely,” Hardin said with a cruel smirk, and then he dragged her away from me.
I felt the rage rise in me. “Let her go!” I shouted, my voice full of defiance as I tried to push through the crowd towards them. But Sandro and Alex blocked my path, their bodies solid like walls.
“You seem to forget that we also came for you. You should be concerned about getting away from us,” they said, holding me back.
“Let me go!” I screamed, my panic rising. I glanced around, praying for someone, anyone to step in and help. But instead, I saw only amused faces; students snickering at my struggle and reveling in my humiliation.
No one was strong enough to dare them!
I couldn't blame them.
And then it happened. Just when I thought they would relent, they shoved me forward, sending me crashing into the pool with a splash that sent water flying in all directions.
“Help me!” I screamed, panic flooding my chest as I sunk beneath the surface. I couldn’t swim! The water enveloped me, pulling me under, and I flailed, desperate to break free. But, again, no one seemed interested in helping. Laughter echoed around me, drowning out my cries for assistance.
I fought against the water, but it felt like I was drowning. Fear gripped me tighter than the water, and just when it all seemed hopeless, I felt a powerful hand behind me.
“I hate it when you try to be stubborn,” said Alex, his voice slightly muffled by the water. Before I could respond, he pulled me up with a force that left my head spinning.
“Wha—” I gasped for air as I broke the surface, water streaming down my face and into my lungs.
“You will never be free from us, you should know that already,” Sandro whispered close to my ear, his breath cold against my skin.
“I hope you’ve learned your lesson,” Alex added, his tone sharp as he stepped back from me.
They stormed off, leaving me in the pool, drenched and humiliated, the stares of my classmates hot on my back. I hung my head in shame, a rush of embarrassment flooding through me. I wished I could just disappear into the water, to escape their cruelty.
Finally, I swam to the edge of the pool and pulled myself up, my body shaking from the encounter. Laughter echoed all around, ringing in my ears like a cruel symphony.
Jasmine rushed to my side, concern etched on her face as she reached out a hand. “Nadia! Are you okay?”
“I… I’m fine,” I stuttered, but I didn’t believe it myself. Water dripped off my hair and clothes, and I wiped my face with my arm, trying to hide my humiliation.
“Let’s get out of here, okay?” she said, her voice low, trying to keep me grounded.
Before I could respond, someone from the crowd shouted, “Did you see her face? Priceless!”
They burst into laughter again, and it felt like they were chipping away at whatever pride I had left. My heart ached, and all I could think about was how hard things had gotten at this school.
“Jasmine, can we go?” I asked, barely able to hold back the tears.
“Yeah, let’s get out of here,” she agreed, taking my hand and leading me away from the judgmental faces.
As we made our way toward the exit, I could feel the stares lingering on me, their laughter merging into a distant roar. The humiliation felt suffocating, and I just wanted to escape.
The further we walked from the pool, the more I felt like a weight was being lifted. “I’m sorry they did that to you,” Jasmine said, her voice sincere.
“I don’t even know why I thought this would be a good idea,” I replied, my voice cracking slightly. “Honestly, I just wanted to be normal for once.”
“Normal is overrated,” she said, trying to sound optimistic, though I could hear the challenge in her voice.
“Maybe so,” I said with a sigh. “But feeling like a joke isn’t something I wanted on my list.”
Jasmine squeezed my hand tighter. “We’ll find a way to deal with them,” she promised. “You won’t be alone.”
I smiled faintly, grateful for her support. “Thanks, Jasmine. You’re the best.”
As we reached the parking lot, the brilliant sun setting behind us, I took one last look back at the party. It wasn't the grand escape I’d hoped for; it was just the stark reminder that I still had a long way to go in this school. But with Jasmine by my side, maybe I could show the world that being an outcast wasn’t the end; it could just be the beginning of something stronger.
But then, strength doesn't lie in mere thoughts…
Another storm was coming…
And fast!
