"You don't get it. The height of gauche is being on trend."
They pretended not to hear me.
That's when I realized the security were in on it.
I should've known better that they always thought less of me.
They'd been hostile ever since Jason and I argued.
"I'm here for Jason."
"Are you a parrot? Hilarious." A girl with mini skirt and bouncy curls scoffed.
"Olivia, really?" A guy glanced my way. "Sorry, she's blunt, but we all just mess around here. No offense."
They apologized, but their words rang hollow.
"Heard you're an athlete. On the national team? Or are you a world champ? What's your ranking lately?"
"Jason's a trip, huh? Didn't even bother to come get you in this downpour. Where's he at?"
"He's upstairs in the billiard room, schooling Ava. Why head up and ruin their fun?" The curly-haired girl blared, eyeing me scornfully. "Oh, you didn't know? They're almost engaged."
I stayed silent.
The crowd seemed to relish the drama, likely hoping I'd break down.
But I was here for one reason only.
"Please, ask Jason down."
"And you are?" The curly-haired girl sneered, and I felt a sharp sting on my right cheek.
A sudden slap silenced the room.
No one intervened.
Her smug expression said it all, "You're just a nobody, and you think you can land Jason? Didn't you know he's practically engaged to Ava? They are a perfect match, out of you badminton players' league!"
But I hit back.
"Olivia, you okay?"
She staggered back, stunned into silence.
Another figure hurried down, her corseted dress making her seem ethereal.
"Grace, what the hell?!"
I looked up to see Jason, fuming behind her.
"Nobody taught you manners, or are you just lashing out 'cause I didn't come get you?"
I just stared at Jason, speechless. A thousand comebacks raced through my mind, but all I could really feel was disappointment.
"Yeah, no one taught me. My parents are gone, remember?" My eyes welled up.
He frowned and ordered, "Apologize."
It felt like he was ripping open my old wounds.
But he didn't care; he just wanted that apology.
"She started it, why should I apologize?"
Suddenly, my throat tightened, and my voice began to crack.
"Grace, you know which part of you bugs me the most? You're always so damn self-righteous and proud," Jason snapped, his displeasure clear.
His gaze told me this was his turf, they were his guests, and I was a nobody.
Leaving me to fend for myself, letting them tear me down, all with his silent approval.