"Hi, now can we go in" Camila grilled at the guard.

"Hmm no sneaker allowed-"

"Okay buddy now you're pushing it" Dee complained standing behind us. I noticed Geralt and Nic waited for us also.

"what is the problem over here?" A familiar deep voice called from behind to which we all turned our backs to find the Hemsworth family. From all the commotion I failed to notice their arrival. I noticed how much Rye resembled his father's handsome features, they looked identical minus the age gap. Rye wore a light gray suit and black tie.

"This ... man is not letting my friend go in because she got on sneakers." Camila's face was about to go into a compulsion from annoyance while the guard face went ash pale.

"Is that true?" Doctor asked the guard.

"Ah yes sir. It's the club's attire code"

"I appreciate you doing your job. In the future, any student from Hooftown High is to be allowed to wear whatever they want to" Doctor said sternly. I was confused as to why a guard would take orders from a guest and not the school principal.

"Understood sir"

"Very well, shall we?" The doctor motioned for us to go in and a hostess escorted us to a huge party hall.

"Thank you doctor Hemsworth, I appreciate it," I said.

"You're welcome jaye, too bad your mother couldn't come"

"Ohh yeah she has to work" I said shyly.

"Then, why don't you sit at our table?" I saw his wife's eyes widen, not please my presence.

"Um thanks for the offer but I'm already going to sit with the Roberts" no way in hell am I seating with the Hemsworth, Rockwells, Harrisons and the Clarkes all in one table- that'll be a shit show.

The hostess escorted us to our table. I sat next to Camila with her family my eyes wandering around the large elegant hall, the sitting area was adjacent to a large dance floor, the lights dimmed as the live DJ played some disco groove songs.

"Ah I love this song, let's dance Jaye!" Not letting me respond, Camila pulled me to the dance floor. I followed her steps, catching up to the rhythm, noticing we were the only ones dancing. We don't care what others thought while jumping and swaying to the popular disco song. I forgot how much I enjoy dancing. Memories of my past started obscuring my vision of when Cassie's graduation party and the time when we snuck out to the underground club party. The sound of clapping told me the song ended and I realized all the eyes on us. We bow lightly and giggling walked back to our table.

"Jaye, come join us for a toast" Doctor Hemsworth waved from afar motioning to me. I faked a smile unable to ignore his request. Since he insisted, I walked over their table, "I'll be right back, Cam".

"Hello-" I said awkwardly. My eyes scammed the table that sat headmaster Rockwell, Geralt, Chelsea next to Rebecca, her parents and lastly the Hemsworths. There were no empty seats, so I just stood there waving at everyone. Talk about awkward moments. Doctor Hemsworth signals the waiter to bring an extra chair for me.

"I'm fine Doctor, I don't mean to disturbed-" I ramble uncomfortably wanting to escape this situation.

"Nonsense, seat" he commanded. I sighed obeying taking a seat next to Rebecca. Another awkward silence later, Rye’s mother finally spoke.

“So, you mentioned your mother works at our hospital with my husband. What about your father? Is he a nurse as well?” Her questioning caught me off guard. These rich ladies sure pry into people's business.

“No, my father’s not a nurse.” I replied hoping the conversation would die and the topic switched to someone else. e

“Oh. Then, it must be difficult for him not to see his wife come home late. The medical field is strenuous on parenthood and marriage. Their marriage must be strong”

“Mother.” Rye finally spoke slowly warning her to stop.

“My parents aren’t married Mrs. Hemsworth” of course not adding that I was conceived during a one night stand. “And yes, she works long hours and I barely get to see her.”

“Ah I see” again the table fell into another awkward silence.

“May I take your orders?” The waiter interrupted, to which everyone sigh in relief. I heard someone say “finally”. Now is my chance to make a run to Camila’s table and escape this uncomfortable atmosphere. After everyone orders were placed, it was my turn to order. I flipped through the menu with unfamiliar fancy food listed.

“I'm going to head back to my table. Thank you for having me Doctor Hemsworth” I smiled at them.

“Ah right, at least have some food with us” He insisted and unable to decline again, I nodded my head. I made eye contact with Rye who looked annoyed but upon meeting my glaze his soften quickly almost apologizing about his parents behavior.

“Diana, darling you look fantastic. Tell me your night skin routine?” Rebecca’s mom converse with the ladies about some skin care products.

“Miss, what would you be having?” I noticed the waiter was waiting for me for some time to which I quickly apologized.

“I’ll have… umm do y'all have chicken fingers?” I blurted out loud my go-to meal without thinking. The table erupted in laughter. I looked down on to my lap, great now they think I’m poor and stupid.

“Not actual chicken fingers, the - tenders” I clarified in case they misunderstood.

“We do. I’ll be right back with your orders” the waiter politely left as another wave of laughter.

“Jaye, I think your friends are calling you over.” Rebecca my savior! Her tone quiets everyone.

“Jaye, darlin’ please do not take our laughter as mockery. It’s just a bit innocent humor” her mother added with a big smile. But I knew it wasn’t just ‘innocent humor’ these rich folks enjoy humiliating the lower class. However the case may be, I wasn’t going to allow my pride drag on the ground.

“Not at all. The menu just didn’t appetize me.” I said with a toothy grin. “I do have to go now, please excuse me”.

“I’ll walk you over” Rebecca stood before allowing me to answer.

“Jaye, we saved you a seat” Camila waved then her expression turned to surprise upon seeing Rebecca.

“Thanks for earlier,” I shyly told Rebecca.

“Don’t need to thank me. Just - stay here, I’ll tell the waiter to bring your chicken fingers” I felt like I was getting scowled by an aunt. With that she left.

“what happened?” Camila and Dee asked scooting closer.

“Nothing, let's eat, I'm starving” I said trying to hide the hurt in my voice behind a fake smile. I didn’t want to worry them over some silly conversation. On top of that, they wouldn't understand how humiliating it felt hearing them laugh at me. Right when I was about to shove a piece of chicken, Camila pulled us to the dance floor.

“Wait Camila” I shouted over the loud music going back for the chicken tenders that just arrived.

“are you serious”

“I told you I’m hungry” I mumbled walking back to our table. I was about to wipe my greasy hands off the jacket then I remembered it's not mine.

“whose jacket is this?” Asked while wiping my hands with a napkin.

“uh Geralt’s but, don’t worry about it” she casually said.

“WHAT” Camila dragged us to the crowded dance floor before I could say anything else. The three of us danced freely, Daniel later joined our group even Camila’s mom danced with us. The song ended and I decided to catch my breath.

“I’ll be right back ” I told them, making sure to avoid Rebecca’s table and finally reaching the ladies room. A large crowd of girls were gathered reapplying makeup and fixing their hair. I took a glimpse of my reflection seeing my sweaty face, wild curly hair and red cheeks from dancing. I splashed some water on my face wishing I had a hair tie but too shy to ask someone exiting out. It’s getting pretty late, I should go home before mom worries although I’m having so much fun. Right when I was about to turn the corner, I heard a known manly voice arguing with someone. My feet stopped hiding behind a wall.

“Why’d you question her personal life?” Rye raised his voice.

“It’s called having a conversation. Watch your tone boy” his Mother snapped back. “Is there something going on between you and that girl?” she said emphasizing the last word disgustily.

“No. Jayelina is just a friend. You made her feel uncomfortable by asking unnecessary questions about her family” I froze. Crap, they’re arguing because of me.

“Ok, I shouldn’t have pestered her. I’ve never seen you this bothered” she said angrily. “Unless there’s something going, tell me are you two hooking up? I know what those type of girls are after, money and ways to climb up”

“Mother please, don’t make up things up. There’s nothing going between us and I would’ve reacted the same for anyone else”

“Fine, can we go back to the table? Rebecca is waiting for you”

“Rebecca’s nice girl. I don’t understand why you are being so cold toward her?” Mrs. Hemsworth exclaimed.

“Mother, stop meddling, Rebecca is my friend” he sounded agitated at the accusation. “Let’s go back”. Still unable to move, I stayed hidden, the wall supporting my body. My heart clenched at Mrs. Hemsworth harsh words. Although I didn't want to admit it, her words hurt because I know exactly why she dislikes me. I returned to the hall and at this point the dance floor was crowded with dancing students and parents. The loud music began to bother, my ears going deaf and head pounding. I found Camila and Dee nearby and I wanted to tell them about going home.

“Can we go home?”

“So soon? what ‘s wrong?” Camila asked over the loud music.

“I’m pretty tired and my mom said I could only stay for an hour” I lied to them about the real reason.

“Ok, oh my gosh this is my song! Let’s have one last dance and we’ll leave” I agreed and we made our way to the dance floor. I was not in the mood to be here and nonetheless be dancing, so my eyes kept drifting everywhere until they landed on a braided hair girl standing across the dancefloor. Without thinking, I made my way to her ignoring Camila calling my name.

“I’ll be right back” is all I managed to say subconsciously walking toward the mysterious girl.

Help me please. I’m still here

I heard Jaye’s voice ringing inside my head suddenly, feeling drowsy.

“Hey, where are you going- let’s dance” Geralt came from behind grabbing my arm.

“I have to get out of here-” without saying anything else, I shook his light grip off and turned around. I zig-zag through dancing bodies bumping into them without care, all I could think was to get out. The air was getting thicker and each second harder to breathe. I bumped into someone, a man’s chest from the hardness and scent of cologne.

“Hey are you okay?” Rye’s concerned voice whispered in my ear.

“No, I can’t breathe. I need to get out of here” My voice trembled as my eyes sting threatening a tear to escape. My breathing became shallow and shorten, and my vision blur. What the hell is happening to me? The tears that I was holding back escaped and fell on my cheeks. I lost my balance but Rye was quick to catch me.

“Look at me, I think your having a panic attack. Try to stay calm, I’m going get you out of here” I nodded, breathing heavily through my mouth. A crowd started gathering around us. “Someone get my dad”

“What’s wrong with her?” Geralt bent down beside me. His blue eyes filled with worry. That’s weird. Right there, I started hyperventilating and no matter what couldn’t calm down.

“Geralt, go get my father! Tell him that Jaye’s having a panic attack and meet me outside” at this point, I was losing consciousness and awareness. I felt Rye lift me up and carry me before my vision went dark.

“Please, stay strong Jayelina” is all I heard before passing out.