Steven stormed in and rushed to her side. He was clearly furious and so he slapped me without warning.
“Lucia! I've spoiled you for too long. You think the world owes you everything?!”
My cheek lit up with pain, swelling almost instantly. Blood rushed to my head. My temples throbbed. I was shaking.
“I didn’t touch her!” I shouted.
Steven didn’t believe me. He grabbed me by the arm and dragged me out of the closet, pushing me to the floor.
“Get out. Go home and cry to your family. You can come back once you’ve learned some humility.”
The humiliation burned hotter in me. I couldn't let Nellie got what she wanted. In sudden move, I got up and marched straight over to Nellie and returned the favor.
Smack!
Steven raised his hand again, eyes blazing with rage.
I stood my ground, jaw clenched, staring him down. “That slap? That one was mine.”
Then I soon turned, walking away. My pride in pieces, my eyes burning with tears I didn’t want to cry out.
Outside, the rain was pouring heavily. It pelted down on me as I sank to the ground, sobbing so hard I couldn’t breathe.
I don’t know how long I sat there. But eventually, I noticed the rain wasn’t hitting me anymore.
I looked up.