"Check out her umbrella, how gauche."
"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.