>Mallory
I observed my surroundings, scanning over a few tables. Everyone was having fun—some getting freaky, making out, which made me flustered—but no one batted an eye. So, I assumed that was normal here.
I had no right to judge, not when I was here for the same reason.
It felt like a safe space where you could do whatever you wanted without being judged. I kind of liked the sound of that.
It was the perfect place for my plan, though I would rather be in my room reading a book right now, wrapped up in a blanket, sipping a cup of coffee. Just thinking about it made me feel cozy.
I turned back to the counter. My gaze shifted at all the liquor lined up in front of me. None of them look familiar. A few expensive bottles –I know just by looking at it –were arranged carefully, almost like pieces in a display. I didn't think I could afford any of them; I was even using Mara's credit card to spend for things tonight since my family had never given me one. I promised to pay her back but who knows when that will happen.
I wouldn't trade that girl for the world.
I clearly remembered Mara telling me that if I didn't know what to order, I could ask for tequila. Tequila was the answer to everything, she said. So for tonight, I decided to put my faith in that. She was the expert here, not me.
I kept readjusting my seat, tugging my dress down every so often feeling uncomfortable at the length of this thing. One wrong move, and I'd flash everyone my ass. I couldn't let that happen. I may not be here for pure purposes, but at least I wanted to keep my dignity intact.
This dress wasn't the most comfortable length I was used to but It also felt really freeing. In fact, it was the most revealing outfit I'd ever worn. I was sure my stepmother would go livid if she found out I wore something more provocative than a shirt and pants, because she'd think I was trying to seduce everyone around me. I don't even know if I have the charm to do that. Seriously, she had a lot of trust at me.
I'm pretty sure she would remind me how much I was like my mother, who had supposedly "done the same thing" to my father. Yeah, whatever.
I'd heard that my father had taken advantage of that young woman just because she worked for him and was too poor to say anything. I'm not as stupid as I look.
I know that man was as disgusting as he was cruel, both as a man and as a father.
That's basically the entire reason I'd never gotten used to wearing revealing clothes. And also why I had been named Mallory—meaning unfortunate.
Everything happening around me was overstimulating. The noise, the flashing lights, and the sheer number of people slowly drained my already empty social battery.
Bars were not really for me. Mara had tried to convince me to come with her before, but I had always refused. What made it worse this time was that she usually handled everything for me socially. Without her, even some small comfort was gone.
I let my gaze wander across the bar, scanning head to head, searching for my target for tonight.
I didn't care what kind of person he was; he just had to be handsome—or at least pleasant to look at. I only needed his genes, not him. I needed a child, not a father.
The bartender placed my drink in front of me, and I grabbed it, chugging it down as soon as it touched the counter. My face scrunched at the bitterness, the heat rushing from my lungs to my chest. It burned like fire, almost painful, like drinking gasoline. Even that wasn't enough to drown the uneasiness I felt.
I glanced at the young bartender's face. He was holding a piece of cut lime in his hand, his jaw slightly slack. Was that supposed to be for me? I hadn't ordered lime. Oh, well.
"One more," I ordered.
The young man hesitated. "Is this your first time, Miss? Would you like me to recommend a ladies' drink instead?"
Ladies' drink? What was that? But Mara had told me to order tequila, so I decided to stick to it.
"No thanks! On the rocks, please," I said. He hesitated, then sighed and handed me the next shot.
It took only five shots before my world started spinning. Everything blurred. My tongue went numb, and the music turned into a muffled thump, like someone had covered the speakers. Strange.
Then, I felt something rising from my chest—hot and urgent, crawling its way toward my mouth. I wanted to vomit.
I had to get to the bathroom. Quickly. Could I even do that? I pulled a few bills out of my purse and left them on the counter.
Where was the bathroom? I had no idea. I hoped I'd figure it out.
"Keep the change," I muttered. The bartender glanced at me and pocketed the bill.
I leaned on the table to support myself, trying to stand, but my vision was blurry, and I couldn't keep my balance.
I felt like I was on a Ferris wheel. Everything spun, constant and unrelenting.
I thought of Mara. I was sorry. It was my first time drinking, and I had overdone it. And yet, I had promised her I'd be fine.
No! I couldn't pass out. I still had things to do.
I tried to stand using the table for support but completely lost my balance when I jumped out of the chair. I almost fell.
Almost.
A strong arm snaked around my waist and stopped me from hitting the floor. I blinked at the person holding me, confused.
My vision was still blurry, but I could make out a man. He looked… strange. His face seemed doubled somehow—two sets of eyes, two noses, two lips curled into a frown.
I frowned back. Why did he look so weird?
"You're ugly," I blurted, the words escaping my lips before I could think. I immediately covered my mouth in shock.
I hadn't meant to judge, but something about the doubled features felt odd. Could people really look like this, and I just hadn't noticed because I rarely left the house?
"What?" he said, a mix of confusion and perhaps anger in his voice, his brow furrowed mcm, his voice smooth. I pulled away from him, pointing at his face.
"I wouldn't want my child to look like you," I added, trying to sound as respectful as possible.