MAFIA'S PAWN (A life for a life)

The music pulsed through the dorm room, vibrating Sophia's very bones. She leaned against the wall, nursing her drink, lost in thought. Olivia grabbed her arm, shouting over the thumping beat. "Come on, Soph! Let loose!" Olivia's eyes sparkled, her smile infectious. Sophia forced a smile. She didn’t want to be here. As a matter of fact this was the last place she wanted to be. She’d worked a double shift at the bar the previous night, was in between classes the whole day and barely had time to rest. But it was Olivia’s birthday, and all Olivia wanted was a birthday party. A party she had to attend inevitably. Not that she hated parties, no far from it. But her family's financial struggles, Her father's health, her mother's worries, and her own responsibilities weighed her down. She wasn’t like everyone else at this party, whose current worry was what drink they should have, if it was okay to get high or what girl would end up on their bed tonight. For her, tonight was just another night, another party, another distraction. As she scanned the room, Sophia's gaze met familiar faces: Olivia's boyfriend, Alex; their friends, Mia and Jake. Everyone laughed, danced, and forgot their troubles. Sophia wished she could join them. But her reality was different. she was reminded every second that she was nothing like the rest of them. As she took another swig of her beer, she felt a hand snaking around her waist. “I thought that was you.” The person whispered, his breath hit against her ear Drew. Sophia’s tension spiked. Drew was the last person she wanted to see. Drew's hand lingered on Sophia's waist, sending shivers down her spine. She shrugged him off, her smile faltering. "What are you doing here?" Sophia asked, trying to keep her tone neutral. Drew grinned, his eyes locking onto hers. "Olivia invited me. I couldn't resist celebrating with the birthday girl...and you." Sophia's unease grew. She hadn't seen Drew since their messy breakup six months ago. "Just friends, Soph," Drew said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "I promise." Sophia raised an eyebrow. "Save it, Drew. We're not friends." Olivia appeared, looping her arm through Sophia's. "Hey, guys! What's going on?" Drew's smile turned charming. "Just catching up with Soph. Happy birthday, Liv!" Olivia beamed,"Thanks, Drew! Let's get drinks!" As Olivia dragged Drew away, Sophia breathed a sigh of relief. But her anger simmered beneath the surface. Why would Olivia invite drew, of all people? Sophia hadn’t shared the details of their toxic breakup, but Olivia knew it was messy. Flashes of her past with Drew flooded Sophia's mind: Drew's charming smile, his captivating laughter, and the way he made her feel special. But beneath the surface: Drew's possessiveness, his jealousy, and the suffocating grip he held on her. "Sophia, you're mine," he'd say, his eyes burning with intensity. At first, Sophia thought it was love. Now, she recognized the red flags. The night he grabbed her arm, his fingers digging into her skin. The argument that escalated into shouting, doors slamming, and tears. The apology that always came afterward, laced with guilt trips and promises. Sophia thought she'd escaped. But Drew's presence at the party stirred old fears As Sophia watched Drew laugh with Olivia, her anxiety spiked. She couldn't let him back in. Never. Not after everything she’d fought to overcome If there was one thing her father taught her, it was to stand up for herself, no matter what. “You’re stronger than you think, Sophia” his words echoed in her mind. Sophia squared her shoulders, steeling herself against Drew’s charms Her phone buzzed in her pocket, shrill in the loud room. 'Mom' flashed on the screen. Sophia's heart sank. "Not now," she whispered, her palms growing sweaty. Olivia coming towards her noticed her expression. "Everything okay?" Sophia hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, just...family stuff." The music swirled around her, a cacophony of worry and fear. Why was her mum calling her? At night? " well, Drew is here,” Olivia gave her a knowing glance which made Sophia’s stomach turn. “he wouldn’t stop asking about you. I hope it’s okay I invited him?” Sophia nodded without responding, taking another swig of her beer. Was her father okay? What was she thinking of course he was, they spoke this morning briefly. “He’s hoping you guys can talk. I don’t know the details of y’all breakup but I’m sure you can work it out, right? He’s really into you yunno” Olivia kept talking. Sophia had had enough. Her phone was still buzzing, it was her mum calling again. She needed an excuse to leave the conversation, but she was dreading the phone conversation too. “I’ll just quickly take this outside.” “Oh. Okay” Olivia started responding but Sophia was already leaving. Outside, Sophia inhaled deeply, the cool night air a brief respite from the chaos within. A few students lingered, but she barely noticed. Panic filled her chest as she lifted the phone to her ear. Her mom never called without reason. "Mom?" Sophia's voice trembled, barely above a whisper. Her mother's panicked voice pierced the night air. "Sophia, honey...it's your father..." Sophia's heart skipped a beat. "What about him?" she asked sharply, her breath catching. The world around her began to spin. Colors blurred, sounds muffled. Her legs buckled, and Sophia felt herself collapsing. Everything went black.