Angel Last mission is love

30. Into an Unfamiliar World

As the evening fell, the sky turned a deep indigo, and streetlights began to glow along the quiet lanes. Right on time at seven o’clock, Stella arrived outside Clara’s house in her family’s shiny, expensive car. She leaned back behind the wheel, checking her watch and wondering what kind of simple, ordinary outfit Clara would wear—something that would surely make her stand out in all the wrong ways at the party.

But when the front door opened and Clara stepped out, Stella’s mouth fell open in surprise. Clara was wearing a beautiful red dress, not too flashy but soft and elegant, fitting her perfectly and bringing out the natural grace in her features. Her hair was neatly arranged, and she carried herself with quiet confidence. For a split second, Stella felt a sharp twinge of irritation, though she quickly masked it with a forced smile.

“You look… nice,” she said, her tone sounding more surprised than genuine. “Hurry up and get in—we don’t want to be late.”

Clara smiled politely and climbed into the car, her hands resting gently in her lap. Her heart was beating a little faster; this was the first time she had ever been invited to such an event, and she felt both curious and nervous about what lay ahead.

The drive took them toward the busier part of the city, and soon they stopped in front of a large, brightly lit building. Even from outside, loud, thumping music could be heard, mixed with laughter and chatter. Stella led the way inside, and as soon as the doors opened, Clara felt as though she had stepped into a completely different world.

The room was filled with flashing colored lights, swirling across the dance floor and reflecting off the walls. The music was so loud it seemed to vibrate through the floorboards, and the air was thick with the smell of strong perfume, smoke, and alcoholic drinks. People were dancing closely together, talking loudly over the noise, and raising glasses in celebration.

Clara froze just inside the entrance, her eyes wide and her breath catching in her throat. She had never been to a place like this before; it felt overwhelming and unfamiliar, and she instantly felt out of place. She turned to look at Stella, hoping for guidance, but Stella only smiled and pulled her further inside.

“Come on, don’t look so scared,” Stella shouted over the music. “I’ll find you a good spot.”

She led Clara through the crowd until they reached a quiet corner near the back, away from the busiest part of the room. “Sit here and wait,” Stella instructed. “I’m going to say hello to my friends and get us something to drink. I’ll be right back.”

Before Clara could reply, Stella turned and vanished into the crowd. Within moments, she was laughing and dancing with a group of people, completely forgetting about the promise she had made.

Left alone, Clara felt even more uneasy. She sat on the edge of the seat, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, looking around nervously. Everyone else seemed so relaxed and comfortable, while she felt like a stranger in her own skin. The noise and movement made her head spin, and she kept glancing toward the dance floor, hoping Stella would return soon.

A few minutes later, a young man holding a tall glass filled with a dark, fizzy drink noticed her sitting alone. He walked unsteadily through the crowd, a lazy smile on his face, and stopped right in front of her.

“Hey there,” he said, his voice slurred and loud. “Haven’t seen you here before. All by yourself? Here—have a drink. It’ll help you loosen up.”

He held the glass out toward her, pushing it closer. The strong, sharp smell rising from it made Clara’s stomach turn. She had never touched alcohol in her life, and the way he looked at her made her feel threatened and uncomfortable.

“No, thank you,” she said quickly, her voice trembling slightly but firm. “I don’t drink. Please leave me alone.”

The boy only chuckled, not taking her refusal seriously. “Don’t be like that—everyone drinks here. It’s just one glass—”

Before he could say more, Clara leaned back sharply, moving as far away from him as she could. Her heart was pounding hard in her chest, and she looked around frantically for Stella, feeling trapped and wishing more than anything that she had never agreed to come.