The Night That Stole My Life

~~~~Ivy~~~~~ It was late in the afternoon when I answered the last question on my final exam paper. I felt relieved, but it was the quiet kind that sank deep into my chest. Just one more year of school, and I’d finally be done with medical sonography. Honestly, I should’ve finished earlier. Five years ago, I graduated from high school, but everything in my life crumbled after my mom died. My dad never forgave me for surviving her. To him, I’ve always been a mistake, a burden. Even though he could easily afford my tuition, he refused to help. So, I learned to manage on my own—baking cakes, taking small jobs, doing whatever it took to gather up my tuition. For someone like me, failure isn’t an option. I don’t have anyone to catch me if I fall. I stepped outside the exam hall, scanning the crowd for my friends, Rory and Kellan. Rory’s on scholarship—or at least, she was. But she struggled with grades, and eventually, the scholarship dropped her. Kellan, who clearly adored her, picked up every expense without a second thought. Those two are practically bonded together, a little world of their own. Half the time, I end up studying alone in the hostel while they’re off playing lovers. “Ivy!” Rory’s voice rang out, cheerful as always. She came running toward me, dragging Kellan along by the hand. “How about cocktails tonight? We need to celebrate. Next year is our last year in school!” She raised her brows, refusing to take no for an answer. “Seven o’clock. Be ready. I’ll pick you up.” Before I could even say a word, she was already bouncing away, sliding into Kellan’s shiny Mercedes. I sighed. Rory never left space for argument. After a short shift at the bakery, I went home, showered, and stood in front of my mirror longer than I should’ve. I don’t usually dress up, but tonight something tugged at me. Maybe it was Rory’s voice echoing in my head, maybe it was the feeling that life was slipping by too quickly. I dusted on light makeup, slipped into a shimmery dress that caught the light just right, and buckled on 2.5-inch heels. My phone buzzed—Rory. Are you ready to go? Yes, I'll be down in 5 minutes, I texted back. Kellan’s car was outside when I came down. Rory was already in the front seat, looking gorgeous as usual. I slid into the back. “You look more beautiful tonight,” Kellan said with a small smile. “Thank you,” I murmured. Rory twisted around in her seat, eyes glinting with mischief. “Something tells me you won’t be sleeping alone tonight.” “Please shut up,” I groaned, rolling my eyes. But a smile betrayed me. The truth is, I’d never had a boyfriend. I had never kissed anyone. Not even close. The club was a world I didn’t belong to. The air was heavy with perfume, sweat, and music that throbbed deep in my chest. Lights danced across the room, catching on sequined dresses and sharp jawlines. Kellan led us to a VIP booth he’d reserved, the kind with plush seating and a table that was immediately filled with bottles. Rory ordered Margaritas for herself and Kellan, then turned to me with a grin that made me nervous. “You,” she said, pointing her finger at me, “are drinking Hennessy tonight. You’re going to loosen up if it kills me.” I laughed it off, but when the glass touched my lips, the liquid was smoother than I expected—sweet, even. Too sweet. I kept sipping, one glass turning into two, then three. By the time Rory and Kellan disappeared to the dance floor, I was already swimming. The room blurred, spinning slightly, and I couldn’t seem to stop smiling at nothing. That’s when I heard him. “Hey, beautiful. Want to have a good time?” I turned. He was tall, dark-haired, with a confidence that felt dangerous. His eyes caught mine, and in my haze, it felt like gravity itself had shifted toward him. Normally, I would’ve laughed, shaken my head, maybe even been scared. But the alcohol had stripped away reason, leaving nothing but recklessness. He reached out his hand, and I placed mine in it without thinking. “Let’s find a hotel nearby,” he whispered against my ear. “I want to feel you.” The words should have jolted me back to reality. Instead, the Hennessy pulsed through me, warm and dizzying, urging me forward. My feet stumbled as he led me out of the club, his hand firm around mine. I didn’t look back. I didn’t even remember Rory and Kellan existed. ********** Morning. My head pounded, my mouth was dry, and my body sore. I opened my eyes to unfamiliar sheets, the muted sunlight of a hotel room, and the terrifying weight of reality crashing over me. Beside me, a man lay asleep, turned away. Oh God. What have I done? My hands shook as I scrambled to collect my dress, my shoes, and my scattered things. I didn’t dare glance at his face. I couldn’t. Shame and fear drove me faster than curiosity ever could. I slipped out of the room, my heels clutched in my hands, and ran. By the time I got home, my chest felt like it was splitting open. I shut the door behind me and collapsed against it, sobs breaking free. Tears blurred everything. Why did I drink so much? Why did I let Rory talk me into going? Why did I let a stranger take me away? In the bathroom mirror, the sight of blood on my clothes made me freeze. My heart clenched so tight I thought it might stop. It was my first kiss. My first touch. My first night with a man—and it had been thrown away, lost in a haze I could barely remember. Shame burned through me. I stripped quickly, stepping into the shower, scrubbing until my skin turned red. But no amount of soap could wash away the ache inside. When I stepped out, I slipped on a pad, my hands still trembling. Then my phone buzzed on the counter. Dad. My stomach twisted, fear racing through me. Why was he calling? Did he somehow know?