Aveline
I was drinking with my friends 'cause tomorrow is the event at our university. I was driving alone, it was already midnight. My sister—she'll kill me. I was driving, the road was straight, dark, and empty. Why did they choose an out-of-city point? Are they idiots or something?
Suddenly, my car stopped working. Wow, the universe is so cruel to me, don't you think?
And the fun fact is—it suddenly started raining. Why…? My life is playing with me.
I called Mireline—she wasn't picking up. Damn!
Mom? Dad? Nope. I don't want a slap.
The person I least wanted to ask for help… no option.
I called her. Luckily, she picked up.
"Hello, Aveline?"
"Umm… Ruby, could you come and pick me up? Sis isn't picking up any of my calls."
"Hmm, yeah sure. Send me the address, I'll be there."
I wasn't expecting her to pick up—let alone agree. But whatever. I sent her my live location and waited in the car.
Out of nowhere, a car stopped—not far, near my car. I was feeling uncomfortable. You know… girl's insecurities.
Yes, I was having one—'cause two boys were coming near me. I got chills. My heart—it was beating damn fast.
They were looking at me like I was their food.
I was so scared—eyes filled with tears. I was cursing Ruby, where the hell is she?!
They came.
"Hey, pretty lady. Alone here in light rainin'? Do you need help? Come, let's go—we'll drop you."
They were trying to grab my wrist. I pushed them and started running in the opposite direction.
I heard the sound of a car. I ran toward it—and saw a tall, familiar figure. I hugged her immediately, 'cause I knew who she was.
"What took you so long, Ruby Sun?! Goddammit—I was so scared! You idiot, couldn't you come earlier!?"
"Shhh, shhh… I'm here now."
She held me back—and I saw Adam and Luna were also with Ruby.
"Go and teach them a lesson, guys. I'm leaving first," she said in a low, husky voice.
They had come in two cars—one was Ruby's, the other was Adam and Luna's.
I held onto her tightly. I was stunned—I couldn't even walk. My legs were weak.
Without another word, she carried me—one hand slightly under my thighs, the other on my back.
And me? I hugged her neck. I didn't even dare to look anywhere.
She gently opened the passenger door for me and said,
"Okay, we're going. Don't worry."
Then she sat… and started driving.
I was still cursing her.
"Why didn't you come earlier? What if… what if…"
I whispered, "Something might've happened to me?"
I was crying, and my hands were trembling.
You know—a girl, alone on an empty road, and suddenly boys (or a boy) come and approach you?
You can feel that fear. That chill.
That fear of what's next:
R*pe.
Ruining my life.
A lifetime of trauma.
A bad reputation in society…
Or ending my life from depression.
I can't even imagine the girls who've actually experienced this.
How do they even survive?
It's not their fault.
It's society's fault.
The people's fault—for giving boys that title:
"You're a boy, you can do anything."
Ruin lives of girls...?
Do whatever they want 'cause they're boys?
Because society gives more respect and value to boys than girls?
That's why they think they can do anything.
Wow—what a society.
Their sons ruin the lives of girls… and those aunties say:
"Your girl has bad character. She's characterless."
Really?
Your f***ing son was the one who did this.
How am I at fault?
Why don't you teach your sons to respect girls?
Oh, sorry. I forgot. The meaning of "girl" is:
"She's a girl. She can't do anything. We'll control her life. We'll destroy her.
Why…? Simple.
Because she's a girl."
Ruby… she held my hand and calmed me down.
We reached her place—new to me. Not her usual villa, it was another one.
I looked at her.
She said,
"That's my little world. My villa. Don't worry, okay? That's my place—only mine."
We entered the villa.
The staff and a butler—seemed like he was 70 years old, I guess—greeted us respectfully.
He smiled at me like he already knew me.
I dunno why…
We went to the guest room. It was very beautiful and big.
Ruby said,
"Aveline, go and take a bath, okay? I'll bring you my clothes."
She said "my clothes."
I replied with a nod and went to the bathroom.
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