For the first few seconds, Alicia wanted to believe that she was imagining things. But Tyra's laughter behind her and the closed door in front of her made it clear enough that she wasn't imagining things.
It was real.
She had been locked out. And it wasn't just her.
She looked at the guard she had risked her life to save. He had been ignored.
She also looked down at Paulina, whose entire body was shaking as she cried on the ground.
The guard stepped away from Alicia's support and leaned on the door. However, he looked at Alicia with guilt. As though it was his fault she could not make it on time.
"Were... you pushed out?" Alicia asked Paulina just as she helped her up, ignoring Tyra's taunting remarks and crazy laughter.
"N-No." Paulina stuttered.
"You... came out yourself?" Alicia asked in disbelief.
Everything still felt like a dream to her.
