Ivan was like a beacon for anyone who felt like harassing. I was called all sorts of names as people gathered around me in a circle. Eventually, one person got bold enough to step up and rip the sleeves of my dress.
I gasped and turned to my best friend. She was the only one who could stop the crowd from harassing me.
"You have to believe me, Zoya. I was sent an invitation from your number that said the dress code was emerald green. I would never—"
"Forget the dress, you fucking slut. I didn't invite you to my birthday party."
I didn't know whether to be relieved she didn't set me up to be humiliated or hurt that she didn't want me around on her special day. Either way, nothing was going my way.
"Admit it, you creep. You saw me shopping and you decided to follow me here." Ivan said.
"That doesn't make sense. I'm all dressed up and I came with presents. How could I have followed you here last minute."
"I, I—"
