"Clap!"
A sharp, stinging pain coursed through her skin, followed by a warmth and numbness that stayed all over her cheek for quite some time before finally being replaced by pain again. Her white-toned, delicate face now bore a fiery red handprint that seemed to have been embedded in her skin.
The loud, deafening sound hung in the air, immediately bringing silence upon the once cheerful and lively restroom that buzzed with chatter, laughter, and clatter not long ago. Everyone's attention was forcefully drifted to the source of this unexpected, thunderous noise.
In a distant corner of the ladies' room, Rachael stood shocked, disbelief etched clearly onto her face, with her left cheek completely covered and hidden beneath her hand. Her eyes widened, mouth agape; her body still trembling from the aftershock of the slap.
She couldn't believe that someone would actually hit her, physically abusing her, without a reason or cause. She, being gentle and kindhearted as ever, had never been rude to anyone, much less provoke them to the point of a brawl.
Not to mention the fact that the three girls stood before her - Sarah as the main leader, followed by Lisa and Freya, the three loyal lackeys of the famous school belle, Jenifer Austin - were ones she rarely ever crossed paths with, let alone prompted them into hurting her.
With quivering lips and glossy eyes, she nervously scanned the room, only to find everyone's piercing, deep gaze locked onto her. There was a hint of amusement, a speck of enjoyment, with a little bit of sympathy, along with a tiny drop of pity, in their eyes.
She had always tried to be humble, to be genuine, kind to others, all along avoiding those that could potentially be triggered easily into committing immoral acts. Throughout her life until now, she was forever graceful, never having to face such a disgrace.
However, at this very moment, she felt utterly humiliated, embarrassed to have become the epitome of public shaming, an exemplar of ignominy. As noble and dignified as she was, this fiasco was like a disaster, a horrible stain to her reputation that couldn't be washed away even after numerous attempts.
Her gaze drifted to the floor, striving anxiously to conceal the hurt, the insult, and the shame that stubbornly lingered within the depths of her very being. She felt a stinging burn that threatened to spill from her eyes when they interacted with the polished marble tiles that intricately decorated the ground of the ladies' room.
A flush of anger surged through her veins; her body trembled with the growing storm of contained fury. She lifted her head, facing Sarah, the culprit who just abused her; her hand clenched tightly, through gritted teeth she began, "W- Why..."
Rachael couldn't even finish her words when, all of a sudden, she was vigorously pushed backwards. She stumbled, failing to hold onto something for support; her back brutally struck the wall behind her as she fell down.
"Aah!" A loud cry escaped the cusps of her lips; she winced as a terrible pain shot through her body, penetrating deep within her bones. Her eyes shut tightly, head spun, and for a moment, the room seemed to tilt.
Sarah closed in, dropping to her knees to level herself with Rachael; her eyes flashing with malice. She grasped Rachael's collar, her fingers digging deep into the fabric. Then, with a harsh jerk, Sarah pulled her forward, their faces inches apart.
"Think you're special just because you've known him since childhood?" Sarah sneered, her tone dripping with mockery and disgust. "You are a nobody, Rachael. A pathetic wannabe!"
Rachael could feel the collar tightening around her neck; instinctively, she held onto Sarah's hand, attempting to break free from her grasp.
"Are you out of your mind, Sarah? What nonsense are you spouting? Let go of me, now!" Her voice trembled as she struggled to breathe. Her face turned deadly pale, drained of color from the lack of oxygen.
Lisa and Freya quickly intervened, grasping Sarah's arm. "That's enough, Sarah. Let her go," Freya said firmly.
Lisa too mediated between them, "Yeah, Sarah, let her go. Look at her face; she might pass out if you continue like this."
Hearing that, Sarah swiftly released Rachael. Standing up, she dusted off her hands and clothes with disdain, her expressions twisted with revulsion, as if she'd touched something filthy.
Rachael coughed violently, her hands clutching her throat, eyes brimming with unshed tears. She panted desperately, trying to catch her breath.
"Don't ever try to compete with Jenny, otherwise-" Sarah's words trailed off halfway through her sentence.
Suddenly, a bucket full of icy-cold water was dumped over Rachael, drenching her from head to toe, leaving her gasping for breath. Water streamed down her face, soaking her hair and uniform, and forming puddles on the floor.
"Otherwise, you'll regret it." Sarah spat, turning on her heels and exiting the restroom, leaving behind those harsh, malicious words that lingered in the air.
Rachael, still on the ground, drenched and shocked from the recent ordeal, her body trembled uncontrollably. She was bullied, insulted, humiliated and embarrassed in front of so many people.
She threw a quick glance over the crowd that had gathered around her, saw faces she recognized – including her classmates and acquaintances. Yet, in that moment, they seemed like strangers, totally indifferent to her.
All this while, not a single person had attempted to intervene, and even after they left, nobody approached Rachael. Instead, it seemed as though they were disappointed that their twisted entertainment had ended so abruptly.
A lump formed in her throat, she felt isolated, vulnerable, and exposed. The pain in her back seemed nothing compared to the one in her heart. The hushed murmurs of others felt like salt on her wounds.
She took a deep breath, struggling to compose herself. Her hands still trembled, but she forced herself to stand, using the wall for support.
With a quiet determination, she pushed away from the wall, her legs wobbly beneath her. She took a step forward, then another, her eyes fixed on the door. She needed to escape, to find solace in solitude.
She didn't want anyone's pity or sympathy, she just wanted to be alone.