Chapter 42

• Nathalie couldn't understand why this situation was affecting her so deeply. It wasn't as though she had never encountered unwanted advances before. Drunk men often behaved this way. Even though she wasn't the most popular girl in high school or college, she'd occasionally had to fend off undesirable attention at parties. It was never personal; these men usually found a willing participant elsewhere when she declined, yet these experiences had shown her the unpleasant side of male behavior. Mr. Tomas was no exception. He was merely intoxicated and upset, and Nathalie just happened to be there. If Trixie had been in her place, he would likely have directed his attention toward her instead.
• Nevertheless, Nathalie felt unsettled. The incident with Daniel resurfaced in her mind as she touched her face with a shiver. What was she doing to make men feel they had the liberty to behave as they pleased with her? Was she unconsciously sending out some kind of signal? Did she inadvertently flirt with Mr. Tomas? After all, she did dance with him and asked for his help in the teacher's lounge. It seemed obvious to her that she was merely trying to keep the boys from witnessing their parents argue at a school event, but perhaps it wasn't as clear to him. Elise's caution about placing herself in vulnerable situations with intoxicated individuals echoed in her mind. She repeated such a mistake with Daniel, the night he struck her, and now with Mr. Tomas. Nathalie berated herself for it.
• "Earth to Nathalie!" Trixie exclaimed, waving a hand in front of her face and laughing when Nathalie let out a startled cry. "All the parents are gone. Could you help with the cleanup?"