26. Morning Commute Of Normalacy
Morning Commute Of Normalacy
~ E LIZABETH~
"Is this some new model?" I ask, turning the sleek phone over in my hands.
The device feels impossibly light for its size, its surface shifting colors like oil on water as it catches the morning light. The iPhone 18 Pro Max logo gleams subtly on the back, but everything about it screams 'prototype' rather than a production model.
Felix adjusts his glasses in the rearview mirror as he navigates the CyberTruck through the school's entrance.
"Unreleased," he says, a hint of pride in his voice. "Won't hit the market for another year. It's completely waterproof, shock-proof, basically everything-proof. Plus it has a built-in tracker so we can keep an eye on you if needed."
I actually don’t mind the tracker function. Knowing they’ll be able to find me if need be gives me an odd sense of comfort.
"How the fuck did you get her an unreleased iPhone 18?" Carter demands from beside me, genuine offense in his tone. "You won't even let me borrow your 16 since the 17 came out!"
Felix ignores him completely, launching into a detailed explanation of the phone's specs.
"The neural engine is twice as fast as current models, and the battery life is unprecedented. The security features are particularly impressive. Biometric scanning that goes beyond just fingerprints and facial recognition."
"Pretty slick," James comments from next to me, leaning back to get a better look. I’m sandwiched between him and Carter, while Felix is in the driver’s seat and Holmes in his usual passenger seat. "If the tracking interface is solid, that's even better."
"You're all so loud," Holmes grumbles. "Shut up."
"You're being such a grinch at Christmas," Carter accuses, dramatic as ever.
"It's not even Christmas," Felix points out dryly.
"Well, if it was, he'd get nothing but coal," Holmes retorts.
Carter gasps in exaggerated horror, clutching his chest.
"How dare?—"
"Yeah, he needs it 'cause his ego's too fucking high," James cuts in with a smirk.
"You're one to talk!" Carter fires back. "Mr. 'I Own The Academy Now So Bow Before Me.'"
The two of them launch into a rapid-fire exchange of increasingly ridiculous accusations, their words overlapping until they're practically talking over each other. The sheer absurdity of it — these supposedly dangerous Alphas bickering like children — breaks something loose in my chest.
The giggle escapes before I can stop it, bright and genuine.
The sound seems to freeze them mid-argument, all eyes turning to me in surprise.
Heat rushes to my cheeks, but I can't quite stop smiling.
"I haven't seen a pack bicker like this in a long time," I admit, fiddling with my new phone. "I mean, I've observed from afar in the cafeteria and library, but I always assumed it was some kind of act. Like they were putting on a show of being close-knit. But this..." I gesture vaguely at their frozen expressions. "This feels natural. Real." I shrug. “It’s nice. I like it.”
They stare at me in silence, something soft passing between them that I can't quite read.
"Felix," Holmes says suddenly, "you're about to hit someone."
"Shit!" Felix slams on the brakes, the truck lurching to a stop mere feet from a familiar platinum-blonde figure.
"Keep going," James says immediately, recognition darkening his features.
I elbow him in the ribs, earning a satisfying grunt.
"Why doesn't Felix drop us here?" I suggest quickly. "We can meet in front of first period. Might be less...dramatic that way."
The tension in the truck eases slightly as they consider this.
"Probably smart," Felix agrees, pulling over to the curb. "Less chance of property damage or murder charges this early in the morning."
Carter's already opening the door, extending his hand to help me out. The gesture feels oddly natural now, like we've been doing this for years instead of days.
"My lady," Carter says with exaggerated formality, making me roll my eyes even as I accept his assistance.
The crisp October air hits me as I step out, carrying with it that distinct autumn chill that always makes Hard Knot Academy feel more like some fancy prep school than the prison it really is.
My attention catches on the trees lining the path, their leaves already shifting into a paradise of orange, red, yellow, and green. The colors paint the academy grounds in warmth that almost makes you forget what happens behind its walls.
I tug at my kilt skirt, hyper-aware of the eyes following our every move. Carter's talking to Holmes about something as the latter emerges from the truck, and I can't help but smile at the sight of sunglasses perched on his face instead of his usual blindfold.
Our conversation really did get through to him.
There's something different about him today — a subtle ease in his movements that wasn't there before. He'd even dozed off briefly during the ride, something I suspect is rare given how the others had fallen silent to let him rest.
The whispers start immediately, carrying across the courtyard like leaves in the wind.
"Is that their new pack?"
"I heard it's just temporary..."
"Aren't they criminals? Just here to avoid jail time..."
I roll my eyes at the gossip, but before I can dwell on it, something warm settles across my shoulders. Looking up, I find James beside me, his hands lingering on my shoulders as he stares toward the entrance.
"Busy today," he observes. "And fucking chilly."
A smirk tugs at my lips as I look at him, really look at him. The years have been kind to his features, adding maturity without taking away that spark of mischief in his eyes that I always loved.
"I really did miss you," I admit quietly.
He pauses, looking down at me with an intensity that makes my heart skip.
Our eyes lock, and for a moment, it's like no time has passed at all.
"Don't leave me again, you hear?" he says softly, the words carrying more weight than their simple syllables suggest. I try to smile, but it comes out sad around the edges.
He sighs, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to my forehead.
"Whatever the reason," he whispers against my skin, "it's fine. But you're gonna rely on me no matter what, yes?"
A defiant smile crosses my face as I pull back slightly.
"We'll see," I tease. "I have three other options now, you know. Might have to do eenie meenie miney mo or whatever it's called."
His pout is so comically exaggerated that I can't help but snicker.
"Yeah," Carter chimes in, appearing at my side like he has some sort of radar for these moments. "She's gonna call my ass first because I'm the one with better chemistry."
James' glare could melt steel.
"Want me to show you chemistry by throwing you in that fountain by the gates?"
"I'd love to see you try," Carter scoffs. "Black belt, remember?"
"Also a black belt," James retorts. "So you can fuck right off."
"You can both end up in the damn fountain at this rate," Holmes cuts in, his hand finding mine with surprising gentleness. "Come on, Abercrombie. You're walking too damn slow and we're going to be late."
"Slow?" I protest as he tugs me forward. "I wasn't even walking!"
"Exactly," he says dryly. "That's the problem."
His grip on my hand is gentle despite his words, his thumb brushing absently across my knuckles in a way that feels oddly protective. The gesture is so natural that it takes me a moment to realize how it must look to everyone watching — the notorious Forgotten One being led around by not just any Alpha, but one of the infamous four.
I guess the Tainted Trinity is going to be the Notorious Four at this rate.
There are ideas already brewing on how we can make the gossip work in our favor, and I can only think of how the news of four Alphas being around the Forgotten One would trend like wildfire because no one would think it’s possible
We make it about halfway to the entrance before a familiar figure steps into our path.
Victoria stands there like some avenging angel in designer clothes, her newly platinum hair catching the morning light.
But the sight doesn't intimidate me the way it might have days ago.
“See?” I overhear James declare and I realize Felix is walking over to our group with the keys spinning along his finger. “Should have hit her.”
"James," I groan, looking over my shoulder to give him a pointed look. He just shrugs, completely unapologetic.
I know he isn’t.
"What is this all about?" Victoria demands, her voice carrying that artificial sweetness that sets my teeth on edge. "Using her to make some sort of dramatic scene?"
I sigh, already tired of this confrontation.
"It's not that serious," I say, "though I'm sure you'd love the drama. We're just heading to class."
She lifts her chin, somehow looking down her nose at me despite our similar height.
"Last time I checked, Forgotten Ones go that way." She points toward the longer path I usually take, her gesture dripping with condescension.
I roll my eyes, not bothering to argue as I start to move in that direction.
The guys will follow, and we can avoid this whole ? —
Holmes' hand tightens around mine, keeping me in place.
"What's wrong?" I ask, looking up at him.
"We're going this way," he says firmly, nodding toward the golden gates that lead directly to the classroom building. "Not taking a fifteen-minute detour just because some people think they own the paths."
"Does someone need to remind you of your Omega's position?" Victoria's voice carries that edge of authority she loves to wield.
The movement happens so fast I barely register it — one moment we're standing normally, and the next Holmes has closed the distance to Victoria, still holding my hand but now towering over her with unmistakable menace.
"October fourth," he says, his voice carrying that dangerous edge I'm learning to recognize. "From this point forward, I don't want to see your face." He pauses, tapping his sunglasses meaningfully. "And yes, I mean 'see' your face, though I wouldn't wish for the privilege of witnessing your ugliness with clear vision."
Gasps ripple through our growing audience, mixed with a few poorly concealed snickers.
"Elizabeth Abercrombie is the Omega of the Tainted Three," Holmes continues, his voice carrying across the courtyard.
"Four," James corrects smoothly.
"Notorious Four," I can't help but add. "Sounds more diabolical."
They all turn to look at me, and I shrug.
"What?"
Carter's laugh breaks the tension as he steps forward.
"Let me make this crystal clear for everyone listening," he announces, his voice carrying that dangerous playfulness that makes him so lethal. "Elizabeth Abercrombie is the property of the Notorious Four of Hard Knot Academy. If anyone has a problem with that, they can deal with Felix."
Felix adjusts his glasses, everyone's attention shifting to him.
"Why me?" he asks mildly. "I don't have a black belt."
"No," Carter grins. "You're a computer software engineer."
The gasps this time carry real fear, though I find myself pouting in confusion.
"Why is that a big deal?"
James chuckles beside me.
"It's common knowledge on TikTok that if you piss off a software engineer, they'll leak all your shit on the internet, including your social security number which will basically ruin your life in under five minutes."
"Diabolical!" I gasp, turning to Felix with newfound appreciation. "That's such a flex."
A blush creeps across Felix's cheeks as he adjusts his glasses again.
"And if anyone's really curious about why we're here," Carter continues, sliding his hands into his pockets with casual menace, "we've got bounties on our heads. We're not good people. So play stupid games, win stupid prizes." He grins sharply. "Come on, let's leave Miss Copycat Barbie here."
"Copycat Barbie?!" Victoria sputters as laughter ripples through the crowd.
Holmes tugs me forward, the others falling into step around us like this is something we've done a thousand times. I'm still processing their unified defense of me when Holmes leans down slightly.
"No more being treated like shit from now on, got it?"
I nod, unable to hide my smile as I feel the weight of every stare following our progress. The dynamic has shifted so completely it's almost dizzying — from Forgotten One to protected Omega in the span of a morning.
I wonder how different Hard Knot Academy is going to be now.
Looking at the four Alphas surrounding me, each dangerous in their own way but somehow perfectly balanced together, I have a feeling I'm about to find out.
And for once, I can't wait to see what happens next.