Chapter 2 #2
I was actually a fan of how I looked, but I was made fun of a lot, so it was clearly not a shared opinion.
I had even been called a ‘runt’ our freshman year of high school, along with everything from ‘soft’ to ‘thick.’ It was something I didn’t understand—I was smaller than them, for sure, but I think they may have been referring to my hips when talking about the other two aspects.
I mean, sure, I didn’t have mile-long legs and I had a bit more hips and butt than they did, but I had never viewed it as a bad thing.
Luckily, on my few trips to the pack grocery store, I had come across women on magazine covers that had a few more curves like myself.
It had been a marginal win, and while I’d been upset I wasn’t allowed to purchase the magazines, it had made me feel better for sure.
It didn’t matter how healthy I ate or if I worked out constantly. Your body type was your body type, and there was nothing wrong with that. I knew that, even if it was hard to remember sometimes. I just happened to be a bit more compact than the other women in my pack.
Secondly, on the more colorful aspect, my mass of wavy hair was bright.
Naturally. It was lilac, filled with pale periwinkle, light blue, and lavender that brought eyes to me even during the most inconvenient of times.
Hence why I was currently wearing a beanie with my hair tucked underneath, trying my best to be invisible.
Some of the girls in my pack had accused me of dying my hair, but I had never even cut my hair, which was why it was down past my butt when I brushed it out fully.
Speaking of which, I was starting to think that I may need a haircut, because most of the women I’d come across had shorter hair, and the braids I’d done my hair in under my beanie, just to keep it hidden, were starting to tug on my scalp uncomfortably.
At least if it was short, I could hide it easier.
I was always trying to keep attention off myself, but I had a feeling I was pretty bad at it.
None of this had been a problem when I’d been in my room by myself.
Maybe I could hide out in my dorm or wherever they were going to have me stay.
Before anything, though, I needed to figure how to get to campus in the first place.
I frowned, really starting to feel some resentment towards Theresa, Gerald, and Alpha, who had thrown me into this without any direction. Jerks.
Letting out a small yawn, I winced as bright sunlight hit directly off the face of the frozen lake in the distance, hurting my blue eyes.
I needed sunglasses. Not that I could afford them, but I very much needed them.
Also a coat that was far warmer than this one.
Looking down at my outfit and threadbare bright-green jacket that was splattered with paint, I wondered if I could somehow make it warmer.
Maybe another sweater underneath? I knew that the person had donated it to our pack’s thrift store because they assumed the paint ruined it.
Personally, I thought it added some character.
Maybe I would find someone at Silver Falls that agreed with me. One could hope that I’d find someone in this large world that would celebrate quirkiness. I mean, there had to be someone willing to be friends with me on campus… right?
Goddess, I hoped so, or this was going to be a very lonely experience.
My wolf huffed, rolling her eyes as if I was being ridiculous.
It didn’t surprise me. In her opinion, we didn’t need anyone.
But what if we wanted someone? What if I wanted a real friend?
There was nothing wrong with that, right?
Sadness hit my chest as my wolf offered a small whine of concern that I swallowed down.
No. I was not going down that rabbit hole of emotions.
I would find friends. I could do this.
Nibbling on my bottom lip, I ran a hand under my beanie and attempted to loosen the braid against my scalp slightly.
My headache was getting worse, and there was a tension running through my frame, making me want to lay down.
Self-preservation kept my eyes open and my body alert, though, because until we had somewhere to lay our head down tonight, we were not safe.
“Now arriving—Kirkwall.”
Suddenly, I was wishing it had taken longer.
I wasn’t ready for this at all. Standing up a bit too fast from the train seat, the plastic-like leather creaking under my butt, I swayed slightly, feeling dizzy.
I hadn’t eaten since yesterday morning, so hopefully campus would have something?
Apparently, my scholarship came with ‘room and board,’ so I assumed that would include food?
Maybe? I believe that was what the term meant.
I pulled my duffel bag over my shoulder as I stumbled into the aisle, attempting—and failing—to hold it in a way that wouldn’t aggravate my bruised ribs.
It was heavy enough that I let out a small grunt as I positioned it behind me, leaning forward slightly as I tried to handle the weight of it.
How did other students get all of their stuff to school?
My memory flashed to a movie I had seen about six months ago where the main character’s parents had dropped her off on campus. A family that was nothing like mine sending their child off to a campus that, if I had to guess, was nothing like this one.
Panic filled my chest as I considered the indisputable fact that I knew no one here.
I was starting a semester later than other freshmen, and everyone would already have their friends.
It was very possible people wouldn’t even notice my arrival, and maybe that was good? I was very torn on how to feel.
As I made my way to the part of the train where the doors were, I winced as the strap of the duffel dug into my shoulder uncomfortably.
I may not have a lot, but it sure felt much heavier the longer this day went on.
Then again, I had barely gotten an hour of sleep last night, far too anxious and worked up about this morning, so of course it was unsurprising that I felt so fatigued.
“Can I help you with that?”
The question came from a warm, deep voice that echoed from behind me.
The relaxed nature of the question and the man’s tone were almost purposefully calm, as if he was worried I would startle.
Despite his attempt, I jumped slightly and turned quickly, nearly stumbling under the weight of the bag to see who was close enough behind me that I could hear them.
My head fell back, and I found myself looking up into the face of a very handsome and tall man. Taller than most men I knew, and attractive enough that I could feel my ears heating and my entire body freezing up.
“What?” I asked sincerely, needing him to repeat his question, because wow—I couldn’t focus on anything but his face.
Oh no. I had no idea how to interact with this man. This was going to be awkward for everyone. I wonder if I could apologize in advance.
“I was wondering if I could help you with your bag.” His small smile was understanding and filled with an affection that glinted in his gaze.
I swallowed nervously, not knowing how to respond and wondering briefly if he was only acting nice because he wanted something.
Gerald did that a lot. I felt my brow dip as he continued to look over my expression, his eyes darkening as if he saw something that upset him.
Was I that transparent? It was possible.
I wanted to know what he thought of me. Why did I care?
I was curious, though. I felt an electrifying sense of awareness going up my spine, trying to alert me to something.
The train swayed to a stop before I could even respond, arriving at the station, and leaving me feeling even more impossibly awkward.
What did I do now? No, seriously—not only was I terrible with social situations, but I felt like my mouth wasn’t working.
Words weren’t coming out, and I was staring at this man like a fish, my mouth slightly open as if I had never been around someone of the male species before.
To be fair, he was exceptionally handsome and smelled amazing…
The doors dinged open and I blushed, realizing I was still staring at him. I was such a weirdo. The man flashed me a smile, two dimples appearing against his tan skin, as my heart literally stuttered in my chest.
Oh, that was bad. What was that about? Maybe I was having a heart attack. I had been around ‘attractive’ men before… they had piss poor personalities, but physically, they had been pretty.
This guy? Well, I hadn’t realized I had a type until I was standing toe to toe with him and his freakin’ dimples. Which meant I needed to run. Fast. Because hadn’t I just been saying this was the last thing I needed? Also, considering the massive change I was going through? This wasn’t welcome.
His angular, chiseled jaw and stunning face were a warm, light golden tone that was contrasted by a wave of dark, almost navy hair that seemed to highlight just how beautiful he was.
Like some type of angel. It also brought to attention how far away his face was from me, making him far over a foot taller than myself.
I didn’t know if he was muscular, but he sure seemed like it, and that was with him wearing a vintage-looking jacket with jeans and vans.
My eyes flickered to his chest, the shirt tight against his form, and I nearly sighed, confirming my prediction that… he had muscles.
What really caught my eye, though? The faint silver bite mark on his neck. Was he a bitten wolf also? The scent of raw earth filled the space around us as people pushed past to hop off, no one touching me, luckily, because I was positive I would get knocked over.