Chapter Six
Ipass by the kitchen to grab a snack for school.
I've been cooped up in my room since my birthday, two days ago.
Yesterday I couldn't bear to get out of bed and have to deal with anybody so I stayed there.
My mind was going crazy, though. Overthinking really can make you feel sick.
So today I'm going to school. My dad looks up from his coffee when I reach the pantry.
“Babe, I'm running late to drop Kieryn off.” Step-Bitch moves around the kitchen, not even acknowledging me.
My father and I obviously can't talk right now.
Maybe we shouldn't talk at all. The words were better written down.
Dad gives me a nod and a small smile, letting me know that was that.
We don't have to talk. We're both on the same page.
For now, at least. I don't know if I'll ever tell him about the abuse.
Given we're in an actual acceptable place now, diving in too deep will be uncertain.
I don't like the word uncertain. That just means it could go terribly wrong.
But I don't think I can ever get over him not knowing.
Is he ignorant, in denial, or just clueless?
Whichever it is doesn't matter. A good parent would sense a problem with their child.
This is as much of a relationship as we're ever going to get. I nod back, then leave.
Getting to school, I get out of my car and head for the main school gates but unfortunately, the three monstrosities are standing out the front. I can't just not walk in. Even though I don't want to tolerate their bullshit, this is the only way in. I carry on my way and then they speak.
“Crossbred,” Ember mocks.
“Virgin.” Hannah smirks.
How is that an insult? Virginity is just a form of innocence. It doesn't make you superior or inferior. It's just a stepping stone if you choose for it to be.
“The fact you think being a virgin is an insult shows how brain dead you are.” The words come out before I can stop them. Usually I don't bite back when they bully but when someone says something so utterly stupid, I can't stop myself from correcting her. When their eyes narrow, I know I messed up.
“Excuse me?” Ember steps forward.
“What did you call me?” Hannah screeches.
“Stop blocking the gates, halfwits,” Joel orders as he charges through them. He doesn't even look at me. He keeps walking ahead. The bell rings so I side step them and walk straight on.
“This isn't over, Elora,” Mitchell calls after me with his vicious voice.
I go to my locker and lean against it. They're going to beat me up.
There's no way they're going to let me get away with giving them a taste of their own medicine.
One on one, I could possibly take each. Well, probably not Mitchell.
But when all three attack me, my already sore body is too weak to get up.
I've really got to not run into them when there's no one else around.
I'm not saying they wouldn't be able to do it at school but they risk getting expelled.
Ember and Hannah have cornered me in the girls' bathroom before but no teachers found out.
Most of the time teachers don't do anything about bullying so there's no point telling them.
“Elora, where were you yesterday?” Amelia leans into the locker beside me.
“Just took a day for myself,” I answer, given I can't tell her that my mate rejected me.
***
At lunchtime, Amelia and I sit down in the spots we usually sit in unless we go to the library during lunch.
“I could go for something sweet.” Amelia makes a sour face at her sandwich. “But I don't want to wait in the canteen line.”
“I'll go for you,” I say, in the mood for a chocolate bar myself.
“Thank you.” She passes me a few coins and I walk to the canteen.
There are multiple lines and they all seem the same length so I just jump in one. Dennis and his friends are in front of me so I listen to their conversation to give me something to do while I wait.
“Like can you believe it?” Dennis sounds exasperated.
“Dude, get over it,” one of his friends says, and the rest of them laugh.
Citrus hits my nose and I see Joel in the line beside this one, a few spots ahead of me. That scent is starting to piss me off. My wolf approves but I don't. Even though my wolf is wallowing in despair over being rejected, she still perks up at his scent. This year is going to be a bitch.
“I'm serious,” Dennis says. I turn my attention back to the conversation to distract myself. “She actually called me ugly.”
“So what!” his friend says.
“What if she's right? Do other girls think I'm ugly?” Dennis asks, worried. He's used to girls liking him so his ego must be dropping. I decide to speak up, in hopes of hurting Joel, if he's even listening.
“Well I think you're pretty hot, Dennis,” I say in a sweet voice. Joel's head snaps in my direction. He looks startled by my words. I didn't just get Joel's attention, but also Dennis's.
“Really?” he asks, grinning.
“Yeah.” I smile to sell it. Smiling feels foreign. Ugh, I'm flirting. What am I doing?
“That's good to know.” He winks at me then turns to order his food since he's at the front of the line. I hope he doesn't think anything of my compliment.
After getting Amelia and my snacks, I walk back to her. But she's not alone. Reeve is standing near her, making me scoff. When I reach them and he sees me, he frowns.
“Cya, Amelia, I hope you reconsider my suggestion.” He smiles at her before walking away.
“Was it a no?” I sit down.
“Yeah, like you said, he's a douchebag. I don't think I want to waste my time with high school guys anyway,” Amelia says.
“University guys?” I ask.
“No... it's just I've been thinking once I turn eighteen I'm officially an adult. I'm thinking of getting a sugar daddy, especially while I'm at university.”
“Woah, you sure?”
I'm surprised. A sugar daddy is a little extreme but I don't know.
“Apparently some girls have good arrangements with sugar daddies. There are a lot of pros to it.”
“You'll have to do sexual favours for an old man.”
“The older the more experienced, right?” She shrugs her shoulders. I stare at her with unease and she laughs.
“As long as you're safe.” I give her a slight hug, not wanting my friend to get hurt.
“I will be.”
“Lora.” Dennis walks over. This can't be good.
“I told you it's Elora,” I remind him.
“Want to catch a movie with me tonight?” Dennis is charming but he's charming with every girl.
I can't date him... Wait. Why? I've planned that I'll be with a human partner in my future.
Dating guys now would just be extra experience and maybe a little fun in my life.
I look to Amelia for advice and she just shrugs. So much for advice.
“Yeah, um, don't expect anything, though,” I warn.
“I'll let you kiss me first.” He grins.
“Aren't you confident?” Amelia remarks.
“What do you say?”
“I'll agree to that,” I say.
“Where do you live? I'll pick you up.”
“Actually, I'll meet you at the movies,” I quickly say. I can't have a human coming into the werewolf residential community.
“Okay, see you at seven.” He walks off.
“You have a date,” Amelia states.
“Yeah.”
“How... how will you take your clothes off... given your bruises?” she asks quietly.
“I'm not going to sleep with him. I just figure a date could be fun,” I tell her. He will not see my body. Maybe some leg since I'll dress up in something nice, but that's it.