Page 20 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

My classmate walked away muttering, “They are isolating her. She needs to know what she is. I was hoping she knew because none of us have a clue.” What I am? I knew what I was. A lonely girl whose own mom couldn’t stand to be around her for more than a week at a time.

A girl who was susceptible to abuse because I wanted the connection I used to have with Lux. The girl I was now knew that no one could replace Lux. Melanie and her friends had made me feel seen again though. I wasn’t going to fall for another abusive scheme. I could fight back now.

I snorted and walked to my next class. Several of Roxie’s friends were observing me with new looks. It was like they somehow spoke to Roxie about our conversation. Which wasn’t possible because Roxie didn’t come in here.

None of them were looking at their phones so she didn’t text them. Were they intuitive? I shrugged it off and completed my test. I knew I would get an A. Once the bell rang, I went to lunch. I was sitting at a random table when someone plopped down beside me.

I knew who it was the second he whispered in my ear while running his finger up my arm, “You call to me. God, I think you’re my addiction. I could have you screaming my name underneath me so fast.” I jerked away from him.

I warned, “Stay away from me, Todd.” The wannabe Luke jumped up, acting offended, “Don’t be a tease.” Roxie was beside me in a flash with her boyfriend. God, they should run track. I swore they were just across the room two seconds ago.

Roxie practically growled, “Back off spell boy, Tess doesn’t like you.” Spell boy? Were people into Wicca around here? Darn. Maybe I should’ve asked Todd some questions about hexes and shit to keep Luke away.

Todd shot back, “That’s Warlock man to you, dog.” I gaped at him while Roxie’s boyfriend snarled. I jumped in, “Todd, that is not how you talk to women. Roxie isn’t a dog, and she was just defending me.” Todd stared into my eyes.

Suddenly, he was flush up against me. Todd moaned, “Oh yeah baby, command me. Tell me what to do.” Before anyone else could react, I grabbed his wrist and twisted it before kneeing Todd in the balls. He went down in a heap. The lunchroom was silent for a second before it howled with laughter. Literally.

I swear some of Roxie’s friends were howling. Gosh. Maybe mom was right. I read too many paranormal, fantasy books. Roxie chuckled, “Damn, Tess. You’ve got moves. The poor Warlock man didn’t realize your strength.”

I grabbed my bag saying, “I had a friend who taught me self-defense after…” I trailed off. I couldn't tell these people I was kidnapped or beaten up by my ex-boyfriend. Roxie frowned, “After what?” I shrugged, “Doesn’t matter. I learned and I will never be the weak prey people think I am.”

I ran to the exit like it was my lifeline. I reached the door when I heard Todd groan, “What the hell is she to be so strong?” Roxie shot back, “Don’t mess with people you don’t know, Todd.” He winced and cupped his balls.

Todd retorted, “I told you something about her calls to me.” Roxie scoffed, “Whatever. You’re a creep and everyone knows it.” I frowned, because he was hardly the first person to say something about me ‘called to them.’

I noticed that Roxie’s boyfriend, Kaiser, was staring at me. I shook myself and muttered, “How the hell could I hear them? It was like they were right next to me.” I walked out the door. Someone said, “So Fairies are out.” Fairies? What?

Did someone think Todd was gay until he accosted me? He did kind of keep to himself. Weren’t we past this as a society? Todd could like who he liked without being called names. He just needed to stop being a creep about it. I went to the library to calm myself down.

After a while Roxie’s brother, Rex, came and sat down by me. I wanted to tense, but I didn’t. In fact, it was like his actual presence wrapped around me like a safety net. What in the hell was wrong with me?! I wasn’t attracted to Rex, but my body was telling me I was safe in his presence. Maybe because Todd was a creep and Rex wasn’t. Surely, that was it.

I asked, “Can I help you?” Rex laughed, “Someone is snappy today.” I sighed, “Sorry.” Rex offered, “Todd is a jerk.” I nodded. Rex continued, “You seem really lonely, Tess.” I acknowledged, “Probably because I am.”

Rex frowned, “Roxie would love to be your friend.” I told him, “I broke my rule of not making friends in the last place I lived only for my mom blew back into town and ruin it. Now I don’t get to see them until I track them down when I turn eighteen. It hurts every day that I’m not with them.”

I whispered, “Like an ache in my chest that’s crying out for that little group I joined.” I weakly joked, “Like a pack.” I faltered, “I mean, god. Yes, I’m a weirdo who reads Fantasy.” Rex shrugged, “As do I. I don’t find it weird to want a pack. I have my own, and I’m kind of the leader.” I’d noticed that in my time here.

I corrected, “We both are obviously meaning a friend group, not a pack. I’m happy to meet a fellow fantasy book lover though. Anyways, it hurts less when my mom meets her next boyfriend victim and we leave, if I don’t make friends. I learned that when I was five, but at the last place I forgot.”

I snorted, “Rather, my friend wouldn’t stop showing up and including me. They became the group I needed to see and now I can’t even contact them. I thought I could keep that going here, but my ex proved that wrong. Plus, you don’t want me to be your sister’s friend.”

Rex pointed out, “That’s a bold statement from someone who doesn’t know me.” I snorted, “My own mom doesn’t even like me. I don’t see her much, and when I do it’s because she’s been dumped or did the dumping and we are moving. My older brother vanished from my life without a goodbye, and he was my only constant for five years.”

“My psycho ex-boyfriend is apparently stalking me and might report to my mother we are talking. You know that kid in the hospital? My ex is responsible, because the poor guys kissed me. Who knows if my evil ex is around now? I didn’t even know he was in the town to notice he realized I had friends in Nashville. Let alone got kissed by someone here.”

Rex interrupted, “Does he feel like you’re his soul mate? Or mention anything about that to you?” I snorted, “No, he feels entitled to me because our parents decided we are getting married. They are all insane. He was physically, and mentally, abusive.” Rex growled angrily.

I continued, “Like the abusive jerk he is, my ex didn’t like my friends or me being kissed. Or it was the fact that I had friends at all that he hated. I really don’t know. I even have this blood disorder from my dad, whom I’ve never met, and when I don’t take the medication for it I get really sick and hear voices.”

I winced then defended myself, “Well, it was just the one time because I took them religiously after that. Ok, it was just the one voice but still. The point remains; you don’t want your sister to be friends with someone like me.”

Rex questioned, “What did the voice say?” I gaped at him then asked, “That’s your question?” Rex nodded, “Yes, and the answer is important.” The bell rang. I told him, “To be continued at Thanksgiving, I guess.”

Rex grabbed my arm, but unlike when Todd did it I still felt like Rex wouldn’t hurt me or be creepy. I was LOSING MY MIND. It was being alone after being a friend group. That had to be it. I looked down commenting, “You’re really strong and fast.”

Rex replied, “So are you. You really are coming to Thanksgiving, right?” I nodded, “Roxie invited me and I have nothing else to do. Provided my mother doesn’t show up and make us move. Or my crazy ex doesn’t show up and dislike you guys. Truthfully, you should probably watch out for that. He’s insane.”

Rex frowned, “What does he look like? Do you have a picture?” I answered, “No, but you could find one probably. I’ve found in schools there are cliques and the rich people can get pictures. His name is Luke Merrick, and he graduated from college in Maine last year.”