Page 45 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

The desire to sing was about to overtake me when Keaton’s eyes briefly flashed black. Gosh, there goes my active imagination again. He said ‘mine’. The song continued in my mind until the guy beside Keaton said something.

I realized that it was Keith that had spoken. I looked at the locker in confusion. It was one hundred and five and the combination opened it. Do they share lockers in this school? Surely Riley wouldn’t make a mistake like that.

I quickly explained the locker situation, which only seemed to confuse Keaton. Every time I looked at this man, the song began at the beginning. He walked closer and the song grew louder. I was forcing myself not to sing it.

I was crushed to realize Keaton didn’t know I was a transfer student. He introduced himself, and I decided to call him Key. It fit with his name, and I heard a song when I looked at him. The song just happened to be in the most beautiful key I’d ever heard.

I almost told the man my real name. Everything in me wanted to hear Keaton say Odette. When we touched, the song started with gusto and it felt like a pleasant electricity lit through me. I quickly apologized. The static in the air was going to be my downfall because I already wanted to touch Keaton again.

Keaton wanted my schedule. My brain wasn’t working. What schedule? I felt like my schedule should be to follow him around and hear the song in my own dang head. The hottest man alive wanted to show me around!

I laughed, knowing Immy might have a heart attack if I didn’t let her give me a tour. Plus, if Keaton gave it to me, I’d never learn where anything was. Keith tried to correct me on Keaton’s name. I couldn’t tell exactly tell the man why I was calling his twin Key though.

Hearing a song in your head was weird. They would think I was crazy, and while I might be crazy, I wasn’t going back to that place that strapped me down. What was wrong with me? I was just inspired by Keaton. That’s it. I wrote songs sometimes. So, Keaton was now my muse. That was it. My phone buzzed.

Immy: I’m here so early. Did you sleep in?

Me: No, I’ll be right there. I’m inside.

I excused myself and the song turned sad. Well, it could get in line. I wanted to run back to Keaton. Instead, I decided to tease him about our driving lessons. That was going to be a joke. How could I learn from to drive when I couldn’t think around the man?

I wanted to know what his lips felt like on mine. I realized I hadn’t actually met Keith. Who seemed totally fine with me ignoring him. Keaton’s twin was giving me a friendly smile like he knew a secret. Maybe he did.

I couldn’t stop myself from looking Keaton up and down. Immy was right, this man was ripped. Keaton Daniels was utterly beautiful. The song was going in my head again. When I reached Keaton’s eyes his were on mine. Oh my god. I was going to die of mortification. He knew I was checking him out! I practically sprinted away.

The song quieted, but it didn’t stop. Was this going to happen all the time? Did I need to write this song to get it out of my head? I walked up to the front to find Immy standing with two older men. They were both smiling at her. These must be her dads.

A sadness tugged at my heart knowing I’d never have that. Both men looked at her with such love. My mom had never held a fraction of warmth like that for me. I smiled though, because Immy deserved that. Her dads were both giving me a look.

Matt actually voiced that I looked familiar. Gosh, what was it with people around here? Why did I look familiar? It wasn’t like they saw me as a child. I wasn’t allowed around much, and we didn’t live in this town therefore they couldn’t actually know me.

Immy and I talked about our morning. I almost squealed, and I swear something in my head sang again, hearing we had classes with Keaton tomorrow. I internally groaned, “Calm yourself, voice.” Oh god now I’m talking to something in my head that sings. No. I had to stop that right now.

I focused on Immy. She took me by a classroom waving, “This is our homeroom.” I laughed, “I thought you wanted a cookie.” Immy cooed, “I do and I deserve my cookie. Let’s go back to you calling Keaton, Key.”

I laughed, “He’s my Key.” He was and I wasn’t about to explain why. My friend giggled, “That’s just so adorable! Like a key?” She held up a keychain. I shook my head offering, “Like a song.” Immy squealed, “He’s your song?! That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever heard because you like to sing.”

I let her think that given it was a better explanation than the truth. That I heard an actual SONG in my head. My feet stopped walking when it clicked. Mr. Vennox and Beatrice had talked about a song. Could it be this? No. I shut that thought down because that was crazy.

If I talked to anyone about this, they would lock me up. I could not go back to that place. I shivered thinking about being tied down on that bed. Immy touched my shoulder asking, “Are you ok?” I shook myself, “Yeah, I just remembered something unpleasant. Let’s get some juice. I need to take my medicine.”

Immy asked, “What is your medicine for?” I answered, “A blood disorder.” She scrunched up her face. I grabbed a juice and took my pill. Immy and I had just sat down when the song started again. I put my head in my hands when I smelled chocolate chip pancakes.

My eyes darted over and once again the song got louder as Keaton and I stared at each other. Suddenly the voice stopped singing and started hissing. THE HISSING WAS THE THING SINGING TOO?! The thing in my head was angrier than I’d ever heard it.

I quickly realized why when a fist hit Keaton. Rage poured into my veins and the hissing intensified. I looked away trying to get the hissing out of my head. When I turned back, Lisa said something about him kissing someone.

Tears filled my eyes because Keaton had a new girlfriend. Not the crazy ex, who had obviously hit him but a new girl. Because of course he did. I grabbed my bag and ran from the lunchroom as the hissing started getting louder. Tears were falling from my eyes.

I went directly to the front office with the need to protect Keaton pounding in my veins. Riley looked up then frowned asking, “Katie, what’s wrong?” I wiped my eyes, “A girl named Lisa just assaulted Keaton Daniels in the cafeteria.” Riley’s jaw dropped before she assured me, “Thank you for bringing this to the office. I’ll call his dad.”

A man walked out of the principal's office ordering, “Send the student resource officer to make sure the fight broke up and to bring back other students. We do not condone violence in this school, Ms. Karlton. I’m sorry that was your first impression of us.” I nodded and left.

I ran to the bathroom and began to sing the song. It really was beautiful. I whispered, “I hope that’s what you wanted. Please stop. Don’t hiss or sing, just don’t. I need to be normal. You don’t understand how awful that place was. Please just don’t hiss at least.”

I looked at my reflection and sighed, “Maybe you should go back. You hear hissing in your head, and you talk to it.” More tears spilled out. I walked to my homeroom and sat down. My phone dinged and I gave myself a second to collect my thoughts before I checked it.

Immy: Where are you?