Page 81 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

Immy: Breakfast food in the freezer. I can’t believe Keaton stayed over. You have to tell me EVERYTHING in first period.

Me: We just fell asleep.

Immy: I hope not. That’s boring.

I snorted out loud because that comment was so Immy. I jumped in the shower really quickly then grabbed some underwear. Keaton was about to get in the shower after me when his lips ended up on mine. I wrapped my arms around him which let my towel fall. I grabbed it once Keaton commented on it.

The song in my head wanted me to join him in the shower. At least, I think it did. Oh, sweet baby Jesus. You can just say you want to shower with your umm guy? What even is he to me? The guy I just started dating. Don’t blame a song, Odette.

I walked out and blushed, “Good morning, Keith.” He smiled, “Katie.” I frowned hating that he didn’t use my real name. Why did I want him to know my real name? Keith asked, “Is something wrong?” I shook my head, “Nope. Are your parents going to be upset about Keaton staying over?”

Keith said, “No, they aren’t even close to being upset. You got Keaton to ice skate again. You could commit grand larceny, and my mom would still like you at this point.” I snorted and went to the kitchen despite the fact his comment made me very happy.

I was about to open the freezer when someone knocked on the door. I opened it and found May standing on the other side. She winked at me and came in then walked over to Keith. I laughed, “You guys remind me of those couples I’ve seen that are the ones you know will make it in the long run.”

May blushed while Keith put his arm around her. Keith asked, “Have you seen a lot of those couples?” I titled my head replying, “More than you’d think.” Most people said high school love didn’t last, but I’d seen a lot I’d swear they were going to.

It wasn’t a normal kind of love, like Keaton and me. STOP IT! What is wrong with me? We just met each other, and we were not going to get married. Stop marrying yourself off to this man you went on ONE date with. Calm all the way down.

May bumped me, “So, how was the date? I’m guessing it went well since there was a sleepover.” I blushed, “We just fell asleep, which Immy finds boring.” May and Keith started laughing. Keaton came out with wet hair.

My heart skipped a beat. Why was he so handsome? We talked a little more about our date. They were talking about some birthday they had to go to. I looked away as pain filled me. Melanie’s birthday was this weekend.

Not that Melanie really celebrated, but I knew when it was. I really missed her. I had this fear if I went down to Nashville mom would find out. I couldn’t risk it because then I’d have to leave Keaton which may be the end of me.

I thought about it the whole way to school. The second we entered the budling I heard what sounded like nails on the chalkboard shrieking. We didn’t even make it thirty seconds before his ex appeared to ruin our day. I didn’t even mind the hissing in my head on this one.

We agreed about this girl, Lisa was bad news. She was glaring at me with hatred, but she could get in line. I was pretty sure I hated her first. I looked at her schedule and wanted to wince. I had a class with her. Great. That was just perfect.

We made it to my first period where Immy practically shooed Keaton away. My friend looked at me, “Tell me everything!” I laughed, “We went ice skating. You didn’t tell me he was like a professional skater, Immy.” She squealed, “HE SKATED FOR YOU?!” The song in my head was pretty smug right now.

Everyone in the class seemed to be hanging on for the answer. I shook myself because that was insane. Not everyone cared about my date with Keaton. I nodded, “Yes, he did. I asked Key to show me his skills, and he did. He’s really good.”

Immy squealed and hit my arm, “Then what?” I shrugged, “We went to this diner where everyone looked at us smiling. We had milkshakes and burgers then we back to my place.” Immy giggled, “Yeah, you did. Tell me more.”

I laughed, “We umm kissed for a bit then I fell asleep.” Then I had the weirdest dream of all time which I was not mentioning. Immy sighed, “Ok, don’t worry. I can help you get past the make out stage.” I snorted, “You probably should.”

Considering the mob was definitely looking for me, based on my dream. That was not real. Get a grip, Odette. Immy smiled, “Challenge accepted. Consider me in charge of your wardrobe.” I laughed, “Aren’t you already?” Immy patted my head, “It’s good that you accept that. You’re good for Keaton.” I was far too happy to hear her say that.

I was dreading my class before lunch because Lisa was in it with me. Her and her friends pounced the second I sat down. One sneered, “Look ladies, it’s the desperate new girl.” I snorted, “Look, it’s the girl who found her voice now that the mean Queen Bee is back.”

Lisa snarked, “At least you know who the queen is. It’s alright, girls. Keaton will have his fun, but we all know how this ends.” The song in my head was hissing. I looked forward and ignored her. Lisa chuckled mockingly, “He always comes back to me, Katie. He might even convince you he won’t, but I’ll always come first for Keaton Frank Daniels.”

I muttered, “There’s a difference in wanting to come first and being first, Lisa. There’s also a difference in manipulating someone so you’re their only support system. It’s called abuse, and it’s easy to see you’re an abuser. Will I be the one to break your cycle with Keaton? I don’t really know, but I know in the end; you lose.”

Lisa snarled at me, but it didn’t sound like the people around here that growled. I rolled my eyes and turned back to the front of class. Addison, Melanie, and Sierra had taught me to never let anyone see you sweat so I showed nothing; however, Lisa’s words were in my mind on a loop.

Would Keaton pick Lisa over me? She was his pattern, his default. Lisa kicked my desk and whispered at me, “You’re just a rebound. The whole school feels sorry for you. End this now, and I’ll make sure everyone forgets all about it.”

I rolled my eyes, “Go try being someone else’s fake friend. You played this wrong if that was your goal. You’ve been a bitch from the start. If you wanted that bit to work you’d have had to be nice at first. Which I’m convinced you cannot do.”

Lisa grabbed my arm and squeezed, “Keaton is MINE!” I couldn’t stop this hiss that came out of my mouth. I rotated my arm and yanked down, easily getting out of her grasp. I told her, “Keaton is a person, not a possession. Do you even like him? Or do you like that his family owns the town?”

Lisa’s eyes told me it had more to do with his family and what Keaton’s name did for her. I warned, “There’s a big world out there, Lisa, and people like you fail once you graduate. Enjoy this while it lasts. Your reign is coming to an end. You’re not hot shit outside these walls.”

I stalked off utterly annoyed. I ran into Keaton and tried to brush the whole thing off. He didn’t even notice when Lisa came into the lunchroom. That meant I was not a rebound. Right? Lisa had the nerve to come over to our table and try to get me kicked out of our group.

This crazy girl even threatened Isla. The hissing in my head was never going to stop. Somehow this song was singing and hissing. I was losing it. Lisa should watch out because I was on edge. I needed to do something to help Isla. Lisa was crazy enough to hurt her own sister. What could I do though?