Chapter 5
958 Words
Aria and I were sitting in the food court having some dinner when Juliet and her posse of Goliath Pack girls arrive.
Juliet spots me in the crowd and glares. I can see her hatred radiating off of her.
I try to ignore her and concentrate on what Aria was saying about how happy she was with the dress we selected and how much she loved the dress she bought for herself too. I smile and nod, occasionally add the odd yeah to the conversation. Aria could have a conversation with herself, I am sure of it. Shay was on edge. Something was bothering her. I didn't know what but knew I needed to stay on alert. She doesn't often get defensive.
"I'll be right back." I interrupt Aria, "Just going to the toilet. Can you watch my bags?" I ask. Aria nods as she shoves another handful of fries into her mouth.
I splash cold water on my face trying to calm Shay down. It helps a little bit.
I am drying my hands when a group enter the toilets and stop behind me. I glance up into the mirror and see Juliet flanked by her group of girls.
"Well, well, well..." Juliet sighs with distaste coming off her tongue. "If it isn't our favorite mutt again!" she laughs. The girls behind encouraging her with their remarks and chuckles.
"Juliet." I remark, "You doing some shopping too?" I ask, trying to lighten the mood and avoid confontation.
"Yea, just looking around, you know..." Juliet answers. She steps closer and Shay's fur stands on end. I try to step back but bump into the sink.
"What's the matter, Willow?" Juliet says my name with such venom.
"Aria is waiting for me, I'll see you around." I tried, while I attempted to move around her and the group towards the exit. Juliet stops me by grabbing my arm. I can feel her nails dig into my skin.
"Leaving so soon?" Juliet mocked, pushing me back into the skin. My hip hit the ceramic bowl with a thud. That will surely be a bruise.
My hands were now shaking as Shay attempted to gain control. I held her back. I can't risk it when any human could walk in at any minute. I measure how far away the exit is and how I could get there in my head. Desperately trying to plan my escape route.
The Goliath Pack members surround me.
"What's going on in here?" Aria asks as she pushed the bathroom door open. Her arms were full of shopping bags and our school bags. I have never been more relieved to see her.
"Just asking Willow how she is." Juliet replied sweetly. Aria saw through her.
"Well, it was nice to see you all..." She smiles, "Willow, our ride is here." She adds giving me an out. I nod and quickly retreat out the bathroom door.
"Thank you." I sigh when we were outside of the food court.
"What is with the girl? Every time you have a run in you end up bleeding or on the floor!" Aria jokes while assessing the cuts on my arm from Juliet's nails. I shrug my shoulders.
"We knew moving to this school for the year would be tough." I remind her. "And the Alpha's daughter seems like the perfect scape goat." I groan.
"Doesn't make it right." Aria adds as she wipes some of the blood away with a tissue. "You going to tell your dad?" She asks. I shudder. Not if I can help it.
"No. Not worth it." I state casually. I don't want Aria to make too big a deal about it.
As we arrive at my house, I wave good night to Aria and thanked her for being with me today. I quietly make my way into the house and sneak to the bathroom, making sure no one sees me before I get the chance to cover the cuts on my arms. I knew they wouldn't still be there in the morning but needed to get through tonight without being noticed by anyone.
Staring into the mirror assessing my cuts, which was becoming a regular habit thanks to Juliet. I feel Shay's sadness as she starts to take over my thoughts. I clean the cuts and get changed into something with long sleeves for the interim of them healing.
I head back to collect my bags from where I left them by the front door. Mum comes to greet me.
"Hey Honey, how was shopping!" She eagerly asks.
"It was good." I respond, trying to mask my emotions. "Aria helped me pick out a dress." I added.
"Ohhh, let me see." Mum excitedly shrieks as she rushes over to me.
As I bend down to get my dress out of the bag, Dad and Paul come racing down the stairs.
"Did someone say dress?" Dad enthusiastically asks.
I pull my light blue, silk, full-length dress out of the boutique bag.
"Wow!" Mum and Dad sigh. Paul just grunts in approval.
"It's gorgeous Willow." Dad smiles.
"It will go perfectly with your dark hair!" Mum compliments, "How are you going to wear it? Down? Curls? Straight? So many options with a beautiful dress like that!" She babbles.
"Not sure yet, you can help me if you want?" I offer to Mum. She hides the tears welling in her eyes.
"I would be honored!" She bubs as she wraps her arms around me. I hide the wince when she touches my arm. Luckily, no one noticed.
"I'm heading to bed. Good night everyone!" I state as I head to my room.
"Don't forget to hang your dress up!" Dad calls to me.
"Good night honey!" Mum adds.
- Writer
