SOCIAL SUICIDE
1305 Words
CHAPTER 9
LUELLA
“How about you skip school today? Your wound is not completely healed and Richard didn't want people to find out what happened for your safety,” Mom stood by the door frame, trying to convince me for the hundredth time even after telling her it was okay.
“Then what? Will I skip school for the rest of the week too? Because trust me, nobody hates it there more than I do.”
I didn't say the last part aloud, of course.
She sighed. Concern flickered in her eyes before she finally agreed.
“Fine, but don't tell anyone what happened. Richard is still searching for the men who attacked you and once the word is out, catching them won't be that easy.”
“I know, Mom,” I slid a sweater on my uniform to cover my bruises, before turning to face my mom.
“You worry too much. Don't you have a wedding to plan?”
She winced, but masked it up immediately.
“About that…”
“No,” I shook my head, shooting her a glare. “You're not going to postpone it because of what happened.”
“Richard didn't want to risk anything until the culprits were found. It's safer that way.”
They were just a bunch of bullies that tried to attack me because someone in that shitty school must have said something, but I didn't want my mom to panic, so I told them rogues attacked us.
It was easier than having to explain how her shitty stepson rage-baited me until I nearly got both of us killed.
“You know what happened wasn't a big deal, right?” I arched my brows.
A part of me felt guilty for making them believe the pack was not safe for a ceremony to be held, but it was either that or an earful of why I shouldn't have put my life—our lives at risk.
“You and Asher mean the world to us. Of course, we won't hold a ceremony after our kids get injured. I'm sure Richard is making plans so don't worry too much about it.
The ride to school was awfully draining. It's hard to tell how far those idiots would take their prank, but I couldn't give them the satisfaction of watching me cower.
Richard had his driver drive me to school, and the moment the car stopped at the driveway, I could already feel their stares.
“Thank you,” I said politely to the driver before stepping out.
“Being the Alpha’s stepdaughter didn't seem to be bad after all. Look at the car that came to drop her off,” the students gossiped among themselves.
“I'm so jealous,” another one groaned.
I ignored their comment and walked straight, when Sabrina and her minions stopped in front of me.
“Don't you think your mother should give your likes tips to climb the ladder?” She arched her brows, and her minions let out a mocking laugh.
“It's not easy to bag the Alpha, being a nobody.”
I drawled out a sigh. I really wasn't in the mood for her nonsense, but since she lived for the attention, I'd give it to her.
“Shouldn't you know best?” I shot back. “Oops, I forgot what you do best is chase after men that gives zero f***s about you. Wannabe queen bee.”
“Oou…” someone blew a low whistle behind us, and her face flushed.
“How dare you?!” She lurched forward, to slap me when a boy stepped in.
“Accept defeat, Sab. She won this round.”
“Whatever,” she flipped her hair in the air before storming off dramatically.
The boy turned to face me, an amusing smile gracing his lips.
“So, you're Asher's stepsister,” he muttered.
“Depends on who's asking,” I said, making my way to my locker as he trailed behind me.
“Fiesty,” he chuckled. “No wonder Asher has been going nuts since you arrived.”
“Don't you have better things to do than follow me?” I furrowed my brows and he chuckled.
“Not exactly,” he shrugged. “I'm Jaxon by the way,” he introduced himself. I slammed my locker shut, wondering why no one in this school could take a damn hint. Like dude, I don't want to talk to you!
“Yes, and?”
His lips curved into a teasing smile as he watched my expression. “Relax… I have heard about your experience since you arrived. You have every right to be angry—”
“Which I'm not.”
Seriously? Is this another prank where someone plays nice just to humiliate me later? I spend too much time watching high school series to fall for that petty trick.
“Right,” he nodded as the bell rang. It was time for our first class.
“I'm guessing this is the part where we go our separate ways?” I arched my brows, wondering why he was still talking to me anyway.
“I've been trying to get in touch with Asher all weekend,” he said, his expression twitching into a serious one. “He's not one to bail on others without a word. Do you know what's up with him?”
“How about you try calling his number? I'm sure he has a phone.”
I grabbed my textbooks and went to my first class, but I couldn't help but wonder if he was fine. The doctor said the poison had spread through his blood and if I hadn't gotten him home earlier, things could have been worse.
I knew he had woken up though, I just couldn't bring myself to face him after what he said about my father.
“Settle down,” the teacher clapped his hands as he stepped into the class, snapping me out of my trance.
“Pick a partner for your group project, and I'd advise you to choose someone with a brain. Your performance in this project will determine whether you'll pass this class or not,” he announced, and everyone erupted in a groan.
“Do you want to partner up with me?” I turned to the girl next to me, forcing a smile on my face, but she didn't even acknowledge me. Another girl asked her and she agreed without any hesitation.
I watched as everyone paired with their friends, leaving me alone.
“Miss Rivers,” the teacher called, and I swallowed. “Looks like you'd be doing this alone. Although your performance matters a lot, you can't get an A unless you have a pair.”
My stomach curled tightly at his words. I need straight As to get into the best university in the city.
“Are you okay with that? Or is there anyone willing to take extra into their group?” He turned to the rest of the class.
“Of course, not.”
“Who would take her into their group? That's like social suicide.”
My nails dug into my palm as I listened to their mockery when the teacher spoke again.
“Since no one is willing to take you in…”
The door swung open and Asher stepped inside. Jaxon trailed him behind him, both looking annoyingly perfect.
Compared to the boy I dragged home half dead, Asher looked completely fine. No one would believe he almost lost his life over the weekend. The teacher bowed slightly as Asher walked in, when Jaxon broke the silence.
“We'll take her in,” Jaxon muttered, and I almost choked on my spit.
We?
My head snapped to Asher who was already staring at me.
- Writer
