Enchanted by the Alpha

Chapter 2: A happy surprise

His unexpected greeting left me in a state of surprise.

I felt a strong urge to engage in conversation with him, but my own awkward tendencies held me back, forcing me to simply avert my gaze and lower my head, my mind swirling with confusion.

It was a peculiar situation.

How could a complete stranger be the first to wish me a happy birthday?

Not only did he know my name, but he also seemed aware of my birthday.

This was all rather unsettling, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

After the class concluded, my thoughts were still consumed by the mysterious Hunter Chambers. I hurriedly made my way to my locker to deposit my books.

Suddenly, a loud "Boom!" disrupted my concentration, causing me to startle and spin around in shock, clutching my chest in fear. "What on earth, Susan?!"

Susan chuckled at my reaction, shaking her head. "Why are you so jumpy? Anyway, how was AP English?"

My brows furrowed in irritation as I responded to Susan, “It’s whatever,” I said to her as I wondered if they'd also forgotten about my birthday.

How does that guy know that today is my birthday? He even knows my exact age.

Susan tried to make plans, suggesting, “Are you busy now, Jess? It’s nearly recess, and we should probably—”

I cut her off, my gaze fixed on her as I adjusted my glasses. “Actually, I am. I have equations to solve and notes to jot down.”

Susan’s frustration was evident as she sighed. “Are you really going to keep letting Amara treat you this way?”

I confessed my resignation, “What choice do I have? Confront her? We both know how that would end. It’s about time I accept my fate in this high school.” With that, I retrieved the three notebooks from my locker, including my own, and prepared to start working, knowing I had a lot to do.

My schedule for the day is entirely occupied with these books, leaving no room for any unnecessary delays. With Amara's predictable nature, it's best not to take any chances.

I have no intentions of falling out of her favor or being on her bad side.

Her actions seem to go unchecked, and she consistently manages to avoid any consequences. This is largely due to the fact that I lack a support system of people, particularly adults, who genuinely care about my welfare.

Honestly, It’s a profoundly isolating experience, one that has made me acutely aware of my lonely existence.

The absence of any true allies or advocates in my life leaves me feeling like I’m navigating the complexities of my world entirely on my own.

My friends try to help, but what can they do? I don't want to rely on people too much and end up getting stomped on.

As a result, I’ve become self-reliant out of necessity, learning to fend for myself in a world where I often go unnoticed or overlooked.

I mean, it's a heavy burden to bear, but this is what I can do until I find someone that truly gives a damn about me.

Susan sighed and changed the topic, saying, “So, I heard… I heard there’s a new guy in our class, and he was in the same AP English class as you.” I turned to look at her, noticing her gaze was fixed somewhere else.

Following her line of sight, I locked eyes with Hunter, who stood in the opposite direction of the locker room, leaning against his own locker, his gaze firmly fixed on me.

"It's rather peculiar the way he keeps glancing in our direction. Is it even allowed for someone to be that handsome?" Susan pondered, and I instinctively turned to look at her, feeling somewhat uneasy about that guy's continuous scrutiny.

What the hell is his problem? He was seriously scaring me with all the stares he was giving me.

"So, where was it you wanted me to go? It just occurred to me that I need some fresh air," I hurriedly mentioned, seizing the opportunity to distance myself from the unsettling stranger.

Whatever his intentions might be, they couldn't bode well. I couldn't fathom why someone like him would take an interest in me, so I surmised that he had ulterior motives, and it was in my best interest to steer clear.

Susan nodded in understanding, replying, "Of course. Let's go. I'll show you the way."

I affirmed her suggestion with a nod, clutching the books tightly in my hands.

Glancing back, I observed that Amara had now entirely captured the newcomer's attention. With a resigned sigh, I averted my gaze and followed Susan as we navigated through various hallways.

We finally reached one of the rehearsal rooms at school, and as the door swung open, a sudden chorus of cheers engulfed me.

"Happy Birthday, Jess!!!" resounded from a group of unfamiliar faces.

I stood there, taken aback and thoroughly bewildered by the unexpected well-wishes. I had long accepted my status as the school's resident nerd, and the insect under Amara’s shoes, practically invisible to most, and definitely no one would go out of their way to organize a surprise birthday celebration for me.

I couldn't fathom why anyone would think I was worth such a gesture, especially in this damn school.

Turning to Susan, I noticed her beaming at me. "Happy birthday, Jess," she said, making it clear that she was fully in on the plan.

Glancing back at the cheerful crowd, one of the boys approached and playfully set a birthday cone atop my head. I struggled to comprehend what was happening.

How was all this possible?

These people, why are they here, extending birthday wishes as though they had no other pressing matters to attend to?

The entire scenario felt surreal, making me question whether I had inadvertently slipped into a dreamlike state.

I couldn't help but think that I wasn't deserving of this attention.

For the longest time, I've grappled with the notion that I lack any value. It's been a challenge to come to terms with the idea that I might not have any significance in this world.

I'm just a girl, striving to navigate through each day with the support of the few cherished friends who have brought glimmers of joy into my life.

Susan and —

Then I spotted him. Naturally, he had to be behind it all.