Tale of the Werewolf Alpha and His Mate

Chapter Nine: Partnered Up!

BECCA

I stare at my scribbled handwriting and jot down essential points as I listen to Ms. Fiona's lecture. It's already the fourth period, and the next is lunch.

Ms. Fiona explains our projects to us: "In a pair of two, you guys would be making a portfolio." Some students protest incessantly, while others stay quiet. Still, the teacher continues, "This will be 25% of your total grade value, so do a good job being creative."

I nod understandingly before I catch a glimpse of someone familiar staring back at me. I frown and then blink. I didn't know Nathan was in this class.

"A good design makes you look good, understand, students?" I look away as she begins the roll call and announces partners for this project.

"Alex Weber and Georgiana Quinn."

"Cynthia Rose and Peter Parker." A bunch of people snicker. I don't know why. Inside jokes, maybe?

I am too busy blushing at the thought of someone staring at me.

"Aaron Samuelson and Dylan Kale."

"Saraswati Rai and Bhavana Rai..." I jot down almost everything until a name is called out which makes my hand freeze.

"Nathan Crawford...."

I don't know why, but it feels like time has slowed down. Why isn't the teacher blurting out the other person's name? My heart pounds, and my mouth feels dry when I look at the teacher. I don't know why, but I eagerly want to know who it is...or could that person be me? Annoyed at myself, I sigh under my breath and scribble into my notebook.

"...and Becca Simmons."

There is silence for a moment. I blink and look up to find a couple of my classmates and the teacher glancing at me.

What?

Ms. Fiona locks her eyes with mine and nods with a smile before she goes off reading other names. The news sinks in, leaving me slightly surprised before I turn my head and find him already looking at me with an unreadable expression. Then, when our eyes lock, I catch a glimpse of his faint smile.

My heart skips a beat; I blush and smile shyly.

I have never had someone look at me in a totally electrifying way, giving me the tingles. I never truly connected with anyone to feel this way. Nathan might be intimidating and mystifying, but I want to know about him, I want to know the real person hidden behind those mysterious expressions. If possible, even strike up a conversation, maybe...I don't know.

"... two weeks for the completion and submission of the portfolios, judged on the basis of your creativity and presentation, and also following the deadlines for the project." The teacher informs us.

I find myself daydreaming about when he held me in his arms yesterday and I was totally lost in his deep eyes, what if he had leaned down and kissed... That's when the bell brings me back to reality. My eyes flutter, and I look around, mortified. What the hell was I even thinking? The class disperses after the teacher, and I look around to see I am left alone with him...Nathan. My heart is pounding, and I almost lock eyes with him. I cough up and get up, grabbing my books. I need to leave. I don't think I should be alone with him right now. Not when I am thinking of him in a completely non-platonic way.

"Becca..." Nathan whispers.

I tighten my grip on my bag and rush out before anyone can stop me.

Minutes later, I'm in the cafeteria, glancing back to see if he's behind me. Noticing he isn't, I finally stop to catch my breath. I rest a hand on my heart, which is pounding fiercely, then touch my flushed cheeks as I exhale.

Why did I do that? Why did I run just to get away from Nathan?

I don't know this feeling I have when I am near him, but I don't think I should be around him if I don't want to start anything new because I currently have a lot on my plate.

"Hello?" a hand pats me from behind.

Startled, I turn around and see Dakota with a worried expression. I calm down and sigh, "Hey..."

"Are you okay, Becca? You look like you have seen a ghost."

Then, with a grimace, I throw a look and mutter, "Weird...but no, I feel okay."

Dakota doesn't look convinced, but she claps and beams. "Well, something is going on, so do you wanna talk about it?"

I raise my brow. "Uh...nothing!"

"Oh, what is it, then?" Dakota asks.

Slightly embarrassed, I scratch the back of my head and reply, "I was just surprised, that's all."

"Surprised?"

I nod and sigh. "I saw Nathan in my class today, even though I didn't see him yesterday."

"Oh!" Dakota seems to relax. She then grins. "Yesterday, Al...Nathan was busy in the morning, so he didn't attend pre-lunch classes. He had informed the Principal."

Oh! I understand now.

Dakota clears her throat and says, "Come on, let's eat now. I'm starving."

I blink back at her and nod, "Sure."

We grab our trays and take our seats. Dakota is greeted by the people before the two of us begin to eat whilst we talk and laugh together.