Chapter 7
1392 Words
“Snore,” Dreson muttered, hunched over a worksheet that looked like it had been scribbled by a caffeinated gremlin. His handwriting was chaos incarnate — loops, slashes, and symbols that probably violated grammar laws.
Neil snickered from across the table. “Stuff it, Dre.”
I turned my head just enough that Dreson couldn’t see me smirking. If he caught wind of it, he’d never stop tormenting me. As long as Daisy didn’t outright call me crazy or reject me, I was willing to fight for her. Tooth and claw.
She passed us again, jogging behind a few other girls who’d been eyeing me since middle school. But Daisy? Gods, she was hot. Not in the runway-model, size-zero kind of way — no, she had curves, strength, and a kind of quiet fire that stirred something deep and intense in me. Like my wolf had been waiting for her to show up and light the match.
“Hey, Bottomless Pit,” Dreson said, nudging me with his elbow. “Neil’s glaring at you like crazy.”
I shrugged and glanced at him. “And your point, Druid?”
“Just calling it as I see it,” he replied, flipping a page with dramatic flair. “Kaden’s actually content to learn two grades higher than his age group. I was worried he wouldn’t fit in, but the kid’s handling it.”
“And probably everything on two legs with a heartbeat and boobs,” I muttered.
“Not likely, man. My brother’s all about saving himself for his Mate. Besides, Mom would beat him into the ground and back.”
That made me snicker way too loud. Loud enough that a few girls passing by nearly tripped trying to see what I found so funny. One of them tossed her hair and gave me a look that screamed notice me, but I barely registered it.
Daisy circled around the gym again for her second lap. I winced as I caught the tail end of a conversation between two girls trailing behind her.
“Oh my god, can you believe she actually knows how to run?” one of them said, her fake laugh rattling out like a bad ringtone. “I mean, I could probably get Colt easy.”
Then Daisy tripped. No warning, no stumble — just hit the hardwood floor like gravity had a personal vendetta.
Hehehe… Hard wood. Yeah, I need my brain examined.
I got to my feet and jogged over, holding out my hand. It was entirely up to her if she took it — no pressure, no expectations.
“Hey, you okay?”
“It was a nice trip,” she said softly, brushing hair from her face.
I couldn’t stop myself — I laughed out loud. Yup, she would totally get my sense of humor.
“So, I’ll see you next fall, right?”
“Only if you play your cards right,” she replied, voice light but edged with challenge.
Well now. That sounded like a dare.
“There’s a goal for my future plans,” I said, walking beside her as she limped toward the bleachers. “So, uh… what are you doing for grad?”
“Nothing. I’m not going.” Her words didn’t sound final — more like she was trying to convince herself. I could hear the hurt under it, feel it rolling off her in quiet waves. That kind of sadness didn’t come from just skipping a dance. It came from feeling like you didn’t belong.
“What are you doing?” she asked, glancing at me.
Huh?
Oh, right. Grad.
“Not much,” I said as we sat down. “I was going to take the hottest girl in school, but she’s not going, so that wrecks my plans.”
Her frown threw me off. Neil growled low under his breath from across the gym, but I ignored him. The guy was going to grind his molars into dust if he didn’t chill.
“Oh,” Daisy said. “Do I know her?”
“Wow,” I muttered, shaking my head. “You really don’t see how beautiful you are, do you?”
She blinked, caught off guard.
“How many guys tripped over themselves to get to you at your last school?”
Her face fell again, and I instantly regretted the question.
“None,” she said quietly. “I was an outcast.”
I hated that word. It felt like a bruise you couldn’t see — one that never healed right.
I got to my feet and, with theatrical flair, tripped in front of her on purpose. I landed with a dramatic thud, grinning up at her flushed face. She was trying hard not to laugh, and that made it even better.
Folding my hands under my chin, I gave her my best puppy eyes. “Well, I guess I tripped over myself trying to get to you then. Wanna go to the grad party with me?”
Daisy shook her head, her expression soft but hesitant. “Colton, you’re a nice guy, but—”
I cut her off with a loud, dramatic sniffle and turned on the fake tears. “Nooooo, the dreaded moment of truth! The turn down! Why must I be so unlucky?”
Her laughter bubbled out, rich and throaty — the kind that made your chest feel warmer than it should. It was real, unfiltered, and it hit me like a punch to the ribs in the best way.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alicia — the school’s Queen Bee — strutting toward us. I could smell the bleach from where I was sitting. It was sickening. Her perfume was strong enough to knock out a small animal.
Since when did guys want stick-thin Barbie dolls who only cared about wallets and status? Stuck-up bi-yatches. No thanks.
As soon as Alicia got close enough, I turned my full attention to my Mate.
“Daisy, quick, save me from the wicked witch of Westwood High! She’ll drain my bank account and flirt with my buddies! Help!”
“You’re incorrigible!” Daisy laughed, eyes sparkling. “Awe, poor puppy. Come here, I’ll help you if you help me.”
I blinked up at her. “What is it you need my help with?”
She licked her lips, blushing furiously. “Can you, um… can you pretend to be my boyfriend? I mean… I’m sorry. Nev—”
Before she could walk away, I grabbed her hand gently and pulled her into my lap like it was the most normal thing in the world. She froze, but didn’t pull away.
“Hey, where do you think you’re going?” I said softly. “Why don’t we just be real, Daisy? Honestly, Barbie wannabes don’t jumpstart my heart like you do, so why not make it official?”
“My cousin is going to kill you.”
I glanced over at Neil. He was stuck somewhere between murder and mischief. That twitch in his jaw wasn’t subtle.
“Nah,” I said with a grin. “He might maim me though.”
I held her firm, but not pushy — just enough to let her know I wasn’t joking.
“Well?” I asked. “You wanna be my girl or not? We can even do the whole meet-the-parents thing if you want to.”
Daisy scowled and looked over at Neil. “Neil, is this joker for real?”
“Unfortunately, Daisy,” Neil replied, his voice dry. “He’s a nice guy. He just has a twisted sense of humor.”
It was my turn to frown. “Look, I know some people call me trailer trash, but I live in a house with my parents. They both work hard, but we don’t have a bottomless bank account like some of the crew. If we were a pack of wolves or something, I’d be the lowest rank.”
“So, an Omega?” she asked, her tone curious, not cruel.
“Well, yeah.”
“Makes sense,” she said, nodding. No judgment. Just honesty.
“Well,” she added, glancing at Neil again, “I guess if Neil’s going to vouch for you… then yeah. I’ll be your girlfriend.”
- Writer
