The Beta Who Bought Me

Chapter 2 - Barbie

“It’s about Casey,” he grinned sheepishly as he looked at his hat on the table.

“Oh goddess, not her AGAIN!” Laurel groaned, mouth still half-full of food.

Casey was Jay’s crush-du-jour and a current point of contention between the two. She had joined their pack with her dads the year prior. She was the same age as Laurel, but the two had never really gotten on. Casey was the ultimate girly-girl, slim and petite, blonde hair always perfectly coiffed, and on-trend outfits every season. She smelled of fake and plastic, and it made Laurel gag. Laurel was much more of a casual type. Her straight long brunette hair was nearly always in a high ponytail or a messy bun. Her figure was sturdy and athletic, freckles over her nose and cheeks, always with a slight tan in the summer. She would rather be outside and dirty than in a dollhouse.

Jay chuckled at his friend’s reaction, fully expecting drama from her as soon as he mentioned Casey’s name. But Laurel was still his closest friend and he valued her input on things. “So I was thinking about taking her out for a date this weekend. Do you think going to the lake is too casual?” He asked her worriedly, still fussing with his hair.

“Well, how did she react when you took her out last time?” She twirled her fork in her hand as she questioned him.

“Uhh…” he rubbed the back of his neck, thinking back to their last date. He had taken her on a hike at a local national park. “She kind of looked like she was smiling through gritted teeth the whole time.”

Laurel narrowed her eyes at her friend. How dumb was he to keep taking her on dates to places that are obviously not her speed? She thought.

“Hmmm, maybe don’t take ‘Barbie’ outside then? You know she is allergic to dirt and air.” She said snidely.

“You know I hate it when you call her that,” Jay huffed and leaned his head back over his chair. He let his arms drop in exasperation.

“Maybe movies or a restaurant would be more her speed?” She finally suggested, trying to be more helpful. He was her best friend, after all.

He sat up in his chair with a bright, hopeful smile at the suggestion. “Thanks, Laur! I’ll see what movies are playing this weekend.”

He hopped up from his seat and made a bee-line for the front door.

“And don’t pick one of your ‘man’ movies, Jay!” She yelled after him as he exited the apartment.

***

Later that evening, Laurel did her favorite night routine before bed. She went to the bathroom and poured a large amount of rose-scented bubble bath into the white porcelain tub. She tested the heat of the water coming out of the faucet, and let it run once she was satisfied with the temperature. She peeled off her clothes from the day and slipped under the luxurious bubbles with a satisfied sigh. Though she might have more boisterous child-like habits overall, she did still like to indulge her feminine side.

She jumped a little when she heard an abrupt knock on her bathroom door.

“Laurel?” Pearl called out to her daughter from the other side.

“Yeah, Mom?” She called back.

“I’m going to step next door to see Bette. Have a little girl talk, y’know? I’ll be back by 11.”

“Okay!”

“See you in the morning, hun!”

Her mother’s voice faded as she walked away from the bathroom. Laurel heard the front door click shut and sunk back down in the tub again to enjoy her bath in peace.

A while later, Laurel stirred when she noticed she was nodding off in the tub. The water had grown tepid, so she reluctantly hauled her tired body out and grabbed the fluffy towel on the bar next to the bath.

Wrapping the towel around herself, she stepped out of the bathroom and back down the hall to her own room. She glanced at the old analog clock on the wall as she made her way, noting the time to be just past midnight. Her mother should be back by now, so she cracked the bedroom door open to check on her. A small smile crept across her face as she saw the slight up and down movement of the comforter with each breath, her mother sleeping soundly underneath. Laurel gently closed the door without a sound and retreated to her own room.

She switched on the small side lamp on the nightstand as she entered, quickly making her way to her dresser to get some clean pajamas. She flopped back on the warm bed. The mattress springs creaked, and she bounced a little with the force of her fall. Snuggling deep under the covers, it wasn’t long before she drifted off to sleep.

On my signal… The biggest black wolf mind-linked his two accomplices as they prepared to break through the window of Laurel’s bedroom.