12.
920 Words
"I can't wait till this month is over, Rella" Gatlin grumbled into the phone. They had limited phone time and as soon as they returned from camping Gatlin was straight onto the phone to the only person she could speak to her aunt Aurella.
"I thought you were making friends, Linz?" her aunt questioned she was quite concerned over Gatlin's words especially since Gatlin had already told her everything that was going on.
"I was... I mean I did, Arro is weird but he's funny and nice" she did think of Arro as a friend now and after a while, she didn't mind the company of the other guys it was just her uncomfortable interactions with Onyx and now Jaxon's sudden interest it was making things much more complicated since her desperation to leave "the other guys are okay... But I still have to deal with Onyx every day I mean we agreed, it was going so well and now he isn't holding his end of the bargain and now with what Jaxon Marks said..."
"Onyx is your mate whether you two like it or not it's easy to say one thing but how you two feel is going to be another and what did Jaxon Marks say? Is that the tall hot one you told me about?" Aurella rambled on as she usually did.
"Nobody said he was hot, Rella--"
"The way you described him says otherwise" Aurella interrupted.
"He's the one that as far as I've learnt was a bit of a screw-up the last few years, kind of slept around but has finally gotten serious to step up and be Huntly's beta..." Gatlin explained "Doesn't matter anyway I didn't tell you the worst of it... I lost my necklace" Gatlin placed her hand on her chest where the pendant once rested but was now an empty spot.
"Trying to change the subject?" Aurella questioned.
"Yes, is it working?"
"Yes," Aurella sighed on the other end of the phone "is it the one from your dad?"
Gatlin wanted to cry at that fact. She barely had anything from her father as it was and finally something she could keep close and now it was gone "yes..." was all she could muster up to say.
"Oh, Linz" the sympathy was clear through the phone. Aurella was the only one that could understand since she was the only other person who shared that same feeling the only difference was Gatlin lost a father and Aurella lost a brother. Before she could reply there was a sudden knock at the door.
"I better go" Gatlin muttered and quickly hung up "yes?" she called out. As soon as she spoke the door opened to reveal a grinning Arro.
"Hello" he spoke in his usual chipper tone.
"What?" Gatlin snapped giving up on her seated position on the bed and falling onto her back with a groan.
"Not the greeting I was hoping for especially for your only friend" he huffed like a child.
"You're not my only friend."
"Then please name another friend you have. I'll wait" by that point he had let himself into the room but was still by the door grinning.
"What do you want?" Gatlin simply rolled her eyes. She didn't want to admit that he pretty much was her only friend.
"I was hoping you would come out for lunch. It's Sunday the only time we have a break and can leave camp" he was practically pleading as the tall brunette approached and slumped down onto the bed beside her.
"I'm not leaving this room and risking seeing Onyx right now" Gatlin let out a groan at the memory of their last interaction.
"He's not here" Arro suddenly replied causing Gatlin to give a curious gaze.
"Where is he?" the question flew out before she wanted it to and she cursed herself for her curiosity over her estranged mate.
"He's ah... Visiting" Arro was stumbling over the words which practically made Gatlin scoff.
"He's gone to see his mate" Gatlin clarified.
"You're his mate" Arro countered his jaw hardening over the situation.
"I'm not really, Arro. He loves Eliza, he chose Eliza and I didn't fight him on it" Gatlin explained turning her gaze to see an irritated Arro "what's wrong?"
"Nothing..." he sighed closing his eyes for a moment seeming to try and calm himself "are you going to come to lunch with me?" opening his eyes once again the baby blues turned to face her sage eyes.
"Okay" Gatlin gave a small smile. She didn't usually have to deal with these sorts of things since she didn't really have friends but deep down Gatlin couldn't help but like Arro, he had wormed his way into meaning something to her which was something very new but she still knew how to care and it was obvious something was bothering her new friend and that caring part wanted to make sure he was okay. As soon as she agreed Arro practically bounced to his feet extending a hand to help her up. Gatlin rolled her eyes but took a hold of his hand and let the tall young future Alpha to pull her to her feet.
"After you, my lady" he teased.
"You're a dork" she shook her head at his antics making her way to the door.
"You love it" he chuckled to himself opening the door for her. Gatlin continued shaking her head as she walked out of her room followed by a still-laughing Arro.
- Writer
