Episode 3
1410 Words
Riley's POV
I stood outside the classroom, leaning against the cold wall as the final bell rang, signaling the end of classes. My legs ached from standing all day, and my mind was a whirlpool of frustration and exhaustion. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I struggled to hold them back, taking a deep, trembling breath. The teacher finally emerged, her eyes flicking over me with an unexplainable expression before she walked away without a word. I wondered what that look meant, but before I could dwell on it, I heard someone sneer, “Scholarship kid.”
I turned to see three girls approaching. My heart sank as I recognized one of them: Claire Anderson, the Beta’s daughter. Claire and I had gone to the same elementary school, and our families were friends, making us inseparable from elementary school until middle school. We were practically best friends and did everything together, even wearing matching outfits. But all that changed after my father's death. Claire slowly started to drift away from me. She refused to speak to me no matter how hard I tried and the gatekeeper at her house made it clear I was no longer welcome there. In the moments I was grieving and needed a friend, Claire made it clear she couldn't be friends and wanted nothing to do with a common Omega. I tried my best to make things return to how they used to be, as I didn't want to lose the last person I had in my life, but I stopped trying after she publicly humiliated me during her sixteenth birthday party.
I can still vividly remember that day like it was yesterday. The gates were open to all on the day of the party, so I was able to make it in without being stopped. I spotted Claire standing amidst her rich friends at the party and I approached her with the gift I had gone out of my way to buy, hoping it would fix things between us.
“Claire,” I called with excitement and a nervous smile as I stood in front of them.
“What are you doing at my party, you filthy pig?” she asked angrily, her tone dripping with disgust and embarrassment. “I thought I made it clear that we cannot be friends anymore. We are no longer in the same class!” She yelled, attracting the attention of more people.
“But I….” Before I could finish my words, I felt her hand connect to my face in a painful slap.
“Stay the hell away from me!” she yelled angrily, and the next thing I knew, I felt strong hands pulling me out of the party, I yelled, begged, and cried out for Claire but to no avail, I was thrown outside.
That moment haunted me for years, and now, here she was again, I was certain, she was ready to make my life miserable. “Hey! Scholarship kid.” I felt a rough tap on my shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts and bringing me back to the present.
Claire and two other girls, who I knew without asking were her loyal followers, stood in front of me with their hands tucked in front of them and a sassy look on their faces.
“Follow us,” one of them commanded with a stern look.
“I don’t want to,” I replied nonchalantly. I wasn’t going to allow Claire to bully me again, not anymore.
“We’re not going to ask nicely again. Move,” the other one added with a saucy tone. Claire simply stood there, and I could already see the anger in her stare.
“I won’t s…” My words suddenly stuck in my throat as I felt a sudden yank on my hair. I yelled out loud as pain surged through my body. I struggled as Claire pulled me along by my hair into an empty classroom.
Once inside, Claire pinned my shoulder, slamming me hard against the wall, and causing me to scream out in pain.
“In this school, there’s a hierarchy,” she said, her voice dripping with condescension. “And at the bottom are scholarship students and weak omegas like you.” She added disgust in her every stare.
I could hear my heart beating fast as my breath quickened. I knew my first day wasn’t going to be easy, but I never expected it to be this intense and drama-filled.
The other girls crowded closer, their presence oppressive. “I was informed about the little drama that transpired between you and Alexander, one of the triplets, in the hallway this morning, and I saw your cunny move with the triplets earlier in class. You better make sure your path never crosses theirs again. Christopher is mine, and of course, we will be getting married soon. I wouldn’t want to share a family with a miserable omega like you,” Claire hissed, her stares condescending.
I couldn't believe this was what the whole drama was about. “Why would she even think I would want anything to do with those arrogant brats?” I thought inwardly with so much disgust.
“Who am I kidding…” She chuckled mockingly “The triplets will never want anything to do with a dirty pauper like yourself. But then again, if you see them coming, you go the other way,” she added arrogantly, her words ripping through my heart.
“What if I’m not interested in your little rule?” I shot back, my voice steadier than I felt.
“You'll know the consequences then, scholarship kid,” she said, mockery in her voice and ferocity in her eyes.
I gritted my teeth as she and her minions turned to leave. Just before they exited, I couldn't hold it in any longer.
“My name is Riley, not ‘scholarship kid,’” I shouted, anger and rage boiling over.
My heart pounded as they left, the weight of my outburst settling in. My breath trembled as I struggled to steady it. Needing to clear my head, I wandered deeper down the hall. Just outside on the other side, a thin smile spread across my face as I saw a swimming pool.
Whenever I was sad and needed to calm my head, a swimming pool or any water spot always brought the serenity I needed, the coolness that washed over me even though I couldn't swim. As I approached the pool, an even wider smile spread across my face as I realized it was empty. “At least I can chill here till I’m ready to go home and prepare for work,” I thought to myself with a smile.
I stood facing the pool with my back turned against the entrance as I exhaled loudly. Today had been such a long day, and I wished I could just go home, freshen up, and then spend the night with my mother at the hospital. I hadn’t been able to see her in a week because I had been working overtime at my job.
I suddenly jolted out of my thoughts and turned swiftly as I heard what I presumed to be the changing room door swing open. My eyes widened as the triplets walked in, shirtless. I couldn't help but stare. Their bodies were sculpted to perfection, muscles rippling under the sunlight, and for a moment, my breath caught in my throat.
They moved with a confidence that sent a shiver down my spine, exuding an aura of undeniable dominance. My heart pounded as I felt incredibly small and insignificant in their presence. The air seemed to thicken, making it hard to breathe, and all I could do was stand there, frozen, utterly captivated and intimidated.
Startled by their presence, I took a step back, my feet slipping on wet tiles. I flailed for a moment, and before I could regain my balance, I tumbled backward and fell into the pool with a splash. Panic surged as I thrashed, unable to swim, the water closing over my head as I struggled.
Before I could drown, I felt strong arms pull me to the surface. Coughing and gasping for air, I looked up, my vision blurry.
“You certainly know how to make your presence known,” I heard a deep voice whisper before my eyes closed, giving in to the darkness.
- Writer
