Fighting For My Mate (18+)

Chapter 7

Christa POV

     Today I woke up again with Eli on my mind. I can’t seem to get him out of my head. I get ready for work doing what has become my morning ritual since I started working at the library. I get up, take a shower, brush my teeth, then I have to rush through the hallway to get to my bedroom, look through my closet for something appropriate to wear. I stand there just staring at what little clothes I have. I sigh,

“I really need to go shopping for some new clothes. I literally have nothing to wear!” I say out loud to myself.

     After a few minutes, I finally found something appropriate. After years of not going anywhere, all I have are sweats, t-shirts, a couple of jeans, a few sweaters, a jacket, and a coat. Most of what I have is for lounging around in my house. It takes a minute to brush out my matted hair to get the tangles out. I don’t know why I keep it long? It causes me nothing but problems, especially today when I am running late for work. I slip on my shoes and head downstairs, but as soon as I reach the bottom of the stairs, everything is quiet. Normally, Pete would have breakfast and coffee ready for me. We sit and eat together, and he drives me to work since it’s on his way to his office. But no one is here! This is really odd? I head to the kitchen and notice a note on the fridge saying that both he and Chase won’t be home for a few days and that he left me his car to take to work. They both have never been away at the same time, so this is really unusual. Then I realize that I’m going to be left here with the wicked b***h of the east! Just freaking fantastic! Out of frustration, I rip the note off of the fridge and toss it in the trash. But I can’t help a nagging feeling that something is wrong but I can’t place it? I would ask Monika about it, but she wouldn’t tell me crap about what’s going on, and then I would have to deal with her abuse! I hate it when they leave me in the dark. I never know what is going on with them like it’s some big secret! I’m just going to have to do my best to avoid Monika as much as possible. There’s no telling what she would do to me with my brothers being gone! Seeing as to how I am running late I fix myself a cup of coffee and skip breakfast. At least Pete left me his car! Which is also something he would never do! Especially after what happened to our parents. Once I finish my coffee, I grab my bag and car keys and head out the door. 

     When I arrive at work, I notice all the parking spaces are taken close to the library. 

“Oh, no, no, no, I’m going to be late on my third day. I can’t be late!” I scream out in my car, frustrated with how my day is going so far! I find the closest parking spot but it says that I can’t park here unless I’m a customer at the Pizzeria! 

“CRAP, CRAP, CRAP!” I scream while hitting the steering wheel. Oh well, I just need to park here long enough to clock in, and as soon as a parking spot opens in front of the library, I’ll move it! I quickly get out of my car and rush over to the library, nearly tripping over my own feet. I finally make it, and I clock in at the nick of time! I walk over to Susan, out of breath, and she looks at me in concern. 

“Oh my, are you ok?” She looks at me with both her eyebrows raised.

Panting and grabbing hold of her desk for some stability, I finally say, 

“Yeah, I’m good. I was running a bit behind and rushed over here! All the parking spots close to the library are taken!” 

“Oh dear, they must be having some sort of event going on close by if they’re all taken!” 

“I parked as close as I could but I need to move my car as soon as a space opens up.”

“Ok, dear, I’ll be sure to keep my eyes open when a spot opens up.” 

“Thank you! So what will you have me do today?” 

“Today you get to help out customers. If they have questions about how to find a book they’re looking for, you can direct them over to the computer systems. First, you need to assign them a computer. As you can see, the computers are lined up in 3 rows, and each of them has a number. You scan their library card and enter an available computer number, then you hand them their card with the computer number, and each card has a serial number to log in. They need to enter their ID number then the serial number on the card provided. Did you get all that, dear?” 

“Yep, I scan their library card, enter which computer they will be using, and give them the card for that computer so they can sign in using their ID and the computer serial number.” 

“You got it, my you are a fast learner! Normally, I have to repeat myself a couple of times, but you got it on the first try!” She says. 

     I nod my head and smile. She has me do it on my own a couple of times. It seems simple enough! As soon as she was satisfied that I could do it on my own and be able to show someone else to do the same, she left me to myself. I started to check people in. Some already knew what to do as they had been coming here for a while, and some I needed to show how to sign in, or show them how to find the book they were looking for after finding the book code in the computer. It was nice to be able to interact with people.

    At first, I felt really awkward but as the day continued on, I got used to it. I was looking forward to lunch because Eli had said he would be coming back today. Even though I had no plans to actually go, there was a part of me that was excited to see him again. As it got closer to lunchtime, I kept looking at the clock and waiting for him to walk through the doors, but he never came. I was disappointed that he didn’t show up like he said he would but then again I knew I shouldn’t be because I promised my brothers I wouldn’t hang out with him again and yesterday was a one-time deal. But still, I was looking forward to seeing him. I ended up clocking out and headed to the same cafe for lunch, secretly hoping he would be there. I looked around for him and he was nowhere to be seen. I found myself missing him, and I zoned out thinking about his blue eyes, how his raven black hair fell into them, and his perfect chiseled jaw, and the way he looks at me.

      What am I thinking? I must be insane to turn down his advances, but I keep trying to figure out why he has even shown interest in me in the first place? I’m a nobody; I’m an average looking 20 years old who’s short and has no curves at all. Not to mention the plethora of health issues I’ve been riddled with. He's the Alpha of the largest, strongest pack. There is no way he could be interested in me? Maybe it's just a sick joke they made out of me? Making me believe I had a chance. I wonder if Monika put him up to it? That would be just my luck anyway! 

     After my lunch break is over, I head back to the library, and right before I walk inside, I stop in my tracks! I just realized I forgot about my car! 

”Oh, no, no, no, no, this CAN’T be happening to me! Please, not today, please still be there!”

I say to myself as I run to where I had left my car. I got there, and sure enough, it was gone! Nowhere to be found. I wanted to just give up right then and there. My eyes began to tear up while I tried hard not to have a breakdown in the middle of town. I head back to the library, feeling deflated. I clock back in while wondering how I’m going to get my car back! If Pete finds out he’s going to kill me. That car is his pride and joy! 

     A couple of hours into my shift a girl walks into the library. She looks to be about my age. She has jet black hair and brown eyes. She has sun-kissed skin that’s blemish-free. She's tall, if I had to guess. She is probably around 5’7 or 5’8, so she towers over me; she's beautiful but definitely, a bit intimidating. She looks like she can kick someone's butt. She looks like a badass. She's the type of girl Eli should be with. She’s everything I wish I could be. While I put away the books, I see her talk to Susan, and I can see that she is trying to get a library membership. Once Susan finishes with her, she asks her a question that leads Susan to look at me and she waves me over.

 ”Christa, would you mind showing this young lady how to use the computer?”

”Sure, no problem follow me.” I say a bit shyly.

     While I take her over to the computer that’s been assigned to her, she begins to talk to me.

”Hi, I’m Mandy. I haven't seen you around town before. Are you new here?”

”No, actually, I’ve been here my whole life, I just don't get out a lot.” I laugh nervously. I’m not used to people asking about myself. Normally, I help them with the computer and move on. 

”Wow, that's crazy! I know everyone around here, and yet I’ve never seen you? You must not get out at all!” 

I give a sarcastic nervous laugh and say, ”you can say that again, ” and shrug, ”but you're right I don't get out much. I also went to a different school outside of town so that’s also probably why you’ve never seen me.” I look away from her, unable to meet her eyes. I didn't want her to know that I was actually homeschooled.

”Well, you should know that I love meeting new people and making new friends! Would you like to hang out sometime?”

I was caught off guard and stared blankly at her. I quickly caught myself and finally responded.

”I-I uh, sure I’d like to hang out with you sometime.” I stutter a bit at first at her question and then I manage to answer her as cool as possible so I don't seem too eager to possibly have my first friend in this town! 

”Ooo, you know what would be fun? We should go to the mall. It's a pretty popular hangout spot. I’m meeting a couple of friends there later tonight. Would you be interested?”

     I know I should probably wait until Pete and Chase get home, but what the heck! They're not here, and I don't want to be home alone with Monika! Anything would be better than that. 

”You know what. Yeah, sure, that sounds good. I need to do some clothes shopping anyway… Oh, wait, my car was impounded today, and I don't know how long it will take to get it back?”

”Oh, no worries, I know the owner! I can drive you there after work and get him to release it back to you with no charge!”

”Really? Are you serious? Because that would be amazing of you. Seriously, you don't know how pissed my brother would be if he found out I got his car impounded the first day I got to use it!”

”Yes! Really, ” She giggles amused, ”it’s no problem at all!”

”Thank you! Thank you so much!” I ended up hugging her in my excitement. I realize what I’ve just done and quickly let go.

”Oh, I’m sorry, I didn't mean to, I mean, sorry.” I look down at my feet. And she starts to giggle. 

”What are you apologizing for silly! I love hugs! No need to apologize.”

”Sorry, I just wasn't sure if I overstepped.”

”We’re good! I think you and I are going to get along just great!” She said with a huge smile on her face which ended up making me smile as well. 

     Later that day, Mandy came to pick me up from work to take me to the impound lot. She had me wait in her car while she went to speak to Mike the owner. She came back out with my keys in her hand and a giant smile plastered on her face!

”Alright, here we go. Your car is right over there.” She points towards a few cars in the far back by a fence. 

”How were you able to get my keys that fast?”

”A girl has gotta have some secrets!” She smiles and then winks at me as she starts up her car and heads towards mine. 

     To say that I was impressed would be putting it mildly. I was in awe of this girl, and I was glad she was on my side. We head over to the mall after picking up my car and she introduces me to a couple of her friends. 

”Sam, Rachel, this is my friend Christa. Christa, this is Sam and Rachel. They are really good friends of mine!”

 I smile at them feeling shy and a bit uncomfortable, so I wave my hand with my eyes to the floor and give them a quiet ”Hello” while shuffling my feet. Rachel speaks first and reaches out to shake my hand.

”Hey Christa, it's really nice to meet you!” I shake her hand, and Sam moves towards me, gives me a big hug, and surprises me.

”Hey, I’m glad you could join us today!” It takes me a second and I hug her back.

”Thank you for letting me join your group.” 

”Ok ladies, what are we up to first?” Mandy asks.

”I could use a few new outfits but I don't really know where to start? I’ve never really shopped for myself. I get all my clothes online.” 

All of them stop and look at me with a shocked look on their faces. It makes me feel extremely self-conscious. All of a sudden, they begin to squeal in excitement. 

”Oh my goodness! I’m so excited. We have so much to teach you!” 

Mandy takes my hand and starts to pull me with her into one of her favorite stores. 

”Ok, first things first, what are you looking for?”

”Ummm, I don't know really. I guess a couple of casual clothes, some professional, and maybe something nice to wear out?” 

”Ok, let's start with casual wear. What kind of style do you like?”

”Uh, I just buy whatever looks comfortable.” This makes them take pause. 

”Do you own any dresses?” 

”No.”

”Ok, so we're just going to grab some clothes for you to try on in the dressing room. And get whatever speaks to you!”

     They start pulling clothes off of the racks and hand them to me; I head into the dressing room and start trying clothes on. They hand me everything from dresses, pants, blouses, shirts, sweaters, and so on. I didn't realize there could be so many options. In the end, I end up choosing a couple of each. We get to the cashier to pay, and I have to use Pete’s card since I haven't gotten my first paycheck yet. 

”So, what do you wanna do now?” I ask. Then my stomach growls loudly for all to hear! I’m so embarrassed by it I get a little red in the face but they just giggle. 

”It sounds like you worked up an appetite! I’m pretty hungry too so let's head over to the food court and grab something to eat!” 

”Sounds good to me!” Sam replied. 

”I’m cool with that.” Rachel says.

We start heading to the food court on the upper level of the mall and find a table for all of us. 

”Why don’t we all get our food and meet up back here. Christa, what are you in the mood for?” 

”I think I’d like to get some Chinese.”

”Oh, same here! That's perfect; I’ll walk with you!”

     We walk over to the counter and grab our orders and make our way back to our table that sits nearly in the middle of the food court. We meet up with Rachel and Sam and take our seats. We’re enjoying our meal when we hear someone call out my name. I notice that Mandy immediately tenses up and quickly puts a relaxed smile on her face and looks over. As I look up at the person who has just called my name and I realize it's Monika, and not only that, but Eliza is standing next to her with a smirk on her face. My stomach immediately drops, my heart starts racing and my hand begins to get sweaty. 

”What do you think you're doing? What are you doing here, Christa? Shouldn't you be at home? Where you belong!” Monika practically yells making a scene.

Mandy steps in before I can say anything. 

”And who are you?” 

”I’m Christa's brother's mate! Who are you?” Mandy gets up from the table and starts getting in Monika’s face.

”I’m Christa's friend, and there is no way I’m going to allow you to speak to her that way!” 

”What do you care how I speak to her? She's a pathetic little human.” 

”Well, this ’human’ is my friend, and if you do anything to hurt her, you will answer to me!” 

     I watch their exchange back and forth, and I’m worried that the situation will escalate. So I get up and stand in between them. 

”Hey, hey, hey, it's ok Mandy. Really.” 

”Maybe you should go back home now. It's getting late, and we wouldn’t want Pete to get worried now, would we?” She says with a look on her face that tells me if I don't do as she says she’ll make me regret it. 

”She’s right. I really should be heading home now.” 

”Christa, you don't have to do what she says. You can stay if you want to.” She says with a worried look on her face. 

”It’s ok, really. I’ll talk to you later.” I say as I get up with my bags in hand. I head to my car and head home terrified of what Monika will do to me when she gets home.