CHAPTER 5 - THE PROJECT DILENMA
1132 Words
VALERIE
"Accept us Valerie."
The words kept ringing in my ears over and over again. When I looked into their eyes on that Saturday morning, I could tell that they were just saying it because of their father. They were definitely going to continue treating me like thrash the moment he turned his back on us.
I knew it all too well. Yet, I decided to give them a chance. I couldn't stand the sight of all three of them begging, and Alpha Marion watching me closely in the background. I didn't want him to feel like I was ungrateful because he was actually the only one who ever treated me like I was a human being.
"Valerie?"
I felt a gentle shove on my back and I grabbed my glasses, readjusting it on my face before it could fall off.
"Heard your birthday was a total disaster," Lily muttered. "Is that why you've had that sullen look on your face all day?"
"Oh please, you don't have to remind me that my life sucks," I groaned.
"I'm trying to help," Lily sighed. "You used to be the star student here, but now - "
Her eyes darted over to the huge C that was printed on my History test script.
"Look, don't allow them get in your head. I know they're annoying but you've just got to keep ignoring them."
I stared at Lily for a few seconds and then I rolled my eyes. She was clueless and I wondered how she was going to react when I told her that I had been mated to the triplets. Surely, she would conclude that I was cursed or something.
"And don't forget that I'm always here if you need someone to share any of your problems with," She concluded, entwining our hands together.
The warm smile on her face made me forget my problems for a brief moment. But when the door swung open, they were back again and in full force this time.
I stared on, my heart pounding in my chest as Evans girlfriend, Ellen cat walked over to where I sat. She glared hard at me for the better part of a minute and I could see the fire burning in her eyes.
When she finally spoke, her voice was laced with venom.
"How did you do it, you witch?" She snarled.
I stared up at her, totally lost.
"How did I do what?"
"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about," She fired back. "I hate it when you act all innocent."
At that moment, everyone's attention had turned to our table already. All eyes were fixed on me as they expected the nerdy Omega to be humiliated once again by the class queen bee.
"Tell me now," She snarled. "What lies did you tell my boyfriend about me!"
"E - E - Evans?" I struggled to find my words. "I didn't discuss with him about you."
"Then why the hell did he break up with me and start dating you!" Ellen screamed.
Everyone in Crestview High knew Ellen was a drama queen, but from the way she sounded now, she was damn serious. Evans had actually broken up with her, and worse still because of me.
"s**t," I cursed in my head.
Ellen grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and just when she made to slap me, a hand stopped her midway.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
I spun around to see Kyle standing behind us. His sea green eyes pierced into mine for a split second and I looked away, uneasy.
"Let go of me!" Ellen screamed. "You're all the same! Boys!"
She wriggled herself free from his grip and stormed out of the class angrily, leaving me alone with Kyle.
My hands trembled in his presence and I silently wished that Lily would say something to turn his attention away from me. Luckily for me, my best friend was smart enough to sense my discomfort and she quickly spoke up.
"So how was the party?" Lily turned to Kyle.
He cast a disinterested glance at her and without a word, he turned on his heels and walked out of the classroom.
The whole place was rowdy as soon as he left. Everyone was chattering on about what had just happened and I could hear my name on their lips.
"Is there something you're not telling me?" Lily asked, as soon as Kyle had left.
I heaved a deep sigh and I nodded.
"There's a lot going on right now," I said. "With the triplets, and it's kind of weird."
She stared at me for a long time.
"Don't tell me that the triplets are your - "
"Mates, yup," I nodded.
"And you rejected them!" Lily giggled. "Serves them right for acting like jerks all the time. Maybe now, they'll understand that - "
Lily paused when she noticed that I didn't share in her excitement and she frowned at me.
"You rejected them, right?"
"Not exactly," I muttered. "I decided to give them a second chance."
"A second chance to treat you like garbage?" She flared up. "Are you nuts?"
"It wasn't that easy," I cried. "There was a lot of pressure on me. Alpha Marion begged me to forgive them. They came with flowers."
All the while, Lily was shaking her head vehemently like she couldn't believe what was happening.
"This is crazy, Valerie," She said. "Evans has already broken up with Ellen because of you."
"Yeah, I know," I groaned. "No wonder she thinks I'm a witch."
"Are you in love with them?" She pressed on. "Do you find them attractive?"
"I don't know, Lily," I confessed. "I'm a bit confused. I was already prepared to run away from this pack for good before this happened."
Lily shook her head pitifully and just then, the science teacher walked in.
Everyone settled down quickly as he scribbled something on the board.
"For your group projects, I'll be sharing everyone here in groups of three's," He said. "This project would teach you all the importance of teamwork and I want each and everyone of you to participate actively."
His eyes scanned the entire classroom for a minute before they finally landed on me.
"Valerie - "
I rose up to my feet immediately.
"Since you live with the Storm triplets, I'm giving you the liberty to pick any two you would like to be in your group."
He grinned widely, obviously thinking that he had done me a favour. I wished I could tell him that he had not.
It was just the beginning of a rocky relationship with the Storm triplets, and I was being forced to work with not just one, but two of them.
- Writer
