Marked By My Best Friend's Dad

THE NEW STUDENT

~iris

One week.

That was all it had been,seven days tucked away inside walls that smelled like safety and power. Seven days where fear didn’t follow me into my sleep. Seven days of quiet laughter, lingering looks, and moments I knew I wasn’t supposed to get attached to.

But I did.

The suitcase at my feet, felt heavier than it should have. Duncan had gotten me new clothes. I folded my clothes slowly, like if I took my time, the week might stress itself into something longer. The mansion was quiet again, like it knew I was leaving.

Duncan stood by the door, watching me.

“ You don't have to go,” he said, not ordering, just saying it.

I smiled sadly. “ If I stay longer, questions will start, Miss Eunice might see it as a perfect way to suspend me. And I can't keep Alice worried.”

“ I'll handle them.”

“ I know,” I said softly. “ But I need to go back. I can't hide forever.”

He stepped closer, his thumb brushing my wrist gently. “ This place will always be yours.”

That almost broke me.

The ride back was silent. When the car finally stopped near the campus,my chest tightened.

Reality rushed back to fast,brick buildings, student walking, noise, normal life.

Before I could step out, Duncan spoke again.”Be careful. Call me if anything feels wrong.”

“ I will.”

He didn't kiss me. He didn't touch me, he just watched as I walk away, like he was memorizing me.

I adjusted my coat and walked towards the dorm.

That's when I saw her.

Alice.

She was walking toward the administrative building, laughing lightly, her bag slung over her shoulder. She looked happy,too happy for someone who’d watched me get dragged away in handcuffs just a week ago.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

If she turned her head, just a little,we'd lock eyes. She would ask where I'd been. Because it's all over I was released the day after I was jailed. She would wonder why her father's car had dropped me off.

I lowered my head quickly and turned down another path, pretending to check my phone. My breath came shallow, uneven.

Please don't see me.

Footsteps passed close. Too close.

I held my breath.

Then they moved away.

I stopped walking only when my lungs burned. I pressed a hand to my chest, blinking hard.

That was too close.

I made it to my dorm room, and closed the door behind me, leaning against it as the silence swallowed me whole.

The week was over.

And again, whatever I had with Alpha Duncan, it had to stay hidden.

For now.

1 hour later, I was just arranging my books when the door opened.

“ Iris?”

That voice.

I turned so fast my heart skipped,and there she was. Alice. Standing by the door, eyes wide like she wasn't sure if I was real or not.

For a second we just, we just stared at each other.

Then she dropped her bag and rushed towards me.

“ Iris!”

She wrapped her arms around me tightly, like if she let go I'd disappear.i hugged her back just as hard, breathing her in, grounding myself in the familiar.

“I thought,” her voice broke. “I thought I lost you.”

“I’m here,” I whispered. “I’m okay.”

She pulled back slightly, hands still gripping my arms, scanning my face like she was checking for injuries. “ Are you sure? You just….vanished. one day you're taken away, the other day you were released and the next nothing.”

“ I needed time,” I said carefully.” Everything was too much.”

Her eyes softened, “ I'm so sorry about everything.”

“ Hey, it's not your fault.”

She sighed and rested her forehead against mine for a moment. “I was so scared. Aunt Eunice wouldn’t tell me anything. She kept acting like you deserved it.”

That sting returned,but I forced a smile. “Well, I didn’t.”

Alice laughed softly, wiping her eyes. “No. You didn’t.”

She sat on the edge of the bed, patting the space beside her. “So… where did you go?”

I hesitated,just for a heartbeat. “Somewhere safe.”

She studied me, then nodded. “You look different.”

“ How?”

“ Calm,” She said. “ Stronger.”

I looked away,” maybe I had to be.”

She nudged my shoulder playfully. “You scared me, you know that?”

“I’m sorry,” I said again, meaning it more than she knew.

She smiled then, the real one. “Just don’t disappear like that again.”

“I won’t,” I promised,hoping it was true.

She then took my face and kiss me on the lips.

God I was hungry for her.

But not now.

As she talked about classes and school drama, I listened, smiling, laughing at the right moments.

And yet… I was carrying a secret that could shatter everything.

The next morning came to fast.

Alice and I walked to class side by side, shoulders brushing, fingers occasionally grazing. Nothing had been said out loud about the night before, but it lingered between us,soft looks, quiet smiles, comfort. Familiar. Safe.

Yea, when I said I was hungry for her yesterday night, we later had s*x.

You can't blame me, she seduced me all through.

As we rounded near the administrative hallway, I felt it before I saw her.

Miss Eunice.

She stood near the notice board, heels clicking sharply against the floor as she spoke to a staff member. Her eyes lifted, and locked unto mine.

For a moment the air went still.

Then I smiled.

Not sweet.

Not nervous.

A slow, deliberate smirk.

Her jaw tightened instantly.

I didn't stop. I didnt lower my gaze. I quickly walked past her, my shoulder brushing Alice lightly as if I'm to say im still here, and she will never f**k me. I felt Eunice stare burn into my back, sharp and furious.

“ I so love the look on Eunice face.” Alice whispered once we were out of earshot.

“ So did I , “ I said calmly.

She laughed under breath. “ You're brave.”

Or stupid, I thought,but I didn't say it.

We got to class just as the bell rang. Student settled into their seats, chatter filing the room untill the door opened again .

Miss Eunice walked in.

The room quieted immediately.

She placed her bag on the desk, eyes scanning the class, lingering on me for a half second too long before she smiled, the kind that never reached her eyes.

“ Good morning, class, she said smoothly. “Before we begin, we have a new student joining us today.”

She turned toward the door. “Come in.”

A girl stepped inside.

“Everyone,” Eunice continued, “this is Ky. She’s transferred from another district. I expect you all to make her feel welcome.”

Every head turned as she came in, she was unbelievably beautiful.

"Ky!" her name replayed on my lips unconsciously.