Chapter 5: Group Projects can end Friendships
1091 Words
The weather was clear today. It was a good day to be outside, and even better, it was Friday. That meant tomorrow was the weekend, and the campus was usually empty on weekends.
I had an hour in between classes, so I chose a spot underneath a tree and pulled my sketch book out and began to draw. I had been so busy with studying, I hadn’t made any time for drawing. I sketched the scenory in front of me. I was so enveloped in my work, the time flew by quicker than I liked.
After I gathered my things, I quickly made my way to the science building. Brianna, all smiles and perfect edges linked her arm through mine.
“Gabriella! There you are!” I held back the desire to roll my eyes.
After initiation day, I did my best to avoid her, but I guess my absence wasn’t enough for her to get the hint.
“I was wondering where you’ve been! You missed all the excitement.” She rambled on about the latest gossip and I continued to walk towards bio 104.
“Amir practically declared war on the Alpha from Silverwood pack during lunch.”
My heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. I was still upset with him and thankfully, he stayed away from me for that past three days.
“Oh,” I mumbled, trying to sound nonchalant.
“I was… studying.” Brianna giggled.
“Gabriella, you’re such a nerd!” She nudged me with her shoulder.
“You’re always studying. We get it, you’re smart. You need to socialize more. That’s how you make connections.” She gave me a pointed look.
As we walked, I noticed a figure leaning against the wall near the entrance to the class I was about to enter. He was tall, and athletically built. He had this quiet intensity about him. His dark hair was styled neatly, and his dark eyes seemed to observe everything without revealing anything.
He wasn't looking at me directly, but for some reason, I got the sense that I was exactly what he was looking at. The man looked like he stepped out of a magazine, that’s all I’mma say about that.
His presence was different from Amir's. It was calm yet intimidating. He looked to be around my age maybe a bit older.
"That's Elijah" Brianna sighed dreamily.
"He's a beta. Not that it matters though. He’s way out of my league."
I quickly looked away, suddenly aware of my messy bun and faded sweater. Damn, I should have tried to do something with myself today.
Later that afternoon, as I was organizing my notes in the library, Brianna plopped down next to me. She was radiating a false sweetness that set my teeth on edge.
“Gabriella, please, save my life?” she started.
“Help me with something okay?” Before I could answer, she continued.
“So I heard that Professor Davis is gonna assign a group project for advanced PD, and I want you to be my partner.” She batted her eyelashes.
It’s crazy how when you start to see someone for who they really are, they start to look funny to you. I hesitated. Group projects were always a nightmare for me. I was usually stuck doing all the work. Although I knew I shouldn’t trust her, she has been relatively kind to me, or so I thought.
“Okay,” I agreed reluctantly.
“What’s the project about?” Her face lit up.
“It’s about the evolving role of omegas in modern pack structures! I thought, since you’re an omega, you might be the perfect partner.” Her tone was careful.
Over the weekend, I poured my heart and soul into the project. I researched, I wrote, and ended up editing on my own as well. By the time I was done, I realized that Brianna contributed very little. She mostly used our time as a gossip session. After I was finished with the project, I went in search for her.
It was late so I headed to her dorm. I was about to knock, but her door was open. I was about to head in when my ears picked up on her phone conversation.
“…yeah, I know it’s boring, but Gabriella is doing all the work.” Her laughter filled the hall.
“She’s so desperate to prove herself that she’ll do anything I ask. It’s perfect!” There was a pause before she continued.
“Exactly! With this project, I’ll finally get Davis’ attention, and, you know, being seen with an omega… it shows I’m not prejudiced.” There was another pause.
“Right, Billie!”
Billie? She was talking to f*****g Billie? And prejudice? Are you serious? I couldn’t believe my ears.
My blood ran cold. I pressed myself against the wall. I had been used, and manipulated all because she wanted to climb some shitty social ladder?
I slipped away unnoticed. I knew I couldn’t trust her but the weight of her betrayal was crushing me. I had been so desperate for a friend that I ignored all the warning signs. I was nothing more than a stepping stone to her.
And what’s worse, is that I thought we bonded over our culture. The feeling of being judged based off of my omega status wasn’t new to me, but hearing someone I looked at as a friend hit different.
As I was fleeing the dormitory, heading towards the library went I accidentally ran into someone.
“Oh, sorry,” Looking up, my words got caught in my throat.
"Watch where you're going," Elijah’s voice bellowed out.
It was deep and stoic, yet it held no malice. He stretched a hand out to help steady me. Panic immediately took over and I snatched away. No idea why I did that.
"I'm so sorry," I said as I gathered all the books that I had dropped.
I felt the tears brimming my eyes. I needed to go some place where no one could see me. I hate crying around people and the last thing I needed was to cry in a public place or in front of a hot stranger.
"Are you ok?" He asked I could see the concern in his eyes.
"Do you need help with that?" He asked pointing to the books that I was trying to gather.
"No! Just leave me alone." I snapped and ran like the wolf I didn’t have.
- Writer
