My Neighbor is an Alpha

Chapter 3

The hallways were less crowded than my old school. Diane had spent the walk to school talking almost exclusively about cheer practice, football games, and everyone who mattered enough to know.

And that’s how I found myself roaming around the school hall until the shrill sound of the bell cut through the air.

Students hurried into their classrooms, conversations dying as the bell echoed through the hallway.

Panic slowly crept in.

“Excuse me,” I tried, approaching a blonde with glasses.

Her eyes widened slightly, her fingers tightening around the books clutched to her chest.

I gave her a small smile. “Can you point me to the chemistry lab?”

She swallowed thickly, then her gaze scanned the area, like she wasn’t sure she should respond.

I was probably scaring her. Dial it back, V.

“I’m sorry for hounding you with questions.” I said while stretching my hand out for a handshake, “My name is Valerie Moretti.”

She stared at my hand but didn’t take it. “Sam.” She mumbled. “Two doors down on your left.”

Relief washed over me. “Thank you. I-“

She didn’t wait. She muttered something I couldn’t quite catch then scrambled into the class next to us.

I blinked. Then sighed, not letting her reaction bother me.

Second door to my left…

The moment I pushed the door open, the chatter died. My steps faltered as every single person’s gaze turned to me. Unease gnawed at my guts.

Did I make a bad decision by wearing my summer collection? Maybe I stood out too much.

But then someone coughed… loudly. And just like that, they slowly returned their attention to themselves. That didn’t stop their lingering eyes from following my every move until I settled into an empty seat, right next to a student who had his head down.

I shrugged my bag off, praying the day would end already.

“That’s my seat.”

I paused. Then looked up.

A red head with a permanent scowl was staring down on me like was dirt under her feet. Her arms tucked under each other with two other girls trailing behind her.

I had two options. Move. Or ignore them. I chose the latter, carefully setting my things on my desk but the moment my books hit the wood, the girl swiped everything else off my desk.

They clattered to the floor with a loud noise, making everyone around aware of the brewing conflict.

My jaw ticked. “I’ll give you thirty seconds to pick my things.”

Her face turned red as she slammed her palm hard on my desk. I didn’t flinch. She inched further, her eyes dripping with an emotion I’d long been accustomed to. Bitterness.

“This isn’t LA, new girl.” She sneered as her minions flanked me. “You’re nothing but a daughter of a criminal.”

My chest tightened.

Of course she knew who I was. Everyone in this town knew apparently. Her words were like a hot rod to my heart but I didn’t give her the pleasure of a reaction. That pissed her off even more. She shoved my shoulder harshly.

“Even the f*****g clothes you wear are on people’s sweat and tears.” She continued. “I bet daddy didn’t have any problem stealing from innocent families just so his daughter can wear Prada.”

“It’s Chanel.” The words left my mouth out of habit.

“Shut the f**k up you stuck up bitch.” One of her minions snapped, inching closer.

I glanced around me. Students refused to meet my eyes. Some pretended to be engrossed in their books. No one was going to step in then.

Right.

Guess I’d have to take matters into my own hands.

I stood abruptly, the sound of my chair scraping the ground cutting through the tense air. The leader of this caricature of bullies jerked back slightly but was still keeping up this act.

Even better.

“Pick my things up. Now.”

She was about to unleash god knows what on me before a dark gravelly voice sliced through the thick air.

“I assume your not deaf, Stacy.”

The leader froze and I swore her face went pale.

My head snapped to the desk next to me. My pulse stumbled. Dark hair. Dark, tired eyes peeking through. His jaw ticked once.

“Pick up the f*****g books.”