Hey, can you see that orange button in the corner?

Yeah, that little star. That's the one.

Now, can u click it?

I know you didn't do it still.

Pfft. Okay then.... :/

But if u clicked it already, then I effing love you.

- "hat —ow — ho — y irgin yes!"

"Oh, C'mon! It's my house that's drowned, and you're having a long face?"

"It's...It's nothing," I turn away from her, shouldering my bag tighter, quickening my pace.

"Micajah, What's the matter?" I can feel her tugging at a belt hanging from my bag, trying to turn me to face her.

"Please, Nicole. I'm not in the mood," I sigh and walk faster, implying that I don't want to be in anyone's company right now. She picks up my sullen mood and doesn't say anything, thankfully leaving me alone.

What can I say to her anyway?

That Seneca threw me against a wall and kissed me all over, before leaving me all of a sudden, and is now giving me the cold-shoulder?

Yeah, not gonna happen.

I pass the open doors of Mr. Devon's AP Maths classroom before I could think twice about it. Only then I realize that I've entered into uncharted territory, where I'm all alone.

I scan the classroom in a quick second and see Beta Ezra and Seneca already there in their respective places, heads bent together in some sort of conversation. — surprisingly early today.

Do they have the same schedule or something?

I hesitate for a second, but push all thoughts to the back of my mind, steeling myself as I walk to my desk.

As I near them, my developing senses pick up on the words they're passing back and forth.

"So, what are you trying to say?" Beta Ezra hisses in a low voice.

"What I'm telling is, There is no way the Alridge Dam would've broken on its own! It must've been Daemon—"

"No way, our security—"

I clear my throat loudly, announcing my arrival before the two of them could go on about something they wouldn't want me to know, and then label me as something for something I didn't do.

Intentionally, at least.

They fall silent immediately, and Seneca leans back in her chair, turning away from me.

You see? That's what I'm talking about.

I place my bag on the desk with extra force than necessary, and plop down on my chair, turning away from her as well.

Whatever. It might seem egotistic of me, but trust me, you wouldn't be able to let your pride down as well, if you were in my position. She can be hot and cold if she wants. I'll show her what my version of cold is.

I rummage through the contents of my bag and pull out a notebook and a pencil, idly writing random stuff on it till the teacher arrives. Seneca doesn't utter a single word; and hasn't since the little stunt she pulled yesterday. And I'm not about to be the one to change it.

⚮ ⚮ ⚮

Lunch rolls around in a blur, and here I am, sitting on my now-usual table with Seneca, both of us having still not talked to each other. Beta Ezra arrives a few minutes later, and makes himself comfortable in his seat.

Twenty minutes later, the table is so full of tension, you could cut it with a knife. I swallow the last bite of my lunch and open my water bottle, just as Seneca stands up, not sparing me a single glance as she leaves to throw away her empty tray.

Not that I expected her to.

"You know what? I give up."

Surprised, I turn to Beta Ezra tired voice. I hadn't talked to him from the morning as well. I had been a little rebellious and skipped training today, and had expected him to bang on my door, yelling at me to run around the outdoor training grounds five times for my tardiness, but much to my relief, he hadn't.

And I rode to school with Seneca's Third and Warrior — David and Jonathan.

"What?"

"Are you really an idiot? Or are you pretending to be one?" He arches one arrogantly slashed brow, crossing his arms across his chest as he leans back in his chair.

"What are you talking 'bout?" I ask, confused.

"Seriously? I could punch you right now." He mutters something more under his breath through gritted teeth, but I don't even try to take into consideration what that might be.

"What?! What did I do?" I exclaim, turning fully to face him.

"'What did you do'?! The question you should be asking is, 'What you didn't do'!" He hisses, glaring at me.

"Excuse me?"

"I don't know why I'm even doing this! No matter what I do, you're gonna go ahead and flirt with that...that girl, and walk around Half-naked," He snaps, looking away.

I gape at him.

So that is what this is about?!

"I did not flirt with Nicole—"

"Oh yes, you did!" He cuts me off, turning the full force of his glare at me. "'My sweet Aleph','My sexy Aleph'," He imitates in a high-pitched tone, putting his hands under his chin and batting his lashes as he does so. My mouth falls open, but his glower replaces that poor imitation of Nicole he just did, venom seeping back into his eyes.

"Wait, did Seneca tell you that —"

"She didn't have to tell me anything. I saw her thoughts—" He stops himself all of a sudden, as if he has given away something he shouldn't. "Anyway, there's no use in telling you all this."

"What are you talking—"

"Shut up. Alpha's coming." He cuts me off, again, and I stare at him in confusion, wondering about what he just said.

A second later, Seneca pulls back her chair and sits down, taking out her mobile phone from her front jean pocket. She doesn't seem to care about what we were talking, because she doesn't say anything, not to her Beta and not to her Mate.

What is going on in that thick head of yours, my Mate?

⚮ ⚮ ⚮

I stare at the blank paper in my hands, feeling stupid.

But still, I pin it back on the writing pad, and poise my pen over it, ready to write down whatever comes to my mind.

Beta Ezra informed me that I had to apparently give a 'speech' tomorrow, after I'm officially linked to the Mordecai Pack.

Just thinking about it makes my stomach do somersaults.

Sigh.

I start writing.

'Hello.

I'm your new Aleph. I promise to take care...'

Crap. This isn't working.

I strike off the entire line, and look around the class trying to gain some sort of inspiration. I'm in study hall, 8th.

My eyes fall on a group of girls, all sitting around and chatting excitedly. I wonder for a second how it would feel to be that carefree, before I shake off that thought. Then there's a group of four with lean and bony members, some of whom wear glasses like me. Then there's Amy Lockhart, a girl who keeps to herself and rarely ever speaks. Then, there's Jason...

This isn't working as well.

I put my pen down and remove my glasses, placing them on the table. I rub my palms over my face, trying to refresh myself—and my brain.

Briiiiing.

The bell rings, signaling the end of the day. I glance at the paper, useless except for the doodles and one line that has been cut off and sigh once again in disappointment.

I shake my head and gather my belongings into my bag. I pick up my glasses and put them back on, slowly dragging my feet as I make my way to the exit.

It's not like Seneca will be waiting anyway.

"Still in the same mood?"

I nod without turning to see who it is, because it can be only one person at this time.

"Walk with me home?" I ask lazily,

"Uh, I'm sorry. I...um, I have study group."

This peaks my interest.

"Study group?" I turn to her, observing her for the first time.

Whoa.

"Wait, are you...are you wearing makeup?" I ask, dumbfounded. I survey her up and down, noticing that the loose shirt she was wearing in the morning has now been unbuttoned at the end, and tied around her waist, exposing a thin black t-shirt inside. Her sloppy ponytail and been neatly redone as well, in addition to the makeup on her face.

"What? Stop looking at me like that. It's just lip gloss." She shrugs, looking away self-consciously,

I rub my index finger quickly against her cheek and pull back, showing her the bronze-ish substance now coating it.

"Okay. A little foundation. And maybe some blush. Big deal." She shrugs, trying to act nonchalant.

"Spill,"

"There's nothing to spill! I'm going to study group. That's all." She says firmly,

"Reeeeally?" I cock a brow mockingly.

"Yup,"

"Who's coming to this 'study group' of yours?" I make air quotes, emphasizing that I haven't believed her yet.

"No one," She answers a little too quickly, and that's answer enough.

"Hm...Okay," I shrug, raising my brows pointedly at her.

"Shut up!" She slaps my arm, getting more and more defensive.

"I didn't say anything!" I reply, trying to control my grin.

"Just go. Alpha's waiting." She orders, crossing her arms.

"Seneca's waiting?!" I exclaim, looking at her with wide eyes.

"I think she is. I saw her waiting by her car on my way," Nicole shrugs and I don't wait a second to leave, not even uttering a word of goodbye. I spin on my heel and run down the hallway, pushing past students who hiss and call me choice words as I slam everyone with my swinging backpack. But I don't care right now, because Seneca is waiting!

I run down the stairs and across the yard to the car parking. I try to catch my breath as I stand for a second and make a quick scan of the parking lot, searching for a particular black colored car.

There it is.

And she is inside it too.

An automatic smile stretches my lips as I run across the parking lot to her car. Halfway down, Seneca sees me running and turns to her side, doing something. A second later, my side of the car's doors opens.

Wow, I didn't know we had buttons even for that.

I come to a panting stop near my open door and get inside quickly, closing it behind me. I breathe hard, trying to calm my breathing, but the smile that lit my face the moment I spot her lingers on my lips throughout the entire quiet ride home.

⚮ ⚮ ⚮

Seneca is in the kitchen.

I don't know what she's doing, but I've been hearing some vessels banging and glasses clinking — you know, the sound of ceramic utensils or chinaware — for about fifteen minutes now.

Maybe I should call Magdalene and let her know that The Alpha is mauling the kitchen.

Then again, she probably already knows.

I let my head fall back on the couch, blowing out an amused sigh. My eyes fall on the antique wooden clock.

7:30 pm.

What the hell is Nicole doing?

I didn't know that 'study group' takes this long.

My eyes drift down the clock, to the small wooden table pushed against the wall below it. There's an elegant look vase with a long neck and one single orchid in it. Then, there's the phone.

I walk to it and pick up the cordless receiver, plopping back down on the couch hard, which makes me bounce.

I dial the number that I know by heart, and wait as the phone rings.

"Hello?"

"Um, Good evening, Alpha Parker." I greet awkwardly.

"Micajah? It's a pleasure to hear from you kid!" The Alpha exclaims in his deep voice, laughing lightly.

"Ha." I laugh back nervously. "I called to ask if Vic— I mean, if my..." I swallow, "Mother is okay?" I ask, spelling out the word 'Mother' with difficulty.

"Oh. She's fine. I have hired a young man to take care of her. He's a nurse. Quite a kind fellow." He remarks, and I can imagine him stroking his light beard as he does so.

"Oh..." I trail off, surprised by this piece of information. "Should I pay...?"

"No, no. You are finally free from her clutches," He sounds regretful; "She's my Pack. Don't you worry." He assures me, and I can hear the genuine note in his voice.

If he had been so kind ten years ago, I wouldn't have gone through what I did... I think bitterly.

Just then, I hear the front gate of the house open with a loud 'creak' and I take that as my cue.

"Uh, Okay. Thank you very much, Alpha. I'll check in later. Good night."

"Good night," He replies and I place the receiver back in its place.

I mull over Alpha's words as I walk to the main door, and squint through the peephole.

Safety is important. It could be an ax murderer for all I know.

Who are those two dark figures?

I sigh and walk to the window beside the door, pulling the curtain aside to take a look at the intruders.

Ah, it's Nicole.

And another girl. Maybe her friend.

I'm about to walk to the main door and open it for them, when I notice something weird.

Nicole is whispering something in the other girl's ear.

Curious, I stand there, waiting to see what she might be planning.

The other girl wraps her arms around Nicole in a short hug, and they pull back.

Pfft, nothing interesting.

I let the curtain fall back close and trudge back to the main door, swinging it open in a quick motion.

Then I see something. Something that gives me the shock of my life.

Oh. My. Goddess.

What — How — Who—- My virgin eyes!

The sound of me opening the door alerts them of my presence and Nicole turns to me with wide eyes. Her jaw, like mine, is hanging open. She tries to say something, but she couldn't seem to, because she just stares at me in shock.

I can't say anything at that moment except open an close my mouth like a fish either.

Suddenly, all pieces fall together.

"You..You're gay!" I proclaim, pointing my finger at the two girls.

Because, when I opened the door, the two of them had been kissing.

⚮ ⚮ ⚮

Does anyone still hate Nicole?

P.S. Gay can also be used to refer to a girl who's homosexual. It's grammatically correct guys. Look it up, if you don't believe me. :)

pls don't forget to