Beck
What a first week of school.
I had barely stepped foot in it and already someone was literally [grabbing] at my throat. What the hell was that?
I may have dodged a bullet, but if the gun keeps on taunting me… well, hope for the best. I really don't need to get on anybody's bad side here. I just wanna get along with everybody, but I'm probably wishful thinking.
Aside from that unpleasant event, I'm happy to report that my first week was otherwise uneventful here at Ruckerford Falls High.
Of course, there was the occasional death threat by the same guy who almost killed me on my first day. But who's counting?
Aside from that and the awkward stares I endured from being the new kid, everything is falling into place.
I got my bearings here at school, got through my first classes. It's not that different from where I come from. In fact, it's the same level of difficulty.
Ironically, the only difficulty here is for people to pronounce my name correctly.
It’s a mouth full, I get it. But it means something as all indigenous names usually do. That’s why I go by Beck, it’s easier to pronounce. Every single teacher in every single class spent a good minute stuttering to get my name right and failed miserably.
The curious stares from the other students also don’t particularly help matters, but I expected it as much. I knew coming here from the reservation that I’d face some growing pains. All the teachers happily address me as Beck, though the guidance counselor is tenacious. She insists on calling me by my name.
I don’t mind either way, I’m just used to Beck by now.
Kingsley has been lovely to make friends with. He’s such a sweetheart that if life was fair, he’d be the most popular kid at school. Instead, he gets judged by being an effeminate omega boy like any of that was a disqualification of his character. High school, am I right? I’m counting out the 100 days left in the school year for it to be over.
In other news, I have noticed ‘the good twin’ eye balling me since I said those nice things to that girl whose parents aren’t mated, Layla. On Wednesday, I noticed his eyes on me throughout the day and I’m not mad at it.
I still don’t know what his deal is since he’s mostly quiet or talking to her, but I’m here for him should he ever need a friend. I know from what my cousin told me so far that he is a nice guy, so I’m always down for that.
It’s Friday, the last school day of the week, and I’m counting my blessings for having survived these first few days. In more ways than one, I mean that literally.
I’m really impressed by Layla, by the way. I can only imagine the type of bullying she has suffered because of the stigma of being the daughter of unmated parents. If that wasn’t enough, she’s also the only female in the school wrestling team.
It takes some balls to be the only woman boss bitching her way into a male dominated sport. Especially those types of males. Jocks, who mostly just follow the evil twin’s lead. But she is determined to succeed and from what I have seen from her so far, she definitely has the chops to do it.
It’s kinda funny though because I overheard one girl ask her out, but she had to explain that she’s not actually a lesbian. Though I can totally see the ‘butch queen’ vibes she gives off, misconceptions are a bitch.
If I was into girls, I’d love for her to be my mate. Not that I think my mate belongs to this pack. I’m sure he’ll be back home waiting for me. Except for the fact that I have no idea of how I am supposed to discover anyone if my eyes don’t glow (and I can’t shift).
But let’s cross that bridge when it comes time for it, shall we? I don’t wanna ruin my Friday mood. Goddess knows the hoops I’m gonna have to jump to find this so-called mate, assuming I even have one.
I take a big inhale of air, trying not to think about it. I don’t like to suffer in anticipation and I’m trying hard to be happy here.
Kingsley and I are talking at the end of the second period when a boy approaches Layla in class. I didn’t notice at first, but he has a tall, strong figure. A dark skinned handsome boy that had my eyes immediately drawn to him.
“Hi, Layla. How was your first week back?” - He started, tentatively. I could feel the anxiousness in his voice. She looked at him surprised by this interaction.
“Hi, Blaine. It was fine. How was yours?” - She replied politely, though I could tell she was lost as to why he’s talking to her right now. I’m sensing they don’t travel in the same circles.
“Fine too. Hey, can I ask you out on a date?” - He surprised her and judging by the collective gasp inside the classroom, so did everybody else. She looked at Jude for a second, puzzled by this sudden request, but he looked just as confused as she was by this.
“Have you lost a bet, Booker? What do you want with the freak?” - Quentin interjected, laughing at the situation dismissively.
Layla glared at him for the intrusion and so did Jude. Blaine looked even more nervous than before.
“Please don’t interfere, Alpha. This has nothing to do with you.” - He pleaded, looking at Quentin reprehensibly.
“I don’t date men from the wrestling team, sorry.” - She declared, much to his chagrin. He looked very disappointed at this.
“I know we haven’t always given you a fair chance. I’m sorry for the way you’ve been treated by some of the team members, but I promise you that’s not me. Can you give me one chance, please?” - He insisted and his puppy dog eyes were selling me on this fast.
She stared at him for a minute, trying to figure out his intentions.
“There are easier girls you can ask out. If this is some kind of prank, I promise you’ll regret it. I’m not one to be messed with.” - She threatened him in a dead serious tone.
“This isn’t a prank. And I’m not looking for easy. I want you.” - He staked, decidedly. This statement surprised her - and a lot of us, apparently.
“Fine, you can take me out on a date. I’m free Saturday.” - She conceded, trying hard to hide a smile on the corner of her mouth.
“Thanks, Lay. I’ll text you later.” - He smiled, smitten by her. He then left the classroom and she turned to Jude who stared at her shocked by this turn of events.
“What ever happened to ‘I don’t date team members’?” - He snickered, barely holding back a giggle.
She glared daggers at him. Jude turned around to face his brother with a deeply troubled expression on his face.
“If you had any hand in this, if this is some kind of weird prank, I swear to Goddess I’ll make sure dad won’t let you see Cassie for a month!” - He threatened him, dead seriously. The girl I know now to be Quentin’s girlfriend was appalled by that threat.
I gasped in shock at this exchange. And here I thought I had family issues…
“Get over yourself, princess! Like I have time to orchestrate some kind of revenge plan on your precious freak! I don’t need to worry about her lack of romantic prospects. I get plenty of satisfaction when she’s yielding to me on the mat.” - He scoffed, almost insulted by the accusation.
The twins glared at each other for a moment before they turned around and proceeded to walk out of the classroom along with the rest of the students.
Layla was not happy by that boastful declaration from Quentin, but she was pleased enough this isn’t a sophisticated prank. At least, that’s the hope. I’ve seen this movie and it either ends in slaughter or the couple end up falling in love just when she discovers it was all a lie.
I love romantic comedies, what can I say? It’s my go to feel good movies. I have also watched “Carrie”.
Jude and Layla whispered to each other as they left the classroom. All the while the boys from the team were shocked by this turn of events. Some were probably suspicious as well.
Even my cousin was surprised. I say good for her. I wouldn’t mind being asked out on a date.
Like wildfire, the news of the surprise invitation spread across the entire senior class and everybody was talking about it. Honestly, I don’t see what the big deal is about a guy asking a girl out. It’s not like she’s hideous or something…
Not that I’d judge anyone for their looks.
Word spread even to the wrestling team coach, who said he feared this day would come and was worried about the integrity of the team members, not that he can prohibit anyone who they can or cannot date.
Layla and Blaine were being ogled like they came out or something. I fail to see the big deal, honestly.
“I don’t know why people are treating this as some kind of shocker. A handsome boy asked a beautiful girl out. Call the press!” - I snickered, talking to my cousin at the end of the fourth period.
Kingsley laughed at my words, beside me inside the classroom.
“I know, right? I agree with you. It’s just that his father is the head enforcer for the pack and his family has high expectations for him.” - He explained in a low tone.
“Yeah, be that as it may, they can’t control to whom their son gets mated to. And she seems lovely.” - I argued in an equally low tone.
“Sure, but we’re not talking about mates here. This is different. It’s by choice.” - He refuted.
“All I heard was two beautiful people are going out on a date on Saturday. To me, there’s nothing shocking about that. Unless you count the difference in ethnicity, which I don’t.” - I countered, sternly.
“I don’t either.” - Kingsley was quick to point out.
“Exactly. The only thing shocking to me is if the best friends were mated to each other.” - I said with a devious grin. They overheard that and both scowled at me.
Kingsley laughed at my statement. I hardly ever see him laughing, so this is nice.
“Jude is not gonna be mated to her. He is gay.” - He informed me and I gasped in shock.
“What? You’re kidding me!” - I’m gobsmacked at this information.
“No, I’m not.” - Kingsley laughed at my ignorance.
“If he’s gay, why is his brother such a homophobic asshole?” - I blurted, louder than I anticipated. Literally every single classmate turned to him, shocked at my nerve.
“What did you just call me?” - Quentin glared at me, ferociously mad.
Cold sweat trickled down my forehead as he stared at me menacingly. In a moment, he darted for the attack. I knew he was mad for being called out like this. I didn’t mean to speak so loudly.
I had no time to run away, nor did I want to be chased down the hall. In a flash of thunder, he stormed to my direction and reached out his hand for my throat. Instinctively, I countered his move by pulling his arm across my chest and using my body to drop him on the floor. But instead, he fell on top of a desk before sliding down to the floor.
This move surprised everybody. A collective gasp could be heard by the entire student body still in class. When he got back up on his feet, his eyes were now glowing in rage.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say it like that. I apologize. Please…”
I didn’t have time to finish that sentence before he came at me again. Unlike the first time he struck me, I was prepared this time. Not that I anticipated this fight, but I know how to defend myself. I have been trained for years.
Quentin tried several blows against me, but I dodged them all. Once he managed a punch to my chest, I coughed up for a minute. Smiling boastfully, he came at me again except this time I was really angry.
I used his own body weight to throw him to the wall hard. He fell down and was disoriented for a minute. The fight shocked everyone who were not used to seeing anyone standing up to him.
He tried to continue on, but a teacher entered the classroom and all of us were forced to leave before the school authorities were involved.
Whispers broke out about the confrontation and when I entered the cafeteria for lunch, the entire student body turned to stare at me in shock. I blushed from the intense stares and tried to make my way just as any other day.
Kingsley looked worried for me. We sat down with our lunch on a table as people still stared at me like a freak. This is the last thing I wanted for my Friday, but now I’m pretty much marked for death once again.
What is it with me that I attract psychopaths gunning to kill me?
Before I exited the cafeteria, Quentin stopped by my table with a threatening expression.
“You’re dead, fairy. I hope you enjoyed that because I will fucking murder you!” - He threatened me with such an evil stare that sent chills down my spine. I know he meant it. I thought I knew fear back at my old pack, but it turns out my father is an angel compared to Quentin Atwood.
And now that I embarrassed him in front of the entire school, he can’t let me get away with this. Though I never asked for this in the first place. I didn’t mean to call him like that.
Though I still don’t know why he’s such a homophobic bully if his brother is gay like me. And his father was so understanding when I met him. It’s not like he was raised by a homophobe. At least, I hope not.
I wouldn’t wish this on anybody else.
Fear nearly paralyzed me as I walked out of the cafeteria with more eyes on me than ever before. Everybody knows I’m marked for death. They know I shouldn’t have done what I did, but it wasn’t my fault.
I can’t help but to stand up for myself. If I stood up against my father, it’s not gonna be a teenager who’s gonna frighten me. I mean, it shouldn’t. But I feel pretty frightened just about now.
I stopped by the bathroom before I returned to class to brush and use the facility. I don’t know when he’s gonna attack me, but I guess now all I have is borrowed time.
I cannot believe I traveled so many miles to escape persecution only to be faced with a maniacal bully inside the school. Why Goddess, why? Please help me. Hear my prayer.
I don’t want to die. I haven't even met my mate yet. Or went to third base with a boy. This cannot be the end of me. It can’t.
Fear grapples me in such a way that I can barely breathe. I walk back to the classroom as if I were on death row. All the while everyone is still staring at me like I’m a dead man walking.
A|N: Ironically, I had a different idea for this chapter when I started but the writing got away from me and I ended up with a (song) title chapter that I didn’t originally want.
Literally googled the title to find this song.
Wow. That was something… I’m scared for our little Beck.
Love,
Léo.
Comments (2)
See all