Chapter 14: A friend indeed.

(Haisley’s point of view)

The world seemed to be in slow motion as I sat on the fathered bench in the back corner of the schoolyard, where no one would ever dare to approach me. Sounds and chatter of excited students filled the air, using the opportunity of break time to their full advantage—everyone was buzzing about the afternoon’s game. But I couldn’t express nor feel their excitement. 

It was the game of the year. 

But to me, it was his game. 

And I wanted no part of it. 

No matter how much I think about it. I couldn’t get him out of my mind. It wasn’t that I hated him, no. Hatred was too simple a word for what I felt for Luca. Hatred requires more energy, and I was utterly tired to even use an ounce of mine. 

But like, I don’t know. 

I can tolerate him, and that’s how far it goes. Anything more than that, he should wish for a miracle. 

I shook my head, dispelling the thought of the Alpha, and on cue, the bell rang, signifying the next lecture. I wasted no time now, and bolted with my belongings, sitting at the forefront of the class. 

The day dragged on painfully, and every class was the same. Whispers followed me down the hallways like a bad stench and I tried to ignore almost every one of them. Almost.

“Look at her,” they’d mutter. “I can’t believe she still shows her face here. I believe she’s nothing but a spy, we will never accept her as a pack member.” They’d say. 

Some were braver, snickering loud enough for me to hear, calling me names they thought would cut deep. But I pretended like it couldn’t affect me, like their words meant no bother to me as I tried to keep a straight face, trying to keep a blank face. 

Even though I shouted in my mind that I didn’t care anymore, that I’d stayed in this pack long enough to be used to their ridicule, I knew I would be lying to myself. 

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of school classes, I slung my backpack over my shoulder and headed straight toward my hiding spot behind the bleachers. It was the only place where I could steal a moment of peace from not only the schoolmates but also the pack as a whole—ironic given that this afternoon, at this very spot, would be packed with students cheering for Luca and his teammates. 

Sinking onto the hard, splintered wood, I pulled out one of my favorite love novels and began reading, wanting to dwell in a life I knew I would never have. 

To pretend to live in a lie. 

“Still hiding out here, huh?”

I jumped, scattering the pages of the book as the voice startled me. I looked up sharply, fearing who dared come to my hiding spot only to see Amelia standing a few feet away from me. Her wavy auburn hair caught the sunlight like a glowing halo. 

She rested one of her arms on her hips as she gave me a look. 

The look that said, I’m tired of you, and I’m not taking no for an answer. 

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice hoarse from hours of silence.

She huffed, walking closer and plopping beside me. “What seeds do you think? To drag your sorry ass out of this pity party.”

“Then leave me alone,” I scoffed. “This is not a pity party. It’s my peace and quiet. Oh, should you go out sometime.”

“I’d rather turn into an old granny,” he laughed, propping herself up on her elbows as she stared at me. “You know you can keep doing this, hiding and avoiding everyone, shutting yourself off, but it’s you it’s hurting not them.”

I rolled my eyes. “And who are you to comment? You have a perfect life.”

“No life is perfect. You may think everyone’s got it together, but life just keeps crumbling. What you don’t know is that we just know how to hide our pain and not show it.” Her hands on my shoulder tightened a little. 

“I have been your friend ever since you came to the pack, and only I can tell you the truth. This!” She pointed at my whole body and towards the bleachers. “Hiding away and acting like you don’t care when it’s obvious you do, it’s not helping. You’re just letting him win.”

Her words struck a nerve, but I wasn’t ready to admit it. Instead, I hugged my knees tighter and stared at the ground.

“You don’t get it,” I muttered. “You just don’t get it. You don’t understand how it feels like to have the whole school laughing at you because they don’t know you. To have your best moments turned into their entertainment.”

“Maybe I don’t,” Amelia admitted. “But I do know what it’s like to have a friend who’s hurting and too damn stubborn to let anyone help her.”

“Look,” she said, her voice gentler now. “I’m not saying you should go to the game and cheer him on or anything. I just want you to get yourself out of the cage. You haven’t told me about your past life as you’re too damn stubborn to admit it, but leave your shell and shine, Haisley.”

I finally looked at her, my vision blurry with unshed tears. “And what if I can’t?”

“You can,” she said firmly. “You may not see this, but I know that you’re one of the strongest girls I know. You’re stronger than you think, Haisley. And know that you’re not alone. You’ve got me, and I am not going anywhere.”

A laugh bubbled up before I could stop it, surprising both of us. 

“What? Why are you laughing,” she scrawled. “I’m pouring my heart out, and you dare laugh?”

I burst out laughing and so did she. Our laughter turned hysterical and the once boring and tension-filled space turned into one of happiness. 

“There she is,” she teased. “I knew you hadn’t completely turned into a miserable hermit.”

“Oh shut up.” I shook my head, finally smiling after a long while. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“And you love me for it,” she shot back, nudging me with her shoulder.

I kept silent as the burden freed me from my chest. No longer was I bothered about him, instead, I felt elevated. 

“Thanks,” I told her, smiling and picking up my book to continue reading, but when she saw my action, her expression shifted, and I knew what was coming before she could even open her mouth. 

“So,” she began, drawing the word out, “Are you—“

My stomach dropped. “No.”

“Haisley—”

“No,” I said, finality in my tone while cutting her off. “I’m not attending the match. He’s there, and my presence there would seem like I came there because he told me to.”

“Aren’t you?”

I gave her a deadpan look. “My answer still remains no. You’ll have to drag my corpse to the bleachers to ever watch that scumbag play.”