Chapter 35 ~Breaking point~
(Fiona's POV)
I reluctantly climbed out of the taxi cab at the school's parking lot, instantly wishing Xander and Yara were here with me.
The hallways seemed even longer, even more intimidating, because I was walking alone.
I tried in vain to ignore the stares from the students. What was it with high school, anyway?
From the muffled whispers, I could clearly make out the word, ‘Xander’.
Someone muttered to her friend. “That’s Xander’s girlfriend, yeah? But he's not with her. I don't think he's coming to school today.”
Her friend was clearly glaring at me. “He's not, clearly. Hope he's okay, though.”
I couldn't tell if it was genuine worry, or high schoolers being high schoolers.
But they were right to ask. It had been, after all, three days since he was seen last. And the circumstance, which was him disappearing in the middle of a big game, was disturbing.
I smelt them before I saw them.
The Three Plastics, Brianna, Frances and Jasmin walked up to me, their matching boots clicking in sync.
I almost coughed at the choking scent of their flowery cologne. They smiled and said ‘hi’s’.
“Hey babes…where's Yara?” Jasmin looked around like Yara would pop out from behind one of the lockers.
I was at a loss regarding what to tell them, ‘Yara got injured in an inter-pack war by rogues’?
I sighed tiredly. “Yara… she's under the weather, so she stayed back today.” I lied smoothly.
Frances gasped softly. “Such a bummer. Hope she's okay.”
Brianna coughed in interruption. “Anywho, we're hosting a rooftop party tonight, and a dope DJ is going to be there. Are you coming?”
Seriously, I wasn't in the mood for any parties. I shrugged lightly. “I doubt. But I'll try.”
“Before I forget, where the fuck is Xander, he's been gone for days now.” Jasmin arched her brows.
Frances snapped her fingers. “Yeah, the whole school has been in a frenzy. I thought to ask you, but you were MIA as well.”
Xander was at the pack, organizing for the move to Nightfang.
It was all the more tasking because Nightfang pack was in another district. But for some reason, what I was more concerned about was Nova. The thought of whether she'd be there… how awkward the whole situation was going to be. Besides, I hadn't seen Nova in school for a while, even before the attack.
“Shoot! I have that weird-ass AP class in five minutes.” Brianna exclaimed, before I even had the chance to answer her earlier question.
Frances blew me an air kiss. “Okay, see you around, babes. And, if you can, come to the party. It's gonna be lit.”
I nodded.
Yeah… no.
I sat alone in the cafeteria during lunch period, playing with the food on my plate. A hand tapped me lightly, startling me from my thoughts.
I turned to see a tall, ebony-skinned boy from the basketball team - Raymond - I think his name was.
Mind you, I was still traumatized by any basketball team member since Mike groped my ass.
But, for some reason, when Raymond asked if he could sit beside me, I obliged.
“Hey, I'm Raymond.” He extended his hands for a handshake, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I wasn't in the mood today - at all.
“I know your name.” I muttered dryly.
He chuckled awkwardly. “Yeah… I'm pretty popular. What's your name?”
“Fiona.” Please, leave me alone.
“Oh, Fiona. Are you vegan? I can see the only thing on your plate is salad.”
I toyed with the idea of saying, ‘I'm not vegan, actually I'm a werewolf.” I smiled at the thought.
He must have mistaken my smile to be me flirting with him, because he slid across the bench to sit even closer to me.
“I like you, Fiona, and from what I can tell, the feeling is mutual. I heard you have a thing for guys from wealthy homes. My father is a congressman. We are wealthy, even wealthier than the Graysons.”
I nodded absentmindedly, willing ‘it’ to leave me alone.
But of course, he lingered. “I saw you, you know… at the last party. I wanted to talk to you, but you left before I could. You seemed in a hurry to leave?”
It was a question, not a statement.
“Yeah, my mom was ill.” I muttered dryly.
“Sorry ‘bout that. My mom had ovarian cancer, so I can tell what that's like.”
Trust me, you can't.
He gave that same awkward chuckle. “Actually, you look kinda ill as well. Are you okay?”
I wore a deadpanned expression.
He waved his fingers in my face. “Hello? Earth to Fiona?”
Why the fuck did I think I could have a moment to myself?
I sighed, grabbing my bags to leave.
“Hey, hey, hey… calm down. I know you're with Xander, but listen, I'm so much better than him.”
He licked his lips suggestively, and I just gagged.
Cringing, I turned to leave, but he grabbed my arms strongly, pulling me back.
I yanked my arms free.
“Piss off!” I yelled, a little louder than I intended.
When a few chuckles went round the room, I wondered if they were laughing at me or him.
I locked myself in the girl's bathroom. I don't know for how long, now.
I worried about my mission to Ashridge, the trauma I'd go through seeing Beckett again.
Then, like I’d seen for the past few nights, my vision blurred with deep crimson blood. Bibo's blood and remains at the sole of my feet.
The panic attack began.
I was gasping for air.
Letting out small, broken sounds.
It seized, just as the door swung open and a student walked in. “Fiona Hepburn, Coach Bruce wants to see you.”
“Who?”
“The hockey coach.”
Shit! Xander's coach.
I splashed some water on my face and walked down the hallway to the staff quarters.
I knocked lightly when I saw his door.
“Come in,” a voice called from within.
“You can have a seat,” he said after I walked in.
I sat down uneasily. “You asked for me?”
“Yes,” he tapped his desk with a pen. “Where's Xander?”
“H- he fell ill.” My lie didn't come out as smoothly this time.
He nodded.
I couldn't tell if he believed it or not.
“I asked his teammates about his whereabouts, and they said you'd know better.”
“I take it you're his girlfriend…”
I shifted. “Y-yes. I am.”
This time, his face looked even sterner. “He left a game that could potentially make him a pro-hockey player, because of some family emergency, or ‘sickness’, that somehow happened in the middle of the game?”
My mouth opened and closed twice. I didn't know what to say.
He laughed humorlessly, and he smacked his lips together. “Be a good girlfriend and tell him not to bother coming back to the hockey team… he's clearly not cut out for this.”
I…
“You may leave.”