I dashed out of the class with my bag, willing the tears away and blocking out the jeers and laughs of people who were supposed to be my classmates. But no. They all decided to have a good laugh while I was bathed in ink. Thankfully, the school premises was empty, except for a few staff walking to blocks where they either had lectures to give or their office to return to.
I did not care either way, I got to the place where the Salvatore packed their cars and activated mine. Another thank you to David, if not I'd have had to wait for the boys to take me home and this time, they would not buy the cooked up lies I'd have presented to them. Moreover, how would I lie about this? What believable lie could I tell about the ink? What would I say? How would I have explained this? Oh my goodness! Aaron had spent so much to get me these new set of clothes amongst the others he'd bought. Yet, Katelyn was hell bent on making life miserable for me.
I started the engine, the gate was mechanical, it needed no manual assistance to open. It recognized my car and opened immediately. Security was tight here, no unregistered car was allowed to enter or leave. I sped out of there, I had my GPS to help me find my way home. I wiped tears from my eyes, I had sworn that people like Vanice would never make me cry again. But here I was, crying alone in my car, all because of Katelyn. Within minutes I was home, I did not want to meet anybody and I hoped I did not. Reaching home, I got out of the car darting my eyes to and fro, making sure nobody was home. Something told me that if David saw me, he was going to hound the boys for it and I could not let that happen, it was not their fault. I cautiously approached the big building. I had clutched my bag to cover the front of my t-shirt but the ink had spread even to my jeans. I was quite small so the guards would not easily see me if I was careful enough.
I ran inside before they could turn. Thankfully, no one was in sight. I made a beeline for the hallway that led to the stairs that led to my room. Finally I was inside my room, I ran straight to the bathroom and checked myself in the mirror. Tears poured. Why me always? Now, I had missed a class. My mates were learning and I was home. Had I made the wrong choice? Should I let go and unleash my true self? A memory flash and pinched at my heart. No, it was better this way.
One hour later, I had discarded the clothes, rehearsed a lie I'd tell everyone when they asked and cleaned my bathroom, ridding it of any evidence that might expose the truth. Drained and exhausted, I trudged to my room wearing a pair of black shorts and a burnt orange T-back tank top. I took note of how clean and organized my room was. Melissa had done a good job.
Just then, she walked in, she was wearing her usual impassive expression but I saw surprise flash before it was back to its blank state.
"Good day, Your Highness."
"Good day, Melissa."
My voice sounded tired. It was an advantage to me, it would help in my cooked up story, made it more believable.
"You're back early?"
Was that care and concern I heard in her voice?
"Yes, I am."
She stood, not saying anything. I suspected she was curious to know why, but because she probably had some issue with me, she did not want it to seem as if she cared.
"What is your deal with me, Melissa?"
"Would you want anything to eat or drink, Your Highness?"
Her tone was courteous, her stance was proper. What was happening? Did she think she was standing before a royalty? Also, she had avoided my question.
"Thank you for cleaning and organizing my room. I know how much of a mess it was before I left for school. Thank you for putting it back in place."
I tried a kind smile on her, if it would work. Her expression was unchanging. I guess not. I had people who disliked me for no just cause.
"Where is my mother?"
"She went out with the Alpha."
"Do you know where they went to?"
"No, Your Highness."
"Okay."
Then I remembered my mom had told me this morning that she and the Alpha would be going out to check his property and familiarize her with the people she, as Luna, was also responsible for.
"Is there anything else you'd like me to do for you?"
There was something I wanted her to do for me, but I was not sure I could trust her. She hated me and if she knew of it, she might run her mouth off to others in the house. But then again, I was new. I had no idea how to discard it. It was my ink stained clothes. Only she as a maid would know how to get rid of it, but how sure was I that she would not tell my mother or spread amongst other maids in the house and it somehow gets into the ears of my mother or David or even my brothers.
"No, nothing. You can go."
"You're sure?"
"Yes. Please, you can go."
"Alright."
She reached the door.
"Also, I'd appreciate it if no one comes in. I'd like to be alone."
"Okay."
"Yes, thank you."
The door closed behind her. I slumped on my bed and held myself from thinking too much about what had happened. I was not going to let thought of how my first day had been get to me. Was not going to allow Katelyn and her bully tactics weigh me down. I was just going to pretend today went well and tomorrow was another day. Finally, I was able to calm myself and before I knew it, I had drifted off to sleep.