Today was Monday. The beginning of the week that had been been chosen for the contest.
The school buzzed with excitement at that knowledge-students chattering in the hallways, because teachers were nowhere to be seen. There were no lessons either, except magic classes. All efforts were geared toward the contest, either winning the contest, or campaigning for the contest’s contestants.
But my mind was far from the festivities. I watched from the sidelines as Levina, ever the supportive friend, handed out flyers urging students to vote for me. Her enthusiasm was infectious, but I couldn’t muster the same excitement.
Instead, my thoughts wandered back to Adam and his unexpected visit two nights ago. His presence had shaken me to the core, stirring emotions I had long buried beneath layers of fear and uncertainty. I replayed the moment he stood in my room, the moment his eyes searched mine with a tenderness that made my heart race, the moment he ravaged my neck with his lips.
I recalled the touch of his fingers on the scar on my neck, after the first kiss, a scar that marked me as his in a way I didn’t fully understand. The burning sensation lingered as a reminder of our connection, of the undeniable pull between us that defied reason and logic. I wasn’t sure if I wanted it. It was creating chaos for me. It was creating confusion in Adam. Had he gotten any intel from then? Had I pushed him too late?
Maybe not. In that fleeting moment, I had yearned to lean forward, to close the distance between us and press my lips to his. I would have, but for the burning mark. As much as I hated Adam, my body wanted him; yearned for him; longed for him. I couldn’t deny it any longer. My body still remembered.
Lost in my thoughts, I barely registered the cheers and applause of students as one of them, a contestant, paraded in the hallway–a campaign strategy surely. The girl’s beauty was undeniable, her confidence a stark contrast to my own inner turmoil.
Levina caught my eye from across the hallway, waving enthusiastically as she continued to rally support. She believed in me, in my strength and resilience, even when I struggled to see it myself. I forced a smile in return, grateful for her unwavering friendship amidst the chaos of my emotions.
Yet, I couldn’t shake the image of Adam from my mind. His gentle touch, his whispered words of recognition they lingered like a promise of something more, something I wasn’t sure I was ready to explore. Would I ever be rid of this?
Deep down, I knew I couldn’t hide forever. I couldn’t keep running forever. The truth of who I was, and the bond that tied me to Adam, would inevitably come to light. But for now, I pushed aside my fears and uncertainties, focusing instead on the fleeting moments of tenderness and connection that had ignited a spark of hope within me.
‘Kill that hope. It might kill you sooner than later.’
I sighed wearily. ‘What do you mean by that? I thought letting go of the revenge would do my heart good in the long run.’
‘I’m not sure yet. But something bad is about to happen. So, kill the hope for now, so you won’t be more heartbroken than you had been before. You can hang onto your anger.’
Something that would make me more heartbroken than before? That would be the death of my family. That’s crazy. ‘I need more details.’
‘I don’t have any. Just be careful, with everyone. Just be careful with him.’
I shut my eyes in frustration, and rested my head on the wall. Heartbroken than before? There was more pain to come my way?
‘It’s part of the process. You will be fine.’
I wasn’t sure of that. I won’t be if something happened to my family. Was the Queen planning something?
When I opened my eyes a minute later, my attention was diverted when I noticed Rachel’s manager discreetly distributing snacks and gifts to garner votes. It was a familiar tactic in competitions a mix of strategy and showmanship aimed at swaying the crowd in favor of their contestant.
I couldn’t help but find it amusing, the lengths people would go to for a title that seemed so inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. Rachel’s manager hustled from group to group, a smile plastered on her face as she handed out treats and trinkets. The girl wasn’t Chyra. Oh well.
Some students eagerly accepted the gifts, while others eyed the exchange with raised eyebrows.
Suddenly beside me, Levina’s voice rose in protest, her indignation clear. “This is unfair!” She exclaimed, her hands gesturing animatedly. “They’re buying votes! Shouldn’t we report this to the principal? Shouldn’t my father be enlightened about these devices?”
I listened to Levina’s words with a half-hearted nod, but my mind was elsewhere. The injustice of it all didn’t stir the same fire within me as it did in Levina. Perhaps it was because I had seen similar tactics in past contests, or maybe it was because I had grown accustomed to the ups and downs of school politics. Wasn’t I the object of debate at one time, during my first year as a wolfless being?
“Let it go, Lev,” I replied, my voice tinged with resignation. “It’s not worth the trouble. Besides, Rachel isn’t the only one doing it. I don’t want the hatred of the entire school heaped on me.”
Levina frowned, clearly dissatisfied with my response. She cared deeply about fairness and justice, qualities I admired in her. For me, the contest had become just another backdrop against which larger, more pressing concerns played out.
I glanced around the room, taking in the sea of faces and the undercurrents of ambition and rivalry that fueled the competition. It was easy to get swept up in the drama, in the quest for validation and recognition. But for me, there were bigger things at stake secrets and revelations that threatened to unravel the fragile balance I had worked so hard to maintain.
I sighed inwardly, the weight of my thoughts pressing down on me. The last thing I needed was the entire school’s attention focused on me again, scrutinizing my every move and whispering behind my back. Let them vote however they wanted, let them indulge in their petty contests. I had more important battles to fight.
‘They should keep a mood swing award for you. Remember you promised Laura to get the trophy?’
There was that. I shook my head, which was beginning to thrum and ache, I needed to head to class, or to the library. Library seemed better. There wouldn’t be any of this noise.
“Levina, I’m heading to the library. I’ll see you later.”
Levina pouted, but nodded, before going off in the opposite direction. She was sharing fliers again.
Inhaling deeply, I walked purposefully in the direction of the library, navigating deftly though the crowded hallway; my thoughts consumed with my other’s nagging feeling.
Suddenly, a voice pierced through the background chatter, cutting through my thoughts like a knife. “Hey, junior Dora!”
The sharp tone drew my attention to a senior girl flanked by her clique, their expressions filled with a mixture of disdain and amusement.
I turned fully, my brow furrowing as I regarded the senior with a cool detachment. “What do you want?” I asked, my voice betraying none of the unease that churned within me.
The senior smirked condescendingly, her gaze sweeping over me dismissively. “You should stick to junior things,” She taunted, her words laced with arrogance. “Leave the senior stuff to those of us who actually belong here.”
I felt a surge of anger rising within me, a familiar fire that threatened to ignite. I clenched my fists, ready to defend myself against the verbal assault. But before I could react, the senior girl reached out and grabbed my arm, her grip firm and threatening.
My eyes blazed with fury, my instincts screamed for retaliation. “Let go of me,” I demanded, my voice icy with rage.
Fortunately, Levina appeared beside me, her presence a calming influence amidst the storm of emotions. She placed a hand on my arm, her voice steady and composed. “Don’t do it, Dora,” She urged quietly. “It’s a trap. Any physical altercation could get you disqualified from the contest.”
I scoffed incredulously, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. “Disqualified?” I repeated, my tone edged with disbelief. “This trash thinks she can intimidate me? Or she thinks she can trick me into losing control of my power? Apart from being an idiot, she is just scared of losing. A rat at best”
The senior girl’s smirk faltered slightly at my words, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. I seized the opportunity to wrench my arm free from the girl’s grasp, my resolve hardening.
“I don’t have time for this,” I declared, my voice carrying a steely determination. “I’m here to win this competition, and nothing not you, not anyone is going to stand in my way.”
With that, I turned on my heel and walked away, happy that Levina was by my side. We will win this contest. No matter what. Damn the seniors and their egos.