Aileen
I quickly looked away not wanting him to see how I look now.
“You are wrong,” I stuttered in reply.
“Hm, am I now?” Skylar responds, walking over to my side.
“Yes, you are!” I insisted.
“If you don’t want me to listen to your problem, then alright. But, you don’t have to lie to me.”
I looked up feeling surprised by his response. How did he know I was lying?
“I came here to say sorry for getting you involved in my mess,” he apologized, lowering his head. He looked quite guilty.
“What?”
“Earlier when Lia came and insulted you for me. I’m sorry about it. It’s all my fault. She got jealous of you and thought maybe we have something going on between us. Forgive me, and her as well. I know you are hurt.”
Oh, he’s talking about that thing during the day. I’ve already forgotten about it. So, he came here to apologize about it? Now, that’s surprising. He’s not as bad as I thought, I guess.
“It’s okay, none of that affected me,” I replied. “You don’t have to feel bad. I’m fine. And tell her I didn’t mind that as well. None of you have to feel guilty for it.”
He looked at me surprised. “What? You seriously didn’t mind that at all?”
“No. Why would I mind it? I have no problem with it. She only said things that she saw from the surface. It’s not her fault. If I were in her position, I would probably react that way as well. So, yeah. Don’t mind it!”
He was still in disbelief. “Aileen, you are serious”
His friends interrupted him and came from the other direction. “Skylar, let’s go hang out somewhere.”
“Sure, but”
Taking the chance, I hurriedly left the place. No more getting involved with boys. Or else I won’t be able to make any female friends.
Day second successfully passed without making any friends. I’m not seeing any good progress in making social connections. Isn’t that bad? Will I have to spend these past years all alone?
Finally, all the classes were over and it was time for me to go home. I tried calling Dave but then I remembered he won’t be picking me up today.
I tried to book a cab but to my surprise, Marshall came to pick me up again today.
“Who told you to pick me up?” I asked, glancing at him. “I don’t remember calling you.”
“Hm…. you don’t need to do that. I was driving past your college on my way from work. That’s why I thought why not give you a ride? Sounds good, right?”
“Well, it’s helpful for me. But, not a problem for you?”
He sighed, looking at me. “Problem and you? Did you forget who is your dad? I’ve no problem dropping you at your house. In fact, you can call me whenever you need a ride or any help. I’ll come to help you unless I’m too busy.”
“Aren’t you quite responsible?”
“I am!” he said proudly. “Have always been this way.”
I didn’t know what to say to him, so I stayed silent. After 5 minutes pass, Marshall comments, “Did the Alpha contact you when they’ll be back?”
“Uh, no.”
“What about your mom?”
“She picked up my call after a lot of trying but didn’t talk much and said she’ll see me at home.”
“I see…. so, how’s college life? Made any friends? Getting along with your classmates?”
“No, not yet. It’ll take time.”
And considering the situation Skylar has created, it’s going to take way longer than I expected.
“Well, no need to fret. Slow and steady wins the race right?” he added. “And there will be many opportunities in the future for you to make friends, So, it’s not something to worry over for now.”
I nodded.
“It’s something quite private but can I ask you anyway?”
I turned to him puzzled. “What do you want to ask me?”
“Uh…. well…. are you planning to have a boyfriend in college? Or do you have any plans to make one? Just curious!”
Isn’t that quite an awkward question to ask a girl straightforwardly like that?
“Why are you asking me that?”
Don’t tell me he wants to date me. Is this why he’s checking whether I’m single or not?
Even if you are Dave’s Beta, it doesn’t mean I’m going to have any feelings for you. I hope he gets that.
“Why am I asking? Well, we were discussing this at the office yesterday, Whether you’ll have a boyfriend in college or not. And David seemed to be in shock hearing that. As if he couldn’t believe you’ll ever have a boyfriend. He’s so protective towards you.”
“Protective? Uh, yeah….”
Dave asked me about it last night. So, he discussed it with Marshall? He worries for no reason.
I’m not interested in anyone else other than Dave at the moment. Doesn’t he know that himself better than anyone? Pointless worries.
“Believe me, I’ve known him for a long time,” Marshall added. “But, his family and friends are one thing that he can’t yield to no matter what. He has a weak point for them only. Just like how he was attached to his mom and couldn’t forget about his death no matter how much he tried. David is, really a painfully honest good guy. That’s why I admire him and serve him.”
“And you’ll never turn your back on him?” I asked, testing his loyalty to Dave.
He smiled, shaking his head. “Of course. I’m going to serve him for as long as I live. Beta’s are loyal to the Alpha. I’ll never betray him even if my life depends on it.”
I could tell that he was telling the truth. Cause there was no dishonesty present in him. He only lives to serve his master, and that’s easy to tell.
“Why are you asking me these types of questions? Are you testing me?” he kept his gaze on the road while talking.
“Uh…just curious. Cause I don’t know what you are like, so trying to know you better.”
“Liar. By the way,” he turned to me, stepping on the break. “You said you didn’t have any friends in college yet, did you?”
“I did, why?”
“Actually, I have a sister who goes to the same college as you. She might be your senior. But, if you have the chance please talk to her. I hope you’ll be great friends.”
“Uh….”
It’s not like I want to be friends with his sister, but there’s no harm I guess? She might be just like him.
“What’s her name and what major is she doing?”
“Her name is Becky. And she’s doing a major in arts.”
“Oh, okay. Does she attend college every day?”
His expression changed into a concerned one. Did I ask anything weird?
“Uh…are you”
“Her classmates had bullied her that’s why since then she hasn’t attended college that often. Four or five times a year. And even if she goes, she doesn’t talk to anyone and just comes back home as fast as she can,” he explained, looking a bit sad.
Bullying? Is this why he told me to make friends with her?
“Um…when did that happen?”
His eyes narrowed on the steering wheel. “One year ago. She had just been admitted and after a week passed one day, she came back home crying and shut herself in the room. She refused to eat or drink and didn’t talk to anyone either.”
“But, why did they bully her? There must be a reason right? Did you find out about it?”
He nodded. “She’s my sister of course, I was concerned for her so I went to college the next day and asked a few of her classmates about it. Ever since she got admitted, a few girls in her class were picking on her. Becky didn’t mention any of that at home. She’s a bit quiet-natured you see. A few guys had also paired with those girls, bullying her in the group. And the reason was how she dressed up and how she looked. Becky never had any interest in fashion, and she’s a bit of a scatterbrain as well. Maybe they took advantage of her weakness.”
“That’s so wrong! Why didn’t you talk with the principal and the teacher? He’s a good person, he would’ve surely listened to you. If you told him, he would’ve taken action right away to help her.”
He sighed, glancing at me. “Did you think I didn’t do that already? You are forgetting that no matter how much the teacher or the institution takes action against the students, it’s the victim who should rise against this and act strong, right?”
“Uh, yeah.”
“But, she has become a coward who doesn’t want to face the world again because of the horrible experience she had. Becky is not the same anymore. Sending her to college is a tough job even for a few days a year.”
Marshall went all quiet afterward, but despite that, I could tell that he was truly feeling bad for his sister. So was I.