ANNABELLE'S POV
With my head hanging low, not because I was trying to avoid Amanda, but because of yesterday's events, I didn't get to know who that stranger was or what he was doing outside my doorstep or why my uncle and Lucas hadn't mentioned anything about him earlier. It has been so frustrating since I got here. Because I am different, nobody cares to let me in on what's happening on the inside. All I am given are the basic details. Even Lucas won't budge to tell me a thing. Ever since he embarked on his Alpha training expedition he has been so closed off and distant. It's like I have lost a best friend. It sucks just like it felt to lose my parents. I feel so pathetic.
Making my way to my locker, while ignoring the not-so pleasing whispers that were loud enough to be heard above the song I had been playing on repeat for two days straight and the glares I was getting from them. I wasn't paying much attention to my surroundings until my body collided with a wall. When did they build a wall in the middle of the hallway ? And when did the walls become warm?

I jerked my head up and was greeted by the face of Jake Pierce, the school bad boy and also Amanda's ex-boyfriend, the person at the top of my list of people to avoid, well, other than Amanda. Talk of a match made from heaven.
One of the few reasons Amanda bullies me is because Jake talks to me sometimes, which came as a surprise to me. I had never imagined someone as popular as he is, an Alpha of his own pack, would want to converse with me, the target of the school so casually with a smirk plastered on his dangerously perfect face. She didn't seem to like it very much. She made it clear when she poured the contents of her detox milk all over my clothes.
I try my best to stay out of his way, but it's always moments like these that get me in trouble. Why did I have to be so careless and end up bumping into him? If I paid more attention to my surroundings, I wouldn't have been in such a mess.
I looked at him, and he was already looking at me with a smirk on his face.
"Well well well, if it isn't my little human, how are you doing today, little human?" he greeted me with amusement in his voice. My?
"And if it isn't the school bad boy, I have already told you this a gazillion times this is not okay. You shouldn't be talking to me, remember? "

He knows his ex-girlfriend doesn't like him being found around me or any other girls in school, but he doesn't care. This is Jake we're talking about. He doesn't play by anyone's rules, not even the school administration. He is Alpha Peirce's only son. Everyone knows not to mess with anything and anyone that belongs to the Golden Five.
"You should be thanking me, you know, I saved you from falling and hurting that pretty little ass of yours" he said, with a huge grin on his face, and I just rolled my eyes and ignored him. He's one of the few people who talks to me at school and I liked him for that.
He is also my secret crush, but because he and Amanda are kinda involved with each other. I can't talk to him. I don't want drama.
With that, I stumped my way to first period, which was English. With Mr William, his class is one of the best the school has to offer. Everyone in it was handpicked specifically by him. It's my favorite because it has the least number of students and the only class I don't share with Amanda. As per usual, we had to present our findings from last week's reading of Romeo and Juliet. It was such a bore, but he made it work before I knew it, Sandy and I had to take our turn presenting.

Time flew fast and the next thing I knew, it was lunch, and I was making my way to the cafeteria. When I entered, I was greeted by the loud noises of chatty girls gossiping, people were eating, laughing and others were just scrolling through their socials. I stood for a while searching for an empty seat but couldn't seem to find any. All the cliques have taken up the spaces to do their daily gossip. I walked in towards the long queue of students making their food picks, and I was greeted by no other than Jake and Xavier. They yanked me towards them to the front of the queue. Everyone seemed irritated by the act but couldn't utter a word in fear of being on their bad side. Nothing good would come out of it. Sometimes I think they only talk to me to piss off Amanda and her minions, whose only reason for attending school is to drool over boys.
Since I don't have friends and I don't want attention, I usually take the seat which is the closest to the exit door. I get the food and I eat away in silence. When I am done, I throw the leftovers in the trash and make my way to the bathroom every single day. The only days this routine seems to be interrupted is when my unlucky self meets any of the four phantoms. They used to be five, but Lucas graduated a few years ago. I have always wondered the reason behind the choice of name. I was so curious to the extent I asked Lucas about it, but he didn't bother explaining. He chuckled and told me I'd have to figure out that one on my own.
They always find a way to make a scene. It leaves me wondering if they deserve to be called phantoms with how much they crave attention. What kind of ghost thrives off that much attention? Putting me in the spotlight with their not-so kind gestures, which they know I detest but still do anyway, remind me to thank Lucas for asking his "friends" to look out for me.
***
History.
Among all the classes I have, this is the worst of them. It has been Wolves, Shifting, Mates and Mate bonds the whole syllabus. The only part that talks about humans are the two pages that talk about how weak and sly we are. Today I couldn't handle an hour of it. I needed to breathe, and I needed to move quickly because my little human chest was so furious I was ready to yell my lungs out at the bulky middle-aged teacher. I raise my hand, asking to be excused once he gives me a go. I dashed for the exit and breathed only when i was in the confines of the girls' bathroom.
After doing my business and mumbling to myself displeased, my uncle had switched my Art class to History because he thought it would be a great idea to know more about my roots. I open the stall, and I was greeted by Amanda and her clowns. It didn't seem like she was happy, she was glaring at me. If looks could kill, I would be six feet under. I tried to ignore her because I wasn't in the mood to tolerate any more of her toxic mannerisms, but she grabs me by my arm very roughly. It's definitely going to be bruised and leave an ugly scar. She pushes me and my back hits the bathroom wall.... great my back too!
" I've warned you many times, slut, but it seems like you don't have ears, huh? STAY AWAY FROM JAKE BITCH, he is mine. This is your last warning. I won't be so friendly next time," she said, with venom dripping from her lips.
When she is satisfied with the damage she has caused, she let go of my hand, and they leave the bathroom. I was left there alone wincing in pain. I examined my wrist, and it had a nasty purple bruise. I am so lucky I wore a denim jacket today, otherwise Lucas could have seen it. Just the thought of it makes my blood run cold. I felt like crying, but I won't cry because of silly things. I have to be strong for the pack's sake, to prove to them just how strong I am.
I blinked away my tears and quickly washed my hands and made sure my bruised hand was covered so that no one could see it. Heading back to class took longer than it did to get here in the first place because of how shaken the encounter in the bathroom had left me. The rest of the day ended uninterestingly.
I went home, and went straight to my room, since nobody was home deciding to take a short nap. I didn't even have time to change, I just slept.
I woke up and checked the time, and it was 6:45 pm. I stretched a little and got out of bed while rubbing my eyes. I decided to take a shower. When I was done, I put on my PJ's, tied my hair in a messy bun and made my way to the living room. I miss Emma, it's been a while since I saw her. I should probably call her so that we can hang out or something. I settled on one of the chairs in the living room and decided to give Emma a call to catch up and vent my frustration.
Uncle Nick has been very busy ever since Dominick came, and I haven't really seen him since the other day. It's wearing me out to see everyone around me so busy but not know what's keeping them so busy. I'll make time to talk to him about it later.
Since I'd already talked to Emma, I decided to watch a bit of TV. I have been watching this series called legacies and I like it so far. In the middle of the third episode, I heard the front door burst open, making me jolt in fear. I smiled when I saw Lucas come in with a smile on his face.
"Little pea, what are you doing ?" he asked me while taking a seat on the same couch I am currently sitting on. I looked at him and smiled.
"I am watching Legacies. It's a fantasy series. We should binge it together sometime" I said, knowing very well that he didn't like fantasy movies.
" Not this trash again, what do you even like about this shit, they don't even get their facts right. You know how much i hate that stuff" he said, with a disgusted look on his face.
" Anyway, I wanted to ask what you want to do on your birthday, it's this coming Monday, and we have to prepare in advance" he said while looking at me waiting for my response, and I gave him a bored look.
"Come on Lucas, it's not like my birthday is tomorrow. We still have time" I said while rolling my eyes.
" We do, but let's prepare, I don't want to do it last minute" he said while poking the side of my face.
"Fine Lucas, but its only because you're irritating me '' I groaned.