Alighting from the cab, I paid my taxi fare and scurried off into the school courtyard. My eyes darted around and my brows raised in shock as I saw many girls waiting outside, with cheerful expressions on their faces. It seemed like they were waiting for someone. I let out a sigh and made an attempt to walk past them but my leg got entwined in that of one of them and I lost my balance before falling to the ground. I looked up, and I wasn't shocked to see my old friend Dawn behind it. She purposely made me trip, and a satisfied smirk appeared at the corner of her lips. While watching me struggle to get up, she pushed me with her shoes once more, and I saw her co-bullies complimenting her like she did something truly deserving. They giggled as they left my direction, not an ounce of shame on their face. I think I'll have to make use of my wolf to fight them. Instead of relying on Derek, I should be able to stand up for myself. They need to know that I'm no longer the weak and naive Isabel they once knew.
"Let me help you," A cool smooth voice came from my back and I twisted my neck, trying to locate the direction of the voice. There, I saw Theodore, my male best friend. He's a son to Mrs Daphne, a friend to my mom.
"Thanks," mumbling, I grasped his hand and he held me tightly so I could use him as a support to stand.
"I'm sorry you're still getting bullied. It's what people like us go through…" He lamented as he adjusted his glasses. He looked nothing like his mom. I've never seen his dad before since he rejected his mom as his mate and left for a different pack to start a new life. He had spiky blue hair, hazel eyes and cute freckles on his cheeks. Theodore and Bonnie are still trustworthy friends and I'm more than grateful to have them.
After getting on my feet, I dusted my body and then, I heard screams.
"Guess the new boy must have arrived, heard his name is Derek.. Such a cute and cool guy. Every lady's crush," Theodore hinted, flashing me a warm smile.
"Oh.." I murmured with rounded lips, knowing full well that it was Derek he was talking about.
Theodore clasped my hands tightly and said, "You didn't even realize that I wasn't in school for a few days now.."
"Really? Oh.. I'm.. I'm really sorry. I had no idea. I've been so busy with a lot of things and all, you know.."
"You must make up for it, Isabel. We're friends but it looks like you've only Bonnie to be your friend"
"Okay. . so sorry once again. You said I was gonna make up for it? Hh-how?" I asked with raised brows.
"I'll be going to a concert this Saturday. Have you forgotten we love going to rock concerts, karaoke and the beach? Those times we were still very close?"
Theodore chirped, bringing back old memories. I returned a smile at him, nodding as I remembered those moments.
"Yeah! So this Saturday, get prepared. I've bought two tickets. You can tell Bonnie to come along. I can get a ticket for her as well. Please don't tell me you won't be able to make it,"
Theodore implored, his gray eyes searching my face thinking I wanted to reject his offer.
After so much pleading, I sighed and replied, "Okay fine. Just that Saturday right?"
"Yeah!" He admitted, throwing his fists in the air, an expression he does whenever he is joyous.
"Thanks so much…"
More scream erupted from the girls and I caught a glimpse of them trooping around Derek, their hands trailing every part of his body.
"Derek, can you go out on a date with me?" Maria, one of my bullies, asked Derek with her high-pitched voice which undoubtedly irritated me.
Derek ignored her and kept moving but one other lady came to his front and wrapped her arms around his waist. Some others joined too and he let himself away from their grip.
"Can we at least know where you live?" Maria asked again and this time around, Derek's eyes widened and met mine at once as if knowing I was there the whole time.
Theodore clasped my hands tightly and prompted me to follow him into the school building.
I knew Derek's eyes were on me the whole time and he must be wondering who Theodore was. Gosh! I should have informed him that Theodore was my male friend.
***
~During music lessons.
"Bring out your instruments everyone!" Our music teacher, Mr Finn, ordered and we took our positions, bringing out our various instruments. The boys sat at the right end while we, the girls, sat at the left end.
We were a group of twenty-seven people holding various instruments. My hands trembled while I clutched the clarinet, and I worked out a little by breathing air into my mouth. Bonnie sat beside me and, like me, would be playing the clarinet. She offered me a consoling glance, knowing how nervous I am when I'm going to play the instrument. The last time we played, I played the wrong note.
The boys were in their suits, holding a trumpet while some of them were to play the piano. Derek was among those playing the piano and I was so surprised because I never knew he could play piano.
Theodore winked at me and gave me a thumbs up, making me blush in turn. Derek caught a glimpse of us smiling at each other and seriously, I have no idea what exactly is going on in his mind at the moment.
"Okay. So let's start..I believe we all know the keys and when each sound is to come in right?"
"Yes Mr Finn," We all chorused and after he nodded before scribbling some words on the White board.
When he was done, he glanced at each of us before snapping his fingers indicating that we were beginning.
We started playing at once and in no time, some of us were eliminated. Luckily, I was getting better at playing the clarinet, all thanks to Bonnie's support.
Mr Finn's eyes narrowed as he tried to spot where the harmonizing sound was emanating from. He could tell that it was from one of the pianists and his eyes trailed in their direction, trying to spot out who it was.
A warm smile spread across his lips as soon as he noticed it was Derek. He walked up to him to give him a compliment since he was aware that he was a new student. So many girls drooled and threw Derek air kisses and I could see Enzo clenching his fists in so much anger.
Break period ~
After the music classes, I finally disclosed my parent's wedding date to Bonnie.. Yes.. just Bonnie, no one else. She gave me a hug, expressing her happiness for my mom and me as well.
Mr Finn asked Derek to see him during the break period which tells why he wasn't in class at the moment.
"Finally, your mom is getting married. I'll definitely attend the wedding." Bonnie squealed, pulling my cheek softly.
"Urmm. Bonnie.."
"Yeah?" She asked with raised brows
"Please.. don't inform anyone about it.. I don't want anyone to know, especially our classmates. You know how they are,"
"Come on! What do you take me for, Isabel? Why will I do that? I won't, okay? Trust me.."
Bonnie reassured me and I pulled her for a hug. We heard footsteps and the clearing sound of a throat. Bonnie and I separated ourselves at once, directing our gaze at the person. We weren't surprised to see Mason.
"What do you want?" Bonnie asked with a sneer. She hated Mason with so much passion.
"I told you guys that I'll try hard to clear my name from some accusations, didn't I?"
"What are you up to?" I asked with crossed arms, giving him a stern gaze.
Mason smiled and pulled out his phone from his pocket and without hesitating, he dialed Ashley's number. When she picked up, he placed it on a loudspeaker so we could hear her audibly.
"Don't you ask her yourself? I'll ask her myself!" I snapped as I dragged the phone from Mason.
"Sure. Go ahead. Do whatever suits you," He replied with a sly grin, his expression unreadable. I'm sure he must have done something.
"Ashley? Everything you said about Mason threatening you, blackmailing you and - and forcing you into sleeping with him.. it's all true right? He is only using you isn't he?"
After a few seconds of silence, Ashley finally answered.. "No.. Mason can never do such a thing. I asked to be his sex toy and I love it. He didn't force me into doing anything and he never blackmailed me or threatened me.. I hope you understand. I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm perfectly fine. So stop worrying about me,"
"Wh-what!" I asked with parted lips, my eyes widening along. Bonnie was surprised as well.
Why is she lying all of a sudden? Did Mason blackmail her into doing this again?
"Can I have my phone back?" He asked and I gave it to him, glaring at him at the same time.
"So.. are you finally getting back to me, Isabel?"
"What do you mean, you idiot?!" I reported angrily, wishing so hard to slap him hard on the face.
"We made a deal, remember?!"