Something

Chapter 4

Shout out to insecuregirl19

"Where were you yesterday?"

The question cut through the morning air like a knife. Avannah's voice was sharp, her eyes narrowing with an intensity that made me flinch. I looked up from my book, bracing myself for yet another confrontation.

"With Mom," I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral, though inside, I felt a storm brewing.

"What did you do?"

"A lot."

"What do you mean by 'a lot'?"

"So many questions," I sighed, feeling the familiar frustration bubbling up. The constant barrage of her inquiries was starting to wear me down.

"Then answer the damn question," she snapped, her temper clearly frayed.

"I choose not to, Avannah."

"What!"

"Why are you so angry? After what you did..." My voice trailed off, but the accusation hung in the air like a dark cloud.

"After what?"

"You dare ask me that? Avannah, I trusted you, and you set me up."

"Well, you kissed my boyfriend, so that makes us even."

"Even? You lied to Ivan, knowing how much he dislikes me, and told him I kidnapped you and dragged you to a party. That wasn't true, Avannah. What you did was cruel."

"Oh, shut up and stop being a drama queen." She rolled her eyes, dismissing my concerns with a wave of her hand.

"Please leave," I said, my voice quivering with a mix of anger and sadness.

She slammed the door behind her, leaving me alone in a room that felt suddenly too small. I slumped into a chair, my heart heavy with the weight of betrayal. It wasn't just about the party or the kiss—it was about the rift that seemed to be growing between us, a chasm I wasn't sure how to bridge. Sisters were supposed to support each other, to have each other's backs, and yet, here we were, in a state of open hostility. I felt a pang of sorrow for the relationship we once had, now marred by distrust and resentment.

Walking through the hallways of school the next day, I couldn't shake the feeling that everyone was staring at me. Whispers followed me, and a few students pointed fingers in my direction. Was there something on my face? Did I accidentally embarrass myself in some way?

I sighed and tried to ignore the uncomfortable stares, focusing instead on reaching my locker and grabbing my books for the next class. It felt like a small victory just to get through the crowded hallways without incident.

When I entered the classroom, I was one of the first to arrive. I quickly moved to the back of the room, placing some of my books on the seat beside me in an attempt to keep anyone from sitting next to me. I didn't want any attention today, didn't want to deal with the curiosity or the awkward glances.

The classroom began to fill up, and I was relieved to see a few familiar faces. I was almost settled into my self-imposed isolation when someone moved my books from the chair.

It was Xander. His expression was unreadable, a mix of determination and something else I couldn't quite place.

"Look what we have here, a free chair," he said, his voice casual but with an undercurrent of something more intense.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Well, I have class. What else would I possibly be doing here?"

"The gifted don't have any class in this room," I pointed out, my irritation bubbling beneath the surface.

"The gifted? Is that what you call us?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. His tone was mocking, but there was a serious edge to it.

"I needed to see you," he said, his voice dropping to a low murmur.

"Let me guess, Avannah sent you to get something from me?"

"Avannah? Of course not. I came here on my own."

"Please, get another seat," I whispered, feeling a surge of discomfort as the eyes of my classmates turned towards us.

"You are making a scene, Aisha," he said, his voice low and commanding.

The entire class, including the teacher, was now watching us. The uncomfortable scrutiny was almost unbearable. Xander noticed the attention and growled, a deep, resonant sound that made everyone in the room flinch and look away. It was a primal sound, one that made me shiver. He wasn't human. I knew that much, and while I had dismissed the idea of him being a vampire, a bear seemed more likely given the growl.

"After class, you and I are going to have a talk," Xander said, his voice firm.

The rest of the class felt interminable. The seconds ticked by slowly, each one adding to the tension that was coiling tighter around me. When the bell finally rang, I wasted no time. I stormed out of the room, determined to avoid him for the rest of the day.

But fate had other plans. As I was heading to my locker, I was suddenly pulled into a classroom by an unfamiliar hand.

"Xander," I said, my voice a mix of exasperation and disbelief.

"Aisha," he replied, his face etched with frustration and something else—desperation?

"Why won't you just leave me alone?" I demanded.

"You think I haven't tried!" he yelled, his voice raw.

"Why are you yelling?"

"It's not me. I'm not in control. My wolf is driving me mad."

"Wolf?" I repeated, my voice barely a whisper.

"Lycan, to be exact," he said, running a hand through his disheveled hair. He looked like he was on the verge of a breakdown.

"How's that related to why you won't stop bugging me?"

"A spark. That's what I felt when we kissed that night. And damn it, I've never felt that before."

"So what do you want me to do?" I asked, feeling a mix of confusion and frustration.

"I don't know, okay! I feel this inexplicable connection to you, and it scares me."

"Umm, I'm sorry?"

"Give me a chance," he said, his voice pleading.

"A chance to do what, Xander?"

"To court you."

"How about no?"

"No?"

"Whatever lovers' quarrel you had with Avannah, just don't involve me in it."

"I really want to get to know you, Aisha."

"Really?"

"Really. Will you go out with me?"

I looked at him, my heart racing as I processed his words. His eyes were intense, almost pleading. I felt a mix of pity and annoyance, but deep down, there was something else—a flicker of curiosity or maybe something more. But for now, I needed to stand my ground.

"No," I said firmly, turning to leave. The room felt stifling, and I needed to escape the weight of his gaze and the tangled emotions he stirred up.

As I walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that things were only going to get more complicated. Xander's declaration, his desperation, and the undeniable spark between us were all tangled up in a web of emotions and misunderstandings. I had a lot to figure out, and I wasn't sure where to start. For now, all I knew was that I needed some space to think, to process, and to figure out what I wanted in this whirlwind of chaos that had become my life.