The Next Alpha

Part 10

*Zach, Annabelle's brother-22 years old *

~Taylor's POV~

The day went by with a breeze. It was around lunch time when things started getting rough. I sat at my usual table with my usual crew, until someone had to ruin it. Zach had brought Belle her lunch and he decided to stay and eat with us. She picked out some things but overall, she didn't eat much. I do not know why. Belle was rambling on about her birthday party, which was in two nights. I would chalk it up to nerves being the reason she wasn't eating much. She said she always throws this big blow out and since she hasn't had one for her friends at school, the whole school was now invited. She asked if I was bringing anyone, and I shook my head. I had told her about Kyle and I, but that we hadn't spoken since a weird run in. So, I didn't have a date, Belle said she already had one, her cousin Tyler. Apparently, he felt bad for her being bullied so he agreed to escort her around all day that day. She was going to be the big 18 after all. So, as Belle kept talking about her plans, Zach cracked jokes on her, after every time he'd make a joke. I could see him glance at me to see if I was laughing. Which I usually was, he wasn't really funny, but I didn't want the situation to be uncomfortable. After a while, I finished scoffing down one of the school's PB & J's and the bell rang. Belle waved goodbye as she went in the opposite direction. I gathered my things and made it out the lunchroom doors. I was heading to my locker when I heard clunky footsteps behind me. I turned my head to see Zach.

"Hey, Taylor wait up!" He was jogging over towards me, and I waited for him. Once he finally reached me it was awkward at first, but then he was the first to talk. We had reached my locker and I was dialing in my combination.

"Uh, so, do you have a date to Anna's party?" He called her Anna for short. I didn't like it as much as I liked Belle. She reminded me of Beauty and the Beast. Strong. Stronger than she knew. I shook my head no, because, well, I didn't have a date, so why lie? Zach was attractive, and nice enough. Plus it would make things less awkward because I already know him. So, what harm could it do if he asked me, right? Wrong.

"Great, So, would you like to be my date? I mean it's my sister's birthday after all, so it's lik-" I cut him off.

"Yes. I will be your date Zach. " I chuckled and shut my locker. I grabbed everything I needed, I got while he was blabbering. I waved my hand at him and went the opposite direction he did.

"Can't wait for out date!" He shouted out down the hallway. Not only then but did I realize Kyle was on the other side of the hall. He stopped talking to his friends and his head shot up. He was glancing around, trying to find out who had shouted that. He did not look so happy when he realized it was Zach shouting that at me. In fact, his face held a scowl, and he began to storm off. But not before punching the locker next to Lucas' face. Wait, Lucas goes here? I didn't know that. How had I not noticed this before? Lucas looked over at me and we made eye contact. He shook his head in a disapproving manner. Great. I made my way to class. In the middle of class I got a text from Belle.

Belle: Dress shopping after school?

Ugh. No way.

Me: I can't. mom is making me do the laundry then, she wants me to take Carly to gymnastics. I wear size 8 in dresses, or M. Pick up something for me. I'll pay you back tomorrow at school.

Sure, it's bad to lie to my best friend, especially with her birthday coming up, but I hate shopping. I only shop when I.. No, I don't shop. Usually, Colton's girlfriends would pick things out for me and give them to me, in hopes of getting on Colton's good side. Or they would leave things behind. It's dumb, but hey, free stuff. Either that, or hand me downs from family or friends, which I don't really have a problem with. So, can't really complain about that. I fell asleep in class. Nothing interesting was going on, and I hadn't slept much over the past couple days. My heart ached for Kyle, so sleep had become difficult.

*************

Finally, the end of the day and the wonderful drive home. I have not seen Kyle since his episode in the hallway. Belle and I had our last class together, it was interesting having Zach here, but I didn't think it would cause so many problems with Kyle and Lucas. Oh well, I started humming to myself. I couldn't help but think of how Kyle got so mad when he got when he heard I was going on a date with Zach. It isn't exactly a date. I mean, it's his sister's birthday party. It would be rude not accepting his offer. It's the least I could, for him and myself. I didn't have a date, neither did he, and it did give me a good chance to make Kyle jealous. Bad move? Maybe. It's too bad thought. I know it's my fault Kyle and I don't talk anymore. I mean he cannot help what he is. How do I even know he is a werewolf? He hasn't told me, there have been no signs other than what there were with Lucas. But just because Lucas could possibly be a werewolf, does that mean Kyle may not be one?

Crap.I have too many questions and not enough answers. I guess I've got a lot of explaining to do.

As soon as I got home, I called Kyle.

"Hello?" His voice heavy. He was clearly out of breath.

"Uh, hey." There was commotion going on in the background.

"Taylor. Hey." His voice changed drastically. He still seemed exhausted and out of breath, the excitement growing in his voice.

"Uh, hey." I didn't know what else to say.

"You already said that." He chuckled deeply.

"Oh. Right, well, Uhm. I think we should talk. In person. You know, about everything." I closed my eyes as silence filled over the phone line. Of course, the silence was interrupted by a girl's voice.

"Kyle, who are you talking to come back. And finish, you know. What we were doing." Her high-pitched squeaky mouse like voice came on. Huh. I see. So, while I'm sitting here for being guilty, he's banging some chick. I see. He shushed her immediately.

"Taylor, can we meet up in an hour?" He said as if pleading.

"No, never mind. You know what. Forget I called."

"Taylor, it isn't what is seems like. She' just over here to work on a project. Pleas-" I hung up. I wasn't going to listen to his excuses. I opened my jeep door and sprinted inside to my house. My mom was on the couch watching Carly play with some of her Barbie's, while she smoked a cigarette.

"Hey, baby girl. How was your day?" She inhaled sharply.

"It was a day." I told her sitting down. Carly jumped up off the ground and into my lap.

"Well, I ordered some pizza a few minutes ago. It should be here shortly." That's what I love about my mom. She always knows what I wanted before I want it. I smiled at her before standing up to go get my things together to work on my homework. I sat Criss cross apple sauce on the couch next to mom. I was halfway through my art project when the doorbell rang. It was Annabelle. She held a black bag and handed it to me.

"Don't crinkle it." Then she walked right past me and into the house. I shut the door. I turned to see her already playing with Carly. It was 9 at night now, she could have just given me the dress at school. But I suppose this was better so I wouldn't have to carry it around all day.

"How much?" I asked scrambling through my wallet looking for some cash.

"60$" My mouth dropped open. I stood there gapping at her.

"Sixty dollars? Dude, I only have 32. there is no need to spend that much on a dress." She looked at me and responds with

"Actually, it was 120. I was giving you the friend discount, but since you don't meet the criteria, I'll give you the BEST friend discount." She reached out and took my money. I tilted my head to the left then back straight in a split second.

"Fair enough." I thought.

Annabelle stayed over for probably another 45 minutes after she brought me my dress. She told me not to look at it until the party. Sure o big deal. No pressure or anything. But she said I had to wear it. And match everything else accordingly. I didn't have any other options. She also said I could borrow shoes if I didn't have any that matched and accessories and all that jazz. But I think I had all of that covered. Overall, I was really excited for this party. She left and by the end of the day at school the next day, EVERYONE was talking about the party and what they were going to wear and who they wanted or were going to go with. Let's hope it's going to be as much fun as it sounded.

All Copy Rights reserved for Cara Looney.