Lost & Found

2.RUMOURS & HIM

ARIADNE HAWTHORNE:

Rushing into my scheduled class, I took a seat at the last, where no one could see me.

I just want to hide away.

I wish I could turn invisible instead I have a useless ability where I can read minds. How beautiful is that!!

I don't want to invade other's thoughts. I'm sick of listening to everybody's loud minds.

As the students enter the classroom the no of voices in my head increases.

They needlessly echo in my mind. It's so agonising to have people voicing out their thoughts loud in your head.

"I want to sleep".

"I want coffee".

"Ugh! That monster is in our class!"

"What a terrible fate to have her in the same class as I do".

"I don't want to die or fly and hit the wall like her roommate".

"Poor Mia!"

The moment they saw me, all their thoughts are directed to me.

They don't want me near them. They fear me. I'm suffering too. Why won't they understand that?

Why do they hate me so much?

Hate and afraid.

They hate me because they don't know me. They only know what they heard about me. They believe in them.

Rumours. Rumours are like whispers carried on the wind, weaving through the fabric of conversation, tainting the very soul. They stream through the corridors of our lives, leaving traces of uncertainty in everyone. Each whisper carries a fragment of truth, distorted by fear, embellished by speculation, until it takes on a life of its own, morphing into a story far removed from reality. Yet, despite their slippery nature, rumours hold a strange power, once born they don't die. Even after destroying their very being. They shape perceptions and stir emotions with their whispered secrets.

As the false rumours swirled around like a dark cloud, some started to fear me, some submit to me, some avoid me, and some hate me. It is evident in everyone's eyes. Each passing moment seemed to deepen the sense of isolation and betrayal, as everyone began to distance themselves.

With each passing day, I feel myself slipping further into a maze of uncertainty, struggling with the relentless onslaught of gossip and speculation.

In this state of hasty gossips and turmoil, the lecturer entered into the class and hence the lecture began.

The thoughts of everyone running wild in my mind, I can't listen to one word the lecturer is speaking.

Just as I was about to lose it, a guy entered the class, bruises painted his skin in bluish-purple.

He looked around for an empty seat.

I can feel Neo getting impatient. She is howling. She started pacing back and forth and wagging her tail. She is going crazy.

"Neo".

"You okay?"

Neo responded. For the first time in five years, five whole damn years, she responded. Not some grunting or small sounds. She spoke human language, actual words.

"Mate, he is our mate".

My heart skipped a beat as the familiar voice echoed in my ears, sending shivers down my spine. I looked at her frozen in disbelief, unable to comprehend the reality of hearing it again. Every word uttered felt like a whisper from a distant memory, awakening emotions I thought I had buried deep down. I struggled to find her voice amidst the overwhelming flood of emotions.

At this very moment, the thoughts of others ceased to exist. The only thing I could hear was Neo.

Neo spoke. I was caught in a whirlwind of euphoria and yearning. Waves of ecstasy crashed against the shores of my heart, only to be followed by the relentless tug of longing, pulling me into its depths.

Wait. Did she say mate?

That human boy is my mate?

What the fuck!?!?

My mate is a human!?!?

"Okay Mr. Vale, come on in and take your seat" the female lecturer spoke without even looking at him.

What the fuck!?

He is bruised and she doesn't even look at him.

I can't say I'm not worried but I am. I'm terrified. How the fuck did he get injured to this level. Any more, he would be in a fucking hospital.

He walked in as if it's a very normal day, like he is used to this. How long has he been bullied!?

I bet there are far worse bruises or even cuts hidden inside his shirt.

I want to take him to the nurse.

Neo nodded eagerly in agreement.

Her heart pounding loudly. Her fur bristling with concern as he approached to take the seat beside me. She let out soft whimpers and growls of distress, her eyes grew wide with worry as he took his seat.

Should I try and talk to him?

Neo nodded eagerly.

But he doesn't seem like he wants to talk.

I hesitated as I watched him bury his head in his books, his attention seemingly elsewhere. Yet, despite his apparent disinterest, I feel a surge of determination welling up inside me. Well, Neo is actively responding to me. Even if not for me, for her.

"Thank you" she muttered.

But on one condition, I'm not gonna tell him that he is my mate.

Her ears dropped in disappointment but she still nodded. She and I both know what will happen if I lose control. I don't want to cause harm to anyone, especially my mate.

With each beat of my heart, I gather courage, until finally, I take a deep breath to break the silence, my voice trembling but resolute as I speak up.

"Erm.., hi?"

His blue eyes pierced into my soul, searching my gaze for clues, as if trying to unravel the mystery behind my sudden interaction.

Carefully and calculatingly he responded with a "hi".

I wasted no time and quickly asked "You okay?" My voice dripping with concern.

"I'm fine" he curtly responded.

"You don't look-" he cut me off. With a solemn tone, he warned me, whispering "if you talk to me they will surely make a target out of you too, you're new here aren't you, don't talk to me, get some friends who are actual werewolves unlike me, have fun".

"What?" The shock was evident in my face. He was urging me to keep my distance, hoping to shield me from the torment he faced.

Oh! He is definitely being bullied. After taking a good look at his face and his fractured hand, a fiery rage surged within me. They hurt him to the point that he avoids everyone. It fueled my determination to hurt everyone responsible. I want to hurt them. I want to hurt them so bad that they should never even think of bullying.