Shattered

5

     Once Tristan and I arrived at the entrance hall, I saw Jay and Grayson talking.  Jay looked over his shoulder and smiled at me. I didn't feel his eyes on me. I looked behind, he was looking at Sofia. He walked over to her, passing me and started a conversation with her. I looked at Tristan and he looked confused, too.  I stormed over there.  

"Hello, dear." 

"Dakota? There you are!" Jay looked thrilled, but was he? 

"Who's this?" I asked him, eying her up. She was beautiful. Long blonde hair with splatters of purple. She was lean and beautifully sculptured. Her body a canvas and she painted it with makeup. Why makeup? She's beautiful, unlike me.

"Sofia....." He trailed off. 

I walked away. Tears were threatening to pierce through. I let them fall --No, they crashed-- they crashed down to the floor. Drip, drip, the sound of my tears running down my face. I picked up my pace. I heard Jay yell after me, but he didn't follow. Is it because I'm ugly and we were forced to get married? And she's beautiful? Is it because we were forced? Why aren't I good enough? My mind raced with a torrent of thoughts. I ran towards the girl's dormitory. Rushing past Raychel and Scarlett, I started gasping for air. I collapsed to the group and formed myself in a shape of a ball. I couldn't see straight, my body trembled in fear. I heard the whispers.....

"What the hell? Move! Get out of my way!" Someone yelled.

"What's her problem?" Someone asked, "Hey! What the hell, Demise!"

I saw a flash of someone -something- and felt it grasp on to me. The skin was soft and silky. I struggled to regain control. The feminine voice cooed, "Shhh, it's okay, you're okay." It sounded like Raychel. I cried harder, no, it wasn't okay. 

I heard a cracking sound as I heard a low growl coming from a Wolf turning. Uh-oh, I thought, no, no, no, no! I start to hear my voice yelling, screaming. 

"Holy! Is she OK?" Jay had asked, When'd he get here?

"No!" Raychel yelled at him, "Look what you've done! Monster!" 

I cry harder. If they knew the truth, they wouldn't be so against him. I felt the warm grasp of Raychel get pushed off of me and Jay's warm, inviting arms welcomed me back as he ran. 

~

"Dakota," He trailed off, I wonder why? Why does he put me through Hell? The idea brought tears to my eyes, why? Why me? I'm not beautiful, nor smart. I'm worthless. 

I felt a whoosh of air and a burst of energy. 

"We're here." He set me down. 

"I'm sorry," He never met my gaze, "It won't happen again, I promise." 

"I forgive you, my love." He looked up at me, his eyes tearing up. 

~

We, Jay and I, had to return for supper at the Academy. He held my hand as we tellied, a way of transporting, to the supper room. Grayson and Tristan made their way over to us, "Come on, guys. This food isn't that bad."

I rolled my eyes. Grayson tapped on Jay's shoulder and whispered something in his ear. But his eyes never met Jay's. I looked behind me and Raychel was there sitting, alone. She was reading a book. A journal more like. I got up and started to walk over to her. All eyes on me. I could feel their judgmental gazes on me. "Dakota!" Jay exclaimed as I sat on the other side of the table. Silence spread out through the hall.  "I don't need your pity, Miss Everlynn." She never looked up from her book/journal.  I continued to engage conversation, "What are you reading, Miss Raychel?" 

She sighed, never looking at me, as she rose from her seat and walked away. She didn't touch any of her food. I wonder why. Soon I realize the chatter of rumors were beginning to spread. I could bearly breathe. I walked, more like stormed, off to my dorm to get some rest.