The Young Mate

Chapter 35

Lila

My heart thudded as I waited for my name to be called. I fixed my gown again even though it looked fine.

"Morgan Jacks." My principle called. His family clapped for him as he crossed the stage. Sweat beaded on my forehead. "Lila James." I put a smile on my face as I walked up the steps. Half of the gym erupted in screams and applause. Almost the whole pack came for Jane. I just get special privilege. I shook hands with the principal and tried my best not to trip walking back off.

I looked back up to the bleachers and Landon waved to me. I made my way back to my seat and I couldn't contain my excitement. I did a mini fist pump and waited for Jane to be called. After what seemed to be a very long time she was called.

"Jane Williams." The same crowd including me cheered and screamed for her. She looked so pretty. I've been jealous for so long now. Every party we went to everyone wanted to talk to her or dance with her. Thankfully it hasn't changed her. But it's changed me. I will never live up to everything she is.

After the ceremony was finished and the valedictorian gave their speech we were finally done. Everyone stood and threw their caps. Families flooded to the floor and tears and flowers were everywhere.

"Congratulations Cherry! You did it!" Landon came up behind me and picked me up in a hug.

"I can't believe it's over!" I hugged him back and I took off my heels when he put me down. I don't know how girl's walk around in those all the time. I turned to Jane but she was talking to another group of people.

"Let me just ask her. She's right here." I heard her say.

"Actually were inviting just you. Not to be mean but she's a drag." Jordan said to Jane.

"Then I can't go." Jane turned around and there I stood.

"You can go. I was just gonna go home anyways." I gave her a smile. "I have a headache." She knows I'm lying.

"Are you sure?" She turned her head when they started snickering.

"Yeah. Go have fun." She turned back around and walked back to them. I went back to Landon where multiple pack member's stood with arms full of flowers.

"Where is Jane going?" Delilah asked me.

"A party." I said turning and thanking the people who handed me flowers.

"Aren't you gonna go?" Delilah said carefully. She's the mom that wants her kids to live life but safely. Party curfew is midnight.

"No. I'm tired." I shrugged it off.

"I thought you told her you had a headache?" Landon quizzed me.

"Yeah that too." I pushed threw the crowd, politely ,and got out to the car.

Hey I'm gonna go on a drive. Catch a ride with your mom., I said threw the mind link.
Okay just-, I blocked him before he could finish talking.

I drove to Dairy Queen and got a milkshake. Then I parked at a dock at a local lake. I got out and sat on the hood of my car. Thank goodness it's warm because the dress I'm wearing is drafty.

My mind wandered to the last few years of high school. After Jane shifted for the first time she changed over night. Literally. She grew into her adult body that night. She was instantly beautiful and everyone noticed. I had to stay kinda awkward because I did change but it took my 4 years to do it. She quickly went to the top of the food chain. She was the new hot thing and everybody wanted a piece.

She was invited to every party and was gone almost all weekend. Thankfully she always found time for me. Only when she wasn't with her popular friends. I'm still important. I think. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for her. But I wish I can have that. I mean it's my own fault. I can't be that pretty or charming.

I mean at least I have my smarts going for me. I did my own homework and Janes for junior and senior year. She was in AP classes so it was a challenge. I got into AP classes myself from doing that which got me a recommendation to any college I want. So it played out well.

"What is your problem?" My head whipped to the side to look at Landon.

"I didn't want to party." I looked at my feet while stirring my milkshake.

"I mean why are you sulking? Here lately that's all you do. You sit there and feel sorry for yourself. You need to talk to me." He pushed me over so he could sit next to me.

"I'm not feeling sorry for myself." I muttered.

"Then what are you doing right now?" I looked at him out of the corner of my eye.

"Feeling sorry for myself." I grumbled.

"Let's go home. We can stuff our faces and talk about this." He drove me home and ordered Chinese on the way.

"So do you think feeding me a lot of food is going to make me want to talk?" I joked as we went in the house.

"Not think. Hope." He picked me up and carried me up the steps and into the house. He let me rest my eyes in the living room. When the food got there he put a movie in and we ate. But he just had to break the silence. "What was wrong?".

"Nothing." He gave me a bored look.

"Don't make me talk to you like your a five year old. Now tell me what's wrong." (Actual quote from my bf 😂). I looked him in the eyes.

"Nothing." He sighed and put his chopsticks down.

"Come on baby. Tell me whats wrong." He said in a squeaky voice. He picked me up and cradled me like a baby. I got a little angry but the laughter overtook it. I couldn't help but tell him what had been on my mind. He was so easy to talk to.

"Yeah so that's what was wrong." I finished the rant of what I was thinking and I looked him up at him.

"You need more self confidence. You are so much better than you perceive yourself to be." He let me finish off my food while he talked. "My sister uses her body to attract people and make friends. You don't need your body to make friends. All you have to do is smile and start a conversation. Maybe she is making time for other people instead of you because they will say what she wants to hear."

"Uh yeah. If she's being stupid I'm gonna tell her she's being stupid." I slurped a noodle and snapped my fingers. That made him smile.

"She just needs time to figure out that these people will forget her soon. I know her reputation. I know what she does. She will realize that real friends will want more than sex." He gave a weak smile.

"I just hope she comes around soon." Maybe it's not my fault. Maybe it is.

"Me too." He kissed my forehead. "I love you." I smiled and kissed his cheek.

"I love you too."