71

Rhen

I was cuddling next to Jedidiah and it was 6 in the morning already. He and I were just lying next to each other enjoying the time together. "Day number two," I said fiddling with his fingers. "Can I come to your office during my free time?" I asked him looking up to him. "I don't know. The principal hasn't said anything about it yet." He said softly. I nodded but deep down I was upset. It feels like he just doesn't want to spend time with me. I just rolled over and ignored what he was saying to me. "Okay baby, we need to get up and start getting dressed for school." I groaned and rolled over ignoring what he said. "Baby girl, come on. You are the one that wanted to go to school remember?" He said leaning over my shoulder giving it small kisses. "I know and I regret it." I sighed but I listened to him and got up and stretched. I started walking to his bathroom to shower but I realized I didn't have any clothes. "J, can you get me a pair of jeans from my room? And a bra too. And I will just wear one of your shirts today." I asked him. "I don't think wearing my shirt is a good idea. They will be able to smell me on you and that will lead to suspicion."

"Are you serious? So, I can't see you all day and now I can't even wear your shirt?" I was beyond frustrated at this point, but it really felt like he wasn't trying. "Listen, I am just trying to be careful." He said as he started to get dress. "No, you are just trying to be a dick." I walked out of the bathroom and crossed my arms. "What did you just say?" He asked me, his eyes were turning slightly black. "I said you are being a dick. You're not even trying to make an effort with us. You're pulling away from me and I can feel it. Is it because of that stupid teacher friend?" I was challenging him and I could see that his wolf was not a fan of that. He stood up and walked towards me. "I am just doing what we are told. And don't bring Rachel into this, this has nothing to do with her." He said. "Oh, her name is Rachel?? That's great. Well, have a great day with Rachel since you won't be seeing me at all today. And just because it is what we are told do doesn't mean we have to." I walked out of his room and tried to slam the door but he stopped it. "Rhen, stop it." I stood at my door and kept my back to him. "It's like you don't even care about me, about us. All you care about is how people see you. I have been in hiding for years and now I finally can be me and have a normal life. But it seems you being with me is something that you don't want as much as I do." I walked into my room and closed the door.

*****

It was currently lunch and I was sitting with the normal group. "Rhen? Are you okay?" Bellamy asked me. Everyone stopped talking and looked at me. "Yeah, you have been down in the dumps all day," Jonathan added. "Mate problems." I shrugged. They were all understanding and continued talking to each other. I looked up and I saw this guy who is in my biology class walk toward our table. "Rhen." I made eye contact with him and everyone else at the table stopped talking. "Yes? How can I help you?" I said taking a bite of salad. "We are in Mr. Alisters' class together. And I was hoping that today you and I could be partners. We are playing tennis today." He asked me. Bold. I think his name is Bryan, he had blonde hair. He was fairly tall, but not tall enough. He was attractive but not for me. "Umm, I don't think so. I think I'm just going to hang out with my friends." I said to him. "Okay well, another time." He gave me a small smile and walked away. "He was totally flirting with you," Kailani said laughing at me.

"Well, that is unfortunate. I don't have a mate already, and that 'make your mate jealous' thing is not how I roll." River laughed at me. "What is going on? What did Jedidiah do?" Bellamy asked. "We had our first fight this morning. This whole going to school thing is putting stress on our relationship. Not being able to see each other as much, and I have tried to make it work and give suggestions but it seems he doesn't really want to know them." I said to them. "Don't think too much of it, this is just as stressful for you as it is for him," Bellamy said. She was kind of right, this is a stressful situation and we are both handling it differently. The bell rang and that meant we needed to head to the gym with Jedidiah and I was not looking forward to it at all.

We went to the locker room and changed into the gym clothes we brought with us and went to the gym. Jedidiah was already in there and he was wearing black sweatpants and a white t-shirt, very casual. There were multiple girls already talking to him and flirting with him. They were wearing these extremely small tank tops and booty gym shorts. When I walked into a room we normally make instant eye contact with each other but this time was different. I could feel the space between us and it was thick and it made my heart hurt. We all sat down and Jedidiah still hadn't noticed me but I was focused on him. Suddenly another teacher walked in and I instantly recognized her. It was freaking Rachel. She was wearing a tight black dress and nude pumps and was walking with a little extra switch in her step. "Jedidiah." She called out and he turned to look at her and smiled, FREAKING SMILED. He moved away from the group of girls and went toward her. "Hey what's up?" He asked her. "I had fun at lunch today, and the free period was fun too. We should do that more often." What? Did they spend lunch and free period together? Is that why he didn't want to spend it with me? "Yeah, it was fun. But it can't happen again." He said, what even happened? "Because of your mate? You told me she doesn't appreciate you. She is young and naive. Trust me, I know you want a real woman like me." Rachel said.

My heart squeezed in my chest and I couldn't help the tears that started running down my face. Bellamy and Kailani noticed and were listening in on the conversation with me. "This can't happen. At least not again." That was when I felt my heart break into two pieces, I quickly got up and ran out of the gym, with Bellamy and Kailani following me. I went back to the locker room and changed my clothes. They were trying to calm me down but I wasn't listening. It felt as if I couldn't breathe, my heart was in my stomach. I grabbed my backpack and ran out of the school to my car and drove home. My phone started ringing and I saw that it was calling from Bellamy, Kailani, and River. My entire world felt like it was falling apart and all because of him.

******

I was in my room back at the castle and I was packing a bag. I needed to get out and leave. My heart was aching and I could feel Hetty crying. I needed to leave before Jedidiah came back from school. Apparently he was looking for me in class, that's what Kailani said. But I don't care, because he apparently doesn't. After this morning and I told him how I felt about her and that is the person he goes to, hurts. There was a huge knock on my door and I got scared. The door swung open and Jedidiah was there and his eyes were puffy. I thought I had another hour before he got home. "Rhen." When he started talking I immediately started crying, I just told him I loved him and yet he goes and does that? "No, stay away from me." I continued to pack my bags and ignore him. "Rhen, stop. Let me explain, please." He said. "No, let me explain. I'm leaving and don't try to stop me." The tears kept falling and I couldn't stop them. He just stood there in silence and I could feel the guilt melting out of him. "You got mad and decided to go fuck some random bitch. How classy. I told you I loved you last night, and right now I am instantly regretting it." I grabbed my bag and started to walk out the door.

"I didn't fuck her. She kissed me, but I pushed her away right after it happened. You have to believe me." I looked in his eyes and part of me wanted to, but I couldn't just give in, it still hurts too much. "Don't leave." I stood there and put down the beg and walked backward. "Then get out." He looked shocked and confused. "I won't leave. But you need to get out and give me space. I don't want to see you unless I have to. Now, get out." He gave me a small nod and slowly walked out of the door. There were tears that fell down his face and I wanted to run to him and say I forgive him. But that wasn't an option. "I understand. I love you." Jedidiah said and walked out of the room. I leaned into the wall and started to break down, this is not how I imagined life with a mate to be like.

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