Chapter 3

Bruised, Not Broken

Lena’s POV

“Well,” someone said, in the hall, as though they had seen a ghost appear, "Look who has come.”

I kept my eyes forward. I’d learned not to respond not because I was weak, but because it gave them power. My silence was my shield. I hurried on faster, clutching my bag almost against my side, wishing I could turn invisible.

In these halls, every day was the same. It is the same-you know, the same whispers, the same laughter behind my back. I was sick of faking being okay though faking it just allowed them to treat it like they could keep doing as they wish. So it was easier to cry behind the hall.

“Little Luna, why are you rushing away?" Rigg Torres came between me and put himself in front of me. His conceited face smiled in scornful exultation.

“What is it you want?” I said flatly, not bothering to fake patience.

I could not stand his antics. I was already late to attend the class and the last thing I wanted was to go through another waste of time meeting with him and his brainless shadows.

Rigg was fond of attention and particularly that which was at the expense of other people. He wasn’t dangerous, just loud. Loud until he has to shout and have the walls echo with his stupidity.

He smiled again with an air of taking fresh strength out of my annoyance.

"Oh, so the mute speaks. What’s the rush? Going to chase your imaginary wolf again?" he said, laughing to himself. His friends followed like clockwork, barking out laughter like it was rehearsed.

I didn’t flinch. I gazed coolly at him and turned away.

“You think you are something, don't you?” Rigg moved to block me again. “Tell me, how’s it feel to be the only one in the pack without a wolf? Does it itch? Or just burn?”

I had a lump in my throat, and I had to remain put. I would not make him win.

“You done?” I asked.

“Not even close,” he smirked. “You’re a disgrace, Lena. You should’ve been born human. Or maybe not born at all.”

I walked away.

Behind me, I could still hear them. “Witch,” one boy called. “Ghost girl,” another laughed. “Wolfless mutt.”

I kept walking. Not because I was strong, but because if I turned around, I might break. And I’d done enough breaking already.

They had never experienced waking up in the morning and feeling optimistic only to feel that emptiness thinking that a wolf should not live a good life. They never knew what it was to miss something that every other person just took for granted.

And they didn’t matter.

I reached my classroom just before Mr. Harren arrived. He nodded as he came in carrying the usual sheaf of scribbly papers. I swooped on to the back corner of my seat, happy for the space where I was able to hide. I liked being far from the noise.

Mr. Harren started his lecture, and his voice was like wind chafing the old leaves. I was a very keen note taker not because the topic was thrilling but because I was in control of everything around me. I needed that.

The moment class ended, I felt my heart lift. My next class was the only one Kade and I shared.

Once a week. Just one class. And somehow, it made the whole week bearable.

I gathered my things quickly and rushed to my next room, taking my usual seat in the farthest corner, still hiding, but hopeful.

I stared at the door.

Ten minutes passed. Then fifteen. No sign of him.

I sighed and opened my notebook. I might as well do something useful while I wait.

But the teacher never came. No lecture. No notes. Just silence.

Then I heard laughter echoing through the hallway. Not mocking laughter this time, something lighter. Familiar.

I looked up.

And as Kade entered the classroom, a half a dozen of his schoolmates followed. And he rubbed a hand through the shaggy brown locks that still gave him an air of being at ease and unconcerned, and my pulse began to pound.

His eyes looked in my direction. For a second, I froze. He was walking toward me.

But just as quickly, his gaze dropped to his phone. His steps changed direction. He walked right past me.

“Hey, Camilla,” he said, stopping beside the desk next to mine.

I peeked over his shoulder. Of course she was here.

Camilla Vale, the girl who looked innocent on the outside but left broken hearts wherever she went. She used to hang off Rigg’s arm, and now she was clinging to Kade’s smile.

“Edward…uh, I mean Kade, hi!” she said sweetly. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there. I was... studying.”

Liar.

Everyone knew how she passed her exams and it wasn’t by taking notes.

“Oh, I get it. Studying’s important,” he said kindly. “Mind if I sit here?”

She fluttered her lashes, mascara thick as spider legs. “Of course not.”

I looked away. I pushed my bag into the vacant seat beside me and got out my book. I looked at the same page for 5 minutes. I did not read even one word.

I could see the corner of his eye, and he presented something to her on the phone. She laughed violently and shrilly like a shattered thing.

It felt like someone had taken a claw and run it over my ribs.

I was jerked out of the mist by the ringing of the bell. It was a day off of school, but there were students there to assist with an event. I didn’t care about it. I didn’t belong there, not in clubs, not in laughter, not in that world.

I packed my bag slowly, but I couldn’t stop listening.

“Are you coming with me tonight?” Kade asked.

My breath caught. I waited for her answer.

“Oh, Kade, how could I say no to you?”

That fake smile again. That sweet-talkin, liar's voice.

I had shoved my notebook in my bag and I was wearing my earphones. The only thing that enabled me to lose myself was the music although it was only a few minutes.

Head down I walked out the building.

My mamma had a good start on the house work when we got home. She did not see me come in, and I spoke nothing. I threw my bag into the corner and went down so that sleep would twine its arms around me.

It was working time when I woke up. I showered and dressed up in my uniform and walked to the family diner where I was employed in the evening. It was not swank but I got what I wanted.

On the way, I ran into Jace.

“Lena!” he called, grinning.

I smiled and ran up to hug him. “Where are you off to?”

“Just heading home,” he said. “Where are you going in such a rush?”

“Work.”

“Shame. I brought cake.”

“You better save me a slice!” I laughed.

“I’ll hide it from Thorne. Maybe.”

"Don’t make me come after you," I taunted as I took off jogging.

When I arrived, the restaurant already had a rush of people. I tied on my apron, put on the best smile I could muster and went to work taking orders.

That is when I saw them. Kade, his friends and Camilla.

My heart stuttered, but I reminded myself: This is your job, be strong and smile. I approached the table calmly.

“Good evening,” I said gently. “My name is Lena Wilder. I’ll be serving your table today.”

Kade looked surprised. “Lena? I didn’t know you worked here.”

I gave a polite smile. “This is where I am, most evenings.”

Camilla smirked. “How sweet,” she said without meaning it.

“Can I take your order?” I asked evenly.

Once I’d written everything down, I turned toward the kitchen. I didn’t let them see the ache beneath my smile.

But before I could walk through the kitchen door, someone touched my shoulder.

I turned.

Kade. His eyes were unsure. His hands twisted at his sides.

“Lena, I... I want to tell you something,” he said.

I crossed my arms and looked at him, giving him space to speak.

He swallowed. “I… I love you, Lena. I think I always have. Please… just tell me you feel the same.”

The room seemed to fade. For a second, I didn’t know if I was breathing.

I stood there, staring at the boy I’d loved for years. And I didn’t know what to say.