Chapter 5: My only exit.

Ella’s POV.

 I let go of my thoughts and tried to be strong, at least for my mom's sake. “Sylvia, can you help me run a bath? Mom needs a shower.”

 She nodded and disappeared into the bathroom.

 I guided my Mom into her bedroom and helped her out of her uniform. She tried to protest, clutching at the buttons.

 “Ella, I can manage…”

 “No, Mom,” I cut in firmly. “Not tonight.”

 I knew I was the one who needed care, but after everything she had gone through for my sake, I couldn’t let her handle anything by herself tonight.

 I led her into the bathroom tub. Scrubbed and rinsed her until she was clean, then helped her into her pajamas.

 Sylvia was in the kitchen fixing our dinner. The aroma of pasta filled the apartment as she mixed the pasta with some of the beef sauce Mom had left in the fridge. She hummed under her breath, stirring the pan slowly, while I leaned against the doorway, watching her.

 “Want me to set the table?” I asked quietly.

 “Not yet,” she said, glancing at me without stopping. “I'd do it myself.”

 I nodded and went to get my mom. She ate a little before retiring to bed. Sylvia forced me to eat too so I could take my medications. Then, we both showered and laid side by side in my room, staring at the ceiling.

 “Don’t you need to call your mom?” I whispered. “She’s probably heard what happened today. Won’t she worry if you don’t come home?”

 “That’s not a problem,” Sylvia said flatly. “You know my mom, if I call her now, she’ll just keep digging for details. And I don’t have that energy tonight. Tomorrow.”

 “Alright,” I murmured. “I just don’t want you getting into trouble because of me.”

 She rolled onto her side and cupped my cheek, “Ella, stop. We’re friends. And I’m going to walk through this with you.”

 Honestly, that pulled a small smile out of me and I nodded. We laid there, allowing the silence to stretch between us. Then, a crazy thought slipped into my head. I turned to face her.

 “Our exams start Monday, right?”

 “Yeah. Why?” Her voice sharpened, almost wary, like she already knew I was about to say something crazy.

 “Just… hear me out,” I said carefully. “I know this sounds insane, but maybe I should go for it.”

 Sylvia shot up on one elbow, glaring. “Are you serious? After everything that’s happened, you think walking back into that school is a good idea? Girl, We should be out there right now trying to figure out how to get that 21,500 dollars, not prepping for an exam!”

 A chill crept through my chest, but I sat up and forced myself to meet her stare. “And how do you suggest we do that, Syl? Rob a bank? Beg on the streets? Jason has frozen my accounts. We've got nothing.”

 Her mouth opened, ready to fire back, but I pushed the words out before she could.

 “It's our final year exam. If I can just talk to Professor Wilson, maybe he’ll let me sit for it. This is the only way. My certificate is the only thing they can’t take from me!” I paused to catch my breath, “If I pass, I can get my diploma and my license. I can even go to the human territory and get a job, a real job that can pay off that debt and keep a roof over our heads. This isn’t about a short-term relief, Syl. It's about our long-term survival.”

 Sylvia’s eyes softened, but the fear didn’t leave. “Ella… but do you really think he’d risk his job just to let you take the exams? The senate probably sent word already to have you withdrawn. If they’ve stripped your privileges, his hands might be tied.”

 I sighed, my chest sinking, because deep down I knew she was right. Professor Wilson might shut me out the same way the hospital did after the lies Jason told.

 The only reason I even had a seat in that academy was because of Jason. To be able to stand beside him as his Luna, I had to be trained, educated, and polished. Omegas don’t get education. We don’t even have the right. 

 But still, I couldn’t just give up. Not when Mom’s future and mine depended on me finding a way.

 Sylvia exhaled hard and rubbed her face.

 “Ella… you’re crazy,” she muttered. Then she leaned in, locking her eyes on mine. “But maybe being crazy is exactly what you need right now.”

 I blinked. “So you think I should do it?”

 She bit her lip. “It’s risky as hell.”

 I swallowed. “I know, but you know Prof. Wilson. He’s not like the others. If anyone would listen to me…”

 “...it’s him.” She finished for me, nodding slowly. She sighed again. “Alright. If this is what you want, I’ll go with you. But don’t think I’ll let anyone lay a hand on you without going through me first.”

 A lump rose in my throat. “Thank you, Babe.”

 “Don’t thank me yet.” She said flatly, lying back against the pillow. “Because if this blows up, we’re both fucked.”

 We didn’t get to sleep much. By morning, Sylvia left first to check in with her mom, and calm her down before the rumors twisted worse. She came back in the afternoon, her face tight, but she didn’t say much about it.

 My mom stayed in her room, making call after call, begging her employers to reinstate her. I hated her being in that state, but hopefully, this would fix our problems.

 Sylvia and I studied together all weekend… at the kitchen table, sometimes in silence, sometimes with Sylvia quizzing me just to keep my mind steady. I tried to push everything else aside; my grief, the betrayal, the headlines but they replayed in my mind anyway. Still, I forced myself to hold on.

 This exam was more than a test. It was survival. 

 By Sunday night, the apartment was quiet. We kept flipping pages and Sylvia kept tapping her pen on her notes. Neither of us said it out loud but, we were both scared of what Monday would bring.

 Monday came faster than I wanted. Sylvia scrambled eggs while I made tea. We both didn't have much appetite but we forced it down. 

 I wore a black round-neck paired with baggy jeans, pulled my hair into a ponytail, and put on a face cap to shade my face. Sylvia’s gown was simple, but her eyes were restless.

 We took a cab to the academy and it was quiet as we entered. But that didn't last long because soon, we were greeted by none other than Tasha and her clique.

 Tasha is one of the alpha girls that tried befriending me after finding out that Jason was my mate. But then I beat her in one of our karate training and earned a black belt, and she grew hateful. She's been my archenemy since then. We've always competed for the top position since our first year and now that we are in our final year, things haven't changed.

 Tasha was stunning; she had a model's body and a sharp mind. She always wore designer clothes that her mother, Tonia Montana , a famous fashion designer, made.

 She was the total package in the eyes of men; too bad she was a total bitch.

 “Hey, Ella,” She sneered, stopping in front of us. Her friends stopped with her and glared at us like we were nothing but bugs they had just step on.

 "Tasha," I greeted, my tone dry.

 “Heard you got rejected by Alpha Jason. So… what are you doing here?” She asked, placing her hands on her hips.

 Her friends chuckled.

 “Tough skin, huh? Cheating on the Alpha, messing around with other men, even trying to abort… and you still have the nerve to stroll into the school where he pays your fees?” One of her friends said laughing. 

 “Maybe one of her sugar daddies is still footing the bill,” another added, smirking. “She could give us lessons on how to be bad girls too.” 

 They all burst into laughter. Sylvia stepped forward, ready to punch one of them in the face, but I caught her arm. “Not now,” I murmured, then looked at the girls.

 “And how is the way I live my life any of your business, Tasha?” I asked through my teeth.

 “Don't you have better things to do?” Sylvia asked, folding her arms across her chest. “Aren't we a little too old for the mean girl act?” 

 “Well, well, well! The loyal guard dog is off her leash. Guess you're still following her around, hoping some of her leftover glory will rub off on you?” Tasha muttered before turning back to me. “I also heard your mom lost all her jobs because of your affair. Poor Ella, it's really shameful for your family. How are you guys ever going to survive now?”

 “Are you just trying to make up for the fact that I’ve beaten you for the top student spot again this year by attacking my private life?” I asked her, narrowing my eyes.

 Her eyes grew wide, not expecting that I would hit her where it hurts the most. Her face grew pale, and her friends were also silent. 

 Sylvia stood there staring at me proudly.

 “Private life you said?” Tasha scoffed. “You're all over the news, girl. There's nothing private about your life anymore.” 

 She continued, “And don't worry, your top spot won't last. Soon enough, I'd kick you off your high horse. Let's go girls.”

 She turned, her hair whipping around her shoulders, and then she walked off with her friends trailing behind her. As soon as she was out of sight, I let out the breath I hadn't known I was holding.

 “Good riddance to bad rubbish,” Sylvia laughed, her eyes following Tasha. "She's lucky all I did was watch. Next time, I'd pull out every last strand of her hair and make it into a wig!”