Interesting Year (3)

{Present}

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes before getting out of my car. Finally the last year of school, the last year of having to be near Rose. Maybe I would be able to scare her out of the pack when I became Alpha. The therapy mom has made me start getting was helping me understand my trauma, but it was still there.

“Come on Pat, please hurry. I don't have patience for this right now.” I grumbled at my brother, who had rode along with me. He had dropped his pen under the passenger seat. It was just a pen, for Goddess' sake!

Pat looked up at me apologetically. “I'm sorry Jax, but it's my lucky pen, just give me a moment.”

My hairs began to stand on end, and I shifted uncomfortably. I wondered what was going on, because that was not normal. A smell hit me then, it smelled delicious, but not quite like food. And with that my heart rate picked up.

Pat looked over at me perplexed, noticing the pickup in my heart rate. “Hey, what's going on? Are you okay?”

I didn't answer, I just searched the parking lot. I noticed Rose and Lily walking together into the school. Typical. I shook my head.

Pat closed the door and walked over to me, resting a hand on my shoulder for the briefest moment. “Let me know if something is wrong. I'm here.” He whispered. At home, Pat was Jax's biggest supportive figure, and his biggest confidante. In public, they were simply brothers.

“Let's just go.” I mumbled, and we head into the school. I could still smell that smell, and it was driving me insane. “Give me a moment, I'll catch up.” I told Pat, and he head to his locker. I leaned against a locker for just a moment, trying to clear my head, before following Pat's scent to his locker.

The problem is, the closer I got to Pat, the stronger that smell got. I turned the corner to see Pat, and also Rose and Lily. My chest tightened and my composure faltered for a moment. My trauma overtook me again as I could feel the anger rise up involuntarily.

“Well well well, look who it is. Rosie Posie.” It was like I was on autopilot. I suddenly without even realizing I was doing it, closed the distance between me and Rose and slammed her up against the locker, damn near straddling her for a moment.

It was as if time froze for that moment, her bright sapphire blue eyes stopping my heart and her onyx hair mentally suffocating me. It was like the smell was coming from her, and it was completely intoxicating. My own mind was making absolutely no sense to me.

Luca, my wolf, was howling. He wasn't really saying anything, just howling wildly.

Then suddenly time seemed to resume, and I was in intense pain, as Rose had kneed me right in the groin.

I couldn't breath, my vision getting a little blurry. I let go of her and backed off, hunching over in pain. “Fucking bitch!” I spat out, instantly regretting everything that just happened. I looked up at her one more time, hurt filling every single part of my body, before rushing off.

My skin tingled, but I hurt nonetheless. I ducked into a bathroom to try to regain my control and breathe through the pain. I partially wanted to go back, but I had no clue why. I fought the urge and shook my head, before heading to class.

Lily was in this class. I sat as far away from her as possible, still uncomfortable about everything that had just happened. The smell was quite faint now. But still in the school. I zoned out throughout the class thinking about what happened I the hall and the way Luca was reacting to everything, and next thing I knew the bell rang.

I hurried over to my next class, unexplainable excitement coursing through my body as that scent once again grew stronger and stronger. I walked into the class and saw her. Rose. But why was she the scent? Because that was the only explanation, but given our nasty history and my loathing of her, it made absolutely no sense.

I couldn't help but to glare in frustration at her, and as if she knew I was there, she spun around to face me. “Leave me alone, Jax. I'm not playing victim to you this year.” She verbally threw at me.

My chest tightened again, like a pang of pain. My composure faltered for a brief moment, and it's like I was in a fight with my own body and brain. Once again Luca was getting unsettled. I plastered my signature smirk on my face trying to hide my emotions before sitting in the seat directly behind her. It was like my body had given me no choice but to take that seat.

Speaking of bodies, I had to admit Rose had an amazing body. I felt the sudden urge to try to get her attention. I quietly crumpled up a small piece of paper and flicked it at the back of her head. Throughout the class I did that a few more times, but she ignored me every single time.

As class finished and everyone began to leave, me and Rose stood at the exact same time. She spun to face me, and she looked furious. “What did I say about leaving me alone, Jax?!” She had actually roared out at me, and I saw her eyes flash emerald for a moment as her wolf surfaced briefly.

Her expression became indecipherable as I stared at her in shock. And yet, I didn't feel angry at her words or tone. I didn't even feel my typical anger towards her. I just felt foggy and confused. Luca was yelling but I couldn't make anything he was yelling out. I felt a pull, and I took a step towards her, then suddenly I became aware of what I was doing, hesitated, before simply just walking away. Walking away from that infuriatingly intoxicating scent and that loathsome yet strangely attractive girl. Fuck.

I spent the next class obsessing over the last class and my encounter with Rose. My 18^th birthday was in a couple weeks. I had to kind of wonder if the Goddess was playing a cruel joke on me. Before I knew it the bell rang and it was time for my fourth class of the day already.

I could tell before I even got in there that Rose was in this class. I could smell her. Fucking hell she smelled amazing. No, stop! I paused outside the class and waited until I knew the bell was going to ring soon, before swallowing my pride and walking in.

Lily was there too, naturally the two best friends were sitting together. I grimaced at the thought of having to deal with this insanity every single day of the school year, staring at Rose, who stared back.

I quickly got into the seat behind her, not even realizing I had done so until the bell rang. I blinked and took a deep breath, trying and failing to focus on class. I couldn't stop staring at her. This was so frustrating.

Class finished after what felt like weeks, and everyone began to head off to lunch. I was behind Rose and Lily, and she seemed to be rushing. Finally as we went through the cafeteria doors, she once again spun to face me.

“Back off Jax. I mean it.” She said sternly, as Lily continued on. I felt another pang as she said that.

“I'm just going to lunch Rosie.” I tried to say playfully. “No need to be so crazy.” I regretted that second part the instant it came out, but it was too late. She growled and turned away, heading to the food lines. I couldn't take my eyes off her.

I leaned against a wall, watching her intently as she got her food and sat down with Lily and some of her friends. She kept shooting furtive glances my way, I was making her uncomfortable. Good. I thought to myself in hollow pettiness.

I finally forced myself to stop staring at her to get my own food and quickly eat before taking off out of the cafeteria to head up to the library. I liked the peace and quiet there. Pat was already there, reading in one of the soft armchairs. I sat down next to him.

“How's classes going for you so far?” I asked him in a hushed tone.

Pat shifted slightly and marked his book with a silver painted bookmark he'd made himself several years ago, before closing it. “Not too bad, typical first day stuff happening. What about you?” He asked, matching my hushed tone.

“Honestly, it's been incredibly frustrated. I don't know how to explain it, and I'm not sure I'm ready to yet. I definitely need to talk to Lisa tonight though.” Lisa was my therapist. “So far Rose has been in two of my classes.”

Pat was silent for a minute, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Maybe this is the year you can work things out. Between the therapy, and you secretly being an actual decent guy despite the facade you put on in school, maybe this can be your best school year yet.” He offered.

I knew he meant well. I knew he only wanted the best for me. And I knew he was one of the only people who actually knew what had happened to me twelve years ago. But his words still made me uncomfortable.

I playfully whacked his shoulder and smirked. “Me? A good person? Never!” I joked, trying to hide my insecurity.

Pat rolled his eyes and nudged my leg with his foot. “Oh yes because I don't know my favorite brother at all.” He said sarcastically. “Anyway, I never got a chance to check in on you after what happened at the lockers this morning. First, are you okay? And second, why did you even do that?”

I shrugged pursing my lips before responding. “It hurt for a while but I got over it. And I don't know. When I'm around her I just can't stop myself. It's like something takes over me. And it's not me nor Luca.”

“Just please try to remember what Lisa always says. She is not her aunt. She didn't even know her Aunt. And frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if she still has no clue that she even had an Aunt, let alone what happened.”

I furrowed my brow. I knew he was right but that didn't erase the feelings I had, the constant war inside my head. To this very day I could still remember the awful way she smelled, the painful way she dug her claws into my flesh, the weight of her body on mine as she pinned me down.

That day could never be forgotten.

The bell rang, and I stood up. “Catch you later Pat.”

I got to my next class and sat down, and Lily walked in. She walked directly up to me. “I am sick and tired of the way you treat Rose. She has done nothing to you. You have been screwing with her since the third grade! Enough is enough! I don't care how strong you are, how powerful your family is, and how much you rank above the rest of us. I will no longer tolerate this. Your behavior is unacceptable and it needs to end. Stay away from Rose. And what was that during lunch?! Why were you staring at her like a psycho?”

I stared at her throughout this entire rant before leaning back in my chair. “What are you planning to do about it?” I asked her, looking her directly in her sea green eyes. “You know very little about me, Lily Donovan, yet as your future Alpha you speak to me like this?”

I raised an eyebrow at her as a challenge, now crossing my arms.

She bared her teeth and clenched her fists just as the teacher walked in. She quickly sat in a nearby seat, still seething, but trying to stay out of trouble.

Despite her friendship with Rose, I wouldn't mind Lily Donovan being my mate. She was quite attractive, her auburn hair was always shiny and wavy, her lips were full and damn near kissable, she had amazing curves and so much charisma it was very difficult to dislike her. She was probably the most popular student in the entire school, to be frank. She was fierce, as an added bonus.

When class was over she came back over to me, and I stood up. “Now now Lily, let's not start a scene during school hours. If you wish to continue your discussion, you can meet me after class.”

And with that I smirked and walked away. I could feel her glaring at me and I fought a chuckle. I could tell by her muscle tone that she had been training far more than most of the other wolves in the pack, her and Rose both I'm assuming.

Yet, she could never match my power nor my training. I was scary strong, just as I was meant to be. And I had immense self control, most of the time. Rose was an exception. But even then, I never crossed a certain line. Even then, despite all my pent up rage and pain and hatred, I still did not let myself fully lose control.

My next two classes were completely uneventful, and thankfully my last class was just free period. I was almost in a good mood at this point, and I figured I would get a head start on studying the chapter we would be starting next week for science.

I was carrying my science textbook with me, and as I turned the corner to the hall where my class was, my senses got flooded with Rose's scent. I shuddered for just a moment, since I now knew who that powerful smell was.

I couldn't believe I actually had made the mistake of letting my guard down. I took a deep breath, which might not have been the best idea. I braced myself before walking into the classroom.

I found her immediately, as if there was some type of beacon pointed directly at her. She was resting her head against her arms, she could easily have been asleep. I grinned wildly as a stupid idea took over me.

I quietly crept up behind her, and gently laid my science textbook on top of her head. Why was her hair so pretty today? I started getting distracted just as she flinched, practically leaping out of her seat in surprise at the feeling of my book on her head. She looked around, surprise in her beautiful blue eyes, before her eyes settled on me.

I leaned against a desk, crossing my arms and laughing silently. Her expression changed from startled to upset.

“Good morning Rosie Posie. Have a nice nap?” I teased softly, and she looked like she was about to respond when I could feel Pat walk in to the class.

“Lay off her Jax.” He said calmly yet sternly. “You're being ridiculous, again.” His eyes said a whole lot more than his words did. I rolled my eyes regardless before I bent to pick up my book.

“Nobody asked you to butt in, Pat.” I didn't feel comfortable speaking to Pat like this, but I was starting to feel frustrated again.

Pat looked at Rose, and sighed. “Sorry about my brother. Is it okay if I sit here?” He gestured at the desk next to hers. He was talking as if I wasn't even there anymore. I grit my teeth and took a seat, glaring at the both of them throughout the whole period instead of studying like I had originally planned.

By the end of class I couldn't take it anymore, them talking like nothing was wrong, like I wasn't even there. My chest was aching as I quickly stood up and left the class as fast as I could. I didn't even stop at my locker, I just hurried over to the car. But I didn't leave, I still waited for Pat.

After what seemed like forever, Pat finally showed up, looking slightly sheepish. He got in and looked down. “I know I've upset you Jax. For that I am sorry. But I wanted to get a chance to know her. Everything I know about her has been shaded in bias. But she's still a person.”

I shook my head and for some odd reason I felt tears trying to well up in my eyes. I fought them back and closed my eyes, starting the car. “Honestly, it's gotten really complicated as of today. I want to talk to Lisa about it first before I talk to you.”