CHAPTER FIVE

“Sh… sh… !!” I heard some humming “she is coming.”

I should have died, not literally tho…but socially? Spiritually? Emotionally?Yes. Because how do I crack a floor in front of the entire class… and then just exist like nothing happened? And at this point the stares were annoying, some even forgot their destinations.

“She’s pretending.”

“She didn’t even give a rank.”

“Did you see the ground?”

The whispers followed me all the way back to my room. I have lived an alien all my life, now that I get the attention it feels like a caged bird. I pushed my door open, and shut it behind me like I was sealing myself away from the world. The room was clean, which made the situation less annoying. I dropped on the bed face-first. “Maybe if I don't move, they’ll forget I exist,” I muttered into my pillow. Because clearly, breaking school property is the fastest way to become invisible.

I stared at the ceiling.

“What even is my life…” I whispered. “A werewolf? Me? I couldn’t even control whatever that thing was in class.”

Just as I was about to roll off the bed—The door BURST open.

“What the…?!” I sat up so fast I almost fell.

A girl stood at the door with a bright smile like she won a lottery i didnt know about.

“So it’s TRUE!” she squealed.

I blinked. “…What is true?”

She walked in like she owned the room, dropped her bag on the other bed, then turned to me like we’d known each other for years. She was becoming uncomfortable and it was irritating. 

“You’re the girl,” she said.

“Which girl?”

“THE girl. The one that cracked the floor, confused the teacher, didn’t give a rank, and still walked out alive.”

I paused. “…When you say it like that, it sounds worse.” “Was I meant to die…?”

She grinned. “It sounds iconic.”

“I’m sorry… who are you?”

She placed a hand dramatically on her chest. “Oh my God, where are my manners? I’m Lila. Your new roommate.”

“…I didn’t ask for one.” 

one could tell the school is full of surprises in just 3 days. I was complaining of being segregated but right now I wish I was. Because it was the wrong timing, I didn't even realise there was a new bed already. “Omg… I pray it's worth it.”

“I volunteered.”

“You what?”

She nodded proudly. “Yup. Everyone was scared to room with you.”

“And you weren’t?” I narrowed my eyes.

She flopped onto the other bed. “Please. I like interesting people. And you?” she pointed at me, “you are VERY interesting.”

I stared at her for a long second. I began to wonder if she was in the same class as me or if it was really her choice to come to GRIMHALDEN, cause there is nothing exciting about this school, and I hated that im there.

“…You’re not normal, are you?”

“Not even a little.”

I lay back down slowly. “Welcome to my room. I just wanted peace right now, not…”

“And you got chaos,” she replied cheerfully.

I covered my face with a groan. “This school is a mistake.”

Lila turned on her side, watching me like I was entertainment. Not knowing she is the main entertainer

“So,” she said, “what are you?” 

“What do you mean?”

She raised a brow. “Your rank.”

I went quiet. “…I don’t know.”

For once, she didn’t laugh, didn't tease, she just… studied me. Then I sat up.

“Okay,” she said. “That’s a problem.”

“I noticed.” She swung her legs off the bed and faced me fully.

“Listen, let me break it down for you, since clearly no one here likes explaining things without being dramatic.”

“Im all ears.”

“Alpha,” she said, holding up a finger. “Top. Boss. Everyone listens.” Another finger.“Beta. Strong, but not the boss.” Another. “Gamma, Delta… middle people. Still useful.” Then she paused. “Omega,” she added. “The lowest. Weak. Easy target.”

I swallowed slightly.“…Sounds fun.” 

“It’s not,” she said simply. “The higher ranks are no joke… you’re vulnerable right now.” Silence stretched for a moment. Then she leaned closer.

“But here’s the thing…”

I looked at her.

“You’re not acting like any of them.”

My brows furrowed.“What does that mean?”

“It means you either don’t belong at the bottom…” She tilted her head slightly. “…or you’re something no one understands yet.”

My chest tightened. I looked down at my hands again, that same quiet feeling. But not empty, it is never empty. “…I almost broke the floor,” I said slowly.

“Not almost,” she corrected. “You DID.”

“I don’t know how.”

“That’s the scary part,” she said. “And the interesting part,” she added quickly, smiling again.

I shook my head slightly. “You’re enjoying this too much.”

“Of course I am. I picked the most mysterious roommate in the school.”

I rolled my eyes. But for the first time since I got here, I didn't feel completely alone. I leaned back slightly, staring ahead. “I shouldn't feel too comfortable around her, it has always been like this. They come as a friend and then leave when they find out I'm strange. Well, this school is strange itself, so I think I like her.” thoughts went through my mind. 

“…Okay.”Lila perked up.

“Okay what?” I took a slow breath. “If no one’s going to explain what I am…”  I looked at my hands again, then clenched them. “…I’ll figure it out myself.”

Lila grinned. “Now THAT sounds like someone worth rooming with.”  “ Well, I better arrange myself fast, we need the shopping mall. The room is so dry.”

“Why do I feel like lila is going to be a pest? I need to take a nap”