Chapter 1 - Heartbreak

Rochelle

Two hours of staring up at the dark sky, watching each star twinkle through my blurry vision as I waited for Remington to show up.  Tears roll down my cheeks as I slowly stand and walk off the dock heading for the forest mumbling to myself, “it’s not the first time but I’ll never wait again for him to break my heart.”

Sitting at the dining room table my father voice resonating with pride, “2 more weeks little warrior and your dreams will be at your fingertips.”   He clears his throat, “I’m so proud of you.”

He has no idea how I’m trying to hold myself together, yes, I’m ready to be a warrior, have been since I can remember, but Remington wasn’t part of the plan or this heartbreak.  I can’t show weakness of any kind, not to him or anyone if I want to be a warrior just like him.  I kissed his cheek, “I’m ready dad, have to go or I’ll be late for school,” I ran out the front door, my fake smile gone the second the door shut behind me.

The reality of last night played heavily on my heart, the last false promise, the last heartache, I can’t allow anymore now, he’s done it too many times.  I only need to get through the next 2 weeks and then I’ll go away, warrior training and forget all about him, like he’s already forgotten about me.

Entering school, I see my BFF, Linda, already standing by my locker waiting to hear about my night.  I roll my eyes, and her face morphed from excitement to deadly, “don’t tell me he didn’t show again,” she whispers through gritted teeth.

I shrug, “of course he didn’t,” I say with indifference, though she knows better.  I open my locker to block her view as I blink rapidly and inwardly scold myself not to cry, that he’s not worth any more tears.

Her fist hits the locker creating a dent, “he’s such an….”

Monica’s voice slithers next to me capturing my attention, “Stacy did I tell you about last night, how Remington held me in his embrace for hours, then scooped me into his arms and carried me all the way home,” she sighs dramatically, “it was so romantic.”

I slam my locker shut as I turn in her direction, keeping a stoic mask on my face as my heartbreak now turns to anger.   

Monica’s face scrunches up like she smells something putrid, “oh, ROACHell, didn’t see you there."

My eyes roll all on their own, “Rochell, let me pronounce it right for you, ROW-SHELL, got it,” my shoulder hits hers as I storm past.  Goddess this girl is so arrogant and fake it crawls up my ass sideways.   I head for my first class, but my mind goes back to the note he sent me yesterday to meet him at the boat dock telling me he needed to talk to me and like a fool I waited, and he never showed up, not even a text.   

As the day drags on it isn’t getting any better with all the rumors about Monica being Remington’s official girlfriend and soon to be chosen mate.  I storm into the locker room and change heading into the Gym.  

As I run the track memories of him just keep playing on a loop.  It wouldn’t be so bad if he just ignored me completely, but he leads me on and then doesn’t show. I need to just forget what he promised, forget that he’s perfect in every way, just forget him period.

I open my locker and remove my clothes; my hair is soaking from the shower as I dress.  Stacey shuts her locker next to mine and smiles, “so are you going to Remington’s graduation party, it’s next week and since…”

“No,” I cut her off as I pulled my hair up into a messy bun of wet locks, “I’ve not been invited and…”

Monica’s voice hits me like a physical punch, “that’s right it’s only for his close friends and invitation only, I got mine last night and a bit more,” she giggled.

“So did I,” Linda says nonchalantly as she enters the locker room, “you’re nothing special Monica.”

Grabbing my backpack, I fling it over my shoulder and walking with purpose out of the locker room, only to come to a complete stop.  Remington stands across the hallway, his dark blonde hair, spiked on top and short on the sides, dressed in a dark blue silk shirt and black jeans, looking like a God.  His dark green eyes are mesmerizing as he turns from the window, and they lock with mine.  The door to the locker room nearly hits me as it opens and I hear Monica’s voice, “Are those for me,” she squeals forcing me to look at what he’s holding in his hands, a beautiful bouquet of lilies, as she pushes past me and flings herself shamelessly at him. 

My jaw clenches shut and anger bubbles beneath my skin as I turn quickly and head down the hallway, I can’t watch this, and I won’t.  I turn the corner and sprint towards the outside door and run directly into the forest.   I lean against a tree trying to steady myself, as words spill out, “why lilies of all the fucking flowers they sell you got her my favorite.”  Taking a few deep breaths, I close my eyes, trying to understand why he seems hellbent on hurting me so blatantly.  I swallow down the lump in my throat when I hear Jake’s voice, “so why you out here?”

“Why are you out here,” I push off the tree.  Jake is sweet and adorable, but he’s also Monica’s twin.

He shrugs, “I don’t have a last period so just hanging around waiting for Remington, your turn to answer,” he smiles.

“I have something to do at home,” I walk towards my house.

He walks next to me, “Remington asked me to talk…”

I throw my hand up, cutting him off, “don’t Jake, don’t speak for him again, not ever again, if he wants to talk to me, he has a mouth, a phone even, so shut it.”  I sigh, “he’s obviously playing me and putting you in the middle.”

He shakes his head, “well about his party, I’ll pick you up and…”

“I’m not going, I wasn’t invited.”   

“I’m sure it’s an oversight; I mean Rem wants...”

My feet stop as I glare at him, “he obviously doesn’t want me there.”  I glare at him, “Jake, stop following me and go wait for him and your sister, you know the next Luna of our pack.”  I sprinted through the forest, holding back the burning sensation in the back of my eyes until I got through my front door.  Slamming my back against it and allow the dam to break as hot fat tears roll down my cheeks and I scream, “this is the last time I cry over you, never again, never will I shed one tear in your name, I’ll die first.”