Chapter 4

Serena’s POV

Once the weekend was over, I returned to Northridge and I found my locker covered in thick red paint. A small crowd were already gathered around it, whispering and snickering. Some Alphas didn’t even try to hide their grins of approval.

The words were scrawled on it with an ugly, almost incomprehensible handwriting that irritated me more. It took me a moment to read them out, some bold, others squished to avoid the neighboring locker, but what it said was: WE DON’T WANT YOU HERE OMEGA FREAK.

The freak part was the hardest word to decipher. It triggered me, my jaw clenching. But I kept my face calm and I turned to the nearest student. “Who did this?”

No answer.

The boy quickly walked away. Others giggled, and whispered harshly, openly taunting me. I couldn't make out the words under the buzz of chatter, but it irritated me even more.

So I stepped back and raised my voice just loud enough to silence everyone. “I asked who did this and suddenly you're all mute. Don't think you can get away with this. I’m going to find whoever did this, and I’ll make sure you get punished for vandalism and targeted harassment. It's not a threat, it’s a promise.”

The room settled into silence, snickering fading. But the stares didn’t.

Northridge were very strict and rigid with their punishment. Having any sort of query would permanently reflect on your academic record.

That's why the bullies here tended to ostracize with hushed words and snickers, judgemental stares and a popular anonymous platform the school didn't prohibit but warned to steer clear off.

I steered of it, of course. Why would I go looking for bullets when there was already gun in my face.

Anyway, back to the present, I pulled out my phone and took clear pictures of the locker, before heading straight for the principal’s office.

Katie caught up with me halfway there, and I told her everything, with her urging me to calm down. When we reached the door, she asked if I was sure. Reporting this would only make me an even bigger target for the Alphas.

But my mind was made up. I wouldn't let people push me anymore.

I knocked and went in and found Principal Harley— a middle aged woman with a permanently pursed lip— who looked tired and annoyed to see me.

She didn't ask too much questions. She took me to the surveillance room and watched the security footage with me in silence.

The camera angle was clear enough.

A boy in a plain gray hoodie had snuck in when no one was there, and he approached my locker with the can of paint and wrote each word sloppily, occasionally glancing over his shoulder while even painting.

It irked me again.

Like at least put some effort, man. I got to be worth the damage.

Anyway, once he was done, he pushed his hoodie back and stared at his art piece. It might have struck me as corny, as I had seen this scene in way too many movies, but it didn't.

What struck me was I immediately recognized him, from the large birthmark on his neck. My heart dropped.

The technician switched to the next camera, which caught his face clearly as he turned and flipped his hoodie back on, keeping his head bowed as he walked away.

I stared at Katie next to me, and she had the same uneasy expression on her face.

It was Jason Reed. An Omega in their sophomore year. We weren't exactly close, but Jason was more than an acquaintance to me. He had volunteered during my campaign, handed out flyers, and had even once told me he was voting for me because someone finally talked about the things the rest of the school ignored.

My throat tightened. We turned to Principal Harley, whose gaze looked sharp and pleased. I could easily tell she was happy that for once, it wasn't one of her legacy alphas out causing trouble.

This was bad. This was really bad.

___

Some minutes later, Jason was called over to the principal's office. He walked in with a guilty expression and his head down, unwilling to look at me.

It made something in my heart crack.

Outside, I could hear the nosy students, buzzing around like flies, searching for gossip.

Principal Harley asked him in a low but strict voice, and he confessed everything, voice thick.

My guilt swelled.

Principal Harley suspended him for a week. Jason just nodded, accepting his fate. She handed him a pink slip and told him to wait for his parents.

I watched as he took it with steady fingers, briefly staring at it. Then he gave me an unreadable look, before turning and walking towards the door. The students darted off the moment the door opened and he left.

I turned to Principal Harley who gave me a thin smile. “Hope it’s all sorted out, Miss McAllistair?”

I swallowed thickly, unsettled. “Yes. Thank you, Principal.” My voice was rough.

Then I walked out of the room.

A few Omegas still lurked in the hallway, some whispering behind their hands, others staring at me like I had handed him the spray can and then rewarded him with a death sentence.

Nathaniel’s earlier words rang again in my head.

I guessed he had a point.

I walked up to the bench the big boy sat on, his head bowed low with shame. And suddenly, the atmosphere felt too hot. “Jason?”

He didn’t look up straight away but when he did, his eyes were red-rimmed and angry.

“Why?” I asked, a flicker of hurt in the syllable. “You always supported me. Why would you do that to my locker?”

He scoffed and looked away. “I did it for exactly that reason.”

I paused. “What?.. I don't understand.”

“Because I voted for you…” He said, voice sharp. “I did that because I thought things would get better. That we'd finally be treated as just humans. That the bullying would end. But no. Things have only gotten worse… because of you.”

His blame struck me hard, dumbing me silent. I swallowed tightly.

“And you?” He went on, gesturing towards the building. “You get to sit in the council chair all day, not delivering on a single one of your promises. What happened to you? You used to be driven. You used stand out in the sun with with a homemade poster demanding for change. You stood for something, Serena.”

“I still do.” I try to reassure but he only shakes his head.

“We put our faith in you… and now you're one of them. Your life is better now with legacy kids. You can even get me suspended for something as simple as vandalizing meanwhile Ginny had to move away because the school forced her to share space with her rapist.”

My heart broke then.

Regina Westbrook— his best friend, had suffered an early heat induced by a scent trigger in school. She was violated afterwards and the evidence got wiped.

Knowing the risks, she chose to tell her story. But since the school nurses disclosed that she was close to her cycle, she was blamed instead. And the case was dismissed. Her assaulter got away with it while she was harassed by his supporters. She eventually had to move away to deal with the fallout.

Her story hit too close to mine. My voice softened. “Jason—”

“You’re powerful now…” He cut in, a tear slipping down his cheek. And right then, I can see all the pain he’s in.

“Nothing has changed for the rest of us.” He continued, voice heavy with sadness. “If anything, it’s harder now because they blame us for you winning.”

My throat tightened. “I’m trying. I really am. My proposals keep getting blocked, but I’m not stopping—”

“Trying doesn’t help when I can’t walk to class without someone shouldering me into the lockers, or bodyshaming me, or calling me slurs on WhisperCamp.” His voice cracked for a moment. Then he continued in a lower voice. “I’m not sorry about your locker. I’m really glad about the suspension. At least my parents can’t force me to come here anymore. For a week, i’ll get to breathe some clean, alpha-less air.”

I stared, my mouth sewn shut. An awkward silence ensued.

Then he wiped his eye with his sleeve. “You should go.”

I stared down at him, his words sitting heavy in my chest. Then without another word, I turned to walk away, momentarily halted by the small cluster of Omegas who still lingered.

Their faces looked a little judgemental, and I could see the first seeds of hatred simmering for me.

And honestly, I understood. I had gotten one of our own suspended. I hated myself a little in that moment.

I started forward again, about to take a turn to the stairs when I saw him.

Nathaniel Storm stood farther down the hallway, leaning by the wall near the trophy case, the distance faintly shadowing half his face.

I wasn't really sure but it looked like he was watching me with quiet intrigue, like he was filing the whole scene away for later.

Our eyes locked for a second.

Then I looked away and took the stairs.

___

I waited on the third floor, just outside Katie’s Chemistry class. Moments later, the bell rang and student flooded out from the door, washing me in a dizzying blend of their pheromones.

Katie soon appeared, her face rife with worry.

“How’d it go?” She asked.

I shook my head.

She sighed softly and then touched my elbow. “Come on. Let's go get you some air.”

I let her steer me towards the stairs, the guilt and frustration eating me up with each step. By the time we reached the roof access door, I felt like I was suffocating.

Thankfully it wasn't locked though the school rarely did during the day. I pushed it open and stepped out onto the flat concrete roof, the wind hitting my face.

I closed my eyes and dragged in long gusts of air, hoping to clear my insides. But nothing works.

Katie moved behind me and gently patted my back. I nodded and gave her a thumbs up to signal I was okay. Then I walked to the edge, and looked down at the school.

From up here the whole campus looked smaller, less alive and predatory, waiting to swallow me whole.

I gripped the protective edge of concrete rail and finally let all my frustrations out. “AHHHHHHH FUCK THIS!! FUCK LEGACY!!! FUCK THE SYSTEM!!! FUCK NORTHRIDGE HIGH!! AHHHHHH”

I hope the sound reached those it's meant for. I dragged in another breath and yelled again, wordless this time, just so I could get the pressure out of my chest.

And it worked for the most part.

I hear a chuckle behind me. Katie walked up to me again, the wind tugging her short hair, expression amused. “Done yet?”

I shook my head. “Not even close.”

“If only yelling on the roof would fix all your problems.”

My lips twitched at the thought. ”Hmmm if only.” I agreed, my voice thick.

I gave her a look then, my eyes filling with tears.

She held out her arm and I fell into her, hugging her tight as I sobbed softly. “What should I do, Katie? I’m failing.”

“You aren't. Trust me you aren't.” She stroked my hair as I wet her uniform my tears, whispering gently reassurance.

We stand like that, my body sobbing and shaking until i’m spent. Then I pulled away, wiping my tears. “Sorry…” I groaned, an embarrassed flush creeping up my face.

“Never be sorry with me. Okay?” She wiped a stray tear off my eyes. I smiled, sniffling softly. Then I stared at landscape in front of me.

It's beautiful here.

If only things were just as beautiful on the inside. “I feel guilty about Jason.” I admitted, feeling drained.

Katie chuckled faintiy. “Of course you do…” She muttered.

“I can’t help it, I guess. The Omegas put alot on the line voting for me.”

“Don’t do that..” Katie said, her voice calm but firm. “Jason’s hurt and angry. But he'd still be hurt and angry if you weren't in your seat. You’re barely even one week in. Change doesn't happen over night. If their faith is already dwindling, then it was never solid to begin with. And none of that is your fault, okay? He shouldn't have done that to you. And you don’t get to decide that one suspended Omega means you're a failure.”

Her words hit me hard in all the right places. “I’m sorry. I just… feel useless.”

“Then feel it…” She said. “Feel whatever you want to feel, Serena. But let it fuel you. You go back downstairs and keep working. Because if you stop, then you would actually have to be a failure.”

I held my breath, awed at how easily the words rolled off her tongue. “Damn…” I chuckled softly. “Maybe you should have been president.”

She laughed at first, before her face dropped, looking mortified. I guess I hadn't weaned the glossophobia off her yet. “Don’t joke about that… like that really scares me.”

“Get over yourself.” I teased. “You’d be amazing.”

“No. Thank you.”

We both laughed.

Then she spoke up again. “You are the one that's good, Rena. You can change this place. So stop spiraling every time the place shows you exactly how broken it is. That’s exactly why you ran for President. That’s what you came to fix”

The wind carried her words away, but they stayed with me. A quiet surge of renewed energy filled me then. I wiped my face with my sleeves then. “Okay…” I said, as I looked at her. “Thank you.”

She gave me a warm smile.

Then we stood there, just for a little longer, the roof quiet, my heart at ease.