Chapter 6

Serena’s POV

After school ended, I didn’t go straight home. I went straight to Jason’s house. His address was listed in the student directory so it wasn’t a hassle for me to find.

The house was located on the Omega residential block on the east side of town. It was a small White House with blue trims, the paint peeling near the porch steps.

I stood there at the porch for a full minute, a ball of nerves wound tight in my chest. While a big part of me wanted to turn around, another knew I couldn’t stomach the guilt for much longer.

I reached out and knocked and Jason opened the door himself. He was still in his gray hoodie, the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. His scent was sharp and hostile, letting me know my presence was not welcome.

And I still felt the instinctive pull to step back.

“What do you want?” He asked coldly.

“Can I talk to you?” I pleaded. “Just for a few minutes, please.”

He stared at me for a long second. Then he stepped aside without saying a word.

I nodded in gratitude and walked past him into the house. The living room was small and neat, a couch facing a low table, a half-finished textbook open on the armrest.

I stood by the door until he waved a hand towards the couch. I took a seat while he stayed standing, crossing his bulky arms.

An awkward silence followed, soon broken by me. “I’m sorry, Jason…” I said sincerely. “About the locker. About the suspension. About everything that led to you feeling like you had to do that. I didn’t know how bad it had gotten for you.”

He looked away but I saw his jaw clenched. “You stopped asking.” He stated.

“You’re right. I stopped. I was so focused on the council fights that I stopped checking in with the people who actually voted for me. I stopped listening. That’s on me.”

Jason’s shoulders dropped a fraction. He finally walked forward and sat on the opposite end of the couch, still not looking at me. But I could sense the sharp note in his scent softening just a little, more exhausted than angry now.

“I’m sorry about what I wrote.” He murmured, low and ashamed. “It’s just… things got worse for after you won. It’s different for the Omegas who only slipped a paper in the ballot box in secret. Those of us who went own there, who held your banners and wore your campaign pin on our uniforms— it was… bad.”

My heart cracked. “I’m so sorry Jason. I really am.”

“It’s okay.” He said, offering a small smile.

I quickly returned it. And just like that, the atmosphere between us settled into something comfortable.

Then I sighed, then grumbled. “The whole school hates me now…”

“No, they don’t.” Jason said.

“Yeah… they kinda do. You should have seen the way they looked at me today after you walked out with that pink slip.”

Jason scratched his hair. “Uhm… I was kinda… there?” He reminded

Oh?

“Oh.” I echoed.

Then we burst out laughing, the sound warm and hearty.

My inner goddess facepalmed. ‘Idiot.’

“Okay… but seriously? Omega freak?” I said, still laughing.

“Please stop! I’m embarrassed.” Jason covered his face with his palms, a flush creeping up his ears.

I laughed harder, my stomach contracting.

Soon the laugh died out and I sighed again. “Jason… I’m not going to pretend I can fix everything overnight. There’s only so much i can do in a room full of legacy Alphas. But what I can promise you is, I am going to make sure no one ever puts their hands on you again. If they try, there will be consequences. And I’m going to do everything in my power to get the suspension dropped. I promise.”

Jason smiled softly, eyes brimming. “You’d really do that?” His voice cracked.

“Yes. But only If you promise to work on your graffiti skills.”

“You’re never going to stop teasing me, are you?”

“Nah, you’re stuck with me forever, buddie.”

He groaned. Then blushed, then sniffled, taking a pause to calm himself, before wiping his eyes with his sleeve. “Thank you, Serena.”

I smiled and drew closer to him, patting his hair. “There, there. Don’t cry you big baby!”

“SHUT UP!” He shoved me roughly, knocking the wind straight out of me. I swore I heard something crack.

Damn he’s strong.

I grabbed my side and his eyes widened in panic. “OH MY GOD! I’M SO SORRY!”

“It’s cool, I didn’t even feel a thing.” I lie, sputtering on the last word.

A stunned silence followed, the corners of his mouth twitching again. Then we both laughed, even harder.

It was ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

And just like that, Jason and I were friends again, all the past forgotten. I felt could breathe easier.

“Jason?” I called a moment later.

He looked at me, smile still planted on his ruddy cheeks. And his scent is back to sweet and vanilla. It warms me.

But then I remembered what I’m about to ask. My expression darkened. “Uhm… can I ask a favour?”

“Of course. Anything, Serena.”

I hesitated. “Uhm…”

He stared at me expectantly so I just go for it.”

“Would you call Regina for me?” I ask, voice hopeful..