chapter 3

Chapter 3

Vanessa

I sat in front of the mirror, just staring at my reflection as my mother did my hair.

"I know you don't want to go back to school," my mother said in a quiet voice, "but we can't afford switching your schools right now, or even moving out of town like you suggested. All those things cost money, money we don't have."

I understood what she was trying to say, but at the same time, it made me even more angry because all the humiliation I was going to face was something that could have been easily avoided if we just moved out of town.

"I know, Mom," I responded quietly.

I wasn't sure she even heard the words that left my mouth.

She packed my hair into a messy bun, allowing some strands to fall over my face.

"You look so beautiful."

She leaned in, her head resting on my shoulder, a broad smile on her lips, but her eyes held a sadness she was trying so hard to hide.

Then she moved back.

"When you're ready, your dad is going to drop you off, okay?"

I nodded.

She gave me one last look before she left the room.

"You got this," I whispered to my reflection more than three times.

I picked up my bag and went downstairs.

The ride to school was very quiet.

Usually, my dad and I always bantered, but I watched as his grip on the steering wheel tightened so intensely it felt like he was about to pull it out of the car.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Vanessa, I am so sorry for failing you. As a dad, I failed you. What that boy did... it was so wrong, and we couldn't take him to court because his family has money, and every single day it kills me..."

I took my dad's hand in mine and entwined our fingers together.

"You did all you could, and I am so proud to have you as my father. You fought for me, and that is more than enough. Nathan is going to get his karma soon enough."

He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

When we got to school, the stares started from the gate, but I had told myself I didn't care what anyone said about me or how they looked at me.

I did not care.

I walked with my head held high.

I carried myself with so much confidence.

Whatever they had to say, it was their fucking business.

I wouldn't be the first person whose sex tape got leaked, and I sure as hell wasn't going to be the last.

So whatever happened was not going to define me.

The moment I stepped into the hallway, the whispers erupted.

Everybody was looking at me.

Some were pointing and laughing.

My heart began racing, but I bit down on the inside of my mouth.

"Calm down," I told myself several times as I walked to my locker.

"They are just trying to get a reaction from me."

"I am not going to give any of them that satisfaction."

"I am strong."

"I am beautiful."

And that was one thing they could never take away from me.

I placed my books in my locker, and as I slammed it shut, Cole Grayson was standing directly opposite me.

The moment I saw him, I felt my heart jump to my throat.

What the hell?

"You didn't respond to my DM," he said calmly, both hands resting in his pockets.

"And what exactly was I supposed to say? You told me we needed to talk. About what?"

He took my hand forcefully, dragging me into an empty classroom.

Everyone's eyes followed us.

I pulled myself away from his grip.

"What is your fucking problem?"

He closed the door behind him.

"You go for therapy?" he asked, and the way he said "therapy" made it sound like it was something abominable.

"That is none of your fucking business."

"Can you stop acting so rude? I just want us to talk."

"Yes, I do. Dr. Rose is one of the best, and I would die on that hill."

A small smile played on his lips.

"I need you to keep quiet about what you saw. Everything about me going to therapy. No one can find out."

What was so bad about therapy?

"You have nothing to worry about," I said, walking toward the door. "I am not going to tell anybody. And who is even going to believe me? You're, like, campus royalty."

"You work for the media team. I need you to not allow any of this to get out. Not even my brother can find out."

"You know what?" I said, walking back to where he was standing and folding both arms over my chest. "What is so horrible about therapy that you're so ashamed of it?"

He itched the back of his neck.

"I am a Lycan. I am not allowed to show weakness. Therapy is considered weakness, and you really don't want to know what happens to me if that gets out."

"Oh."

I literally saw the fear in his eyes as he said those words.

The Lycans were a special breed of werewolves.

They were strong beyond imagination, and whenever they shifted, it was like nothing anyone had ever seen.

And in a weird way, I actually understood what he was going through.

"And in return," he continued, "I am going to protect you."

"How?"

"No one, and I repeat, no one, is going to bully you or say anything about that stupid sex tape."

"You saw it?"

He nodded.

"Nathan is an ass for doing that to you."

I heard the genuineness in his voice, which was something I couldn't actually believe.

Cole had compassion.

Wow.

How shocking.

"Don't worry. I am going to keep your secret. You don't have to protect me or whatever. If people see you around me, it is going to ruin your reputation. Don't do that."

"Who fucking cares about reputation? I am going to protect you from them."

I rolled my eyes.

"And how do you intend on doing that?"

He smiled.

"Well, it's actually very simple."

"You become my girlfriend.”