All Chapters of Rise Above Rejection: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

31Carolyn's POV Allie and others gasped. Their expressions were funny. Naomi charged at me but the warden grasped her arm by the elbow and shoved her back."Behave! You're already in the wrong for breaking hostel rules. Do you want to be suspended for misbehaving in the principal's presence?" "But ma'am, she's lying. We didn't fight with each other!" Their voices became one as they began to accuse me of lying and creating a scene."Enough! If what she's saying is not true then you tell me what were you girls doing in her room after midnight? And be careful with your words, girls. Because it can get you in bigger trouble if you lie to me." The Principal eyed them sternly.Naomi gulped. She opened her mouth, knowing too well that anything she said would dig a deeper hole for her.In the end she apologized and lied, "I'm sorry, sir. I called my friends for a sleepover and one thing led to another... And we crossed our lines. We are sorry.""So you agree to bullying Carolyn for hanging

33Carolyn's POV"The thing is, Alpha Anthony's marriage with the queen was a chosen bond. He was unable to find his mate, so in the end, he finally decided to take a mate. He chose Grace Logan, the daughter of a strong Alpha. Her pack later merged with Alpha Anthony's when her father died.""They were happy together. But years later, Alpha found his mate and they started a secret affair because Luna Grace was doing her duties well. She was liked by the pack and not to mention that the merger with her pack made Alpha Anthony stronger.""But Alpha couldn't resist the pull of the mate bond. He couldn't leave his Luna so he started a secret affair with his mate, who is Rafael's mother. He was having a good time. His mate was tucked away in another pack." Oliver took a pause. Whatever I heard so far was already depressing. I couldn't decide who to sympathize with more. Luna Grace? Or Rafael's mother? Because one woman was the wife— A loyal wife who was doing her duties well. Not to forg

35Carolyn's POV"Look, that is Damien. The captain of the soccer team. Aah, he's hot." Pansy squeezed my arm as she gushed."Oh? Do you know everyone?" I asked softly as we walked through the crowded canteen.Today is the last evening. Tomorrow college starts. All the students are here. I see some sitting alone, some glowering in the corner, and some trying to make friends and getting hisses in return. They are new students I guess. Because everyone else is mingling pretty well together."Of course I do. We shared the same highschool." Pansy gave me a bright smile as we came to a table in the corner.People were still giving me mixed stares. Some girls right away started whispering after looking at me. I redirected my gaze to my hands as we sat down.The stares were unnerving me. Suddenly, out of nowhere I heard, "She's pretty big. How does she manage to sit in that chair?"My face became hot. There were no tears in my eyes but shame made me not look up.Goddess, this is difficult. N

37Carolyn'sThe day ended on a good note. All the lectures went well and I think I have a list of career options that I can choose. The cafeteria incident never left my mind. It affected me so much that I didn't visit it again even if I was hungry. Honestly, I am accustomed to it. I've been bullied all my life. There's not a single memory where I had a normal day. My high school time was haunting. But what happened in high school is not going to repeat. Those people were heartless and I was weak. Although people here are heartless too, I'm strong now.Now I know how to deal with bullies. In fact, something happened today that made me realize that I'm going on the right path. My confidence was boosted by a football team's guy, who was in special classes with me. It was the last lecture, and I was trying not to make eye contact with anyone. But I was sitting at the front desk. He just walked in and stopped before my desk and placed a hand on it.It made my heart stop. What he said,

39Carolyn's POV My stomach jumped. Moving back, I bowed in apology. "I swear it's not intentional.""Look ahead when you walk." He said and walked away while I tried to get my heart back in control. What's wrong with me? I keep running into him. He won't tolerate it forever. I need to learn to look straight when I walk. I was thinking about that when I felt a tap on my left shoulder. There was no one when I turned left. Again there was a tap, this time on my right shoulder. I could feel someone standing behind me. So instead of looking right, I spun and caught the person off guard. "That's not how it goes, Carol. When someone taps your other shoulder, you look on the other side, not turn around." Oliver grinned at me. I took in his features. He was wearing a dark green sweater with a muffler around his neck. His hair was tousled and a stethoscope was held in his left hand. "I'm not talking to you." I pushed my lip out and started moving. "Aww, my chubby baby is upset. I'm sor