Chapter 37

During lunch, my friends Alice and Nova joined me at the Hybrid’s table like before. This was however the first time they would be joining the table when Susie is around.

he was very stiff when Arthur and I introduced my friends. She simply scrutinized them from head to toe, like they were

I forced myself to look away. Maybe I am just getting Susie’s expression wrong-

Eros took my hand in his, and leaned down to kiss my neck. He moved my hair to a side and planted soft kisses. I lifted my head up just in time to see Susie watching us with narrowed eyes. Then Eros pulled away still staring at me affectionately.

It was like if he took his gaze elsewhere. I was going to disappear.

We started eating, and only then did I realize that the table was awfully quiet

The Hybrids seemed okay, but my friends were tensed. I could feel a sense of dread hitting me not too long after. Tiara was very uneasy and sad.

dy seemed interested in talking. The feeling increased, and I glanced over at Susie.

She looked innocent, but I could sense the source of coming from her. Then I remembered what Beauty told night, so I closed my eyes and concentrated in trying to project my new Hybrid’s dominance.

Instead of dominating. I projected it around my friends and myself.

Goddess. I had never done this before. After a while, a sense of relief filled me.

Wow, it’s working! I observe Susie’s eyes widen in shock. Now I’m sure that she was doing this on purpose.

me the other

Susie stared right at me, and began projecting an even stronger wave of dominance. It was taking more and more out of me to keep my guard up. I felt Tiara’s struggle to keep me protected. This was the first time I had ever done anything like this. Before long, I felt my energy slipping.

My werewolf friends were looking sick and pale. Alice excused herself early, and threw most of her lunch away. Nova soon followed suit.

My friends never throw away good food. We weren’t so buoyant, and now that Eros got for them and myself, they threw it away.

I gritted my teeth, trying to calm myself.

Right after Nova and Alice left the table, Susie smirked at me

“We had fun at the Palace, too bad you couldn’t come with us,” she said, placing her hand on Eros arm

Woah. She went with them?

“That’s good for you. I’m glad you had fun.” I shrugged my shoulders but something twisted in my chest.

“So Eden, let’s hang out after school today,” she smiled, suddenly looking innocent. “We can go shopping or something. Yeah, shopping souls like fun, don’t you think?

“No, thanks,” I answered rigidly: As if I’d go anywhere with her after what she did just now.

Look, I know you don’t have muchi monry and Eros has been helping. So don’t worry. I’ll pay for everything!” She sounded enthusiastic but I saw the winked glint and the insult

14.42 Wed, Oct 23

“No, thanks. I have things to do at home,” I said rigidly.

“Okay, what about tomorrow? We could certainly have something’s to do together,” she asked hopefully.

I glanced at Beauty and saw some emotions in her eyes, but her face is expressionless.

Eros, Arthur and Adonis are staring and listening to our exchange.

“No,” I said curtly. I know what she’s doing, and there is nothing I can do about it.

“Well… what about any other day then?” she asked uncertainly, and I almost yelled at her. B’tch!

She such a very good actress. I stared at her hardly “No, I’ll have things to do.”

I know that makes me sound a heartless creature, but right now I do not give a F

“Oh, okay…” she said, sounding sad. Her shoulders were even slumped forward, looking hurt and disappointed.

Then she looked up into Eros‘ eyes with those big sad eyes. If I didn’t know any better, I’d feel very sorry for her.

I was pissed the whole day at school. The anger is just steaming underneath the surface, and I felt like lurching at someone.

That was cruel of her to pull that stunt on me, but so low for her to involve my innocent friends.

Eros seemed to be aware of my angry mood today. We were both quiet on the drive back from school.

When we arrived at the front of my house, he parked. “Butter,” he sighed “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing, I’m good,” I answered teethily.

“Don’t give me that, Love. Talk to me,” he whispered worriedly as he took my hand in his.

“You really want to know what’s wrong?” I exclaimed at him “I’ll tell you what’s wrong! It’s wrong that Susie used her dominance over me and my friends. That was so uncalled forf

“Oh Love, I am sorry about that…” he starts to say but my eyes narrowed angrily at him.

“Why do you have to say sorry for everything she does? Like all the time? What did my friends do to deserve that? What did I do, huh?”

“Don’t be like that Eden, she couldn’t help it. She didn’t mean to make you or your friends uncomfortable. She explained to us how she could not control it.”

His statement ticked me off. The way he keeps defending Susie hurts me even more.

“And you believed her?”

“Sure. Why shouldn’t I believe her? We’ve been childhood friends since forever,”

Perfect And I had only known him for less than a month.

Why would he believe me over her?

k Eden, she is really making an effort to be friends with you I had never seen her made an effort like that with anyone. Yet, you hurt her feelings today.”

Want what?

“Yeah. I’m sure she was very hurt, I scoffed angrily, folding my list

14:42 Wed, Oct 23

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“She’s more like a princess, you know her parents and mine are very close. She’s used to having things her own way.. I can tell that she really wants to be your friend. Please, be nice to her,

I think I bit my tongue so hard, and tasted blood. “Have you ever slept with her?” the question slid from my mouth.

I knew it was stupid and I shouldn’t be such a girlfriend, but a part of me needed to know.

My question was met with silence. That was answer enough for me. I tried to open the door, but he clicked the lock on.

“It happened before I met you,” he explained “look, it was long before I met you.”

“Yeah, cool,” I nodded. I shouldn’t be mad at something that happened before we met, but it hurts just to imagine him being with Susie that way. I mean, I had a one–time thing with Theo too.

But I am so hurt that I feel like running away and soaking my pillow with tears.

It hurts so much…

“Eden, I’m sorry I don’t know how else to apologize for something that happened before I met you. I’m not a player, but I can’t claim to be a saint either,” he sighed, running his fingers through his hair, making it messier than it already was. “See, she was just there for me when I needed somebody. We are good friends… and that’s all we are now. That’s why I want you two to be friends. I just want us all to get along. Just give her another chance, Love. She can be really nice.”

“Yeah, she’s cool,” I said flatly. We will be one big happy family indeed.

Gosh! I hate, hate, hate the way he’s always defending her. I hate that she’s important to him. I hate that they used to be more than friends.

“I need to go now.” I said slowly. I had heard enough.

“Okay then,” he said carefully. “Can I come inside and be with you?”

“No” I answered quickly. “For now, I just need some space. You understand right?”

A look of hurt flashed in his eyes before he blinked. It was gone in a second. Now his face is a mask of indifference.

Something twisted in my heart painfully. I wanted to take to my heels but I forced myself to unlock the door and push it

open

“Tll be coming to pick you up for school tomorrow,” he informed me coldly.

“Don’t bother,” I wanted to say, but I walked out without looking back.

If I looked back, I was sure I was going to burst into tears in front of him.