Chapter 126
HANNAH
I flipped the pages of the book, not really thinking about what I was doing. I noticed my hands shook a little.
I was not nervous about taking in all the information I needed. I wished it was. Preparing for the quiz was almost too easy.
With a sigh, I closed the book. I rested my cheeks on my hands and started sightlessly over the high shelves in the library. All around me were the muted whispers of students reading, studying, and trying to memorize stuff. I knew a few of them would be the other contestants of the pageant.
I imagined them trying to cram in as much information as they could before the next round of the competition tomorrow. If only I was like them, and my only problem was trying to win.
But I wasn't anything like them, not by a long shot. I didn't even care about winning the damn contest anymore. Now I was pissed at myself for even joining in the first place.
The worst part? I couldn't stop competing now. Edward had been really nice and polite about letting me know his parents' wishes the last time we met, but I wasn't kidding myself.
What he had come to give me was an order to continue participating in the contest. When the Lycan Royals wanted a thing, they got it. It was how it had always been, and it wasn't about to change for me. Not even Alpha Wallace and my mates, who were pissed at the Lycan's Royal's wishes, could get me out of this mess now.
To my left, there was a shuffling sound. I turned. Standing clustered around a reading table was a group of girls. Some quickly looked away when they saw they had attracted my attention. Others- most of them- just kept staring and whispering.
Apparently, I couldn't even get some alone time in the library. I turned away, reopened my book, and tried to ignore them. I wouldn't let all their silly curiosity make me go from classroom to classroom, looking for some peace and quiet.
As Willa said a couple of days ago, I might as well get used to all the attention, whether unwanted or not.
"Hello."
I looked up. A girl was standing in front of me, smiling. I frowned and studied her face closely. Was I supposed to know her?
I thought I had maybe seen her face around school, but that was all.
"Hello," I said slowly, waiting for her to say something else.
She shot a quick glance to the left, to the group of girls watching me.
I should have known. Obviously, she was part of that crowd.
Some of the girls nodded in encouragement. Some looked admiringly at the girl like they couldn't believe she had been so brave to approach me. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
"I'm Arlene," the girl said. "I just thought you should know that I don't blame you one bit for killing Julia."
I blinked, wondering if I had misheard. My stomach did that clenching thing it always did whenever I thought about Julia.
Why on earth would this girl feel the need to walk up to me and tell me this?
"And you felt that was something I needed to hear?" I asked her.
She nodded. "Yeah. I think you should know that at least someone has your back." She leaned forward a little with the air of someone about to give very important information. "Maybe you don't know, but everyone here in school is scared of you. Some are even saying you're supposed to be expelled for killing a fellow student, but I don't think so. I knew Julia very well. She had it coming. If you hadn't killed her, she would have killed you without hesitation. You did the right thing, Hannah."
The bright smile resurfaced.
I didn't know why, but I felt the need to say, "I didn't want to kill Julia. I only wanted to defend myself-"
"Yes, of course, I understand. I would have done the same thing if I were in your shoes. I'm on your side."
Somehow, that reminded me of Julia's clique, always putting themselves against the rest of the students. That was the last thing I wanted in my space.
"Thanks, but I don't need anyone on my side." I looked pointedly at the group of girls still watching. A couple of them seemed to be steeling themselves to come over. I raised my voice a little. "In fact, I prefer it when people don't talk about me at all. So, if you don't mind..."
While we talked, the girl, Arlene, had taken a seat. Now, she stood up quickly.
"Okay then," she said. "I guess I'll see you around."
The next moment, she was gone, and I could breathe more freely. The other girls soon left, too. But I didn't know my day was just about to get heated.
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