Chapter 33

The next day I decide I really need to get to school again. I had already missed so many days and I didn't want to stop my whole life because of what was going on. Tommy, Eli and Noah sat in the living room waiting for me when I came down. Tommy and Eli stood and came toward me as soon as they saw me and wrapped me into a big hug. I giggled softly into the fabric of their t-shirts. This felt nice to have them around me and I felt happy to feel their warmth. They didn't even seem to notice or care about the other touching me.

Noah cleared his throat interrupting our little moment.

"We are going to be late if we don't leave soon." He says annoyed.

My eyes lift over Eli's shoulder until they met Noah's. His voice seemed annoyed but for a split second there was something in his eyes. Longing maybe? It was gone before I could really register it, and he turned walking out the front door. His absence and tone of voice left me feeling hurt. I understood why he was this way, but it didn't hurt any less knowing you one of my mates didn't even want me.

"Ignore him, he is grumpy in the mornings." Eli says pulling away and giving me a sweet smile.

"More like he is a grump all the time, so don't take it to heart." Tommy adds shifting and giving me a quick kiss on the lips that startles me.

I blush at the sudden action and he wraps his arm around my shoulder, while Eli intertwines our fingers sheepishly. I can tell he is still cautious about showing affection to me while Tommy is around. Although from what I see Tommy doesn't seem to be bothered by his friend’s actions. He has a goofy smile on his face as we all walk toward one of the pack cars. Noah scoffs as Eli runs to open the passenger door for me, and I feel ashamed. He really must not approve of our situation and he was making it clear he hated the whole thing. Then why was he here? I wanted to snap back at him and make him feel even a little bit of how he was making me feel.

I held back my tongue, after all he was straight with me about not wanting a mate so I guess I shouldn't be surprised by how he was acting. Yet it still hurt me to see him so cold and indifferent. The ride to the University was quiet beside the soft radio in the background. When we arrived, I was relieved to get away from Noah and his brooding, that was making the car feel too small. I stepped out and took in a deep breath. Eli was quickly beside me wrapping an arm around my waist and giving it a quick squeeze followed by a peck on my cheek. Noah slammed the door behind us and walked off in a huff.

"He really hates me doesn't he?" I say not really to anyone.

"He can't hate you, that's the problem." Eli says as we watch Noah disappear into a crowd.

"What do you mean?" I ask him.

"Every time he is near you, the mate bond will get stronger. He is drawn to you, and that is what he hates. He always thought he would be strong enough to resist the mate bond but now that he is feeling it, it's harder than he thought." Eli said turning to me with a sympathetic smile.

"Don't worry about him, ok? Try and just focus on class now, everything will get sorted out later." Tommy says joining us and wrapping his arm around my shoulder again.

He holds up the key remote and the chin of the car locking rings out catching the attention of some passing students. They eye us suspiciously until they seem to register what was in front of them. Two of the school's most attractive and sought-after bachelors had their arms wrapped around the new girl. Two girls immediately began whispering to each other and glancing back at us as we walked behind them. The sound of their whispers hit me like a hammer. I felt other eyes fall on as the further into the school we went. The feeling of people watching me with Tommy and Eli made my stomach churn.

I wanted to run away but the boys had me tight in their grip. Soon it became to much, and I just had to get away from them.

"I can walk the rest of the way on my own guys, you go." I said suddenly.

"Are you sure?" Tommy asks me.

"Yeah I am fine! Besides neither of you have class near me today, it doesn't make sense for you to go the same way." I say trying to not show my discomfort.

"Ok, we will see you later ok?" Tommy says and he glances around him only now noticing everyone watching us.

He steps in front of me and lowers himself to my level, so his face was directly in front of mine. He takes me by the shoulders and squeezes them slightly to get my attention.

"Maya, you have nothing to be ashamed of. All these dumb humans are just jealous that you get us all to yourself. Just ignore them ok?" He says brushing my cheek with his thumb.

I sigh and fidget slightly.

"He is right Maya, don't worry about what they think or say. They are human, and even if tried explaining to them they wouldn't understand." Eli says. " I'll get going. See you guys later!"

"Oh wait!" I say before he leaves. "I don't have your number."

He smiles at me taking my phone and typing his number in. I blush slightly, I don't know why but it was embarrassing to ask him for his number only now.

"See you later." He says leaning in a kissing my cheek before taking off.

Tommy was laughing quietly to himself and I turned to him and punched his arm softly.

"Shut up!" I growl at him.

He grabs my wrists as I am about to hit him again.

"Ok I'm sorry, but you looked so cute and nervous asking for his number. It's not like you guys are strangers." He says raising his eyebrow at that last part.

My eyes widen in realization at what he is implying!

"Oh my-!!! You heard us?" I ask covering my face in horror.

"Sorry love, but you got pretty loud and my room is only a door down from you." He said laughing and hugging me continuing to laugh.

Here I was worried that there would be problems with jealous, and Tommy was teasing me about sleeping with Eli.

"Come on I'll walk you." He says letting me go and wrapping his arms around my shoulder again.

"I already said I can walk by myself." I say in protest.

"I know, but we are alone, and I want to be with you before I have to share you again later." He says not taking my no for an answer.
"Ok." I give in.

Walking with only Tommy minimized the looks I was getting but only slightly. The boys had been here for two years before I came, and it was clear they had caught the eye of several girls long before I came along. Those girls didn't seem at all pleased to see them hanging around me. I had done well so far going pretty much unnoticed until now, but it seemed like every eye was on me now and I did not like it. I was supposed to blend in but with two mates showing their possessiveness over me, I couldn't stand out more. Why did they have to make it so obvious that we are together?

I decided moving closer to Tommy and keeping my head low was the best way I could hide right now. When we arrived at my lecture room I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before rushing into the room. I have the room a good scan before picking a seat in the far back corner where I would hopefully go unnoticed. Yet when my adorable and excited friend walks in, she made the mistake of calling him name and waving at me from the doorway. The intense amount of blushing that radiated from my face made me look like a tomato I am sure. Because everyone who was in the room with me turned and looked at me. Why would she call me out like that? I loved her but damn!
I sunk lower into my seat as she made her way to where I was sitting.
"Hey what are you doing way back here? Can you even see from here?" She asks oblivious to the looks I was getting.
"Yeah I can see, but if you can't we don't have to sit together today's it's fine." I tell her.
"Oh no it's fine! I don't want you to sit alone!" She says happily setting up her stuff and getting comfortable.
I look out over the class and see a few girls looking toward us and whispering to each other. One girl looks particularly irritated by my presence. I turned my head away and focused on the table in front of me and tried to block out the other students until the lecture started. When the professor began the lecture I still felt like eyes were on me, but I was too scared to lift my head and check for sure. My throat tightened as the images of the many people looking and talking about me comes rushing in my mind. I knew what was happening as I felt my breaths get shaky.
I needed to get out of here. The panic attacks had become more frequent, so it made recognizing the signs a little easier. Emily had said that I would have them for some time, but eventually they would lessen. There wasn't much time before the attack with get more severe and I would draw more attention to myself. I quietly packed my stuff and walked quietly toward the door. Once I was outside the room I rushed toward the closest bathroom. As soon as I was inside I let go and I began breathing heavily and my heart was racing. My hands began shaking slightly and gripped the sink to steady myself as I felt my legs weaken. This attack felt worse than the others so far and when my body felt too weak to hold me up any longer I felt myself fall.

The world around me went quiet and soon all I saw was darkness as I felt myself fall toward the floor.