"Phemie, thanks again for coming over last night," Cami put her hand on my shoulder as we made our way through the crowd of the long hallway. "Sorry about my brothers, I never knew how bad they both liked you until they started serenading you," Her big brown eyes got expansive as the corner to one side of her mouth came down in pure embarrassment.
"Yeah, I'm just glad your mom came in with a broom when she did," I laughed remembering the sight of Mrs. Luciana hitting both boys over the head until they left the room.
"Phemie, hey wait up!" Came the voice I loved hearing, the soothing way my name rolled off his tongue was like magic. "Hey, I was looking for you at the doors, I wanted us to walk into school together every day," He jogged over as he grabbed up my arm snaking his through his. "So, I'll walk you to your locker and I'd like to meet up for lunch again if that's cool?" He asked as we turned the corner, everyone's eyes were upon us and I could guess what they were thinking. What in the world is Karter Jenkins the pack's future alpha doing with a nobody?
"Sure," I stumbled reaching my locker, not sure if it was because Camilla nudged me too hard or if that is what they call falling for someone. Whatever it was got me out of my daydream and got Karter to remain touching me.
As Karter waded through the crowd, Evelyn came running up to us, "Guys, guys, remember how I told you that Jesse Owens asked me to prom?"
"Ugh, don't remind me, Evelyn," Cami rolled her eyes as she opened her locker.
"Well, he didn't exactly ask me, he got his friend Zachery Taylor to ask me for him. It doesn't matter, anyway, this morning as I was walking through the parking lot I felt a pain in my chest. I looked up and it was Jesse, we are mates, can you believe it?" She squealed as she started jumping up and down.
"What?!" Cami slammed her locker door shut as she spun on her heels to face both of us. "You two are mates?"
"Oh, Evelyn I'm so happy for you, I mean that's wonderful!" I clasped my hands together before dragging her in for a hug.
"Come on we're going to be late for class," Cami barked out as she abruptly pivoted around and stomped off toward the classroom.
"Ladies the bell rings in 3...2...1..." Mr. Cuttingham spoke softly as he pushed up his thick black glasses.
As we headed into the cafeteria for lunch, Cami sped up ahead to grab our usual table. "Cami, are you angry?" I asked as I put my plate of pizza and fries next to hers.
"Angry?" She questioned stuffing a fry into her mouth. "Phemie if I was angry you would know it, I'm Spanish,"
"Okay, well are you upset?" I asked lowering my head, where my dark blue eyes caught her dark brown ones.
"May I refer you back to me being Spanish?!" She stated dipping her fries in ketchup before bringing them to her mouth.
"Then, why were you so judgemental when Evelyn told us she finally mated?" I whined a little, before taking a bite of pizza.
"I see what you did there," She started. "I was perhaps a little judgemental when Evelyn told us she was going to prom with that nerd, Jesse Owens, but now she's mated to him? Phemie, he's a nerd and a year younger than us,"
"So, I don't see anything wrong with him besides he's not our mate. We should be happy for her," I told her noticing Evelyn and Jesse making their way over. "Evelyn, Jesse over here," I waved.
"Phemie, Cami, this is Jesse Owens, my mate," Evelyn beamed as she latched onto his arm. Jesse didn't quite fit the typical nerd stereotype some people might have. He had sleek jet-black hair, porcelain skin, and a very athletic build, he did however have glasses similar to Mr. Cuttingham's and large hazel eyes. They looked great together, she stood just below his chin and seemed to fit into each other like a puzzle piece.
"Phemie!" Karter called out as he made his way over placing his tray on the table next to mine. "Hey, Jesse," Karter extended his hand toward him as they shook hands. "So, Phemie, I was thinking we could coordinate our wardrobe for prom or at least let me know the color of your dress so I can get the corsage," He sat down taking a bite of pizza before intently waiting on my response.
"We haven't gone dress shopping yet, Karter," Camilla spoke up. "But don't worry we were all planning to go today since we now all have dates,"
"Oh my Goddess, I completely forgot about a dress!" Evelyn gasped as she sidestepped from Jesse's grasp. "No, Cami and Phemie are right, we're going today after school," She announced as she snuggled back into Jesse's side. "Don't worry I'll let you know we're done so you can meet my family," She whispered as close as she could to Jesse's ear. "See you girls after class,"
As the last bell for the day rang out, and we finally made our way through the crowd I was greeted by Evelyn and Jesse kissing by my Jeep. Before I could speak out, Karter grabbed my arm, "Phemie, I know you're going out to get your dress, but can I call you later?" He asked, almost as if he was pleading, but of course, maybe it was all in my imagination. All I could do was shake my head, luckily he smiled before jogging to his old beat-up truck.
"Alright ladies, are we ready for some shopping?!" Cami hollered as she threw her hands in the air.
As we arrived at the boutique of course suggested by Cami, she stormed inside, raising her arms high as two assistants came running over. "My Darling, are you here for prom?" Came the voice of an older woman making her way from behind a curtain.
"Yes, Auntie and I brought my friends!" Cami told the older woman with salt and pepper hair. "Guys this is my Aunt Maya Lopez, my father's sister,"
"Yes, my poor, Tomas, I miss him daily," She looked down at the floor before clapping her hands together. "Now, mi ninas let's get you ready for prom!"
"Sorry, I couldn't find anything at your aunt's boutique, Cami," I stated, grabbing my bag from the backseat. "Well, not everyone can wear Fiesta Boutique's dresses," Camilla shrugged as she stood by the large fern next to the doors of the school. "Are you going to try another place?" She asked putting a sucker in her mouth. "Yeah, I'm glad you and Evelyn found your dresses though," I smiled as I waved toward Jesse and Evelyn heading in our direction. "Phemie, hey, sorry you couldn't find a dress," Karter surprised me walking up from behind. "Shall we?" He asked as he held up his arm for me to take. "I'd like to talk to you at lunch," I nodded my head and watched Jesse kiss Evelyn on the cheek before leaving for his class. Karter however took me off guard by grabbing my hand and kissing it. "I..I...I am dreaming, that didn't just happen. Did it?" I stuttered as I held my hand to my chest. "It did now come on before you have a heart attack," Cami giggled as she shook her head whi
"Phemie, over here!" Evelyn waved as she held onto Jesse's arm as they stood by the doors to the school. I made my way over to my best friends when I feel an arm draped over my shoulders. "Hey, you!" Came the sultry voice of my long-time crush. We did get a little closer over the weekend, after he took me dress shopping we stopped for ice cream. Saturday morning he showed up at my door with coffee and donuts, and we spent the entire day together. Sunday he came over that afternoon and took me out for lunch and we spent most of the day at the park. It was amazing, the most fun I had in a long time, and to think it was all spent with Karter Jenkins! "I had a great time over the weekend," He whispered close to my ear. "Well, you two look cozy," Cami eyed us both before winking. She quickly turned around and sashayed into the overly crowded hallway. The stares kept coming like they had when Karter first asked me to walk into the school with him, but I didn't care anymore. Okay, well, may
"Phemie!" Karter yelled out as he jogged his way over. He seemed a bit disheveled, his blonde hair was matted to his temples, his face had a tinge of pink, and his beautiful brown eyes were now bloodshot. "Phemie can I talk to you?" He asked as he grabbed my elbow and pulled me to the side. "We've gotten to know each other I think, and if I'm honest I've started to fall for you, Euphemia. I wanted to know if you wanted to make it official?" All I could do was smile, I couldn't speak, I couldn't move, everything I ever wanted I was finally getting, remembering Mrs. Maisel's words. "Phemie, you're doing it again," He chuckled as he brushed my blonde hair out of my dark blue eyes. "Is that a yes? I'll take that as a yes," He grabbed the back of my neck and kissed me. My first kiss, with my crush, could this be any more perfect? "I'll see you later okay? No matter what happens I'm taking you to prom," He leaned down and kissed my hand before making his way inside the school. "Phemie, what
"Hey Phemie, still no word from Karter?" Evelyn asked as she and Jesse walked up to my locker. "No, and I don't understand it's been five days since he asked me out, it's been five days since I spoke to him, it's been five days since he showed up to school," I stated as I looked down at the phone in my hand hoping it would ring with his name across the screen. "Have you seen him or his truck at his parents' house?" I questioned Jesse, with a hint of desperation in my eyes. "No, Phemie, they haven't and Jesse would let you know otherwise if he sees him in class or at home," Cami forced a smile as she took my phone and put it in her back pocket before dragging me to class. "Ladies the bell rings in 3...2...1..." Mr. Cuttingham spoke out as he took off his brown fedora before setting it on his desk. "Tomorrow is prom, and I wanted to remind all of you to vote for homecoming royalty," He smiled in my direction before starting his lesson. The loudspeaker crackled as we exited class and
"Girls it's time to wake up!" Cami clapped her hands taking off her brown bonnet with pink roses on the trim. "Today is prom, and we have so much to do!" "Yes, hair, nails, dresses!" Evelyn exclaimed as she threw the covers off of her and ran to the bathroom. "Do you think..." I began as I got out of my bed heading to the kitchen to make coffee, but I was quickly cut off. "I don't think, and neither will you. We are not thinking, we are having a relaxing day," Camilla said as she began putting her hair into a bun. "Now, get dressed, no making coffee, I told you everything is on Max," She held up a gold debit card, before slipping into her grey sweatpants. As we headed off to start the day we dropped by Wolf's Whipped Coffee Shop before heading to get our nails done at Nicki's Nail Art. "Do you guys think orange is too much?" Evelyn asked as she held up her left hand. "I mean should I pick a different color because my dress is orange?" "What color are your shoes?" Cami asked as sh
"Phemie, it's been two weeks since prom," Cami softly spoke as she rubbed my back. "You have to get up. So Karter found his mate, and queen bee Jayla won homecoming queen, life continues," She tried to encourage me as she handed me my favorite vanilla bean frappuccino with caramel drizzle. "I can't Camilla, I just can't," I took the cup as I sat up in bed sniffling. My hair was definitely a mess, I hadn't brushed it in a week, and I probably smelled, too bad my nose was stopped up. "My crush, I finally got him, I finally had him in my grasp, we dated, and then he's someone else's mate," I began crying again as I choked on my words, grabbing another tissue from the nightstand. "Yes, and we can't ponder on that anymore. You missed the last week of school, and we understood, but tomorrow is graduation and we need to get ahead and start getting you ready and up to performance rate," She stood up from the bed, throwing back my covers, and headed to the bathroom. "Come on, let's get you
"I'm so glad you girls slept over. We needed this," Cami handed me a cup of coffee before turning around to fix another. "Yes, I had a great time, especially when David and Bash started to sing to Phemie and Mrs. Luci came in with her broom," Evelyn laughed as she took the cup from Camilla. "Good morning girls!" Mrs. Luciana rang out as she entered the kitchen in her silk floral robe with her dark brunette hair in a messy bun. Left open she wore a small silk pink cami and shorts, she was slim like Camilla and had a beauty mark on her left lip. Her carefree personality is intoxicating, you feel safe and at home in her presence. "Hope you slept well, today is a big day. Graduation!" She cheered as she sipped from her cup making her way to the round kitchen table. "Good morning girls," David yawned as he made his way to the counter. "Good morning, my sweet," He grabbed my hand and kissed it before fixing himself a cup of coffee. "David, don't make me get the broom," Mrs. Luciana sang
"What do you mean?" Cami wiped her eyes as she asked me the only thing she could think of. "I'm leaving, I have to," I began as I grabbed her hands. "It's all too much for me. I can't keep being around here, seeing him...with her. I'll never get out of this mood I've been in, I'll never find my mate," I stood up and started to pace around my floor. "For Goddess' sake, I almost ruined your wedding and Evelyn's," "We didn't invite Karter, and when he showed up, we had to make sure you were okay," Camilla told me as she took my hand and lead me to the sofa. "You didn't ruin anything or almost ruin anything, we both love you!" "I couldn't live with myself if I did, Cami, but it doesn't change the fact that I have to leave," I replied wiping my eyes from the tears that were falling. "No, no, I'm calling Evelyn," She held up her finger grabbing her phone from her bright yellow purse. "What?!" Evelyn screamed as Cami put her on speakerphone. "You can't just leave us, Euphemia!" "She's