Rowan's table was crowded—girls, boys, humans, wolves. Everyone wanted a piece. Typical.
I was already kind of full, but gluttony's a greedy bitch. I always start strong, then tap out halfway through.
Where the hell is Olly? He said he was getting us drinks. Unless that lunch line turned into a war zone, he's taking way too long.
I looked up—and there he was, finally. Carrying our drinks like a proud butler. Someone was trailing behind him, way too close. Before he even noticed, the guy shoved him.
Splash.
I flinched as the juice hit the ground. I could hear the laughter, even though no one was laughing.
"Deep breaths." Eyes closing, I tried to calm myself down.
"You're not there anymore," I muttered before reopening my eyes.
Juice was everywhere. The cafeteria was silent. Heads were turned, while some paid no attention.
Oliver didn't even flinch. Eyes dull, like he already knew who it was. He looked familiar.
"Sorry, man. My bad." An instant apology—insincere, but at least it was fast.
Oliver grabbed a mop and cleaned up his own mess. Then he walked over and sat down like nothing happened. I pushed the rest of my food toward him.
"Here. I'm full," I said.
He didn't eat much, but that's none of my business considering he has food to go home to, and I need groceries.
Olly looked sad, and I suck at comforting people. I don't even know how to comfort myself. So I just sat there and quietly watched him eat—until I heard the bell ring.
I went from class to class until, before I knew it, I was standing outside the school building. The day was over for some, and yet mine had just begun.
First, grocery shopping. Grocery shopping will always be one of my least favorite things. Strolling down aisles of things I can't afford. I'll be in and out. I was checking the price tags, dropping stuff in my cart, and checking the time—only to see that I was late for work. Just great. My boss already hates my guts for no damn reason, and now I'm late. She's going to have a field day.
I paid for my stuff and walked back to my apartment. People don't understand just how hard it is to walk when your hands are full. It was fucking hard. But I did it, 'cause I'm a bad bitch who's good at doing hard things.
Then I hurried on to work and changed into that stupid costume they call a uniform. I'm ditching the dumb cat ears today.
"You're five minutes late," Linda said. She was the manager.
"I see someone was counting," I rolled my eyes.
"What was that?"
You know you heard me, bitch.
"Nothing," I grunted out.
"That's what I thought. Now get to work."
"Bitch."
"Oh, and don't forget to wear your ears," she said before leaving.
I walked out with my 3 dollar smile—it'll reach a hundred when the tips start rolling in.
The old creep was here again, alone as always. He ordered his regular, and I went on to the next table.
I heard the doorbell ring—and I unfortunately already knew who it was. A chill ran down my spine and I got goosebumps. The first two that entered were kind of a blur, and I waited for him.
Rowan walked into the room like he walked into every room—like he owned the place. His eyes scanned the area until they landed on me, and he smiled. I turned away from him quickly. My stomach twisted like spiders were weaving webs in it, and the air felt too thin to breathe. He just has to make my life harder.
Him and his friends were seated in my section, and all I wanted to do was shoot myself.
"What can I get for ya?"
"Oh hi, so weird we meet each other again," the blonde one grinned. He had this flirtatious vibe and a smile that probably let him get away with anything. I didn't roll my eyes 'cause they looked like tippers. I didn't want to make small talk.
"Yup. So weird." I tapped my pen on my notebook before repeating myself.
"So… what can I get for you?"
I kept my eyes trained strictly on Blondie and his friend, but that didn't stop Rowan from burning a hole into my face.
They ordered a lot—mostly meat.
I mean, wolves aren't vegan, so it makes sense. But damn. I walked away to the kitchen, told them the order, then carried the old creep's food.
I'd spit in his food, but he'd probably like it. So I walked over and handed it to him.
"Enjoy your meal, sir." I hope he chokes on it.
I didn't have to go to my second job today, so I might as well head home. I changed out of my uniform and into my regular clothes before leaving. It was 3:49 p.m., and I was more than excited to be making my way home.
I heard footsteps behind me but didn't turn back. Maybe if I ignored them, they'd leave me the fuck alone. But they didn't. And after 20 minutes of being followed, I stopped.
"Why are you following me?" I asked.
"I'm walking you home," Rowan said.
"As if staring at me all day wasn't enough. Even your friends left."
I turned around to see him five steps behind me.
"So why the fuck are you still here?"
He growled lowly. His wolf probably doesn't like being disrespected. Well, the both of them can suck my tits and fuck off.
"It's late." His voice was low and calm. It made my heart race.
"Don't start something you can't end."
I walked over to him slowly, until we were very close. He didn't step back, but I took one more step forward to really be in his face.
"Before there was you, there was me."
I started tracing my fingers on his chest.
"Walking all by my lonesome. And I'll continue to walk all by myself long after you're gone." He clenched his jaw but didn't say a word. Not even when I slid my finger up his throat like a threat—or a promise.
His eyes didn't leave mine.
I hated that he looked hungry.
"So fuck off," I smiled before walking away.