Chapter 10
"Give it back, Dad!" I exclaimed, my voice filled with frustration, as I tried to reclaim the jewelry from my father's grip.
The room turned into a chaotic scene of pushing and shoving, both of us desperately vying for control.
In a forceful act, my father pushed me to the ground, swiftly closed the door, and left, leaving only a pearl necklace in my hand.
I clutched it tightly, a mix of anger and sadness surging through me.
I can’t believe he escaped so easily!
With my mother’s necklace I had taken back from Jessica earlier, I only had these two pieces of jewelry that were the sole reminders of my mother's presence.
As I held onto the necklaces, a wave of relief washed over me for keeping the password of the bank account my mother had left for me a secret.
My father had no idea and would’ve probably taken every last cent if he knew it existed.
At the same time, sadness took over me as I realized how different my father and I were.
I wanted us to have a normal, loving relationship, but he made it so difficult with his addiction to alcohol.
It seemed like he was drunk more than he was sober, and his gambling has just gotten worse and worse over the years.
But the money my mother left me was my lifeline, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos that surrounded me.
With newfound determination, I made a firm decision.
Originally, I had planned to move out when I started college, but now I contemplated leaving as soon as I turned 18.
I had to get away from my father.
Our relationship had deteriorated to the point where we were practically strangers, devoid of the love and care that should exist within a family.
The money my mother had entrusted to me should be enough to secure a small apartment.
If I could find part-time work, I believed it would be sufficient to support my college education.
Physical strength is not all that was necessary for a grown-up to survive in the werewolf society. Though discrimination existed, I heard that there were wolfless people earning a decent life on their own with well-paying jobs, like lawyers or doctors.
For now, I just needed to wait.
The following day started off on a rough note as I found myself waking up late, my alarm clock failing to rouse me from my restless sleep.
Throughout the night, I had tossed and turned, unable to find solace in the comfort of my bed.
The events that unfolded the previous day weighed heavily on my mind, refusing to grant me respite.
So much had happened, it was impossible to ignore it all.
Once I finally made it to school, I trudged towards my first class of the day, feeling Jessica's piercing gaze on me from the back of the classroom.
She’s probably thinking of more ways to bully me. I thought.
But Jessica didn’t stop. Her eyes seemed fixated on me throughout the entire period, and I couldn't help but wonder what she wanted from me this time.
Knowing Jessica, I had a sinking feeling that she wouldn't leave me alone today.
I had become her favorite target for bullying, and on top of that, I still needed to retrieve my diary from her clutches.
I felt uncomfortable knowing she still held it in her possession. It didn’t belong to her, and she didn’t have the right to steal what was rightfully mine.
As soon as the first class concluded, Jessica swiftly approached me in the hallway, wasting no time in launching into her interrogation.
"What were you and Lucas up to all afternoon yesterday?" she probed, her tone dripping with curiosity. "I know you both skipped class."
"That's none of your business," I retorted, determined to keep Jessica in the dark about Lucas and me skipping school.
I had no intention of revealing anything to her.
"You know what I don't understand?" Jessica sneered, her eyes narrowing. "I don't get why Lucas would help you out yesterday."
"Maybe because he's a decent person?" I replied, my voice laced with a hint of annoyance. "If you must know, he took me to see Nurse Rebecca, and I haven't seen him since then. If he skipped class, I have no knowledge of it. He wasn't with me."
Jessica's expression softened slightly at my confession, a glimmer of relief flashing across her face.
She liked knowing that Lucas and I didn’t spend any more time together.
"Well, if you weren't with Lucas, then why did you skip class?" she inquired, her curiosity unwavering. "Where did you go?"
I fell silent, uncertain how to respond to Jessica's probing question. My hesitation only fueled her amusement.
"You're avoiding my questions, Shana," Jessica taunted, a malicious grin spreading across her face. "Don't think I've forgotten that I still have your precious diary."
I glared at her. “I haven’t forgotten.”
"Then stay away from Lucas," Jessica suddenly warned, her tone turning cold. "He doesn't deserve to be associated with someone like you.”
I’m sure Lucas can make his own decisions, I wanted to say, but kept silent.
“Besides,” Jessica continued. “I have a feeling that Lucas and I will be back together soon enough. We were the hottest couple in this school, and if I ask Lucas to reconcile, he won't refuse me."
Hearing Jessica speak those words sent a shiver down my spine.
I would have been able to brush off her threats before yesterday, but now that I knew Lucas was Bear, my perspective had shifted.
I didn’t think Lucas would actually stoop so low and date Jessica again, but after our argument yesterday, I wasn’t sure if I really knew him as well as I thought I did.
Something about it made me deeply uncomfortable.
But I couldn't afford to dwell on Jessica and Lucas at the moment. I had more important things to worry about…
I had to get my diary back.
"Don't worry, Jessica. I'm not interested in Lucas," I declared, attempting to sound as convincing as possible. "What I do need is for you to return my diary and the photo that was inside."
A laugh escaped Jessica's lips, taunting and cruel. "No," she sneered. "You slapped me in the face yesterday. Consider it a lesson not to mess with me."
"It's my personal property," I snapped, my frustration mounting. "If you don't return it, I’ll report you to the dean."
A glimmer of darkness flickered in Jessica's eyes at my threat.
Without warning, she gripped my elbow tightly and forcibly dragged me down the hallway, my attempts to free myself proving futile.
"Where are you taking me?" I demanded, my voice tinged with panic, as Jessica propelled me through a nearby door.
I tried to stop her, but her strength overpowered my own.
"Shana skipped class yesterday!" Jessica proclaimed, her voice ringing with triumph, as she confronted the man seated behind the desk.
Slowly, the man swiveled in his seat, and when his eyes locked with mine, I felt a jolt of recognition.
It was the dean.
He looked annoyed to see the two of us there, entering his office without a knock or permission.
Before anyone else could comprehend the situation, the door behind us swung open, revealing Lucas, breathless and disheveled, as if he had sprinted all the way to the dean's office.
I eyed him with confusion.
"I can explain," Lucas interjected urgently, his gaze shifting between me and the dean. "I can explain everything."
