C3 Chapter 3

*Character's Thoughts*

Last night was crazy. I almost let myself drown, and the most ironic part was that Asher was the one to jump in and save me. To think that in the last four years, he has bullied me to no end, but when he gets the chance to get rid of me, he saved me.

I am startled by a knock on the door, which brings me back to the present.

“Yeah, come in,” I said, and the door opened to my mom.

“Hey sweetie, Can we talk?” She asked, stepping in and closed the door behind her.

I swiveled in my computer chair to face her. “Sure, what’s up?” I asked as she took a seat on the chest at the end of my bed.

“Last night scared me, Paisley. When you didn't come back up out of the water, my heart tumbled to the bottom of my stomach.” My mom declared fear in her tone.

I scooted in my chair to where I am right in front of her. “Mom, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to make you worry,” I apologized, grabbing her hand to reassure her I was okay.

She looked up at me. “Were you trying to take your life?” She hesitantly asked, not sure she wanted to hear my answer.

I couldn’t let her know what I was thinking at that moment. If she or my father knew about the constant bullying I dealt with daily and from her best friend’s son, no less. They would be devastated.

“Paisley!” My mom snapped her fingers in my face, and I shook my head slightly to wash away my thoughts.

“No, mom, of course not,” I replied, not giving her direct eye contact.

She kneeled on the floor in front of me, clutching my hands in hers. “Honey, If something is bothering you, you can always talk to me,” She professed, then pulled me into a hug, and I returned her embrace.

When we pulled away, I gazed at her with a grin. “I know, mom. Yesterday was just weird, and I got distracted when I went to the bottom of the pool, and when I realized I needed air, it was almost too late, but then Asher grabbed me.” I explained.

My mom stared at me, puzzled. “Asher was so frantic when you didn’t come back up and didn’t hesitate to jump in after you. He was faster than your father. Asher was laughing along with everyone, but when he realized you weren’t coming back up, he went after you,” She told me with a smile.

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Why are you smiling?” I asked, looking at her like she is hiding something.

She stood from the floor. “Just happy you two are getting along like old times,” She declared with a huge grin.

I pursed my lips at her conclusion. “We are not friends, mom,” I told her, standing as well.

She moved a strand of loose hair from my face, and I smiled at her. “I’m going to meet Elaina and Stephanie for coffee. I will be back for dinner,” I explained as I picked up my keys from my desk and grabbed my phone.

She nodded, placing a kiss on my cheek. “I love you, Paisley,” She said, and I started for the door but turned around before opening it.

“I love you too,” then walked out.

I saw Trent’s truck pass me and swerved on the road to the coffee shop, nearly running me off the road. “What the hell!” I shouted as if he could hear me. He stayed in front of me, slowing me down, bringing my car to a complete stop. I pushed down my locks as he exited his truck, coming for my door. He tried pulling the handle, but it wouldn’t budge.

“Open the door, Paisley!” He growled, banging on my window.

Terror rushed through me. “STOP! What do you want?” I snapped, panic-stricken. I couldn’t move because his truck is blocking me.

Trent finally yanked my door open, grabbing me from my seat, and pulled me out of the car. He shoved me against my car by my throat but held me at my jawline, not to choke me only enough to keep me still. “What the hell have you done to my best friend?” He sneered as his hand gripped me tighter.

I winced. “Nothing, we don’t even like each other. Maybe Asher’s dad told him he had to defend me,” I said, muffled. Trent released me, backing away. Relief washed over me, and my body shook. His face fell. My terror shifted to the need to comfort him.

“Asher won’t even speak to me,” He said miserably, and I felt sad for him because I don’t know what I would do if Stephanie and Elaina stopped talking to me.

I looked at him for a moment, then placed my hand on his forearm. “I’m sorry, Trent, I don’t know why Asher is acting the way he is, but I’m sure it’s just a faze. He will be back to his normal self soon,” I told him, and he looked up at me with a slight grin.

“Thanks, Jacobson, I’m sorry I have acted like such an asshole to you,” He uttered, looking down at my hand on his arm.

My eyes darted around awkwardly, and I removed my hand quickly. “Sorry,” I muttered in embarrassment.

His smile widened. “Don’t be,” He exclaimed, staring at me with his smokey grey eyes. We stood there for a few minutes, only admiring each other’s features when a loud horn sounded behind us. We both looked and realized we have been blocking traffic.

I brought my gaze back to Trent. “I need to go meet my friends,” I told him, and he nodded, giving me space to get back in my car.

“Oh, okay, I’ll see you at school on Monday,” He stated. I smiled, got in my car, watched Trent walk back to his truck, and then pulled away.

When I pulled into the coffee shop, I sat in my car for a moment to think over all that just happened. *Why are Trent and Asher both acting strange? It’s like they both hit puberty.* I thought before grabbing my things and exited the car.

I walked in and found Elaina and Stephanie in our usual spot in the back corner booth. They instantly spotted me and waved me over.

“Hey, girls,” I said, taking a seat across from them.

They both looked at me with narrowed eyes. “What took you so long?” They asked simultaneously.

I sighed because I know they will find out somehow. “Trent stopped me on the way here,” I told them, and their mouths fell open.

“What?!” Elaina said, surprised.

“Yeah, Asher won’t speak to him, and he thought it was my fault,” I replied, rolling my eyes.

A smirk appeared on Stephanie’s face and I looked at her, annoyed. “What, Steph?” I asked, not sure I want to know what she is thinking.

“Well, Trent seems to be jealous. Maybe he’s secretly had a crush on you all these years but didn’t want to let his dumb jock friends know,” She declared with the biggest grin.

I looked at Elaina, instantly shaking my head. “No, Don’t worry, Elaina, he doesn’t like me,” I reassured her. Stephanie rolled her eyes at my obliviousness to the situation.

Elaina smiled. “It’s okay. I like someone else anyway. I just thought Trent was hot,” She said, grinning, and we all burst out laughing.

We sat at the coffee shop for a few hours, talking about school and the new man in Elaina’s life. She told us he is from another pack, and his dad is friends with her dad. She said he’s older and had met his wolf already, so she thought he might be her mate.

Thinking about my friends finding their mates made me happy and sad because that would mean they would not have as much time for me as they used to.

The coffee shop door swung open, bringing me out of my thoughts, revealing Asher, looking quite pissed. I darted my eyes around, thinking who pissed him off today, but he directed his gaze at me. *What now?* I thought as he marched towards us.