Chapter 7 Social Pariah

• Eryn POV
• Since the Charity Ball, Zach has not let me out of his sight. I am no longer allowed to spar with Kyle. Our training times have been moved to keep us separated.
• I go to my classes, training, and then home. Jesse has made sure that I have become a social pariah. I sit alone at lunch and on the bus ride home. No one would dare defy her to approach me. Not even Emma.
• Emma barely talks to me anymore. She claims she is angry that I didn't tell her there was something between Kyle and me. I tried to explain the situation to her, but she refuses to listen. I think the real reason, is she is afraid to lose her social status in the school.
• It is about five minutes before Zach comes barging into my room like he does every morning. I am sitting on my bed, staring at my phone, trying to compose a text to Kyle. I want to explain to him how I feel, and I want to apologize. I also want to tell him I don't want to lose his friendship. There is so much to say that I don't think I can fit it into a text.
• I text, "I am sorry," and hit send. I stare at my phone, waiting for a reply, but nothing comes.
• Right on schedule, Zach bursts into my bedroom. "Alright, Nerd," he grumbles. "Let's go."
• I quickly close my messages and tuck my phone into my backpack. I grab my sweater and leave my room without saying a word to Zach.
• "Good morning to you, too," he yells after me.
• I throw up my middle finger over my shoulder and storm out the front door. I get into his car and wait. Zach gets into the car and turns to me.
• "You know Dad and I only want what is best for you," he says.
• "You all have a funny way of showing it," I snap back at him.
• Zach groans. "Kyle isn't right for you. He is a playboy. Trust me, no one knows him better than me."
• "I never said he was right for me," I whisper in embarrassment.
• "Then why did you kiss him?" He asks.
• "I am not discussing this with you," I growl. "Just take me to school."
• Zach turns the engine, and we make our way toward school. He parks in his usual spot, and a bunch of girls swarm the car. It is the same every morning. I have to push my way through them to get away from the car.
• Keeping my head down, I walk into school. The main hallway goes quiet as soon as I enter. I can feel the other students eyes on me and hear their whispers. I try to tune them out but they are speaking loud enough for me to hear every word they say.
• "I still can't believe she threw herself at the future Alpha like that," someone says loudly. "Everyone knows he is with Jesse."
• Their words sting, but I don't engage. I head straight for my locker and roll my eyes. The word "slut" has been spray painted on my locker door. I consider trying to wipe it off, but everyone is watching me.
• Ignoring the slur on my locker, I grab what I need for the day and slam it shut. Spinning around, I bump into something hard. I glance up and see Kyle's hazel eyes looking down at me. His eyes flicker to my locker, and a frown tugs at his lips.
• I step to the side and try to walk around him, but he continues to block my way.
• "What do you want?" I grunt.
• "To talk about the text you sent me this morning," Kyle replies.
• "It was a mistake," I say quickly. "I meant to send it to someone else."
• "What's going on?" Zach's voice breaks in.
• Kyle turns to Zach, and tension fills the air. They are attempting to mend their friendship, but I can only assume I am the last hurdle.
• "Nothing," I mutter. "I was just going to class."
• Suddenly, an overpowering floral perfume fills the air. I cough loudly as the scent fills my nose. Jesse walks around me and wraps her arm into Kyle's. A burning sensation flows through my chest when I see them together.
• There is a smile plastered on her face. She has won, and she knows it. Jesse looks me up and down before clearing her throat loudly.
• "I just wanted to let you know I am having an end-of-year party, and I want you to come," she says cheerfully. "It will be at the lake house."
• I open my mouth to tell her that I will be busy whenever that day is, but she holds up her hand to interrupt me.
• "You aren't invited," she continues harshly. "Just your brother and Kyle."
• "Why wouldn't Eryn be invited?" Kyle wants to know.
• Jesse's eyes widen. She wasn't expecting to be challenged. "We all know how much Eryn hates crowds and parties. I am sure she would rather stay home and study for whatever that ridiculous school is."
• "It is the Warriors Academy," Zach says proudly. "And she is going to get in."
• I can't help but beam at my brother's words. At least he understands how important the Academy is.
• "Exactly," Kyle chimes in. "I am sure she could use a break after all the hard work she has put in this year."
• Jesse purses her lips together and looks me up and down. "I guess if she wants to come, she can."
• Kyle and Zach both wait for me to respond. Normally, I would politely decline an invitation to a party. Jesse is right. I would rather sit at home and prepare for the Warriors Academy than spend a night drinking stupidly. But the look on Jesse's face is making me want to punch her.
• "I would love to come," I say loudly.
• "You would?" Jesse and Zach say at the same time.
• "Yep," I reply. "I will catch a ride with Zach."
• Jesse's mouth drops open. She wants to revoke her invitation, but it is too late. A crowd has already gathered and is watching us.
• I quickly look at Kyle, who is grinning from ear to ear, and I can't help but smile back at him. Zach does not miss the interaction between us. He steps in front of me, blocking my view of Kyle.
• "You need to get to class," he says quickly. "You are never late."
• "I can remember one time she was late," Kyle says loudly.
• I peek around Zach to look at Kyle. His eyes are darkened, and I know we are both thinking about my body pressed up against the sink of the boys bathroom. He winks at me, and a giggle escapes my lips.
• Zach is not amused. He grabs my elbow and leads me away from the crowd. "Do you want to explain what that was all about?"
• "Nope," I say before disappearing into my homeroom class.