CHAPTER 76: I’D RATHER VISIT THE SWIMMING POOL.

Meanwhile...

Jamaila continued running down the hallway, tears streaming down her cheeks as her curly black hair danced wildly in the air from the force of her sprint.

She finally reached the classroom, expecting it to be empty since most students were at their assigned Alpha’s quarters. But to her surprise, she found Joe, Dickson, Blonde, Rose, and Victoria inside. They were all seated quietly, their eyes fixed on their textbooks as if nothing else existed in the world.

Just as Jamaila was about to quietly turn and walk away, a voice stopped her.

"Jamaila?" Rose called out, lifting her gaze from her book as she stood up. She walked over with a curious look, grabbing Jamaila gently by the shoulders and turning her to face her. "What’s wrong with you? Why are you crying? And....where’s your hijab? I thought you never showed your hair?"

Her tone was edged with mockery, and she folded her arms across her chest, a small smirk tugging at her lips.

Jamaila didn’t respond. Her sobs only grew louder as she stood there, trembling.

Without waiting for permission, Rose dragged her fully into the classroom and guided her to a seat. "Sit down," she said flatly.

"Why are you crying?" Joe asked with a raised brow, his voice laced with annoyance. "Is it because the Alphas told you to leave and go study your textbooks instead? Because that’s what the rich kid wanted?"

He scoffed, flipping a page in his book. "I heard Alpha Damien dismissed his group since he was busy, and Alpha Darius isn’t even in the academy today. If it’s Alpha Auren who sent you out, you’re not the only one. Those under Alpha Zephyr got kicked out too."

Joe leaned back and sighed, as if exhausted by the whole situation. "You didn’t see the other scholarship students around because some of them are at the cafeteria, and some went to the library. I even heard there’ll be a test soon, to prove which of us deserve to keep our scholarships."

"I’m not crying because of that," Jamaila finally spoke, her voice trembling. She reached into her bag and pulled out a sweater, wrapping it around her exposed hair. "I... I ran into Nicole inside Alpha Auren’s office. She insulted me... and she....she snatched my hijab. I think she might’ve torn it."

Tears welled up in her eyes again as her voice cracked.

"I don’t even know what I’m supposed to tell my parents when they see me like this," she added, her voice breaking into a sob. "They’re going to be furious..."

Rose clicked her tongue in irritation, lighting a cigarette and blowing out a stream of smoke as she eyed Jamaila.

"We’ll just get you a new one, girl," she said, almost dismissively. "Just name your price and stop embarrassing yourself by crying like that. You’ll only end up embarrassing the rest of us when the other students come back."

Jamaila looked up at her, eyes wide with a mixture of relief and disbelief. "Really? You’d do that?"

"Of course," Rose replied with a sigh, flicking ash onto the floor. "You don’t need to pay me back either. That Nicole is a bastard anyway."

"Thank you so much, Rose," Jamaila said, wiping her face again. Her voice was soft now, the weight on her chest slightly eased. "I really appreciate it."

"Don’t mention it," Rose replied.

Just then, Blonde joined the conversation, stretching her arms before speaking. "Now that we’re on the topic of Nicole... did any of you hear about the clubs in this academy? We haven’t joined any yet, but I’m pretty sure that bitch Nicole will be bringing around a list soon."

She sighed, her tone dreamy as she continued, "I heard from my brother that everyone will have to pick a club soon....swimming, basketball, hockey....anything of our choice. Honestly, what I’m really waiting for is the Second Moon Ceremony. I can’t wait. Who knows, maybe I’ll end up mated to one of the Alphas of this a academy... someone who’ll love and protect me."

Rose let out a loud scoff, tossing her cigarette butt aside.

"You’re seriously waiting for someone to love and protect you? Wow. Who cares about a useless mate?" she said, raising an eyebrow. "Besides, didn’t you say you haven’t even awakened your wolf yet? You might never have one. You should be thinking about how to survive without a mate, not daydreaming about one."

Blonde’s face tightened as she let out a heavy breath.

"You don’t understand, Rose," she said quietly. "I’m not talking about love and fairy tales. I just want a way out of my father’s house. I want to be free... to get away from my stepmother and brother. That’s all I want."

There was a long silence.

Rose rolled her eyes again. "Whatever. I don’t want to get too deep into anyone’s family issues."

She suddenly perked up with a mischievous smile. "Since we’re all here, how about we sneak out of school and go to Joe’s workplace? You promised all bills on you, remember?" she asked, turning to Joe with a grin.

Joe chuckled under his breath but didn’t argue.

Jamaila’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Sneak out of school?" she asked, her voice high-pitched with panic. "Why would you do that? You’ll be punished if you’re caught! Don’t forget we still have one more class once the other students return from lectures!"

Rose gave her a long look before speaking slowly and mockingly. "This is none of your business, Jamaila. That’s exactly why we didn’t bring it up before you came in. We already knew your type....too holy for clubs and drinks."

She turned and slung her bag over her shoulder. "In case I don’t come back to school today, I’ll send you the money for your hijab."

Rose paused, then added with a sneer, "Besides, the rich kids will probably be thrilled if the scholarship students skip class. Even though Blonde, Victoria, and I pay our way through this academy, they still act like we don’t belong."

"Oh... I see," Jamaila murmured, her voice barely audible as she kept her head bowed. She swallowed hard, a lump caught in her throat. "Anyway... I don’t have a phone. Or a bank account," she added quietly.

"Oh, for fuck’s sake..." Rose let out a dramatic sigh, clearly exasperated. "I’ll just give you the cash then."

She leaned back in her seat, running a hand through her braids before shifting her focus back to Joe.

"So, should we sneak out?" she asked, her tone more serious now. "Honestly, I’m really not feeling good. I haven’t been able to sell a single drug since I got here. I was hoping to make at least a few introductions at the Second Moon Ceremony, but it’s taking forever to come. I can’t wait any longer. I’m restless. My money’s almost gone, and I need to make a move if I want to survive."

"Just calm down," Joe replied, his voice steady and oddly reassuring. "The ceremony will be here soon. And about sneaking out?" He stood up from his chair, stretching his arms above his head. "Sure. I need to get out of this place too. A couple of drinks might help cool me off."

As soon as Joe got up, Dickson followed suit, rising from his seat without a word. Rose stood too, then Blonde, all in a synchronized motion that spoke of familiarity and shared purpose.

"I need to clear my head as well," Dickson muttered, rubbing his temples as if warding off a headache. "Besides, all the bills are on Joe." His voice had a teasing lilt, and his words earned a loud scoff from Joe, who rolled his eyes dramatically.

Blonde turned toward the last person still seated.

"Aren’t you coming, Victoria?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

Victoria, who had been quiet and detached throughout the conversation, finally lifted her gaze. Her expression was unreadable at first, but a small, confident smirk soon formed on her lips.

"You said there are different sports activities here, and that Nicole will probably bring around a list soon for us to choose from, right?"

Blonde nodded. "Yeah. Swimming, basketball, hockey... all kinds of stuff."

"Well then," Victoria said with a calm, almost regal air, "I’d rather visit the swimming pool. That’s the only thing that might help me relax right now."

Joe blinked. "Are you serious?" he asked, clearly surprised.

Victoria nodded in response, her smirk softening into a genuine smile. "Completely."

Blonde gave a small shrug and a smile of her own. "Fine then. See you tomorrow in school."

Without further delay, she turned and headed toward the door, followed closely by Joe, Rose, and Dickson, their footsteps echoing faintly down the hallway as they slipped away into whatever mischief awaited them.

"Can I come with you though? I believe swimming will calm my nerves too." Jamaila voiced out, her gaze directed at Victoria.

"Sure. It’s good to have a swimming partner afterall." She voiced out as she stood up from her seat immediately. "Let’s go."