Chapter 2 - From Bookworm to Butterfly

Stromee POV

The school was the same. People were laughing and jumping up and down, and many were excited about tonight's party. Gabby was the popular cheerleader, and everyone was excited about attending the ´it´ Grad party of the season.

Our parties were also something everyone looked forward to, but we were the Royal kids, so it was expected of us to throw massive parties with all the frills and luxury things one could imagine. Mom always delivered, just like Aunt Paige did for her Alpha son, Enzo.

I moved from one classroom to another, trying to do what I do best, being invisible. When lunch came, I sighed and started going to my sanctuary when Enzo stepped into the middle of the hallway. “I guess we are too late for this, cuz… But no more fucking hiding…” He said, and I lifted my eyebrows. What the fuck is wrong with him?

“Enzo, move the fuck away…” I almost yelled at him, and he shook his head.

“No, can't do…” He stood his ground, and I bit my lower lip.

“You have to be joking with me!” I said, and he shook his head.

“You are important to me and Ralph… we want the others to see how amazing you are…” He said, and I lowered my gaze. I knew they were cool kids, but not in a million years; I would become cool overnight. There was no way for that to happen.

“I love you and Ralph, Enz… but I don't think I can be someone I am not.” I paused, and he sighed,

“We are not asking you to change, Storm… We are asking you to let everyone see how amazing you are,” he said, and tears brimmed in my eyes. I hated being emotional, and he quickly opened his arms for me to embrace him.

He was our younger cousin for about four months, but we have permanently moved around as if we were triplets. We have a fantastic relationship. Of course, theirs was different because they were men, but every time they had the opportunity, they included me. But here at school, they had a huge group of friends, and I was completely awkward around strangers.

“You are serious, right?” I lifted my gaze, and he chuckled.

“Of course, I am fucking serious…” He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and led me into the cafeteria.

As soon as we entered, the room fell into a murmur. Many people were looking our way, some pointing at us and whispering among their groups. I bit my lower lip, and when I tried to turn around and sprint out of there. Enzo lowered his head and whispered, “You are a fucking Queen, Storm… Head up, make fearless eye contact, and let them fuck themselves… “

Somehow, a surge of confidence invaded me, and I lifted my head, stopped biting my lower lip, and took solid steps to my brother's table. He was sitting down with Gabby clinging around his neck like a leech.

“Hey guys!” Enzo greeted half of the football team sitting there. “You know my cuz, Storm…” he said, and I gave them a tight smile.

“Cuz, I bet you know these idiots: Jack, Perry, Joe, Billy, and Trevor….” Enzo introduced us, and I nodded.

“Hey, sit with us… Storm…” One of Enzo's friends moved around to make space for me at their table.

“Thanks, Perry,” I said, taking a spot between Billy and Trevor.

“So, Storm. What do you want to eat?” Ralph asked, and I sighed,

“I don't eat anything… the library doesn't allow food there… You might have noticed if you hit the place more often… Reading is a good habit,” I said, and he chuckled.

“No wonder why you are scrawny!” He paused and then added, “By the way, these guns don't keep themselves growing…” he flexed his muscles, and Gabby almost fainted.

We all laughed at Ralph's antics, “You are funny!” Trevor said, and I shrugged my shoulders.

“She is a hidden gem, bro…” Billy said, “Cute and with brains…” He finished, and I swear I blushed. I had no idea why my cousin and brother did this, but suddenly, I didn't feel as awkward as I used to.

“Alight, I am picking up some fries. Do you want some?” Ralph lifted his eyebrows, and I nodded. “Extra cheese,” he winked, and I nodded. He and I were complete opposites. While I loved my French fries soaked in melted cheese, he loved them crispy and with only salt in them.

“I'll be back…” Ralph stood up, and I braced myself now with my brother gone. I was sure things would turn awry soon, especially when Enzo decided to hit the bathroom right after.

“So, Stormee… What made you crawl out of the hole you usually stay in?” Gabby asked, and all her minions chuckled.

“Enzo, didn't allow me to go to my usual spot…” I shrugged my shoulders, and she bit her lower lip.

“How does it feel to be a charity case?” She asked, and I bit my lower lip.

“Gabbs, be cool…” Trevor said, and I sighed.

“I don't know, you tell me, how does it feel to be the flavor of the month?” I bit back. I was shy, but I was never a doormat. I was born equipped with a sharp tongue and knew how to use it.

I put on a big smile, and she fumed. I also knew how to read people and how to push their buttons. “You bitch! How dare you!” She stood up and, taking a bottle of water, threw it at me.

I was sitting between Billy and Trevor… The water landed moistly all over me and splashed over Trevor and Billy.

“Hey, watch it, Gabby!” Billy said, annoyed, and she pouted.

“Who do you think your brother will believe? You or me?” She said, spilling a Coke over herself, and I gasped. Was she crazy?

Trevor and Billy shook their heads. Soon, Ralph walked by. “What the fuck is going on?” He looked at a Coke-soaked Gabby, two splashed friends, and water-soaked me,

“Bae… I was talking to her, and suddenly, she threw her Coke at me!” Gabby roared, making a scene. I hated attention and currently every pair of eyes inside the cafeteria looked our way.

“Storm?” Ralph looked at me.

I stood up, my white blouse sticking to my body. I was drenched. I closed my coat to keep the remaining dignity intact and stood up. “Whatever, brother!” I sighed, and he looked between me and Gabby.

“Bae, Aren't you going to say anything?” Gabby pressed, and I saw my brother being torn between his flavor of the month and his sister. Of course, like every regular teenage boy, he will always choose his fuck buddy over family.

“I don't need this shit…” I moved out of the bench table and turned around.

“Ralph!” Gabby pressed, “Are you going to let her leave like that?” Gabby barked,

My lips trembled; this was why I liked the solitude of my sanctuary. “Gabby, give me a fucking minute!” Ralph said, annoyed.

“I know my sister, alright? And something had to happen for her to react this way,” Ralph sighed, and I rolled my eyes. See already picking the fuck buddy over the sister.

“Spare me of your fucking pointless investigation…” I huffed and turned around to leave.

“That was not cool, man!” I heard Trevor protest. “We all saw Gabby throwing water at your sister and then soaking herself with Coke…” He huffed, and I sighed. At least someone had the brains to speak up… I kind of like Trevor and Billy.

“Is that true?” Ralph asked, and Gabby threw herself crying on his shoulder.

I zoned out; I didn't want to hear or see any of that fucking drama. Sitting at their table was a pleasant experience until Gabby happened. I was at the cafeteria exit when a hand reached out for me.

“Storm…” Enzo stopped me, and he sighed.

“Let me go, Enz… I have been humiliated enough… please,” I said, and he shook his head.

“Sorry, Storm…” He said, and I squinted my eyebrows.

“What are you apologizing for?” I crossed my arms in front of my chest.

“For leaving you… but trust me, it was for a good cause…” Enzo sighed, and I lifted my eyebrows.

“Fucking moron! You used me!” I slapped the back of his head,

“It was the only way… he was even thinking of taking her as a chosen mate!” Enzo barked, and a shiver ran down my spine. I couldn't imagine a future family gathering with her in it.

“A little heads up would have been nice… and whatever you wanted to achieve, the bitch is still hanging out of his neck…” I sighed, and he chuckled.

“Not for long… Trevor, Billy, Jack, Perry, and Joe were on it too… and soon the entire school will have the video…” He chuckled, and I rolled my eyes…

“You are aware you are dragging me into scandal… I sighed, and he chuckled.

“But you don't give a shit, right?” He asked and I laughed,

“Never, I don't give a shit… I am out of here!” I said, and he stopped me. He shook his head, and I leaned on him. Soon, a general ping called upon all the students.

This is going to be fun! Enzo chuckled, and I looked at him.

“What the fuck! Are you crazy?” Ralph barked. “How could you do that to my fucking sister! He was livid, and I chuckled.

“He loves you more than his fuck buddies… it is just hard to let them go…you know the hassle of getting a new one… not that he or I struggle with that one…” Enzo filled the blanks, and I closed my eyes.

I have no idea why, but today, I discovered a lot of things about myself. First, I can handle awkward situations with mild decorum. Secondly, I can interact moderately with boys, and my brother's friends seem to be nice guys, after all. And lastly, I am a kick-ass bitch who can handle the entire school.

Ralph walked towards me and wrapped his arms around me. “I am sorry, Storm… I was an idiot…” he muttered in my ear.

I lifted my gaze and locked eyes with him, “Tell me something I don't know…” I laughed, and he rolled his eyes.

“So, a bunch of us will be heading to a bar because Gabby's party is a no-go now…” He chuckled, and I laughed,

"And the guys seem to like you. How about you stop being my bookworm princess and finally become that butterfly that defies the storm?" Ralph wiggled his eyebrows,

He was right, with everything I have discovered about me, and this new-found confidence is making me agree —at least, to try a bar once in my lifetime.