1.

I hated school.

As much as I hated studying.

That much was already evident from the bored look on my face as I watched Mrs. Flinch explain the process of reproducing. I had to admit that wasn't really necessary. Apparently almost everyone now shags the first person they see in college.

Excluding me, of course.

I was just not interested in guys, especially those in college who can't differentiate a “yes” from a “no”. All they want is to get in your panties and use you. I was not up for such shit. Currently though, guys aren't my focus.

It was not why I had bargained to leave home and settle in Plateau. Plateau was the last city I wanted to be in, but I didn’t get that choice. I needed to go to school and work, and those things were here… but the one thing I loved? That was fashion. I've been told I have great fashion sense. I also love makeup. Despite my busy schedule filled with school and working all the time, I still made it a point to apply my makeup.

I sighed, grabbing my phone from my backpack to check the time. Fifteen more minutes and this nightmarish class would be over. Then I would be free.

Not free in the sense that that's all, but rather free from this boring life called school. I can't wait to get to the bar and earn some money. Making money was my real focus in life.

Make money and help my mother. Those were the only reasons I had agreed to study.

"Will you be going to the school party tonight?" Mel whispered beside me. As always, she was wearing a crop top and a small skirt that showed the color of her panties if she made the wrong move. She never cared, though, and I didn't think she cared now.

"Will you?" I whispered, hoping that Mrs. Flinch wouldn't catch us and ask us to explain what she was saying.

"If I get to finish this book in time, I will," she sighed, waving a thick book in my face.

I can't understand how someone would sit down to read for a whole day and only stop in between for bathroom breaks. I don't get the joy people found in such things. To me, it was just staring at words and nothing more. I still haven't read past the first thirty pages of the book that has three hundred plus pages in it.

I just couldn't.

"I see... Is the book that good? Is there a way I can skip literature class and all these talks about books?"

"You bet it is!" She smiled a little. "It is so good that I couldn't sleep yesterday and I'm about to do the same today if I don't finish it soon. Plus, I thought we agreed that you were going to read the book? It is a group project, Kim. You have to read it so we can pass it."

"That sounds like such a chore, or more like a punishment. Besides, you can answer all the questions next week. I won't have to."

"It is fun, Kim. You should try it. And it is an interactive class. Mrs. Grant won't pass us unless we both participate in the discussion."

"Nah, I'll pass. Reading won't bring me money," I murmured, checking my phone again. Seven more minutes. "And anything that doesn't bring me money is useless. I'll try, though, just for you."

Mel scoffed, putting the book down and eyeing me over her fake lashes. "You are too obsessed with making money. You're young, Kimberly. Have fun and enjoy your life. You're twenty-five. You should go wild and try new things."

She uses my full name when she wants to emphasize the point she is making.

"Like jumping from one boxer to another?" I teased. "The one you told me you had three days ago?"

"What? It was fun!" she laughed, turning away from me.

Mel was the only friend I had. Or to put it correctly, the only one able to break through my hard shell. She was wild and unexpected, and if only I had enough guts, I'd have joined her in her wild endeavors. She didn’t care about societal norms, and I had to respect that. She took no shit. I, however, was scared. She was also a fresher like I was and is twenty-three years old because her health hadn't favored her from the start, until now.

"That's all for today's class. I'll see you all next week. And do not forget to turn in your assignments then."

After loud grumbles about the assignment, we all bid her goodbye.

I pushed my chair and stood up, adjusting the soft light blue knee length gown I was wearing. I swung my backpack and turned to Mel.

"Are you going to the cafeteria?"

"Yeah," she nodded, shuffling to her feet. "I'm hungry."

The walk to the cafeteria was simple enough, except for the few occasions where Mel stopped to talk to other people. She was like a mini celebrity in her own right and I wondered how she did it. But having her as a roommate helped me understand why everyone liked her.

It was impossible not to like Mel. She made everything seem simple and everyone around her comfortable. It was why I had agreed to share the room in the dorm with her. I was older than Mel by two years.

"Let's sit there," she nodded towards the table where two other girls were sitting.

"Can't we just find an empty table?" I asked, cradling my tray tightly.

"You need to learn how to mingle with other people, Kim. You can't always be alone."

"I don't mind being alone, though," I grumbled, knowing that no amount of defense would make her relent.

"Stop being such a wanker, Kim."

I sighed, dragging my feet towards the girls. I had two more classes and I'd be done for the day

"What's up, Mel?" one of the girls said. She was the one I liked least in Mel's clique. "You got the fat kitten to tag along today."

"Back off, Rosy. Kimberly is my friend." Mel snapped. "Plus, being thick isn't a crime!"

"I know that already." Rosy rolled her eyes as I sat directly opposite her. She had on heavy makeup, and I never saw the appeal in that. Not even a little bit. While I do love exploring make up in every way, Rosy’s seems to be… out of the shell. Not that I am judging. Okay, maybe I totally am, but she was a b*tch. "I was just teasing her. No need to get all worked up."

I took a spoonful of rice, ignoring their sneaky remarks about my choice of clothing and I pretended as though I couldn't hear them, even though their remarks did hurt me. I had gotten used to it, though, and I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of getting a reaction out of me. The remarks about my weight, which I wasn't even heavy, and everything else I do. I am thick, tall and curvy, and have very wide hips. That seemed like an avenue to always call me ‘fat’. Not that I give a damn what anyone thinks of my body or weight. It is mine and I love it.

I should be annoyed that these eighteen year olds were looking down on me, but I couldn't, because I couldn't study when I was just like them. I didn't get the chance. So, I simply chose to ignore them and focus on what brought me to Plateau. To study. To make money.

"Are you girls going to the party tonight?"

"You bet we are," the girl beside Rosy, Candice, said. "I heard Ronald will be there. It"ll be fun!"

"If only he'd pay us any attention," Rosy grumbled, then turned her gaze to Mel. "Will you be going?"

"If I finish this in time," she waved the book from class in the air.

"Is it really that good?" Candice asked.

"Very!" Mel replied, keeping the book on the table.

The cover drew my attention, coupled with the fact that I wanted to block the conversation they were having about boys and their sexual escapades. I stared at the wolf on the cover and at the back of a man. That aside, there was nothing except the title and the author's name.

It was the same book I had at home. One I had been reading for the past three weeks simply because our literature teacher assigned it, and yet, I couldn't understand a single part of the book. So far, I had just been staring at the words without understanding what they meant.

"The Rejected Alpha," I read the title under my breath, then began flipping through the pages.

Nothing seemed to have captured my attention yet, just like it had always been. At least, not until I had gotten to where Mel had dog-eared a page.

Surprisingly enough, that part caught my attention, and I began reading. From what I understood, the wolves have a tradition of rejecting someone they do not want. And right on the page I was reading, was a woman rejecting her man. Or her mate, like the author called it. I felt tears in my eyes as I read the words spewing from his mate's mouth. I hated her more and more with each passing second, as I could feel deep in my core the pain coursing through him.

I had no idea why I felt so immersed in his pain or why it felt as though I was feeling the pain as well. I found that I hated the girl in the book, so much so that I felt like gauging her eyes out, while I felt a deep sense of pity for the man. It also, in a way, made me a bit eager to read more of the book I had been neglecting.

I had no idea how long I had been in that position, but as I was about to flip to the next page, Mel took her book back.

"I have to go. My next class is starting." She stood up, pushing the book into her bag in a hurry.

I stood up as well, because there was no way in hell I'd be staying with those girls.

"I'll see you after school," I simply said, turning to walk to my next class even though there was twenty minutes left before it would begin.

I couldn't help but keep replaying the words I had just read. I never knew that words, just reading mere words, would make me this pissed. The annoying part was that I was pissed at a fictional character.

How pathetic!

Fortunately, by the time I was done with my classes, I had forgotten about the book completely.

Or so I had thought.

As I left school, ready to go home, the sun was at its peak, casting long shadows on the busy streets.I took the long way home, wanting to feel the air and recuperate after the stress of school. However, the vibration in my pocket brought me out of my reverie.

"Hi, Mami."

"Hello, Angel. How are you?"

"Tired," I mumbled, sighing. "I miss you."

"I miss you more, Angel. Will you be coming for the weekend? Mubarak has been pestering me about seeing you."

"I suppose I should. Although the little monster only misses me when I'm gone."

She laughed from the other end, a deep chuckle that sent warm waves to my heart. I love my mother.

"You two are the best thing in my life, you know that, right?"

"We love you too, Mami." I said with a small smile, turning into another street. "I miss your pasta."

"I'll make lots of that when you come to visit in a month's time. How is school?"

"Draining."

"Don't worry, Kimberly. It will be worth it someday. I am so sorry we have to do this the hard way. If only I was capable enough to su..."

"Shh, stop this, Mami," I stopped in my tracks. "You've been trying your very best and that is more than enough. Please, understand that regardless of everything, regardless of your predicament, you have always been and will always be the best to us as well."

She sniffed, and I could hear some shuffling from her end. "Talk to you later, Angel. I have to do something." She ended the call before I could even reply.

My Mami might not be perfect, but she was the kindest and most sincere person I'd ever had the pleasure of meeting. Having to take care of my brother and I alone didn't make her resent us. She adored and loved us. Growing up, I had watched her work so hard so she could provide for us. And it makes me want to work even harder, because she had neglected her health in her pursuit to provide for us.

And now, she was sick.

I am going to provide enough for us all. Even if it means working shift after shift non stop.

***

I had a long busy day. Not that it was new to me. But somehow, today, unlike most days, I felt the fatigue hit me hard.

I sighed as I scrubbed the last dish in the sink. Of all days, Mina had to choose today to skip work, making me work more. Although I was not particularly happy with that, I didn't mind the extra cash I'd get for working double shifts.

I wiped my hands clean with the kitchen towel, removed the apron and stepped out of the kitchen.

"All done, Mrs. Harvy," I said, adjusting my light blue gown. I had already swung my bag over my shoulder and was in a hurry to leave. Plus, it was already getting late and I needed to get a bit of studying done first before I crashed in bed.

Hopefully by the time I got home, Mel would have returned and perhaps prepared us something to eat.

"Thank you, Kimberly. Here," she replied, handing me some cedis. "You should take some time off one of these days and enjoy yourself."

"Is there a reason why I should?" I asked, shoving the money into my purse after counting and smiling a bit at Mrs. Harvy.

"You are young and beautiful. Just twenty-five, and you've been working for as long as I can remember. Have fun like most people do."

"That is a waste of time, Mrs. Harvy. I would rather continue working hard to support myself and help my mother."

"Still haven't heard anything from your father?" She asked sadly.

"He's as good as dead to me. In a month's time, I should be able to save enough to drive back home and arrange for mum to get the surgery. It gets worse every day even if she doesn't say it."

"Will the leg get amputated?"

"Yes." I replied nodding my head. My throat constricted with something, and I blinked my eyes rapidly to stop the tears from falling. I never cry. Because crying means I am weak. It also means I have given up. "By next week, I should have enough for that surgery. The doctors said amputating the leg would lessen the pain. Her diabetes is already so out of control."

"It will get better, Kimberly," she said softly, squeezing my hand that was on the table.

I smiled and nodded, pulling my hand away. Mrs. Harvy was the only person in Plateau that knew about mother. Not even Mel, who lives with me, knows, because I never told her about it. It wasn't necessary.

She only knew about my obsession with making money, and attributes it only to the fact that I am working hard to make more money for myself. I left it at that. She doesn't need to know about my mum's health, at least, not yet. After all, it is my first year in college, and it has been only two months since I came here. I've known Mel for that long.

"Regardless of that though, give yourself a break and enjoy a thing or two. We can't always succumb to our problems and let them stop us from doing anything else. You are young and strong, have a bit of fun from time to time," Mrs. Harvy said.

I know the woman was only looking out for me. And I didn't want to make it look like I didn't appreciate it. So, I nodded with a smile and said. "I will, Mrs. Harvy. Thank you and I'll see you tomorrow."

"Have a good night's rest, dear."

I stepped out into the cold night and sucked in a deep breath when the cold wind hit my face. I looked around the small diner before I began walking.

My mind suddenly drifted back to the book Mel had, and I felt a little sense of trepidation run through when I recalled I have my own copy at home to read. Somehow, I was a bit eager to see what happened to the Alpha, as he was called, after the rejection.

I also wanted to know why they had to go through things like that. Plus, what the heck is a mate bond that had caused him that much pain the author had described?

I rounded the last corner, and was heading toward the alleyway that would lead me to the dorm when the loud screech of a car behind me and a scream brought me back to my senses. I turned to see what the commotion was, but I was too late.

A black tinted car was speeding towards me. I couldn't move, my body seemed to have frozen in place. Fear gripped me, as my heart pounded in my chest, consciously aware of the danger racing towards me. I had little to no time to understand what was happening when the car suddenly hit me hard.

A stifled scream escaped my throat as I stared at the blue sky with the fluffy clouds, before my body hit the hard ground.

I couldn't move. Nothing in my body seemed to function anymore. One moment I was walking back home and then the next moment I was laying on the ground with blood oozing from my head.

My gaze turned blurry. Before a wave of darkness hit me.

All I could think about was Mami. Mubarak. Mel. And money. Then I welcomed the darkness.