WRECKING NEWS

KARLA

"Karla!"

I turned to find Nate glaring at me. Hurrying over to the counter where he stood, I knew what was coming. Despite my shift being officially over, Nate still ordered me around like it was my birthright to work very hard. I had been speaking with a human customer at one of the tables where I went to serve, he was trying to strike up a conversation with me, offering compliments that made me blush. Apparently, this didn't sit well with Nate.

"You dumbos," he barked, "Do you think this place is a motel?"

I rolled my eyes inwardly but shook my head timidly. It was my second year post-high school, but my life hadn't seen any significant improvements. I had always been an easy target for mockery and bullying because I didn't wolf out when my peers were wolfing out. Now, at twenty, there was still no sign of my wolf emerging.

At times, I questioned whether I was truly my parents' child. Beyond the DNA evidence, I bore a striking physical resemblance to my mom, but our personalities couldn't have been more different. She had been the darling of our pack during her youth, with every boy vying for her attention. I, on the other hand, was the odd one out, an outcast no one wanted to associate with. It often made me wonder if my mother still reveled in her popularity because she had a knack for standing out and making comments that makes me doubt she was my biological mother. But one remarkable thing about her was her unwavering love for my dad. She loved him so deeply that she chose to be with an Omega like him, ready to become the arch-nemesis of anyone who dared to speak ill of him, regardless of their status.

My dad was not only my family but also my friend at home. His passing left me emotionally hollow, sinking me deeper into a world of repression. Prior to his death, Dad grappled with serious financial issues, and we had made an agreement that I would enter college two years after graduating from high school. To keep our household afloat, I took up a job at Nate Diners, even though my parents hadn't really approved it.

"Howdy there, folks!" Julia cheerfully exclaimed as she sauntered through the door.

Julia, the girl meant to eventually replace me, seemed to enjoy special favour with Nate, who often overlooked her insolence because he wants to jump into her panties. She approached me and patted my back.

"Hey there, wolfless. My apologies for putting you through those extra hours," she remarked with an air of feigned sympathy.

I nodded in response, though deep down, I yearned to yank her hair and wipe that smug expression off her face. She leaned in to plant a kiss on Nate, who blushed like a ripe tomato. He handed her an apron, which she accepted with enthusiasm, draping it around her waist. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes; Julia knew exactly what she was doing. She intentionally arrived late for work, confident that she wouldn't be scolded and that I would always fill in for her. I had grown accustomed to it because I needed every penny I could earn for college. Even though Nate didn't compensate me for the extra time, I received generous tips from our mostly human customers.

Untying my apron, I hung it in its usual place, grabbed my bag, smoothed out my lively curls, and headed for the door. In my haste, I accidentally collided with someone, and we both let out a startled yelp. When I looked up, I found Anastasia standing before me.

She scowled at me. "Are you blind or something?"

"That makes two of us," I retorted.

"Wow, I see you're giving your customers the cold shoulder. Your boss would have an earful of this," she remarked, drawing closer to me, her eyes fixed in an accusatory glare.

I returned her glare with one of my own, but a mischievous smile tugged at my lips, and before I knew it,I burst into laughter. Anastasia couldn't help but join in, and we enveloped ourselves in a warm embrace. Anastasia was not just my best friend; she was my only friend in the entire world. She was human and had her own quirks that had earned her the label of a "weirdo." Back in high school, she fearlessly squared off with boys and occasionally stood up to my bullies.

"When did you get back?" I asked as we finally pulled away from each other.

"Just a few hours ago. I figured you'd be at work, so I came straight here."

We moved away from the entrance and strolled along the sidewalk. Seeing her again brightened my day; she was the one good thing that had happened to me.

"I've missed you so much," I confessed, clutching her arm for emphasis.

She rested her head on my shoulder and hummed in response. We walked in comfortable silence for a moment before she abruptly straightened up.

"I want you to catch me up on everything that's been going on. I know you've got loads of juicy stories that couldn't be shared over the phone."

I let out a sigh. "Anastasia, there's nothing particularly interesting about my life. How about you? How's college treating you?"

"Nice try, K, but we're not changing the topic. Is Nate still being a douche?" She was the only one who called me "K," for reasons best known to her.

"He's a real douche, and then some," I chuckled.

"But K, have you ever thought about standing up for yourself? Maybe quitting that job and finding something better?" Anastasia's concern was genuine.

"Do you remember how tough it was to land this one? I would rather stick around here and make whatever I can. I've grown accustomed to all the bullying, and it doesn't hurt as much anymore," I said, wearing a melancholic smile.

"I know life hasn't gone as planned, but can't you try to help yourself, K? You're beautiful, and you could turn heads effortlessly. Why not reclaim that confident persona from junior grade, the one who wouldn't take crap from anyone? Remember when you punched Jude in the face right in front of Mrs. Quin?"

I smiled sadly, reminiscing about that junior school incident. "Ana, that was before I discovered how worthless I am, unable to wolf out. Even if I become the person you want me to be, what about my problem? Mom's practically turned into an addict since Dad passed, and our situation has only worsened. She keeps asking if I've wolfed out or found my mate. Nothing hurts more than that. It's been three months since Dad passed, and I can't seem to move on. There's no money for college. The little I earn goes to paying the bills because Mom's no longer working, spending everything on drugs and alcohol." My voice quivered, tears brimming in my eyes.

Anastasia embraced me in the middle of the road, gently patting my back. "I'm so sorry. I had no idea things had gotten this bad. I'm truly sorry." Her voice was heavy with emotion.

I sobbed quietly on her shoulder for a while, then pulled away, wiping my tears. I mustered a bright smile for her.

"I'll be fine. Just a momentary outburst of emotion."

"You're the strongest girl I know, K."

We held hands and walked home together.

~* ~

I arrived home, Mom was already asleep on the living room couch. Scattered on the table were the remnants of a pizza, narcotics, and a few empty drink bottles. A heavy sigh escaped me as I cleared them away from the table. It often frustrated me how deeply she loved Dad, to the point of forgetting that she still had me to live for. I deposited the items in the trash can, gently covered her with a blanket, turned off the lights, and retreated to my room.

After a refreshing warm bath, I slipped into my Mickey Mouse pajamas and sank into my bed. This was my sanctuary, the one place where I could truly rest. As soon as I hit the bed, sleep enveloped me.

I was abruptly woken by insistent banging on the door. It felt like just a few minutes since I closed my eyes, but when I opened my eyes, the room was flooded with daylight. The incessant pounding continued, and I groaned before reluctantly getting out of bed. Mom was already awake, looking disoriented as she wondered who would be at the door at this hour. I walked past her to answer it, puzzled.

I swung open the door to find a man in a dark suit with a red tie.

"This is Mr. Fabian Anderson's residence, correct?"

"You're at the right place," I replied, furrowing my brow.

"Karla? Who's at the door?" Mom's voice called from the room.

The man handed me an envelope. "This should be treated urgently, or I won't be responsible for what happens next."

I accepted the envelope, and he departed swiftly. When I turned around, Mom was standing behind me, her hands clenched on her hips.

"Give it to me," she demanded.

"I need to read what's inside first," I replied, attempting to pass her, but she grabbed my arm.

"Give me the envelope!" She snatched it from my hand.

"Why are you so concerned about the contents?" I retorted.

"Because I applied for a loan, alright?"

"A loan? Mom, where will we find the money to repay it? Why would you even consider taking a loan?"

"Because you don't give me enough money for my drinks and drugs. I've spent everything I had trying to numb this pain." Tears streamed down her cheeks as she spoke, and she ripped open the envelope to read its contents.

I stood there, looking at her, unable to bring myself to scold her further. Her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped as she read the letter.

"What is it?" I asked, moving closer.

She sighed heavily and slumped onto the couch. In desperation, I screamed her name and shook her, trying to wake her up. When she didn't respond, I retrieved the piece of paper from her hands and read it. My heart sank, and my jaw hung open as I absorbed the shocking revelation within the letter.