Marked by the Alpha Team (Luna Merrick) novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4

LUNA

10 vouchers

I woke up to my phone alarm going off way too early. The room was still kind of dark, with just a little gray light coming through the curtains, and my head felt thick and fuzzy, like I had barely slept. For a split second, I just lay there staring at the ceiling, and that was when it all came rushing back, the race on the field, the video going around, Ivy showing me how everyone was talking about it, and then last night in the parking lot.

Those five guys that acted like total freaks, sniffing me, asking weird questions, and making my body feel things I didn’t understand.

My cheeks got hot again just remembering it.

‘No, Luna. Let’s stop thinking about it.

I squeezed my eyes shut tight and told myself to forget everything from yesterday. All of it. I need to forget the dumb jocks and their stupid games, and I should also forget how I somehow drew all this attention to myself because of them. I came to Blackridge to run track, get good grades, and keep my head down. That was it, meaning no drama, and no boys, especially not those boys.

Today was going to be different and normal, and I was going to pretend none of that happened, and start my day on a clean slate.

I rolled out of bed as quietly as I could. Ivy was still fast asleep on her side of the room with her mouth a little open, and her red hair was everywhere like a wild mess on her pillow. She also had one of her arms hanging off the bed, and looked so peaceful that I didn’t want to wake her.

I grabbed my toiletries bag from the desk, toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, shampoo, and conditioner. Then my towel from the hook on the closet door and a clean set of clothes for after, which consisted of a sports bra, running shorts, a tank top, and socks. Everything I needed for morning practice.

As I zipped up my bag, I made a promise to myself. From today on, I was staying far away from that football field like it was the plague. No matter how late I was, no matter how much I needed a shortcut, I would go the long way around campus. I wasn’t giving those guys another chance to show up and act crazy.

I slipped on my flip–flops, grabbed my key, and headed out the door. The hallway was quiet, most doors still closed. A few girls were up, but not many, and the shared bathroom was at the end of the hall, past the stairs.

I pushed the door open, and warm steam hit me right away. Someone had definitely just showered because the air was thick and humid, and the mirrors were all fogged up. There were four or five girls already in there, with one wrapping her hair in a towel, two brushing teeth at the sinks, and another fixing makeup even though it was barely seven a.m.

The second I walked in, it got quiet.

They all turned to look at me and just stared with wide eyes and little smiles on their faces that weren’t really smiles. One girl whispered something to her friend, and they both glanced at me again. It was exactly like yesterday in the halls, like I had grown an extra head or painted my face blue or something.

I knew why, of course. I knew that I could only blame that stupid video from the field. By now it had probably spread to everyone in the dorm, maybe the whole school. ‘New girl beats football star and makes the whole team look dumb.’ Great way to start the year, Luna.

1 ignored them, kept my face blank, and walked to an empty sink near the end. Then I set my bag down on the counter with a soft thump, proceeded to pull out my toothbrush and toothpaste, and started brushing like I didn’t notice a thing.

1/3

2:41 pm Pppp.

Chapter 4

10 vouchers

Inside, I was groaning. I wished so bad that my scholarship came with a private room, or at least one with its own bathroom, not this shared one where I had to deal with a bunch of girls who already seemed to hate me before I even opened my mouth. It made everything feel harder and made me feel like I was going to be on display every morning until the next best gossip came around.

I focused on the mirror. My curls were a mess from sleeping, frizzy from the steam already, my golden–brown skin looked a little tired, and my hazel eyes were still sleepy. I brushed harder, counting in my head. Just get this done, rinse in a few minutes, shower, and then get out. Ten, maybe fifteen minutes max. After, I’ll head straight to the dining hall for a quick breakfast, then training.

I thought the worst part would be the staring and them whispering while I brushed my teeth. The thought of it was annoying as hell, but I could live with it. I was good at blocking stuff out.

Then I heard footsteps behind me, soft, and most definitely coming straight my way.

I looked behind me in the mirror, and a tall blonde girl was already walking up to me. She was really pretty with long straight hair that looked like it took forever to blow–dry, blue eyes, and perfect skin. She had on a pink robe that looked expensive, tied tight around her waist, and walked like she owned the place, shoulders back, and head high.

In my head, I hoped she just wanted something normal, like, “Hey, how do you get your curls so nice this early?” or “Do you have an extra hair tie?” Anything simple, and anything that didn’t have to do with football or those dumb boys I wanted zero part of.

She stopped right next to me, leaned one hip against the counter, and smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“You’re the new girl, right?”

I kept brushing, looked at her reflection, and tried not to sound rude or sarcastic with my response.

“Is it that obvious?”

She let out a little laugh, but it sounded forced. “I’m Brittany. Brittany Evans, Captain of the cheer squad for the football team.”

Of course she was. Just my shitty luck.

I almost rolled my eyes right there, but I stopped myself. I just wanted this over fast so I could finish and get out.

“Congratulations,” I said, but my voice came out flat, like I didn’t care, which I honestly didn’t.

Her smile faded quickly, and she stood up straighter and crossed her arms over her robe.

“That’s all you have to say?” she asked.

I spat toothpaste into the sink and turned on the water to rinse my brush. “What else should I say?”

She made a huff sound. “I was nice enough to come over here and introduce myself. The least you could do is tell me your name.”

I sighed, but it came out loud and tired.

“Luna Merrick,” I said, keeping my response short I dried my hands on my towel, started putting my toothbrush and toothpaste back in the bag, and zipped it up slowly.

She watched me the whole time, and her lips got thinner, like she was mad.

Then she just blurted it out.

2/3

2:41 pm Pppp.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify