Page 33 of Eight Steps to Alpha

Chapter 11

Her argumentwith Elliot was all she could think about that Monday at school. Every time she adjusted a microscope, or answered a child’s question about epithelial tissue, she was distracted by memories of their fight. First, with how great the night had started out, then later, by how tragically it all had ended. But who could blame her for wanting another person in the house at the moment? If it hadn’t been for Colton’s interruption, she wasn’t sure what would have happened. Because every time she was left alone with him lately, she craved his touch. Every time he looked at her, her heart started to race.

Scrubbing over her tired eyes with the heels of her hands, she took a cleansing breath. Honestly, she wasn’t sure if she’d slept more than a minute the entire weekend. Her mind kept playing his words, then hers, then his again, over and over again in her head. It was enough to drive a girl crazy. And fill her with a belly full of wings, that hadn’t stopped flapping for the past seventy-two hours.

Right now, she glanced over the pristine tables she’d spent the last two hours cleaning, then picked up the last of her dust rags, and threw it in the hamper. The science lab had never been this pristine.

It was normally her sanctuary, her safe place, but even in this condition, it hardly brought her any comfort. Because all she could think about was how insensitive she’d been to Elliot.

Clenching her jaw, she told herself she wasn’t going to cry. Yes, she was curious about his family, and yes, she had an overwhelming feeling that without Colton around, things between her and Elliot would become even more complicated, but she should have never invited him to stay. Not without talking to Elliot first. She buried her face in her hands, realizing she was turning into a raving lunatic!

The door to the science lab opened then, causing Fe’s whole body to stiffen as she turned around. She’d been expecting Elliot, because it was odd he hadn’t tried calling by now. When her eyes locked on the door however, her body instantly relaxed when she saw Mrs. G’s, pushing a rolling cart of test tubes into the building.

Mrs. G paused when she noticed her, clearly shocked to find Fe still there. “Mija?” She pushed the cart toward the closet. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Fe straightened her back. “I just…the lab was so dirty…”

“Mija.” Mrs. G interrupted. “I’ve known you over a year. The only time you clean is when something is bothering you.” Her hands planted firmly on her hips, and she frowned. “Is this about a boy?”

Fe laughed. “No.” She shook her head. “Not at all.”

“A Man? Mr. Peeking?”

“No.” Fe choked, realizing Mrs. G knew more than she let on. “Not him. Thank God, not him.”

“Well what is it then? Your period?”

Fe shook her head. “No…”

Mrs. G covered her mouth. “Are you pregnant?”

“God no.” Fe gripped the bridge of her nose and scoffed. “I’m not pregnant. Jesus. It’s nothing like that.”

Mrs. G stood in front of her. “You don’t look like it’s nothing. Dis right here”–she waved her finger over Fe’s face—“Is not nothing.”

Fe blew out a breath, knowing Mrs. G wouldn’t leave unto she confessed. “Okay.” She let out a heavy breath. “If you must know, I had a fight with my roommate the other day.”

“Go on.”

“And we went to bed angry for the first time ever, and I’ve felt terrible ever since.”

“So it is about a boy.”

“Well yeah… but not that kind of boy. Not like what you’re saying.”

“Well what kind of boy is he?”

Fe hopped up on a table, wringing her fingers in her hands. “Well, he’s a normal boy. My best friend if I’m being honest. But we’re not romantic, if that’s what you’re meaning.”

“Uh huh… and what was this fight about?”

“Well…” She cleared her throat, because suddenly having to say things out loud, made them time times worse. “You see…his brother, who he hadn’t seen in four years, came to visit. It was out of the blue, and Elliot obviously didn’t want him there.” She paused to take a breath.“But well, and I’m not really sure what possessed me, but I somehow invited Colton to sleep on our couch.”

“No!” Mrs. G covered her mouth.

“Yes!” Fe hopped down from the table, her heart pounding again.

“Who’s Colton?” Mrs. G asked with wide eyes.

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