The Alpha’s Curvy Cinderella - Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Jordan POV
There was a tangible amount of excitement in the air as I reached the school grounds. Girls were huddled together, whispering, their eyes gleaming with untold curiosity. I was out of breath, having walked the entire way, my face its usual red color, my hair plastered to my forehead with sweat. I didn’t have the energy, nor the inclination to find out what was happening. I was too exhausted and too heartbroken. I was still dwelling on the ball I wouldn’t get to attend. How could Father have been so cruel? How could he have lied to the Alpha and Luna like that?
Sarah of course, after finding out that I was going to be a helper, had smugly rubbed my face in it every chance she got. “Of course, the little pig is going to be a maid for the night” she howled, very amused “How perfect. You’re just like Cinderella” she scoffed “Only Cinderella was thin and pretty, unlike you.”
It stung. I didn’t think I was ugly. Sure I had more junk in the trunk than other shifters, and my hips were curvy but that didn’t make me ugly. I just had more to love, I thought miserably, the only problem was I had no one to love me. I had tried dieting before but nothing worked. Hell, Sarah and my father starved me on occasion and my body still refused to cooperate and shed the excess pounds. Sometimes I secretly wished that Sarah would get fat so that I could teach her a lesson. But the moon goddess evidently didn’t grant wishes, because every morning I woke up and she was still a pretty supermodel. Shame.
“A new student is coming to school” whispered one girl to her friend, deliberately ignoring me as I trod past her on the way to the lockers.
“I heard he’s from a neighboring pack” another one squealed “And he’s ever so handsome” she gushed “Grant is going to have some serious competition.”
The other girls nodded. “Maybe I’ll finally have a chance of snagging a good-looking boy” joked one of them. The group laughed out loud.
“Yeah, it’s not like any of us have a chance with Grant. He only seems to have eyes for Sarah” hissed the first girl.
I made my way into the school. I was so busy keeping my head down and my eyes focused on the ground, that I failed to notice I was in someone’s path and accidentally hit what felt like a brick wall at first. I bumped right into someone. Immediately I looked up to apologize.
“I’m so sorry” I stammered, feeling like a complete i***t “I wasn’t watching where I was going” I apologized, the boy I’d walked into, someone I hadn’t seen before.
I had to admit he was handsome, with dark brown hair and matching eyes, sun-golden skin, and muscles that showed even through the shirt and pants he wore.
I sucked in a breath waiting for the horrible retort or insult to my weight. Was this the new student everyone had talked about? Oh no. My heart sank. He was going to learn soon enough just how much I was despised. But to my shock, there was a look of concern in his eyes.
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t looking,” he said quietly, my mouth gaping at him in shock “Are you okay?” he added, his arms steadying me.
Had he just apologized to me? But why? I was the one who’d bumped into him. He was an Alpha too, I could sense his aura and the power he was exuding from here. By rights, he should have been angry, but instead, he was concerned. About me!
“I’m alright,” I said quickly, as his hands let go and he c****d his head at me “Sorry again” I whispered.
“I’m Jaxon,” he said, holding out his hand.
I shook it gingerly. Girls in the corridor looked at me with envious eyes or jealousy on their faces. I knew I was going to be paying for this later.
“Jordan,” I said quietly “but it’s best you don’t get to know me. I’m hated around here” I told him, sweeping past him as he watched me with narrowed eyes and a look of understanding on his face. He made no move to stop me and I headed towards my locker, knowing the bell would ring at any minute.
I opened the locker and grabbed my books, carefully closing and locking it again. The bell rang and I headed to class. I had maths and sat in the front row, the seat next to me left wide open. Nobody wanted to be seen sitting with me. It would be bad for their reputation. My math teacher looked around the room with a bored look on his face. “Open your textbooks to page 141” he instructed “and do the worksheet provided.”
He looked up as the door opened. Jaxon wandered in looking remorseful. “Sorry, I had difficulty finding the room,” he told the teacher.
My teacher looked uncomfortable. He was hardly going to tell an Alpha off. He gave a nonchalant shrug instead. “No problem, have a seat. Page 141 of your textbook” he said evenly.
Jaxon looked around the room and spotted the chair next to me. There were a few other chairs in the back but he deliberately made a point of sitting beside me. I shifted nervously in my chair.
“I have a seat next to me you can have” called out Amelia from the back “Trust me you don’t want to sit next to her” she sneered.
I sank down in my chair. Jaxon looked over his shoulder. “I’m fine where I am,” he said firmly “Thank you anyway.” Without another word, he got his textbook out and began to work on the math problems the teacher had ordered us to do. Occasionally I saw him studying me out of the corner of his eye and it made me nervous. What must he be thinking? The other students whispered amongst themselves, horrified to see an Alpha sitting beside someone like myself. He must not know how despised I am I thought miserably. I hadn’t made it clear enough when I spoke to him earlier. At least he didn’t try to talk to me. The bell rang and I put my stuff away and almost bolted out of the room. Jaxon was surrounded by the other girls and unable to go after me. I breathed a sigh of relief.
Everything went swimmingly well until lunchtime. Knowing I had packed a basic sandwich and apple, I headed outside, not wanting to be in the cafeteria. With my luck, Sarah would humiliate me again. Plus, this way I could avoid the new boy. I found a tree with plenty of shade and sat down cross-legged, opening the brown paper lunch bag and inhaling the smell of my bologna sandwich gratefully. At least I had food today. My stomach growled with hunger and my mouth watered with anticipation. I unwrapped the sandwich and took a bite, my eyes closing with delight.
Someone sat beside me. My eyes shot open. It was Jaxon and he looked nonplussed to see me eating.
“Can I help you” I squeaked, looking at him over my sandwich.
He reached into his backpack and drew out his lunchbox, opening it and grabbing a roll. He bit into it and raised an eyebrow. “Why are you avoiding me?” he asked bluntly “You shot out of class like a tornado before I could reach you.”
I swallowed. “I’m nothing more than a weak omega who is overweight. You should find better friends. The other shifters hate me and make fun of me.”
He bit into his roll and swallowed. “I think I’m perfectly capable of making my own friends,” he said bluntly “and I don’t care what other people think. I think you’re interesting” he commented.
I frowned. I didn’t think I was. But he seemed determined to make friends. I shrugged and kept eating. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Sarah approaching with a small group of girlfriends. There was a malicious grin on her face. My heart sank. So much for flying under the radar outside. She was going to ruin this friendship that had barely even begun. I sighed. Jaxon saw the girls approaching.
“Who are they?” he asked.
“My sister and her friends” I muttered, “she’s one of the worst bullies.”
He frowned. Sarah came to a stop in front of him, a wide smile on her face. “You must be the new boy” she cooed “I wanted to welcome you to our school and see if there’s anything you need” she enthused.
“Thank you,” Jaxon said politely “but I have everything I need.”
Sarah shot me a scathing look. I flinched. “You might not know it yet, but Jordan is the last person you should be sitting with. Besides” she said hatefully “why would you want to sit with a fat pig?”
I put my sandwich down, half-eaten, my appetite gone. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes. Jaxon barely glanced at me. He raked his eyes over Sarah and she preened, thinking he was admiring her figure, flipping her hair over her shoulder and thrusting her breasts forward.
“Sorry but I much prefer Jordan,” he said as her mouth gaped open “She’s not fat she’s got gorgeous curves. Jealousy doesn’t look pretty on you” he advised as she turned bright red “In our pack Jordan would be viewed as highly desirable. I don’t know what’s wrong with your pack, but maybe they should learn not to be so judgemental.”
“You prefer her” Sarah stammered.
Jaxon nodded. “I hate bitchy people” he hissed “They make me sick to my stomach.”
The other girls were speechless. It was a sight to behold. My tears faded instantly. A warm glow spread throughout my body. Sarah’s mouth opened and closed. She looked truly flabbergasted. She blushed bright red.
“Well, I never” she sulked and flounced away, shooting me a glower.
Part of me wants to go to Jaxon’s pack, especially if what he said was true. He smirked. “There’s always one of them,” he said with a shake of his head “I get so sick of girls swarming over me. That’s why you’re a breath of fresh air,” he said ” You’re not trying anything. You’re happy to just talk or sit and eat.”
Huh. I guess it was a compliment. He winked at me. “Can I tell you a secret” he whispered.
་་
I nodded eagerly. Whatever it was, it was safe with me. He grinned and moved closer, placing his mouth to my ear. They’re all out of luck, because I’m gay but don’t tell anyone that. It’s so much fun watching the girls try to work out why they can’t get me interested in them” he murmured.
I giggled. Part of me was disappointed but thrilled that he shared the secret with me. No wonder he wasn’t interested I mused. I eyed him sideways. “Did you really mean what you said?”
He looked confused. “About at your pack I would be considered highly desirable,” I asked shyly “Or was it just a lie?” “Oh, I meant it. You’re gorgeous” he said taking another bite of his roll as I picked up my sandwich and began to eat “I would have to beat my unmated males off with a stick to keep them away from you” he laughed “but my pack doesn’t put much stock in being thin and perfect. We accept each other for who we are. It’s a shame your pack doesn’t,” he said darkly.
I polished off my sandwich. He finished his food. He helped me to my feet. “Can I escort you to your next class?” he asked gallantly, grabbing my backpack even as I went to protest.
“Sure” I mumbled, feeling awkward.
He grabbed my hand and began to tug me towards the school. A smile spread on my face. Everybody was in disbelief that an Alpha wanted to be friends with me. For once, I was filled with happiness as I made my way to class. By the time the end of the day had come, Jaxon and I had become firm friends and nobody had tried to humiliate or hurt me. It was the most perfect day of my life. Maybe I wouldn’t be so lonely anymore.