Chapter 5 Happiness doesn't last long

I scrubbed the dishes in the kitchen. I was happy to be in silence and for the first time in a long time, I felt at peace. It was a small feeling of calmness I hadn't felt since my mom died and I cherished every second of it.

As I washed the dishes, my thoughts drifted to Tyler. I couldn't help but smile at the thought of him. How had I gotten so lucky?

He was good-looking, yes, but it was more than that. Tyler was kind. He knew exactly what to say to make me feel me like I wasn't as worthless as people told me I was. Somehow, he just knew how to make me feel... safe. I wished my mom was here. I would have told her all about him. She would have been excited to know i had found my mate.

The memory of us pressed close in the janitor's closet earlier that day flooded in my mind. shivered, remembering how his breath had brushed against my skin, sending tiny sparks down my spine. His scent still lingered in my mind. I closed my eyes, trying to imagine the feel of his lips on my neck, the way his hand had held me, and how my body responded, like he'd unlocked something in me that I didn't know existed.

With each plate I scrubbed, I felt the connection between us. He'd made me laugh in chemistry class too, with jokes that were silly but had me giggling like a kid. Being around him was like a breath of fresh air. For once, I didn't have to pretend or guard myself. I could just... be me.

But the thought of him rejecting me pulled at my mind. My hands paused as I tried to shake off the dread. Maybe it was foolish to worry, but I couldn't help it.

What if he saw through me and realized I wasn't worth his time? And Stephanie-beautiful, perfect Stephanie-wouldn't hesitate to go after him at her party. Who would resist her? In fact, someone like Tyler was supposed to be with a girl like Stephanie, not someone plain like me.

"Catherine!" Ann screamed, interrupting my thoughts.

I flinched in shock and accidentally, a glass slipped from my hands. The crash echoed through the kitchen, and I gasped, staring at the pieces scattered across the floor.

"You clumsy fool!" Ann stormed into the kitchen "I've been calling you for hours!"

"I'm sorry. I was just-"

She cut me off with a glare. "That was my favorite cup!"

My cheeks burned. "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"Oh, spare me the apologies. Whatever your plan is, it won't work. No matter how much you try to frustrate me, I'm not going anywhere."

I took a breath, trying to keep myself calm "I'm not planning anything. It was an honest mistake. I even apologized."

She scoffed. "Yeah, right."

I clenched my jaw. I couldn't help the anger I felt. Why was she so bent on making me suffer? She was the one who betrayed my mom yet somehow, she made it seem like I was the one at fault.

"You know what? Maybe you're just feeling insecure and guilty."

Her eyes narrowed. "What could I possibly feel guilty about?"

"Your best friend died, and you moved into her house the day after she was buried. You were supposed to be like a sister to her, but instead..."

She folded her arms, looking unbothered. "So? I can't help who I fall in love with. And for the record, your father wanted me, too. They weren't happy."

I laughed bitterly "You're unbelievable. My mom loved you, trusted you. And this... this is how you repay her?"

"You don't get to judge me, Catherine. You know nothing. I'm the lady of this house now. Your mother's gone."

My fists tightened. "Not to me. She's still here."

Ann's face twisted in anger. She reached out and grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the door. "You want to test me? Fine. Get out of my house!"

I stumbled, trying to pull away, but she was relentless. She shoved me out onto the front step and slammed the door behind her. I stood there. The coldness of the evening sank into my bones as I tried to calm my trembling hands.

She was so... so mean.

I swallowed the knot in my throat and began walking down the road, hoping the cool night air would clear my mind. The park wasn't far. I could sit there for a while. It would be a good space to clear my head. Anything to keep me from breaking down completely.

On my way to the park, I passed the school. There, I saw a group of kids outside. I recognized them as football players and cheerleaders. They perched on their cars as they laughed. I kept my head down, hoping to slip by unnoticed. I didn't want any trouble.

But then, a familiar voice called out. "Catherine?"

I looked up, and there he was-Tyler. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him.

He stepped out from the group, walking towards me. His eyes widened when he saw my tear-streaked face. He came closer with a concerned look on his face.

"Hey... What's wrong?" he asked softly" Why are you crying?"

I looked at the floor, biting my lip to keep the tears at bay. I didn't want him to see how sad and broken I was. A few tears escaped anyway and I quickly wiped them, hoping he wouldn't notice.

But Tyler did notice. He reached out and pulled me into his arms, holding me tight. "Hey, it's okay. Don't cry. I'm here."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Stephanie standing with the others. I could see the annoyance on her face as she watched us.

"Tyler!" she called. "We're going to get pizza. Are you coming?"

He barely glanced at her, still holding me. "No, not this time,"

Stephanie rolled her eyes, muttering something to the others as they walked away.

I pulled back, trying to smile. "You don't have to stay. Go have fun with your friends."

He shook his head, brushing a tear from my cheek. "Not a chance. You need someone to talk to, and I'm not leaving you alone."

Something about his words broke down the last bit of my walls and I started crying again. In that moment, I felt the pressure of everything - my mom's death, my dad's betrayal, Ann's attitude towards me. It was all too much. I buried my face in his shoulder as I cried. I felt his arms tighten around me as he traced gentle circles on my back.

"Don't cry, my love," he murmured.

"I'll be okay," I whispered, trying to believe it.

He pulled back and smiled at me "Are you feeling better?"

"Not completely," I sniffled. "But... I think I will be."

Tyler took my hand, lacing our fingers together. "Then let's go find somewhere to sit. I know just the place."

And in that moment, everything felt a little lighter, as if I could finally start to breathe again.