The Beta's Catch novel Chapter 37

-HER-

"Can't you explain it to me?" I ask him but he shakes his head dismissingly before sipping from his drink. He deliberately changes the topic and we talk more until it's time to leave.

I still want to know but whenever I try to take the conversation in that direction, he changes it and he does it pretty well. I slowly feel a frustration build inside me.

I mostly silent when he drives me home.

"When will I see you next?" he asks me as we get nearer to my house.

"I don't know," I mutter, still deep into my thoughts. When the car stops at the corner of the road to my house, he offers, "This weakened?" There is hope in his voice.

"I'll be busy this weekend," I mutter as I take the seat belts off and open the door.

"Cybele, are you mad at me?" He asks while I grind my teeth in frustration and answer, "No, see you later," I walk away without looking back. I feel bad for not talking to him properly but he is keeping things from me too.

"I am home," I announce before I race to my bedroom. I shower, change into my pajamas, make sure that the marks are covered before I go downstairs to dinner. Tonight, dad asks me questions related to collage.

I answer them carefully. Sometimes, I feel like moving out and living on my own but my parents are way too protective. It sometimes drives me mad.

When dinner is over, I am exhausted. I lock myself in my room and read before drifting to sleep.

The next day, I wake up early to work on the assignment. I soon set out for classes. Fortunately, I only have two classes today. I find his messages piled up in the inbox as soon as I check my phone.

With a wildly beating heart, I tap on his name.

Jake: Are you mad at me, Cybele?

I am sorry if I did something wrong...

Please, when can I see you again?

Cybele?

Along with those there are a couple of missed calls from him. They were made at night – when I was struggling to sleep. My fingers hover over the screen as I try to come up with something good to text him.

Me: Good morning :')

I press the sent button without thinking much. I arrive at the college soon and wait for Lisa. My mouth hangs open when Sidonio drops her. He kisses her goodbye before he turns to me.

He freezes instantly when his eyes fall on me. His nostrils flare for a moment as if he is sniffing something, "Beta fem... I mean hello, Cybele," He instantly corrects himself.

There's a strange look on his face as he looks at me. It gravely puzzles me.

"Morning, Sid," I greet and he nods uncertainly. Lisa is observant enough to not miss the awkward exchange between us.

"Please, Lisa. I cannot take this. Jake didn't tell me anything," I tell her and she sighs.

"Alright, I'll try to tell you the basics but promise me that you won't freak out and keep everything to yourself. I might be breaking some serious rules for you," She tells me as we head to the class.

I agree to this, still bewildered.

"And what happened with Sid down there? That was the most awkward interaction that I ever have in my life!"

"I know. He was surprised to know about you and Jake,"

"And why did he drop you this morning?" Usually it's Lisa who grills me with questions and speaks for the most part but today the roles seemed to have been reversed. I think it's because I am fed with the lack of answers. I am starving for them.

"Cybele..." She bushes as she continues to tell me, "I am moving in with Sid,"

"Wow, congratulations..." I am really happy for her but there's a question lingering in my head, "How does Sid know Jake?"

I don't miss the regret on her face. She has unknowingly spilled some beans. She clutches her forehead, realizing her mistake before she informs me, "Sid and Jake are kind of... neighbors? Sid told me that they grew up together,"

I nod at the explanation before I ask the most crucial question, "And how does Sid come to know about me and him?"

Lisa pressed her lips in a thin line before answering, "Well, that's the scariest part,"