Chapter 17

Chapter

Seventeen

Ihit my alarm more than once.

My hand slapped at the screen until the loud pulsating music finally stopped.

Whoever made the pre-recorded ringtones deserved a special place in alarm clock hell.

I peeled my eyes open.

Already the sun was nearly down outside my window. My eyes snapped open as I reached for my phone. I shut off my alarm once and for all before checking the time.

"Shit." I scrambled out of bed. A pile of pillows and blankets at some point surrounded me in a cushioned cave. "Shit, shit, shit."

My ideal amount of time to make myself look presentable was now cut in half. Quickly I brushed my hair and fixed it into its loose waves before moving onto my face, taking the most time to cover the dark circles under my eyes– as if I hadn't been sleeping all the time to get over this stupid cold or bug or whatever it was that had taken over my life.

I stared at myself in the dress that, surprisingly enough, hugged my curves.

Looking in the mirror, it was hard to deny it.

Rita was right. I looked good.

For once, I was also grateful that it was a short dress. Without much fabric, the dress left enough skin that I wouldn't be too hot wherever we ended up. If it was with Cal, it didn't matter exactly where. I knew it was going to be an amazing time.

A small smile curled at my lips when I thought of him.

My phone beeped as if it was happy for me.

Cal: On my way! Can't wait to celebrate with you, beautiful.

Heat crawled up my spine and my head swam, taking a step back towards my snack shelf. I shoved a few crackers in my mouth.

I was fine.

I was not going to let feeling a little under the weather ruin this night for me. Not when I felt so close to happiness.

I was so close to feeling once and for all, just like any other beta. I was normal. Pretty and even fawned over a little bit, and I wanted more.

I was exactly where I was supposed to be. That was all I needed to focus on right now.

Can't wait.