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Chapter 2

Tessa's POV

"Ugh! No matter how much makeup I use, I still have those damn circles under my eyes! I'm blaming Mrs Felicity for this you know?! Keeping us all outside in that damn storm last night - does she seriously want those wolves thinking that none of us get any sleep and don't take care of ourselves?!" Erin rambles on quickly in her rant, as she waves her mascara wand around frantically as she talks.

Last night wasn't a first evacuation drill for us however, it wasn't ideal timing for us either considering that our judgement day begins today!

"At least you got a few hours in! I was wide awake even before the alarm - I'm running on an hour of sleep at most!" I tell her in a laugh, combing back my high blonde ponytail - securing it neatly on the top of my head with a hair tie.

My makeup looked ok, and my hair was neat and tidy to show that I did, in fact, take pride in my appearance which was one of the key things we had been taught on campus - always look your best!

"It's ok! We look good! If we both don't get picked out today, then that just means that there's a better wolf out there who will come with the next pack to sweep us off our feet!" Erin concludes, zipping up her makeup bag and standing to glance herself over once more from head to toe.

Her light brown hair was perfectly waved, with a small black ribbon securing the front pieces back - keeping them away from her face.

The plan was that we are set to go about our normal school day on campus, attending our classes and activities as normal until the assembly bell is sounded.

It would no doubt be sounded out today or tomorrow depending on how late or early the first pack arrive to the campus... but we were taught to always be prepared.

"So we assemble in the sports hall when the alarm goes off and they come to look at us all in there?" Erin questions, as I tug on my sport shorts and top set seeing as I have dance class for the first part of the day.

Dance was an activity I had selected since we were all meant to showcase a 'talent' to the wolves in order to help us stand out. It was something in which I found joy in, and the teachers in the class seemed to really like me and think that I was good - despite the other girls regularly telling me otherwise.

Erin however was in to music, and loved to sing and play the piano - with a voice like a true angel.

"Yeah that's right... and all we have to hope for is that one male puts our number down as their top three to move on to the next stage... that's when they can properly get to know us a little better before they make their choice." I explain, running over the step by step process in which we had been given over the years in order to prepare us for this day.

Nothing should go wrong... it's easy... we hear the alarm and we make our way to the hall to line up to be viewed... after that, it's up to the wolves.

"Ok well we better walk over there! We only have ten minutes until the day starts!" Erin comments, checking her small silver wrist watch, as I nod and collect my backpack.

The walk was quick, as we glanced around at the other girls leaving the building to head over towards the main campus - all pristine and composed in an attempt to look their absolute best today.

The air buzzed with nervous anticipation as we approached the main study building. Erin's optimism was contagious, providing a small comfort amidst the looming uncertainty of our judgment day...

"Everybody has seriously went all out! I reckon most of the girls will get picked this year! Hopefully we get lucky too and maybe even get one from a decent pack!" Erin grinned, as I followed in behind her as she weaved her way through the hallways.

"I mean can you imagine? Being selected by one of the leading packs! I heard that we would be treated like royalty!" Erin giggles, glancing back at me from over her shoulder before checking her watch once again.

Erin was always on time, which hadn’t been my own strong suit over the years having been punished on multiple occasions for my lack of time keeping…

"Bell is set to go any minu..." Erin raised a finger, but before she could even finish, the ringing noise sounded out throughout the echoing halls - commanding for us to head to our first class of the day.

"I guess I'll see you at break? Given that the alarm doesn't sound out before then and that we have to line up!" I state, as Erin nods and we say a brief goodbye and hurry to our locations.

It didn’t take me long to reach my class - seeing the frosted doors to the studio up ahead.

The vibrant mirrors and polished wooden floors had always been a sanctuary for me, a place where I could lose myself in the rhythm and movement and perfect my craft.

But little did I know, that the familiar faces that awaited me in the room would soon turn this haven into a nightmare once again...

The absence of our regular dance teacher left an unsettling void as I stilled at the doors - gaining the attention of my fellow classmates who had arrived before me...

Instead, one of the head girls, Jessica, seemed to assume control as she stood at the front - arms folded tightly and face looking amused.

Her disdain for me was no secret, and her position as the class leader provided the perfect opportunity for her to unleash her cruelty on me at any given time.

This could be bad…

“As you can all see, I have actually been put in charge today because Miss Leila is off sick!” Jessica’s high pitched voice announces to the room, her confidence seeping through with each word.

My feet moved slowly from my spot at the door, as I placed my bag to the side, removed my shoes and found a space - aiming to hide away in the back behind the other girls.

As the class commenced, the air thickened with hostility as Jessica regularly asked me to demonstrate moves and made it clear that she knew I was in here... despite my attempts to go unnoticed.

Jessica and her followers wasted no time as their comments started out as giggling whispers, which gradually escalated into cruel taunts directed right at me.

“Come on Tessie… try harder! If any male seen you throwing your body around like that they would no doubt spew!” A girl, Gretchen, snorts out a laugh as my cheeks flare a bright red.

The dance routine quickly transformed into a nightmare, as they deliberately sabotaged my steps, causing me to stumble and falter as we moved from place to place - with someone occasionally bumping in to me or tripping me up across the floor.

Clothes were the first casualty - as I felt the hand of whoever stood behind me in the line pull at the neck collar of my shirt with both hands - successfully ripping the thin material from the back.

“Let’s hope that you wore a bra today skank!” Molly, being the perpetrator this time sneers.

A malicious tug here, followed by a forceful yank there as the other girls joined in, and finally, my once-pristine dance attire lay torn and tattered as my mind swirled to catch up with the torment happening around me.

I now stood in my sports bra which was too thick to rip, and my shorts which now had a tear up the leg… leaving me feeling more exposed than what I was to begin with having wore shorts today!

This treatment was different, because they would often make comments and occasionally pinch or trip me up during class but today, they seemed to be going all out… to totally destroy me.

Laughter echoed throughout the studio as my hair became the next victim of the assault, as I lost all track of how many girls now participated around me in the heinous sabotage.

My once neat ponytail which had been meticulously styled an hour ago, became a chaotic mess of knots and disarray - causing me to hiss after each violent tug and pull.

The pinnacle of their cruelty came when they targeted my makeup, smearing it with vindictive glee.

My attempts to escape and defend myself only fueled their aggression as I pushed their hands away and attempted to head towards the door - only to be pulled back by two rough hands which caused for me to fall down...

“P-Please! Just let me g-go…” I cry out, feeling a kick to my back before more kicks follow to my legs as I groan and attempt to get up once more…

“L-L-Look guys! My names T-Tessie… and I’m so so scared of going t-to my d-dance class with my f-friends!” Jessica mimics my stutter, causing the room to erupt in hysterical laughter.

The studio, once filled with the promise of self-expression, became a battleground where I fought to preserve my dignity - only to be pushed and kicked repeatedly.

“To think that she actually tried to look good today for the wolves! As if she would ever be picked!” Another giggles loudly, as my cheeks flare red with both embarrassment and upset.

The tears streamed down my face as I continued to beg and cry for help or mercy - receiving nothing of the sort.

Why today? When I had actually felt good about myself and my appearance? Now I was a broken mess laying amongst them on the floor with no escape…

In the midst of the chaos, they even seized my shoes and bag from across the room – the last remnants of my composure – before they callously tossed them out of the second-story window.

I watched on, helpless, as they took joy in stripping me of every last bit of dignity I had left…

But just on that note, with what I thought could never get any worse…

I tense when hearing the dreaded assembly alarm finally piercing itself out in to the room amongst the torment, signaling an end to the dance class but the beginning of a more pressing challenge - the arrival of the wolves!

The girls all stilled, eyes growing wide, before they instantly rushed towards the dance wall mirrors - checking their untouched faces and hair once more before grabbing their shoes and rushing for the door - their attention no longer on me as their victim.

This cannot be happening!

Not right now!

With my clothes torn, makeup smeared, legs bruised and hair in complete disarray, I lay on the studio floor, a broken mess as I breathed heavily in a panicked attempt to compose myself.

As the alarm continued to sound, the girls hastily rushed their way to the assembly point, leaving me abandoned - my mind thumping with options on what to do next… finding that I dont actually have many options!

The assembly awaited my arrival, and I had no time to salvage my appearance whatsoever.

With a trembling breath, I forced myself to stand up, clutching at the tattered shreds of my dignity as I approached the mirrors - feeling the aches in my legs spring to life.

The clock ticked mercilessly, as the five minute timer ticked closer to a stop… as I eventually stumbled towards the exit, barefoot and bruised with no other choice but to show face…

The consequences of being a 'no show' at the assembly were far worse than facing the wolves in this deplorable state - believe it or not!

It was official, no male would be picking me for their top three today that was for sure… and so I would just have to try again for the next packs arrival... however I prayed that Erin wouldn’t be taken away from me this time now.

I wiped away my falling tears, summoning a strength I didn't know I possessed as I pushed myself on quickly down the hallways - ignoring the black mascara smears now painting the backs of my hands after each aggressive wipe.

The walk to the assembly hall felt like a journey through a nightmare.

Each step closer echoed the scars inflicted upon me, and the idea of facing the judgmental gazes of the male wolves only helped to intensify my anxiety.

As the doors to the assembly hall loomed up ahead, I took a deep breath and raced my way inside, seeing all of the other girls in my year group - evenly spaced around the hall and silent.

The wolves hadn’t yet arrived which I was thankful to have bet them here… before I hurried to find a spot up the back - unable to find Erin amongst the large gathering which left me with no other choice but to face this whole event alone.

Ignoring the curious stares and sniggers, the bell soon stopped, meaning that time was done and that the wolves would be entering any moment now…

I chewed my lip, feeling a single tear trickle down my face before hearing the sound of the two entry doors opening and the murmuring of deep voices following suit.

This is it… my first ever judgment day… and it all had to go completely wrong…

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