Charlie & Her Beta

Seven

Charli didn’t even have to tell her father what had happened, nor did she have the strength too. As soon as she staggered in through the door, he quickly made his way to her and scooped her into his arms. His heart broke for her as he walked with her carefully upstairs to her room.

Beta Nolan Removed her shoes and tucked her comfortably into bed. “I’m so sorry my beautiful girl.” he says gently brushing the hair from her face and kissing her forehead. “What can I do?” He asks his daughter and Charli shakes her head. “I’d just like to rest.” She manages to choke out between her tears, and he nods.

“Alright.” he replies tenderly. Her father pulls the chair from her vanity over to her bedside and strokes her hair lovingly until she finally falls asleep.

When Charli finally woke up the next day the sun was already shining brightly through her window. She rolled over to look over at her alarm clock and realized that it was nearly noon. She sat up quickly to get ready for school and as soon as she realized head was pounding and the pain stopped her momentarily.

She rubbed her temple and let out an annoyed sigh. When she finally made it out of bed, she got a glimpse of her face in the mirror and let out another exasperated sigh. She moved closer and poked at her puffy eyes. “This is going to take some work.” She mumbles to herself walking away and starting the shower.

Charli dug underneath her bathroom cabinet while the water warmed up, placing all the beauty products she could find on top of the counter, hoping she could concoct a miracle serum to fix what the tears had done to her face.

She placed some gold jelly under eye masks on before stepping into the shower and trying to wash away all the memories from the day before. She refused to give what had happened to her anymore power, so she pushed her sadness to the side and came up with a story she could tell her friends if they asked why she was late to school today.

After getting dressed she double checked her outfit in the mirror. Her face was still a little puffy but there was nothing more she could do about it today. She slung her book bag over her shoulder and ran down the stairs to the front door and just before she opened it to step outside she heard her dad call out, “Where do you think you’re going?”

Charli takes a few steps backwards and peeks inside his office, “to school?” She says, confused as to why he was even asking. “I can still make it to cheer practice, and I don’t want to have to make up the work in all my classes.” She explains.

“Come here for a minute Arli.” Her dad says in a sickly-sweet tone that she did not appreciate. She didn’t want anyone to pity her, especially her father. “I don’t want to talk about this dad.” She says adjusting her book bag on her shoulder.

“Sit.” He commands gesturing towards one of the chairs facing his desk and Charli lets out sigh. “In light of what occurred yesterday I-” “dad . . .” she says cutting him off, she really doesn’t want to dredge up all those feelings she spent all morning pushing to the back of her mind.

“Let me finish Arli,” He retorts in a more serious tone, realizing she doesn’t want him to act differently towards her. “You have been offered the opportunity to graduate early and begin academy my as of next week.” To say she was surprised by what he said would be an understatement.

“Next week?” She repeats her mind now reeling. “Yes, next week.” he tells her plainly “I have the admissions form here,” he says sliding a packet across the desk to her and she picks it up looking it over, the reality of what is going on has not yet sunk in.

“I need you to request your top three choices placing a 1, next to the program you most want to attend and a 3 next to the least.” He paused for a moment and studied his daughter's face. He can tell what he has said hasn’t registered with her yet, but he continues to speak anyway. “I had to list your species as human based off the guidelines.” He says annoyed, “I hope you're ok with that?” he asks, and she nods without looking up.

“Charli do you understand what's going on?” he asks in a more somber tone, and she looks up at him with her piercing green eyes. “I . . .” She starts “yes . . .” She tells him sadly about to cry again. “What about my friends?” she mumbles, and her dad stands, walking around the desk he comes to kneel in front of her.

“I know this isn’t fair Charli and nobody is forcing you to leave, but I think it is the best thing for you right now.” He tells her and she nods understanding. ‘Perhaps some distance will help her heal’ she thinks to herself although she doesn’t think that it’s fair. She never even had a choice in any of this. She thinks as a stray tear rolls down her cheek and her father wipes it away with his calloused finger.

“And as for your friends,” Her dad starts standing up. “Most of them will be joining you at Academy next fall Goddess willing. You have been given the opportunity to complete academy almost an entire year ahead of them, it a good opportunity.” He looks at his daughter and she nods in agreement.

“Okay, let's get this filled out then.” She tells him and he gives her a smile. “Thats my girl.” Charli has always excelled academically, and she will rise to the occasion now just as she always had before.