The Triplet Alphas's Christmas Gift

Chapter 12 - Bodyguards and lunch

Teira's POV

Classes went by quickly, and thanks to the late-night study session, I wasn't behind. The odd thing was, who was waiting for me outside of class when it was over.

Matt was leaning against the wall facing the door when class was dismissed. It looked like he was texting, but I couldn't be sure as he was frowning at the screen.

He looked up when I walked out and smiled at me, "Hey, ready to head to your next class?" he asked and I c****d my head at him in confusion. "What are you doing here?" I asked quietly. He opened his mouth to respond, but a sickly, sweet voice interrupted him.

"Matty! How are you today? I haven't seen you boys in ages." Whitley and her crew came around the corner and stopped in front of him, nudging me out of the way. Matt cringed at the nickname, "Whitley, I've told you not to call me that. And I'm fine." he said coldly. Whitley flinched but otherwise didn't seem to register his tone.

She giggled coyly, "Oh, come on Matty. You know you love it. Anyway, are you boys doing anything after school today? I went to the mall but you weren't there." she said pouting and Matt growled causing her to back up a bit, bumping into me.

"Watch where you're standing!" she snapped barely glancing at me. I sighed, "It's a crowded hallway, Whitley. Maybe if your crew wasn't taking up half the hall, you wouldn't bump into people." I murmured but she didn't hear me, either because she was too focused on Matt or because there were too many people walking past. Matt snickered but didn't say anything else, "We've got training after school as usual, and then studying for finals next week. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to walk my friend to her next class." he said, sliding past her.

She tried to grab his arm but missed, almost wrecking her manicured nails on the wall, "Perfect, I need to study as well. How about I meet you guys at the packhouse, and we can do a group study session?" she asked, but Matt shook his head. "We'll study by ourselves tonight, Whitley, I wouldn't want to mess with your other plans. Come on, Teira. We've got class." he finished walking over to me and trying to block her view.

Whitley stiffened then turned her sickly sweet smile on me, "Oh, Tera. How nice to see you again. I heard what happened yesterday, such a horrible incident. Are you doing ok?" she asked simpering. I flinched but nodded and just walked away, not wanting to draw attention to myself.

Matt growled but I just grabbed him and shook my head, "It's not worth it." I murmured and he nodded. Glaring at Whitley one last time, he followed me down the hall.

When we got far enough away, he turned to me. "To answer your previous question, I wanted to make sure you were alright after the talk with the principal. And make sure you get to your next class ok." he said quietly, and I looked at him, a bit stunned, "Why?" I asked. Nobody wanted to be around me usually, but now not only did I have the triplets inviting me to sit with them at lunch, but now walking me to class?

He shrugged, "As I told Whitley, you're my friend. Friends look out for each other. And I figured you'd be harassed in the hall due to what happened this morning. Here's your next class, see you at lunch." he said and sure enough, we were standing outside my math class. Before I could say anything, Matt had already turned and headed down the hall. I sighed, this was confusing but I needed to concentrate on my studies. Math was a difficult subject for me, and while I wasn't failing it, I had to work extra hard on this subject to keep my grades up.

Math class went by just as quickly as history had and when I came out, Tyler was waiting on me. He was leaning against the wall casually, his eyes had returned to their normal gray color with a tint of green in them. He smiled when he saw me, "Hey princess, how was class?" he asked as I approached.

I looked at him suspiciously, "Am I going to expect one of you outside my classroom all day?" I asked quietly, and he smirked, "Pretty much. We don't want what happened yesterday to happen again. And Kyle can't be around you all day." he said as he walked beside me. I glared at him, "Tyler, I didn't ask for bodyguards." I murmured and he looked at me sharply, "You're right, princess. You didn't but we volunteered anyway. You are special to us and we don't like seeing you hurt, so let us help keep the bullying down to a minimum at least." he said gently.

I sighed and nodded, there was nothing I could do about it anyway. The triplets were going to do what they wanted. Especially if Kyle was in on it.

Plus it was kinda nice walking down the hallway with someone. Matt had made small talk, asking about class and a few other things since we didn't get to talk much in the SUV. Tyler was cracking jokes and making me laugh, then grabbed my hand outside of my science class, "Thanks for the stroll, princess. I'll see you at lunch." he said, kissing the back of my hand before winking and striding away.

I blushed, Tyler was certainly a flirt. The heat from his lips traveled up my arm, raising goosebumps along the way. I shook my head to clear my thoughts, focus Teira, then walked into class.

As Tyler said, when I got out of class, Ryan was waiting for me. I wasn't surprised to see him but I was surprised that he held out his hand towards me when I approached. I looked at him, confused, and he chuckled, "Since we're going to lunch, you might as well hand me your bag." he said quietly. I blushed and nodded handing over the backpack on my shoulder, "Thank you." I murmured and headed towards the lunch line. He smiled but said nothing, just draped my bag over his left shoulder and followed.

We talked about a few things, but when I grabbed my tray and began placing a few things on it, he shook his head, "Grab more, you won't get through the day with that little amount." he said gently. I smiled sadly but shook my head, "I can't afford it." I murmured trying to keep my voice low. He frowned, "What do you mean? Don't your parents give you lunch money?" he asked.

I chuckled dryly, "My parents don't care if I have breakfast in the morning. Why would they give me lunch money?" I asked sarcastically. Ryan's eyes turned stormy, but he didn't say anything, just grabbed some other food on his tray. When we got to the register, Ryan didn't let me even try to count the measly change I had scraped up from my room this morning; he just handed the lady a twenty-dollar bill and then took his change, smirking at me.

I glared at him, I was not some charity case! But before I could protest, he just walked around me, heading toward their table with my bag. I growled, I didn't tell him that so he could pity me. I turned, looking to sit at my usual table, when his voice flitted through my mind. Don't even think about it, angel. You sit with us, where you belong.

I growled in reply, but Kyle's voice stopped me from defying him further, Come on, Tei, I want to hear about your day! he whined. I huffed, looking at Kyle's pouting face, I didn't get to see him that much during lunch, and he knew I hated eating alone. I stomped over and set my tray down gently, not wanting to spill my beef stew. I tried to sit on Kyle's other side, away from Ryan, but Tyler glanced at Ryan, and they swapped places.

Ryan frowned when they did but took one look at my face and didn't say anything. He tried to place the extra food on my tray but I blocked him, putting it back on his, "You paid for it, you eat it." I growled softly. He looked at me sternly, "You didn't eat this morning, and you have two more classes to go as well as study hall; there's no need to be stubborn." he said quietly.

Kyle winced at Ryan's words but I glared, "I didn't tell you that so you could make me your charity case, Ryan!" I said hotly. Matt and Tyler looked between us worriedly but Ryan growled, "If you think I'm doing this cause I pity you, you've got another thing coming. You are our friend, Kyle's sister, and a special person. I will NOT see you go hungry due to your pride!"

I flinched at that, but Kyle put his arm around my waist hugging me, "Tei, let us help you. You can't keep trying to do everything on your own. Please." he whispered. I looked at him; his blue eyes were pleading with me, and my anger subsided, "Fine. But no more charity. I don't need people going around saying the triplets only want me around because they feel sorry for me." I said quietly.

Tyler grabbed my hand, squeezing it gently, "Princess, even if they did, that's not the case for us. I told you, you're special to us. Let us give you the things your parents should have." he said and I shook my head, "I don't need it, but thanks. And I'll pay you back for the food as soon as I can." I told Ryan who flinched but nodded.

Matt looked at me curiously, "So, if your parents don't give you money for lunch. How do you eat at school?" he asked quietly. I smiled sadly, "I have a part-time job at the roller rink, but I can't work during school hours, so I normally work after school for a few hours before heading home to make dinner." I explained, "What happened yesterday kinda scr*wed up my plans, so I didn't have a lot of money for lunch today."

The triplets frowned but nodded, and we ate lunch in silence; I could tell they were talking over the link, but I didn't care; it was none of my business.