Chapter 2

We went to our classes as usual, but everyone was avoiding me, except George of course. Emma started the rumor that I killed the Boss, shortly after I was suspended. The police proved that it was an animal attack, but that didn't change anyone's mind about me. We sat in history class; Mr. D was explaining the struggle for supplies in the war in 1965. As the war raged between humans and supernatural’s, supplies grew scarce, because most of the countries wanted to help the humans, and refused to send any supplies to other countries, in case the supernatural’s were the ones who were receiving the supplies. It was a dark time for anyone. Governments fell and many people died for the fight for land and leadership. I know that my family was nearly wiped out in that time. Grams had lost her parents then; she was only 23.

Class ended too quickly. The bell rang cutting our lesson short. I sighed, George made his way thought the small crowd, toward me. I suddenly got lightheaded, while I was still sitting

"You, okay?" he asked when he finally reached me.

"Yeah, just a little lightheaded," I shook my head hoping it would help. It didn't help it just made the world spin faster. I closed my eyes and the sensation stopped suddenly. When I was sure that there was no chance of me passing out, I stood up and rolled my shoulders. Throwing my bag over my shoulder.

"We're still on for our study session, right?" he asked a bit concerned.

"Sure. Just be careful. I'm convinced that Grams has a crush on you," I said trying to hide my smile.

"Ha ha. Very funny," he obviously didn't believe me.

I erased any trace of a smile on my face and looked at him seriously.

"You're not serious, are you?" he sounded a bit destressed.

"Don't worry. I'm sure she will outlive you," I patted him on his back as we exited the classroom.

"That's not funny," his expression filled with terror and panic.

"Oh come on, it's a bit funny," I smiled.

"I'll get you back for that," he glowered.

"Really? How?" I challenged.

"I won't tell you. It'll ruin the surprise," a wicked grin spread over his face.

"Just remember that if you hurt me my dad will kill you," I said triumphantly.

"I can't believe you would play the dad card," he said exasperated.

"Well, I will only use it if necessary," I bumped his shoulder with mine and he laughed, bumping me back.

I rubbed the back of my neck as I wrote out the solution for the math problem, I have been struggling for the last 30 minutes. It was impossible for me to think. My brain felt foggy. There was no chance I was going to tell my parents. Not that they would care. I have felt like this before when I was twelve. But it was only for a day. Shaking away the memory, I turned back to the math problem. I sat at my desk my study light turned on. The light giving off an orange hue. I could hear my parents downstairs. My mom was making food, my dad and Grams were busy arguing about the car. She wants a new one, but my dad wants to keep the car.

George showed up 13 minutes later. Grams greeted him, she tried to make small talk, but thank the heavens my dad stopped her. As they argued again, I could hear George's footsteps coming up the stairs.

He knocked and in a deepened serious voice asked, "Permission to enter?"

"Permission granted," I said not looking up from my books.

The door creaked a bit when he opened it and again when he closed it.

He plopped down onto my bed, his bag banging onto the.

Still not looking up from my schoolwork I could hear him shifting around on my bed.

"Are you at some point in the duration of the next 3 hours going to make any eye contact with me or is your book a lot more good looking?" he asked, a bit of amusement in his voice.

I sighed, dropped my pen and turned around.

"Hi," I said, unsuccessfully hiding my tiredness.

"She speaks," he said with fake shock. I shook my head and turned back to my homework.

"Ok. What gives? You've never been this focused-on schoolwork since I've known you. Not even when you had to," I heard him standing up and walk toward me. I didn't look up. I didn't need to I could already feel those ocean blue eyes staring at me.

"It's nothing. Just...Not feeling like myself," I gave a half-hearted shrug.

When a few moments passed, and he still didn't respond I looked up to see him smiling.

"What?" I asked confused.

"I know what will help," his smile widened. Before I could get out a proper response, he grabbed my wrist and towed me downstairs, to the front door.

"Where do you think you're going?" my dad asked, sounding as if Grams' accent was rubbing off on him a bit.

"A run. Anna needs some exercise. We won't go far," he had the door open and us out the door before my dad could stop him.

"Be careful," I heard Grams shout. He led me to the back of the house.

He broke into a run letting go of my wrist. I stood there.

He looked back when he noticed I wasn't following him. "What am I supposed to do?" I asked. Hoping that he wasn't trying to get me to run into the middle of the woods.

"Run. What else?" he said a matter-a-fact.

"Because last time worked out so well," I crossed my arms and stood my ground.

"Anna, stop being afraid. You can do this. It'll be fine," he came closer. And closer. And closer. Until I could feel his lukewarm breath on my forehead.

He leaned forward, "Trust me,” he whispered, leaned toward my ear. He was so close that his breath tickled my ear.

"Run," he whispered in my ear, and he was gone. He tore off toward the woods.

Impulsively, I broke into a run, following him. It made me think of my dream, of running through the woods as a wolf. I tried not to think in the perspective of a wolf but of a human. The wind in my hair, on my skin. My heart pounding in my chest. The smells of the forest entering my nose.