Can't Love a Werewolf, Without Getting Fleas.

Sunday really wasn’t that interesting. Leslie and Violet left around twelve. Mom and Dad deemed them ‘nice girls’.

And as I sat in my room bored out of my mind, I remembered something I had yet to unpack.

My sketch book.

I opened it up gently, and skimmed to my recent work.

The last thing I drew was something that oddly resembled that tree house I always dream about.

I should have been weirded out that I started drawing it before I even moved here, but I wasn’t.

Instead I brought out my colored pencils, normal pencils and my ipod. I climbed onto my roof and immediately looked down.

I was hoping to find my wolf pacing the line where my backyard met the woods, but he was nowhere in sight. I frowned.

I had already had many dreams about him since that night I first laid eyes on him. It was an indescribable feeling really, that after Colton had basically had his man period and flipped out at me, that this simple brown wolf could calm me. Make me feel better.

No one ever really could do that. But now, seeing as how he had saved me once again after my little woodsy incident, nothing seemed impossible for my wolf.

I smiled despite myself, determined on what I was going to draw.

So I began sketching out his form.

I only stopped for dinner, and then to help my mom out, by getting my sister ready for bed.

She smiled up at me, reminding me that I had to pick her up all this week. She was just too cute. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my little sister.

I kissed her soft cheek, as she giggled and told me to “sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite.” It was something our Dad always told us. I replied, saying it back to her with the same sing-song voice. But before I left, I went to close the blinds.

That’s when I saw it. Blake. He looked kind of adorable with his hair disheveled, and his dress shirt unbuttoned and his tie pulled out. On regular circumstances it was cute, but right now, he was angry—arguing with somebody.

I squinted to get a better view, and I noticed Mr. Cunningham yelling back at his son, though I couldn’t hear what exactly they were saying. They were in a heated argument, and I suddenly felt awkward, wanting to help Blake, but knowing I couldn’t.

His father got right into his face and started yelling. Blake withdrew then—giving up, and nodded at his father solemnly. His father chugged a whole bottle full of red wine and shoved some papers at Blake’s chest. Whispered something to his son, and walked out of the room.

I shuddered, feeling like I had just dropped in on something no one else was supposed to see. I quickly shut the curtains and walked back into my room.

I tried to get my mind off of it by continuing with my drawing. Immediately the thought of my wolf calmed me. Eventually, I had gone through many pieces of paper, telling myself that this sketch had to be perfect. I wouldn’t allow myself to draw something that wasn’t as equally as amazing as he was.

I fell asleep that night, with only a satisfied outline drawn.

Oh boy, this was going to take a while.

*

I was tempted to smash my alarm clock into million of tiny fragments if it didn’t stop beeping at me. I had stayed up too late drawing last night.

Whatever. Shake it off Shaylee.

I got up and showered, and grabbed a cute dress. I just wanted to be girly today. I put a giant band-aid over the gash in my leg, hoping no one would ask about it.

(http://www.polyvore.com/girly/set?id=18733132)

I didn’t feel like straightening my hair, so I blow-dried it, and stuck it up in a bun, along with some matching gladiators and earrings.

“Smells so good mom!” I shouted as I came down the stairs.

I could hear her laughing at me.

I entered to see my mom making some bacon and egg biscuits.

I sat down while she poured me some orange juice.

Dad was across from me eating his biscuit already.

“Is it poisoned?” I whispered to him, and he put down his newspaper. His warm friendly gray eyes looked back at me.

“Actually, Shayles. It’s pretty good.” He said, grabbing his coffee and sipping it.

He was dressed in a tie with a light purple dress shirt and dark dress pants, and Sperry’s.

I bit into the biscuit. It was soooo yummy to my hungry tummy!

“MOM! You rock!” I said, exasperated. It was two days in a row that she managed to cook an outstanding breakfast. She never usually does this, so I hope that explains my over excitement.

There was a knock at the door.

I got up and opened it, shoving the biscuit into my mouth, and chewing it a little bit before I opened the door. I expected to see Leslie or Vi coming to get me, like they have the past week or so.

Blake charmingly smiled up at me.

“Oh. Hey.” I blushed, remembering a few nights ago. I swallowed the biscuit that was unattractively hanging out of my mouth. It hurt as it went down my throat. I looked back up at Blake, and almost felt bad that I hadn’t talked to him all weekend, and I was still curious about his argument with his father last night.

“Hey. You need a ride to school?” He said, as his eyes trailed my body and my dress. I blushed maddingly.

“Yeah, no problem, let me just get my backpack.” I said, turning around to go grab my heavy knapsack.

“Is that Blake?” I heard my mom ask. I instantly rolled my eyes. Please mother, now is not the time to get into my social life.

“Let him in!” My dad echoed, and I eyed them curiously. Out of every person I knew… my dad was the last person I’d expect to invite a boy into the house.

“No, no. We’ve got to get to school. Sorry!” I called after them as I walked outside and breathed relief.

Blake chuckled at me. “Your parents are really nice. I think they like my parents too.”

I nodded. “Yeah, they’re like always at your house, it’s a little weird to be left all alone all the time now.” I joked.

The tips of Blake’s mouth dipped into a frown. “You know… you can always come over with them. I know I wouldn’t mind one bit.”

I blushed. “Yeah, sorry I had lots of studying to do for that Pre-Calc test today. And Leslie and Violet came over for a little bit.”

“I see.” He said, as we got into the car.

“Well, one thing’s for sure.” He said, smiling at me.

“What’s that?” I asked, noticing he paused to look at me, instead of turning on the car.

“I sure did miss you.” He said, in a gentle, longing sort of tone.

He reached out and grabbed the hand that was resting on the armrest as he started the engine, and I stiffened.

Breathe Shaylee. Blake is your boyfriend, he’s supposed to do things like that.

I didn’t feel ok though. Wasn’t he going a little fast? Or maybe I was just overreacting. Yeah, that’s probably it. I’m always overreacting.

*

Blake walked me, hand-in-hand to my locker and I made sure I had things in both my hands to carry to avoid holding hands with him again. It felt… weird.

God, I’m such a baby. Maybe Kara and Michael were right. I was better of being a nun.

He insisted on carrying my books for me and I squealed out a no.

Leslie eyed Blake dangerously as we stood outside the classroom.

I was suddenly deathly afraid he was going to kiss me or something. I jolted into the classroom, murmuring a ‘goodbye’ to him.

Leslie didn’t say anything gratefully, but she just seemed… different throughout class.

*

And I didn’t lie on the phone with Kara and Michael at all. Pre-Calc was kicking my butt. I did study Sunday afternoon after lunch, but it seemed vain as I stared at the questions on this massively hard test.

I excused myself in the middle of the test, saying I didn’t feel well, which was partially the truth. These numbers were making my head hurt, and my lack of intelligence was making me sad and nauseous. Blake eyed me worriedly and I mouthed an “I’m fine” to him as I grabbed the pass and left.

I was walking to the nearest bathroom when I heard voices. They were hushed but noticeable.

I slowed my walking and peeked around the corner.

Leslie was talking to Colton rather animatedly.

The sight of him made me cautious. He hadn’t been to school in three weeks. He had a faint 5 o’clock shadow on his face, and his hair was crazy; he looked like a mess.

“Look Colton, I’m tired of you hiding, drinking, and sexing away all of your problems!” Leslie scolded him. “You need to let go of the past, you need to-.”

“Don’t go there.” Colton’s voice was full of menace; threatening and deadly.

Leslie did not falter though. “All I’m saying is, you need to stop hating Shaylee for no good reason. You really upset her when you yelled at her and stormed out of the house a few weeks ago, and I don’t know if she’s gotten over it. I know there is no way any of us can understand what you went through Colton, but please. If by any chance…it could be true, don’t push her away.”

Leslie looked up to Colton with sad eyes, as if pitying him. His head was hung low, and his hair covered his face to where I couldn’t see any facial expression, but suddenly the whole hallway was thick with sorrow.

“You’re right.” He breathed.

“Oh yea, by the way,” Leslie continued after a few moments of silence, her tone almost fearful of what she was about to say. “She’s dating Blake now.”

His head shot up immediately, and his body rippled suddenly with an overpowering emotion.

“What?” One word was all it was. But that one world held so much hatred behind it, it scared me half to death.

“Mr. Sparks, Miss Hounshell, do you two have passes?” A teacher approached them from the other side of the hallway, as I ducked behind the wall, still listening.

“No Ma’am.” Leslie answered politely. There was no response from Colton.

“Well get back to class before I give you both a detention.”

“Yes Ma’am.” Leslie said, and I could hear high heels hit the tile floor as the teacher walked away, followed by the sound of flip-flops as Leslie started to walk away. Then she paused.

“Think about what I said.” She said softly as she continued to flip flop out of the hallway.

I didn’t hear any movement from Colton and I freaked out. Did he know I was here?

I didn’t want to even see what would happen if he caught me, so I went back to the classroom declaring to myself that I still felt nauseous, but for a different reason.

As I sat down their conversation played over in my head, and suddenly this Pre-Calc test seemed like the least of my problems.

*

The coach announced that we’d be swimming and diving for the next two days. And gave everyone a swimsuit. Of course they were all the same. All the boys got plain Green swim trunks and all the girls got plain green one-pieces, with adidas printed on the top right.

They were supposed to resemble our school theme. We were the wolves…oddly enough. And our colors were green and silver.

As I dressed in the locker room beside Leslie and Violet who were talking lively to one another about Violet’s dress for the dance. It was Black and Blue, with some cool “across-the-shoulder” strap.

My mind wandered to Colton and Leslie’s conversation. They had been talking about me…and I smiled slightly, knowing Leslie had listened to me on trying to help out the situation between Colton and I.

Does that mean it worked? Is Colton going to be civil for once? My heart pounded in my chest. I didn’t know why, but the thought made me nervous. I was kind of scared to talk to him. I had made up my mind that he was some cocky self-centered jerk, and that was that. The thought of being friends and getting close to him scared me half to death.

For Christ’s sake, I already dreamt about the boy! There was no need for us to get any closer.

As we walked out of the locker room and followed the boys into the gym, Brooke came up beside me.

“Shaylee, darling! I felt like I haven’t seen you in forever and that makes me sad!” Her peppy voice rang over everyone else’s conversations. She was a loud child.

“We’re going dress shopping Wednesday though.” I told her reassuringly. She didn’t need to be by my side every second of every day.

“I know. I’m super excited!” She beamed. Her blue eyes lighting up, reminding me of Blake’s in a way. Sometimes I forget that they are twins. He was much more down to earth, and she was well… you can fill in an adjective here _____.

“Do you like diving boards?” She asked suddenly, eyeing my bathing suit for a reason I didn’t know. We had on the same one….

“Uh, I guess. Why?”

“Because I want to teach you how to dive silly!” Her eyes locked with mine, twinkling.

I glanced back at Leslie and Vi who were giving Brooke a death glare.

I held back my laughter. “Isn’t it a little shallow to be doing that?” Every pool I’ve been in had a deep end of a maximum eight feet, and you certainly couldn’t go diving in that.

“No…” She paused looking at me like I was crazy.

“What?” I asked, looking at my self to see if I had something on me.

“Didn’t you know that the pool is filled fourteen feet deep with ocean/salt water?”

“No. I’m new remember?” I said matter-of-factly.

“Oh, of course I know. I just thought I told you before. Hmm guess not. Oh well, I thought the chlorine water was just horrible for our skin. So daddy offered money to pay the school to fill it up with salt water.”

I looked back to see if this was really true, and Less and Vi both rolled their eyes and shook their heads ‘yes’.

“Oh. Cool, then yeah. That’d be awesome if you could teach me how to dive.” I stated, wondering if the only thing Brooke and I had in common was our love for being active.

We walked into the pool area, and indeed it was filled with murky ocean-like salt water. It filled the air with a beach-like smell. I liked it. Around the pool was a bunch of bleachers, which I assume was there for the audience during swim meets. The white grip floor was slightly wet and felt coarse against my feet

I felt self-conscious next to Brooke, Leslie, and Violet who all had amazing bodies. Muscular and blemish-free.

I went up to Blake as he smiled at me. I couldn’t help but stare at him. The boy had abs! And I’m talking like an eight pack! It looked as smooth as marble and well defined.

He leaned in slowly to my ear “You look good in that bathing suit.” I held back a giggle and felt embarrassed as my face heated up immediately.

I was about to reply ‘so do you’ when something—or someone stuck a hand between us.

“Excuse me, but you’re blocking the pathway.” I froze, knowing that rude voice anywhere.

Colton Sparks wedged his way, and walked in between Blake and I, with a curvy brunette clinging to his arm. I looked around wondering why his jerk-face self couldn’t have just gone around us. I watched them walk through, the girl swaying her hips so much; I thought they’d pop out of place.

I don’t know why, but I immediately didn’t like this girl. Maybe it was the simple fact that she was gifted with features that practically no girl had.

I watched flabbergasted as he led her over to the pool, and dove in. She stood their whining about getting her hair wet.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

For some reason, I felt the need to be everything that that girl wasn’t.

“Last one in the pool’s a rotten egg!” I teased Blake as I ran to the edge of the salty pool and dove right in.

The cool water bit my skin and I smiled underwater. It was unbelievable refreshing. I felt a splash go in beside me. I dare not open my eyes, knowing they would sting like crazy, but I assumed it was Blake being the rotten egg.

I swam a little, seeing how it was a pretty big pool, not to mention there were two of them in here, and resurfaced.

I gasped when I saw a pale face covered by a mop of black smirking at me.

“Jesus!” I whisper-shouted as Colton’s face was a merely four inches from mine.

“You’re a good swimmer.” He whispered, and his breath tickled my wet face. It made me shudder.

“Looky there,” I stated with a smirk of my own, “he speaks.”

I thought I saw a true smile tug at the corners of his mouth.

“There you are!” Blake’s voice came from behind me.

Colton held my gaze for a moment longer before his eyes shot up to Blake.

“Hello Cunningham.” He stated gravely.

“Sparks.” Blake’s tone matched his.

All of a sudden, I felt two arms encircling me. Blake pulled me into him, as Colton flinched.

They held each other’s gazes for what felt like forever.

“Babe! Are you getting out of the water? I want to talk to you!” The annoying brunette girl whined from the side of the pool.

Colton blinked and smiled up at her. “You know, I want to talk to you too.” His voice had gone all lovey-dovey and he winked at her, causing a giggle from her and an internal gag from me.

YUCK! She probably had Herpes.

“Did he say anything to you?” Blake’s voice was still dark and venomous.

I had never seen him get this way around anyone; ever. It made me wonder what is past was with Colton.

“No. I’m gonna go swim some laps though, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course not.” His voice was back to normal and he smiled his famous white smile at me, and I submerged myself into the water once more. Joining just a few other kids taking laps.

We were to ‘practice’ today, and tomorrow we were going to be tested on both swimming and diving.

Oh joy.

“Shaylee! Yoohoo! Shaylee!” Brooke’s voice bounced off the cement walls. I looked up to her after my fifth lap; her tiny body stood there, calling me over. I tilted my head and raised an eyebrow at her.

She pointed up to the diving board and smiled like a five year old getting to browse a candy store.

I nodded in understanding, and waved as Leslie and Violet were practicing their laps with Brain in the other pool. Colton was the only one still hanging around pool number one.

I climbed out and ran a hand through my wet hair, hoping to not make it look as flat as it probably seemed.

I gulped as people bounced off the diving board and dove into the water. It was really high up and when they hit the water, you couldn’t see them at all, until they came back up a few yards away from where they had first entered.

A memory flashed through my mind. I was in the top of a tree, looking down at the ground many feet away. I gulped, suddenly scared that I was going to fall if I took one wrong step.

“It’s ok Shays. I’ve got you, and you know I’d never let you fall.” I looked up to a bright brown eyed, brown haired Colton. Of course he was younger, we both were. His hand was clasped around my own, as he led me higher into the tree. I couldn’t help but notice the wave of security that washed over me just by him grabbing my hand.

I smiled up at him, and he blushed. It was the most adorable thing I had ever seen in my whole life.

“You promise?” I asked him, and he nodded vigorously. “I’d rather fall to my grave then have you even take a miss-step.” He said, crossing his other hand over his heart. I followed him like a lost pup.

“Just don’t look down.” He whispered into my ear and it felt like it had echoed around me.

“Don’t look down.” I repeated to myself as the line became shorter and shorter to the diving board. Brooke was squirmish and excited behind me.

“We’ll start off with a simple straight dive. It’s always good to get warmed up before you do anything serious.” Brooke said to me, her wet blonde hair clinging to her in a Megan-Fox kind of way. I envied her.

Brooke let me go first, saying it’d be easier for her to instruct me that way.

I started up the tall ladder to the diving board, and felt my heart quicken with every step. Ok…. So I was a little afraid of heights.

I was doing perfectly ok until some girl screamed. It caused me to slip, and I fell down a few steps, but thankfully caught my balance. Though a searing pain shot up my leg.

I neared the top, and heaved myself onto the board, thanking the lord it had railings to hold on to. I shook a little out of fear. “Don’t look down.” I repeated, trying to calm myself.

I could hear Brooke coming up behind me, and I made my way to the front of the diving board cautiously. I glanced down only once, and my eyes caught sight of Colton. If he was the same boy in my dreams… then he had to know I had a big fear of heights. And there he was, flirting with that stupid bimbo, his hand rested on her knee as she giggled at every single damn thing that came out of his mouth. I sighed. I guess people just change…

I tried to focus on diving into the pool at a safe angle, but that same girl was still screaming.

Normal 0 “Ew! There’s a giant band-aid in the pool!”

…Wait, what’d she just say?

“Oh my god, Shaylee!” Brooke squealed loudly, when she got up to the top. Her eyes were on my leg and she was backing away from me like I was plagued.

Her eyes though… they looked… hungry?

“What?” I asked, looking down. I gasped. Blood was pouring out of my now open wound all over the place, drenching my leg.

Good thing I don’t have AIDS.

Suddenly a memory flashed through my head. And not a pleasant one.

It was dark and damp. My vision was blurred but then it cleared up. I looked up into a young Brooke’s face. She was grinning devishly at me. I tried to move but I was clamped down to something cold and hard. Blake’s head was hung low, and he refused to look at me.

I could hear a horrible growling in the background. It was sickening. It sounded like a rabid animal, determined to kill.

It was so loud; I just wanted to put my hands to my ears to make it stop.

“Hold still.” A voice said, and suddenly a sharp pain surged through my arm. I looked down to see a needle in it.

As the seconds past, everything became dizzy. I felt so weak and tired, my head started throbbing and my vision was escaping me.

“Stop! Please! Please make it stop!” I screamed as more pain hit my arm, and my hearing suddenly escaped me. I was in the dark; in the black.

Alone.

I had never felt so scared in my life. The only image that flashed through my head at that moment was Colton. His young face smiling at me, telling me it was all going to be ok.

I jumped back to reality and wobbled over a bit, feeling just as dizzy. My vision was blurring as well.

Before I knew it, my feet had misplaced themselves off the front of the board and I was falling.

Falling to what felt like the blackness. Falling into something I now feared the most.

I let out a blood-curling scream, flailing my arms through the air, grasping out for something—anything.

But I grabbed nothing.

My body hit the cold water like the floor and I sunk to the dark depths. Screaming underwater. Trying desperately to see, to get away from this sinking feeling. Like my life was being pulled away from me.

I quickly swallowed the bitter salt water and choked underwater, gasping for air.. Pain filled my lungs and I bit back the darkness. Though it wouldn’t be long till I was gone…

*

COLTON’S POV:

I tried to distract myself with Tonya. At least… I think that’s what her name was. I saw Shaylee climbing the steps to the diving board and I was slightly nervous.

Last I checked: the Shaylee I knew was deathly scared of heights. A girl close to me screamed and pointed at something in the pool, but my eyes shot out of my head and my muscles tensed when I saw her foot miss a step and fall.

I was ready to move into action at any second, but she caught herself.

Blake had come up somewhat close to me, as he too was watching her.

Blake. I hated him with everything inside of me. Seeing him put his slimy hands over Shaylee almost made me lose it. If she hadn’t been there, I would have drowned his ass in that water before you could say H2O.

His eyes were glued to her figure, and I didn’t like that.

I had always been protective over her. That is… if it is her. What Leslie said to me had gotten to me.

My whole life had consisted of drunken nights and blaring music and the forest. Anything to distract me from the empty feeling inside of me. The pain.

The pain of losing her. I had never gotten over—would never get over it.

Nothing, and no one meant anything to me anymore.

But what did I have to lose? If by any chance this could be her, then what’s the worse that could happen?

The truth comes out? The fate I already knew? That she was in fact dead?

All I knew was that I had to try. And try, before it was too late.

Before he got to her. If I find out for SURE that’s the Shaylee Turner from my childhood. He wasn’t going to lay one finger on her—ever again.

He didn’t deserve to even look at her after what he did.

Jealousy was a bad thing. It ate at me, so much so I refused to even look at Shaylee. I kept my eyes glued to Teresa...or was it Tabitha?

Who cares?

That stupid annoying girl was still screaming about some band-aid in the pool.

I didn’t process it at first, but then it hit me.

When I carried Shaylee back home from the woods, her leg was badly ripped open from that fucking wolf bite.

They were dead now though. I made sure of it.

Her leg had probably needed stitches, but I wasn’t qualified to do that and she needed attention then and there. I just laid her down on her bed peacefully and searched around the house for a first aid kit. I found it and cleaned the wound as best I could; it had stopped bleeding after I licked it—yeah, yeah. Werewolves have healing powers, Whoopdie Doo.. Then I put a gauze and a bandage on it, and wrapped it with tape to help with compression.

I then proceeded to clean off the blood on her leg. I watched her breathing peacefully, and soon left. Knowing I didn’t want to, but then again I had no reason in my head as to why I was standing there in the room of some girl I supposedly hated, after wild wolves had just attacked her.

That would for sure go well with Mommy and Daddy dearest.

I knew she was too stubborn to tell anyone, or get it looked at, which meant she probably just put a band-aid on it.

And it probably wasn’t even the waterproof kind.

I looked up at the diving board and my heart froze. Her face had paled and she was looking straight ahead. She didn’t even look like she was breathing.

Her leg though, you couldn’t miss. It was pouring blood.

Blake hissed beside me and backed away from the diving board as far as possible.

Stupid Vampires and Blood.

She seemed to blink, but as soon as she did, she wobbled, and missed the diving board.

She let out a horrible scream as she fell, and my heart dropped. Her biggest fear had always been falling…

She hit the water hard and sunk down, so I couldn’t see her anymore. Now I was scared.

I whirled around to Blake.

“Don’t just stand there, help me!” I yelled at him.

His face was red and he was sweating with pain, as he curled into a ball.

“Can’t…. Blood.” He breathed out and I growled at him.

He was a pathetic excuse for a person, let alone boyfriend.

His girlfriend had just fallen into the murky water and he was going to let her drown!?

Without another thought, I jumped into the pool and swam. I couldn’t see anything and the salt water stung my eyes.

But I’d swim, and I’d swim. I’d swim until I found her. Bubbles floated up beside me a moment later, and I immediately followed them down to the source. I saw an arm sticking up, frail and weak.

I grabbed it, and pulled. Shaylee’s green eyes fell shut and her body went limp with exhaustion.

I swam and swam, pulling her up to the surface with me.

I gasped for air as we submerged; fourteen feet down was a long way down.

I laid her gently on the side of the pool as I began CPR.

I checked for breathing and there was none. I immediately tilted her head back and lowered my mouth to hers, giving a long deep breath. Her chest inflated a little and I barely did compressions, knowing she still had a heartbeat. I just had to get the water out of her lungs.

Brian, Leslie, and Violet were by my side in seconds.

“Get me a towel!” I shouted, ordering them around.

Where the fuck was the coach!!?

Leslie came back with a white towel, as well as Brian. Violet was beside me, brushing Shaylee’s hair out of her face.

“Press it on her leg, and don’t let up. We need to stop the blood.” My stomach had turned inside out and I felt sick.

Please god… do not take her away from me again.

I tried to ignore the spark that occurred when our lips met. I kept with the CPR.

Suddenly she spit out water and coughed erratically. Her eyes slowly fluttering open.

I felt a smile creep on my face.

She was alive.