Can't Love a Werewolf, Without Getting Fleas.

Sunday. My least favorite day, next to Monday. Why? Because I absolutely cannot stand Monday’s and it feels like Sunday jut exists to laugh in your face and mock you, screaming “IT’S YOUR LAST DAY OF FREEDOM!”

I especially dreaded it today, because it was the Sunday before the first day of school. I was only three weeks late on enrollment, so why complain really? Well, it just discomforts me to know that people have already had three more weeks than me to get to know each other, plus the fact that they’ve probably all known each other from freshman year.

Oh joy.

I got up lazily, stretched my arms out and flopped back onto the bed. My head ached with that early morning pain. I rubbed my eyes thoroughly, before finally deciding to stand up and brush my teeth.

I brushed my teeth, and then combed my hair out. It had tangled up during my sleep, flopping about under the covers. My dad told me I had done that since I was a little kid-flop like a fish whenever I wanted to re-position myself under the covers.

I decided to just pull it up into a pony-tail and change into some black sweat pants and a simple white cami. I grabbed a light black jacket to wear until I got hot from running.

I grabbed my ipod, and the little arm-holder for said ipod, and shuffled my running shoes on as I ungracefully made my way down the stairs. I flicked my tongue around my mouth, feeling the tingling sensation of the toothpaste still lingering.

“Going out!” I half-yelled to my mom who was drinking coffee and watching the morning news with my father. My little sister Lucy, munching on fruit loops.

She smiled up at me. “Going to go visit your old favorite hang out places?” She teased.

“Yeah, sure.” I hated how everyone expected me to remember them. I really honestly, don’t remember much when it comes to this place.

But no need to fear, I’d probably make memories, right?

*

And here I am, jogging down the sidewalk. Everything wasn’t like New York, no obstacles, just open spaces and peacefully perfect little houses lining the streets.

It felt good, having my legs jump ahead of the rest of me, as my head tried to take control of things. I loved running, it was the pain you get- in your chest. Almost like you’ve broken out of humanity and normality, and you’ve turned into some super fast super hero.

The only weird thing was, was how friendly everybody here was. I’d be rocking out to Paramore in my ear, and have a sweet little old lady wave at me as I ran bye. Totallly not like a big city. I waved back awkwardly.

I felt sweat beads drip from my forehead, getting meshed in my bangs, and I didn’t care. I kept going. My lungs ached and I was about to turn back when something caught my eye.

A boy. A strange boy, that appeared from the woods. His shirt was off, displaying perfectly tinted abs, biceps- the whole sha-bang.

I tripped over my feet a little, but he didn’t notice. He had to be a good thirty feet away. But the melodies from my ipod suddenly went silent in my ear, and I slowed my pace. This kid looked like a homeless person, with his clothes torn all up, and his hair disheveled. But it wasn’t the least bit attractive; if anything. He’s the only guy I could see pull off the homeless role, and make it look sexy.

I suddenly felt out of place. I was just standing there watching him, not because I was totally shocked by his beauty or anything….ok, maybe somewhat, but I was just curious. Curious as to whom he is, or where he’s been or-.

He seemed to look up and laugh at something. The air filled my lungs as I silently gasped.

That face… I’ve seen it before.

It was like a slideshow going hundreds of miles per hour in my head. It was…gosh- I couldn’t remember the name. But I knew that face. His hair, it used to be a light brown color, and his eyes- big and full of happiness when we were younger, not black and shaggy and not hidden and lost. We use to play tag and go on ‘adventures’ in the forest. I smiled, remembering how I played Indian Princess with him and we wrestled on the forest floor, getting dirt in our hair and on our clothes, because we were fighting for turf. We’d made a promise…

A promise we’d never forget each other when I moved away. I still had the anklet made out of red and blue yarn he gave me as a going away present. In the middle of the thick band, it was stitched out in a light, faded yellow.print: BFFS.

I don’t remember were I’d put it. The memories of this little place was buried and long forgotten. I grew up and got over it.

A little girl with bright blonde hair and a pleated pink dress jumped into his thick, muscular arms.

I really wish I could remember his name…

She giggled ferociously as he lightly tossed her in the air and spun her around. I smiled wide.

The sun blazed down on me and more perspiration developed on my forehead. I took one last look at the two walking side by side, her tiny hand holding his big finger, and turned around.

I ran back to the house, jamming out to Anywhere But Here by Mayday Parade, and I couldn’t help but think about his face.

A tiny little feeling rumbled in my stomach. My heart throbbed with guilt. I honestly couldn’t help but wonder what life would have been like if I had never moved.

*

As I neared my house, I could see a bunch of cars parked in the neighbor’s driveway. I shrugged, not really caring and went inside.

I took a shower, blow-dried, and straightened my hair, and decided to pick out some dark skinny jeans a yellow v-neck and yellow converses.

I smiled at my reflection. I wanted to wear something bright when I went around town, I wanted people to know me, make things less awkward.

I popped my ipod back in my ear and started down the stairs, texting Kara the 411 of how things are going.

Shayleebaby:THINGS R OK. I MISS YOU GUYS. EVERYONE HERE SEEMS TO REMEMBER ME, AND I DON’T REMEMBER THEM. IT FEELS WEIRD.

Kara<333: WE MISS YOU TOO! & THAT’S SO WEIRD…

Shayleebaby: I KNOW.

I closed my phone and jumped when I looked up. That Brook chick and a bunch of other people were standing in my living room.

“Holy sh-.” I started, tearing my earphones out of my ears.

“Hey you!” Brook squealed, coming up and putting an arm around me while she led me to the big group of people.

“I want you to meet my friends!” She exclaimed, and I kind of tried to stop the hurried pace she was racing at, as their tall, perfect faces all stood there examining me.

I fidgeted in one place, not really knowing where the heck to look, or how to even act around them.

This wasn’t New York. How was I supposed to know if they were my kind of friends or not?

“Everyone, this is Shaylee.” She smiled, and then she introduced me one by one to everyone else.

“This is Annie.” She motioned to a model-like strawberry blonde, with Taylor-Swift perfect curls.

Annie stepped out from the group of people to shake my hand. Her grip was tight and assertive, but her smile seemed overly excited.

“Hi.” I kind of whispered, and she just nodded, and stepped back to her original spot in the group.

Next, I met a dashing young guy with neatly cut light brown hair. His name was Richey and he smiled as well, while he shook my hand.

The next where two girls; sisters- a year apart. They both had dirty blonde hair and average green eyes.

Then there were two tall guys standing next to each other. One with clean-cut light brown hair, and another who looked oddly familiar with bright blonde hair.

Brooke went up and stood in between the two of them. The one with light brown hair snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her in smiling.

“This is my boyfriend Fredrick. And this,” She paused, motioning to the boy who strikingly looked a lot like her. They both had the same almost cold and fake features and hair. “Is my brother Blake.”

Brooke and Blake. Catchy.

He gently grabbed my hand and bent down to place a light kiss on it. Brook squealed to herself, and Freddrick rolled his eyes.

“Such a great, great pleasure meeting you again Shay.” His breath tickled the back of my hand.

I felt like the awkward turtle was swimming around this whole room.

I just kind of stood there dumbfounded. I didn’t want to insult all of them by tearing my hand away from his cool, soft lips.

He stepped back towards his sister. It was weird how they stuck together like this. How was I supposed to fit in with all of these people, who have most likely been friends since birth?

“We’ve all known one another since kindergarten.” Brook explained.

Figures. Do I call them, or do I call them?

“You use to hang out with us you know.” Richey spoke up, hinting a slight southern accent.

“I did?”

“You did.” They all said in unison. I couldn’t help but want to crack up. Karla would laugh with me if she were here. They couldn’t be serious, could they? They acted like some sort of cult of perfect teenagers, and that I was their long lost sister.

“Yeah. I think I remember hanging out with a few of you.” I said, barely remembering their tiny childhood faces.

“We hung out every day.” Brook corrected.

Why do they have to go and make me feel bad? I always hated making people feel bad, and honestly I wish I could remember, and then maybe everything wouldn’t be so awkward. We could talk about all the fun times we had.

But for some reason, something didn’t set right when I was around all of them.

I looked over their faces again and again. In disappointment, I realized that none of their faces matched the one I saw near the woods today when I was running.

“Hey, Brook.” I turned to her, wondering if maybe she had any more crazy perfect friends hiding in my kitchen.

“Hmm?” She smiled widely at me.

“I was wondering. Not that you guys aren’t totally awesome or anything, but is there anyone else I use to hang out with a lot?”

Blake stiffened and looked at Brook. She shot her head towards him as well. They seemed to be sharing a mutual thought. Was it something I said?

Richey seemed clueless to their intense stare. “Well-.”

“No. No one.” Brook grinned almost warningly.

“We were your only friends. Tight as a could be!”

“Oh. How awesome. I think you guys would like my friends back home. They’re coming for my birthday.”

“Right. It’s in two months isn’t it?” Blake said.

I gave them all a weary stare. How could they possibly remember when my birthday was? I knew them for what seven years? And we were so young…

“Yeah… it is.” My voice was shaky.

Blake stepped out from the group and approached me.

“Well. I say we go out and celebrate your being home again!” His toothy grin made me smile.

“Uhrm.. ok. What did you have in mind?”

“You a bowling type of gal?” I laughed at the way he worded things.

“Indeed I am.” I smiled.

“Woohoo!” Richey and Fredrick high-fived one another.

“That’s so great!” Brook exclaimed, slapping her hands together.

“Blake… you want to pick her up before eight?”

Blake’s face lit up and he smiled widely at his sister. “I’d love to.” He turned to me. “If that’s ok with you of course.”

“Yeah. That’s fine. See you guys around 7:30 I guess?”

They all nodded, and I heard one scoff. I turned to see that girl Annie glaring at me.

I looked around, wondering if she was glaring at something behind me.

What the heck did I do? I thought as they shuffled out the door, noticing nothing was behind me.

She pounced up beside Blake and giggled furiously.

I stared at the closed door after they left.

Well… that was semi-awkward.