Can't Love a Werewolf, Without Getting Fleas.

When I got back home, I regretted having to hang up with Kara. There was a time difference and she said she had to go to bed now. I frowned.

“Alright. Love you Bear.” I said, taking off of Kara’s nickname: Karebear.

“Love ya Wombat! Don’t forget to call Michael soon, or he’ll just kill me.” Evidentally I have the nose of a wombat, or at least that’s what Kara thinks. I disagree, I mean… HAVE YOU SEEN A WOMBAT? Yeah. No, I looking nothing like it.

“Ok. Won’t forget, no worries.”

“Alrighty, g’night!”

“’Night.” I hung up the phone.

I entered the house and kicked off my shoes once I got to my room.

It was around 6:30, so I knew Lucy was definitely home by now.

I knocked on her door and I could hear Disney songs playing in the background. She was five, almost six.

“Hey you.” I giggled as she sat at her fake vanity table and pretend to apply makeup to her cheeks.

“Shaysee!” She smiled, and one of her teeth was missing.

“DID YOU LOOSE A TOOTH!?” I said, bending down as she ran over, so I would equal her height.

“I did! I did! I bit an apple at school and it falled right on outs!”

I laughed as she wiggled her eyebrows and smiled her tooth-less smile at me.

“That’s so exciting!”

“Yeshh! Daddy said I should clean it off and then stick it under my pillow tomorrow night so the toothfairy will come!”

“He’s absolutely right! I remember all the money the fairy gave me, and she is a very nice fairy!”

“toothfairy Shaylee!”

“Oh, sorry. Yes TOOTHfairy. She’s a very nice toothfairy.” My little sister nodded her head with approval and began to jump around to the music.

I laughed at her. How nice it was to be young.

If only I could remember…

Which reminded me. When do I ask my parent’s about it?

I’m not sure ‘hey I have childhood amnesia, why?” would blow over very well at dinner.

I still hoped that maybe it would all come back to me and I wouldn’t have to prod my parents with seemingly harmless information.

I looked up before I exited Luce’s room and the window on the far wall you had a straight-shot view into the Cunningham’s window.

As I made my way to my door I wondered if it was by coincidence that when we first moved here… I was supposed to have that room.

*

I awoke with a groan the next morning. I didn’t like the idea of having to wake up this early every day.

Plus it was always stressful to find an outfit I thought I didn’t look too odd, or foreign in. I was already new, I didn’t want to act and look like a new girl.

After I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and fixed my hair as best as I could, a thought occurred to me.

Maybe if I hurried, I could catch the bus and skip out on a dreadful car ride from one of the twins.

Really, it was nice of them to offer me rides and such, and welcome me into their group of friends.

But I felt like I was being pushed into some ancient war between them and Leslie’s gang.

It wasn’t really fair. Besides all I know of is their side of the story, what about Leslie and Violet and Brian’s side?

They seemed like good people, I couldn’t imagine them being as horrible as Brooke makes them out to be.

So I ran down stairs and grabbed a plastic bag and some cocoa puffs.

“Where are you off to in a hurry?” My mom said, fixing eggs for my dad and my sister.

“School.”

“You? Excited for school? Is the Apocalypse coming?”

“Ha. Ha. Very funny, no. I just have a project to do…”

“Alright. Be safe! Have fun!” Her voice was behind me as I ran outside.

I didn’t dare look to my left, for fear I’d see the Cunningham’s house, and one or more sets of blonde hair bouncing out to come and see me.

I wasn’t use to their attention, back home I was comfortably unnoticeable. Not that I was unpopular.

I had loads of friends, but I wasn’t the hype of everyone’s attention. I liked it better that way.

I looked up to see loud music blasting down our street. A black sports car of some sort. I didn’t really care all that much about it, until it started to slow up in front of my house.

The tinted windows gave nothing away and suddenly I almost wanted the Cunningham twins to show up.

But as soon as the window was rolled down and a set of white-blonde hair appeared behind it, I smiled with relief.

Leslie.

“Get in!” She yelled over the loud rock music playing in the dark interior of the car.

I didn’t ask questions, just made my way over.

Leslie got out, so I could hop into the back of the car. In my way in, I caught a whiff of cigarettes and perfume.

I liked it. It smelled different. It smelled like the opposite of Brooke’s car.

Soda cans, crumbs, and straw wrappers were accompanying me in the back seat.

Violet was in the driver’s seat, and I realized without a doubt that this was her car.

It fit her so well, with the rock music and rebel black interior that almost matched perfectly with Violet’s hair.

Her pearly white smile gleamed up at me.

“Heyya.” She beamed in the rear-view-mirror.

“Hey. Your car rocks dude!”

“Thanks!” She replied as Leslie got back into the car.

“Sorry about the cigarette smell. Luke’s a smoker.” Leslie explained fixing her seatbelt as Violet revved the engine and sped off.

“Yeah, sometimes I think I’m dating an ashtray.” Violet said with a annoyed look on her face.

“Luke is Vi’s boyfriend. He’s the one with medium long black hair that sits right above his forehead, with blue ends.”

“Gotcha.” I did. He was the one who had sat next to Colton.

“How did you guys know where I lived?” I wondered, watching the scenery go buy rather fast.

“You told me you lived next to the Cunningham twins yesterday during US History.” Leslie stated like it was obvious.

“Yeah, and the way Brooke’s manicured claws wouldn’t let you talk to us yesterday, we figured we’d come save you.” Violet said, signaling to turn left.

“Like superwomen!” Leslie beamed and made a swooshing movement with her arm to look like she was flying.

“Well, thanks. It’s like you guys read my mind.” Literally, I couldn’t help but smile on the inside.

I thought I’d be stuck with Brooke and them for the rest of the year.

But maybe… but maybe I could be in a group of my own choosing.

***

I had managed to dodge everyone, and made it safely into first period with Leslie.

She was hilarious. She was forever hyper and positive.

I told her stories about Kara and I, that she only laughed at harder. It made me feel less alone here in Texas.

Made me feel like I was starting over, rather than having to live up to whatever a god-like child I was, I mean seriously. Blake acted like everything he did revolved around me.

“So. Let’s talk History.”

I groaned at those four words. I did not like having to research some battle that happened a hundred years or so before I was born.

*

Just like I expected… we got distracted. And I’m not talking a little bit.

“Dude. We’re never going to finish this on time.” Leslie said, as we finally at least put our names on the poster, next to the title that took us basically all class period to draw.

“Damn.” I said, staring at the blank poster paper.

“You wanna just come over tonight and finish it?”

“Do we have a choice?” She laughed at me.

“I don’t think so. I do have a meeting…tonight. Do you think it would be a problem for your parents to drive you over?”

“Oh, no I don’t think so. I can take the car. I have my liscence, they just don’t want to get me a car—more so they can’t afford one.”

“Alrighty Tighty. I’ll see you tonight say around… 6:30 ish..?”

I smiled. “Sounds dandy.”

“Dandy! HA! Kiddo, you crack me up.”

“Thanks.” I blushed slightly.

The bell rang on cue. I winced. Why?

Well Math… that’s one specific reason.

And two, Blake might not be so happy that I was with Leslie and Violet.

I slugged into the seat as our young Math teacher from 90210 walked in.

The girls immediately perked up.

Blake walked in; his eyes searching.

They brightened when they found my figure.

“I went by your house before school, because after all Public Transportation is unacceptable for my old best friend.” His eyes gleamed, and suddenly I felt so guilty.

Blake was just only trying to be a good guy. Maybe his parents were pressuring him into being my friend?

“You weren’t there. Your mom said you had already left, and I figured you took that nasty bus. So now… I’m debating whether or not your going to come down with an infection.”

I laughed at him.

“You think I’m kidding.” He smirked as he sat down and pulled out the needed books for today’s lesson.

“I didn’t take the bus, though I have to defend my old friend. I use to ride the school with my best friend Michael all the time.”

“So… you’re not infected.” His eyebrows closed in together. “Then where’d ya go?”

“Uhm, er. Leslie and Violet offered me a ride.”

“Oh. Cool. Yeah, they sound like nice girls.” He smiled, unfazed.

“Yeah… they do.” I felt like ten pounds had been taken off my shoulders.

I was never good with explaining and serious confrontation. I usually tried to joke everything off.

“Now about last nights homework…” I trailed off, looking innocently up to Blake for help.

His eyes made contact with mine and I couldn’t help but feel sort of nervous under his gaze.

“I hope you know I don’t just help everybody. Your special; that’s the only reason I’m going to help you.”

I stuck my tongue out at him. “Don’t pull the your-lucky trick on me. I know that one. Help a girl out!” I demanded, pulling out the piece of paper with horrid erase marks and circles amongst all the problems.

And so Math Class had begun.

Third period was interesting… it almost topped yesterdays.

The coach sat us all in those idiotic rows that only made us feel like we were back in elementary school.

Except one thing could not have gone unnoticed. Thick lines of black hair, on tanned olive skin.

Colton.

I couldn’t keep from glancing over at him. He was laughing and talking with Brian. Almost…. Almost like he was human.

Which made the gap inside me ever since the move so much bigger.

It wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t get these dreams and flashes of his smile, of his eyes, of us as little kids.

For some reason that my mind could not fathom… my heart was constantly telling me to talk to him, to get closer.

Why? I don’t freaking know! It drives me crazy that everything in my head is completely mixed up.

So yes. Colton had showed up for class this time.

We continued to stretch like we had before.

Brooke continued to bend like a slinky, without any sign of pain.

It was almost sickeningly as I watched her. My gaze lifted up to Colton who was looking at Brooke as well.

Pshh. Figures. He probably likes those types. For some reason it hurt to admit that to myself.

Damn me. Why did I have this expectation of him? I needed, I desperately needed to get over that.

I got up to walk out to the track with Blake.

“So what are we doing exactly?” I wondered, as my bangs blew carelessly in my face.

“We are all running two laps around the track to make time. Mostly for fitness, but also so the coaches can decide whom they want on the track team.”

“Oh..” The conversation Brooke had in the locker rooms reminded me of this. So I already knew Brooke was going to make it… or at least she thought she was.

“Hey. You, Me. We need to talk.” Brooke came up to the two of us. “Oh. Hey Blake.” She smiled up at her twin.

She pulled me over to the side of the track before I could argue. The rest of the class wasn’t too far behind though.

“Why did you show up to school in their car?!?” She made a puke-face at Leslie and Violet who were joking and laughing with one another—Brain and Colton not far behind.

“Why not?” I asked, eyeing her like “you ain’t my mama woman!” But I dare not say that.

“If you know what’s safe—and good for you; you’d stay away from them.” I looked up to see Colton exchanging the glance. His brown eyes kind of made me feel weak. They melted like the chocolate river in Charlie in the Chocolate Factory—at least that’s the best way to describe them.

“And I mean all of them.” Brooke said, noticing my stare.

“Honestly, Brooke I think it’s great you’re looking out for me, but I’m not so sure that I’m the same girl you one knew… I just want to make as many friends as possible. I’m not looking for a battle here.”

Her still face blinked at me. “Of course. I know that silly. I’m just warning you; looking out for you, that’s all.” She beamed.

I felt a chill run up my spine.

“Hey Brooke. When we do those stretches…keep it in your pants.”

The voice made me jump. Her smile broke into a scowl.

She ripped her hand back and swatted it out.

It all happened so fast, but luckily Colton dodged it.

He laughed… it’s rough and warm sound brought me back to the day I had first heard it in the woods, and many years before that, when we were younger.

“Save it for Freddy.” He winked at her, and dodged another swing.

Brian high-fived him and they walked off together.

I looked to Leslie who was doing the ‘coocoo’ motion with her index finger circling her hair.

I held back a laugh.

“URGHH!” Brooke screamed, storming back to a shock and upset Rachel.

I busted out laughing once we got down to the track.

So he did have a personality?

Blake, I could tell was even trying to hold back a little chuckle.

Before I knew it the whistle was blown. Everyone shot out of the starting line at once.

I struggled to keep up. The wind whipped itself into my eyes and it made it hard to see who was in the lead.

“Hey.” Blake’s voice came from beside me.

“Oh. Hey.” I said, running at full speed. I don’t know why but I just wanted to prove that I wasn’t just a new girl; that I was actually good at something.

I looked to see only one thing in the lead. Black hair.

Not far behind him was Brooke. She was smiling like a fool.

“Why is Brooke smiling if she’s loosing?” I questioned.

“It’s not one big race. It’s divided; boys and girls. She’s in the lead for the girls.”

“Oh.” I could see Violet not far behind, followed be Leslie at her heels. Although Brian was in front of them, he was still behind Brooke.

There was one other girl behind them and in front of us that I didn’t know. She was heaving though. Thank god she at least looked normal, you know tired like normal people looked.

Not like the rest of them. It’s like no matter how hard I ran, it wasn’t even close to catching up with them, and I wasn’t really a bad runner.

“It’s like you guys birth athlete’s here. What the hell.” I stated between multiple pauses in order to catch my breath.

“Yeah, well. I guess we just got lucky.” Blake shrugged, not pausing whatsoever, which made me wonder.

“Can you run that fast?”

…. Silence.

“Hello?”

“Well, uh, eh, well… yeah.”

“Shit my life. Seriously? Then why are you running with the turtle-snail?”

He laughed. “What if I want to run with the turtle-snail?”

“Then you’re one drunk hare.” I stated, wanting to laugh but knowing I’d kill over.

Just then a blur sped past us. Colton.

He just ran. It looked like nothing was on his mind but going faster; getting more speed.

Like his own little world.

“Whoa…” I couldn’t help but comment it. Though it was probably completely genetically impossible and he was dipped into radiation as a kid… it was beautiful to watch.

“Eh… he’s not that fast.” Blake’s comment kind of snapped me out of the trance I was in.

“Are you blind?” I stated. “The kid’s like the little bird who torments the cayotee.”

“Road Runner?”

“Isn’t that internet?” I said, looking quizzical.

“It was named after the bird… because it’s so fast.”

“Oh.” Well don’t I feel stupid.

I continued to watch Colton, knowing he only had one more lap to go.

“Why do you look at him like that?”

“Like what?” I blushed, not realizing there was a specific way I was looking.

Blake made a disgusted face. “I can beat him, anyday.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “Then prove it to me. I want you to realize the internet-bird inside of you.”

He laughed and did a short wave as he took off.

It was utterly embarrassing to see how slow he had been running.

He was catching up to Colton, though I’m sure Colton- in his own little world didn’t even notice.

He did though when Blake was slightly ahead of him.

I smiled. “GO BLAKE!” I shouted. I couldn’t help it. Heck I was proud, he could have gone that fast all along and yet he stayed to talk to me, or to ease the blow of my now evident embarrassment.

My shouts seem to gain the attention of everyone—even Colton. A unreadable emotion flashed across his face, but soon disappeared.

I didn’t think either of them could go any faster, but they did. They were neck on neck, rounding to the finish line.

I even felt myself get nervous with anticipation.

Finally, they both crossed the finish line. They were breathing hard- but neither of them looked very fazed.

Brian came right after them and he went over to talk to Colton. Brooke came in after them, followed with Leslie and Violet only a second or two behind. Then Rachel—Who came out of nowhere. And then that random girl, and two other boys and then me… don’t laugh.

I felt sick, and collapsed into the grass.

Violet and Leslie came over to me. “You ok there hot shot?” They giggled.

“HOTSHOT!? Are you kidding me, do you know how hard it is to keep up with you guys?” I said, still gasping for air. My lungs felt like they could possibly shrivel up at any moment.

“I know, but it’s always been like that. I’m more impressed with you. You were the first hum…” Violet elbowed Leslie. “The first girl besides us, as in everyone who normally places, to have placed.” She smiled.

Violet smirked. “You go girl!” She leaned over my limp body to give me a high-five.

Blake came over and nodded once to the two girls. Though, they didn’t move.

“You ok there turtle-snail?” I laughed.

“Define ok?”

“Alive.”

“It’s possible. Highly possible.”

He laughed and sat down next to me. We were still waiting on a few kids to finish the run.

He started picking at the grass, as I STILL tried to catch my breath. This was pathetic.

“I need to get into shape.” Blake chuckled.

“But hey you did awesome!” I managed a smile.

“I tied.” He said glumly. I sat up, next to him.

“So!? You totally impressed me. Who cares if you tied.”

He let go of a small smile. “Thanks.”

“You need to loosen up kiddo.” I said, ruffling his hair and I laughed.

I barely noticed that I was finally being myself around Blake. It actually felt nice… kind of relaxing.

“Excuse me, but I’m much much bigger than you snail.” I gasped as he smirked.

“You take that back!” I huffed, crossing my arms in front of my chest.

He laughed. “You know I’m just messing with ya.” I smiled. “Yeah yeah.” The whistle blew and people dispersed to go talk to the coach. Brooke bounced up first giddy like she already knew that he was about to praise her.

I looked up before getting up off the grass, and locked eyes with Colton. His brown eyes never seized to amaze me.

He was whispering something to Leslie and Violet, who then turned to look at me. I blushed immediately and got up to join Blake amongst the students.

“I’m going to announce who all is nominated for Track Team this year.” The coach stated blatantly.

“Blake, Colton, Brian, William, Tyler, Robbie for boys. Brooke, Leslie, Violet, Rachel, Samantha… and Shaylee.”

My eyes bulged out. Blake picked me up in a hug, one in which I stood still.

“You made it slug!”

“Snail.” I corrected him. “Whatever. You still made it.”

I coughed trying to cover up my horrible fear. I definitely hadn’t planned on doing Track Team.

“I don’t know if…”

“Nonesense!” Leslie chimed, Violet coming up behind her.

I swear those two never left each other’s sides.

“You have to join, you totally rock!” Violet beamed.

“Totally!” Leslie echoed her.

“Yeah, new girl.” Brian said coming up behind them. I gulped noticing Colton was right behind him.

“Guys, I’m not good at running, did you not see me almost keel over back there?” They laughed.

”I think you rocked. Did she not rock Colton?” Leslie smiled slyly to me.

My face immediately went red. Dark red.

“Yeah. Awesome.” He murmured and hid behind his curtain of black hair.

It reminded me of how I hide behind my bangs when I don’t want to be seen either.

My heart sank though.

A man of many words…. But why had I expected him to jump around for joy and pick me up in his arms like he did that day with the little girl?

“Well… I guess that means I’m on the track team.” I laughed half heartedly and Leslie and Violet jumped for joy.

Oh boy. It hit me that track practiced together. Therefore, I would have to spend everyday out here with Brooke and Rachel, which yes was disturbing, but more so than that… I’d have to spend everyday out here with Colton.

I gulped. What have I gotten myself into?