I wandered slowly into school tugging my hoody closer to me as I walked. I was tired, actually, no, make that exhausted. I was starting to feel the aftermath of staying up all night and was not enjoying it one bit. In all honesty it had been a poor plan, even if it had been worth it at the time. I had had a lot of fun last night, but the morning after seemed to just kill me. I knew I wasn't the only one that felt this after effect of the full moon but it was still annoying and made my day feel ten times worse than it would normally be. Also, the fact I knew I was going to get in trouble today from my only friend around here just added to the misery I was feeling. I had a good idea of what I was in for when she found me - a lecture followed by a good telling off - which would probably end up being the highlight of my sure to be terrible day. Yay!
I groaned, in anticipation, as I heard the distinct voice of my friend, Maddy, in the distance. Her steps were getting closer and closer, and by the way she was walking I could tell she was in a bad mood. Fantastic. I made to turn around and run off towards the moors when I heard Maddy whisper, threatening me if I dared to run off. I pouted in annoyance but stopped turning and moved towards her.
"Where were you last night Abi!?" She whisper-yelled clearly not amused by my absence during the full moon. I gave her a small sheepish grin.
"I wasn't quick enough. Ended up on the moors... funniest thing though, I swear I smelt someone else out there too, but, well, I couldn't see anyone." I admitted, trying to distract her a little with a mystery, hoping it would get her off my back. Maddy frowned at me as she thought over what I said.
"Another Wolfblood? On the moors?" She asked disbelievingly. I blinked, surprised the tactic had worked.
"That's what it smelled like, but I didn't see anyone." I repeated, looking down at the ground in thought, only to frown as I saw Mads feet. "Okay, what's with the boots?" I asked pointing down at the wellingtons on her feet. The younger Wolfblood in front of me sighed with annoyance.
"Mam and Dad tried to get out last night." She said as if that explained everything, before she walked off towards the door, where Tom and Shannon normally stood in the morning while they waited for Maddy. I sighed in annoyance, but followed anyway. I wasn't a huge fan of Maddy's friends, and they weren't a huge fan of me either, but I had to put up with them if I wanted to talk to Maddy at all.
"What are those? You look like a right idiot." Jimi quipped, trying to look cool in front of his friends, as he moved over to stand in front of the pair of us. We both stopped and looked at him. I automatically tensed and bit my tongue, trying to hold back a growl. I hated bullies and would have quite happily transformed to take a bite out of them, especially when they bullied a member of my pack. Maddy gave me a quick glace over the shoulder, telling me to back down. I did so reluctantly.
"Yeah, I do. But, I can take these off. You're stuck with that face." Maddy retorted causing a smirk to spread across my face. She was good. I watched the smug look fall from Jimi's face with satisfaction before pushing my way past, hinting to Maddy that we should move over to Tom at the doorway.
"What are those on your feet?" Tom asked, standing up from his seat on the wall. I rolled my eyes at the stupid question but didn't open my mouth to comment. Instead just crossed my arms over my chest and sighing in exasperation. Tom threw me a small glare in return.
"My shoes got eaten by werewolves." Maddy answered causing me to snort and Tom to look at her strangely.
"Did you not see the full moon last night?" I added in with a small teasing tone. Tom rolled his eyes.
"Don't you start. I've already had this from Oh, Shannon!" He said waving over our heads at the obsessed girl who was heading towards us. Maddy turned to look as I instead just tuned my ears to hear her walking pace. She was clearly excited and had some news to share with Mads and Tom... and knowing Shannon it was going to be about the 'beast' on the moors... oh crap, I was out there last night, so was another Wolfblood... not good.
"Maddy! Did you hear last night on the moors? Howling." She panted. I winced before I pulled my face together, trying to look impasse about the idea of wolves on the moors. Maddy flashed me and angry look out the corner of her eye, which I took as my queue to leave.
"Right, not that I don't want to hear what I'm sure would be a simply fascinating story about the 'beast', but I have some stuff to hand in. I'll see you later." I told them. Shannon frowned and held up her hand as if to stop my movements.
"We've just started, how can you have stuff to hand in already?" She asked. I smiled at her.
"Old work from my last school, she wanted a copy of all the topics I had covered." I explained quickly before I made my get away, keen to leave Maddy's glare. I walked as fast as I could down the corridor, stopping just far enough away that they wouldn't be able to see me but I could still hear them.
"Here, look what I found on Drayman's Lane this morning." Shannon said after some rustling in her bag. "I'm going to compare it to paw-print photos of different dogs." She continued. I growled in annoyance. Why couldn't she just leave the moors alone? Clearly she had gotten some photographic evidence of my, or the other Wolfblood's, paw print and now wanted to use it to prove there was a 'beast'.
"What, every type of dog?" Tom asked. I rolled my eyes, yes Tom that's what she said.
"This is proof, Tom. Proof that there's something weird over there on the moors." Shannon explained. I sighed and pulled my bag round to my front, pulling out the folder before I started making my way towards my new science class room - I hadn't actually planned to do it until later, but if it got me out of trouble from Maddy for a few more minutes, I'd do it. I glared at the people who gave me disapproving looks as I went by, trying not to appear threatened or put off by their gazes.
I was nearly there when I caught a new scent, a sweet, woodsy scent. It was lovely, unbelievably wonderful. I stopped and pivoted on the spot, trying to smell the direction this ridiculously good smelling person had gone in, frowning when I noticed that all the other smells from students had covered it up, making it near impossible to trace. I growled quietly but shook it off, deciding to take care of one mission before starting a new one. I headed back towards science.
"Miss Turner, to what do I owe the pleasure this morning?" My teacher asked, peeking up from behind her desk as I opened the classroom door. I gave her a small smile before waving my folder up to show her my reason of being here before I had to be. She nodded her head and made a noise of understanding.
"I see. Well, leave it on my desk and I'll give it back to you tomorrow." She told me before making a gesture to shoo. I snorted my amusement and followed the orders, before I then took my leave. I headed back along the corridor, taking deep breathes in as I tried to locate the wonderful scent I had found earlier. It was no longer anywhere. I sighed in annoyance and instead headed to where Shannons', Toms', Mads' and my own lockers were. I wanted to ask Maddy if she could smell the amazing scent too.
"Yes! New photography club members." I heard Shannon shout in excitement as I made my way towards them. I raised an eye brow, not really believing anyone would sign up - I had been forced to by Maddy.
"Finally!" Tom sighed in relief. I shook my head at them as I silently took my place next to Maddy, leaning against my locker.
"You're going to need a bigger darkroom." Mr Jeffries commented as he exited his classroom. I looked over at him.
"What Sir?" I asked, slightly confused. Shannon and Tom both jumped and glared at me for my sudden appearance. I smirked a little at their reaction before looking at them innocently and shrugging my shoulders. Mr Jeffries however didn't seem surprised by my sudden appearance.
"Apparently the Incredible Hulk is taking up photography, along with Superman... And, there is some awful handwriting in the school." He trailed off as he got distracted. I laughed quietly at the reactions of the group but stopped when Maddy nudged me in the stomach telling me to shut up. I did so.
"We're going to get new members and, even if we don't, the photography club is still a vital part of school life." Maddy pleaded, clearly still wanting the club and the room. I sighed and turned to open my locker, now a little bored with the pleading and guilt tripping that had been going on all week for the club.
"We can only fund clubs that involve a cross-section of pupils. You have four members, and these three only joined to keep you happy." Mr Jeffries reminded us, gesturing to Tom, Shannon and I. I nodded my head; there was no point in denying the obvious. I felt Shannon pinch my side and sighed; guess it was my turn to plead.
"That is not true." Shannon denied.
"Oh, come on sir. It's just one room, surely you can let us have it. It's not as if we just hang out in it, we do valuable work for the school in there." I pointed out, hinting for the others to mention all the other groups we help.
"The darkroom houses the official archive for the football team. You can't just cancel," Tom started when Shannon started to talk over him.
"And the Stoneybridge Zoological Society."
"What?" Mr Jeffries asked looking at Shannon, I shrugged my shoulders. He shook his head and continued his point, "Look, I'm glad you all have passions, but it does not entitle you to a room on school premises to use as your own private den. You have until tomorrow morning to find three new members or I'm closing you down." He told us before he turned and looked down the corridor, I followed his gaze.
"Harry! No running in school." He shouted as he walked off. I laughed as I saw the small boy ignore him and continue - he was pretty fast.
"When I find out who did this..." Shannon ranted, dragging my attention back from the Harry running away from Mr Jeffries. I glanced over at Maddy, who looked like she was already on the case. I listened hard, trying to hear what she was.
"Nice one, boys." Jimi congratulated, causing me to growl quietly. I could hear a quiet noise of anger come from Maddy's chest as well which made me smirk, it meant she couldn't hit me for growling this time.
"Serves her right." Liam added, as the three of them looked over at us with smug grins. I moved to step forward, prepared to wipe the stupid looks off their faces, when Shannon stepped in my path, blocking my view of them.
"Stupid club." I heard Sam agreed.
"Jimi." Maddy suddenly stated, clearly too overcome by her anger to notice she'd spoken allowed. I rolled my eyes at her stupid and novice mistake but didn't comment, she wasn't used to hiding her thoughts and abilities up until recently... or well, since I had arrived, before that she hadn't used her Wolfblood powers in school.
"How did you work that one out?" Shannon asked looking up from her speculation of the members sheet. I glanced at Maddy to see her floundering around trying to come up with an excuse and decided to save her the trouble.
"Who else has got such bad handwriting? Look, see, terrible. It's Jimi." I replied, pulling the paper from the girls hand and pointing at all the names to add emphasis to my point, cringing internally at the shamefully see through cover up I had come up with.
"Come on." Maddy said, rolling her eyes at my excuse. I frowned at her; I had been saving her wolfy butt. Maddy shrugged her shoulders in response before turning on her heels and heading towards our first class. She had taken one step when she tensed. I stopped short, wondering what was wrong. Maddy turned and took a deep breath in, smelling the air. I followed her lead only to relax as I got the scent from earlier that I loved so much, Maddy on the other hand began what seemed to be a hunt.
Maddy took off down the corridor, trying to follow the scent through the sea of all the other students' scents. I shared a glance with Tom and Shannon before the three of us took off after her Tom shouting trying to stop her. I shook my head at him, that wasn't going to work. Maddy got as far as the stairs before the scent trail became infected by other smells given off by students. I stood at the top of the stairs beside Tom and Shannon looking down at her.
"Mads, what are you doing? It's time for class." Tom asked, Mads glanced up at us, only to turn back to the stairs with a frown. I smiled and leaned against the railing, still able to vaguely smell the woodsy scent. Maddy made her way slowly up the stairs and shook her head, smiling at Tom and Shannon.
"Sorry, thought I saw something." She commented, the other two nodded before they started walking, leading the way back to class. I glanced at Maddy.
"Wolfblood?" I asked. She nodded.
"Hmm, well, whoever they are. They smell fantastic." I told her. She frowned at me.
"They smell like every other Wolfblood." She corrected. I frowned, that was so not true, this one smelt one million times better than any other Wolfblood I've ever come across, but I decided not to argue over it and instead shrugged.
"Sure. Could just be my senses on high from transforming last night." I lied. Maddy seemed content with that answer and started pulling me towards the classroom. I groaned but allowed her to pull me, still curious as to where the scent came from and why I was so in love with it. We just made it inside when Mr Jefferies started explaining to someone about the way things work here. I had heard the speech about a month or so before, and clearly Mr Jefferies hadn't come up with anything new.
"Welcome aboard. My name is Mr Jeffries. I'm your head of year, as well as your form tutor, so you will be seeing a lot of me over the next year." He joked, or well tried to joke, it wasn't funny. I rolled my eye at the attempt as I started to walk past to get to my seat at the back of the class. There was a spare seat beside me, more than likely where the... oh my, he was the Wolfblood, the fantastic smelling Wolfblood. I froze right in front of the pair of them and turned to look at the new boy. His eyes met mine with a frown, which made me want to frown. I continued my staring until a cough brought my attention back to the teacher beside me.
"Miss Turner, do you need something?" Mr Jeffries asked. I shook my head, blushing as I felt the new kids' eyes on me... WAIT! WHAT!? Blushing? Since when do I do that!?
"Uh... No sir. Sorry sir." I muttered before I made my way to my seat, placing my hands on my desk and bowing my head. I stared at my hands, ignoring the looks I could feel from both the new kid and Maddy.
"Everyone!" Mr Jefferies shouted, gaining everyone's attention - including my own. I glanced up and gave the new kid a small reassuring smile. He returned it but as soon as it had appeared it disappeared; clearly he didn't want to be here. "This is Rhydian Morris, who I am guessing is from Wales." Mr Jefferies continued causing me to frown, he had guessed that I was from London when I first arrived - he'd been wrong.
"No." Rhydian replied seeming confused at the idea. I felt bad for him and quietly growled as the whole class burst in to laughter. My growls went unheard from all except from Maddy who was still standing; she turned and gave me a disapproving look.
"No, he's not from Wales. OK. Sue me." Mr Jefferies muttered, clearly annoyed he'd gotten another guess wrong. I looked over at Maddy, who was glaring at Rhydian. I glared at her in return only to freeze when I realized how attached I'd become from only his scent, that wasn't normal.
"Quiet, everyone!" Mr Jefferies shouted to the class who'd started to make sheep noised causing me to frown with annoyance. They were getting on my nerves. I glanced down at my hands before quickly hiding them under the desk, I was starting to wolf out. I took a few calming breaths and closed my eyes, using techniques my parents had taught me to calm myself.
"You smell like my parents." Maddy suddenly commented breaking me out of my thoughts. I chanced a look up to see the pair of them having a mini stare off, Maddy holding a threatening stance while Rhydian took a defensive one. I glared at her and growled. They both flicked their gazes over to me for a second and looked surprised at my reaction. I didn't like the way Maddy was looking at Rhydian.
"Maddy, Maddy, sit down." Mr Jefferies ordered over the laughs and bleats that were coming from the rest of the class. She glanced once at me before doing so. "Thank you. Rhydian, you too."
Rhydian looked around the class before seeing the empty seat beside me. I looked at him and silently nodded my permission, he smiled in return before he made his way past Maddy and the others, looking at Maddy somewhat warily, I immediately felt my wolf want to break free and defend him causing me to sigh and lean back in my chair. This was not what I needed.
"Quiet! Claire, wake up! James, James! If I hear one more sheep noise coming from the back of the class, you'll regret it." Mr Jefferies reprimanded. I smiled at Rhydian as he sat beside me, trying to be as welcoming and open as possible. I could tell he was the defensive type and I didn't want to come across as a threat like Maddy did, I knew that that approach would get me nowhere.
Rhydian gave me a small smile as he sat down, leaving his bag on the on the floor beside him. I subconsciously took a big whiff of the air around me and found myself grinning when all I could smell was him. He smelt great. He didn't look to bad either in all honesty. I especially loved his eyes, though I knew they would be yellow like my own in wolf form, his human eyes were a sort of greeny blue. They reminded me off both the woods and sky at the same time. They were the complete opposite of my muddy brown coloured ones. I hadn't realised I was staring at him until I heard one of the K's speak, dragging my attention back to the real world.
"Don't mind those idiots. They're a few coats short of a manicure." Kay told him causing me to roll my eyes. Honestly, makeup metaphors, that's really what she was going for? I groaned and leaned back in my chair, folding my arms, as I noticed the other two K's turn to stare at the newcomer. The three of them glared at me, which made Rhydian tense. I frowned at his reaction but didn't question it; instead I threw my head back and looked up at the ceiling.
"Rhydian, that's a lovely name. What's it mean?" Kara asked.
"Where in Wales are you from?" Katrina asked causing me to chuckle in amusement, he wasn't from Wales.
"I live on the hill. It's where all the best houses are in Stoneybridge." Kara told him, ignoring Katrina's comment. I frowned and moved my head to peep around Rhydian.
"You don't live on the hill. Morgan and Susan do." I corrected with a confused frown, she glared at me.
"No, they live in Hill house." She bit back causing me to raise my arms in surrender. I hadn't realised that there was a house on the hill and a Hill House. Kara, Katrina and Kay all glared at me as they and I noticed Rhydian's attention was fully on me. I gave him a small smile before turning back to the K's.
"So, wait, why is it called Hill house if it isn't actually on the hill?" I asked.
"Because they live near the hill, freak." Kay snapped. I glared in return but didn't comment, deciding it was safer and easier just to lean back in my chair. I saw Rhydian frown and start to glare at the three K's but before he could do or say anything he'd regret I lightly hit his arm. He looked back at me.
"Just leave it, I'm fine." I told him quietly so only he and I... possibly Maddy, would hear. He frowned but nodded. I looked back at the front of the class once I got his confirmation, ready to start sleeping with my eyes open.
Class was over, and it had been interesting to say the least. I couldn't concentrate on anything, only on Rhydian. He was somehow distracting me, by just sitting there. I had noticed all his little movements, every time he moved in his seat, every time he sighed, every time he blinked. I always noticed. It was like my whole body was on constant alert around him. Even now, standing on the landing at the top of the stairs, I was looking down at him as he twisted confused by his time table. I just couldn't stop watching him.
I leaned on the banister quietly, not wanting to draw his attention to me. I took quiet, deep breaths and watched carefully. He wasn't really doing anything, just reading and looking between the two levels clearly unsure of where to go, but even then he still looked cute to me. I just, could not get him out of my head.
Shaking my head I pulled away and started making my way down to try and help him, only to pause as I saw Maddy run up to him. I felt an urge to run and jump in her path, stop her sudden attack, but forced myself to stay where I was. I did not want to get in the middle of her and Rhydian's little spat, or at least that's what I told myself.
"What are you doing here?" Maddy demanded jumping down to stand in front of him threateningly, that move alone nearly made me run to his defence.
"What? I'm looking for," Rhydian started seeming to be confused by her tone, only to get cut off.
"No, here. On our territory. Don't you know the rules? You can't stay here. If my mam and dad get a sniff of you..." She trailed off. I frowned and leant back on the banister, interested in what was going on. So, he hadn't gone to talk to the Smiths about being on their land? I thought every Wolfblood knew that they couldn't stay or walk through another packs territory without permission. I'd got Emma's and Daniels permission.
"I don't even know you." Rhydian replied with a frown making the shorter girl even more annoyed.
"Exactly!"
"I don't care whose territory this is. I'm not sticking around anyway. And why would I in this dump? No smelly girl tells me whether to stay or go." He shouted, before he pushed past her and made his way up the stairs. I felt a pain in my chest when I heard him talk of leaving, and frowned at myself. Why did I feel that? What did that mean? Growling I took off down the stairs to stand in front of the younger Wolfblood.
"What was that?" I asked angrily. She glared at me.
"He's on our territory, you should be backing me up!" She shouted causing me to growl.
"Just because he's on our territory, doesn't mean you can be rude to him." I hissed, Maddy glared back harder in return and let out a growl, causing me to laugh.
"Please, pup." I retorted before continuing, "Just stop threatening him." I finished before I turned on my heel and ran up the stairs. I didn't really have a destination in mind, just away from Mads. She wouldn't be happy with the pup comment and while I know she can't transform yet, she's still a threat to me and can throw me out of her families pack at anytime. She had more control over this land than I ever would.
Sighing, I made my way along the corridor, passing Jimi, Sam, and Liam as I went. I heard the three of them mutter something but paid them no heed as I made my way. I wasn't in the mood to hear about their stupid football, or what they were whispering about me, and I was sure that one of those two things would be the topic. I neared the end of the corridor when I heard Jimi.
"Oi! Freak, someone told me your parents are away this weekend." Jimi shouted. I sighed and closed my eyes in annoyance. Of course someone would find out, there were hardly any secrets in Stoneybridge.
"Foster parents, and yes there leaving tomorrow and then off at a conference meeting until Monday." I replied. Jimi smirked and walked casually over to me with a grin on his face.
"So, what I'm hearing is party at yours?" He asked. I frowned.
"Uh, no, I don't remember saying that, and if anyone comes round expecting a party they will be thrown to the wolves." I told him with a smirk. Jimi glared in response, not getting my little inside joke.
"Freak!" He spat before turning and walking off back down the corridor. I rolled my eyes at the pathetic response before I decide to make my way to the canteen for lunch. Meat was on the menu. Yes!
I entered the canteen and went along to grab a tray, planning on getting the thing which contained the most meat. I joined the queue like the good little Wolfblood I was and followed it as I slowly got closer and closer to the front. It was meatballs today, great, nothing like a little beef to get your afternoon going. I began jumping on the spot in anticipation and bit my bottom lip, feeling my stomach grumble as it shouted for food. I was near the front when my sensitive ears picked up a chuckle. My head flicked around to the source and my muddy eyes met forest green ones. Rhydian had a small smile on his face as he watched me. I grinned and waved back in response, letting him know I had heard his chuckle. He shook his head and looked back down at what seemed to be his drawing pad.
"Yes?" A voice said, pulling my head back around to the lunch lady. I blushed as I realised I'd been staring for a while and quickly stepped up to look at her.
"Meatballs, please." I ordered politely. She smiled and nodded filling up a plate before plonking it on my tray. I grinned at her before I picked up a pudding and was about to make my way over to Mads when I remembered what had happened. Cursing myself, I stopped and looked around. I wasn't going to sit with the K's or Jimi, and there was only one other person I knew. I sighed lightly at the slightly awkward situation but made my way over to Rhydian's table. I was two steps away when I paused.
"Uh, can, can I sit here?" I stuttered. The blonde looked up at me with surprise before nodding his head. I grinned at him and took the seat, placing my bag at my feet.
"So, you're Rhydian?" I asked, trying to initiate a conversation. He raised an eyebrow at me and smirked.
"Of all the things to ask, that's what you pick?" He retorted with a laugh. I snorted and shook my head, looking down at the floor.
"Uh, yeah, I know, stupid question. How about, hi my names Abigail but my friends call me Abi." I smiled. He smiled back.
"So, Abi, why'd you pick to sit with me and not your weird friend over there?" Rhydian asked, pointing over his shoulder at Maddy. I frowned as I looked over at her and noted her glaring while talking to Shannon.
"Someone must know something about him. Seen removal vans, something." She was saying, causing me to glare at her. It was none of her business.
"Did you two have a falling out?" Rhydian teased, drawing my attention back to him. I gave him a sad smile.
"Sort of. It's kind of complicated." I admitted. He frowned.
"Sorry, are you okay?" I blinked at the question; no one had asked me that in months, or not with the level of concern that he had. Rhydian seemed like he genuinely cared, like he actually wanted to know.
"Um, I-I'm fine, what makes you think otherwise?" I asked with a frown.
"I can see it, in your eyes. You seem sad, and, it's like, I can just feel it. You're hiding your real feelings and you put on a happy front, but you're not really okay." He replied, tilting his head. I paused and just looked at him, not sure how to reply or if I even could reply. He was right, I suppose, but how? How did he know?
"I don't know how, before you ask. I can just... feel it?" He told me with a shrug. I gave him a sad smile.
"Well, I've known you for less than a day and you already seem to know me better than my foster parents and social worker, and I've known them for months." I admitted, trying to make a joke out of it. He smiled at me, a smile which I quickly returned, until I realised I was staring at him. Coughing awkwardly, I looked down at my lunch and quickly dug in; Rhydian also looked away and went back to his drawing.
I had planned to talk to him about being on the Smiths territory but in all honesty, I didn't know how to bring it up. I couldn't just tell him I knew he was a Wolfblood and tell him all the rules, especially if he already had asked permission from Emma and Dan, but since Mads didn't know I figured he hadn't. Or, what if he was a lone wolf? Or just passing through? Or was planning on asking after school? I was between a rock and a hard place.
Shaking my head of my thoughts I decided to chance a look up, only to smile and blush slightly as I saw Rhydian staring at me. He glanced down a second later, a light shade of red on his cheeks too. Chuckling to myself I looked down again and started moving my food around on my plate. Neither of us said another word to the other, the pair of us in our own worlds. I kept my head down and stared at my plate, until I sensed Rhydian tense a little. I instantly tensed as well, internally yelling at myself for getting defensive of him, looking up I relaxed as I only saw Tom.
"That's brilliant. You're really good, you know." Tom complimented as he came up behind Rhydian. I smiled at him for attempting to make friends with Rhydian, but I already knew it wouldn't work - Rhydian was definitely the lone wolf type. I heard a slight sigh of annoyance in the distance and peered around Tom to glare at Maddy. She was really getting on my nerves today.
"What do you want?" Rhydian asked still staring down at his amazing drawing, dismissing the compliment. Tom looked up at me questionably causing me to roll my eyes and shrug. I didn't know how they could become besties; there wasn't exactly a technique to get fantastic smelling, good looking, blonde haired Wolfblood's to like you.
"Just wanted to know if you like football." Tom replied, glaring at me for my lack of help.
"Not really." The blonde haired Wolfblood in front of me replied. I frowned slightly at that, I thought he might have liked to play it with all the running and everything. I mean, while I wasn't exactly in love with it, if I could run around I'd play it. But, I guess, not all Wolfblood's enjoy running with humans like I do.
"Because it's a good way to make friends." Tom tried again, causing me to sigh and cross my arms in annoyance. I mean, saying no once wasn't enough?
"I don't like football and I don't want to hang around with you and your weirdo mate. You got that?" Rhydian replied, turning away from his drawing to glare up at Tom. I flinched a little at the weirdo remark but didn't say anything. Rhydian was still put out about being told to leave and I understood that. He didn't like Maddy telling him what to do.
"Yeah. I got that." Tom said before he turned around and began muttering, "Obviously they don't teach manners in Wales."
Rhydian looked up at me clearly both agitated and annoyed with my friends. I shrugged my shoulders in a what-can-you-do kind of way before I looked across at where the three of them were sitting.
"Next time, you need to approach the weird kid." Tom commented as he sat down. I growled under my breath again, stopping when I felt someone kick my leg. I glance over at Rhydian who was staring at me like I was mad. I flinched back and instantly felt hurt but pushed it down, choosing to lean back in my chair and play it off. He continued to stare at me, making me feel slightly uncomfortable.
"Rhydian, look what we found. It's this competition." Kay said pushing a magazine into Rhydian's face, breaking the pair of us out of the unintentional stare off we had started. I looked over at her as the three of them sat down beside us.
"We're definitely going to enter." Katrina added as she pushed me along the bench so I was no longer opposite Rhydian. I noticed Rhydian glare at them slightly but just shook my head, I wanted to see what they were going to try and woo him with.
"We think you should too cause. You're dead good-looking." Kay admitted. I froze in place and immediately regretted not telling them to get lost.
"All you need is a, what's it called? Photolio." Katrina supplied. I rolled my eyes at her blonde question and answer but didn't comment, instead choosing to start tidying up my bag. I did not want to sit here and watch this stupid, worthless attempt at flirting, especially with Rhydian.
"She means a portfolio." Kay corrected causing me to roll my eyes as I swung myself over the seat to escape this petty battle.
"Come on, girls. He's not interested in that." Kara started, causing me to snort.
"Clearly." I muttered, glancing at Rhydian's annoyed yet confused face. I saw some amusement flash across it at my comment and was about to ask him if he wanted me to show him around and help him escape the three K's torture, when Kara cut me off.
"Go away freak! Who even asked for your opinion?" She asked. I grinned at her sarcastically.
"No one, like usual. Now, I have to go. Shame I'll miss this simply fascinating conversation, but I really must be off. I'll see you later, Rhydian. Thanks for letting me sit with you." I answered before I picked up my bag and the rest of my lunch. I went over to the bins and began disposing off the leftovers.
"He's only just got here. What he needs is someone to show him around, and we know everything about." Kara continued as I very slowly got rid of all my remaining lunch into the bin. I heard Maddy let out a short huff of air as Kara spoke, making me smirk.
"That weird girl, who's she?" Rhydian asked. I looked over to see him pointing at Maddy.
"Maddy Smith?" Kay asked.
"Her?" Kara questioned again. I looked at Maddy and instantly began regretting the things I said to her on the stairs, even if she had deserved it at the time.
"Those country families have lived here for centuries. Never leave the area, don't like strangers or questions." Kara told him. I sighed, deciding I would have to swallow my pride. I walked over to Maddy's table and stopped just beside her. She held up a finger slightly, indicating she was still listening to the conversation between the K's and Rhydian.
"They're all cuckoo!" Katrina added with a flirty smile.
"What are we talking about her for? Let's talk about you and me." Kara said, jumping at the chance to flirt. I was about to growl when I remembered the look I got from the blonde haired Wolfblood. I bit my lip instead and gave a sigh of frustration before looking down at Mads.
"I want to apologise, for what I said on the stairs." I told her. The younger brown haired girl looked up at me with a small smile.
"I suppose I kind of deserved it." She admitted, also swallowing her own pride. I gave her a small smile in thanks before I frowned and threw myself down beside her.
"I-I don't know what to do Mads. It's strange. Every time I feel he's threatened I react. I feel like I'm going to wolf out all the time while I'm around him. It's like nothing I've ever experienced or heard of before." I whispered to her, trying to offer her a reason for lashing out. She frowned at me before glancing between me and Rhydian.
"I don't know either. I'll ask mam and dad tonight, they might know what's going on." She offered. I smiled and hugged her.
"Thanks Mads. Now, I'm off for a quick run, want to join me?" I asked. Maddy shook her head.
"Sorry, photography club member hunting. Maybe tonight or tomorrow?" She replied. I grinned and nodded.
"I'll see you in class." I told her before I made my way out of the canteen, out of the building, out of school grounds, and began my normal full speed run around the surrounding woodland.