I flinched waking up to the sound of loud howling, which took a while to stop because I heard two more wolves howl back. Silently, I got out of bed and walked around, making sure the windows and doors were closed and locked. They all were, so I went ahead and checked on my twin brother John who was dead asleep and my younger half-brother Peter who was wide awake, so I had him get dressed for school and made him eat something while I checked on my mother.

I knew I didn't have to check on her, but I still felt the need to. It was only five-thirty, so I decided to get dressed for school. Even though I was very tired and lacked sleep, I hated to admit it to anyone, more than anything I hated any kind of pity.

By the time John woke up, it was seven twenty-five and I had already dropped Pete of at the middle school, but because John was a guy, we made it to school before the final bell rang. Which for me, started off with Theatre Production.

I now hated it. I had spent my whole life giving it my best but whenever we had to work in groups, there was always that kid missing, Paul. Which brought down our groups grades. So last week when the teacher gave each group a scene to learn and perform The Crucible. I objected to having Paul work with us.

Like always, she said something pathetic like 'give him a chance'. I did, but he never showed up until today. He was only going to bring down our grade, but Luckily I memorized his lines. We were a group of three which included Paul as Procter, Brianna as Betty and myself as Abigail. And now, it was time for us to go up stage.

"I'm sure you didn't learn your lines, so I'm only going to help you because I need this grade." I spat walking beside Paul when we were going up the steps to the stage.

"Whatever." He replied angrily, as he stood aside and I was next to Brianna who was to lay on a bed.

B- "I'll fly to mama! Let me fly!"

A- "I told him everything; he knows everything we-"

B- "You drank blood, Abby! You didn't tell him that!"

A-" Betty, you never say that again. You will never-"

B- "You did, you did! You drank a charm to kill John Procter's wife! You drank a charm to kill Goody Procter!"

A-Abigail smacks her across the face. "Shut it! Now shut it..."

P- "Be you foolish Marry Warren be your death I forbid you leave the house. Did I not? Why shall I pay you? I am looking for you more often than my cows!"

I was like my character was supposed to be, starring at Procter wide eyed absorbing his presence. But I myself was staring at Paul shocked. He knew his lines, but it was perfectly done, the way he was supposed to make eye contact with my character and then go to Betty. But his gaze was longer.

A- "Gah! I'd almost forgot how strong you are, John Procter!"

P- looking at Abigail now, the faintest suggestion of a knowing smile on his face, but his smile was even bigger than a faintest smile. "What's this mischief here?"

A- "Oh, she's only gone silly somehow."

"And scene!" Ms. Maakie shouted once we finished the scene. Which had us quickly taking off the props we used. Quickly, I went and took a seat where I always sat. Alone towards the back. Re-reading over the script, wondering how Paul even memorized his lines or even knew we were working that scene if he hadn't been to school in two weeks.

"Hey, you were really good up there." I turned to see him taking a seat, leaving an empty chair between us.

"Go away." I ignored him.

"No, I think I'm going to sit here. You're Cassie right?"

"Only my family can call me that." I turned from my book to glare him, but all he had was a wide smile. "Go away."

"No."

"Yes."

"No." He smirked.

I now knew he wasn't going to go away. I decided to go sit in another empty area. Which I hoped he got the idea. He didn't. He was now next to me, so I pulled out my phone and earphone and put it on the softest I could hear it, just so that I could hear the bell when it rang.

"Passion Pit, huh?" He asked. "I took a walk. Take a walk, take a walk." He repeated the words to the exact moment those lyrics came up in the song, which confused me cause the volume on my phone 2. The bell rang, so I stood up quickly once again, reaching for my backpack, but he already had it over his shoulder.

"Can I walk you to class?" He asked while he held the same smile he had since we were on stage.

"I can manage." I answered taking my backpack from him.

It got worse, in English, he took it upon himself to get the teacher to let him sit in front of me. Which had him constantly turning to look at me. Even during Chemistry. I was grateful when the bell rang for fourth period. I had French with John, which was a reminder that it was almost lunch time.

I would be able to go up to the school roof, where I was working with a sophomore named Embry. I didn't really know him, but the only reason, he was helping me build a green house, was because his mother is best friends with my mom and he was forced to.

I don't even have close friends, the only one I did have was my cousin Leah, who was going through a rough time because Sam had left her for her cousin Emily. Emily and I aren't related all. My mom is Harry Clearwater's younger sister, so basically the only reason I know Emily is because of my aunt Sue's side of the family.

"So, why do you want to build a green house?" Embry's friend asked, but I couldn't remember who was who.

"Because I want to build one." I answered him in a duh tone. We were almost done because of the extra hands, but I think the only reason Embry brought his friends was so that he could finish faster, which I didn't mind.

"But that doesn't explain why."

"I don't know, okay. I just want to do something, for my benefit."

This caused them all to look at each other and then help me finish installing the last window. Which was perfect because just when the bell rang, we were exactly finished. Once we were all off the roof and inside the school, feeling the warmth, I thanked them and walked to my locker, to grab my backpack along with the two folders I need for the next two classes, Geometry and W. History.

I made it quickly to class, sitting at my assigned seat, which was in groups of four near. My partner wasn't here today, but in the end it didn't matter because we were texting. And it also didn't matter because we never spoke a word. I'm sure in elementary we were friends, but now we never really spoke. And since I'm being totally honest, I always ignore Paul and my partner Jared was until he started making me fail, which started almost three weeks ago.

"All right children." Mr. Milan spoke sarcastically as he picked up the last students test. "You may continue working on your projects, If you have a partner, be sure write down their name along with your on an index card and turn it in after class. One note for every group."

I went ahead and pulled out my laptop, researching what I wanted to work on, the best part was that it didn't matter what it was on as long as it was in the past.

"So what are we working on partner?" I looked away from the screen to see Paul smiling, as he leaned forward.

"If you must know, I'm working alone." I answered him seriously and then went back to my research. "I don't need you bringing my grade down in this class as well."

"Okay, come on. I'll make it up to you, but first tell me how low I dropped your grade."

"...Why don't you just focus on your own work." I begged never looking up at him.

I hated this. I never looked twice him and seriously he was there in the back of my mind now. It was like, no matter how hard I tried to keep him out, he would find a way in. I even hated myself more for allowing it.