I almost ran the distance into my house, knowing at any second I would combust with emotions. I slammed the door behind me and peeked through the window to watch him drive away. I felt as though I needed to actually see the car drive away to be sure the afternoon really had happened.

And the car was there, turning out of my street. Meaning Jared really had given me a lift home. Jared really had talked to me and told me he wanted to get to know me. Jared would be here to pick me up tomorrow morning.

Wow…

I leaned my head against the door letting it all sink in, until my mom's voice pulled me from my reverie.

"You're in a good mood," she remarked curiously.

I hadn't even realized she was home. Or that I was smiling. The feelings I had been desperately trying to deny had crept up on me, and were threatening to send me back to familiar love-driven territory.

"Yeah," I squeaked.

"Any reason?"

I cleared my throat, and regained control of my voice.

"Not really," I responded with a shrug.

She seemed a little puzzled, but didn't press for more. I'm sure she knew something was up, as there usually weren't any secrets between us. But she'd always been proud of the way I handled my stupid crush, accepting he wasn't worth it for not noticing me. She would only be disappointed now, to find I had let my hopes get the better of me in a single car ride home.

--

I awoke the next morning already feeling the butterflies in anticipation of his arrival. I found myself repeatedly checking through the window, terrified at the idea of his car being there, but equally terrified that his car would just never turn up.

I was tempted to do something nice with my hair while I waited, but my mind voted against that idea. It was bad enough I was letting myself get excited over his attention, but changing who I was for his benefit was a whole new level of pathetic I didn't want to reach. I'm better than that, I reminded myself. I would never be the girl that changed who she was. I was smart and interesting. Smart and interesting, I chanted in my mind, trying to build some confidence.

There was a soft knock at the front door, and I stopped on the bottom step just staring at it. It took a moment for me to compose myself, until I found the guts to finally pull the door open. And sure enough, there he was. He looked different today, again. His hair looked… done? Almost as if he had put extra effort into his appearance. Somehow, he looked even better than he usually did. I wouldn't have thought that was even possible. He smiled when he saw me, and let out a sigh of… relief? I was confused by this and just stood there, blankly contemplating for a moment, forgetting the courteous – and normal – thing to do would be to greet him. Or at least–

Say something…

Anything.

…

ANY. THING. KIM. TALK. NOW.

But I just couldn't get my mouth to work.

He smirked at my embarrassing silence, and spoke first.

"Hey."

"Um… hi," I finally greeted, inwardly kicking myself as we walked to his car.

"Sleep well?" he asked, after climbing into the driver's seat.

"Yes," I lied.

I had tossed and turned all night, while my emotions warred with themselves. Half of me excited and overcome with hope, and the other half trying to stuff that excitement right back to where it came from.

"Did you?" I asked, to be courteous.

He smiled to himself before answering. "Not really."

I felt as though I was missing some inside joke, but I didn't bother to try and get in on it. I had never been big on socializing and probably wouldn't have much to contribute if he got talking about his late night adventures with his friends I barely knew.

We talked about trivial things the whole way to school. I still held my guard up as much as I could, in an attempt of self-preservation. But part of me was becoming more vulnerable to his genuinely friendly nature. I felt as though he was treating me like he cared about me. It was nothing profound, just little things I observed. When I would bite my bottom lip in nervousness, he would ask me if I was okay. When I pulled my sleeves down, he found a conveniently-spare jacket off his back seat for me. When I motioned to collect my books, he already had them in hand to carry. He really listened when I talked, and really tried to get to know me like he said he wanted to. He actually seemed interested when I spoke of my favourite foods, books and movies. I was gradually becoming eased of my paranoia, and felt myself beginning to trust him.

We were separated before our first classes, and I was unsure of what was appropriate to say when we were about to take off in different directions.

"So… thanks for the ride again," I stammered, "I guess I'll see you around."

Confusion crossed his face, and surprisingly, he struggled a little when responding too.

"You're welcome– but– I'll see you at lunch right? And… I'll drive you home again," he offered, as if it were common knowledge.

I still thought it was strange, and knew I should probably quit while I was ahead. But then I decided that satisfying my curiosity just a little more couldn't hurt. Much.

"Okay," I shrugged, non-chalantly.

He beamed at this, and then turned towards his classroom.

--

At lunch, I found him sitting at my regular table. He was beaming again which I thought was strange, but was beginning to find amusing. He was always smiling randomly at nothing. It was weird, but kind of endearing. We picked up on previous conversations and I kept answering his slew of random questions as he continued to try and get to know me inside-out.

I stopped talking when I noticed he suddenly looked past me, distracted by something on the other side of the room. I turned to the direction he was looking, to see his friends Paul, Jacob, Quil and Embry standing in the middle of the cafeteria, shooting confused looks between their regular table and where Jared and I sat now. After a few seconds of puzzled contemplation, Jacob shrugged and made his way to our table with the others following behind him. Suddenly, I was surrounded by all five of them, digging into their lunchES.

"Guys," Jared addressed, "This is Kim."

Most of them managed friendly hi's, with their mouths half full. I smiled in return; a little mystified at the mountain of sandwiches that was disappearing before my eyes. They carried on as usual with their banter, even including me in their conversations as if we were already well acquainted. I felt a little awkward at first, but they were acting so natural that I got over the suspicion, and just talked to them in the same casual fashion.

--

On the way home, Jared and I never seemed to run out of things to talk about. The uncomfortable vibes that had floated between us disappeared, and my nerves were gradually dissolving. We eventually reached my house, but were still talking and laughing in the car. I didn't want to get out. I knew once I was alone reality would hit and I would be angry at myself again, for finding happiness in someone who had never given me the time of day… until now.

He stopped talking mid-conversation when a wolf's howl pierced the air. His frame stiffened and his eyes grew panicked.

"Jared? You okay?" I asked, waving my hand in front of his unblinking eyes.

He looked outside his window, towards the forest, then back to me.

His face was now anguished. "I– I have to go."

"Okay…"

"I… have to go," he repeated, but still didn't move.

"Alright," I replied, reaching to open my door.

"Wait! No!" he suddenly warned, grabbing my arm.

"Jared, what are you–"

"Don't go… outside."

"What? Why?" I questioned.

"It might not be safe," he cautioned, unsurely.

What was wrong with him? He looked stunned, and his words weren't making sense. The expression he wore reminded me of yesterday, and his reaction at my mention of the–

Wolves. Ohhhh…

"Jared, are you scared of the wolves?" I asked, trying to stifle my amusement.

"What? No it's not– no–" he stammered.

"It's okay, Jared," I teased, "The big bad wolf isn't gonna hurt you."

His face scrunched in a mixture of emotions. He looked sick.

I realized that it must be a serious phobia or something, and I should probably just let him leave.

"Alright… Well I'm gonna go," I told him cautiously as I loosened his grip on my arm.

I reached for the door again and climbed out of the car. I turned around to find him shooting repetitive glances between the forest and my house. I continued on down my driveway, but noticed I still hadn't heard his car restart. He must have waited to make sure I made it to my front door alive. I let out a giggle at his paranoia.

Once inside my house, I headed straight into my room and pulled my window open. I hoped I might actually be able to get a glimpse of this big bad wolf. I looked out, squinting into the trees… but nothing. I was about to slide the window back closed when I noticed something white lying on the grass a few feet away from my house. I leaned outside of the window frame to get a closer look.

It was a shredded t-shirt.

What the hell?