A/N: Thanks to Niffer01 and dannivampire for their reviews of the last chapter. Sorry it's taking me longer to get out new chapters, I've just been REALLY busy. I promise things are going to start getting more interesting. I'm going to post images of what I see Jess and Talia looking like, take a look if you want. Enjoy and Review!
Talia was confused. Really confused.
For the last week, Reid had been alternately teasing and ignoring her. One minute, she'd be sure he was about to kiss her again, the heat building, the next he'd be walking past in the hall and he'd completely ignore her. Sometimes he'd be waiting to escort her between classes, sometimes he wouldn't. She didn't mind not seeing him every second, it gave her time to get closer to the others, but it was the complete randomness that bothered her. And despite all the times he'd let the tension build between them, he hadn't kissed her again.
And since Talia had decided that she was okay as long as she didn't initiate anything, she'd been left high and dry. And dreaming. Vividly. By Friday, she was about ready to scream from various forms of frustration.
She was sitting between Sarah and Ty at lunch, and Reid was nowhere to be found. Whatever. She had become good friends with Tyler. He came off as shy, but he really wasn't, he was just quiet, preferring to let the other guys do most of the talking. She got the impression that if he were really into a girl, she wouldn't stand a chance against his blue eyes and shining smile.
Lucky for Tal, he wasn't interested in her, which would have been awkward as she only had one guy on her mind. Damn him!
Him who was now swaggering over towards the table.
Reid took a seat across from Tal, leaned back and said, "Swim team party at my place tonight, to celebrate a new year of kickin' ass!"
"So Aaron and the guys will be there?" Sarah asked unenthusiastically.
"Yeah, yeah," Reid waved it off. "Pogue, you bring the music. You just bring your pretty self." He smirked, addressing the last comment at Tal. She rolled her eyes, getting really pissed off at whatever game he was playing.
"Tonight? Sorry, I can't. I've got better things to do." She smirked back at him. Tyler was snickering at the surprised look on Reid's face. I guess he doesn't get turned down much. The truth was, Tal did want to go to the party, not because of Reid, but because she rarely got to do 'normal' teenage things. But unfortunately, she had to check in with Jess and Will.
"Like what?" Reid asked.
Shit! I shoulda thought of something. Homework? Nope. Not with the rest of the weekend free, and hardly worth missing a party over. She had to think up something quick, and because everyone she knew in Ipswich was sitting at the table, she said the only thing she could think of.
"Jess. My friend. I have to see her." She said, truthfully.
"You're going to Chicago?!" Pogue asked. She had told him a little about Jess when they were talking that first night at Nicky's.
"What?" Sarah exclaimed.
"Wait! No, I mean she's coming to town and were spending time together. Here." Shit, shit, shit! Will's gonna kill me!
"You friend's coming here? You should have said! Does she need somewhere to stay? It's against the rules, but she can crash with us. And you should totally bring her to the party! Right Reid?" Sarah gushed. Reid nodded in reply, a small smile playing across his lips at Tal's obvious discomfort.
"Uh, well, she's staying at a local motel, so she's okay…" Tal stalled, knowing what was coming. Forget Will, Jess is gonna kill me!
"But you'll bring her to the party, right? You have to!" Sarah pleaded.
Tal looked around at the others, but unfortunately for Jess, they all gave her encouraging smiles. Damn.
"Um, sure. I'll go see her later, and meet you guys there, okay?"
"Hey, Tal! Wait up!" Reid called, causing more than a few students to turn and stare. Scowling, Tal turned to find Reid and Tyler running towards her.
She'd managed to slip out of her last period class before then bell, knowing she'd need every second she could get. She also didn't want to deal with Reid at the moment. At least Tyler was here, so he wouldn't try anything too embarrassing.
"What do you want Garwin?" She snapped.
Reid took a step back, surprised at the anger in her tone. "Uh, you don't have my address." At her blank look, he added, "For the party tonight." He handed her a slip of paper.
"Fine. Thanks. See you later Tyler." She turned stomping off towards the dorms. I need a run.
"What the fuck was up with that?" Reid asked, staring after Tal.
"I think she'd pissed at you, dude." Tyler replied.
"Why? What'd I do?" Reid frowned.
Ty looked at his best friend for a moment. He is such and idiot sometimes. He thought about cluing Reid in, but instead just patted Reid on the shoulder and walked away, shaking his head.
"What? What?!"
Talia changed clothes quickly in her room, and made her way to the forest's edge, making sure no one saw her.
Walking in far enough that she could no longer see the forest's edge, she stripped off her clothes, placing them in a waterproof duffel bag and hiding it under a pile of fallen leaves. Checking one last time to ensure no one was around, she let the change flow over her. Bones lengthened, joints popped, and fur sprouted. In less than fifteen seconds, the naked form of a young woman was replaced with that of a grey female wolf.
She shook herself out, adjusting to her second form. Taking a deep breath through her elongated nose, she took in the scent of the forest. Wet leaves decomposing slowly, animal trails, fresh growth. Freedom.
After circling the tree she had buried the bag at, memorizing the scent, she took off speeding through the undergrowth. She heard the sound of a rabbit rustling in the distance, and took off, following the bobbing white tail. She wasn't hungry, so when she finally caught up with it, she gave it a light nip, not breaking the skin, and then let it go.
She knew she needed to head towards the motel, so she quickly got her bearings and speed towards it. On her way, she passed and old house with the scent of shotgun smoke and death, but neither was recent, so she filed it in the back of her mind for later.
Willem had chosen a motel on the edge of town, so she wouldn't be too obvious even in daylight. If worst came to worst, she could always play the part of 'trained dog'. It was amazing, people would see her and think 'wolf' but as soon as she sat obediently and offered her paw, they would ignore the fact that a fuckin' big wolf was sitting in front of them and do the whole 'good doggie' thing. Idiots.
She again made it to the bathroom window without being seen, but unlike last time, she wasn't able to get the window open. Not willing to risk being seen changing in public, she scratched at the window and whined, knowing that one of the room's occupants would hear.
Sure enough, seconds later the window was opened, and Jess's grinning face peered out. "Here, doggie, doggie, doggie." Bite me. Talia just glared back, unable to respond with her lupine mouth. "Yeah, I know that look. 'Bite me'. Real mature."
After changing into her skin and taking another shower, she made her way into the main room.
"You're early. Will's out, but she should be back soon. So how's it going?" Jess asked eagerly.
"I haven't been able to find out anything yet. The rumours around school are just the same as we already found out online and…"
"No, no, no," Jess interrupted. "We can go over all that stuff when Will gets back. I meant how's it going with Reid?"
"He's a jerk. A jackass. I hate him. I'm seriously contemplating castration. For him, obviously." Talia replied vehemently.
"Oh my god, you like him!" Jess gasped, her exotic brown eyes wide.
"No I don't." Talia stubbornly pouted.
"Yes, you do. Why are you angry with him?" Jess asked. Tal mumbled something. "What?"
Tal sighed, giving up. "He kissed me, okay?"
"And it was bad?" Jess frowned. Tal shook her head. "Ah. So it was good. You're worried about the mission?"
"Yeah, kinda. But…he hasn't kissed me again."
"Idiot." Jess remarked, thinking.
"That's what I said." Tal agreed.
"When did he kiss you?" Jess asked.
"Monday. And since then, he's either been flirting or totally ignoring me. He's playing some kind of game, but I don't get it."
"How did he kiss you?"
"He walked me to my room after class, and suddenly he kissed me. It was good. I mean really, really good. There was tongue. Very nice." Tal said dreamily.
"Do you want to fuck him?" Jess asked, watching as her usually controlled friend blushed bright red. "I'll take that as a yes then. I think you should. I mean, wait 'till we know for sure he's the good guy, but when we do, go for it. It's about time you got laid. You don't know what you're missing."
"It always kills me. You're the shy, quiet one, but I'm the virgin." Tal sighed.
"I can't help that you have high standards," Jess laughed.
"At least I have standards. Remember that guy in L.A?" Tal retorted, causing the red panda to stick her tongue out.
"I can't give you much advice about Reid though, seeing as how I've never met the guy. Just don't get too attached okay? And for gods sake, don't let Will find out!" Jess added.
"Find out what?" a suspicious voiced asked from the doorway.
"That I'm failing computer sciences already. Whoops!" Tal slapped herself on the forehead. Jess snickered. Will sighed.
"Do I want to know?" he asked.
"Nope!" the girls exclaimed together.
"What are you doing here? You're early." Willem asked, frowning.
"Ah, well, there's been a change of plans. There's a party tonight, so I came early." Tal began.
"Just great. I'm looking at autopsy reports and you're partying. How is this fair?" Jess grumbled.
"Funny you should say that. 'Cause you're coming with me." Tal nervously smiled.
"WHAT?! I can't! I mean, no! Will?!" Jess said, looking at the older wolf pleadingly.
"Why does Jess have to go? Just what exactly have you done?" Will asked, his tone pissed.
"Well I tried to get out of the party by saying I had to see a friend but they know they're the only friends I have in Ipswich so I said that Jess was coming to visit from Chicago and that we were getting together and they said that I should bring her to the party to meet them and I said okay because I couldn't think of anything else that wouldn't sound suspicious so they're expecting us both," She rushed, adding, "Sorry," and ducking her head to avoid their glares.
Will sighed again, shaking his head. "Well Jess, it looks like you're going to the ball after all,"
"Crap."
