Chapter 10

It had been two weeks since talked to Grace.

Even though it killed me I followed her request and left her alone.

Maybe her life is better this way, she doesn't seem like the type of person that wants to be dragged into the dangerous world of wolves.

I write her letters every day, but I never give them to her.

I just stuff them into my drawer and leave them be.

This morning I had patrol with Jack and Henry, so I didn't get to school until 11.

When I looked into my locker, I noticed a folded up piece of paper that had been stuffed into it.

I opened it up and read what it said: I'm sorry about how I have acted and that I've been avoiding you. I want to try to trust you and work on our friendship and maybe even become more than friends. If you want to talk meet me by the yellow walking trail, but if you don't then I don't blame you.

The note was written so neatly and I was so happy to see it.

It seems like Grace is finally realizing that I'm not hanging around her to hurt her.

Even though I was only at school half a day, it seemed like I had been there for two.

As soon as the bell rang I rushed over to the trail.

When I got there I saw her standing there, only it wasn't who I hoped it would be.

Liza was standing at the mouth of the trail, her hair was in a ponytail and she was wearing a big grey sweatshirt with black yoga pants and pink and black running shoes.

Her eyes were red and she appeared like she had been crying.

I got close to her and she broke down in tears almost immediately.

I wrapped her up in my arms and she continued to cry.

"I'm sorry, I was so mean to you I should've trusted you, please forgive me." She sobs out.

"I forgive you, let's just put it all in the past and move forward. I believe that you will trust me and that's all I wanted and you're willing to try. If you want to talk to me about what's going on you can." I say as I continue to hug her and rub her back.

"I had been dating a guy for two weeks and everything was perfect. He was so sweet and said all the right things. It was going so well. I asked him to hang out, but he said he had a test to study for so he couldn't. I went over there to surprise him with some candy and a Pepsi and when I walked in he was on the couch making out with another girl."

I couldn't think of any words to say that would make her feel better.

Of course I was stuck with nothing to say.

I just continued to hug her as she cried.

"I guess I better go home now." She says wiping her face.

"I don't think you need to drive home like this. Let me drive you."

"Then how will you get back to your car if you drive mine?"

"I'm a wolf remember? I can run for forever. Besides, I'd get there faster running anyway."

"I'll just drive, I'll be okay. I don't want to put you through all of that trouble." She insists.

As she begins to walk away I grab her arm and it causes her sleeve to come up.

I feel rough ridges on her wrist so I turn it around and look.

Her cuts were sporadically all over her wrist and the other one as well.

"How long have you been doing this?" I ask concerned.

"I started after my brother died, but i stopped until I caught Chris cheating, I only do it at night when I'm in my room. I just feel so alone and I get to thinking and it's the only way to replace the pain I feel in my heart." She says as tears begin to form.

I begin to open my mouth to speak, but she stops me.

"Please, don't tell anyone, or tell me how wrong it is. I already know that and I'll stop."

We get in the car and she makes me promise that I won't tell anyone and keeps insisting she will stop.

I'm skeptical to believe her because it seems like she's one cut away from it being fatal.

After I drop her off I begin to head back to my truck.

When I get halfway back it hits me that I shouldn't leave her by herself.

I hurry back to check on her and when I get to her window I see a knife in her hand.

Luckily it is unlocked and I quickly crawl through.

"You better be chopping onions with that knife."

"I'm sorry, I know I said I would stop, but it just hurts so bad, I keep seeing visions of my brother dying and then I get cheated on. It's just all too much."

I take the knife from her hand and hold her in a tight hug.

"I'm never leaving you alone here again. I'm coming every night to make sure you don't hurt yourself anymore."

"You don't have to stay and babysit me. I'll be okay."

"I want to do this, I want to help you. Please just let me help you."

She agrees to let me help her.

We stayed up and talked until about three in the morning and she eventually curled up against me and went to sleep.