We're finally getting into the plot here! I hope you stick around, this story will probably be on the longer side, I have a ton of plot ideas to make it really interesting and not-your-average-imprint-story.

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chapter five - first absence

I woke up the next morning groggy and late. I took a three minute shower and threw on the first outfit I could find. I ran out with wet hair and jumped on my skateboard to get to school. Dad left for work early today so I was on my own.

I don't remember much of the events of that school day, it's mostly just a blur in my brain. All I remember is actively avoiding Hisaka all day. Any time I'd see him, I'd step into the bathroom, or down a hallway or start talking to someone else. I don't know if I should feel bad but right now I just don't want to deal with him.

Of course, I couldn't keep him at bay forever, and I committed to plans on Thursday to go to the movies, as his promised date.

I'm just hoping that he doesn't try to kiss me or anything.

XxxxX

THURSDAY:

Our date went surprisingly well, considering how much I'd been dreading it all week. Hisaka picked me up, paid for our tickets and popcorn and sat us in the middle of the middle aisle, so I knew he intended to watch the movie and not make a move on me. I relaxed into the company and was absorbed in the movie. Afterwards, we shared our thoughts and found that we agreed on much of the controversial issues presented.

I actually had a great time. I said goodnight to him with a smile and went to my room cheerful. Before going to bed, I decided to do some much-needed yoga to calm down to go to sleep. I put earbuds in and rolled out my yoga mat.

My dad had laughed when I asked him to buy it for me, but since then has gotten used to it. He knows that doing yoga brings me a lot of peace and puts me back in harmony with the nature I love so much. I'd never even heard of yoga til we moved to Oregon, but then again, there were a lot of firsts that year. First haircut - my mother believed in keeping it long, first pair of yoga pants, first phone, basically everything white people grow up with that the Natives often don't find value in. Now I struggle with remembering my roots while taking full advantage of the world around me.

I truly hope that if it's my fate to be with Hisaka for the rest of my life, I should embrace that life. Not all of me is on board yet, but after the good time we had tonight, I think it might be the start of something great.

Friday, however, was a nightmare.

To start with, I slept in through first and second periods. I guess my yoga calmed me down a little too much. Then, none of the wolves were at school, and after that, I flunked the pop quiz my bio teacher gave us. I went home that afternoon ready to scream and cry.

I debated texting one of the wolves to give me a ride through the forest to relax me, but that presented three issues: 1, it would probably be inconvenient for them, I wouldn't want to ask them to. 2, the only wolf I've run with is Chesmu, and something tells me Hisaka would be pissed if I asked him. 3, I'd have to give Hisaka a rundown of everything that was crappy about my day and why I'm in need of a ride.

Instead, I decided to just go for a run on my own.

I put on some athletic gear and took off, letting the sound of my footfalls break up the chaos in my brain.

I'd probably run a mile when I turned back in the direction of my house.

I shouldn't have been spooked when a giant wolf bounded out of the woods in front of me. I nearly screamed before remembering it was most likely one of my friends.

"Hi-hey, uh... who is that?" I asked, feeling like it was a bit of a stupid question. The wolf seemed to think so too, rolling his eyes.

"Okay, right. You can't talk. I'll list off names then and you tell me which one is you. Does that work?" The wolf rolled his eyes again, coming up to me and nudging me in the direction of the woods. "What's going on?" I ask, again feeling stupid for forgetting that he couldn't talk.

Once we were under cover of the trees, the wolf shifted back into a person, and I reflexively covered my eyes.

"Relax, it's me." A female voice said. I frowned.

"Leah? Oh, sorry, I forgot you're a wolf too." I stammered, taking my hand from my face, but still averting my eyes.

"I don't care if you look. Sam sent me to make sure you're out of the woods, there's a rogue vampire that's right on the edge of the res and since you're an imprint, you're under special protection, so I'm escorting you back to your house. Get on my back." I nodded, looking up just in time to see her phase back into a wolf. She crouched down and I climbed on her back, smiling to myself as I realized I'd be getting a lightening-speed ride back to my house after all.

My smile faded quickly as I realized Leah runs significantly faster than Chesmu. Or maybe Chesmu was taking it easy on me to be nice, but Leah doesn't care. I kinda love that about her.

When we got back to my house, Leah shifted back to tell me to stay inside until further notice, and then phased back before running into the woods again.

I squinted after her, and she seemed to be running even faster than she was before, with me on my back. I shook my head and went inside.

Dad wasn't home yet, so I went upstairs to work on my homework. I'd only gotten half of it done when my phone lit up.

Kim: Hey Kaliska! this is Kim:)) got your # from Hisaka

Kim: do u need anything? i know its hard being stuck inside when your man is out there fighting:( if u need anything, i can help out! ;) ;)

I squinted at the messages. First of all, I don't remember giving Hisaka my number. Second of all, who uses that many emojis and punctuation? I put my phone down again and focused back on my homework, but got distracted thinking about "my man." I guess it should bother me more that his life is on the line right now. I mean, he's 18. But then again, he does transform into a giant wolf... it's still weird to think about. I envy the wolves. Not the fighting part, since I generally stay away from conflicts, but the wolf and running through the woods part. I wish I had some of those abilities.

I went back to my homework, wanting to get it all done before the weekend. I hadn't heard from Hisaka since our date last night, and I'm not sure if he's just busy or ignoring me. Either way, that's really not my priority right now.

Still, with what I've heard about imprints, I feel like I'm supposed to be feeling more anxious right now...