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Scarlet's POV:
Less Empty
Another day, another counselling session. If you can even call it that. We're already about half an hour in and Dr Erland hasn't even asked ten questions yet or walked Dad and I through any trust exercises. Not that I'm complaining, those exercises were just an excuse for having Dad fall on the floor, but I'll take them over sitting around doing nothing. It's so boring!
Dr Erland is pale and anxiously scribbling in his notebook. I took a peek to see what he was writing, and it's just a bunch of weird sentences and questions that have nothing to do with this session. Stuff like, "How will we get there without her noticing?" and "Is everyone under her spell?"
Maybe he's having problems with his wife.
There's a ding from Dad's phone as he receives yet another text. Since Dr Erland didn't tell him to put away his phone, he's been texting someone or other for the whole session. Next time, I'm bringing a book or something cus no way am I putting up with this again! God, I'm so bored right now.
I sigh and stare at the opposite wall. I can faintly hear the sounds of nursery music on the other side. Dr Pine's latest strategy seems to be trying to invoke memories of Wolf's childhood, like reading bedtime stories to him or playing music tapes. I took a peek inside the room a few days ago, and Wolf seemed more annoyed by it all than anything. Still, I guess Dr Pine's doing something right, since Wolf has seemed a lot less empty lately. It's only brief, occasional instances, an angry scowl here, some suppressed laughter there, but they're there, and getting gradually more frequent. And call me a glory-seeker, but I think I might have had something to do with it as well.
The night the wolves attacked Thorne's party for instance, when we had our first real conversation. I think that was when I first started to see him as a normal person instead of a talking statue. I heard him laugh, albeit that was because he was delirious from blood loss. I saw him blush. He complimented my eyes. And there was that weird pain-attack that is apparently a recurring thing with him.
That conversation was when I started to like him.
After that, I made a point of pulling him into a conversation whenever I got the chance. It attracted a lot of curious looks from the other kids, especially since Wolf actually gave proper answers. That was when he started showing his emotions, and I could finally get a good grip on his personality. He's naturally quiet I think, and a bit insecure because of his stature and the fact he's the oldest kid in the school, and of course kinda clueless. But he's
also pretty sweet, a real-life gentle giant. That is, if you can discard his slight temper. I've noticed that he gets annoyed easily and isn't exactly the most patient guy. Not that I can talk.
And then there was the English project, where I went to his house for the first time. If you can call the Police Station a house. I can clearly remember the confusion when Wolf first stopped in front of the building and told me he lived there. And then came the dawning realisation, if you can call it a dawn when it's shadowed with guilt. When Dr Erland said that there was an orphan in the hospital taking therapy, I didn't know that they were right next door! Didn't these people consider the fact that it might be upsetting to hear a parent and child arguing where someone without a parent to begin with could hear them clearly? God, I'd complained about my dad to Wolf more times than I can count! He'd said it was okay, that he didn't mind, but all I could think about was I'd whined like a small child about my father when he didn't even have one.
Okay, that was a lie, it wasn't all I though about. I'll admit, a significant chunk of my mind was dedicated to the sound of his heart thundering inside his chest and the fact that he was blushing fiercely when I looked up at him.
I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure I know what that particular set of signs means. And every time I think about it, my heart does a little dance in my chest and a stupid grin spreads across my face.
When mine and Dad's counselling session finally ends, I run out of the room and down the hall. Dad shouts something angrily behind me, but I ignore him. Barely a minute ago I heard Wolf leave his room, and I'm determined to catch up to him before he leaves. There's something I want to ask him.
I catch him just as he's opening the front door.
"Wolf!" I shout after him.
He pauses and turns to look at me. A ghost of a smile flashes across his face. "Hey Scarlet. Your session was really quiet today. Are things getting better with your dad?"
I roll my eyes. "I think we're a hopeless case. Dr Erland was just too distracted today to actually do anything, so Dad spent the session texting and I spent it staring at the walls."
This was enough to induce a small laugh.
I smile to myself. So far so good. "Hey, do you have any plans for this afternoon?"
Wolf frowns. "Well, Jacin wanted to talk to me about something."
"Do you think he could wait an hour or so?"
He frowns at me warily. "He seemed pretty serious about what he wanted to talk about…"
"This is Jacin," I remind him with a smirk, "he looks serious when he's telling a joke."
"I guess. But, why are you asking?"
I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant. "I was just wondering if you'd be up for a walk around town."
Wolf shuffles his feet. "The police want me back home as soon as possible." he tells me apologetically, "They've been really on edge ever since the wolf-attacks restarted."
I wave this off. "Those all happened at night, or at most really late in the evening. A walk won't even take a full afternoon."
Looking unsure, he takes out his phone. "I guess I can ask permission, but no promises."
I try to keep my impatient shifting to a minimum as Wolf texts the police. Judging by the several dings and the way Wolf frowns when he sends his replies, I think they're having a text-argument.
Finally, he puts away his phone, his face expressionless.
"Well?" I ask, trying not to appear too hopeful.
His gaze flicks over to me and the ghost smile returns. "One hour."
A/N: I'm pretty sure I don't have to say this, but: WOLFLET FANS REJOICE! THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT NEXT CHAPTER! And for the rest of you who are hating me so much for not giving your favourite ships time in the spotlight, don't worry! I haven't forgotten them, and they will happen!
Please review!
