A/N- I hope you guys are liking it so far. This is going to be a pretty long story so I hope you'll stick with me and read it. I'm working my hardest to stay several chapters ahead so I can edit and make them the best I can. Let me know what you think and I promise it gets better!

Chapter 5

Chloe's POV

"How was school?" My mom calls out from the kitchen and I make my way to her. I debate what all to tell her. She knows me better than anyone and I know better than to try and hide anything.

"It was good. I made several friends." And one who might possibly be more.

"I'm glad, honey. I was real worried. You've always had a hard time making friends and when you do, they don't always turn out to be the best." I snort at such an understatement.

"Thanks mom but you don't have to worry about me. I think this time will be different." My mind drifts to Beca and I wonder what she's up to right now. I wish she would've let me give her a ride. Just a few more minutes with her is all I need. Sighing, I sit down on a stool, hating how long I'll have to wait to see Beca again.

"Okay, what's up?" Startled, I look over at my mom, confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you've sighed heavily multiple times and flopped down on that stool over there. Not to mention zoned out so bad that you didn't hear a word I said."

"You were talking? Sorry,"I apologize, sheepishly.

"It's fine. Just tell me what's wrong. You know I'll figure it out sooner or later." Sighing again, I nod knowing she's right. And who knows, maybe she'll be able to help.

"When you and dad first met, what did you feel?" My moms eyes dim with sadness before brightening up again.

"Well, I felt crazy attracted to him and had some butterflies in my stomach. He told me that he was so nervous the first time he met me because he was intimidated by my beauty." We laugh softly for a second and my heart aches and warms at the thought of my dad. Finally, I can think about and enjoy the memories I had with him without wanting to go to a corner and cry.

"Why do you ask?"

"There's this girl,"I start, knowing my mom accepts me for who I am and who I like. "She's…. there's no way to describe her except that's she's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. I can't explain it but I feel weirdly connected to her. All I could think about during the day was how much I wanted to be with her."

"Hmm,"my mom contemplates. My chest heaves, nervous that she'll think I'm strange to feel this way.

"The best I can tell you is that it seems like you are meant to be with this girl."

"Really? Are you sure?"

"When I was in college, I knew this couple who couldn't be separated no matter what. I always thought that it was unhealthy for them to be so dependent on one another, but I learned just how wrong I was." My mom pauses, staring out the window, lost on her memories.

"What happened?"

"I had known them for several months and we were all pretty good friends. One day, the boyfriend got into a terrible accident. The doctors didn't think he would survive. I was at a cafe with the girl when it happened. She somehow knew immediately and was just so pale. I honestly would've thought she was the one to get in a car wreck if I hadn't been there with her."

I don't know how to explain it. They told us when we walked into that waiting room that he may never wake up. But the moment she grabbed his hand, he did."

"How?" My mom shakes her head.

"I have no idea. All the doctors were mystified. They had never seen anything like it before. The moment he woke up her face got some of its color back. He wasn't anywhere near recovered, but it seemed like all he needed was her."

"What happened to them after that?" My mom gets a huge contagious smile on her face.

"After the wreck, it woke their eyes up and as soon as he was better, they had a quick wedding. Instead of finishing college, they chose to travel the world. I haven't seen them since." We fall into a comfortable silence thinking of all the possibilities of where they could be.

"So I do believe that some people are just connected. Everyone has a soulmate but not everybody finds theirs."

"Does that mean I found mine?" Hope and joy fills me to the brink.

"I'm not sure. I hope so." For several minutes we just sit there, wondering what it could mean. Finally, my mom breaks the silence.

"Thanks for talking to me,"her hand grabs mine and squeezes. "Anytime you want to talk, I'm here."

"I know."

"Now, how about we order some chinese and watch a movie." Nodding enthusiastically, I grab the phone and dial the number. I hand her the phone and head toward the living room.

"Wizard of Oz?"I ask, though I don't really have to. It's our tradition to watch that movie once a week. It was my dad's favorite. My mom nods and I get the DVD player ready. We wait till our food arrives, just talking about random stuff. When it finally does arrive, I cuddle up next to my mom, glad that I still have her around to talk to.

….

Our movie finally ends at 8:30 and by that time, I'm half asleep. With a worried look, my mom puts her hand to my forehead. I don't ever sleep this early unless I'm sick and I don't fall asleep during movies. Especially that one.

"Are you feeling okay, baby?" Tiredly, I nod. I stretch, noticing that my back is now sore.

"Come on. Let's get you to bed." Reaching down, my mom gently pulls me up to my feet.

"Woah,"a wave of nausea hits me like a freight train. My mom holds me until it passes.

"Sorry. That just came out of nowhere." My mom shakes her head and helps me up the stairs.

"If you're still feeling this way in the morning, I want you to stay home, okay? It's only your second day of school but if you're sick, I don't want you to go." Without any argument, I nod. I know that she's careful about bringing me to the hospital more often. Every check up, they test to make sure I don't have the same heart condition as my dad.

"Sleep well. I love you,"mom says, kissing my forehead. She turns out the light and I whisper I love you to her before she shuts my door. My eyes flutter and before I know it, I'm asleep.

…

The next morning, I'm sore all over. Everything aches, especially my back. What the hell? I put a shaky hand to my clammy forehead. Ugh.

Groaning, I get up and slowly get dressed. I'm almost out the front door when my mom stops me.

"Woah. Slow your roll there. You still look horrible."

"Thanks mom." Chuckling, my mom takes my backpack away from me.

"You know what I mean. I'm sorry but I don't think you should go to school." Sighing, I drag myself to the living room and plop down on the couch.

"I'll get some toast for you." My mom lays a blanket over me and turns on the TV. This sucks.

I sleep for most of the day and when I wake up at 5, I still feel like crap. I can tell my mom is worried by the constant looks she's giving me. She's constantly fluttering around the living room and asking me if I'm okay. Finally, I've had enough.

"Mom," I practically have to yell over her questions. "Could I just sit outside for a little bit? I'm feeling a little cooped up."

"Sure." Nodding in thanks, I slowly ease off the couch. My knees shake with effort and I follow my mom outside. For a little while, we just sit there in silence.

"Sorry for how I've been acting,"mom whispers and I can tell she's close to crying. I put my clammy hand over hers.

"It's okay. I understand." We share loving smiles but for some reason, hers is suddenly replaced by terror. "Mom? Are you okay?"

"I want you to slowly stand up,"mom whispers, her face deadly pale. I do as she says and against her wishes, turn around. Standing several feet away is a huge ass wolf staring at us. It's sleek, gray fur seem to ripple as it takes a step forward.

"I'm going to go grab the shotgun." My mom takes a step toward the back door, but I stop her.

"Wait." Somehow, I know that this wolf won't hurt us. I slowly move forward and the closer I get, the less shaky my legs are.

"Chloe! Chloe!"My mom frantically whispers but I ignore her. If it wanted to kill me, it would've already, right?

"Chloe. Get your butt back here." My moms whispered panicked voice sounds like she's yelling through the dead silence that surrounds us.

"It's okay, Mom. She won't hurt me." She? When did I come to that conclusion? My mom is the vet so she would be able to tell, but I can't. After what seems like hours, I reach the wolf, my heart beating fast in my chest.

The wolf is even bigger up close. It's head reaches my chin and it's paws are like twice the size of my hand. The wolf's gray almost silver eyes stare back into my blue ones. Those eyes…. Where have I seen those before?

"Hey,"I whisper gently and the wolf immediately dips its head until it's pushing against my hand. Laughing softly, I take that as an invitation and lift my hand to stoke its head.

"Chloe?"My moms voice shakes as she comes a little closer. The wolf snaps to attention, it's gaze focused on my mom who instantly froze in her tracks.

"It's okay." I let my hand move further down the wolf's head but the moment I go to pet her back, her hair bristles. Shocked, I pull my hand to my side and look the wolf in the eye. Her eyes are full of pain and terror. She seemed to have human emotions I didn't think any animal was capable of.

"She's hurt,"mom says from behind me. In order to not scare the wolf, I slowly ease around and look at her back only to have to restrain from puking. Her back look like its been through a meat grinder. I can't tell where the blood ends and fur begins.

"God, Mom what do we do?"

"We try and get her inside." My mom's commanding vet side comes out.

"What if she hurts us?"

"I'll put her to sleep. I have some sedatives in the car."

"You just carry those everywhere you go?" I look at her, shocked. Not once in my life did she tell me she kept some in the car.

"I don't usually but I read that wolves and coyotes were common in this area. To be safe, I keep some in the car, especially since we live several miles away from town. Now, let's get this girl some help."