Alix was running through the woods like she was swimming through water. It was so easy now! Before, she had hated to run so much.
She heard Quil shed his clothes quickly before he changed into a werewolf. She saw his shirt a few feet away from her. She was glad he had left a path for her to follow. This made her think that he wanted her to follow and find him.
Alix took a really deep breath through her nose and relaxed as much as she could while she ran. She could feel her body shaking dangerously as it fought to stay a solid shape. But the need to change was to great. The werewolf inside her was fighting, straining, to burst out of this flimsy skin. Alix welcomed the feeling. Come on, she thought gently. It's time to be a wolf. Alix closed her eyes and a bright, red haze washed over them. She could feel the heat radiating intensely from her skin. It was almost unbearable, almost. She heard an unnatural RIP! come from somewhere unknown on her body.
And then, when she opened her eyes, she was a werewolf.
Yes! She thought happily. Then she frowned.
Her clothes were loosely hanging from her fur in shreds.
She shook them off impatiently and quickly took advantage of her sudden surge of strength and power. She urged herself to run a little faster to catch up with Quil. She had caught a sniff of his scent earlier so he couldn't have been far. The scent was fresh. He had just passed by here.
Quil, why? Why did you run? And why am I suddenly responsible to clean up after your actions? I mean, c'mon man! This is high school! I thought we all got over tantrums in kindergarten! Alix furiously thought.
Then she heard, felt really, another presence pursuing her.
Then she heard it.
Alix, what the hell are you doing? I swear...if dad finds out about this, we're both dead! Idiot! What are you chasing after? Her brother shouted at her in her head using their 'wolfy' mind connections.
Alix sighed. Sorry bro. But Quil just took off and I can't let him run away. He needs to go to school too. Plus, isn't the pack suppose to look out for each other?
Look sis, this isn't your problem. Quil felt that he couldn't handle it, so he ran. Problem solved. Now change your ass back so we can catch the damn bus and go to school!
Quil? Alix gently prodded with her mind. Quil, please talk to me or whatever it is we do. Please? It's Alix. Tell me what's wrong.
Get the fuck out of here, Alix. Quil angrily lashed out at her.
Alix stopped in her tracks, blinking furiously.
W-what? She croaked.
Quil snickered meanly. Yeah. Go on. GET.
But Quil, why? Why are you running away? It's just school.
It's none of your business. So GO!
Quil...
Alix, it's time to go. Jake said softly. Then his awareness was gone. He'd changed back. She knew he was waiting for her.
Her time was up.
Ok, fine Quil Anthony Atearea! Just...fine! I'm going! She hurled at him as hard as she could. She was almost crying. But she didn't cry. She never cried.
She wouldn't dare break that habit now over some flimsy excuse.
Quil made me cry!Yeah, that was going to go over well. If she was going to cry over something, it was going to be important and worth her time and tears. Quil wasn't.
She must have been taking too long because she felt her brother's presence again. He had changed back into a wolf.
Al? C'mon or else the bus'll miss us.
Okay Jake. I'm gonna change back. But um, I need some clothes first. Alix was sure that, had she been human, she would have been blushing ferociously.
Jake blinked as if clothes were the last thing on his mind. Oh, right. Well, I got you some clothes. A t-shirt and jeans or something, I think. Dad made me pack your clothes. He was so sure that you'd change in a seconds notice.
Ok, well go get your bag and toss 'em to me.
'Kay. Stay here.
He changed back into his regular form, all of the fur disappearing from his body leaving smooth skin in its place.
Alix heard Jake jerkily slide on his clothes that he'd tied to his leg. She heard him run away a few paces back, getting his bag.
Jake sprinted back into view, his bag tightly in his bag.
"Just so you know, you're going to be getting a lot of weird looks when you get back." Jake busted out laughing.
Alix growled at him before snatching up the bag with her teeth and turning away to change.
A few seconds later, she emerged as a fully clad normal teenage girl. Alix shook her head at her smiling brother.
"I don't even want to know what you did." She stated, her hand held out, offering the now empty bag back to her brother.
Jake shrugged, taking the bag and putting it on his shoulders. He turned around and ran back towards the clearing where the bus stop was.
Alix silently followed. She was a little unnerved at how quietly and gracefully she moved now. She had been so loud before the transformation. Usually her breathing would be heavy and her cheeks flushed. Now, she felt as if she were taking a brisk walk. It didn't make her break out into a sweat at all.
Finally, the endless forest ended (lol) and she and Jake emerged from the wood. The bus had just arrived and people were just beginning to get on. Alix saw Wes standing a little off to the side, waving happily at her.
She grimaced slightly before waving back.
She knew who she was sitting next to...
Wes trotted over to her, his headphones bouncing against his chest.
"Alix! There you are!" Wes exclaimed breathlessly.
Alix winced. The fact that he was breathless from running such a sort distance reminded her how much weaker he was than her.
No. She couldn't think that way. She was just like him a short while ago. She couldn't start to judge now when he had once been stronger than her.
"Hey Wes." She bent down to pick up her backpack that she had thrown carelessly on the ground before she ran away to change.
Wes' forehead crinkled. "What happened? Where's Quil?"
Alix searched his eyes and found nothing but curiosity. She couldn't tell him the truth though. He'd freak out and call her committed.
"Um, it seems that Quil forgot something for school at home. He had to run back to beat the bus but it looks like he'll be late. That sucks too."
Wes laughed. He reached out and wrapped a lock of her hair around his finger. He stepped closer to her so he could whisper in her ear.
"Well, I'm glad you made it back." He said huskily.
Alix could feel his warm breath caress her face. She felt her face heat up, definitely red. She was so embarrassed that her breathing started up faster.
"Um, W-wes?" She inwardly cursed her wobbly voice. "What are you doing?"
She could feel his chest rumble with his deep laughter. He gently rubbed his nose against her cheek to her lips and back.
"Mmmm. You smell heavenly." Wes whispered.
Alix let out a shaky breath. "OK, Wes. We need to get on the bus."
Wes didn't say anything. He lightly traced down her arm with his fingers. Pricks of ice followed in their wake. It felt so good on her hot skin.
His hand moved down her arm to her hand. He took it and led her to the bus. Her knees shook slightly but she knew that she wasn't changing. Her nerves were shaken up. Her heart was beating loudly. She was sure he could hear it.
Wes just smirked to himself, feeling her pulse accelerate in her wrist. His dad was a doctor and had taught him some things.
Wes led his new captive prisoner to the back of the bus where usually no one sat because of the bumps they got on the ride over.
Alix swallowed thickly as she sat down next to Wes. She was on the inside seat. She could feel the piercing eyes watching them. Then the driver barked for them to all sit down and shut up. Everyone sat but the sound didn't quiet down. That never happened. But you can't blame the guy for trying.
Wes continued to play with her the loose strands of hair that had escaped her ponytail. She felt herself blush again at the contact.
"Wes..."
"Hmm?"
"I-I think you should stop."
"Stop?" Wes questioned softly. He ran his fingers across her vibrant blushing cheekbones.
Alix swallowed again. Her throat was parched.
"Yes. Wes, stop it. We're just friends and you know that. So quit it dude." Alix told him in a stronger voice though her stomach was full of butterflies.
Wes sighed, his breath caressing her face once more. Then he leaned back away from her.
Alix let out a small sigh of her own.
She turned her head to watch the passing scenery. It wasn't too interesting. Just a bunch of houses here, shrubs there.
She really wanted to see the beach that brightened La Push. The rushing sound of the waves soothed her. When her father was training her, they would sometimes run along the strip of beach for hours. Sometimes she would run over in her human form and just stare at the water. She loved how the sun hit the water just so, making it sparkle. It relaxed her intensely, just thinking about it.
She was barely aware of Wes who was staring at the back of her head intently trying to figure her out.
Then the La Push high school came up and the bus stopped.
It sputtered and creaked as the students exited excitedly for another day of high school.
Alix smiled to herself and followed Wes off the bus. He didn't take her hand again.
She entered the school building and looked at her schedule. First class was English in room 521 with Ms. Young. She giggled at the name.
Wes caught her arm and spun her around to face him. Alix frowned.
"What Wes?" She asked, anxious to scope out her new locker before the bell rang.
Wes cleared his throat, a nervous habit he'd picked up a long time ago.
"Alix, what's your first class?"
Alix narrowed her eyes before she told him.
"English 2 honors. 521."
Wes' eyes brightened. "Me too! I'll walk you over."
Alix shrugged. It was a small school. "OK, sure. But I wanna check out my locker first and unload some of these books." She gestured at her bag.
Wes nodded. "Oh, ok. I'll come with you." He flashed a hesitant smile at her. She smiled back.
"Cool."
Alix began walking towards her locker which was in back hall. That was perfect because she could get to her locker after every class. Back hall was connected to all the other halls. She was glad to be so lucky.
"Oh your locker's here? Mine is two down to your left, Al!" Wes told her as he grinned.
What was that about being lucky? Ha.
"Oh." Was all she said. She absently wondered what Quil was doing right now; whether he was still running or at home.
Probably still running. Alix remembered how great it felt to run as fast as you could without worrying about anything.
Alix faintly smiled as she imagined the wind blowing through her hair. Wes thought she was smiling at him. Perfect.
He traced his thumb around her cheek. Alix blinked and flinched away from him, torn from her daydream.
"Oh. Dreaming?" Wes finally caught on.
Alix nodded. "Um, yeah. Let's get to class."
Wes held out his hand which Alix ignored. She was not his girlfriend, just his friend. But she knew Wes wanted more, so much more. She didn't. Or rather, she wasn't ready for that just yet. She'd rather be friends with Wes so that it wouldn't feel all awkward; more awkward than it already was.
Wes held open the door to the classroom for her and she gave him a tiny smile in appreciation. She didn't want too encourage him too much.
Alix looked around for an empty desk. Most of the rows were filled up. The bell was about to ring.
Finally, she saw two open seats near the back of the room. Without a second thought, she dove straight for them. As soon as her butt hit the chair, she wanted to get up. This was the back of the room. And she was with Wes. Oh no.
Wes just grinned as he sat next to her, blocking her in.
Shit.
"Nice choice Al," Wes told her, playing with her hair again.
"ALIXANDRA!! OMG, IS THAT YOU?!" screeched a high pitched voice.
Alix winced as she turned around.
"Yeah, erm...hi Liza."
Liza Jackson was one of Alix's 'groupies'. Now, she had no idea why she had groupies. Mostly it was because her father was so popular. That was about it though. There was nothing publicly special about Alix, or so she thought.
"Hey Liza," Wes said slowly, frustrated that his time with Alix was interrupted.
Liza batted her eyelashes at him. Alix could've sworn they were fake.
"Hi Wes..." Liza purred, drawing out his name for as long as possible.
Alix wanted to bust up laughing. Liza was so out of her league. But Alix wasn't jealous. She knew she didn't like Wes like that.
"Yeah, well I'm gonna let you two lovebirds catch up. I know a day is extremely hard for you to bear alone, Liza." Alix tried not to laugh as Liza's eyes brightened at the word 'love'.
Alix nudged Wes' knee and he had no choice but to let her out.
"Where are you going?" Wes asked desparately.
Alix smiled brightly. "I'm giving Liza a chance to sit next to her boyfriend. I'll go somewhere else so I won't disturb you."
"Disturb...?" Wes muttered, confused.
Liza squealed and practically hopped onto Wes' lap. She actually believed that Wes liked her at all.
Alix shuffled away as quickly as she could with her bag in her hands before Wes could call her back.
And she bumped into somebody. Hard.
"Ouch!" Alix mumbled as a random book squashed her toe.
"Sorry!" The person immediately apologized.
Alix froze.
"Quil?"
The guy looked down at her, his expression blank.
"Oh. Hi Alix."
Alix blinked furiously. "Quil? What...what happened to you? Why'd you run away?"
Quil shrugged as he stuffed her books back into the bag for her.
"No reason."
Alix snorted as she bent down to help him. He handed her the full bag.
"Really. So, why didn't you come back when I called you. I chased after you, Quil!"
Quil sighed, becoming impatient.
"Look Alix, I really don't have time to discuss this right now. Class is about to start and I'm going to need to pay attention."
Ouch.
"Ok, so no talking. I can handle that." Alix stated stubbornly.
Quil shook his head as he went to take a seat. Alix followed him finding a seat next to him. She quickly hung her bag across the back of the seat and sat down with a triumphant look on her face. Quil just smirked.
Alix took out her notebook and pen and ripped out a piece of paper. Quil quirked an eyebrow but didn't say anything.
'OK, so why did you run away? Please talk to me.' :She wrote.
Alix pushed the paper towards Quil. He took it and without looking, balled it up and threw it on the floor.
Alix's mouth dropped.
Quil was set on ignoring her today. He had never done that. He always listened to her. Alix guessed she was just spoiled from the attention.
What is going on with you? Alix thought as she studied Quil's face. It gave nothing away regarding what he was thinking. Usually, she was able to read that face easily and without a doubt. He was hiding something from her.
He had never done that before. There were no secrets between them.
Oh well. That would change soon. Once he was a werewolf, all of his thoughts would be laid out for her to see.
Alix leaned back in her chair contentedly as the bell rang and the teacher rushed into the classroom apologizing profusely.
When English was over, Alix shot out the door to get to her next class before Wes caught up to her.
Quil had ignored her the whole time, not glancing her way once. He had never done that before, not even when he was mad with her. He was hiding something from her as best as he could.
She would find out soon.
Jake was standing outside her class, waiting for her.
"Hey Alix, how was your first class?" Jake asked her coolly.
Alix sighed. She knew he was checking up on her to make sure she didn't accidently change in a room full of kids.
"It was alright. I'm in honors this year. Sweet huh? Dad'd be so proud." Alix bragged. She knew Jake had never been in any honor classes.
Jake nodded absentmindedly. "Yes, it is."
"So, did you see the big purple snowman outside this morning?" Alix asked with a straight face.
Jake nodded. "Of course."
Alix busted out laughing. Jake jumped slightly from her outburst.
"W-what?" Jake frowned at his mad giggling sister.
"You have no idea what I said!" She exclaimed, still laughing, tears running down her cheeks.
Jake rolled his eyes. "OK, so sue me. Hey, did you see Quil anywhere? I'm suppose to look after Quil also."
Alix grimaced at his name, wiping away the tears. "Yeah, he's in my class. He should be coming out soon."
Jake nodded at her and she left quickly to hide out in her Biology class. It was a regular class so she knew Wes wouldn't be staring at her there. Yeah, in English he totally ignored Liza and stared at Alix for the entire time. Alix even stuck up her middle finger at him and he didn't blink. Something was seriously wrong with him, being so smitten with her when she clearly showed him she had no feelings like that for him.
"You suck Wes." Alix muttered darkly as she ran her hands through her sad ponytail. She ripped out the rubber band and put it between her teeth as she gathered her hair up so she could retie it. She finished styling her hair and sighed. She wished she had let her mom do her hair. Alix couldn't do hair for nothing. Her mom was way better at stuff like this, though she didn't necessarily like it either.
Alix pushed open the Biology door and stepped in. Her face lit up as she recognized a few kids from her middle school who she actually liked.
"Hey Alix! Good to see you again! I hope you're feeling better?" Cassie smiled and waved at her.
"'Sup Cass? Yeah, I'm perfect." Alix slid in the seat next to her, dropping her bag on the floor. Cassie was one of her favorite friends. She was athletic and full of energy like Alix. Plus, it was nice talking to her. She didn't try to pry or gossip like other girls usually did. Cassie had stringy red hair that never wanted to be trained. She had freckles all over her face making her skin seem a shade darker than it really was. The spots even spread to her arms like some rampant disease.
Cassie's bright green eyes sparkled as she explained in detail what had happened at the sports camp she had gone to over the summer. Alix sighed inwardly. She was suppose to go with Cassie but there had been a 'wolfy' event that she just couldn't miss. Even though this was before she had undergone her own transformation, her dad had made her go to learn some 'history' about the werewolves. But she had already heard all the legends that she had never believed in before.
"So Alix, scope out any cute boys lately?" Cassie teased, distracting her.
Alix smiled at her, relieved. "Well, I haven't seen much yet. But I'll let you know."
Cassie rose an eyebrow, making a face. "Really. What about Wes? He seems to be into you."
"Unfortunately. I really don't like him in that way. Yet he's persistent. I'm going to have to break his bubble fast."
Cassie giggled. "That should be loads of fun! Count me in. I'll make sure that Wes gets the message. After all, who knows you better than your friends?"
Alix nodded. "Deal."
The teacher chose that moment to make himself known. He cleared his throat as he walked into the classroom. He seemed to be a no nonsense type of guy. Alix could tell they were going to get along well.
After biology, she went to Spanish then Religion. Both classes were uneventful. Now it was time for lunch and she was starved. The complicated thing about lunch was what food can you trust to eat and who are you going to sit with?
Both were problems that could not be avoided. Both were more complicated than they really need be.
Luckily, Alix had bought her lunch solving one dilemma. She assumed she would sit with Cassie if she saw her.
She entered the lunchroom and saw no sign of Cassie. She sighed. Figures.
She walked along the front of the room until she spotted Quil with some of his friends. She decided to take a huge chance and sit with him.
As she approached the table, a few familiar faces looked up.
"'Ello! Mind if I join you guys?"
"Sure Alley! We missed you. Glad that you're feeling better." Derek smiled at her.
Alix smiled back and sat down next to Quil. He made no sign that he noticed her. He continued to chew his apple calmly.
"Well, I'm feeling loads better. That stupid virus got the best of me. But it won't happen again." Alix said, glancing at Quil.
The boys grunted and continued to eat their lunches.
"Hey Quil, you can't ignore me forever you know. I'm hell bent on this and I will make you talk to me." Alix mumbled out of the corner of her mouth.
Quil just finished his apple and got started on his chips.
Alix sighed and dejectedly unwrapped her sandwich. Being patient was not one of her famous traits. But she was going to try. Quil was a dear friend to her. She had no idea why he was acting like this. She would figure it out soon.
And then her day got a whole lot worse.
It started off with the lunchroom door opening again. At first, Alix paid no mind to it until Quil stiffened besides her. Alix looked up.
Wes was smiling at her, charming as could be.
Shit.
Alix cleared her throat. "Yes, Wes?"
Wes laughed. "I've been looking all over for you, Al."
"Stalker." Phillip muttered from Quil's other side.
Wes frowned slightly. "So Alix, would you join me for lunch."
"No." Alix said simply.
Wes' ears burned red, his unique way of blushing. "Ok fine then. Hang out with Quil and his crew. Oh and by the by Quil, I really don't like you anymore."
Quil gave him a thumbs up on one hand and stuck up his middle finger on the other.
Wes turned away and stalked off to another part of the room.
Alix busted out laughing with the others.
"Good one on ya, mate!" Greg patted Quil's back.
Jared was practically crying with glee. Paul frowned angrily at Wes' retreating back, muttering darkly under his breath.
"No Paul. It's cool, ok." Quil said quietly.
Alix blinked as Paul nodded. Quil had said it so lowly she could barely hear. Paul was on the other side of the table! So he must be...
"No! Don't tell me he's one too?" Alix gasped.
Quil groaned. "Shut up Alix."
"Not until you tell me I'm wrong!"
Quil shook his head. "It's none of your business."
Alix turned to Paul. "When did you change?"
Paul wrinkled his nose. "A year before you did, Alix. It was slightly mortifying, being changed so early. Remember how I couldn't make graduation? I was still recovering."
Alix looked at everyone else. "And the rest of you?"
They just mumbled and looked away from her.
"Well, how come I'm the last to know?"
"You were the last to change. We thought the last female would be Leah but those damned legends never quit." Quil sighed and raked a hand through his thick black hair tiredly.
"But you..."
"I was changed months before. The effects still got to me and I was weak." Quil answered her reluctantly.
Alix groaned. This world was full of secrets, she knew. But when your friends start to lie to you...God help you.
"Alix, I'm sorry for not telling you but..."
Alix held her hand up.
"Shut up." She said simply.
She stood and walked away, ignoring Quil's bewildered and hurt stare.
She dumped her lunch tray and stormed out of the cafeteria.
She was pissed.
The bell rang and Alix sprinted to her next class, fighting the violent shudders threatening to overtake her body. No. She wasn't changing today, she would finish the school day dutifully and get home to demand for some much needed answers.
"Dad..." Alix growled as she punched the classroom door out of her way.