Chapter 4- Friendship

The school bell rings and it shakes me out of my distracted daze, nothing is quite as riveting as listening to Mr. Atkins drone on about the great influence of Shakespeare on the English language for the billionth time this semester. At least I'm pretty sure that is what he has been discussing for the past hour, my head has been so full of the magic wolves from the forest. All I have been hearing all day is the sound of their paws on the forest floor beating in my ears, the crunch of the leaves under their feet. The deep brown eyes of the russet wolf burned their way into my mind's eye, gleaming behind my eyelids every time I closed my eyes. I have never been so eager to race home and out to the forest. I hope I am able to catch another glimpse of them.

The walk home was quick and my task of tidying and cooking was finished in record speed. I scarcely take the time to tie my shoelaces as I rush out the door and down the street to the trails. In no time I am out at my favourite tree. The air is damp from the frequent Forks rain, the sky is grey and the birds are chirping freely. But there is no sign of my mystical new friends. I am not quite brave enough to try to hunt them down, surely if there are such big secrets hiding in this forest, who knows what other dangers could be out there. No, I'll just stay here, where it has been safe and breathe in my special space of peace.

I flipped the pages of my book for the tenth time. I'm not sure I really read any of the worlds on the fraying pages. I'm not sure I need to anymore. I know the story so well, almost by heart. I sigh and set the book down. My dark eyes scan the trees again hoping to spot the creatures hiding in the leaves. No such luck. I pull my worn sketchbook out of my bag and begin to draw, and practical without any thought images of wolves with bright eyes and thick coats spill out onto the pages.

I am so immersed in my drawing that I don't even notice a large russet wolf approaching until I fear his paws crunching over the brush. Looking up I'm startled by the large creature. I hold my breath, eyes wide in awe. The wolf stops several feet away from me, his head bowed slightly, I feel as if he is being cautious trying not to scare me. I smile at him and stand up slowly, also trying not to scare him away.

"Hello,' I say softly and extend my hand out slowly. He took a step towards me, then another until his nose was brushing my hands.

'Can I touch you?' I ask. He seems to nod his head slightly and then lower it. I move my hand to the top of his head and give him a gentle pat. His fur is the softest thing I have ever touched in my life. Not only is the wolf soft, he is also so very warm, a welcome relief to my chilled fingers.

I let out a small giggle,

"You are so warm' I say

"You must never have a problem out here in the winter. I have to say I'm a little jealous of that mister. It's only the beginning of November and it's already almost too chilly to stay long."

The wolf gives a small nod of his head and a gentle huff. He nudges me back towards the tree. I comply and sit back down at the base of the trunk. He then approaches slowly, still hesitant it seems, and settles down beside me. Shuffling his body until it is resting just touching mine. His gleaming eyes look down at my books and gives another little nod, as if to say, please continue your reading. I giggle slightly again at the wolfs antics.

I pick up my sketch book again and flip it around.

"Look' I say

"It's you. Well Mostly I think now that I've got a good look at you, it could definitely use some work. Don't worry I've got plenty of time to get it right. We gotta have it give you justice haven't we handsome?"

The rest of the afternoon goes by just like that. Leaning carefully against the largest wolf I've ever seen, basking in the warmth radiating from his fur and drawing the details of the magnificent beast. As the sun begins to set I am more regretful than ever to take those steps back home to reality. And more hopeful than ever that my new friend would return to keep me company once more.