Chapter Five- Emotional Change
Sheppard leaned back and pressed his fingers together. "Frankly, my boy, I see no reason to fear you. If you were a danger, you would have done so quite easily, I imagine."
"I have no intention of biting anyone, though I might change out of fear or anger."
"Two emotions I don't see from you at all. The actions of your school mates could change that."
"The school's reaction is why we came here," Atticus said. "Jesse and I seem to be the only ones who are not afraid of Jaden. An assembly tomorrow morning could clear that up."
"Yes, that would do it. I'll send a message to all PDA's tonight during dinner."
Jaden smiled in relief as Atticus said, "Thanks, Chancellor." The two left the office before Atticus added, "Jaden, do you want to spend the night with me?"
"I'd love to but I'll be okay. I'll try to convince Sy and Hassleberry that I'm not dangerous, a monster, or a freak."
"Oh. You heard all that, huh?"
"Hard not to with my ears."
Atticus laughed. "Well, if you change your mind about tonight, send a message, and I'll meet you at the blue campus entrance."
"Sure. Night." Jaden closed his eyes as Atticus leaned down and kissed his lips. Jaden then headed back to Slifer, determined to talk some sense into his friends. This is crazy. I haven't been a werewolf for twenty-four hours yet and already the whole school's against me. Damn, I had to go and be curious and end up being different than I already am. Still, the type of werewolf that I am is not bad. He marched up the stairs and into his room to find his roommates there. He closed the door and stood against it. "I said we would talk in the morning. Instead you tell everyone what happened and stayed away from me. Guys…I'm hurt over this treatment and I don't deserve it. If one of you became a werewolf, I wouldn't turn from you or abandon you. I'd be right there beside you and be supportive."
"We just don't want to be bitten," Syrus said.
Jaden rubbed his nose. "Sy, I get that. I don't intend to bite anyone and that would only be on the full moon. I'm really the same Jaden you two have known. I just a furry side that come out now and then." There was a long silence and then Jaden went to his bed, pulled out an overnight bag, and began packing. Seems I can't convince them. Fine, then.
"Sarge, what are ya doin'?" asked Hassleberry, sounding confused.
"Spending the night with one of the only two people who don't fear me or see me as a freak or monster. I'll message him to meet me. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Ja, you don't have to leave," Syrus said. "We're sorry we hurt you. Real sorry."
Jaden turned to Syrus with unshed tears. "Really?" he asked, his voice trembling.
Syrus rushed over and hugged him. "Yeah. We were just thinking about what you said."
"So…you're not afraid of me anymore?" Jaden asked, tears vanishing.
"Not at all," Hassleberry said. At Jaden's quizzical look, he added, "Well, maybe the whole changing when angry part."
"Yeah, well, I don't get angry that much, though everything I went through since last night would be enough to anger me."
"How long would you be changed from anger?" Hassleberry asked.
"Until the feeling has passed but I'm sure I could stay a wolf long after the feeling's ended."
"You don't act like a wolf, do you?" Syrus questioned.
"What do you mean?"
"Hunting for food, attacking someone, wolf sounds, you know, things like that."
"I do have a craving for meat and I do make wolf sounds but only in wolf form. I mean, howling in wolf form is to be expected.
"You said there are two people who aren't afraid," Hassleberry said. "Who are they?"
"Jesse and Atticus."
"Were you going to stay with Atticus?" Syrus asked.
"Yeah, I was. He told me if I was, I should message him and he would meet me at the entrance to Obelisk."
"Why would he offer to let you sleep over, Ja?"
Jaden's mind raced to come up with a reasonable explanation but none occurred, save for the truth. Well, I should tell the truth or rather re-state it.
"He's my boyfriend, remember Sy? It makes sense that he would offer."
"Oh, yeah. Right. Are we the only ones who know about you and Atticus dating?"
"Alexis knows and so does Jesse, but that's it.
"Hey! Let's head to dinner. I'm starving."
Hassleberry and Syrus shared grins as they followed their friend out. That sounded like the Jaden they knew. It had been a shock to see Jaden enter the room last night in the form of a wolf and for him to share everything he had learned right then and there. Syrus had thought of everything he had ready or seen about werewolves and feared that Jaden would act like those werewolves and want to live like a wolf and bite others into werewolves. But I was wrong. Jaden's not like that at all. Yes, he craves meat and will make sounds in wolf form, but that's it. Jaden is still Jaden.
The message from Sheppard was delivered as promised. Jaden told his friends about the meeting from this afternoon and Atticus suggesting the assembly to which Sheppard agreed. Both said the assembly was the best way to tell the whole school that Jaden being a werewolf was not a bad thing.
The trio had left the cafeteria and was about to head back to their room when someone called, "Hey, dweebs!" They turned to see Chazz approaching. "What's up, Chazz?" Jaden greeted warmly.
"You obviously and your new condition. It's one thing to hear and see spirits like me, but to add being a werewolf is another thing."
"Really?"
"Yes. A werewolf is a dangerous monster. A freak who is half-wolf and half-human."
"I'm not a monster or a freak."
"You are a freak Jaden. You have been your whole life." Chazz laughed at this.
Chazz's taunts brought Jaden's anger to full bloom. He gave a wolf's growl as he changed to wolf form. He snarled at Chazz who ceased laughing and backed up before racing for his room. Jaden stayed where he was as he growled and snarled his anger out at the whole unfairness of his situation.
Slowly, his anger faded and his growls and snarls stopped. He inhaled and slowly let it out. "Ja?" Syrus asked cautiously, his voice shaking a little.
"I'm fine, Sy," he replied soothingly. "I admit, it felt good to let all that anger out."
"Maybe you should change more often to let it out a little at a time instead of all at once," Hassleberry said.
"Yeah. I think I will." Jaden changed back and followed his friends and he bit his lip. His change to anger had actually reduced him to an actual angry wolf. His growls and snarls were the only sounds he could make. But, of course, I won't tell anyone about that.