MEETING

I started with the leaves. Shaping them, creating the thick density of them when bunched together. Swirling them down into the trunks that support them. The sticks that hold them. The cover of the forest floor. I hadn't picked up a pencil since I arrived in this town a couple of days ago.

It was too painful.

But now, hidden behind the school building I had a clear view of the forest. Its dark green leaves sprouting from months of snow cover. The melted snow still coating the tips. I took one look and couldn't stop the itching sensation in my fingers. Honestly, it was a welcomed distraction.

Everything here felt different, even the weight of the air. The students had all stared at me in every class I'd been in. Teachers were overly friendly, and to be frank, strange. No-one had bothered to approach me yet, partly my fault. I exited each class at a rapid pass, I just didn't want to try.

I was so engrossed with my drawing of the forest floor in my drawing that I missed the dark figure emerging out of the forest.

Instead, I kept drawing, shading the shadows of the forest floor. Oblivious to my surroundings. I don't hear the light tap of footprints making their way to me. I only looked up when I hear a light sniffing sound and animalistic whine right in front of me, and my hearts stops.

For a black, silver eyed wolf was standing over me, sniffing my hair. The scream dies in my throat; I went completely still. The wolf is the largest wolf I'd ever seen, towering over me. He regards me with those silver eyes, moving closer to sniff my face. For some reason, I felt completely calm. I felt comfortable, like I knew this creature wasn't going to hurt me. I didn't move away when he leans his head forward, rubbing against my shoulder. Instead I felt light, like I was floating. It's gaze causes something in me to clench. I felt hot.

I slowly drop my pencil, reaching up to stroke the black fur.

"ANDREA!" A voice breaks the spell. I whip my head to the side, John is sprinting full speed towards me, yelling something inaudible. The wolf takes off back into the woods. I watch it go before dark brown eyes are staring at me.

"Andrea?" John grabs my sides with surprising strength, "are you hurt?" I shake my head. "Shit, you're in shock" He pulls me up, making me walk with him to the truck. Once inside he cranks the heater on.

"Why are you here right now," I find my voice, "are you keeping tabs on me?" The thought annoys me.

"Sometimes I check in Andrea, why wouldn't I? You're under my protection" he steers away from the school.

"Its overbearing".

"Its necessary".

"Why? How is having a personal bodyguard normal and how are you not freaking out more about the GIANT wolf?" That was the question I was more curious about.

"What do you mean I couldn't have sprinted towards you faster" he keeps his eyes trained on the road. "Did you see how large it was?" "Yes, its quite common in Alaska, it was on the report before we brought you here" he was quieter then I'd ever heard him. I almost asked why wolf species would be on a town report but he pulled into the house driveway.

Christophe was pulling my door open in an instant, "what happened, why are you back earlier?" He pulls me out the car, inspecting every inch of me.

"Nothing just a giant wolf sniffing me, John freaking out, weird kids staring at me - no big deal" I brush past him.

"A wolf" he questions John. Again, how was he not freaking out? Aren't wolfs supposed to be dangerous? Their reaction irritated me for some reason.

"Where are you going Andrea?" Chris yells after me.

"To get some time away from you two". I head straight for the bathroom. A hot shower is just what I need to process everything I just saw.

---

"Fuck" I jump when I see Christophe sitting at the edge of my bed, "what are you doing?" He eyes my towel, which is hugging my body tightly. "I wanted to see if you were okay, because of today I mean" he rubs the back of his neck, almost nervously.

"It was fine"

"You don't need to lie to me"

I sigh, all too aware of my bare face and drenched hair, "does it honestly matter? This is my life now"

He shoots to his feet and is in-front of me so quickly my head starts spinning, "Of course it matters Andrea, I've been with you non-stop for a month now, I've seen you waste away slowly, its..," he falters, "killing me". Him and John were assigned to me the day I was found in my dad's car. Christophe pulled me out, took me to the hospital and hasn't left my side since.

He grabs my face softly, "how do I help you?" he murmurs. Rubbing his thumb along the perimeter of my bottom lip. I look at his hazel eyes, which are staring at me intently.

"I don't know" I whisper. Not a lie. He stares me for a beat longer before releasing me. I'm surprised that I'm slightly disappointed.

"Okay well, we're just getting pizza for dinner if you're okay with that?" I look away, heat rising to my cheeks, "yeh no problem" I mumble, walking towards my closet.

"Okay well uh cool" I look back at him, was he also... blushing? "I'll see you in a bit" he turns and walks quickly out the door, shutting it quietly. Well then...

--

Watching the clock tick on every classroom wall above the chalkboard had become my new hobby. And yes, I do mean chalkboard. Ten minutes left of this class before I was free. Free to go back to the tension of living in a house with two bodyguards who watch me with cat-like awareness that made me want to scream. To the change of air I feel when I'm around Christophe. Its almost unbearable.

The students here aren't much better. Wide-eyes that watch me walk down open corridors, open my locker and walk into classrooms like I was some new animal they'd never seen before. So you can imagine my surprise when a tall, raven haired boy stepped in-front of me on the way back to my locker at the end of the day.

"Hi," the throaty aspect in his voice made the hair follicles on my arms raise, "I'm Will". His cloudy grey eyes met mine as he extends his hand to me, he was wearing the same navy sweater as yesterday. I took his hand gently, his skin was warm, soft.

"I'm Bec" I reply carefully. He held my hand longer before releasing it slowly.

"How are you finding HSA Bec" he asks, shoving his hands into his pockets, "different from Livingston?" His full lips smirk knowingly at me.

"Uhh yeh, it's nice here, fresher air". As he opens his mouth to reply, two boys crash into him, sending him into the locker with a loud bang. I jump back.

"Didn't see you there Will" a boy who I recognized as Brian smirks, laughing with his also large buddy. I'm surprised to see Will smiling at both, "it's cute that you need help and the element of surprise to push me around Brian".

"Yeh yeh, we get it you're the top dog" he shrugs turning to face me, "hot new girl, it's a pleasure to finally meet you" he bows mockingly.

I arch my eyebrows, "likewise".

He falls back onto his friend dramatically, "She speaks! My this is a shocking revelation Cody wouldn't you say? Anything else you wanna say new girl?" His boyish grin was insufferable.

"Maybe if you were interesting, I would've spoken up sooner" Will snorts at my reply.

He laughs, "I like you," Brian says, shoving Cody to walk with him as he leaves. "See you tomorrow gorgeous".

"Sorry about that" Will begins to explain.

"Bec!" I turn around to see Christophe walking towards me and Will.

"There you are girl, I've been waiting for you" he slips his arm around my shoulders. "I'm Chris, Bec's older brother" he extends his hand to Will.

Will tenses so slightly I almost miss it, "nice to meet you, I'm Will" they hold onto each others hands for a fraction too long before releasing. What is up with them?

"Well Will, so sorry but I'm going to be taking Bec home now" Chris turns me away from him and begin walking me towards the car. I manage to shoot Will a sorry look over my shoulder as I'm dragged from him.

Once in the truck, I whirl towards Chris, "What the fuck was that?" Chris watches the road ahead, "Who is that guy anyway?"

"Don't avoid the question, why all the testosterone?" I fold my arms across my chest, "it was a tad excessive".

"I didn't like the way he was watching you, thought I'd interfere, who knows who he could be working for" I laugh at his response, "I'm fairly certain Will has been here for a long time, like every-other kid at that school"

"Doesn't matter. My job is to protect you so that's what I'll do"

"You're being crazy"

"I'm being perfectly acceptable"

I roll my eyes as we pull into the house. "Overbearing ass" I mutter as I get out of the car.

"What was that?"

"Nothing!" I yell as I walk through the front door, heading straight for my room. Space is something I desperately need right now.