Three

I arrived at the address Kade had given me, initially unsure if it was the correct location. However, upon seeing other kids heading into the nearby woods, I parked my car and followed them. As I entered a clearing, I noticed a large fire where everyone was gathered. Spotting Kade and Shaylee conversing with some other kids, I approached them.

"Hey guys," I greeted them as I reached the fire. "Hey Billie, you made it!" Shaylee exclaimed, running up to me and giving me a hug. I felt grateful to have made such a sweet friend so quickly. "Do you want a drink?" Shaylee offered.

We stood around the bonfire when a Bronco pulled up with a group of guys inside. I glanced over and noticed the driver - Andrew. Well, that's just great. Andrew and his wrestling brothers were here. I had hoped he would be too cool for an event like this. Okay, maybe I was secretly hoping he wouldn't be interested in this kind of gathering.

"You okay?" Shaylee asked, noticing my expression. "Yeah, why?" I replied. "Because you've been staring at Board for a good five minutes with a look like you want to kill him," she informed me.

"Oh!" I exclaimed, and Shaylee laughed. "It's okay. I don't think anyone saw," she reassured me. Phew, that's a relief, I thought to myself. I smiled at her, and we began discussing the play we were working on. "So, are we still on for tomorrow to work on the play?" Shaylee asked me.

"Yes, I think that's doable," I told her, before someone approached us from behind. "What if I don't want to spend my time working on some damn play on a Sunday," Andrew growled, standing a little too close to me. I pushed him away and stepped to the side. "We don't need you there to help us write the play. We can do our part, and you can do yours," I told him. "I'll be there bright and early," he growled again, his tone sounding almost animalistic.

I simply walked away from him, and Shaylee and I went to get something to drink. "Is he always this much of an ass to new people?" I asked Shaylee. "He's an ass to everyone, but he's being a gem to you," Shaylee replied. I looked at her as if she were crazy. If this was him being nice, I didn't want to see how he treated people he truly disliked.

"So, Billie, have you met any cute guys you like at school yet?" Shaylee inquired. "No, I haven't been here long enough to meet anyone, and not many people are eager to talk to me," I confessed.

The party continued for a few more hours before everyone started to disperse. Shaylee, Kade, and I, along with a few other kids, decided to go to Pages cafe to grab a bite to eat. Upon entering, Page greeted everyone and asked if they wanted their usual orders. It seemed like they frequented this place often. After finishing our meal, we all went our separate ways and headed home. Shaylee decided to stay over at my place tonight so that we could go to Kade's house in the morning to work on our play.

Sunday morning arrived, and Shaylee and I were in the kitchen preparing breakfast when there was a knock on the door. "I'll get it, girls," Page offered, making her way to the door. "Girls, there are a few guys at the door for you," Page informed us. "Who could be at the door for us?" I asked Shaylee, turning to find Andrew and Kade entering the house. "What the heck is Andrew Board doing at my house?" I whispered to Shaylee.

Shrugging her shoulders, Shaylee replied, "I don't know. I thought we were supposed to go to Kade's house."

"What are you guys doing here? I thought we were meeting at Kade's house," Shaylee questioned the guys. "I have things I need to do today, and you two were taking too long, so we came here to speed things up, if Mrs. Green is okay with it," Andrew explained, looking at Page politely, as if he had manners. I knew full well that he was the rudest person around.

"Yes, you kids can do whatever you need to do. Billie, your dad and I are going out for the day. It's our only day to spend together," Page informed me. "Okay, well, you and Dad have fun," I replied. My dad and Page left about five minutes later, and we all gathered around the kitchen table to work on our play. We were working together quite well so far.

After about an hour, my stomach growled, so I asked if anyone else was hungry and decided to put a frozen pizza in the oven. It then occurred to me that I should make two pizzas since I could easily eat one by myself on a good day. "So, Billie, how are you liking our little school so far?" Andrew asked me, seemingly the first time he had genuinely spoken to me without any snarky comments. "I'm getting along," I replied.

The pizza was ready 15 minutes later, and we devoured them before returning to our project. Before I knew it, we were all reading what the others had written, and it turned out to be an excellent play. We decided to go outside and reenact some scenes from it.

"So, we'll need a wolf costume for Andrew to make it seem real," I suggested. "I've got that covered," Andrew assured me, causing Kade to smile. Shaylee and I exchanged glances. "Alright then, we can continue working on it tomorrow after school," I said. Once everyone left, I went up to my room, grabbed a book, and headed to the backyard to sit in one of the lounge chairs by the pool. I lay there, reading, until it got dark. Then I went inside and found something to eat. My dad and Page had been gone all day, so I assumed they had already eaten. As I closed the door behind me, I heard a dog howling. It sounded like it was right outside the back door, so I opened it. As far as I knew, we didn't have a dog.

At first, I saw nothing when I opened the door. I tried to step back inside, but then I heard the howling again. When I turned around, I saw the eyes of something in the woods, and fear washed over me. However, I gathered some courage and walked a little way into the yard. I stopped, and the dog emerged further from the woods. I could only see its head, but it looked huge. I couldn't determine what kind of dog it was, so I cautiously approached the woods. Surprisingly, fear didn't consume me, even though the dog appeared enormous. My breathing remained steady, and my hands didn't shake as I continued walking until I stood right in front of the woods, where the dog's head was peering out.

The dog walked even closer to me, its eyes locked onto mine. It had a majestic aura, with a thick, dark coat and piercing blue eyes that seemed to hold a hint of intelligence. As it approached, I noticed that it wasn't just a dog, but a wolf. A wolf standing right in front of me.

I stood frozen, unsure of what to do. My heart raced, but there was something about the wolf's presence that calmed me. It didn't seem aggressive or threatening. Instead, it exuded a sense of curiosity and familiarity. It was as if we had met before, in another time or place.

The wolf took a step closer, and I could feel its warm breath against my skin. It nuzzled its head against my hand, and I instinctively reached out to stroke its fur. It was soft and silky, and a sense of connection washed over me. It was as if we were connected on a deeper level, beyond words or understanding.

As I continued to stroke the wolf's fur, a flood of memories rushed through my mind. Visions of running through the woods, feeling the wind against my face, and the exhilaration of freedom. I remembered a time when I was one with nature, when I ran with the wolves.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized that this wolf was more than just a chance encounter. It was a reminder of who I truly was, a part of me that I had long forgotten. The wolf had come to guide me back to my true self, to remind me of the wild spirit that resided within.

With a final nuzzle against my hand, the wolf turned and disappeared into the woods, leaving me standing there, awestruck and filled with a newfound sense of purpose. I knew that from that moment on, my life would never be the same.

I returned to the house, my mind buzzing with thoughts and emotions. I couldn't wait to share my experience with Shaylee, Kade, and Andrew. They would surely be amazed by what had just happened. But as I entered the kitchen, I found them engrossed in their own conversation, unaware of the profound encounter I had just experienced.

I decided to keep the encounter with the wolf to myself for now. It was a personal journey, a connection that only I could truly understand. But I knew that it had awakened something within me, a sense of purpose and a desire to embrace my wild spirit.

As the days went by, I continued to work on the play with Shaylee, Kade, and Andrew. Our bond grew stronger, and we became a tight-knit group, supporting each other through the challenges of school and life. And though I never saw the wolf again, its presence remained with me, a constant reminder of the wild spirit that resided within.

Together, we created a play that was unlike anything our small town had ever seen. It was a story of friendship, love, and the power of embracing our true selves. And as we performed it on the school stage, I couldn't help but feel a sense of fulfillment and joy.

The play was a success, and our little group became known throughout the school. We were no longer outsiders but a force to be reckoned with. And as we stood on that stage, basking in the applause and cheers, I knew that I had found my place, my tribe.

The wolf had led me to this moment, to a group of friends who accepted me for who I was, wild spirit and all. And as we took our final bow, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the journey that had brought me here. The journey that had awakened my true self and allowed me to embrace the wild spirit within.

I was so captivated by the animal that I failed to notice my dad and Page returning home until Page called my name from the doorway. I turned to greet her and assured her that I would be inside in a minute. However, when I looked back at the wolf, it had vanished. I couldn't help but question my sanity. There couldn't have been a wolf in my backyard, close enough for me to pet.

I followed Page back into the house and couldn't resist asking her if there had been any sightings of wolves in the area. "Yes, occasionally," Page informed me. "Why do you think you saw one?" she inquired.

"Well, it might sound strange, but yes, I thought I saw one tonight. But now that I think about it, I believe it was just a dog. In the darkness and with my imagination, it appeared larger than it actually was," I explained. "Yes, you're probably right," Page replied. With that, she and my dad called it a night, and I followed suit.

The next morning, as I prepared to leave for school, I found Andrew, his brother, and Kade standing by my car. "Hey guys, what can I do for you?" I asked, attempting to get in, but Andrew blocked my way. "Hey, let me into my car so I'm not late for school," I protested. "You'll be riding with us today," Andrew informed me.

"Why would I do that, Andrew? You haven't exactly been the most welcoming these past few weeks. Why now?" I questioned. "Stop overthinking it. I'm just giving you a ride because we're working on a project together," Andrew explained. "Well, I'm pretty sure I can drive myself to school and we can still work on our project," I retorted, walking towards my car. Andrew and Kade exchanged glances, and Kade shook his head, but they moved out of my way so I could drive down the driveway.

Upon arriving at school, I found Shaylee and asked her if Andrew and Kade had come to give her a ride as well. "Yes, they mentioned something about all of us riding together since we're doing the play. I told them they were crazy, and I wouldn't be the target for the cheerleaders and popular girls," Shaylee replied. "Good for you. I just got in my car and left," I told her, and we laughed.

We headed to our first class, Math, and settled into our seats. The math teacher entered the room and announced that we would be having a pop quiz. Great, just what I needed. I struggled in this class, and now we were having a test.

After getting through our morning classes, we went to the lunchroom for lunch. Kade and I walked towards our usual table, only to find Andrew and his brother sitting there, engaged in conversation with Shaylee. "What's going on?" I asked Kade. "He likes you, goof," Kade replied.

"You're hilarious, Kade," I sarcastically remarked. Kade sat down on the other side of the table with the other kids, and I went to sit beside him. However, Shaylee got up and insisted that I sit there while she sat beside Kade. "Okay?" I questioned.

As I sat down to eat my lunch, Andrew informed me that we would all be meeting at his house after school to practice for the play. "I can't do that. Unfortunately, I can't hang out tonight because of work," I informed them.

"How late do you work tonight?" Andrew inquired. "I don't know. It's my first night at the cafe," I replied. "Well, I guess we can practice at the cafe or after you finish work," Andrew suggested. I couldn't understand why it was so crucial to practice right now. We still had almost four weeks left. "Not at the cafe. It's my first night, and I need to focus," I firmly stated. Andrew looked at me as if I had lost my mind. "Your stepmother owns the cafe, right? I don't think she'll mind if you do your schoolwork there," Andrew argued. "I said no," I reiterated, and he shook his head at me.

We finished the rest of our lunch in silence and headed to our English class. We sat in our group, but since we had already finished our play, we had nothing to work on. The teacher approached our table and asked if there was a problem. "No, ma'am, we're just done with our play," Andrew informed her.

"Oh, well then, I suppose you four can go outside and practice your play for about 30 minutes, then come back in and prepare for your next class," the teacher suggested.

"Oh, great, now we don't have to practice after school," I sarcastically remarked.

"Okay, Billie, let's start with your and Andrew's parts," Kade suggested. How did I let them convince me to take on the lead female role? "I still think Shaylee should play this part. She's more suited for it," I suggested. "You're perfect for the role," Shaylee assured me. I rolled my eyes and grabbed my script as we began our practice. Before I knew it, an alarm went off, signaling that 30 minutes had passed. Thank goodness because we were approaching the part of the play where I had to kiss Andrew. I think we should remove that scene from the play.

"You're improving with the play," Shaylee complimented me. "Thank you," I replied. We proceeded to our Spanish class. The teacher was waiting for us as we entered, and she asked each of us a question in Spanish. If we answered correctly, we received a candy bar.

"Como es estas papa hoy," she asked me as I walked past her desk. "Él está bien," I replied, and she tossed me a candy bar with a smile. I truly enjoyed Spanish. It was a beautiful language.

"Okay, my children, that was just a taste of what today will be about. I'll be giving you some words to guess. Whoever guesses correctly first will receive a prize," the teacher explained. She proceeded to give out more Spanish words, and I struggled to keep myself from blurting out the answers right away. It was challenging.

Mrs. Lopez said one final word before the bell rang, and nobody was able to guess the simplest word she had given us that day. "Amar," she said as I walked out the door. Mrs. Lopez asked me what it meant. "Love," I replied. "Very good, Ms. Green," she praised.

"Thank you," I said, taking the envelope and candy bar she handed me this time. I walked out of the classroom and headed to my car. Unable to resist, I opened the envelope and was shocked to find $100 and $50 inside. Shaking off my thoughts, I drove to the cafe for my first day of work. Page thought it would be best to start on a less busy day.

I arrived at the cafe about five minutes later. Page greeted me and took me to the back to get a shirt and apron. Our main task was to serve coffee and pastries to the customers. As I put on the uniform, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nervous excitement. This was my first job, and I wanted to make a good impression.

Page showed me around the cafe, introducing me to the other employees and explaining the different tasks I would be responsible for. She emphasized the importance of providing excellent customer service and making sure the customers felt welcome and comfortable.

As the day went on, I found myself getting into the rhythm of the cafe. I learned how to make different types of coffee and how to properly serve pastries. The customers were friendly, and I enjoyed interacting with them.

During a lull in the afternoon, Page pulled me aside and asked how I was doing. "I'm doing well, thank you. I'm really enjoying it here," I replied. "That's great to hear. You're a natural at this," she said with a smile. Her words made me feel proud and motivated to continue doing my best.

As the evening approached, the cafe started to get busier. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, and the sound of conversations and laughter filled the space. I moved quickly, taking orders and serving customers with a smile.

At one point, I noticed Andrew and Kade walk into the cafe. They spotted me behind the counter and waved. I waved back, but I couldn't help but feel a pang of annoyance. I had specifically told them not to come to the cafe tonight, and here they were, disrupting my work.

I finished serving a customer and walked over to their table. "What are you guys doing here?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm. "We just wanted to see how your first day was going," Andrew replied. "Well, you're not supposed to be here. I need to focus on my job," I said firmly.

Andrew looked taken aback, but Kade chimed in, "We just wanted to support you, Billie. We'll leave if it's bothering you." I sighed, realizing that they were just trying to be supportive. "Okay, fine. But please, don't distract me," I said, trying to sound more understanding.

They nodded and assured me that they would stay out of the way. I returned to my duties, feeling a mix of gratitude and frustration. It was nice to have friends who cared, but I also wanted to prove myself on my own.

The rest of the evening went by in a blur. I served more customers, refilled coffee cups, and cleaned tables. The cafe started to wind down as closing time approached.

Page came up to me and said, "You did a fantastic job today, Billie. I'm really impressed." I smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Thank you, Page. I really appreciate the opportunity," I replied.

As I changed out of my uniform and prepared to leave, Andrew and Kade approached me. "You did great today, Billie. We're proud of you," Andrew said sincerely. I couldn't help but soften at his words. "Thank you, guys. I'm sorry for being so harsh earlier. I appreciate your support," I said, genuinely grateful.

They smiled and assured me that it was no problem. We said our goodbyes and I headed home, feeling a sense of fulfillment and excitement for the days to come.

Little did I know, this job at the cafe would not only teach me valuable skills but also bring unexpected friendships and opportunities. And as I reflected on the events of the day, I couldn't help but feel that maybe, just maybe, things were starting to fall into place.