I frown at the guy next to me and he turns the phone to me. Before he has to press play, I recognize the video. Oh shit! I told him not to leak the video. He is in serious trouble. He has to get away from here as soon as possible. What were you thinking Jake? Tyler is going to kill him. I have to find him.In Art class, I bite my bottom lip while staring at the door. If Jake doesn't show up to class, he is dead. I hope he got away. The last students enter the class and the teacher greets us.Where is Jake? Shit Jake, don't do this to me. Please don't let him die. He is the closest thing to a friend I have. I need to find him.I put my hand in the air to get Miss T's attention. She gives me permission to go to the restroom and I scramble out of the class. I need to find Jake. Where do I even start?First, check whether he is still here. I run toward the exit and search through the parking lot.His car is still here, but Tyler's is gone. Would he take Jake out into the woods to kill him?
I'm at Cora's tonight. Mum and Dad just texted me that they have a business dinner to attend tonight. Get yourself something to eat.Wow, what a coincidence. Everyone is away while Jake and I are home alone. Since everyone is gone for tonight, I might as well park Jake's car in the driveway. I don't want the car to be towed away.After I park the car, I order two large pizzas as I make my way up the stairs to my room.The door creaks open silently and I see Jake clutching the blanket around him, fast asleep. Is he cold? I crouch next to the bed and place my hand against his forehead. He doesn't have a fever which is a good sign, but he is covered in goosebumps. I throw another blanket over him.I decide to take a quick shower. I grab an oversized t-shirt and long pajama pants. I enter the bathroom and see the mess I made earlier with the first aid kit. I sigh, making a mental note to remember to put all of that back.After I'm done, I clean everything up and put the first aid kit on m
His answer seems simple, but it confuses me even more. His eyes meet mine and there is a sincere look in his eyes. I keep his gaze and we stay like that for a few minutes. I notice that he has green spots in his brown eyes. I would cast him as the alpha. He is way more attractive than Tyler. And nicer. Jake gives me a smirk and I avert my eyes. I feel a blush making its way up my cheeks and I stand up, retrieving the first aid kit.Seriously, Emily? You cannot start liking this guy. You're going to die in any way."I should replace those bandages. I don't want those wounds to get infected." I sit on my knees on the bed, inching closer to see which distance Jake feels comfortable with. He is more conscious than before, so I doubt that I will get away with being as close as before.I stop when Jake is within arm’s reach. This is not too close and Jake does not seem to be bothered.I remove the bandages from his forehead and cheek. I need to put them somewhere and the nightstand is the c
"Kate, wait up," Allison calls from behind me. I pivot to her with my sports bag over my shoulder. She hurries over to me with parts of cardboard boxes in her arms. What is she going to do with that?"Yeah?" I take a subtle look at my watch. I still have volleyball practice. I turn my eyes to her while I cross my arms.She invited me to sit with them when lunch arrived, asking like it was just another day. She never apologized for throwing me away or for believing Tyler instead of me. She assumes we are best buds again, forgetting what had happened."A few of us are making signs for the game tonight. You are welcome to join us tonight." She sounds excited. I was not aware of the game tonight. I'm also guessing that the "us" refers to the other girls from the pack."I'll see." I turn and start to the back of the school where the volleyball court is. She grabs my arm and pulls me back to her. I look at her with an arched brow."Why are you like this? You didn't talk to me during lunch. Y
I sit next to Allison and her friends who have made signs with cardboard pieces. They can barely contain their excitement. This is the first game and it's a home game. The atmosphere is filled with excitement and liveliness.The other school chants when their cheerleaders make their way onto the field. Our side of the bleachers erupts into cheering when our cheerleaders run out. I smile and give Cora a thumbs-up. She grins and returns her focus to the cheerleaders."Mind if I sit here?" I look to my side and see Wesley. I nod and motion for him to sit. "Thanks." He sits next to me and leans back, sighing."Are you all right?" He groans as he folds his arms over his chest."No. Jake's playing tonight," he says with irritation."What? He's in no shape to play." I snap my eyes to the field to look for Jake. I cannot believe he is going to play. That wanker!"I know," Wesley exclaims. I squint my eyes, trying to find Jake. I know he has his werewolf healing, but there is no way he is fully
As I wander through the school halls, Dad's casual reminder that it's Friday echoes in my mind. A sigh escapes me when I round the corner, the weight of the day pressing heavily on my shoulders. There’s so much to do.The cheerleading tryouts are at the top of my list. If I want to join the squad, I need to prove myself just like everyone else. I understand why Miss T said to do tryouts since it would be unfair to the girls who did not make the squad if I just joined without any tryouts.First, I need to find Cora to arrange everything. But she’s nowhere to be found. Where on earth is she? I’ve checked her classes and the restroom. No luck.I know she was at school earlier—I saw her talking to Oliver this morning. Something is going on with the two of them.Those two are going through it lately, fighting over the pettiest things. I think Oliver might like some other bird. Bianca or someone.Only one place left to check.I hurry down the hall, out of the building, and toward the cheerlea
Anna lent me her tracksuit bottoms and a T-shirt. I didn’t have time to go home and change, so this will have to do for now.I stretch while waiting for Cora. She is the captain of the squad, so she will be the judge today. Some of the other cheerleaders came to support me after they heard I would be trying out this afternoon."Kate?" I turn my head to the girl who called me. I turn toward the girl who addressed me. I’ve seen her before. She helped with the routine before Tuesday’s game."Yes," I answer, walking towards her. "You ready for this? Cora is running late so I will be the judge. You're going to do the routine we did Tuesday but on a different song. Easy." She gestures behind her, and a guy wheels a massive speaker onto the basketball court.The girl connects her phone to the speaker and tilts her head, waiting for me."I'm ready," I say with confidence. Hopefully, Kate’s muscle memory kicks in because I barely know this routine.I nod my head to indicate I am ready."Panda"
My father sits on the couch in the living room. He takes a sip from his tea while he reads a book. The cover bears a strange, intricate symbol—the kind you might expect to see in a werewolf lore book. My curiosity flickers. Does my dad know something about werewolves?"Well, someone looks quite handsome," I joke when I fall next to my dad. He lets out a warm laugh and puts the book down."I tried my best. You think your mother will like it?" He stands up and does a little spin to show off his outfit. It’s a crisp navy suit paired with polished shoes that gleam in the dim light.I can't help but laugh, nodding my head. I stretch my legs out in front of me, grunting when they cramp. I am starting to doubt that I will be able to make it through a whole night parading around the fair."Mum is going to love the new suit." He grins, picking up the book again and tracing the pages to find his spot."Where are you going tonight?" He asks without looking up. I rest my head against the couch and
I turn to Cora and we both take a moment to register that our team just won. Cora is the first to react and she starts to cheer loudly.“We won!” Cora shouts at the top of her lungs and I let out a loud laugh. The excitement fills me with adrenaline and I cannot contain myself. I run to the field with the rest of the cheer girls and our side of the bleachers.Cora throws her arm over my shoulders and we dance together, singing along as loud as we can when another song plays.“We won!” Cora shouts again, hugging me tightly. I hug her back and we sway from side to side. I smile widely, realizing that we have also reconnected. Cora pulls back, flashing me a warm smile.“We won,” I repeat. The rest of the cheer girls have joined us and we are all talking over each other. Someone taps my shoulder and I turn slightly to see who it is.Wes smiles at me, his hands pulling me in for a quick embrace.“Well done,” he says when he pulls back. “You saved the game,” he says with a satisfied smile.
“Hands, touching hands.” “Reaching out, touching me, touching you.”“Sweet Caroline.”PUM PUM PUMThere are a few students who sing along. We only need to keep going.“Good times never seemed so good.” “I've been inclined.”PUM PUM PUMMuch more students are singing along and a lot of them have stood up in the meantime. Ace, this is all we need. Just more of this and then we will have the energy back.“One, touching one.” “Reaching out, touching me, touching you.”The energy grows and I cannot help the smile that grows on my face.“Sweet Caroline.”PUM PUM PUM “Good times never seemed so good.” “I've been inclined.”All the students are standing up and shouting together, arms around each other’s shoulders. This song always gets everyone together. Even the other school is singing along.PUM PUM PUM “Good times never seemed so good.” “Sweet Caroline.”The song dies out and we all cheer as loud as we can. I even feel more energized after that. Everyone is getting together for the
The atmosphere is even more spirited than the previous game. The cheerleaders from the other school just finished their routine and we are waiting for our introduction.When we are called, Cora leads us out onto the field, even though I am the cheer captain. I asked her since this would be my first time cheering and that is enough stress. I do not need the additional stress from leading the girls.My high pony whips as I jog to my place. We get into formation and she lets out a cheer, indicating for us to start the routine.We move effortlessly through the routine and I have a wide smile. I must admit that this is a lot of fun. Cora shouts again and we end the routine with a power stance. Our side of the bleachers breaks into deafening cheers and I look at Cora.She flashes me a smile and she hurries to me, pulling me into a hug. We are both out of breath, still giggly from the nerves.We head to the line where the football team is going to run through. Cora reaches for my hand and I
I watch as Jake takes my hand and places it on his chest. I roll my eyes.“You just want me to feel your muscles,” I say, a laugh bubbling up despite myself. Jake’s eyes light up.“That’s what you said last night.” He chuckles and I cannot stop smiling. There’s something different about him today. The shadows that usually haunt his face have softened. The weight he carries seems lighter. His usual frown has disappeared, leaving behind a soft gaze.I feel the warmth from him on my hand that is still resting on his chest. And he is actually allowing me to come close to him, initiating the touch. He is not flinching away.He takes my other hand, guiding it to his face. His cheek comes into contact with my palm and I cup his face. My heart thumps in my chest as I have to focus on my breathing.Jake pulls me closer, his hands resting on my hips. I have a shy smile on my face with heat rushing to my cheeks. I feel like a silly middle-school girl, giggling at his hands on my waist. I have n
The afternoon had been exhausting, but the place was finally spotless. I left my number for Allison’s mother since she hadn’t woken up during the time we spent cleaning.“That place is cleaner than my apartment,” Jake says with a satisfied tone as his truck comes to a stop.I let out a soft laugh and nod. “Thank you so much for helping me. You really did not have to,” I say as I open the door and nearly stumble out, my body stiff from last night’s dancing.“It is nothing. I had nothing else to do anyway.” He walks to the back of his truck and I follow him. I grab two bags from the back before heading to a nearby pile. The smell causes me to gag and I have to hide my nose in my shirt. Ugh, I forgot the stench of this place.Jake laughs at my reaction, walking past me with four bags. Show off. I throw the bags onto the pile and head back for more. As I work, a memory surfaces—the last time we were here.We have come such a long way, from not being allowed to come within a few feet
Kate’s POV:I groan, pulling the blanket over my eyes. Ugh, I am never drinking again. What was I thinking? My head is pounding and my stomach makes a funny noise. I knew I would regret drinking, but I still did it.Squinting against the harsh light, I peel the blanket off my face. Big mistake. The brightness feels like needles stabbing my skull. I groan again, rubbing my temples. I sigh as I sit up, the pounding causing my vision to blur.Water. I need water.With a determined groan, I stumble out of bed toward the kitchen. My dad and mum are sitting at the island in the kitchen, both drinking tea in silence.“Morning,” I say as I enter the kitchen. My dad chuckles at my state while my mum shakes her head.“Morning. How was your night?” my dad asks. I nod slowly while I pour water into one of the larger glasses.“It was fun, but I am not doing it again,” I admit, causing my dad to laugh. I down the glass of water. My mum stands up and opens one of the cabinets.“We were worried. Yo
It looks like she’s on the verge of tears though. She rolls her eyes, turning away from me and ignoring my calls. Her retreating figure stirs a sharp pang of worry in my chest. I jog up to her, catching her arm gently“Kate, what is wrong?” I ask while turning her to look at me. She stops and looks me up and down, letting out a sigh. She rubs her face, smearing her make-up. Not again. I cannot laugh at her, not now.“Nothing,” she says, but I know she is lying. I tilt my head, unwilling to let it slide. She shrugs off my hand, her movements stiff. “Really, nothing. I am drunk beyond comprehension and I am tired, so please leave.” She looks into my eyes, tilting her head with a soft smile. “I am going to say stuff I should not say.”The vulnerability in her mumble makes me pause, but she shakes her head and starts walking again.I dart in front of her, blocking her path. She huffs loudly, throwing her head back in frustration.“Let me at least walk you back home,” I offer. Her head stay
“It has been so long since I last saw you. Look at you! You are all grown up,” she says with a warm smile and I smile back at her.“What are you doing here?” I ask and hold my arms out for a hug. She tightly embraces me. I have not seen her since . . . Since I was 14 and in my hometown. A wave of nostalgia washes over me as I pull back.What is she doing here?“I was invited by Olivia,” she says, pointing to where Olivia is talking to some of the girls.“Oh, she said she invited girls from the nearby high school. I did not know you attended here. I thought you were still back in Prichard.” She laughs while shaking her head.“I moved here last year. My dad wanted a fresh start—away from everything that happened.” Her smile wavers briefly before brightening again. “I’m so happy to see you. I’ve always wondered what happened to you.” I smile and she pulls me into another hug. She lets go and gestures to the house. “I’m going to get something to drink. You want something?”“No thanks. I’
I trail behind the group heading toward Grayson’s party, already questioning how Wes managed to talk me into this. And then he chickened out because he remembered he had to study for a test.I pull a hand through my hair. I guess Tyler and Allison might need a designated driver back home or a designated walker. Those two are driving me insane.We reach the street of Grayson’s home and the music is booming through the neighborhood. It’s a miracle the neighbors haven’t called the cops yet. How is it even possible to blast music at this volume?Allison is the first to rush through the small gate on Grayson’s law, but she bumps into Grayson. He’s holding a cup of what I can only assume is alcohol, and it spills all over her dress.Predictably, Tyler reacts before anyone else can.I let out a loud sigh. Just because it is mating season and these two are beyond horny, doesn’t mean Tyler needs to fight every guy who so much as breathes near Allison. Before I can intervene, someone beats me