IN THE DOG HOUSE

“I already told you, I. Don’t. Know.” I let out in an exasperated tone.

Chris’ face implied that he didn’t believe a word I was saying.

“Well then how did this happen? What did Beta Bridgette say when you talked to her?” Chris asked, I didn’t miss the dreamy look he got on his face when he spoke her name.

“She didn’t say anything.” I responded. I left out the part where she was absolutely no help at all. “Just that I’m now a part of the AAP.”

I let out a sigh after the words left my mouth. I was going to be learning and training among the brightest and best of the Silvercrest youth. 

Cue humiliation.

“Well, it says here that you can quit if your reasoning is absolutely valid or if one of the supervisors dismisses you.” Chris spoke, I had given him the AAP handbook to study on my behalf because honestly, I still didn’t want to believe any of this was real.

“I have valid reasoning! I didn’t apply!” I yelled.

“Okay, Miss fussy pants. Don’t be mad at me. I didn’t do this.”

I sucked in a deep breath. “Sorry. I just really hate this.”

“It’s not all bad, you know.” Chris shrugged. “Sure, only one person actually gets to be an apprentice in the end. But the other candidates also have it good. The program itself guarantees you a stellar future. I mean a letter from just one of the elders or pretty much anyone with enough high standing here could get you anywhere! You’re the one always going on about Harvard being your dream school. Almost all the apprentices and candidates end up at Ivy League schools. The way I see it, if you play your cards right, you can actually get something out of this.”

I thought about that.

I love Uncle Victor and Aunt Sarah, I love Parker and Hazel and Kat. But the Silvercrest pack has just never been home to me.

It’s never felt like home and I don’t know if it ever will. Roman was the only halfling I could really relate to here. Chris had both his parents here and Professor Tanner seemed to have achieved a sort of standing inspite of his differences.

But Roman and I were outcasts. Not even our parents had wanted us so they ditched us.

Try not to feel alone in the world with that being your reality. And now Roman was gone. He had betrayed me and the entire pack.

I was alone and getting out of here was my only escape.

“But this doesn’t feel right.” I told Chris.

We had finally approached the town centre of Woodfell. All the stores were open and it was as busy as usual with life. I had never seen such an organised town place as the one in Woodfell. It was systematic, like clockwork. Woodfell produced and manufactured most of its own things so prices were low and no one ever went without.

Any excess foods or products were either exported or donated to packs at war who were in need.

“I didn’t work for this, Kat did. I feel like I’m taking a short cut.”

I feel like I’m stealing her dream.

Chris scratched the back of his head.

Even he couldn’t put a twist to the fact that Kat was probably mad. I mean she even left school without us!

We always walk home together.

“She’ll get over it.” Chris finally spoke timidly.

He handed me the handbook. “This is a great opportunity, Cryss. I know it’s not what you expected but I... I think it’s great. When Roman got the apprenticeship, sure I was happy for him but I wasn’t surprised. Roman has always been good at everything. But with you...” 

He gave a shrug and a warm smile. “I finally feel like I have someone to look up to.”

I couldn’t help but smile at Chris and his words. “Even if I fall flat on my face a billion times.”

He waved me off. “Psh, you could fall flat on your face a trillion times and I’d still be rooting for you.” He nudged me lightly. “Kat is amazing. Even without this program, she will do great things but let’s face it, opportunities like this don’t just come to people like us. Promise me that you’ll at least try your best?”

I smiled at Chris.

“Sure. But I want no photographic evidence of my humiliation.”

He rolled his eyes. “You know I can’t make such promises. Okay, I need to go now. Busy day at the bakery.” He spoke before running off.

Chris’ parents owned the most popular bakery in town. It had been in the family for years. But having Chris’ mother around - one of the only humans in Silvercrest - she kind of put a new twist to it. She’s an amazing baker and her cakes are to die for. Even the werewolves who don’t exactly accept humans and halflings can admit that much.

I started the rest of the walk home.

I didn’t know if it was just in my head but I felt like people were definitely staring.

Now why was that? Because of my association with the pack’s biggest traitor or because of my new position?

The list of things that were making me even more of a misfit around here was growing increasingly and I hated it.

I tried to keep my head low as I trekked home. Like many of the houses here, Uncle Victor built his house in the midst of the woods so tall trees guarded the surroundings.

It was quite a change from where I grew up in cramped apartments in the busy city. Quiet, clean and large Woodfell was a far cry.

I soon approached the house, I found Hazel out on the porch with her bestfriend, Virginia. They had lemonade in front of them and glittery sticker books and seemed to be in a deep conversation about whatever ten year old werewolf girls found interesting these days.

“Ooohh, you’re back.” Hazel spoke when she spotted me. There was this ‘you’re in trouble’ sound in her voice.

“Hey guys.” I greeted, unsurely.

“Oh the nerve!” Virginia spoke with a glare in her eyes and yes, there was definitely some sass.

What could I have possibly done now?

“Look, I have had a long day so -“

“Oh we heard. You know, I thought two headed snakes were a myth but then I met you.” Virginia spoke.

Hooooollld up. What did I do to her?

I thought she liked me. Well, like is too strong a word, more like tolerated me. Everyone knows she has a little girl crush on Kat. She is basically her idol.

“Girl, chill. Have you been watching The Real Housewives with your momma again?” Hazel asked.

“You know it.” Virginia answered.

“I’m definitely coming to your house tomorrow.” Hazel told her.

“Totally, girl. Yesterday, she even let me have a sip of her wine.”

“Oh! How was it?” Hazel asked in excitement.

Virginia just shrugged.

Knowing her mother, it was probably grape juice.

“Okay, can someone please tell me what I did wrong?” I begged.

This day had already been a lot, I don’t think I could handle anymore.

“You stole the apprenticeship from Kat!” Virginia yelled, pointing an accusatory finger at me.

“What? I didn’t steal anything! Who told you that?”

“Kat, of course!” Virginia crossed her arms over her chest. “You know she tells us everything, we’re BFFs.”

Hazel rolled her eyes. “Oh please, we overheard her talking to daddy. She is maaad.”

I huffed.

Great. Now the only person who I thought I would actually be able to vent to was mad.

“I’m going in. Pray for me.” I told Hazel as I walked towards the door.

“My money’s on Kat.” I heard Virginia whisper.

I turned to glare at her, she turned around and was suddenly interested in her lemonade.

I found Uncle Victor in the kitchen, making waffles, Kat’s favourite.

Okay, she really was mad.

“Hey Uncle V.” I greeted hesitantly as I walked into the room.

He looked up and forced a strained smile. Someone had probably gone through a huge Kat storm.

“Hey kiddo.” He beamed. “How was school?”

I rose a brow at him and his smile dropped. “Right.” He wiped his hand on his ‘kiss the cook’ apron. “Do you wanna sit down and talk about it?”

I shook my head. “I’m just really tired, today has been a lot.”

“I heard.” He cringed. “Um... congratulations?”

I shrugged and walked towards the island, picking out a strawberry from a bowl.

 “How bad is it up there?” I asked, gesturing upstairs with my head.

“Well, we got past the screaming and the ‘why is everything so unfair tirade.” He shrugged.

“I didn’t mean for any of this to happen, you know. I didn’t even apply for the AAP.”

Uncle Victor nodded and then sighed. He moved towards me and wrapped his arms around my shoulders in a hug. “I know Crystal, you would never do anything to hurt your cousin. And I know you have never even been interested in the program.”

“Thank you! But why doesn’t she get it?”

“Well, you have to understand how badly she wanted this, how hard she worked and trained only to have the one thing she really wanted given to someone who doesn’t even want it.” Uncle Victor explained.

“I didn’t want this to happen.” I muttered again into his chest.

“I know, sweetie.” He sighed. “But don’t feel too bad. This is a great honour and opportunity.”

I pulled away from him and looked into his eyes. “But one that I didn’t deserve.”

He gave me a small smile. “You know, when we were younger, your mother would always get all these amazing things she didn’t have to work for. Everyone loved Theresa as so she would get showered with toys and new clothes and everything she ever wanted. As a teenager, she didn’t even have to lift a finger and everyone followed her like she was some queen bee.” He rolled his eyes making me giggle silently.

Uncle Victor and I had a mutual agreement not to talk about my mother so he only brought her up when it was absolutely necessary.

“I always thought she was some kind of witch. But as we got older, I realised, she was just blessed. We don’t get a say in who God blesses, Crystal. Being mad doesn’t solve anything, it just makes you miss out on the blessings you already have and are yet to receive. And in the end, I got to share in Theresa’s greatest treasure.” He squeezed me a bit tighter.

“Kat will come around. And if she doesn’t, I’ll ground her.” He shrugged.

I giggled. “No you won’t.”

We both knew that when it came to punishing the kids, Uncle Victor was a huge softie. Aunt Sarah was the one to really be afraid of.

“Now why don’t you make the first step in extending the olive branch.” He handed me the plate full of waffles.

I nodded. “Wish me luck.”

“I’ll do you one better, I’ll pray for you.” He told me.

I sighed and started heading up the stairs to the room Kat and I shared.

I opened the door softly, Kat was already covered up in her bed but I knew she wasn’t sleeping.

“Hey, Kat, look what your dad made.” I spoke as I waved the plate around as if she could see.

She remained silent with her back to me.

“Kat.” I tried again.

Nothing.

“Come on, Kitty Kat.” I spoke trying out one of Chris’ nicknames for her.

She stirred this time, getting up slightly to glare at me.

“Don’t talk to me. You’re bunking with Hazel tonight.” Her voice was cold and unforgiving.

So much for Kat coming around...