When I pulled into my driveway I saw Anna's bright red Honda Civic sitting in front of the garage. She wasted no time getting to the house that's for sure. I already knew she was inside. In fact, she was probably in my room ransacking everything like usual. It didn't bother me much. I liked having a friend like that most of the time. She did have a tendency to drive me a bit insane at moments. As I gathered my things to go inside I couldn't help feeling a little longing for Connor. I felt like I was becoming one of those crazy, clingers.

I slowly climbed out of my car, and headed for the house. A single porch light was on, and that was the only sign of life. I looked at my phone hoping for a message from him. To my amazement, I saw 1 new text message on the screen.

Where are you?

Maybe I'm not the one who's being a clinger.

Just got home. I responded.

Good. Stay there.

Where the hell does he think I'm going to go?

Why? I asked.

Wolves are out.

My heart nearly stopped, and my stomach clenched up.

What? Where?

A bit south of the city.

Oh no. They're looking for me! I whipped my head toward the house. Mom and Anna were in danger. My heart sped up, and I ran inside.

Are you serious?

Yes, they found a red hooded woman near the wood line in Elizabeth.

Wow.

A bit of relief sank in for half a second, then it dawned on me that Elizabeth was not that far away from me. They could be on their way here!

Don't go out tonight.

How long ago did they find the body?

Why?

What if they're coming here?

I don't think they know where you live. At least not yet.

You don't know that, Connor.

You'll be okay, Abs.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. He was so nonchalant about the fact that blood thirsty wolves were gunning for me. It drove me crazy.

So I'm going hunting.

Be careful.

I will. And Abs, I do love you.

I love you too, Connor.

I checked my purse before locking the door to make sure I had grabbed the small axe off of my backseat.

Better safe than sorry.

For the first time in a long time I locked all the locks on the front door. I even made sure to lock the screen door. I stood there, and peered out the peep hole straining my eyes to see whatever may be lurking in the darkness. I was definitely paranoid at this point, and my heart was pounding. The wolves weren't that far away. It was entirely reasonable for me to be paranoid. They were right down the highway really. My thoughts began to race, and I really thought that we may not be safe here. Suddenly, I wished Connor was coming here instead of going hunting for them. Mom would understand the danger, but Anna, she wouldn't understand anything. It would all freak her out, and completely blow her mind. I didn't know what to do. I figured the most logical thing was to at least lock the other doors and windows. But, would that really stop them?

"Elysse!" Anna called down to me.

"Yes?" I croaked out.

"Hurry up here."

"Alright. I'm going to say hi to my mom first."

I peeked in the office, but the lights were off and there was no mom. A bit odd since she was always there. I heard muffled noises from down the little hallway and went to investigate. The T.V. was on, and mom was sleeping on the couch. I didn't have the heart to wake her, so I just covered her up. My fingers were crossed that nothing attacked us that night. I tip toed back down the hallway and up the stairs.

"So, spill your guts!" Anna ambushed me as I walked into my room.

"Hi to you too."

"Come on. What was it like?" she persisted.

"You've had sex. You know what it's like," I moaned while flopping onto my bed.

I wasn't in the mood for her persistence. She was more like a high school freshman than someone in college.

"Yeah, but never with anyone like that."

"Like what?"

"Like Connor. He is amazing looking. I mean seriously, he's gorgeous!"

"I thought you said he wasn't that good looking?" I asked.

"Well, he is."

"He was good."

"Just good?"

"Well I don't have anyone to compare him to. So yes, good."

"Alright. What's his body like?"

"Is that why you came over? To find out how my sexcapade went?"

"No, I do miss you, and I have these for you," she smiled while pulling a stack of books and papers from her backpack.

"Great."

She lay on my bed jabbering away about everything I was missing in class. I plopped into my desk chair, and stared absently at the homework.

Ridiculous.

Her stories and updates were trite really. I sat at the desk with my attention divided between the mounds of work and outside my window. Anna was just an afterthought really. She was great to have as company, but I didn't want to hear any more stories.

"What do you think?"

"About what?" I asked.

"Have you been paying attention to anything I've said?" she asked exasperated.

"Sure I have. I missed that last part."

"Valentine's Day, Elysse. Do you think Toby and I would be cute for Valentine's Day?"

"Yeah, his black hair and your red are the perfect match," I said sarcastically.

"Are you asking Connor?"

"To some Valentines club thing?"

"Yeah."

"I don't think so."

"Why not?"

"He's twenty-one. Why would he want to go to an underage thing?"

"To do something for you. Who knows, he may like it."

"I really doubt it," I said grabbing a few worksheets off the pile.

"Just ask him."

"Maybe," I muttered.

"You do, or I will," she threatened.

"You don't have his number."

"It' right here in your phone," she laughed.

"Bitch!" I jumped up out of the chair and lunged for her.

"Okay. I'm calling him. Right now!" she laughed.

She jumped off the bed and ran around the room staying right out of my reach. Laughing the entire time.

"Hi. Connor? This is Elysse's bestest friend in the entire world, Anna. Yeah, um, we're going to this valentines thing at Rush, will you go with her? She's a huge chicken shit and doesn't want to ask you," She got a big smile on her face, "Oh you will? Great."

I grabbed the phone from her just a little too late.

"Abs?"

"Connor."

"Rush?" he asked.

"Ugh, Anna's idea."

"Oh, so you don't want me to take you then?"

"You want to go?"

"Sure, why not? Hell, it might be fun."

"Okay. Great," Anna grabbed a pillow and yelled into it.

She was more excited than I was. I often wondered if my friend aged mentally past sixteen.

"Hey, I'm picking you up tomorrow."

"For what?" I asked him.

"I'm taking you on a proper date, and if you want, you can stay at my place; and we can go to work from there."

"That sounds great."

For once Anna had a good idea. We finally settled down and lay in bed talking until we both fell asleep.