BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

My eyes are open and I stare over at my alarm clock at beeps loudly. I gasp and sit up suddenly looking around wildly. I am laying in my bedroom back at home. My clock beeps loudly at exactly 7 in the morning. I start smiling realizing that it was ALL A DREAM. My door opens and I see Dad poke his head in, "Brook could you come out into the living room?" he asks. I nod and slide out of my bed. 

I freeze and stare down at my clothes. I'm wearing something different, something I would never consider wearing to bed. I wear a black sports bra (that covers everything but still) with baggy black sweatpants that cuff at the ankles. I frown and grab a blanket throwing it over my shoulders like cape. I walk out into the living room and everything is rearranged. 

There's no couch only giant pillows instead with a wooden coffee table. The walls are lined with bookcases filled with leather bound books. The glass door is magically put together which makes me edgy. The kitchen is missing and replaced with a large window looking out into the deep forest. 

"Guys?" I ask through numb lips. I walk across the room feeling confused. Then I hear a subtle knock at the door. I start getting a bad feeling as I walk towards the door. I touch the doorknob and start to turn it but suddenly it flies open knocking me back. I yelp and look up fearfully to see Haven standing there.

She holds a rifle aiming it at me, her face contorted with pure rage. She cocks the gun, "Werewolf," she growls darkly. I gasp scrambling back letting out short shrieks of fear. 

"Haven no! You don't understand!" I plead trying to get her to spare me. She saunters towards me with an evil grin, "Werewolves are dangerous, they all must suffer."

"NO! We aren't dangerous! Please! Let me explain!" I beg desperately. I put my hands up but realize they are paws. For some reason I am very small compared to her. I shrink lowly feeling myself whimper, "Don't do this."

She laughs maliciously and then I hear a loud boom. My stomach is suddenly wet and panic seizes my heart. I yelp stumbling back. I look down to see blood spilling out of my stomach. I gasp holding it and look up at her with horrified eyes.

"I thought we were friends," I say shakily, tears spilling from my eyes.

"Werewolves aren't human," she growls and shoots again. I scream throwing myself back starting to call for help, "HELP ME! She's going to kill me! HELP! MOM! DAD!!"

"They can't hear you, you're too late," she teases as if we were talking about cute boys. I gasp and look over to see them dead. Lying on the floor. Dead. They stopped bleeding and are white as corpses. Dead. I gasp and start to cry from grief, "No no no no," I whisper letting my body go limp. I drop to the floor feeling the blood come from my stomach. I look up slowly with mortified eyes face to face with Kai. He holds his hand out with a sympathetic look.

A single drop of blood seeps out of his mouth. He smiles and his teeth stained red with blood. I gasp scrambling back, "Kai!"

"I took care of it, no one will hurt you," he says darkly with a gleam in his eyes. I look behind him to see Haven dead on the floor. 

"NO!" I scream reaching out to her. Suddenly the world turns dark.

I gasp loudly for breath feeling the phantom tears on my face. My heart races and those terrifying images burned into my brain. I try touching my face but I feel fur. I realize I've turned into a giant wolf. Not a dream. That was my nightmare. Now I'm awake. Memories of the previous day rushes back. I sigh sadly and close my eyes again. 

My legs dangle off the edge of the bed and my blankets are a complete mess. I slowly sit up feeling exhausted. I look around and see that the lights beyond my door are off. The fireplace has dimmed to glowing embers and ashes. I close my eyes and focus on my human body again. Then I feel myself changing and soon I have hands and long hair again.

I sigh and l try to salvage my torn clothes. All of it is destroyed. I wrap a rogue blanket around my body and stand up. The floor thankfully doesn't creak. I walk over to the dresser and open it slowly careful not to make noise. I don't know what time it is so I have to be careful. I am still shaken from my nightmare and I try my best to forget it but I can't.

I find a bundle of tightly rolled clothes and squint trying to see the color. It's pitch black rendering sight useless. I tiptoe to the fireplace and hold it close to the cage. I manage to see some kind of color, it looks orange. Which could mean two things. Pink or Yellow. Adult girl or teenage girl. I frown holding it closer trying to guess which one is which. I make a wild guess and assume it's pink. I unwrap the clothes and measure the bra making sure it's right.

I put on the undergarments and find they fit. Thankfully. I put on the baggy t-shirt and black yoga pants. I throw the blanket back onto the bed scared to go back to sleep. I wish I knew where Mom and Dad slept. I could go to them. But I don't want to accidentally go into the wrong one... I'm not sure I want to catch two adults making love, I don't know how this place works so it could happen.

A room I do know that's safe is the boys' room. But one of them could sleep in their underwear which would be scarring... I shudder inwardly not wanting to see that. But part of me wants their comfort and laughter. I'm a bit wary of Kai but nonetheless, it was a nightmare. He would never do that. But would Haven? No, she wouldn't shoot me. But would she keep the secret? It's almost the same as shooting me and my family.

I am also extremely disappointed that this isn't a dream. I am a werewolf. Nothing can change that. I rub my eyes and swallow trying to wet my dry mouth. I put a hand to my heart trying to calm it. Maybe I could try waking up Kai, just to talk. Or would he get mad at me? But he seemed so supportive today. But waking someone up could be a death note. He may hate being woken up because the new girl is scared to sleep because of nightmares.

But he's my friend, right? I internally debate about this trying to figure out the logical answer to this. I bite my lip and start walking out of my room wanting water because my mouth is so dry. I peek out of my room and the hallway is pitch black. I hear quiet snoring fill the silent air. Moonlight comes from the end of the hallway from the balcony and stairway.

I start to tiptoe down the hallway being light as a feather. I cringe at the occasional creak of the floorboards under my feet. I inch down the hall watching every door hoping I don't wake anyone up. My arms are up to keep my balance because I'm on my toes. Then I see the boys' door, it's almost completely shut but moonlight seeps out. I swallow stopping in front of it debating on it.

Would he be mad at me? But he's my only friend in this situation, yes Ruby is really nice but we didn't seem to connect. She's like a half-friend. I like having a specific best friend, I don't like other friends who aren't committed enough to the relationship. If you are my friend you have my loyalty and full support. But I don't like small talk. I want to have deep conversations that mean something. 

My stomach tightens from nerves and I slowly reach out to touch the doorknob. My brain argues against this with everything it has but the rest of me wants me to. I want the comfort, to see his smile and hear his laugh. But he may be upset. He may not see us as friends. Maybe he's just being nice out of spite. Just following my dad's orders. But he tried to protect me from Haven at the hospital. He chased after me when I ran. He gave me a tour feeling so nervous he couldn't make real sentences.

He was so worried about me feeling comfortable. He explained everything to me. He had patience with my constant crying. He was there for me, though we just met today. But wh-

The door opens without me touching it. I jump back whipping my hands up, making fists in a fighting stance. My body is rigid with fear. The door opens wider and I see Kai standing there. His black hair tousled from sleep and he cocks his head, "Brook?"

I feel so stupid.

"Uh h-hi," I say nervously lowering my hands.

He looks back at the room then at me, "What are you doing up?" he asks sounding tired.

"Did I wake you? I-I'm so sorry," I apologize quickly tugging with a lock of my hair. I lower my head feeling it heat up. Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid.

"No no," he whispers quickly, "I was just up and wanted to walk around."

"Oh," I look up surprised, "really?"

"Yeah," he replies reaching back to scratch his neck lowering his head, "so what are you doing up?" he asks again.

I gulp, here goes, "I-I had a nightmare."

I can see his eyes widen, "Oh man are you okay?" he asks worriedly.

"I think so..." I say lowering my head, "I kinda wanted to talk to you about it."

He blinks a couple times looking surprised, "Really?"

I bite my lip, "Yes? But I didn't want to wake you up and make you mad. And if we aren't that good of friends that's fine-"

"Whoa whoa whoa who said we weren't friends?" he asks putting his hands up stopping me.

"Well I didn't know how you felt about it," I admit feeling myself blush again, "I've never had a friend who was a guy. Other than Jayden but we're not that good of friends."

"Who's Jayden?" he asks tightly and I see him tense.

"I've known Jayden since Pre-K," I say shrugging not sure why he's so tense, "he goes to school with me."

"Oh," he says sounding unsure.

"What's wrong?" I ask cocking my head.

"Nothing," he says quickly breaking his gaze from mine. Then he looks up slowly, "so you had a nightmare."

"Yeah," I say sadly remembering the fresh terror, "it was horrible."

"Hey you wanna come in here?" he asks opening the door wider. I nod and step into the room. The window is open letting the silver moonlight seep into the room. I hear a very loud snoring coming from one of the upper bunks. Kai beckons me with his hand and we sit in the middle of the room. I see Oliver sleeping peacefully under Kai's bunk still shirtless, on his back. I see Milo on the other bottom bunk clutching his pillow looking very cute.

So I take a wild guess that Ezra is the one snoring on the bunk above Milo.

"Are you sure they won't wake up?" I whisper, barely making noise. He snorts glancing back at them, "No and I don't care if I do. It's better than being downstairs, Summer has a habit of sleepwalking and I don't want to be caught in that."

"Seriously?" I ask curiously. He nods smiling, "We're just glad Ezra just snores."

I laugh silently and I see him smiling warmly at me. Then his face changes to serious, "So your nightmare."

I sigh and look out the window, "I woke up back at my house to the alarm clock. At first I thought all of this was a dream."

"That's terrible," he says shaking his head. He moves his legs and crosses them putting his hands in his lap. He wears a baggy shirt with sweatpants, thankfully. 

"Yeah, and then Dad walks in and tells me to come out there," I explain, my gaze moving to Milo. I look back at Kai, "Are you really sure they won't wake up? I'll feel so bad if they do."

"Nah," he says waving me off, he points at Ollie, "he'll be fine, he isn't a bear in the morning." Then the points at Milo, "He's an extremely heavy sleeper and won't wake up if you are howling in his ear banging a gong. We've tried it."

"Wow," I giggle imaging them doing that.

"And then Ezra will be fine if we don't shout. He's grumpy in the morning, hates them with a burning passion. He's threatened to kill us or shoot the alarm clock with an AK-47," he says grinning.

"And I'm guessing you guys wake him up on purpose?" I guess smiling at him.

"You're catching on rookie," he chuckles leaning back on one arm. I offer him a shy smile and his face falls serious again, "so go on."

"So I walked out into the living room. Everything was different, there were pillows instead of chesterfields and the kitchen was gone. There were windows everywhere and the glass door I broke this morning was fixed. My parents were gone and I heard a knock at the door," I explain closing my eyes.

"I opened it and then Haven burst in with a gun," I say shakily. I tighten my mouth forcing the tears to go away. I'm not crying anymore. 

"Oh no," he whispers.

"She called me werewolf and aimed the gun at me. I pleaded with her not to shoot and tried to tell her we weren't dangerous..." I trail over and touch my stomach, "but she shot anyways."

"Hold on, she shot you?" he asks gritting his teeth.

I nod meeting his gaze, "Twice. And my family was dead as well. But then when I was dying on the floor... you came."

His eyes widen and he stares at me, "I was in your nightmare?"

I take a shaky breath and nod.

"What did I do?" he asks hesitantly. I open my mouth but can't bring myself to form the words. He killed Haven to protect me. What would he think?

"Was it that bad?" he asks sadly.

I sigh forcing myself to be keep calm, "You were protecting me though. You had killed Haven."

He frowns and looks down at the floor, "Did you see it?" he asks sounding nervous.

"No, just-, her body," I say realizing this is affecting him. I reach out but stop myself before I touch him. I pull back and sigh, "But then again, she shot me and my family. My mom and dad were dead and I was dying."

"But I killed her," he says sadly.

"It's just a dream," I whisper feeling guilty for telling him. He takes a deep breath, "Yes, just a dream. And know I won't kill anyone. Okay?"

"Right," I say managing a smile.

"Though I would try to save you... if you were ever in trouble," he admits sounding embarrassed.

"Good, I have someone I can trust," I say relaxing.

"Yeah, so are you still okay with going back tomorrow?" he asks cocking his head.

"Yes, I will try one last time before leaving," I say determinedly. 

We sit in silence and I realize the snoring has stopped. Kai frowns looking back at the beds, "Ezra? You awake?" he asks.

Then I hear a low moan, "You idiots," he mumbles, his French accent is so heavy I can barely understand him, "what are you doing up?"

"She had a nightmare," Kai says simply.

"I'll be your worst nightmare in a couple seconds if you don't go to sleep," he retorts, interrupted by a yawn. 

"Oh Ezra you won't do anything."

I jump and realize Ollie is sitting up. He looks over at us and winks at me, "Don't worry Brook, he never is able to get up in the morning normally. He won't come near you."

I smile and look up at Ezra's bed. I see his dim figure sit up and then a pillow flies down hitting Kai. He looks surprised and pushes the pillow off his lap, "Oh so throwing pillows is your great defense?"

"I hate you," he murmurs, his voice muffled by a pillow.

"Awww now we're going to be more loud. Milo can sleep through anything, you know this," Kai says putting his hands up innocently.

"Vous avez le corps d'un chien et le QI d'une durée de cinq ans," Ezra says sitting up in a rude tone. Kai gives him a look, "Somewhere in there you called me a dog and something about five."

Ezra growls, "You have the body of a dog and the IQ of a five year old," he translates and slams his face down into his pillow. 

"Wow, that was personal," Ollie says putting a hand to his heart, mocking a hurt face.

"Oh ferme la bouche," Ezra says sharply, probably glaring at us.

"Hi Ezra," I say sweetly and wave at him. He is sitting up and looking down at us.

"Oh, h-hi Brook I didn't see you there," he says, his voice drastically changes to nice.

Ollie stifles a laugh, "Wow, Ezra has multiple personalities."

"Ferme la bouche," he repeats looking down and over at Ollie.

"What does that mean?" I ask curiously.

"Shut your mouth in French," Ollie translates with a smirk. 

I stifle a laugh, "He knows a lot of insults."

"Well yeah, French people insult people a lot," Ollie jokes with a bright smile.

"Or that's just Ezra. So you wanna get outta here and see if Summer's awake?" Kai asks with a lazy smile.

"Sure." I stand up with Kai and Ollie slides out of his bed. He winces touching his shoulder and looks up at us slowly, "Can I come too?"

"You really won't let us be alone, eh?" Kai asks raising an eyebrow. 

Ollie looks smug, "You guys need supervision."

"And your our chaperone? What makes you so responsible?" Kai questions.

"Well, Ezra isn't really awake, this is just him sleep talking. And Milo is knocked out. So I'm the next best thing!"

"I am awake," Ezra mumbles.

"That's what you would say if you were sleep talking," Ollie points out in a sing-song voice.

Ezra growls, "That's what I would say if I were awake too."

"Oh ho ho I'm too smart for you French Boy," Ollie says wagging his finger at him. Ezra growls and then suddenly I hear a loud thud. I jump back scared and then Kai catches me in his arms. 

"Ouch, that's a tight spot," Ollie says wincing looking up at Ezra. I see brown fur and a loud snort. Kai's arms tighten around me holding me close to him. I look back at him slowly with wide eyes. He's holding me. My feet don't touch the ground right now. They dangle aimlessly, only the tips of my toes brush on the floor. He holds me up, his body rigid.

Ollie looks back and stifles a laugh, "Well that's something you don't see every day. Hey Kai, put her down, eh?"

I look back at Kai and smile innocently. His eyes widen like he didn't realize he was doing it. He drops me quickly and takes a couple steps back, "Uh s-sorry."

"That's alright," I say simply.

"I didn't even realize..." he trails off and looks down at his hands. Then I hear a loud snort and everyone freezes because it wasn't Ezra. I look down at Milo and he murmurs something turning onto his stomach and burying his face into his pillow.

"See, nothing wakes him up," Ollie says gesturing to his brother.

"Maybe you guys should sleep," Ezra mumbles and I see blankets moving around.

"Aw are you embarrassed that you are naked in the same room as a girl?" Ollie taunts in a baby voice.

He groans, "I hadn't even-, urg just go to bed."

"Fine, fine, see you in the morning," Ollie says with a short wave as he crawls back into bed. I am blushing but I do my best to hide it, "Yeah, night."

"We should probably sleep. We have to wake up early," Kai says shrugging.

"Alright, thank you," I say with a short nod. He smiles at me and nods, "You're welcome."

Then Ollie starts making kissing sounds. Kai growls hackles raised, "Oliver Carson Mooncast if you don't stop making fun of us I swear I will break your other arm."

"Kaito," Ollie says dead serious. He said it like Cato instead of Kai-ato I give Kai a surprised look, "Is that your full name?" I ask curiously. Kai huffs, "Yes but everyone calls me Kai."

"See? That's what you get for saying my full name," Ollie taunts sounding proud of himself. 

Kai lowers his head, "You know I hate my name."

"Why? It's a nice name. Reminds me of Hunger Games," I say shrugging giving him an innocent smile.

"Yeah but everyone thinks it's Japanese which makes them say Kai-ato instead," he says rolling his eyes, "but seriously have you seen my mom? Does she look Japanese to you?"

I shake my head, "No she doesn't But I kinda like it. Cato," I say shrugging.

He gives me a stunned expression and nods slowly, "Yeah."

"Oh so now you like it, wow, that's favoritism," Oliver says getting under his covers. Kai rolls his eyes, "Well she's a girl and you're an idiot."

"Yeah well whatever. Brook is my best friend now, not you!" Ollie says and winks at me.

"No way," Kai says putting his arm around me with a playful grin, "she's my best friend."

I can hardly contain my giggles, probably from tiredness but nonetheless. I know boys do this "best friend" thing but this is completely ridiculous, and hilarious.

"No way! I have dibs!"

"Do not!"

"Technically Milo has first dibs," I point out smirking looking between them. Both boys look at me surprised then at each other.

"Do we even dare?" Kai asks in a funny Irish accent.

"Dare yes, try yes, succeed? No," Ollie says shaking his head, mimicking the accent.

"Very true lad, nothing wakes up Milo," Kai says tipping his invisible hat. Ollie gets up from the bed and walks in front of Milo. He pokes Milo's head, hard, but Milo doesn't move. Ollie leans over and I hear him breathing loudly. He pulls back and looks back at us and shrugs.

"You aren't trying hard enough," Ezra mumbles from above, "do more than breathe on him if you are trying to wake him up."

Ollie shrugs and starts smacking his head. I wince, "Uh maybe we don't do that..."

"Trust me, it's completely safe. Once we put peanut butter on his face along with shaving cream. He slept through the entire night and woke up very confused," Kai reassures me pulling me closer. I smell his Axe and slightly enjoy it which isn't normal. I must be exhausted right now. 

Ollie smacks his head a couple more times. Then he frowns down at him, then sticks his finger in his ear. He waits a couple seconds and then pulls it away wiping it on his pant leg.

"Ew," I comment cringing, feeling so bad for Milo. 

"Aw, he can't join the fun!" Ollie says sadly.

"But in conclusion, she is my best friend," Kai announces in a whisper.

"Noooo you are mistaken, she's my best friend."

"Mine."

"Nope, mine."

"Miinnee."

"Mine."

"Oh would you please shut up and go to bed? She's my best friend and that's final," Ezra growls sitting up, leaning over the rail. We stare up at him surprised.

"Wow, he just said please," Kai says stunned.

"Yeah we should go to bed, he said please," Ollie says nodding in shock. I laugh and inhale deeply, "Alright I'll see you guys in the morning."

"Okay... have nice dreams," Kai says pulling me into a hug. I smile and hug him back. Then I feel another arm around me. I look over my shoulder and see Ollie snuggling his head on my back, "Mmm best friend."

"You guys are crazy," I say rolling my eyes. I pull back and wave at them, "See you in the morning then."

They nod and watch me leave the bedroom. I slowly close the door being silent and then I hear their hushed voices.

"Why did you do that?" Kai whisper yells.

"Dude chill, I'm giving you healthy competition," Ollie replies evenly.

"No! You were embarrassing me!"

"Pfft did you see her smile at you? I think she liked it, and you'll be close for tomorrow's mission."

"Well whatever, just stop doing that. I know you like Ruby but I don't do that to you."

"We have a complicated relationship," Ollie retorts sounding defensive.

"God I'm so nervous Ollie," Kai moans frustrated, "why is this happening?"

"Maybe 'cause you-"

"Shut up, Ezra's awake."

Silence.

I come closer to the door and eavesdrop, I measure my breaths so they aren't too loud. 

"Ezra?" Kai asks.

I hear a low moan, "Yeah yeah I'll do the dishes in the morning..."

Ollie stifles a laugh, "He's half asleep. Don't worry."

"It's weird to talk about," Kai answers sounding shy.

"What? You don't want to talk about girls?" Ollie taunts playfully.

"Actually I don't. Just-, just let me figure this out."

"Yeah sure. Because you figuring this out has been working. Nice move chasing after her but dude, you almost admitted you stalk her." 

I reel back with giant eyes. HE WHAT!? I stare at the door in shock. HE STALKS ME!? For how long has this went on!? How could I not know?! How does he stalk me?! 

"Shut up, no I don't," Kai argues sharply. I listen more, eager to hear more of this conversation. 

"Oh excuse me. You have her picture under your pillow and you constantly ask about her. And once you followed her on her way home. You go to all the school events just in case she may be there but you never had the guts to talk to her."

My stomach melts and I start thinking shallowly ignoring the big picture. He loves me. H-He has a crush on me! This has never happened before! OH MY GOSH HE LIKES ME!!! I step away from the door trying to remain calm and trying to dampen my spirits. No, no, no, you know that no boy has never noticed you before. But he did. And I had no idea. STALKS ME. Somehow I feel like that's romantic instead of creepy. Stupid romance novel brain.

My heart is pounding and my head feels light. I could burst out laughing because I remembered I'm spying on them like a little girl. They are talking like little boys about girls, Kai confessing he loves me. No. Stop it. I shouldn't get my hopes up, but all the evidence is there... Do I like him? I pull away from the door, my head spinning.

Kai seems very nice and he has already comforted me multiple times. He makes me laugh and makes me feel safe. I feel comfortable with him. I enter my room and slide into my bed. My eyelids feel heavy and my limbs start to relax. Kai would protect me tomorrow, he's my friend. He wants to be more. What do I do? I've never been in this kind of situation before. 

Exhaustion washes over me and I slip away into the realm of dreams. I clutch my pillow feeling my heart swell, dreaming of what Kai and I could be.