(The video above isn't mine and I don't own it. It is for reference. The credit goes to Disturbed who covered and remade The Sound of Silence)

My eyes slowly open to see golden sunlight filling the unfamiliar room. I am tightly tucked in my blankets and my hair is a tangled mess. I swallow and blink my heavy eyes. I lay in bed completely wiped out from yesterday. Werewolves. So it wasn't a dream. Slowly, I sit up in my bed looking around. The fireplace has died down to mere ashes. There are windows on the right wall with little cushioned chairs next to it.

I look up and notice an circular antler chandelier with little bulbs. I see my destroyed clothes piled on the floor. I make sure I'm human and am relieved to see that I am. But my shirt is on backwards. I frown and pull my arms inside my shirt turning it around. I pop them back out and pull off the covers. I listen for anyone who is awake but I hear nothing.

Then I hear a soft voice. Last night's memories rush back to me. Kai likes me? Haven hates me. Nightmares. Werewolves. Ollie broke his shoulder. Today I go to school for one last time, just to see if this can work. I slip out of bed and walk out into the hallway. I hear soft snoring coming from the closed doors. I decide to avoid the boys' room, I need to clear my head.

The hallway is dim but lit by the sunlight coming from the end of the hall. Then I hear quiet music. Curious, I listen for where it's coming from. I walk down to the end of the hall and lean out on the balcony. But it is coming from above me. I glance up at the ceiling frowning. How is it coming from up there? I walk back down the hallway looking at the ceiling for clues.

Then I see a trapdoor that blends in the ceiling. It has a little string that hangs down, just barely in my reach. I jump up and yank it down. The trapdoor swings open and a ladder drops down. I jump back, scared by it, and stare at the hanging ladder. I hear a voice from above that sounds vaguely familiar. I cock my head and put my hand on a rung. 

I pull myself up and find that the ladder is stable enough. I climb up slowly careful not to fall. I reach the top and am greeted with the strong smell of dust. The ceiling is narrow and I am in a small hallway with a half closed door at the end. Light spills from it and I hear pacing. I grunt quietly and slowly pull myself up. I scoot forward on my stomach and stand up. I brush off the dust on my pants and silently tiptoe towards the door.

I reach it and then I hear music. It sounds like an electronic guitar, it plays amazing riffs and sounds like an expert. I peek in and my jaw drops. Standing in the middle of a cleared room is a boy holding a beautiful electric guitar. The room is large and there's a window in the front letting in sunlight. There's a black amp along with a guitar rack. A black stand is set up with music. The boy's back is turned to me. 

I see an iPod hooked up to another little speaker that's on pause. The room has sealed, cardboard boxes stacked up on top of each other. The boy mumbles something to himself and plays a couple riffs. I notice a black and old piano in the corner that has collected dust. I also see an acoustic guitar on another guitar rack. I can't see his face so I don't know who it is.

He plays a couple more expert riffs on the electric before putting it down. He walks over completely unaware I am watching him through the crack of the door. He sits down at the piano and plays a couple notes softly. Then he takes a deep breath and starts playing a song. It's a haunting tune that sounds almost melancholy. 

"Hello darkness my old friend," he begins softly in a low voice, "I've come to talk with youuu again."

His voice is like velvet, his notes smooth and perfect. My jaw drops when I realize who this is. He leans forward a couple times seeming lost in the music, "Because a vision softly creeping, left its seeds while I waaass sleeping. And the visionnnn that was planted in my brain. Still remains. Within the sound, of silence." His voice slow and draws out each note beautifully. I am stunned and unable to look away.

"In restless dreams I walked alone. Narrow streets of cobblestone. 'Neath the halo of aaaa streetlamp. I turned my collar to the cold and damp," he sings getting louder. He lifts his head and sways with the beat, "When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neeeon light. That split the night. And touched the sound, of silence."

I slowly open the door wanting to tell him he's doing a great job. He goes on and strikes a couple chords that give me goosebumps, "And in the naked light I saaaww," his voice intensifying, "ten thousand people maybe moorre. People talking without speaking. People hearing without listening. People writing songs, that voices never shared. And no one dared, disturb the sound, of silence."

I stand up straight and watch him drop his head. His hands hitting the keys perfectly and his foot taps the pedal, "Fools, I said, you do not knoooww. Silence like a cancer grooowws. Hear my words that I might teach you," he sings lifting his head, "take my arms that I might reach yooouu."

He inhales and his voice changes from hopeful to sad and intense, "But my words, like silent raindrops fell. And echoed in the wells of silence."

He hits the keys harder, "And the people bowed and prayed," he sings in a low almost growling voice, "to the neon God they maaddde! And the sign flashed it's warning! And the words that it was forming. And the sign said the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls!"

"And tenement halls," his voice softens and his playing follows the same suit, "and whispered in the sooouundd, of silence..." he holds his note and then plays the simple melody at the end. Then he draws his hands back and inhales deeply lowering his head. I step into the room silently, "That was amazing," I say softly trying not to scare him. But I failed. He whips around with wide eyes, his golden brown eyes.

"Y-You heard me?" he asks stunned, sounding fearful, his accent returned.

"Yes," I say slowly coming into the attic room, "and I've never heard anyone sing that well. Or play that well."

His face flushes red and he looks mortified, he rubs his face, "Oh that was terrible."

"What?" I ask stunned, "if that was terrible then Mozart was a phony."

He groans standing up, pulling the cover over the keys, "How much did you hear?"

"The song, that's it," I admit reaching over my shoulder and combing my hand through my tangles. 

He groans again walking over to the guitars adjusting their stance, "What are you doing up here anyways?"

"I heard music, I was curious," I say simply leaning on one leg, "and why are you embarrassed of this? You are amazing!"

He scoffs, "Sure, if that's what you can call amazing."

"It was," I argue giving him a look, "I can't even do that. No one can play or sing like that. And trust me, the boys at school sound like dying cats that try playing piano with their fists."

"Exactly," he says sharply as he tenderly strokes the neck of the polished, wooden guitar. I frown, "What?"

He sighs looking up at me, "Boys aren't supposed to do that. Playing instruments... it's not normal."

"Oh yeah sure, tell that to every band led by a guy or an entire group of guys. Let's give Justin Bieber a call and tell him he shouldn't be talented."

"Bad example," he points out cocking his head.

I nod, "True, but you get my point. Take... John Legend! He plays piano and sings really well!"

"But that's different," he mumbles crossing his arms. He wears grey sweatpants with a baggy shirt, his brown hair is messed up from sleep. He's barefoot as well like I am.

"But you are so talented Ezra. Why would you want to throw it away?"

He scowls at me, "Who said anything about throwing it away? I just don't like others hearing me play. Or sing. It's the only thing that really brings me joy and calms me down."

"Ah ha! So you do like it!" I say pointing at him.

"You've spent too much time with Kai and Ollie," he says rolling his eyes.

I cross my arms, "But still."

"Fine fine, just stop bothering me about it," he says waving me off, then turns on me, "swear to God you won't tell anyone."

"Yes... but don't say that."

"What?"

"Swear to God, I don't like swearing."

"But that's not even a-," he scoffs, "never mind."

I put my hands up innocently, "Sorry for being a good girl, I enjoy it."

"Never pegged you for a rule follower," he mumbles slinging his black electric guitar around his neck. 

"I never pegged you for liking music," I challenge lifting my head. He looks up quickly with stunned eyes. Then he nods, "Touche."

I smile and walk over feeling very curious, "So do you play all of these?"

He nods and picks a couple strings avoiding my gaze. His long lashes shield his eyes from mine and he seems to be trying to ignore me. But he finally answers, "Yes."

"When did you learn?" I ask lightly touching the wooden guitar.

"I started when I was eight."

"What did you learn first?" I ask cocking my head.

Then he blushes now really trying to avoid my gaze. He plays a couple chords before switching to shred mode. He plays expertly, his hand moving up and down the neck, his fingers are like lightning. I am shocked once again at his playing skills but not distracted. The notes are flawless and I can't pick out any mistake. But then he drops his hands scowling and then repeats the previous section. Then he smiles softly and drops his hands looking up at me.

"That's pretty awesome but seriously, what was your first instrument?" I ask with a smug smile. He sighs rolling his eyes and points across the room, "Violin."

My heart squeezes and I follow his finger. I see a black leather case lying on a couple of boxes. I don't know what it is about me but I love a guy who can play violin or any musical instruments. And Ezra plays so many... 

"Could you play something?" I ask wanting to hear him play that more than anything. He sighs putting the electric guitar on the rack. He walks across the room picking up the case and coming back over. I watch him with interested eyes hoping he doesn't back out. But he sets the case down and opens it. The top opens and I see a beautiful violin lying in the velvet.

It's made of almost black wood and is polished beautifully. He pulls it out tenderly and takes out the bow that matches the wood. He plucks the strings a couple times and adjusts the pegs at the end. He puts it under his neck and raises his bow. He looks at me then down at the strings. He rests the bow on a string readying his fingers and slowly glides the bow across.

The harmonious sound rings out clearly. Then he starts playing a tune. His bow glides smoothly on the strings and I soon recognize what he's playing. All of Me by John Legend. He closes his eyes and starts playing faster and more pretty. He slightly sways to his own beat, each note is clean. Then his finger shakes making the note sound shaky but still beautiful. Vibrato. The volume swells and dies down and his bow movements are perfect.

Then he stops opening his eyes again, "I haven't played in a while."

My jaw drops, "You've got to be kidding me."

He shakes his head lowering the violin, "No I haven't played since I changed."

"And that song you memorized?" I ask amazed and a bit upset at how humble he is. He has an amazing talent! I've never heard anyone play or sing like he has!

He shrugs, "I picked it up."

"So you are a natural as well, prodigy," I say gesturing to him. 

He shrugs, "Not really, I made mistakes."

"Like what?" I challenge putting my hands on my hips.

"First off my bow hold," he says gesturing to his hand.

"I seemed fine to me."

"Do you play violin?"

"No."

"Exactly, also my beat was off. I was going too fast. I messed up a couple notes and I was killing my hamster."

I give him a confused look, "What did you just say?"

He sighs and puts the violin under his chin again and points to his hand at the neck, "My hand shouldn't be that close," he says and then adjusts his hold. Instead of his palm touching the neck now there's a space, "My teacher told me I was killing the hamster. I have to imagine a hamster in that space, if I do that then I kill it."

"Wow, I've heard many things in my life but that is the first time I have ever heard of that," I say raising my eyebrows. 

"Well my teacher was special," he says shrugging and puts the violin back into its case, "so what are you doing up? It's five in the morning."

"I just woke up," I say shrugging, "and you?"

"It's the only time I can practice. So, you're probably annoyed with everyone asking you if you are 'handling things' so I won't ask," he says bluntly giving me a look. I am surprised because I had expected him to ask, "Uh yeah. Okay."

"So you should go back downstairs," Ezra says gesturing to the door.

"But everyone is asleep," I tell him, "and you look lonely."

"Pfft I like being alone," he says rolling his eyes.

"Me too, let's be alone together," I say shrugging and I sit down at the piano bench.

He groans, "It doesn't work like that."

"Sure it does, I do it all the time," I say simply.

"With who? The voices inside your head?" he snaps sarcastically.

"No... with the voices inside your head," I taunt pointing at him. He gives me a weird look and I realize that sounded much better in my head. I blush and stand up quickly knowing I'll embarrass myself, "Uh sorry, I'll just go."

"Oh," he says sounding disappointed, "but uh one more thing?"

I look back at him. He studies me for a second before lowering his gaze, "You know, the public school doesn't have an orchestra. If you're ever interested... I could maybe teach you some violin."

My eyes widen, "Really?" My heart skips a couple beats, I've always wanted to learn violin.

He looks embarrassed, he kicks at the floor, "Yeah," he says avoiding my gaze.

"That would be amazing!" I say grinning trying not to be stupid, "I've always wanted to learn!"

"Good," he says looking up, "you better be committed."

"Got it, maestro," I say smiling sweetly at him, very grateful for his offer.

He chuckles with a soft smile, "Okay but I'm not going easy on you."

"Fine, when do we start?" I ask excitedly.

He thinks about it, "Tomorrow at five sharp."

"In the morning?" I ask starting to have second thoughts.

He smiles, "That would be cruel wouldn't it? No, not in the morning. Kai and Ollie have hockey and Milo likes to hide somewhere and read in peace. The adults are pretty much working or downstairs."

"Oh thank goodness," I say relieved and put a hand to my heart. His lip turns up on one side and he nods.

"So last night..." I say referring to the fight I had to Haven.

 Surprising he looks uncomfortable, "Um let's not talk about it," he says lowering his head.

I give him a look hoping I don't show how wounded I am. I guess he doesn't like talking about feelings or anything... maybe that's just Kai. Then he looks confused, "Why are you sad? I'm the one who was embarrassed last night."

"You? What are you talking about? The fight was with me and Haven," I say incredulously.

"OH," he says with wide eyes, "oh you weren't talking about last night with the whole... me acting weird because it was the middle of the night."

"Huh? No, but that was a bit funny," I say smiling at him.

He looks mortified and turns from me running a hand through his hair, "Oh great now my image is ruined."

"What image?" I ask cocking my head.

"Your image of me," he mumbles, "now you see me as some weirdo at night and musical softy."

"What?" I ask on the verge of laughing, "No no no, everyone acts weird at night. But musical softy? No way. You are not a softy," I say shaking my head.

"Then what do you see me as?" he asks looking over at me.

"Uh more like combination of cool French boy mixed with Hollywood bad boy who's secretly talented," I say truthfully wondering why he cares. Then he rushes up to me and I back up quickly into the wall. He stands a mere two inches from me, almost looming over me. I press myself against the wall with deer-in-the-headlight eyes. He puts his arm over me and I suddenly can't breathe. He leans close with taunting eyes, "And what caused this view?"

I gulp, "Just the way you carry yourself and interact with others. And i-if you don't step away from me, right now, I will kick you where the sun doesn't shine and rip your head off as a wolf. I'm double dominant you know," I threaten trying to sound dark but my voice trembles.

He stares at me for a bit. Then bursts out laughing. I muster up a dark look, "What?" I spat.

He keeps laughing and pushes away from the wall, "Wow! Your eyes were burning!"

"Well of course!" I shout edging away from the wall, "you backed me up against a wall!"

"I was seeing what your reaction would be. Most girls would try to kiss me but I've never gotten a threat before!" he laughs and bends over, his shoulder shaking. I glare at him, "Well I'm not like other girls."

"You know I'm a double dominant too?" he asks looking up with a bright smile. WHOA. He has dimples. My heart starts pounding and I shake my head quickly trying to snap out of it. Stop looking at him!

"Really? Thought you did. Anyways, you should go back downstairs. You have school," he says simply walking towards the door.

"Hold on!" I shout pointing at him, "You expect me to act like you didn't just-"

"Do what?" he challenges drawling out his words, he looks back at me looking smug.

"Back me up against the wall!" I shout obviously.

"Is that really something to get worked up about? I just offered you violin lessons out of the kindness of my heart. Something I don't do often. Why risk this?" he asks in a cool voice with that beautiful French accent.

I growl struggling to keep control of myself, "You infuriate me!" Then suddenly my body changes against my will. I drop onto the floor face first and I hear my clothes ripping. I groan closing my eyes wanting full control over my body again. He stops laughing. I hear him walk over and I open my eyes slowly to see him kneeling in front of me.

"I"m sorry, I didn't know you were that upset. I thought we were joking," he says looking guilty. Good. I wasn't joking.

I growl at him while glaring at him knowing I can't say anything. If I could I would be screaming at him and probably trying to kill him. He inhales deeply looking up at the ceiling, "Look I'm not very good with human interaction, I never have been."

That explains a lot.

"I always isolated myself so sometimes I don't know where to draw the line," he goes on sounding a bit sad, "I just... didn't think."

I snort giving him a look that says: yeah you didn't think you IDIOT.

He offers me a sad smile, "You know you never cease to amaze me. You're doing much better than me on my first days."

I roll my eyes and slowly stand up careful not to knock over anything. I match his height but I'm slightly taller. I look down at my black furry body and see my clothes lying on the floor, torn to shreds. I suppress a groan because now I'm stuck up here with no clothes. 

"Right," he says nodding as if he read my thoughts, "you need clothes."

I nod at him noting that it feels heavier. He walks over to the door and glances back at me, "Stay here," he tells me before disappearing. I frown, where else am I going to do? I can't fit through the door. I can't believe he did that! Making me upset on purpose, what's wrong with him!? Maybe he just feels defensive since I saw him sing and play beautifully on the piano. How is he such a natural? Probably a prodigy but he won't ever admit it.

Maybe I'll ask his mom about it. Perks to being in a werewolf pack bonded by blood is that if you have a werewolf son, the werewolf mom and dad are around too. He comes back holding a bundle of clothes and tosses it to me. It rolls across the floor and stops at my front paws. 

"I'm going back downstairs, get changed and I'll meet you there," he says simply and waves shortly. I nod and watch him leave again. He shuts the door and I sigh loudly. Boys are such weirdos. But they're cute because of it. Sadly girls can't do that forcing us to worry about our appearances hoping to be noticed. But Kai wasn't judging me at all for probably smelling like puke. He wanted to be my friend instantly, and he likes me enough to sort of stalk me. 

KAI LIKES ME. The weight of what I found out last night just hit me. Do I like Kai? He's so sweet and nice so why wouldn't I like him? He's pretty good looking as well, and sometimes he messes around but that's cute. I do like him! This is so exciting! But part of me doesn't think so. I change back into a human avoiding the door and dusty window.

I quickly get changed while my head spins with questions. Why shouldn't I like Kai? Then Ezra's face pops up in my head. I frown dismissing that thought immediately, Ezra is a jerk to everyone. He doesn't even know how to communicate properly because no one... ever... talked to him... he must have been so lonely. SHUT UP.

I shake my head, no no no I can't like Ezra. Sure he's amazing at singing and pretty much every instrument with a very sarcastic sense of humor with a French accent and-OH MY GOSH I LIKE EZRA. When did this happen?! I take a deep breath reminding myself that I won't date until I'm older. I'm not getting married right now so there's no point.

I have a crush, crushes are just temporary. They fade after two years and my body is just reacting with hormones. Only temporary. Love is commitment. And I don't want to commit myself to a moody teenage boy. Even if he has a French accent. I barely know him and I could end up hating him. Nothing is permanent, I'm only sixteen.

I finish getting dressed and I start walking towards the door. But my eye is caught by pieces of paper on the stand. I stop and then walk towards the stand instead feeling curious. I study the paper and see scribbles that are hardly readable. The only thing readable is the title that reads: Number 10. I squint and make out sharp symbols and letters in a pattern.

My jaw drops as I stare at it. He's creating a song. And it's his tenth. My heart flutters and I feel myself wanting him. I struggle to remind myself that this is just a phase but it's getting difficult. Why is he so perfect?! Why?! Maybe it's because he's a werewolf. Same for Kai. And Ollie. And Milo. I shove all those hormone induced thoughts down and focus on the problem at hand.

I have to face Haven. This is make-or-break for our friendship. I have to be focused. I can't change and I have to see if she still wants to be friends. I can do this. I hope.