I sit at the large dining room table watching quietly. The adults run around grabbing breakfast talking loudly to each other. I yawn and lean on one arm and pick at my scrambled eggs with my fork. 

"Rylie! Catch!" Summer shouts and flings a black leather briefcase through the air. Rylie looks up quickly and catches it one handed. Dad runs in half-dressed, he wears a white dress shirt with black slacks. His fancy jacket thrown over his shoulder with a tie that hangs loosely from his neck. His hair still soaking wet from his recent shower. Mom is hovering over the black skillet stirring the liquid yellow eggs.

"Brook honey you've got to eat," Mom calls back to me. I snap out of my daze and shove a fork-full of eggs into my mouth. Kai flings eggs at Ollie with a bright smile. Ollie laughs and flings more back at him. Milo's head is down staring at his lap and slowly he feeds himself eggs. I've seen him miss a couple times but he's in such a reading daze he doesn't even notice. He's reading Death Cure still and has got to the end. There's nothing that can distract him now.

Ezra eats quietly watching everyone thoughtfully. I am reminded of our moment in the attic, his beautiful voice still rings clear in my head. Why is he so embarrassed of his voice? He has a gift, why hide it? Then I'm reminded of last night and all of it's chaos. Ollie breaking his upper arm, my fight with Haven, Kai's strange confession of stalking me, the nightmare, and now my return to school.

My parents said that this was okay but as long as we are extremely careful. If one of us slips up it's all over. No pressure. Kai has agreed to come with me to make sure I stay calm. I'll try talking to Haven one last time, hoping to salvage our friendship and that she'll believe me. It's seven twenty so we have to leave very soon. 

"Come on guys stop it," Milo mumbles not bothering to look up. Ollie snickers and flings more eggs at his twin's face. Milo wrinkles his nose frowning but doesn't look up.

"We've lost him! Only WICKED can save him now," Ollie jokes laughing. 

"WICKED is bad," Milo replies flatly.

"Nooo WICKED is good," Ollie jokes with a slick smile. I stifle a laugh covering my mouth knowing that's part of the book. 

Milo finally looks up with a sarcastic expression, "Yeah, putting a bunch of boys in a maze with creepy Grievers is a good idea."  

I chuckle smiling, "Well to them it was."

Milo smiles at me, "Right."

"So! Kai is going to school for the first time! You better not be an awkward home school kid, you're cool here but you're going into the real world! They will be ruthless to you! You're socially awkward!" Ollie says pointing at him with his unbroken arm. Kai rolls his eyes, "Pfft I'm not socially awkward."

"Oh really? Then why were you so awkward around Brook?" Ollie challenges lifting his chin. Kai frowns reddening, "Shut up."

I giggle and smile innocently at Kai, "Don't worry, you weren't too bad," I reassure him. 

"Let's go!" Mom calls already getting her jacket on. I jump up with Kai walking towards the door. I grab my backpack in the large walk-in closet that's packed with my schoolwork and extra bundles of clothes. 

"Good luck Kai!" Milo calls after us.

"Say hi to your sis, for me, eh?" Ollie yells waving obnoxiously. 

"Don't die," I hear Ezra's sarcastic voice say. Ollie bursts out laughing, "More like, don't kill anyone."

Kai smiles brightly, "No promises. But hey, maybe we can use your shovel and that hole you dug in the back to cover it up!"

I give Ezra a mortified look. Ezra smirks, "Fine."

Ollie bursts out laughing, "Oh Brook you have no idea-," he laughs louder.

I give Kai a confused look but he's busy laughing. I roll my eyes, "Boys," I mumble. We walk outside and the air smells damp. I smell the wet gravel scent that's hanging heavily in the air. The trees are vibrant green seeming to glow in the low light. The sky is still clouded grey covering the rising sun. The bark on the trees are drenched dark and seem streaked. 

"Come on," Mom says already down the driveway. I glance at Kai nervously second-guessing this decision. He offers me his hand with a reassuring smile. I manage to smile back taking his hand and we jog down the driveway towards the edge of the hill. Kai and I get in the back seat while Mom drives. She continuously asks if I can do this and if I feel stable enough. 

"Mom, I'm fine. I'm just seeing if I can make it. Really, it's no big deal," I say lightly. The car jerks upwards when we hit a log. I hear a grinding sound outside as the car violently vibrates. The branches snap and scrape at the windows scaring me every so often. 

"I know, I know I'm just worried," she admits shakily, due to the vibrating car.

"Plus, I have Kai to save me if anything goes wrong," I say glancing over at him. Kai grins at Mom's reflection in the rear view mirror, "Don't worry Alpha, I'll protect her with my life."

"I know you will but you can't protect her from changing," she counters glancing up. The car swerves and I slam into the side of the car. Kai leans towards me letting his head roll to the side. The car adjusts again and once again we're going straight. 

"I'll call you if anything goes wrong, don't worry," Kai says holding up his phone for her to see. I grip my hands trying to keep calm. What if she hates me? What if she yells at me again? Is this the end of our friendship? We make it to the main road and the car stops vibrating. 

"So... what's school like?" Kai asks curiously. I remember he's been homeschooled his entire life, this is all new to him.

"Well the grade is split into two because it would be too big to have all of us in one classroom. We move from classroom to classroom for each class, each with a different teacher," I explain best I can. He nods slowly, "Sounds complicated."

"It's not really, you'll get used to it," I reassure him with an easy smile.

He shrugs, "If this goes well then yeah."

"Right," I say remembering the back-up plan. I'll be homeschooled with everyone else. We reach downtown and I see a rogue car parked in front of the bakery. We are nearing the school and more knots tie in my stomach. I suddenly remember my backpack is back at home with my homework.

"Mom my backpack is at home," I say quickly starting to panic more.

She glances back, "I'll go and get it. Don't worry. You just need to remember to remain calm."

I take a deep breath letting my head clear temporarily, "Okay," I say closing my eyes. I force my mind to remain empty and to shut out all current problems. Everything is normal, I'm just going to school with Kai as my shadow. Haven and I will work this out, it'll be okay. I'm completely calm and everything is okay. I chant those words in my mind finding that it's working. The car stops and my eyes fly open. 

Kai puts his hand on my leg and smiles, "Ready?"

I swallow and nod, "Yep."

"Can you do this?"

"I wish everyone would stop asking," I say giving him a look, tilting my head.

He chuckles, "Well can you blame us? You're so pale."

"Oh I'm naturally pale," I smirk and wave him off, "and aren't you supposed to be darker? Spanish werewolf?"

He stifles a laugh, "You're picking up quickly."

"You boys are such a bad influence," I say rolling my eyes at him. 

"Sassy!" he comments looking surprised, "Now I want to see you with caffeine!"

I laugh, "Would you give Ollie caffeine?"

He thinks about it, "He's actually really good with it. It's Milo and Ezra who go nuts."

I stifle a laugh and slowly open the door. I am hit with the damp cool air of the morning. Mom is smiling back at us, "Alright, I love you sweetheart," she tells me. I smile at her, "I love you too."

"Take good care of her, eh?" Mom tells Kai. He nods proudly, "You got it."

We climb out and Kai is about the shut the door. Mom looks reluctant and a bit scared, "Please be careful," she warns us. I nod multiple times, "We will, don't worry. Everything will be okay," I reassure her, "Bye Mom."

"Bye," she says with a wry smile. Kai shuts the door, a bit too hard, and turns to me, "Let's go!"

We walk into the school together. We're a bit late so the hallway is deserted. Kai looks around seeming curious and excited. Dad told me before we left that they called the school saying that we'd be a bit late and Kai will shadow. The principal wholeheartedly agreed for the possibility of gaining another student. 

"Alright we're going to Chemistry. What classes do you take now?" I ask him, glancing over at him.

"I take English, Trig, PE, World History, and... Spanish," he explains looking up through the corner of his eye.

"No science?" I ask confusedly.

He grins, "Already passed it."

"Wow so you're pretty ahead," I comment raising an eyebrow.

He nods, "Yep! Since I'm homeschooled my classes go faster. So let's go! Remember, deep breaths and run," he says with a wink. I laugh, "If only it were that easy."

"I know right?" he asks grinning and laughs with me. We reach the classroom door and I hesitate before opening it. I swallow knowing this is the moment of truth. If Haven rejects me, rejects our friendship I'll be homeschooled from now on. If she accepts my apology I have to stay and make sure I never slip up. So much pressure. At least I have Kai with me. 

"Don't worry, I'll be with you," Kai says putting his hand on my shoulder. He smiles reassuringly and then opens the door. The teacher stands in the front talking about the plan for the class. Kai walks in confidently, head held high. The teacher looks over and studies him narrowing his eyes. I force my legs to unfreeze and walk into the classroom with him.

The teacher brightens, "Ah! Class, this is Kaito Everscene, he will be shadowing and touring the school today! Please give him a warm welcome. I trust you all will be kind and show him the ropes."

The class claps studying Kai curiously. I catch a couple girls batting their eyes and staring at him dreamily. I scan the rows trying to find Haven. Then I see her. In the back of the class staring at me with a frown on her face. She scoffs leaning back in her chair looking away sharply. My heart is kicked. She really is mad at me. 

"It's Kai," he corrects smiling wryly. 

"Okay, how about you pull up a chair behind Brook," the teacher says gesturing to my table. My empty spot next to Haven. I nod and together we walk across the room. I feel the eyes of everyone on me. I remember that I ran out yesterday to throw up. They probably are wondering where I went. I sit down slowly next to Haven, she doesn't even look at me. Kai pulls up a chair next to me and glances over at Haven.

"Hi, I'm Kai, we met last night," he says holding out his hand for her to shake. Haven looks over through the corner of her eyes, "Hi," she says flatly.

"Haven please," I whisper giving her a pleading look, "I'm sorry."

She scoffs quietly and looks ahead, "Stop, class is starting."

"I didn't mean to hurt you," I continue wanting her to stop this. 

"We'll talk about this later," she says sharply, crossing her arms. I sigh leaning back in my chair watching her sadly. I remember I have to remain in control of my emotions, I have to prove I can go to school still. The teacher tells us to get out our notebooks to take notes while his back is turned to us. I dig into my backpack and pull it out. I rip out a piece for Kai to doodle on and hand him a pen.

"Thanks," he whispers and lightly touches my leg. I inhale quietly watching him with surprised eyes. He's touching me. His hand rests on my leg while he starts doodling on the paper. Then I realize he's writing with the opposite hand.

"Are you left handed?" I ask curiously. He nods smiling at me, "Yep, left handed werewolf."

I shush him quietly looking around nervously hoping no one heard. He smirks, "Don't worry, my whisper can only be heard by you. Human ears aren't trained enough to hear it."

I raise my eyebrows slightly cocking my head, "Really?"

He nods proudly, "Don't worry."

I nod and let out a relieved sigh. I stare down at my notes that have random little flowers drawn all over them. I glance up at the teacher who begins to write on the board. I sigh looking over at Haven who completely ignores me. This isn't going to be a good day. The class drags on and Kai ends up drawing a comic scene.

Since he was forced to binge watch Twilight (Ruby's influence) during the huge storm in the summer, he knows the plot line. So he decided to draw a funny little comic about it. He's actually pretty good at drawing which surprised me. The main idea of the comic was that he was Jacob, I was Bella, and Edward was Ezra. 

He drew little arrows with name tags letting me know. It was in the woods and Bella (me) was a wolf with Jacob (Kai). Ezra, I think was was gnawing on a board. Ruby was also a vampire, he used pencil crayons to color the eyes red. Milo was a werewolf along with Ollie but Ollie was stuck as a human. 

I think that we all were meeting in the woods together for a meeting. It was night because there was a full moon. In the talk bubbles, Kai was saying that they were discovered by humans. Edward (Ezra) said they would help. Werewolves and vampires team up against the humans. In the next boxes was them hiding in the trees watching humans. The humans held guns and torches, he added that for comic relief.

The humans started shooting at us and then we attacked. The battle scene was a bit funny. I think Ruby was eating a guy while humans ran like the devil was chasing them. Their expressions were hilarious because Kai can't draw faces very well. So they looked like scribbles. I imagined all their conversation to be like the Charlie Brown teacher talking. Waahh wah wah waaaahh. 

In the end the vampires and werewolves chased the humans away. But the final box wasn't finished because the bell rang. But I can tell he was beginning to draw a hill with two people on it. Not sure who though. We gather our things and Haven quickly stands up and walks away. I sigh getting up watching her leave the room in a hurry.

"Just give her time," Kai says reassuring me as he folds the paper. 

"This sucks," I say sadly shoving my notebook into my backpack. Everyone around us gets up and starts to leave. The teacher begins to erasing the board ignoring us. Then I hear a ton of giggling. We look up and I see May, Lydia, and Breanna standing there blushing fiercely. Eyes locked on Kai.

"Hi! I'm May, this is Lydia and Breanna," she says waving happily. Kai slowly smiles and nods, "Why hello there."

I watch quietly slightly interested to see how he interacts with other girls. Ruby mentioned that Kai is a huge flirt. I've never seen him "work his magic" before. He seemed so nervous around me though. Guess I'll have to see it before I believe it. He leans forward on the desk with both hands and smiles lazily. The girls giggle and watch him smiling brightly.

"So where did you go to school before?" Lydia asks twirling her hair.

"I was homeschooled all my life, public school is a big change for me. I'm sure you girls have it down pretty well, eh?" he asks slightly cocking his head still smiling. They blush even more. 

"W-Well yes, we do," Breanna stammers looking dazed. Kai leans forward on the desk getting close to her face. Jealous sparks inside of me but I shove it down. Why didn't he do this with me?

"Lovely," he says in a french accent. He's probably copying Ezra's. They giggle and I catch Lydia's legs trembling. Kai pulls away smirking looking proud and then he puts his arm around my shoulder. I gasp as he pulls close to me, I blink a couple times. He winks at them tipping his invisible hat, "See yah later ladies." Then he leads me out the room, grabbing my backpack before he leaves. 

I am blushing and I'm trying to stop. "Kai, what was that?" I whisper to him watching him through the corner of my eye.

He shrugs, "It's nothing. Trust me."

"But how did you do that? Those girls... they aren't easily impressed," I point out giving him a look.

"Well I've got a talent," he says simply like this is nothing.

"But with me you were so nervous, how did you do that?" I ask still shocked he can flirt that well. 

He looks over at me, "Mmm because I actually care about you and tried too hard."

"Really?"

He flashes me a brilliant smile that would be enough to melt the North Pole, "Yeah, I was off my game. You make me nervous."

I snort, "Please."

He puts his hands up, "It's true!" his eyes are lit with humor. "Now where to next?"

"Oh, English," I tell him and take the lead because he was. 

"How are you feeling?" he asks sounding concerned and serious.

"Pretty good," I answer truthfully. No urges to claim anyone or turn into a wolf. All in all, I'm pretty chill. I'm sad that Haven is shutting me out but I just feel numb to that right now. "Chill."

"Great! Man I wish I had your self-control. I was changing every hour just because I wasn't controlling myself," Kai says sounding a bit jealous. He scratches the back of his neck looking over at me, "You're lucky."

"I just don't think about it. I was always a reserved person too you know," I point out, rambling.

He smirks, "Yeah I can tell. So... what's lunch like?"

I shrug, "As good as any I guess. No homemade bread or anything but we do get a salad bar."

He makes a pout face, "No bread?"

I roll my eyes and playfully shove him to the side, "Idiot."

He grins and shoves me back, I stumble to the side starting to laugh. We reach the classroom and walk in together. Haven is sitting down already staring out the window. She shortly glances at me before looking away sharply. Kai's hand slips into mine and he offers me a reassuring smile, "Don't worry, she'll quit sooner or later."

"I hope so," I mumble sadly. We sit down together and the teacher begins her lesson. He pulls out his comic again and starts drawing once again. I watch the teacher trying to pay attention, and not watching Kai draw. To watch him drawing a girl and boy together staring at the sunset together. 

The class ends and the day drags on. Gym is our class before lunch so we have to head to the small gym. Kai has stayed close to me and jokes about how public school is weird. He is keeping my spirits high even though they keep plummeting every time I see Haven. Part of me wants to be homeschooled just for her to see that this was her last chance. But that would be mean. But then again, part of me is still angry with her. 

We stand in the gym together waiting for class to begin. My grade begins to file through the double doors talking loudly to each other. They combine the two classes of the 11th years for gym since we can all fit in here. The gym has kind of a low ceiling and the floors are tiled. There are bleachers against the wall that have been pushed together. 

"Hey where's the washroom?" Kai asks nudging my arm. We're getting more comfortable with each other, I can tell. We are playfully hitting each other and he keeps holding my hand or putting his arm around me. I like it, it means we're friends. And it's possible to be more. I remember he had or has a crush on me. I've decided to let him choose whether to make a move or not.

This is his choice to confess this to me. I wasn't supposed to hear it. I'm not sure what to do if I wanted to tell him. I'll let him make the first move. I'm just happy he notices me in that way. Even if he was stalking me. Sort of. I think Ollie may have been stretching that one. Boys should make the first move, I already know I like him. 

It's also a dignity thing, my dad explained this to me. If I ask him first, it won't mean as much. It may offend him too. I don't want to do that anyways. I don't have enough guts to confess my love to him first. 

"Uh over there," I point at the corner of the gym where the boy locker room is. He nods and winks at me, "Be back in a flash!" Then he takes off running. I smile to myself and turn around to be face to face with Jayden Abrams. His light brown hair has grown long and almost covers his sky blue eyes. He smiles kindly with his hands in his pockets. I've known him since I was in nursery. We're not best friends but we talk on a normal basis. 

"Hey," he says in a light tone.

"Hi Jayden," I say smiling at him. He opens his arms welcoming me. I chuckle and hug him tightly. Something about Jayden feels so familiar and safe. It makes me feel human again. 

"I heard you got sick, how are you doing?" he asks pulling back looking worried. 

I manage a smile, "I'm doing good. I was throwing up but now I'm alright. Probably just a 24-hour flu."

He nods slowly, "Yeah, so... what were you doing at the hospital?"

I frown, "Talk to Haven?" My hands go to my hips. 

He sighs but nods, "Yeah."

The three of us have been friends for a while. We normally hang out during the school day, but Jayden was stuck in the other class. I can't believe she talked behind me back to Jayden. Just because we're fighting doesn't mean she should get him involved.

"What'd she say?" I ask scanning the room for Haven. 

"She said you were there with a couple new people. They got all protective, she said you rejected her. Then you just ran out. You didn't call her and she said you left her for them," he explains unable to meet my gaze. I glare at him, "She's lying. All of it, it's a lie!"

He gives me a look, "Did you call her?"

"No! It all happened so quickly!" I argue sharply. I freeze and close my eyes reminding myself to calm down. I take a deep breath and feel my muscles relax. I open my eyes slowly to see Jayden staring me worriedly. 

"You okay?"

I nod, "Yeah, just let me explain."

He nods and stands in silence waiting. 

I take a deep breath and begin to explain, "I went home sick, puking my guts up. That night, I felt better and my parents wanted to go to dinner with friends of theirs. I forgot to call her in the chaos of all of it. We went to a cabin up in the woods and turns out they have kids my age. They are all homeschooled too. I also forgot my phone at home.

"So we all started talking and got kinda close. The twins were there, Ollie and Milo? Yeah. Anyways, the guys went outside in the woods to mess around a bit but then Ollie got hurt. He slammed into a tree and shattered his arm and dislocated this shoulder. We had to rush to the hospital and I decided to go with. 

"So we got there and Haven found me. I don't even know what she was doing at the hospital. I was in the waiting room, waiting for Ollie to come out of X-rays with the rest of them. Then she thought I was ditching her when she saw me. I didn't! I wanted to call but it got so crazy I forgot! Then she got mad at me and yelled at me for that.

"And then the others didn't know so they got involved. Kai and Ezra stepped up and tried to defend me but only made it worse. Ruby tried to fight as well. They all tried to protect me from her, that part is a bit true. It was all a big misunderstanding. But she thinks I'm lying and hiding something. I would never reject her, she's my best friend.

"I hate fighting with her, and now my parents want me to be homeschooled now. This could be my last day. I was going to try making up with her and try convincing my parents..." I trail off sighing. He stares at me surprised, "Whoa, so a lot happened last night."

I nod not saying anything. I feel bad for lying to him but this is part of the truth. It's the closet I can get to the truth. I can't tell him that I'm a werewolf part of a werewolf pack. So this is the story without that detail. 

"I'm sorry for judging you so quickly. I'll help you guys make up, and remember this is your first fight. This won't destroy your friendship, she'll realize that this is silly soon enough," he says reassuringly and puts his hand on my shoulder. I smile at him knowing he'll always be my friend, "Thanks."

"You're welcome!"

"Brookie!" Suddenly someone wraps their arms around my neck from behind and jumps on me. I yelp stumbling back and then the person spins me around locking me in their arms. I hold my breath staring into Kai's dark blue eyes. He wears a smug smile holding me close. 

"Kai," I breathe with giant eyes, "wha-?"

"Who's that?" Jayden asks sharply eyeing him. Kai looks up with a guarded expression, "I'm Kai."

"Um," I swallow and slowly pry Kai's arms off me, "Jayden this is Kai. We met last night. Kai, this is Jayden. Jayden is one of my closet friends," I explain glancing between them. 

"Oh? Well I thought we were your best friends?" Kai jokes leaning close to me. I laugh pushing him off, "Oh you guys were being idiots."

"Nope! And I believe I won," Kai says playfully and takes my hand. He holds it tightly and stands very close to me. I laugh at him, "Sure."

Jayden watches us looking confused, "Uh what?"

I push Kai away again but he gravitates towards me again linking his arm in mine. Why is he being so touchy now? 

"He's talking about last night. He and Ollie argued about who was my 'best friend'. I say it doesn't count since both were sleep deprived and it was the middle of the night," I say rolling my eyes while smiling. 

"Oh, yeah," Jayden says watching us closely, "are you two together or something?"

I freeze, "Uhh no... we just met. We're friends."

Jayden looks relieved, "Okay then. You just seem very close..."

Kai exhales sharply, "Well we are," he argues frowning at Jayden. 

"Huh?"

The whistle blows saving me. The gym teacher is shouting at everyone to come to the center. I laugh nervously, "Okay let's go." I pull from Kai's grip and start walking over to the center hoping they follow. They stare at each other for a while looking upset or trying to mask it. Finally, both boys start walking towards me. I start to get a bad feeling about this. But what could go wrong?