That's the thing about books, they let you travel without moving your feet.
-Jhumpa Lahiri

 I groan, my body sore and tired, as I slowly sit down in the cafeteria.

My prescription came in late, so my Dad couldn't pick up my medicine last night. As a result- -since I ran out yesterday- -I didn't get any sleep.

Both of my parents offered to stay up in case I had another nightmare, to wake me up and stop me from hurting myself or anyone else, but I denied this.

I think they both know I'm not getting any better.

None the less I escaped into the mythical world of dragons and deceit and traveling through a desert all while I was in my own bed with Luci beside me.

To say he's one big dog would be an understatement.

I'm so tired that I burnt myself three times while putting and pulling Asher's second lemon cake in the oven.

He was concerned, about the burns I mean, and I have to convince him I was okay -he really doesn't like the heat and freaks out about any injuries related to flame.

Something I'm suspicious about, including those scars.

Asher and Link didn't know we sit one table away from each other, not until I accidentally spilled my milk last week and cursed up a storm.

But today is the only day I felt one of them stare at me.

And the mint green gaze made my head snap up, I raised a eyebrow at Asher but he quickly looked down at him food and a light blush crawled on his cheeks.

What the fuck?

I look to Link, expecting a answer, but he's busy laughing his ass off.

I'm too tired for this bullshit -I want, expect, answers.

So with a frustrated growl I pick up my food and book, tossing the one I don't love into the trash, then collapse into the seat next to them. 

"Why were you looking at me?" I ask bluntly. "Do I have something on my face, because I know I'm hot but not the kind that makes people stare."

"Do you look in mirrors?" Link asks, giving me a look.

"Uh...I think so? I'm not sure, I don't remember if I did or not this morning -why?" I frown, now focused on the red head instead of my crush.

An extremely difficult task.

"Never mind..." Lincoln mutters.

I snort, leaning back in my chair with a eye roll. "Whatever Weasley, you get weirder by the day." 

Link responds by flicking a piece of paper at me, which makes me growl at swat at it. 

Unfortunately it hits Asher, which makes me wince. "Sorry Gold."

"You just growled." He observes, eyes focused on my sharp teeth. Not my lips -that's what I have to tell myself but I bite my them anyway. 

Before we can get to the real reason I came over the bell rings, I smirk and stand back up. "I'm sitting here from now on."

"I don't think that's a good idea." Link mumbles, making my smirk widen. 

"Even better." I grin, and then, because our classes are in the same hall me and the nice guy begin to walk silently together until-

"It's freaky how much you act like an actual wolf, you know that Blue?" Asher tells me, and I release the tight grip my sharp teeth have on my lip. 

"Don't worry Gold, if you want to really see how freaky I am, just ask." I wink at him, adding a small hip thrust while we continue to walk down the hall. 

"I hate you." He tells me, despite the flush crawling onto his cheeks. 

"You're red." I point out. 

"That's from anger." Gold says, and I can tell it's a lie making my eyes narrow. 

"That's a blush." 

"No, it's not." He continues to deny it. 

"Do you really want to push me into testing that theory, knowing I will?" I snap, secretly wishing he makes me. 

"No!" He nearly shouts, voice raised in disgust. 

"Good, then shut up," I say, ignoring the painful throb of my heart. "Stupid Gold."

I plunk down in my chair, book instantly opened and ready to read. 

However peeved I am that he followed me into my English class, I am thankful for the company.

"And that's another thing -why do you call me that?" Asher asks, tapping my shoulder lightly as if I'm not aware of every move he makes even with my face stuck in a book. 

"What, Gold?" 

"Yeah, that's weird."

"It's not so weird, you call me Blue." I point out. 

"Your eyes are blue and you didn't tell me your name, I had to get creative." I close my book at this, keeping eye contact with him before he looks away. 

"And Blue is so original." I say sardonically, knowing it would annoy him. 

"Stop stalling and answer the question." Aw, I was right. 

"What question?" I ask, tilting my head like I'm honestly confused. 

"You call me Gold." Asher states. 

"That's not a question." I tell him. 

"And that's not supposed to be a name." He says. 

"Really? I thought it was." My sarcasm is at it's peak at this point. 

"You're frustrating me." Gold lets me know. 

I grin at his, smirking. "I frustrate everyone, join the club." Overhead the warning bell goes off, I wink at him. "Better get to class, unless you want a detention of course.

Asher sighs and looks back up with a small smile, then shakes his head. "Course not."

Then he turns to leave.

I make a split second decision and snatch his larger wrist in my hand, pausing for a second when I remember how large he is. This nice guy is a expert at making himself smaller. "Gold."

"Yeah?" He asks, scanning my face.

Reminding myself to breath I smirk at him, "Wait for me after class, I'll walk with you to gym."

"Uh, okay." He says, back to smiling.

An hour later I race to his art class, my mind telling me somethings wrong -something I don't understand.

My mom does the same thing, being able to tell something's wrong when there's no real signs of their being anything wrong.

Anger boils over me, completely, making me shake slightly in self control as my vision lines on red because I was right.

In front of me four guys are holding Asher down and a fifth one has obviously been hitting him.

More people around them are shoving people in the crowd away, and I see another guy holding onto a unconscious Link.

Then the guy moves his hand back, aiming a punch straight towards Gold's handsome face and my self control snaps.

I move fast, kicking the back of his knee out as my hands wrap around his hand and lower arm. "I'm going to hurt your wrist now, try not to make too much noise." I growl, then twist.

He cries out, collapsing back.

The guy's holding onto the nicest guy I know drop him as they surge towards me.

Our hallways are chaotic at this point, a mass of students stopping any teachers or security from getting through. 

"What the fuck bitch?" One snarls, and then Mason Dallas, fucking Mason Dallas, steps forward and clenches his fists tightly. 

"You were only able to do that because you got the first shot," He spits. "I'd like to see you hurt one of us without sneaking behind our backs."

"Oh it's the first shot that matters, huh?" I ask, crossing my arms as I see Asher helping Link up. This only makes my anger worse, as Link has at least one black eye and bruises all over his jaw.

I nearly whistle.

They pissed someone off.

"Fuck yes, I could ruin you with one hit." The stupid, oh so very stupid jock in front of me snarls.

I growl back, my lips twisting up into what my mother would call a feral look. "Then I'll give it to you. One shot, make it fucking count."

"Wait, Blue-" Asher tries to yell, but Link pulls them away.

It's obvious who need to leave at the moment.

And it's not me.

A fist flies towards my face. I don't flinch like I used to, instead I stare bored until it connects to my nose.

I take a single step back, my eyes watering a unseasonable amount as I feel blood start to trickle down.

Taking a deep breath I wipe it away with the back of my hand, before I smirk at Mason. "You really shouldn't have done that." 

I'm sitting in the principal's office, my parent's on either side of me.

My dad is smirking behind his fist, trying not to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Mom, however, isn't nearly as amused.

Link came up to me after, and before he could even speak I told him I'd take the fall for it all. Nobody else will get blamed.

"Let me get this straight Ms. Wolf, Mr. Dallas and his- -and I quote- -gang of half brained imbeciles got mad, ganged up on you and you managed to give every single one a black eye, sprain one of our basketball player's wrists and leave with only a bloody nose?" My principal, a old exasperated man by the name of Mr. Johnson, says, voice dripping with exasperation.

"Well," I begin, smirking slightly as I lean forward. "It's a little bruised too."

He sighs, "You're dismissed. Two day's suspension. Don't let this happen again, the Devil's daughter I swear...you're too dangerous."

"Aw come," I grin at Mr. Johnson. "My mom's not that bad."

My dad cracks up at this, having to excuse himself.

Unfortunately for Mr. Johnson he was my dad's principal too, and now has gone through two generations of Wolf's.

It's hilarious -he hates me so much, but can't catch me doing anything.

There wasn't any security cameras, and the only reason I confessed to anything was because if I didn't they'd actually investigate it and realize I was barely involved at all.

Though the fact that I willingly was like "Yeah, I did this. Fucking deal with it." Instead of staying silent and getting out without any punishments should have been suspicious, Mr. Johnson isn't smart enough to make that connection.

My mom grabs my wrist, pulling me out of the office before I can get myself into more trouble -it was obvious I was about to say something to antagonize him.

The shitty principal deserves it.

Principals.

Tsk.

"Okay, who are you protecting?" Mom asks once we're out in the hall. "You never get caught."

Now I'm facing her and her grey eyes that can see through me like a piece of glass, and my dad's not so helpful amused blue ones. Sadly my mom is just a inch taller than me, I thought I was going to get taller right after a growth spurt and then the world was like...psych.

"Is it that guy you talked about during dinner?" He asks, grinning widely as I turn blank -which is answer enough.

I roll my eyes, "Him and his best friend. They got sucked into a fight they couldn't end."

"So you decided to end it for them?" Mom shouts, throwing her hands in the air.

"Actually, all I did was sprain the guys wrist who destroyed Link's face and was hitting Asher. I kicked Mason in the dick after he punched me in the nose, the rest of the guys got hurt by Link I'm guessing -Asher is too nice to fight." 

"Oh..." Mom says sheepishly. "Well, that's good."

"Yeah, I didn't even break anyone's nose!" I exclaim.

"What do you want," Dad snorts. "A gold star?"

"Something like that, yeah?" I say. Our sharp canines flash in sink as we smirk.

"Both of you control your Wolf side." My mom snaps, making me snicker. "Be more like a Carter for once Elle, I beg you."

"But she is a Wolf." Dad pouts, raising a eyebrow. My mom nods and is pulled into his side, it looks like they're about to kiss so I gag, catching their attention. "We won't do anything this time, you can drive to the library if you want. Your motorcycle here?"

"Yeah, it is." I nod. "I didn't walk today."

"You look tired, maybe you should just come home and rest." I shake my head, instantly shooting down my Mom's idea. "Okay...just don't get into anymore fights baby wolf."

I grin, twirling my keys around a finger.

"Wouldn't dream of it."

But for Asher, I'd definitely do it.