How Do I Love Thee?

The Change

As I awoke the next morning I was groggy. For a minute it seemed like everything had been a dream. Soon reality set in. I still laid under the covers. I sat up and pulled my knees up to my chin and rested my chin there. I didn't want to cry anymore, I couldn't. I just felt numb. Like someone had taken all of my insides out and left me a hollow shell.

I heard some rustling around outside my door. It was weird calling this my room. The only things in it was a king sized four post bed and a mahogany dresser. I slid off the edge of my bed. I was wearing plaid pajama shorts and a pink tank top and the cold air nipped at my skin.

As the rustling got louder I tip toed to the door and cracked it open. Carolina was rushing around the house doing godknowswhat. I stepped out of my room slowly.

"Um... Carolina?" I lifted my hand to get her attention. "What's wrong?"

She stopped in front of me with a frightened squeak. "Oh nothing's wrong silly! I was trying to clean up for you. I was so glad you didn't see it last night!"

I forced a smile on my face. "It's okay. I lived in a dorm room prior to this, remember?"

She laughed and turned on her heel toward the kitchen. "There's coffee if you want some."

"Thank god." I laughed a little and followed her into the kitchen. I fixed myself a cup and sat on a stool by the island. "So what's on the schedule for today?"

"Well," she said as she leaned on the counter facing me, "this morning you are going to observe and then after our break for lunch you, my friend, are going to join in on the action."

I almost choked on my coffee. "Wait-what? Um.. What kind of action exactly?"

"Training duh. You don't think we just automatically know how to fight do you?"

"I was hoping..." I could feel my eyes get wider.

"Plus you need to change for the first time."

"Change what?" I thought I knew the answer I just hoped it wasn't true.

"Change into a wolf of course. It's hard the first time but after that its as easy as breathing." She started to walk off and said over her shoulder, "we should probably get going. I'll lay some clothes out on your bed for you."

I sat there staring into my mug for a long time. I couldn't believe this was going to happen. That my life was really changing - for the worse or the better I didn't know.

I slowly stood and walked to my room. There laying on the bed was a much-too-short jean skirt, a lacy pink tank, and a black leather jacket. I stared for a minute. "Carolina!" I yelled.

She came in, in a rush. "What's wrong?"

"You can't actually expect me to wear that." I pointed at the clothes on the bed.

"Oh just get dressed Alexandra." She slammed the door.

I half sighed, half groaned. I sat on the edge of the bed for minute. "Might as well get this over with." I stood up and took off my pajamas throwing them to the floor. I held up the skirt for a minute then slid it on along with the rest of the clothes.

After I threw my hair into a pony tail - after a poor attempt at brushing it - and Carolina was ready we left. We walked for a long time until we came to an opening full of people chatting. I swallowed hard, they must all be werewolves.

Carolina cleared her throat beside me and the talking ceased. "Everyone, please welcome Alexandra." Some nodded, some said something in hushed tones. "Now we don't have all day, start your training." Carolina turned and left me. I would have followed but I lost her in the sea of people.