Flames and Starlight

35🌘

Ruben

One Month Later. . .

I laughed as I drove Laura and me home after work. I had finally caved in and started working at Georgia's coffee shop with her. Since I always drove her to work anyway and hung out and I needed money, she told me I might as well work there and get the cash that I needed. I was really hesitant since working at a coffee shop wasn't the ideal place to work at and it was busy as hell. I finally caved in, knowing it would make her happy.

In all honesty, I didn't mind working there. It could be overcrowded and dealing with rude customers always put me on edge, but it was fun working with Laura and the pay was decent.

By the end of the month, I should finally be able to get a brand new car and not have to depend on one of the spare cars Ben had let me borrowed until I was able to afford one of my own.

Laura and I worked after school until six p.m. and came home to the Moonblood Clan.

So far, living in the Clan was great. I had my own cabin, I didn't have anyone constantly looking over my shoulder, I was able to have independence, I got along with a lot of the other members, and it felt like I was living in one huge, happy family. I didn't have to worry about dealing with my parents. I was able to live freely and I was enjoying life for once. I wished I had decided to join a Clan sooner. Of course, I had to check in with Ben Saddler, the Apex of the Clan, to let him know how things were at work, to let him see how I was doing at school, to not do anything reckless or stupid, to stay in line. I also kept him updated on my shapeshifting. I was shifting into even larger, predatory animals. Soon, I was going to shift into people, which excited me to no end. I was doing well in all my other classes as well. My grades had never been higher and I felt relaxed and at peace. I didn't think I'd ever been as happy before.

I still had problems with my right arm after being released from the hospital but fortunately, my other injuries healed successfully and I was feeling a lot better. I had to watch myself while I was working out to make sure I didn't overdo it and hurt myself again.

So, to sum it all up, life has been pretty great. Though there were still some dark clouds hanging over my head, however. Some things I needed to sort out. 

One of the things I was about to do. And hopefully, it wouldn't mess things up between us, but I had to do this. I couldn't wait any longer.

I pulled over to the side of the road and parked. She looked at me skeptically.

"What's going on?" she asked.

I took a deep breath. "Laura, there's something I want to ask you. . ." My mouth suddenly became dry as a shot of nerves pulsed through me.

"Yes?" she said. Realization dawned on her expression but she didn't say anything.

"I. . ." Dammit, why couldn't I do this? I'd asked millions of girls out before. Why was I being a wimp now?

"Ruben?"

"It's okay if you say no, I totally understand," I said quickly, my words in a rush. "I just have to let you know this, and I need to ask you this. Will you go out with me?"

She just stared at me in shock, her mouth hanging open.

Damn, I was an idiot.

I groaned and started to get the car back on the road. This was such a terrible idea. Why did I have to open my big, stupid mouth?

"Please forget I said that," I begged. "I -"

She reached out, turned my face to hers, and kissed me hard in the mouth. Surprised, I just sat there at first, then kissed her back, threading my fingers into her long, gorgeous, curly black hair. We kissed like it was only today, tomorrow nonexistent, that this was the last day on earth and our only chance to do this.