Chosen Ones

Chapter 2: The change

"Do you have everything you need?" Her mother said worry etched into her normally soft voice. Lia nodded and gave her a small smile. They had arrived at the school. It was tall, dark and very unwelcoming from outside the gate. She couldn't believe her parents had met here. "Are you sure?" Her mother asked knocking Amelia out of her thoughts. "We could turn back and go to the store and buy you whatever you need." She said with a sniffle. "Mom." She said her voice breaking a bit as she tried to keep her composure under wraps. "I have everything it's okay. Don't worry." As soon as she finished her sentence her mom burst into tears. "My baby's off to college! Doing bigger and better things!" She cried "Don't forget me Amelia!" She yelled and her cheeks turned red as other students began to look in their direction. She chuckled nervously "I love you mom but please relax" she gave a quick nod and began to compose herself.

Her dad on the other hand gave her the saddest look she'd ever seen. She knew he wouldn't cry like her mother had but seeing the look he had on his face she couldn't help but let a tear escape as she buried her head into his chest. She took a shaky breath. She loved her parents. There wasn't a day she would have traded time with them for someone else. They were her best friends and above all, the people who had given her life and a place to call home. She shook her head and looked up into her dad's eyes. "I love you." She said tearfully and he blinked fast as to keep the tears in "I love you too Lia." He said with a shaky voice. She smiled. Lia had been the nickname she was given. She wasn't too big on it when it first started but she soon realized it to be special. Maybe I'll go by Lia here. She thought to herself as her parents got into their car.

They had accompanied her up to Virginia to be able to say their goodbyes and make sure she had gotten there safely. She looked at her blue Toyota Avalon and smiled as she looked at her parents silver Camry. She gave a small wave and they waved and honked as they drove off leaving her at her new life. She picked up a backpack and threw it over her shoulder and grabbed her suitcase on wheels and walked up to the gate. She took and deep breath and stepped over the threshold into her new life.

She walked a few feet inside and began to take in her surroundings the building was styled old fashion looking like a castle. The brick was worn but up closer it looked very sturdy. She let her finger tips graze against the wall as she continued to try and navigate through the building looking for someone to help her. She looked up and smiled as the sun played off of the glass work that spun across the ceiling. "Oof" she let out as she collided with something hard and solid. She bounced back and fell on her behind. She rubbed her head and pushed her hair out of her eyes as she looked up. A very tall man peered down at her. His head tilted to the side when they made eye contact. She gave a small smile "Hey sorry I wasn't paying attention I couldn't help but admire the glass work it's very beautiful." She said her words running together as she dusted herself off and grabbed her bag. His look of confusion grew as he still peered down at her. At her height of 5feet and 4inches he was at least 6feet 3inches. She tilted her head up "Uh hello?" She said again at his quietness. His brow furrowed and then something clicked "It's okay no problem." He said in a deep husky voice. "You must be new here. We don't get a lot of unexpected people I was trying to figure out who you are. Amelia Norwood I presume?" He said very efficiently with a look of curiosity.

She gave a nod "Yes please call me Lia. So uh do you happen to know what I'm suppose to be doing or where I'm suppose to go?" She asked and shook the handle of her suit case as a plea for help. He gave a small chuckle "Yeah follow me." He said and spun on his heel. She began to follow but he was fast. She practically had to jog to keep up. It seemed to her like he was on a mission. She was fixing to ask him to slow down when he stopped abruptly and she had to jump to the side to avoid crashing into him again. He nodded at a door "In there you'll find the schools leaders. They'll show you your room and give you a tour of the building you'll be working in." He turned on his heel again and started to walk the other way. "Wait!" She called out and he paused and looked back curiously "what's your name?" She asked with a smile. He gave her a small one in return "Josiah Branton." He said and continued on his way. Branton? She couldn't help but connect it with the school "Branton." She whispered as she walked through the door of the office.

"Hello dear can I help you!" A voice bellowed and she looked up to see a plump lady smiling in her direction. Amelia smiled "yes ma'am I just arrived today I'm in desperate need of some help." She lady smiled "Well dear you've come to the right place!" And she began speaking of the school as they walked out of the office. She began explaining the buildings as she guided her through the tour. She was taken to the café, the library, the courtyard where everyone goes on break, the running grounds she guessed track was very popular here. She ate up as much information as the kind lady was giving to her. Next were the buildings. The art building was locked so she only got to see its location but she could feel a pull to it through her entire body but more was to be seen.

Next were the showers. Each stall had a lock on the door a place for your towel and any products that were needed. There was a boys one and a girls one. She shook her head knowing that the rules probably wasn't followed. She gave a sigh of distaste as they left there and began to head to her quarters. The tall oak door stared her in the face. It did not look one ounce of welcoming. She gave a small smile as the lady unlocked it. The lady chuckled and then pushed open the door to reveal a beautiful room. The bed was a queen size already fitted with sheets and a comforter. The floor was a grey wood while the walls were stark in contrast holding a beautiful yellow tint reminding her of the morning glow that shone into her bedroom at home that gave her inspiration in the mornings. She ran her fingers along the comforter on her bed. It was soft to the touch and a beautiful stark black color. Her closet was a big walk-in. It held some uniforms but those were only worn on Mondays and Fridays.

As she turned around to explore the rest of her room and noticed a empty book shelf and a large desk the color of her comforter in the corners of her room. She saw another door and opened it to find a toilet along with a sink and a small shelving unit for her items when they weren't being of use in the showers. The lady cleared her throat "Oh by the way my name is miss Pam" she smiled. "I'm Amelia but please call me Lia, thank you so much for your help miss Pam." She said and with that she was handed her dorm keep and left to enjoy her room in silence. She sat down on the bed and sighed. It was more comfortable than the bed she had at home. She gave a rueful chuckle knowing it would be even harder getting up in the mornings now. She decided to go out and explore the place more, maybe walk by the art building again. She pulled her phone out and recorded all the things necessary to get her back to her dorm later. She cut the camera as she got down to the bottom floor. Something felt off.

She peered up and looked around her piercing eyes gazing across the way and locking straight into Josiah Brantons eyes. A electric shock shot down her spine and her vision went black for a second and then she felt it. The heat. It covered her body. She began gasping and people looked at her with confusion. SNAP! Her wrist broke. She let out a pained cry. "Woah calm down are you okay?" Someone said and she looked into their eyes but they held no worry. Only confusion. "My wrist broke what's happened!" She said again. Their eyes went wide "You've never shifted before?" The girl replied "Shifted?" She screeched as she felt another bone break. She cried out and next thing she knew her body grew white fur began to sprout across her body as she let out one last cry that turned into a howl and her body broke free of the human form it once had been. Her ribs breaking and resetting as she began to shake. Finally the change had ended. Her wolf form compared to her regular self was something to be proud of. Her once lean human body was now muscular and powerful. Her eyes a even brighter shade of blue scanned the crowd that had gathered around her. Everyone's voices were soothing and calming tones.

She let out a whimper. She looked up and locked eyes once again with Josiah. He began walking over slowly "Everyone move away! It's a first shifter!" He boomed and everyone backed away from her. She didn't understand why. The voices that spoke to her were still calming "It's going to be okay." Someone spoke words of encouragement spiking into her ears. "How has she not shifted until now?" Someone else spoke making her doubt the life she once lived. Her parents. If they found out what she was. Click. Her brain figured it out. All of these people acted like this was a normal occurrence. They were wolves. Her vision began to run together. Her life had been a lie. Ultimately that meant that her parents, were wolves as well. She understood why James yelled because her vision suddenly went black and the last thing she remember was her head hitting the floor with a loud thud.