Phantasmagoria

Honesty

Author's Note: After who knows how long, I'm finally back with a new chapter! Sorry this took a lot longer than I had hoped for, life kind of got busy and I was a little stumped how to write this for a while, but it's finally here. Howleen makes her debut in this chapter! Hope you like it!

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Chapter 3: Honesty

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Howleen Wolf headed for her next class. She was a slight of build werewolf with tawny beige skin, hazel eyes, rose gold hair tied into fluffy twin afro puffs with tight curly fringe bangs that framed her face, and donned her signature "were-punk" style. In spite of her rebellious streak, she was a spunky and spry ghoul who was fiercely determined about finding her place in this world. She dabbled in many things, while some may call her flighty and indecisive, in her eyes, experimentation was the best way to discover oneself. Even if she had a long way to go, she would get there eventually. As it was said, life was about the journey, not the destination.

She arrived to see Twyla already sitting down and didn't hesitate to greet her, taking a seat next to her, "Hey Twyla!"

Twyla didn't respond, her eyes off focus as she stared in the distance. While she was the type to escape into their own head to process things, something was off. Both curious and concerned, Howleen placed her hand on Twyla's shoulder and asked, "Are you ok, Twyla? You seem kind of frazzled."

Upon hearing the voice of her best friend, Twyla let out a surprised gasp, finally snapping back into reality. She gave Howleen a shaky smile as she said, "Hi Howleen." She shook her head before continuing, "It's nothing, don't worry. I was just lost in thought..."

Howleen wasn't convinced, but she got the feeling it was best not to pry Twyla for answers. No matter what, she wanted to respect her boundaries. If Twyla ever wanted to confide in her about it, Howleen would be there to listen and support her, as her best friend. She merely shrugged, "If you say so."

They sat silently for a while, each wrapped in their own thoughts. Neither of them knew how much time had passed, the teacher was well into their daily lectures before Twyla finally spoke, her voice was faint, but Howleen heard it clearly, "Howleen?"

Howleen replied, "Yeah?"

Twyla paused again, the gears turning in her head, trying to formulate the words. She began, "I'm sorry for trying to press my views about physical attraction onto you back then. I shouldn't have condemned you for it..."

"Huh?" Howleen was confused for a moment. Why was Twyla apologizing over such a thing? Howleen was a red-blooded teenage werewolf, she could acknowledge and appreciate a hot guy when she saw one.

Twyla, by contrast, was very reserved in regard to romance and sexuality, even though they both thought some of the same guys were attractive, no one ever seemed to spark her interest. Howleen smiled softly, assuring her, "It's ok, I wasn't mad at you or anything. Just because I find someone attractive doesn't mean you have to. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right?"

Hearing that gave Twyla a sense of relief as she nodded, "Thank you."

Still, something confused the werewolf, so she voiced it, "But why are you apologizing now? I didn't think you needed to."

Twyla wondered why herself, she never felt guilty about those sentiments until now. "I-I'm not even sure why," She admitted hesitantly, "I guess I've realized I'm sort of a hypocrite..."

If Twyla was saying such things, then Howleen could only think of one possible explanation. A sly expression crept across Howleen's face as she asked, just dying to know, "So, who's the manster or ghoul who's got you all in a tizzy? Dish!"