Tara :Wolf Chronicles

Chapter 14: In the Eye of The Storm

My flats cracked on the gravel as I approached the train station.Immediately,I was swarmed by a sea of people.On Friday,Nate and I decided it was better to take a train than a bus since it was farther away and there was more people,meaning more audience.Nate walked out of the train and into the platform but his eyes landed me after they darted and skimmed the platform.He didn't notice me.

My lips went agape as I screamed,"Nate,"I snapped,hitting my chest,"It's me.Look down here."

His eyes widened then narrowed,"Thalia,it's that you?"he asked then blinked.

"Duh,"I groaned loudly,"of course it is me."

"You wear dresses—you own them ?"he gasped in disbelief.

"Of course I own some,"I grabbed my skirts and spun around,"I'm a girl of course I own them."

"Well,"he trailed off,"it looks very odd on you but weirdly out of place.It's kinda cold.You okay.It's cute.But I think It's kinda not bad–what about them?"He raised his finger and pointed at my blue-covered arms.

I raised my shoulders and shrugged.The leaves blew and spun in circles as the wind picked up.Some of the leaves in the trees and floor crushed under our soles.It was satisfying as I watched orange,bronze and brown leaves.Some branches were bare and dry in the cold wind.It was early october as we walked down the sidewalk and cars zipped by.

Nate complimented me then insulted me?That's weird but surprising.It's Nate.But I felt warm and resisted a small smile.

Gross,get it together Thalia.He's a boy.He's perverted,annoying and stubborn.After ten minutes of walking,Nate told me jokes,pervy and lame but I couldn't help but laugh.We argued about homework ,school and Diana's annoying rumours.We neared my neighbourhood as we passed a junction.

"...I got grounded but it was fine.It wasn't the first time I got grounded anyway but I wished it was different though.I couldn't blurt the truth,it was painful."He complained,his voice cracked with hurt.

Throughout our conversation,he cast glances at my dress and flats then he averted his gaze with reddened cheeks.In each lane was lined with identical homes but some had their own twist.Manicured lawns,white fences and different coloured doors.The sky was bright blue and cloudless and the sun seemed bigger and caused the place to waver.On the sidewalk,I hummed a tone and skipped on my feet.Nate watched me and smiled.Nate looked odd today,under his coat .He wore a polo,khakis and a pair of sneakers.We looked dressed up today but we had business.Today,some older kids turned to stare or whisper at us.By then,the rumours spread like wildfire.For some odd reason,everyone knew and some didn't careI wished everyone was like that though.I wished everything was the latter.Nate and I passed the Kumar twins again ,they did kissing sounds as I scrunch my face in disgust.People's gazes seemed to bore into my back as I felt judgement and disapproval.It suddenly felt quiet the only thing I felt was a dozen eyes on me.People paused with cold,narrowed eyes with furrowed brows or they snapped their heads to me with frowns and shook of head.A bunch of elders sat on their porches and conversed with another.

"Damn,she brought that boyo."An old lady commented.

"She got more guys than me.''A teenage girl joked while she talked with her friends.

"Start 'em young.Disgustang."Another old lady remarked while crocheting with her neighbour.

"That boy is old."

"Like mother like daughter."

The adults and the teens alike seemed to either watch me with annoyance,concern,disgust or down right confusion.