all тнere'ѕ leғт тo do ιѕ rυn

EIGHT

the next day, alex went through school in what was almost a daze. he entertained his friends enough, but couldn't remember any actual details from any of their conversations, and he hadn't retained anything from his classes. it was as if he was just buzzing in anticipation for his afternoon plans, which was extremely strange to him.

the thought of seeing embry kept him from entirely disassociating during school, though, seeing as it would sometimes cause his thoughts to wander into thinking about what all would happen after school, and a teacher or one of his friends would have to snap him back into reality. meredith and bella had been especially unnerved when they'd had to do so, concerned that something was going on with the boy.

well, something definitely was, but it wasn't anything close to whatever they could've been thinking. being a teenage werewolf was not something for the faint of heart to consider when it came to alex being off.

things were still tense with ostana last they'd talked that morning, and he'd said that he could catch a bus that afternoon to meet up with the boys. her face had scrunched up in distaste, but she had only nodded before dropping him off at school. alex felt bad, but he didn't want to apologize until he was in his regular state of mind and could do it properly, without his emotions possibly getting set off and making the argument worse.

the full moon had strained their relationship before in particularly bad ways, bringing up old memories and causing arguments to ensue between the usually calm duo. he didn't need it twisting it all up again.

so, after staying in the library during the final period instead of leaving like usual, he walked to the parking lot with his friends and stood near their cars for a good few minutes, trying not to rush himself into leaving.

"you guys got any plans this weekend?" raine asks, smiling from her place leaning against chris's car and looking at the others assembled around. hailey was waiting on her dad to pick her and jessica up, as was usual for fridays, so the short brunette and angela had joined them in the parking lot with eric and mike loitering somewhat away from the group.

"homework and working," meredith answers, drawing a groan from the other girl that has the redhead rolling her eyes playfully.

"mer, you're so boring sometimes. you should come over to mine or something, we can have a girls day."

"i'll think on it," she responds with a chuckle, and chris throws his arm around her shoulders and grins at the group.

"well, i'm heading up to seattle to visit my aunt and cousin for a bit, if any of you wanna make a trip to come hang out or whatever. it'll be fun!"

hailey then enters the conversation, turning from jessica and saying, "i'm going to the rez on sunday to see my cousin, but other than that, i'm not doing anything. what about you, alex, got anything fun planned for this weekend?"

all eyes turn to the boy that had been noticeably distant that day, and he barely registers that he'd been asked a question before facing the group, allowing the conversation to process in his head as his eyes widened.

"oh! uh, not really, ostana and i are just gonna have a quiet weekend to ourselves, ya know? see if there's anything else we need to get set up around the house, make it more homey. but, uh, i am hanging out with some new friends today."

that sure piqued everyone's interest, and they eagerly gazed upon the mostly reserved boy.

"wow, really? who is it, anyone we know?" jessica asks with wide, intrigued eyes, and alex smiles shyly as he gives a small nod.

"uh, kinda? hailey knows them, they're from the rez." at her inquisitive look, he continues. "you know, uh, embry, quil and jacob."

her mouth opens in an 'ah' motion, nodding at him and smiling.