Shadow of the Day (Wolf Moon Sequel)

Chapter 61: Together

Ivy POV

Armed with Wyatt's advice, I faced the next day of school with a bag full of advil and ear plugs, with sunglasses firmly glued to my face even if the skies were overcast. Somehow it still felt too bright even on this gloomy day, and even though I looked stupid wearing sunglasses it eased so much of my pain I was willing to endure it. Lila had even gone shopping for me last night while Wyatt and I talked and came back with a few shampoo and soap options that were supposed to be scent free, much like what she'd been using herself.

My morning of classes was only slightly better than yesterday's now that I had some relief from my headache, but by the time I got to lunch I still felt exhausted and my head was starting to throb. I was ready to pop another pill at my locker when I saw Roxanne coming down the hall with Leah, both on their way to lunch with the rest of the late stragglers.

Roxanne nodded at me as she passed, but Leah just kept staring at the ground. The first interaction we've had since I had turned and though it was by no means an inviting gesture of becoming best friends, it did pass as a better interaction than the last time we spoke at least. 

"Hey, Ivy," a voice at my shoulder said. I whirled around so fast my elbow slammed my open locker door shut with a deafening bang that made my brain pulse.

"Hey, Blake," I said, rubbing one sensitive ear with a wince. I'd been leaving my classes quicker than usual to beat the mad dash, but coming into lunch time I had lingered longer than necessary where even my teacher asked me if I needed something, just to make sure the brunt of the crowds had already hit the cafeteria and left the halls emptier.

"How are you doing?" he asked, leaning against the wall of lockers as I propped open my own locker once more to drop my books in. 

"I'm good, you?"

"Good. Now how are you really holding up?"

"Not great," I admitted and he chuckled. "It's harder than I thought it'd be, but Wyatt gave me some tips so today is going better."

"Every day is going to get easier and easier," he replied as Lila came from behind him.

"Hey Blake, want to join us for lunch?" Lila asked, her bag slung over one shoulder, Matt at her side. 

"Hi," Matt mouthed to me and that warmth in my cheeks returned. He was looking particularly cute today, his hair unruly and his smile bright enough to make me temporarily forget my headache.

"I'd love to," Blake said. 

"Great. Ivy, you want to go outside or brave the cafeteria? Your choice."

"It's raining," Wyatt said as he joined us, clapping Blake on the shoulder. Apparently there was a reunion at my locker I hadn't known about. "I wouldn't suggest a soggy picnic lunch, if I were you."

"Cafeteria it is," I said, trying to squash down my dread at the thought. 

"It'll be alright, you've got us and we can annoy you so much you won't even notice where you're sitting," Lila said as she looped her arm through mine, Matt coming to stand on my other side. Wyatt and Blake walked out with us to the cafeteria, and we found an empty table near the edge of the cafeteria near the doors leading outside. The five of us set up our lunches and sat, Wyatt and Lila next to each other, Blake next to Wyatt, then Matt, then me. Sitting between Lila and Matt definitely made me feel better, having the buffer of my two favorite people shielding me from the rest of the room and noise and smells helped.

Being near the edge meant I wasn't being pummeled by sounds all around me of loud teenagers gossiping for an hour and the proximity to the door was also helping, reminding me I could get up and run to the safety of outside at any minute. Even if it was pouring, it was a tight race between being soaking wet and overwhelmed by a full cafeteria.