On The Bound {Teen Wolf}

01. moonlit tension

The streams of light which the curtains permitted to enter illuminated the room, casting radiant beams across Lina's frame as the sun began its ascent. Yet, the gentle awakening that might've heralded the start of her day was abruptly severed by the shrill ringing of the alarm, which yanked her from the depths of her slumber. Her half-hearted efforts to drown out the cacophonous ringing felt like a futile struggle against an unwinnable foe. Surrendering to the inevitable, she slowly twisted her torso, effectively turning her face away from the comforting oasis of her pillow. Gazing up at the ceiling in a haze of drowsiness, she endeavored to blink away the elusive sleep she so desperately craved before finally summoning the will to get up.

Before she could embark on the tiresome endeavor of making herself look presentable in a social setting that unfortunately awaited them, she needed to ensure that Nate wouldn't be able to indulge in the slumber from which she was being cruelly deprived of. Opting to try and provide him with a jarring wake-up call akin to the one had fallen victim to, she approached the bed with purpose. Leaning over him, she grasped the pillow with determination. Raising her arms high above her head to gather momentum, she then brought them crashing down, successfully delivering a swift and unexpected blow to his head.

Before she could contemplate retreating, Nate's upper body shot upward, a look of sheer panic transforming his features. The heavy silence that enveloped them created a thick, palpable tension, yet it proved insufficient to suppress the grin that blossomed on Lina's face, quickly followed by a peal of laughter that jolted Nate from his stupor. "Rise and shine, sleeping beauty! I'd say good morning, but clearly, it's not your most glorious hour."

With a mixture of annoyance and a sense of betrayal etched upon his face, Nate retorted, "I hope this is worth the years you just shaved off your lifespan."

"Oh, spare me your remarks. You can threaten to rip my throat out later, now get up!" With a bereaved sigh, he laboriously pushed himself off the bed, his eyes barely open as he attempted to navigate the path to the bathroom.

After a frenzied flurry of activity throughout the house, they finally managed to make their way out the door, having gathered everything they needed. Outside, golden leaves cascaded from brittle branches, engaging in a wild dance with each gust of wind that swept through. A chill brushed against Lina's cheeks as the crisp morning air nipped at her skin, while dewdrops clung tenaciously to the soles of their shoes, leaving a trail of damp footprints with every step that carried them closer to school. The words exchanged on the way were for the two of them to know and keep, vanishing into the wind as soon as they were spoken.

As they approached the building, the silhouette of the school came into focus, each step sharpening its outline against the backdrop of the morning sky. Upon reaching the open doors, the vibrant hum of voices enveloped them, swelling in intensity as they drew nearer to their fellow students. Inside, the hallways thrummed with the familiar chaos—friends engaged in animated conversations, lockers slamming shut with a definitive clang, punctuated by the sporadic bursts of laughter that echoed through the air. They navigated through the throng of students, some beginning to chart their paths for the next four years, while others were poised to embark on the next chapter of their lives.

As Lina approached her locker and began to unlock it, she cast a glance at Nate. "Did you hear about the dead body that turned up in the woods?" she asked, her voice tinged with unease. "Or am I the only one who's officially creeped out by this?" Nate, lost in thought, replied, "Who just stumbles upon a body like that? Do you think it's... our kind of weird?" Lina rolled her eyes, a hint of frustration coloring her tone as she said, "I hope not. I just got here, and I already feel like heading home." He let out a chuckle in agreement. "I feel the same way."