The Unknown

Chapter Seven

It's now Friday. Four days since my friendship with Natalie ended. Five days since I spoke to my Mum about her being a werewolf. Six days since I found out my Mum, my Grandma and my enemy are all werewolves. The drama has only got worse.

The conversation with my Mum was good. She didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. She was casual about the whole ordeal. Told me like it is. Our conversation lasted about three minutes and now everything is settled.

School is the complete opposite. It's practically a war zone. Half of the school on my side including Blake, Ruby and Brooke. The other half on Carter and Natalie's side including Josh. Even though both Blake and I hate Carter equally it's considered my side because of the little incident on Monday before school. Balls get thrown, food gets dumped on people, rumours are spread, and all because of an argument. Things are bad for me but worse for Blake. His only close friends are Brooke, Ruby and I. It's a shame Josh didn't pick us but none of us can hate him for it.

I scribble down the words on the board into my notebook. None of it is making much sense to me but I continue writing it down. I'm terrible at science. There's no way I could become a scientist. Ruby nudges me in the ribs making me look up from the alien I'm drawing on the edge of my page. She tilts her head to motion towards the teacher. I look over at him to see him looking back at me.

"Pardon?"

"I said what is the equation for converting kilojoules into joules?" uh-oh.

"I don't know."

"And why is that?"

"Because I'm terrible at science and can't remember anything."

"No it's because you don't listen Miss Matherson," he turns away and walks back to the front of the class. I don't pay any attention to him and continue drawing my alien. The bell rings and I shove everything into a pile. I grab the pile and hold it to my chest before dashing out of the room. Science is torture.

I somehow manage to get to my locker before there's a big crowd. I shove everything inside and grab out an apple. I squeeze through people and dodge the occasional flying object on my way to our new meeting spot. Brooke's locker. The lockers are in alphabetical order of our year level and where the A's are is the quietest spot. Brooke's locker is one of those because of her last name, Anderson.

Ruby is already standing there waiting. On my arrival Blake walks over to us. He presses a lingering kiss to my lips and when he pulls away, winks at Ruby. She flips him the bird and chucks a grape into her mouth. I take a bite out of my apple and look around for Brooke. She appears from around a corner and walks to her locker. She doesn't keep a lock on hers because it takes too long to get off. Her books get thrown inside and a chocolate muffin gets pulled out.

Without a word we head in the direction of the roof. The school is two stories high and on the roof they've made an outside area. Some parts are shaded from the sun and others are in direct view. There's a tall fence right the way round. Tables and chairs are spread out everywhere. Surprisingly not many people come up here. I love it though.

"What's with all the new people at school? They all started yesterday and already half the school hates every single one of them. Most of those people being from Carter and Natalie's side," Brooke speaks.

"Come to think of it, why is half the school not here today? Including two thirds of the population of Carter and Natalie's side and the new kids," Ruby queries as she looks around.

"I have no idea but it seems weird."

"It's a coincidence that they're all not here on the same day. I know Carter better than you girls and despite what he says he loves being at school. Mainly because he likes people looking at him but I can't imagine him having a day off for no reason."

"Yeah, it's weird," Ruby narrows her eyes as she looks over the people again. I take another bite of my apple and think about it more. I haven't received many glares today. Maybe it's pack business. Maybe the newbies are rogues or another pack. I'll call Grandma and see if she knows something. I unzip the pocket in my school dress and pull out my phone. I key in her number and press the phone to my ear. It rings and rings and rings until it goes to voice message. I don't bother to leave a message and instead decide to call her later. I slide my phone into my pocket and zip it up.

*****

I step inside the laundry to see Mum folding the washing.

"Hey Mum," she looks up at me and smiles.

"Hey sweetie. What are you doing?"

"I've called Grandma five times now and she hasn't answered," I step in further and lean against the bench.

"She's probably busy. Don't worry."

"I can't help it though especially after what happened last weekend."

"What happened last weekend to Grandma?" Harvey says as he leans against the doorframe.

"Grandma had a cold and when I visited her to give her the medicine she didn't look good at all," he seems to buy the excuse as he nods. He looks at me for a while and then leaves.

"Casey not here," Mum whispers in my ear. I sigh and run a hand through my hair.

"Okay," I walk out of the room and down the hallway. I step into Zach's and Harvey's room. Zach is lying on his bed on his phone, his legs sprawled out. I walk over and move his legs so they lay next to each other. I proceed to sit down on the bed where his right leg once was. "Zachery?"

"What?" he groans and looks at me.

"Can you call Grandma?"

"Do it yourself."

"I have. Five times. She won't pick up so can I use your phone?"

"What difference will it make? If she's not answering your phone calls she won't answer mine."

"Just do it please?"

"Here," he throws his phone at me. I dial her number and press the phone to my ear. I wait five rings until it reaches voice mail.

"Grandma, call me back when you get this. I'm worried about you," I press the end call button and throw the phone back to Zach. "Thanks."

"Casey, I'm sure she's fine. She's probably asleep because she's so sick."

"Yeah," with that I trudge out of the room, down the hallway and into my room. I jump onto the bed and enjoy the softness of the beautiful bed.