Messing up the Wolf

UNCONTROLLABLE {Chapter Four}

Tabitha unlocked the front door to her father’s house with her key and walked in. She stormed up the stairs, leaving the door wide open. Tabitha chucked her bag into her room heavily. She slammed her door shut; a loud bang noise ran through the house. Tabitha jogged back down the stairs. She slipped her casual pumps off and pulled her leather boots on. She closed the front door and slid the key into her jean pocket.

Remembering the route to George’s cabin, Tabitha set off for her walk into the woods. It was only eleven 'o' clock so Tabitha had a long time before Smith would return home. Tabitha looked around the woods and saw the sun shining down. It peeped through the trees and lit her way through the shadowed pathway.

The woods were calm, relaxing even, she could barely hear any birds or animals moving or calling out. The snow crunched under her feet. Tabitha stopped when she heard the wolf. It calmed Tabitha; the sound of a wolf was calming. Snow fell a little in front of Tabitha but she ignored it and continued to walk. She walked up a small hill and pulled back some trees. The cabin stood. Tabitha was amazed it hadn't blown down in the small amount of breeze the day before.

Tabitha stood on the porch and raised her fist to knock. Before she could the door was pulled open and she nearly fell in. George laughed at her slightly. She stepped back and smiled down at the ground. He invited her in and she walked in slowly, taking in what was around her.

An armchair stood in front of a burning fireplace. Tabitha looked around and saw a small kitchen and a hallway. On the walls hung paintings and the mantelpiece had a few photos standing on it. There was quite a homey feel to it. Tabitha looked around and saw that there was a worn out rug on the floor. That looks soft.

George walked into the kitchen and clicked the kettle on. 'Aren't you supposed to be at school?' He asked turning back to Tabitha. Tabitha stepped over and leaned on a counter within the kitchen.

'I was...' George stopped her and spoke what she was thinking.

'You got kicked out already?' Tabitha snapped her eyes up to his. How did he guess that? That boy is weird.

'It's only a day.' Tabitha said quietly, hoping he didn’t hear her confirm that she had been suspended. Even though she tried to be quiet he still heard her. He has superhuman hearing as well.

'Your dad is not going to be happy.'

'Don't you think I know that?' Tabitha voice was mean. George sighed a little, the kettle clicked off and George busied himself with getting the cups. Tabitha walked over. 'How come you’re not at school?'

'I'm 19. I finished last year.' Tabitha nodded and grabbed the milk from the surprisingly cold refrigerator. She handed it to him and then put it back once he was done. He handed her the tea and they stood in the kitchen, silent.

George spoke up a few minutes later, 'Do you want to do something then?' Tabitha turned to him and nodded slightly, cautious.

'Sure. What do you want to do?' George smiled back kindly and placed his cup down into the sink.

George sat down at the small, round table. The table cloth was chequered yellow and white. He looked over to Tabitha and smiled at her. 'I'll pay.' Tabitha looked taken aback.

'I'll pay for my stuff. This isn't a date George.' George laughed like Tabitha had told a joke. He realised she wasn't joking and dimmed his laugh to a small curve of his lips. He licked his lips. Tabitha focused on them. She looked up to his green eyes and watched him blink a few times. Weird boy. Tabitha smiled.

The waiter walked over and put on his overly dramatic friendly facial expression. Tabitha looked up to him and returned the expression just with a little less enthusiasm. 'Can I have a ham sandwich please?' The waiter nodded and jotted it down. He turned to George who closed his menu.

'I'll have the same.' The waiter collected the menus and thanked them kindly. He has to thank us, we’re paying...

The food was delicious and Tabitha ate it quickly. Once they were done Tabitha excused herself and went to the bathroom.

It was one of those fancy bathrooms you find in expensive hotels. Tabitha looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were drooping. She guessed that she was sad. She didn't understand why she would be sad. Then her mother’s death popped into her head. 'Shit.' Tabitha wiped her tears and splashed her face with water. You have got to stop doing that to yourself...

‘I know you don’t have to tell me. You are me we have the same thoughts.’ Tabitha replied, hoping no one was in the bathroom.

No we don’t! I always tell you different things. We are not the same Tabitha. If I had my own body I would live my life totally different.

When Tabitha exited the bathroom George was leaning on a wall waiting for her. 'Ready to go?' He asked.

'Don't we need to pay?' Tabitha answered his question with another question. She looked over to a waiter and was about to flag him down when George stopped her. He smiled.

'I paid.' Tabitha shook her head.

'I said I'd pay for my food.' George could sense she was a little annoyed.

'You had a £1.75 ham sandwich and a free glass of water. It's fine.' Tabitha laughed and smiled back.

They left the restaurant and walked down the street. They found a bench and George sat down. Tabitha sat down next to him. Tabitha looked around, she saw children playing in a park across the road. 'It was so easy when I was a child....' Tabitha turned to George. '...my dad left when I was six.' George's eyes widened.

'I never met my dad but my mother said that he moved away when he found out I was on the way.'

'That's sad. Ever thought about tracking him down?' Tabitha asked placing one leg onto of the other and getting comfortable.

'I don't know. I've never really thought about it.' George looked down to the floor.

'I could help you when I finish school.' George snapped his head up to look at Tabitha. He was touched by her kindness.

'That would be nice.' What are you signing up for now?

Tabitha stepped into the warm house and closed the door. It was already getting dark outside. It was eight and Tabitha had spent the rest if the day walking around town with George. It had taken an hour to get back home. Tabitha’s legs were weak from all of the walking.

Smith walked into the hallway and glared at Tabitha. He put his hands on his hips. He was stern with her, 'Tabitha Parkman you explain to me why I got a call from school saying that you got suspended.' Tabitha sighed.

'This guy was grabbing me so I punched him.' Smith walked towards her and shook his head. 'What? I'm telling the truth! It was self defence but the principle wouldn't listen!' She was defensive.

'You are grounded for a week.' Tabitha's eyes widened.

'What the hell?'

'It's final!' Tabitha threw herself out of the living room and down the hallway. She was so mad and needed a way to let her anger go.