Fox Shifter

Fox Shifter: Chapter Three

Cole’s P.O.V:

As I hauled ass to my car I couldn’t get the image of her stretching out of my head. I ran a shaking hand through my hair and slid into the driver’s seat, quickly pulling out of the driveway and racing down the street.

Damnit! Why couldn’t I control my feelings for her? I sighed, thinking. It has always been this way, well at least since I met the little redheaded girl in second grade. I have always liked her. As I turned into my driveway and parked in my garage I could stop remembering the first time I saw her.

“Okay class quiet down! We have a new student joining today and I would like you to meet Lillyana.” The teacher moved and a little girl stood behind her shaking as she stared at the ground.

My eyes immediately took in her appearance. She was wearing a blue dress that hung at her knees and had white lace around the collar and sleeves. Her hair was pinned back harshly and she kept her face angled to the floor.

“So Lillyana would you like to tell the class about yourself?” the teacher asked kindly.

Lillyana looked up and gave a small smile. My heart hitched at her beautiful face then came back pounding hard in my chest. “Hello, my name is Lilly.” She tugged at her sleeve. “Um. My favorite color is red and green and blue! And I like chocolate, a lot! Although mommy always says—” she paused as if catching herself. She looked back at the floor fidgeting.

We waited for her to continue but when she didn’t the teacher smiled at her and ushered her to a seat. My heart began to go into overtime because she sat right next to me, close enough that I could smell her she smelled earthy like freshly turned dirt.

She turned and glanced at me letting out a small squeak when she saw I was looking right at her and quickly looked away. I smiled.

“Hi my name is Cole.” She looked up at me through the fringe of her bangs.

“Would you like to be my friend Cole?” she asked softly, my heart swelled and I nodded eagerly.

Thinking back on it now I understood that this whole situation was all my fault.  I was the one who got jealous of all of the attention she was getting and giving so I turned her into the freak of the school. I was definitely a horrible person.

I ran my hand through my hair and leaned my head against the steering wheel. It all started when Bobby, my best guy friend, told me he had a crush on Lillyana in fifth grade. I had immediately told him that she was ugly and he shouldn’t go out with her out of fear of losing her to him.

He agreed and didn’t ask her out. But then another boy, his name escapes me, asked Lilly out at recess in front of everyone. Bobby got angry and stormed over before she could reply.

“Don’t go out with her she is an ugly hippie!” he had screamed.

And so it all began the harsh laughter, the mockery, the insults and the abuse.

And it was my entire fault. I caused the pain of the girl I was in love with. And I realize now that I did in fact love her.

Crap.