Lone Wolf

Chapter Six: Back to School

Kaila's POV

I let loose an exasperated sigh, throwing my arm across my forehead in a dramatic fashion as I lean back in my desk chair. "Damn homework..." I groan. I had been in the hospital for a week, and, thanks to that, I have a ton of makeup work. "Damn hospital...."

I lower my arm, placing my pencil down on my desk before placing my head in the palm of my right hand and closing my eyes. While my eyes are closed, and image of what happened the other day flashes through my mind. Blake's tan face red from the neck up in embarrassment. I, too, could feel the blood reaching all the way up to my ears at the time. "Damn...Blake!" I growl.

My bedroom door slowly creaks open, causing me to jump. Behind the now opened door is my mother, a tray of snacks in her hand. She stands there, as if waiting for an invitation. A few moments pass before I sigh and make a hand gesture, indicating for her to enter. "How's the homework going?" she asks, setting the tray down beside my papers. "The homework is going just great." I say sarcastically. "My sanity, however, is a completely different story."

"I suppose so," my mother chuckles. "It is a week's worth of homework, and some of it is from AP classes." She sighs, taking a seat on my bed and crossing her legs. A few moments of silence pass as she looks up at my ceiling, and I stare blankly at the remaining unfinished homework. Though I am unable to see her, I quickly become aware of my mom's eyes staring right at the back of my head.  I turn my head to face her, and find a smile on her face. "What?" I ask.

"You've managed to find some wonderful friends." she  says. "I suppose," I say, shrugging my shoulders as I turn to the tray and dip a celery stick in some ranch dressing. I take a bite. "'e're all a bit 'ierd, 'ough." I continue, before swallowing the vegetable. "How many times have I told you not to talk with a full mouth?" Mom sighs exasperatedly. I take another bite. "'even 'undred, 'ickty tree." I respond, a playful grin on my face. She glares at me for a few moments, before she shakes  her head and lets out a humorous "hmph..." through her nose.

"Why don't you tell me about them?" she asks, to which I look questioningly at her. "You've met them, Mom." I say. "But I didn't really get to know them, though. Why don't you start with..." she looks up in thought. "Jake?"

"Oh, God," I say, to which my mother laughs. "He's a total idiot. That boy never stops flirting. How Danica can put up with it is a total mystery to me."

"Are they dating?" Mom asks. "No," I say. "But I'm pretty sure she likes him. She's more playful with Jake than she is with the other guys."

"What about Samantha?" she asks. "Sam? She always seems to know exactly what you're thinking. If something's wrong, she'll know."

"What about Blake?" She asks. The very mention of the name gives me an awkward feeling. "He's...confusing...." I say. "How so?" my mother asks. "Well..." I start.  "He's naive...like he is unable to understand some of the darker sides of human nature. Also, one moment, he can be like a pouty little kid,and the next, a strong, confident young man. And, while he will sometimes go to great lengths to get what he wants...it's usually for...the sake of others...."

"Hmmmmm....." Mom says in thought. "What is it?" I ask. She turns to see the look of confusion on my face. "Well," she starts. "The way you described him kinda..." She tilts her head in a sweet, closed-eyed smile. "Reminds me of Shane." My eyes widen at the mention of my father's name, but only for a moment, before my expression hardens. I say nothing more. I just return to my makeup work and pick up my pencil as my throat tightens and I hold back my tears.