The Werewolf Prince's Selection.

Chapter three

"Calm down, Winter." Raven said. I was outside my house waiting for the driver. I was wearing a gray sweater and blue shorts and, of course, my hat. I've only been waiting for about five minutes, but I've already felt like throwing up. "Calm down?! Raven, this is my last chance to see my friends for who knows how long!" "Yes I know. I'm sure they'll come, but you must be calm." I sigh and sit on my suitcase. Dad and my sisters were inside. They didn't want to see my off, because that would mean goodbye and I understand. "Hey Boo!" I turn and see Patty running up to me. "Patty!" She tackled me in a hug. "I would have been here sooner, but I had to pick up these." She said. I noticed she had a box in her hand. "Here. This is for you. I open the box to find it full of cookies. Their my going away present to you." Patty said. "Thanks!" I give her another hug. "Patty!" I look around and see Mike and Frank panting. "Geez, your fast!" Mike said, pushing his hair out of his face. "You couldn't have waited for us?" Frank demanded. "Nope! You guys are slow!" Patty giggled. "Frank!" "Mike!"

I give both of them a hug. "Hey." Mike said, smiling. "Hi." Frank said. "Uh, I got this for you." Mike handed me a narrow box. "Oh, what is it?" I ask. "Open it." I opened the box and saw it was a gold locket. "Mike, this is so pretty!" I say, taking it out of the box. I open the locket and see a picture of all of us eating ice cream. On the other side were silver engraved words that said: This isn't goodbye. It's just goodbye until next time. "Oh Mike, thank you!" I give him another hug. "No problem. It's actually something I meant to give you last year for you birthday, but I forgot." He said. "Oh gee, thanks." I say sarcastically, putting on the locket. "I have something too." Frank said. He gave me a small pouch. Curious, I open it and find sea shells. They were in different shapes, sizes, and color. "I got them when I went to Hawaii. Frank explained. I thought you might want them since you've never been to the beach." This was true. As weird as it sounds, I've never seen the ocean. It was a bit of a dream of mine. "Thank you Frank." I say, giving him a hug. "Aw, come on guys! Patty whined. Your making my box of cookies look bad!" She fake pouted. I laugh and pick up my box of cookies. "Patty, I like your gift best of all! Nothing beats food!" Patty laughed and shot the boys a superior look. Frank and Mike smiled, amused. Suddenly, a limo pulled up and stopped in front of us. The driver's door opened and a man in his forties came out. He looked around and spotted me. "Winter Leaves?" I hesitate and then nod. He opened the door. "Right this way." I pick up my suitcase and give everyone one last hug. "Come back soon." Patty said. "Be safe." Frank said. "Never change." Mike said with a sad smile. I nod and get into the car. The door closed, and the man got back in the drivers seat. The car started and I looked out the back window. Frank, Mike, and Patty were standing in the driveway, waving. I watched them until they disappeared in the distance. I turn back around and rub my necklace. Their right. I think too myself. This isn't goodbye, it's just goodbye until next time. . .

                                Right?

"Miss Leaves?" The driver asks, after two hours of silence. "Hmm?" "Are you ok?" He asked, worried. "Well, let's see. I begin. I'm leaving to go compete for some guy I don't even know, I had too say goodbye to my friends, I don't know when I'll be back, and I really want to eat these cookies but I don't know which I should eat! But other then that, ya I'm just dandy!" The driver was silent for awhile and then burst out laughing. "What?" I ask, confused. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to laugh but your cookie situation rather forced it out of me. As for that problem, I suggest you take a bite out of each kind of cookie. It's what I would do." "Oh." I say, looking down. "Thanks I guess." "You know, you really have nothing to be afraid of, dear." He said. "Most girls your age would kill for the chance you have." "I know. But," I struggle for the right words. "Am I supposed to be grateful or something? I mean, I didn't ask for this! I didn't ask for any of this!" "I never said you had to be grateful." He said, looking back at me with a small smile. "I simply said a lot of other girls would love too be in your shoes. If you can't be happy that you get this opportunity, then at least be happy that no one other then you got it. If you're friend was in your shoes right now, for example, what would you do?" I. . . I suppose I'd wish it was me instead." I said, uncertain. "Exactly." He said. "You'd wish you were in this situation rather then her."