The Prophecy of the Red Wolf [WattpadPrize14]

Chapter 9

I tug at my collar uneasily. My black graduation gown swishing as I move.

 “Stop fidgeting, Caleb!” My mom chastised me, slapping my hands off my collar.

 Arianna who was standing in front, with her back to me turns and smiles, an eyebrow raised questioningly. “Are you nervous, babe?” she asks as she reaches forward to smooth my collar and gown.

 “I’m worried, baby… You sure you’re okay being out in the crowd like this?” I ask as I look around at the throngs of graduating students and their family and friends, milling around taking pictures and chattering away loudly.

 “Oh Caleb, I’m fine.. I have a fortress surrounding me!” Arianna laughs, pointing at our entourage of family and friends who’ve taken it upon themselves to surround Arianna so that she’s protected from strangers.

 I reach forward and hug her to my chest, nuzzling into her hair. I couldn’t help but feel protective of her, considering her past but was happy at the same time that she would brave her fears to be here with me today.

 “Argh.. My feet are killing me!” Arianna groans into my ear.

 I chuckle as I look down at the 3 inch heels Paisley insisted she wear.

“No wonder you can level with me now.. How does it feel, being as tall as me?” I tease, brushing a light kiss at the tip of her nose.

“Well… It’s nice to finally be able to look down on Blakey” she says, turning towards Blake so he could pick up her comment.

Blake swivels around as he narrows his eyes at us. “Oh.. So we’re making fun of Blake now, are we? Hmm? Well Ari, enjoy it while it lasts because I get to look down on you the other 364 days of the year!” He taunts as he steps closer to us.

“As if! Half an inch doesn’t really count, you know” Arianna retorts, sticking her tongue out.

Blake looks like he’s just been slapped – his eyes wide and his mouth gaping. “I’m ONE inch taller. ONE!!”

“I hate to break it to you Blakey, but you barely look taller than Ari” Paisley says with a shrug, joining in the annoy-Blake-moment.

“I’m six foot! Six!!!” Blake exploded, his face gradually getting redder. “Both of you can’t even reach that!”

“Oh but you can join us… You can be five-twelve…” Arianna taunted sweetly, winking at Paisley.

Blake’s expression turns to one of horror, as if that’s the worst thing he’s heard in forever. “Mooooommm!!!! Why couldn’t you give me taller genes!” Blake whines, pretty much like a six year old.

“Oh Blake, that’s all on you. I did ask you to eat your vegetables, didn’t I? You could have grown taller had you finished all your veges when you were a boy” Natasha – Blake’s mom – chides jokingly.

“I was six!! I didn’t know better!” Blake was beginning to get really exasperated.

“And you’re still behaving like it…” Nate says with a glimmer of humor in his eyes.

“Not you too!!” Blake stomps on the ground, really selling the six-year-old child act.

Our peals of laughter got cut short by a gentle “Good morning…” Turning to my left, I see Sir David Moore standing tall regally, surveying our band of jolly people.

Stepping forward around Arianna, I offer my hand for a handshake. “Everyone, this is Sir David Moore. Sir David, these are our families.” I say as he shakes hands with everyone I introduce him to.