Call me Different *ON HOLD*

Chapter Two

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Chapter Two

“I swear to God Jay if you don’t turn this crap off I am going to gouge your left eye out with my dad’s metal bookmark collection.”

That kind of threat would scare most people. It would make most people realise the extent of my frustration and possibly comply with my wishes. But not Jay. Stubborn asshole. Instead, he just smirked and turned the music up louder.

To say our music tastes were different would be an understatement. It was a factor that has nearly ruined our friendship countless times. While I prefer music where you can actually hear the instruments and the unedited voice of the singer, Jay would much rather listen to wild cats dying a slow, painful death. In other words – hardcore rock, topped with screaming and hour-long guitar solos.

I reached out to turn the music off myself, but Jay’s hand shot out and grabbed mine, his huge fingers swallowing up my hand into a fist. 

“I would have thought you knew better than that Ell. The more you complain, the louder the music gets,” Jay drawled patronisingly. I glared at him and snatched my hand back.

“Why do you get to choose it anyway?”

“My car darling. My rules.”

I snorted. “You are such a child sometimes. Like honestly, I’m pretty sure you’re not 17.”

“That’s just my rugged good looks interfering with your judgement.  I can’t help being handsome and youthful.”

He was enjoying himself, that bastard. A smug little smile was sitting contentedly on his face. I narrowed my eyes, but couldn’t help my lips from revealing a slight smile. Jay was Jay. There really was no other way to put it. I strongly disliked him, wanted to kill him at times, but I couldn’t help but love him, as you do with your best friend.

“You really want the music off?”

I nodded furiously.

“Okay, you just have to do one thing. Say it.”

I slammed my head back against the head rest. “You’re kidding me right?”

Instead of answering, he simply reached out and turned the horrible music up another notch. My ears were beginning to bleed, it was that painful.

“Fine, fine!” I sighed and took a deep breath. “Jay is a hundred times cooler than me, his music taste rocks my socks and his looks are beyond breathtaking. He could get any girl he wanted and could pass any test he wanted because he really is that smart. Talk about an all-rounder.” My voice was monotonous and unimpressed, but it seemed to do the trick. Honestly, I could recite that in my sleep. From a young age, Jay always made me say that when I wanted something from him.

Smiling happily, he finally turned down the music. It took all my self control to not make him stop the car so I could get on my hands and knees and pray thanks to the big guy up there.

We drove in a comfortable silence for the next half hour. I enjoyed looking out the window, watching as the hundred shades of green of the forest blurred past me, whirling into one messy painter’s palette. I had always been surrounded by forest, as most wolves were, and it was the place I felt home the most. Every now and then Dad would take us into the city, but it was uncomfortable and busy and loud and nothing compared to home.

“How long till we’re there?” I asked, stretching out my legs as far as they would go in the cramped space.

“Quite a while. I think we’re stopping soon at a diner with all the others.” Jay replied, his voice soft.

“Can you tell me more about the camp?”

He laughed slightly, and glanced at me. “I’ve already told you everything!”

“I know but please?” 

“Okay! Well on the first night there is a bonfire for the older wolves, which is us, and-“ 

He suddenly cut off, his eyes glazing over and posture straightening instantly. He swerved the car to the side of the road and sat there still and silent. For a millisecond I panicked, but his jaw started clenching, which was a sign I knew well. The pack’s mind link was being used by my dad. No matter how close Jay was to my family, whenever the alpha spoke through the mind link, everyone stopped and everyone seemed to...formalise themselves. It was weird to watch, and more than annoying since I didn’t have the link at all. 

I waited a few minutes, until he inhaled deeply and slumped back in his seat. He blinked quickly for a moment, as if adjusting back to the real world. 

I raised an eyebrow. “Everything alright?”

He nodded and started the car back again. “Sorry. Yeah. He was just letting us travelling to camp know that there were patrols waiting at the border we have to cross. They’ve spoken with the other pack and we can go through freely.” 

Nodding, I sighed and rested my head back. “Does it get annoying? Having voices in your head?” 

Jay half-smiled at me. I knew him well enough to see the touch of pity buried deep, which I strongly resented, but appreciated nonetheless. “It’s okay. You’ll find out soon enough.” 

“Or maybe I won’t.” I muttered to myself.

“Hey. Ella. You’re only 16. It’s not like you’ve been waiting for 10 years. It’ll happen, and even if it doesn’t, it doesn’t matter.” Jay grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. Everyone else seemed to be fine with the fact that I was 6 years too late to shift. But it was eating me up inside. If I didn’t ever shift... No. I can’t even think like that. The alpha blood line would be destroyed, everyone would be disappointed... Sometimes I just wished that my mother wasn’t human, then all this could have been avoided.