Call me Different *ON HOLD*

Chapter Sixteen

Two chapters today as an apology for the delay in updating! 

Happy reading xoxox

By the time we finally reached the camp site, all the tents were set up, a fire was blazing and food was being prepared. 

Sometimes there were perks to being a slow human. 

Only sometimes. 

Jay had been relatively quiet the rest of the hike, and disappeared as soon as we reached the site. 

I could spend the next few hours worrying about him, or I could try enjoy myself with my other friends. Sometimes I felt guilty for the blatant favoring, but he was my best friend, and everyone knew that. 

I chucked my bag in my tiny green tent that someone had kindly set up for me, and headed over to where everyone was hanging out. 

The site they had chosen was beautiful - high enough to offer a beautiful panoramic view of the forests and mountains, but sheltered as well. There was a large clearing next to our site, and I was sure there'd be a game sometime that night. 

"Finally! If I knew any better I'd have thought you two got lost," Hunter yelled as I approached. 

"My navigation skills are brilliant, thank you very much," I retorted back. 

The group laughed. "You literally managed to get lost every time we played hide and seek back home," Maria scoffed. 

I pursed my lips, stealing a piece of cheese she was chopping. "Minor details." 

She swatted my hand away and looked around. "Where's your shadow?" She meant Jay. They all loved to tease us.

"I think he's PMSing somewhere," I shrugged, acting nonchalant. Really, I was fighting back concern. He'd acted like he'd seen a ghost or something back on the trail. 

"Hotdogs are ready!" Caitlin hollered. Immediately a swarm of well build, over 6" tall boys swarmed her, always desperate for food. The girls laughed. She should have stepped back before announcing food was ready. 

An hour later, we were all full and content, enjoying watching the sun set and chatting. 

I wished Jay would join us. I didn't want to make a big deal about his absence, as I'm sure he wanted some time alone. Still didn't make it easier to be away from him. 

Darkness came quickly, and we stoked up the fire, which cast a warm light on all our faces. 

We were talking about our plans for the future. In ancient times, our lives would have been dedicated to the pack. The women would be there to raise the pups and run the houses, and the men would devote their time to training and defending their territory. 

While training and territory is still extremely important, it's not really a full time job. Sure, there's a group of people who work solely for the pack  - my dad for one. It's like a leadership team, who run everything and make sure we are all safe. 

But everyone else is encouraged to study, train, work... whatever they desire to do with their lives. Ideally it would be something that could benefit the pack, like for example we have a few doctors who work exclusively for the pack. 

I like it that way. I like how my dad encourages us all to be who we want to be. My future isn't set to just spout off babies one after the other, instead I can go off and study, or travel or anything. But at the same time, I wouldn't want to leave my pack, my community. It really is an extended family. 

"I think I'm going to be a builder," Ashleen said. 

Maria scrunched up her nose. "Why on earth would you want to be a builder?" 

She shrugged. "Just because I'm a girl, doesn't stop me from building beautiful things." 

I smiled. "Ash, you do know builders have to get really muddy right?" The girl would squeal at the slightest bit of rain.

"Okay so maybe I just wanted to wear a high vis vests," she grinned. We all laughed, and the next person in the circle stated their life goals. 

I was too distracted to listen, as warm breath hit my ear. 

"Scoot over." 

A wave of happiness washed over me, and I grinned a hundred watt smile at Jay, wriggling over. He smiled back, looking like he was back to his normal self. 

"Okay?" 

"Okay." 

That was all I needed to know. 

My body had ideas of its own when it came to just sitting next to Jay. Within minutes I'd positioned myself so I was sitting slightly in front of him, leaning back on the right side of his chest. He chuckled as I wriggled myself closer, but didn't complain.

Finally everything felt right.