Talking to the Moon | Paul Lahote

past

WEDNESDAY
I walked out of class and off to lunch, celebrating every second that I wasn't listening to some boring lecture. I walked over to our usual table and as always, took my seat next to Paul. I was caught in the middle of some kind of war, as Paul, Embry and Jared were throwing grapes at each other with great force. Doesn't sound painful, but it most definitely was; thinking as I felt a grape smack right into my right eye. Paul and Jared laughed loudly while Embry looked as if he was staring death in the face. I grabbed my half empty water bottle and threw it at him, hitting his neck. I laughed at him as he almost fell over from impact.
"That was so uncalled for." Embry said sarcastically. I chuckled lightly as my attention was taken away from the group and focused on something new. I looked over to a group of girls that I would know from anywhere. The girls varsity volleyball team was all together sitting and laughing at a table a few away from ours. I felt my heart being weighed down by a million tons and my face fell. It all suddenly hit me again like a knife reopening an old wound.
I was the captain of the varsity volleyball team, the girls were like my family; all I ever dreamed of was playing all my high school years with the same girls I started with. But that all changed once I shifted.
I knew that it wasn't safe for me to be around them; if I got too intense or temperamental I wouldn't be able to hold myself back. I had to leave and it was one of the hardest things I had ever done. My chest began to tighten as I noticed one of the faces turn to me. Bailey. She was one of my closest friends and I had known her forever. It killed me having to leave her, with no explanation as to why. I had hurt her more than she ever had been before; but she had to let me go, even after what I did to her she trusted me enough to know that I had to end our friendship for a reason. She gave me a soft and small smile, I returned one with sorrow in my eyes. I turned my head down and away and felt Paul's hand lightly touch my back. I looked up to see his face held with sympathy as he realized what was happening. The others realized to but thankfully continued talking to avoid the awkward silence.
"You okay?" He said quietly enough so only I would hear. I gave him a slight nod and continued to pick at my lunch, not having much of an appetite anymore. I then thought about Violet; she had known about me since her family was part of our tribe. We had known each other forever and had always been close, but never as close as we were after I shifted. She was there for me when I didn't even know who I was anymore. She helped me through so much, and i've never been more thankful. I slowly exit my past memories and begin to snap back into reality, jumping into the conversation with the boys and continuing on.

The guys decided to head over to Emily's with me so we all walked together. Once reaching the house, they all ran in like deranged animals (ironic) and headed for the kitchen (shocking). I dropped my bad and pushed them out of the way, shoving Jared as I went to the end of the kitchen. I immediately opened up the cabinet and saw my chocolate brownies in a pan waiting for me. I went to grab them out but when I did I regretted it; for Paul, Embry and Jared were all staring at me.
"GRAB THE BROWNIES!" Jared screams at the top of his lungs and I clutch the pan and try to run upstairs but failed. Paul rushes over and grabs my waist lifting me off the stairs while Jared yanked the pan out of my hands.
"NOO THOSE ARE MINE!" Jared and Embry laugh and begin chowing down while Paul runs over and grabs some too. I stand there in shock not even trying to stop them at this point. Am I surprised? No. Am I upset at the defeat? Yes. I let out a sigh and walk over to them to see the entire pan of brownies gone. Paul turned to me with his cheeks stuffed and attempted a smile. He walked over to me and I gave him an angry look and he wrapped his arms around my waist and looked down at me. He kissed me nose and planted kisses all over my face; but I stayed still with my eyebrows furrowed.
"Come on you dont hate me." Dragging out the "e". I huffed and turned around in his arms, facing away from him. He then began tickling my sides and I screamed loudly and squirmed vigorously.
"OKAY YOU'RE FORGIVEN!" I yelled completely out of breath. He let go and smirked with victory and I rolled my eyes in response. Out of the corner of my eye I see Sam give a mild glare to Paul and he nods his head slightly, saddened by this action. The entire atmosphere had changed so drastically in such a small amount of time; the once loud room was now almost silent. Confused, I turn to look and everyone has their eyes on me. Paul takes a step towards me finally.
"Can we talk?" Worriedly I follow him into the other room and prepare for the worst.