The Hunter's Daughter

Chapter 5

The next morning I had a definite spring to my step, an unstoppable kind of feeling going on - what with my luck yesterday with the Alpha; I did have to stay up until like four though to do all that homework I was talking about, stupid teachers thinking I have nothing better to do.

I didn’t have to walk to school this morning however because my Dad took pity on my sleep deprived face and drove me in. I looked around the school lot and took in the faces of my peers wondering absently who were the werewolves, but it’s probably better that I don’t try and guess since I gave my word to the Alpha that it would stay between us, why throw in temptation?

Thinking about more pressing subjects like the fact I still have no idea when and where my classes are because of the sudden loss of my schedule I think I’ll go make a stop at the reception desk to see if I can get a new one.

Just as the thought materialised in my head I felt a tap on my shoulder, it made me shiver involuntarily so I knew it was Nick. I think I’ll put the whole shiver thing down to that scene in the hallway yesterday. I turned around to face him, though embarrassingly I couldn’t look him right in the eyes, I just stared at his sneakers, converse.

“Ruby”? His voice made me feel better, he didn’t sound unstable or angry so I looked up at him.

“Yeah”? My stupid voice was all small and timid, I may be small but never timid I mean come on! With what I do there’s no room for timid.

“I want to apologise for yesterday, I am so sorry if I scared you or made you uncomfortable. I don’t know what came over me, you didn’t deserve that”.

“Oh I know, but don’t worry it’s ok”.

“You don’t have to say that just because you feel like you should or that you have to”.

“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it Nick, it’s fine you just surprised me is all. I’m not really used to people I guess, I forgot there are varying degrees of crazy” I chuckled trying to make it light again.

He smiled at me kindly and it made me want to hug him but I think after our close shave yesterday we should probably stay clear of anything physical. It was getting a little awkward since we stopped talking and just stared at each other, waiting for the other to speak or something. Our smiles started to get a little plastic until Nick turned to leave and I didn’t like it.

Like a force of nature was driving it, my hand shot out and tugged back on Nick’s jacket sleeve, he turned around instantly giving me his full attention, and it felt really nice, he just had this look in his eyes and an air in his body language in how close he was to me and using his body to shield me from everybody else that told me to believe he was here for me and that was it, weird right?

He looked worried for me. “What’s wrong”?

“Well, do you feel like making it up to me”?

Nick nodded enthusiastically. “Of course, anything”.

His intensity kind of threw me off for a minute, but it was still sweet if not a little strange mixed in with the sincerity in his voice.

“Well, I still don’t know how to get to my classes, do you think you could help me out today”? Nick’s eyes lit up as he smiled down at me.

“Yeah sure - we have history right now, I’ll take you”.

 “That’d be great”.

History went by pretty fast and it was kind of interesting now that I was actually paying attention. We’re learning about ancient cultures and their religions slash belief systems and were asked to pair up for our first assignment which we have to present to the class before the Christmas holidays.