Fighting the Wolves

Chapter Twenty One

Lauren. Kendall's best friend/groupie who never stops following her around because she craves the idea of popularity. (Which was created by some idiot decades ago in the middle of high school because they were a loser brought up by society.)
Also, she hates me more than Kendall.

"You did that to Kendall!" I shake my head. I didn't, I don't deserved this.

When have I ever deserved anything? Especially what they do.
Always.

"Of all the times for you to grow some tits and do something, it had to be today!" What's so special about today?
"Look I really didn't—"
"And if you thought that anyone wouldn't notice you skulking around, you're more wrong than you've ever been in your life!" Lauren is rambling now, her voice getting louder as her sentences drag on. "Did you think that just because it's senior year, you'd get away with something so blatantly stupid? You better put your tail between your legs because the pain is only just getting started, sweetheart!" I feel like I should honestly be scared. Normally, I would be. That's when I notice Jackson's hand on my own; somehow, it feels like he's sending me enough strength to bite back my usual cowardly lion, and bringing forth...a wolf.

"Have fun, honey,"I smile wickedly at Lauren, I can tell by her face how I'm unsettling her, "because after all these years, you're going to have a hell of a time trying to beat the bar that you and your side bitches have already raised so high." Lauren's mouth opens like she's about to say something, but only a small croak comes out of her throat.

Jackson squeezes my hand and leads me out of the backyard, walking me back to his car. I'm somehow allowing him to be near me, my soul feels somehow...content right now. A small air of bliss that I don't want to go away.

"Amy?" I hear Lexi's voice call out for me. I turn around to see my best friend holding a beer, and a really hot guy with an arm around her shoulders.
"You okay Lex?" I ask, curious as to how intoxicated Lexi is, and whoever the hell this guy is. I'm pretty ignorant at school, but I don't think I've seen this boy before. He looks to be around 18 with slight stubble on his face; blond hair, and a skinny, athletic body. He could possibly be on the cross-country team.
"Yeah, this is my first beer, I wanted you to meet Tom." Tom gives me a friendly smile, reaching out to shake my hand before shuddering under the gaze of non other than, of course, Jackson.
"Hi." I reply as I mind numbingly hop into the passenger's side of Jackson's Jeep.

I look into Lexi's eyes for a solid ten seconds before closing the door behind me. She knows my secret message. It's girl talk, these high school boys wouldn't even begin to understand.

Please don't do anything you'll regret.
Please don't let something happen that shouldn't.
But if it does, my friend, I will help you pick up the pieces.

Jackson puts his car into drive, and we cruise down the road, to God knows where.

~*~

Jackson and I drive down a highway, just outside of town, driving in a comfortable silence.

I think this is the first time that I've ever felt comfortable with Jackson.
Alone, or otherwise.

"Do you, by any chance, know where we're going?" I ponder aloud, half focused on the road, half focused on the scenery of a passing forest.
"Honestly, no." I look at Jackson, the inner portion of my mind thoroughly enjoying the wind from the highway toss around his brown hair. I'm almost tempted to run my hand through it.

..Almost.
It looks so soft.
He's not a dog, you can't pet him.
He technically is a dog.

Jackson suddenly erupts into a fit of giggles. His sudden burst of laughter makes him jerk the wheel slightly, causing me to instinctively grab the safety handle on the ceiling.
"What the hell!?" I shout, only causing him more laughter. It's honestly kind of adorable, and I hate that I find it anywhere past maniacal. Something feels different ever since earlier, when we accidentally...you know. K worded.

I don't want to say it.
It's a like a swear word.
It IS four letters.

"I just realized, you never mentioned the kiss from earlier." My whole face is instantly burning. Did I forget to put sunscreen on? I just have forgotten to put sunscreen on.

Why did HE have to mention it!?

"Um...w-what do you mean?" I might puke, dear Lord someone get me out of this Jeep.
"I mean, you never exactly hated the kiss, therefore, you don't hate me like you say you do." Despite my earlier caution, I lean over and punch him on the shoulder.
"I do hate you!" I protest. Although, I'm honestly not 100% sure anymore.
"Lies and accusations." There's a wide, goofy grin spread across Jackson's face now, one that probably won't be leaving anytime soon.
"I promise you Miller, nothing has changed between us." The car skirts off the highway and onto a hidden road leading into the forest. Alright, definitely not feeling that same warm and fuzzy contentment that I was feeling earlier, where the hell are we going.
I cling even tighter to the handle on the ceiling, I wouldn't be surprised if I broke this to be honest.

Jackson's car slows as we continue through the forest, I feel more curious than scared if I attempt to call myself. Somewhere in my mind is the teeniest, tiniest voice that wants me to trust him. But of course, years of high school experiences will not allow me the pleasure. That, and I'm not sure if Jackson is exactly worthy of my trust, very few are.

"Can we try this a second time?" Jackson is serious now, trying to hide his face from me as we drive deeper and deeper into the trail. The trees are getting thicker, the light from above getting darker as the leaves block out more of the sun. The unsettling pit in my stomach intensifies, I should have paid more attention to where we entered the forest.
"Try what a second time?" My question is almost instantly answered as we emerge into a clearing, a very large clearing at that.

A paved lane is suddenly underneath us, rows of apple trees alongside us as we swirl up the driveway to an incredibly large house. A very familiar large house.

Shit.

"Nuh uh, I'm not going back to live with you and your pack of mangy mutts! I told you I still hate you!" I attempt to unbuckle my seat as the car slows to a stop at the top of the driveway. Jackson holds onto my seatbelt, keeping me in place. His eyes flick from my seat belt to my eyes, a look of regret and longing pulling at any emotions that still reside in the fragments of my soul.

Emotions don't come from your heart, they emerge from the basis of your soul as you morph into the being that you were intended to be.

"I'm not kidnapping you-"
"I didn't exactly consent to coming here with you!" I snap. Jackson closes his eyes, taking in one long, calm breathe.
"I just...want to show you." He let's go of my seatbelt, allowing it to swing back into its proper place. He's trusting me at this very moment, and I'm not quite sure how to react.
"What do you want to show me?" My voice sounds quieter aloud than I thought it would be, barely more than a whisper, but loud enough for him to properly hear me. (Especially with werewolf hearing)

"I want to show you..." Jackson looks straight into my eyes, captivating me into a moment frozen with raw emotions.
"Everything."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm terribly sorry for posting this so late in the day, but I had some writers block for a while and couldn't come up with anything.
Anyways, I hope you like it! I've worked for hours on this chapter so you better be grateful!

Song above is Never Be by 5 Seconds of Summer.
Probably my favorite song by 5SOS.
One of the best bands on this entire damn planet, they arE NOT A BOYBAND! Boy bands do not play their own instruments! Nor do they write their own songs!