wolf boys

chapter one

JOSÉ: 

I look around the cafeteria and suddenly our eyes zoom in on one another. I can't help but feel drawn to him. Gazes locking, I feel my breath being stolen away as he captures me in those glimmering golden globes of his. 

Past the stench of uncooked pitza, through the throngs of overly confident popular kids and skimpily dressed cheerleaders, we held that instant connection. One second. Two seconds. A bite of the special roast beef sandwich fell out of his mouth. 

Then someone passes through our line of sight, and another person, in fact, a whole group of people is suddenly blocking the way deeper into the cafeteria, and I turn away, ushered by my new group of friends to sit somewhere else with our tray lunches. 

this morning:

"No way, José."

I throw down the shirt I was holding, irritated, and glare up at my sister. 

"I cannot believe you. I thought you were better than that."

"No, I'm serious!" My older sister, Leila said in indignation. "That cannot be your first-day of school outfit." She gestured at me up and down. 

"What's wrong with it?" I protested. "I dressed in comfort."

"Definitely not your best decision." She huffed, raising an eyebrow.

"Excuse me?!" 

Leila was dressed in a rose gold bomber jacket with a glossy pastel pink tank underneath, skinny white jeans and clear ankle boots. I know her entire outfit by heart now - she literally had me judge all her outfits all day yesterday and help her pick one. Do you know how big the closet of a high school junior girl is?! 

I, on the other hand, was practical. This morning, I woke up. Threw on sum clothes. Brushed my hair before thinking, ah, f#ck it and walked downstairs for breakfast. Right before Leila saw me and practically ripped my throat out. 

"It's fine!" I said again.

"It's not fine!" She pointed at my jacket first. "This is merch..." she began.

"Yeah, so?"

"From your old school." Leila glowered. "What will Arlington High think of our family now?!"

"That we enjoy high-quality merch?" I raised an eyebrow. 

"Oh my god, I can't deal with this." Leila staggered back, rubbing her temples. "And a Harry Potter shirt? Really?"

"Does it make me look fat?" I asked in my perfected, fake 'Leila' voice, pinching the edge of my stomach.  

"José," Leila hissed. "I have been up since three getting my eyeliner right. Don't get me started." 

"Okay, okay, jeez." I scowled, looking away. "Sensitive," I added under my breath. 

Leila's reflexes are supremely fast. Probably the fastest in the pack. So, of course, I wouldn't be able to swerve if she punched me in the face, which is exactly what she did. 

Yayy, I love my family. *inserts glitter here.*

Oh, and by the way, I'm a werewolf. Which is also probably why Leila wouldn't be concerned with the entire school seeing evidence of domestic abuse on my skin.