Howling At the Moon and Stars

Constellations

The park was huge. There was a play ground with a soccer field, an outside basketball court, and a beach volleyball court. I don't play sports, but I loves to run. It really help me think about what I'm going to paint.

"So, I invited some of my friends to come. You know to meet you."

"Thanks." People. I went to a park. Of course there'll be people.

"That's ok right?"

"Yeah, I mean I'm going to have to face people sometime. Why not now?"

"Atta girl!"

He lead me to a picnic table. We sat there talking about random things and Jerrold begging me to paint his room.

Four guys come walking up to us. I recognize Matt and Mike, but the other two were new.

"What's up Cassandra?"

"Hi Matt. How are you?"

"I'm doing great. How has your day been?"

"Good." I gave him a smile.

They sat down around the table. Jerrold sat on one side of me and a guy who smelled amazing sat on the other. Mike, Matt, and the other guy sat on the other side of the table.

"Cassandra, the guy who is sitting next to you is Calvin. The one sitting by Matt is Carlos."

We said our hellos, and just hanged out. We talked about our day. Apparently, Mike and Matt work for Calvin. So, does Carlos.

"What did you do Cassandra?" I look Matt in the eye.

"I painted and hanged out with Annabel and Diana."

Calvin, who smelled nice, finally spoked up. "What are you painting?"

Jerrold answered for me. "Dude it's amazing. She's painted a sunset with a forest! She not done yet, but it's good! Come on, we'll show you!" He stood up and grabbed my arm and a growl goes off.

I ignore it and made a mental note to ask Jerrold about it. The conversation home was really focused on me. I just answer questions on what I have painted before. I kinda shut down and my answers were short and sweet.

We reached the house and we all went up to my room. I opened the door to my room and Annabel and Diana are admiring the room.

This is going to far now, and I don't think it's my place to tell them that.

Annabel turns around and bowed. I see Calvin nod his head and Annabel rises. Um... this isn't weird at all.

"Cassandra, there you are. I was wondering if you could paint. I'll take some pictures for your book. Jerrold and Diana have one. So I wanted to start one too!" She clapped her hands together.

"Sure, let me go get changed."

I leave the room and I can hear everyone talking about my work. I changed into my overalls and my white shirt that I used yesterday. Both of them are covered in paint.

I comeback to my room and they are all siting down in the far corner with a camera ready.  I felt like a stripper with all of them staring at me.

"Um... what you guys doing?"

"Watching your every move."

"Thanks Jerrold. That really helps."

I look at the wall and tried to decide what I needed to do. I'll start with the darkening of the sky. I mix some light and dark reds, pinks, and oranges. I rubbed the paint on my forearm and I forgot that I had a people watching me.

I finished the sunset. I didn't want to start the moon rise just yet, so I went back and added details to my one side of the room. I ended up on my back detailing the last tree. I could hear some snickers from them. I don't paint like normal painters. Backed up to see if I missed anything. I didn't. The sunset is finished.

I turned around.

"I finished the sunset..."

"Aren't you going to sign it?" Carlos asked. "You know, so everyone knew you made it."

"Art isn't about fame. It's about letting yourself create a story without words. I'm not doing it for money or so everyone will know my name."

The guys stayed from dinner. Well breakfast. I been painting for a while. I felt terrible. They could have been doing something fun and instead they had to watch me.

We ate our pasta and sauce. These guys eat a lot. I finally realized that they are pretty muscular. Especially Calvin. I caught myself staring and blush. I blocked my face with my hair. When I finished eatingI took it out.

Everybody eyes went fuzzy. What is all of that about? Diana sat in a chair beside me. She took the chance of everybody blindness, I think there blind when they do it, as a chance to take two cookies. She handed on to me and she stuff one in her mouth.

I ate my cookie. I really connected with these guys. We make something. A group. Have I finally had a friend group?

'You always had a friend.'

My head shot up.

"Are you ok?"

I mumbled a yes and I left something out to answer Annabel's question.

I ran upstairs to my room.

Who was that? Hello? Are you still there?

'Of course I'm still here.' I jumped. I'm imagining this. There's not some tiny person stuck in my head.

'Your right. I'm not a tiny person. I'm a wolf. Your wolf.'

I didn't get much sleep last night.

'Cassandra... It's ok. Annabel, Jerrold, Mike, Matt, Carlos, Diana, and Nick have a wolf too. Just ask.'

Perfect idea. Make them thing in crazy. I need to sleep. I ignore the voice in my head and got ready for bed. When I came back from the bathroom.

I said good night to the inner wolf. I'm not going to hear from her. I'm not going to imagine this again.

I heard a faint. 'Good night, Cassandra. See you later.'

This mysterious person fell asleep in my head. I soon copied her. I feel asleep on the moon with the sun setting.