6. Carys
I could hear voices, muffled at first but becoming clearer. There was a numb pain on my head and I could feel someone dabbing at it. Where was I? The last thing I could remember was...actually I can't remember. What had it been? Mmmm. Listening I hear a voice say, "What's she doing here? She can't know I'm a werewolf". Hang on a minute, didn't I know that voice. Who was it? And what was all this talk about being a werewolf - they didn't exist, right? Arrgghhh, this was so irritating, I just couldn't think. Maybe if I tried to open my eyes I wouldn't need to think, I could just see. It was an effort to haul my lids open but I did it. But I wish I hadn't, for the girl I saw standing, in shock, before me was the girl I'd given a lift to this morning. The girl was Mari.
Both our eyes widened in shock - as she realised I knew what she was and as I realised I knew what she was. A Werewolf!
"Mari", I whispered.
"Carys", she whispered back. We just stared, eyes wide, at each other for a minute until someone cleared his throat.
I turned my head a little to the right and saw the last person I was expecting to see. Yet it made a sort of sense. He wore a shy smile and seemed to be deciding something, then he said "Hi, I'm Owen". My eyes widened in shock as I realised the name I'd given him was actually his name.
I managed to stutter "H-Hi", like a moron and his smile widened a little, showing cute dimples in his cheeks.
I heard a faint mumbling and turned to Mari who was saying "What am I going to do?" over and over. Owen moved to her and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Maybe a vampire could wipe here memory", he joked. Mari smacked him across the chest and said seriously
"Do you know of any vampire around here?"
"I'm afraid not".
"Then what can I do?", she directed at Jonathan, who I realised had been watching the whole scene curiously.
"Owen, take her" - he pointed at me - "home and don't make it obvious but keep an eye on her".
"Kay Boss".
I felt strong arms lift me and carry me outside, the whole time my eyes never leaving Mari's. She looked sad, as though she knew something was going to happen, something that would change me forever.
Owen put me down on the bench and walked into the woods. I heard a faint rustle and then he emerged; his glossy fur the colour of caramel. When he prowled over I couldn't help myself but touch it - so soft and comforting. Out of the corner of my eye, I'm sure I saw his mouth move just a bit into a smile. He motioned to his back with his head and I got the message, I was going to have to climb on; it was a lot more difficult than I thought. I mean, have you ever tried climbing onto the back of a wolf?
Finally, I made it and wound my hands into his fur for grip. It felt as comfortable as a bed but it also felt right, like this is what I am supposed to do. He started moving off and I could feel his muscles moving gracefully as we sped through the forest, the rhythm becoming a sleeping pill until I knew no more.
*
I felt uncomfortable in my jeans and coat - wait, jeans? What the hell was I wearing my coat in bed for? I looked down at my feet and I still had my plimsolls from the day before on. Ok, think, what happened yesterday? Then it all came flooding back: the forest, the wolves, the house, Owen, Mari. Oh my god, Mari! But that all had to be a dream, it can't have been real; yet I was wearing my clothes and I never, ever wear shoes in bed.
I turned to look at the clock on my nightstand, it read 8:15am. What! I was going to be so late. I ran into the bathroom, put all my clothes in the wash basket - except for my coat, which was totally ruined - and had the quickest shower of my life. Then, heading back into my room I grabbed whatever came to hand from the wardrobe, got dressed and rushed down the stairs, grabbing a piece of toast from the kitchen and my bag from the hall. As I started up the engine on my moped and sped down the road, I couldn't help but feel that someone was watching me.
*
I'd completely missed homeroom so I sprinted to biology and into the classroom, face bright red.
"Ah, Miss Williams, nice of you to join us today", cruddy Mr Jones said sarcastically; sarcasm his favourite form of wit.
"Sorry Sir, overslept", I apologised as I took my seat at the back of the class. He looked at me for a further minute before continuing the class, I gave out a sigh of relief. Taking out my exercise book, I looked over at Damon, who was looking at me oddly. When he saw me looking at him, he smiled and winked. I blushed and looked away quickly. He had winked at me! Damon had winked at me!
And he kept doing it, all day, in every lesson. To be honest, it was annoying me. This sudden interest was weird, there was something not quite right about it. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that he's noticing me but I just think he's doing it for another purpose. So I planned to confront him.
After school, I followed him out of class and tapped him on the shoulder. He whirled round, his face set into a hard mask that melted when he saw me. "Can I have a word."
"Sure", he gazed down at me but I wouldn't let him melt me into mush like he did the other girls. I walked round to the side of the school, so that there wasn't an audience; of course, he followed.
Once I knew we were out of earshot and eyesight I turned to him. "What the hell is your problem? What's with all the winking? You never noticed me before so why the sudden interest?" I glared at him.
He looked at me and titled his head to the side a fraction, like he was examining me. Then, he pushed me against the wall and smashed his lips against mine. I didn't know what to do, so I kissed him back.
