That Makes Three

Chapter Twenty Eight

We had to wait a month to even the playing fields, since the vargulf could change at anytime but Peter couldn't. As more people became victims as It's hunger grew, Peter began to insist that if he did change, just once without the moon, he would be fine but we quickly convinced him it was a bad idea.
In order to protect the town, the Sherif had enforced a town curfew, shops closed and people were in there homes by seven thirty, for everyone's safety.

"You know the drill - if you're late, you take a lap. Let's go Roseman!" Mr Higgins yelled as I entered the gym. I sighed as I began to jog around the gym. I hadn't slept properly in weeks - the last thing I needed was a gym class let alone running. Letting the rhythm of my feet against the court guide me I felt my eyelids droop. Maybe I could make up an excuse - like say I was on my period. He was a male teacher. He'd let me go without asking further questions.

Suddenly I was on the ground, my nose aching. Sitting up slowly I looked at my feet which were tied up in a badminton net. How the hell had I gotten into the equipment shed?

"You're just so... graceful." Roman said as he approached me, his arm extended. I frowned at his jeans as he helped me up.

"How come you don't have to do gym?" Lucky bastard. He smiled shrugging as he pulled me free.

"There's no point getting all hot and sweaty when you're not doing anything...fun." I scoffed. Gym was mandatory. Even the kids with asthma had to run around for at least ten minutes. Unless you had a signed doctors note there was no way you would be excused...

"You did the eye thing, didn't you?" I asked, more proud then surprised.

"It's not my fault I don't look as cute as you do in shorts." I rolled my eyes.

"Would it be wrong if I asked you to excuse me too? We could hang out - ditch together." He screwed up his face before I could even finish.

"You know I love you but... it's not really worth the headache." I rested my hands on my back. He smiled, caressing my cheek.

"Today Roseman!" I heard coach yell. I frowned peering around Roman to see that he had gathered up the class in a huddle. I tried to think through the haze of confusion that had settled over my brain.

"What was I doing?" I said out loud. I'd been a bit spaced out lately...

"Getting the grey sack of balls to play dodgeball." I shook my head.

"Right." I said slowly, going to grab the bag only for them to fall and roll away in all different directions. I just stared at the empty bag, lost.

"Are you feeling okay?" He asked, a light tone in his voice. When I looked at him his eyes were serious. I just dropped the bag. I honestly didn't know anymore. He leant in slowly

"I'm so tired. I feel like I haven't slept in... I don't know how long and I think I'm coming down with a cold -" I said, holding the bridge of my nose and closing my eyes. Feeling his hand against my cheeks I leant into it, opening my eyes.

"Well then, let's get out of here." He whispered, taking my hand and leading me towards the door.

"Roseman! Balls!" Coach yelled after us, Roman turned suddenly and gave him a stern stare.

"Fuck your balls." He said before we left.

"I just need to get changed." I said, tugging him into the direction of the locker room. Locating my locker I dragged my bag out and dug through it until I found my jumper and jeans. Letting my hair down I took my shirt off and replaced it. As soon as I sat down to pull my jeans on I noticed that Roman was staring at me.

"What?" I asked softly. He took a step towards me.

"Your nose is bleeding." Touching my top lip I looked at the smudged red line on my finger. Watching him carefully crouch down in front of me I let him take my hand. His expression was one I had seen many times before. Hesitant. Pleading. And hungry.

"... May I?" He asked, look up at me with round eyes. I nodded, my heavy breathing the only sound. Lifting my finger to his mouth he sucked it. Swirling his tongue I watched as his cheek bones caused shadows to fall onto his jaw line. Kneeling he let my hand go and instead kissed me.

I kissed him back, of course, enjoying the way he held onto my hips. The tip of his tongue then spread against the space between my nose and mouth, and soon he was letting his tongue flicker in my right nostril as if he were going down on me. As strange as the situation was, it felt quiet pleasant. I found myself getting into it, holding him just as tightly as he did me.

At the sound of someone's throat clearing Roman jumped up. I peered around him, wiping the spit from my nose to see that it was just Peter.

"You texted?" He asked, holding up his phone.

"Shut up and kiss me." Roman cooed, twirling Peter before dipping and snogging him. With a quick wink in my direction Roman strutted to the door, a pep in his step.

"I'll bring the car around!" He yelled as he left. I laughed, continuing to put my clothes on.

"He's in a good mood... you on the other hand look like crap." I scoffed.

"I try my best."

"Wait what... what is that?" He asked, fishing around my neck for the thread of my necklace with one finger.

"It's a necklace." I said, bending over to put my other shoe on.

"It's bloodstone - where did you get this?" I paused. He sounded like he was getting mad. Peaking up at him I saw that his cheeks were pink and his eyebrows were raised in anticipation.

"Destiny gave it to me." I said in a small voice, knowing I probably should have told him sooner.

"I knew you felt different... How dare she!" He yelled, kicking the wall of lockers that shook violently.

"What was she supposed to do? Ask you first? Peter, I am still struggling with what I am. To be able to talk to me, Leetha has to be at least two meters away. When I put this on I got bumped into. For the first time ever I can walk through a crowd of people without everyone clearing a path for me. And it felt good." He sat next to me then, his expression conflicted. Sighing he pushed his hair back.

"Look what they did to your nose." He said, cupping my chin so that I had to look at him.  "If making people too afraid to come up to you means it'll keep you safe then I'd rather you be ignored then have a bloody nose." I shook my head.

"I did this to myself. I tripped but even if someone did it's not up to you." It's not like your my boyfriend, I finished in my head. Getting up I swung my bag over my shoulder.  "Look, you don't know how I feel... I would rather be bullied then just plain ignored." He stood up too, his eyes doing that unfairly cute puppy thing he did when he was upset.

"You're right. I don't know. But I can see what it's doing to you. I mean, how long have you had that thing on anyway?" I shrugged, fiddling with the strap of my bag.

"A week..." I mumbled. When he didn't say anything I through my hands up. "A few weeks! A month okay!"

"Please, take it off." He said softly, his hand outstretched. I knew He was right. Maybe this necklace was the reason I was always feeling drained.

"Fine. I'll take it off. But just so you know, I will be putting it back on." I said, handing him my bag and undoing the clasp. Shoving it in my pocket I looked at him as if to say happy now? Peter's lips pursed into a thin line as he threw my bag onto my shoulder

"I really wish you wouldn't."