Short Stories: 10-31-18

Sourpuss

Welcome to Maine, where love exists... and it sucks.
  Or in my opinion it does, since all of my friends have a date and I don't.
  It's not like I hate any of them. I mean, Amber's my sister! But it's just soo annoying.
  We were all sitting around the fire. I had my own seat, while the others shared. Scott wrapped an arm around Amber on a log. Kiara sat on Ty's lap in the large red chair. Lucas and Milo held hands and cuddled in their own chairs.
  After getting attacked on the highway, we arrived at the campsite. It wasn't that bad: a nice scenic view of the lake, tall pine trees surrounding it, and a clear spot that was pretty dry. After setting up tents and stuff, we decided to eat dinner near the fire.
  And that's when I realized how lonely I really was.
  Amber is my sister, and Scott is someone I've known since middle school. They've been dating for five months.
  Ty and I were in the same pack, and Kiara was in my history class freshman year. Those two have been dating for eleven months.
  Milo and I have been best friends ever since elementary school, and Lucas was one of Amber's friends who became close with me. They have been dating the longest, I believe it was a year and a half.
  I was proud of each of them for finding someone they were happy with, especially Amber. But...
  But I was annoyed. No one could just be separated for a little while. Anytime I needed a one on one with my sister, I'm suddenly talking to Scott. Anytime I wanted to hang out with my best friend, I end up hanging out with my best friend plus one. Anytime I have a regular conversation with Ty, he's always cuddling with Kiara.
  And then with this trip, which was only supposed to be me, Milo, Amber, and Ty, I've been the seventh wheel. I get along with everybody, but it's just annoying to deal with them all together sometimes.
  "Jack?" I look up from my phone to see Milo, looking at me with concern. "You okay buddy?"
  "Yeah," I replied with some attitude. "Why wouldn't I be?"
  "Well, you have been kinda quiet since we got here," Amber interjected. Just like her– getting into business that wasn't hers.
  The others looked at me with worry and concern. I scoff and shake my head.
  "Weirdos," I replied. "I'm fine. I'm chilling with my best buds." I stand up in my chair and I fix my black leather boots.
  "Hey, Wait," Ty spoke up. "Where are you going? Don't you want s'mores?"
  I shook my head, fake smiling. "I would, but I'm in the mood to hunt."
  "But you just had dinner," replied Lucas. I shrugged.
  "I don't want to eat something, I wanna hunt something. Besides, I won't be long. I'll be back later."
  They decided not to fight with me, so I decided to leave. Before long, I was far away from that awful campsite.
  Or maybe not that awful?
  I don't know.
  I began to transform, my bright red eyes peering through the darkness. As soon as I was in full formation, I ran as fast as I could.
  Small black ravens flew above the trees, and some even landed in an open field. They were picking at something. Not sure nor caring as to what, I went into position.
  It wasn't until I heard rustling behind me that my attention was off the birds. I turned around, seeing the bush rustling, almost quietly. I growled lowly, ready to pounce.
  I jump into the bush, and the animal- which was almost as big as me- and I rolled down the small hill. As soon as I was on top of it, I discovered that it was human.
  It was Finn, the friend of the hunter who tried to kill us. He was petrified, he was breathing heavily while keeping his eyes squeezed shut. I felt guilty, causing me to turn back human. I could tell that my eyes were still red though.
  I got off of him, and I put out my hand. "You alive?" I ask. He slowly opened his eyes to look at me. He noticed my hand and grabbed it. I helped him stand up.
  "I'm, uhm..." he spoke quietly and awkwardly. "I'm sorry for sneaking up on you."
  I shook my head. "I pounced on you," I replied. "We're even."
  He chuckled a little. "What're you even doing in the woods? Aren't you supposed to be with the other two?"
  Finn sighed a little. "Badger and Hayden's wounds got infected, so I had to take them to the hospital. They should be good to come home tomorrow."
  Why was I feeling so guilty? I didn't shoot them. Poor Kiara though, she was so upset after doing that.
  "Damn, that sucks," I replied.
  Finn shook his head. "It's better that way I suppose. I'm no nurse or doctor."
  "You did your best."
  "You know, you're being weirdly nice to me."
  "What makes you say that?"
  In the reflection off of his eyes, I could tell that my eyes were back to their normal color.
  "Well when we first met, you weren't very ecstatic to walk me home."
  "In fairness, your friend shot my friend."
  "Yeah my friend did shoot your friend."
I chuckled a little. "How is she anyways?"
  "She's better, definitely."
  "Good."

  Good.
  Somehow, after god knows how long, Finn and I were laying on the beach near the lake. We watched the raven flying over us. We talked for a while. He told me about the dangerous adventures with Badger, and I told him about what it's like to be a werewolf. We talked about a lot, and we were laughing like crazy.
  I gotta admit, that kid had a cute laugh...
  A low growl startled Finn, and he sat up.
  Nice cockblock, I thought to myself as I stood up. In the woods, I saw Ty in wolf form, staring at us. Finn stood up, anxious.
  "Relax," I remarked. "He's just checking up on me. I should probably get going."
  "Oh," he replied. "Well you still have my number, so I assume you'll call me eventually?"
  "Yeah no, totally not. I'll just leave you hanging forever."
  Finn rolled his eyes and hit me playfully. We both laughed a little.
  "Well, I suppose I'll see you around." He began to walk away, but...
  "Wait!" I went after him, and he turned around. "Maybe, maybe you'd like to come to the fire? I mean, what else do you have to do?"
  Finn thought about it for a moment, then he smiled. "Sure!"
  And so, the three of us walked back to the campsite. Scott and Amber went to bed in the tent, Milo fell asleep on Lucas's shoulder, and Kiara sat on the chair where I'd seen her last. She smiled seeing us, but when she saw Finn, she looked guilty. Ty smiled and kissed her head, and then they sat together.
  Finn and I took two chairs and we chatted the night away. I think I heard a raven squawk, but I didn't care. I think I like him...