The Girl Who Changes

Chapter 7

I walk over to the bookshelves and look at all of the titles. These are the books that I love to read. All of them looked loved and had worn pages of fingers wearing them down.

I glance up at the painting area. My friends back home would love this room. Ali would love the books like me, Amber would love the music, Jade and Lilly would love the painting. Aiden would love just the fact that he could see me in this room.

Tears threaten to spill over my eyes as I remember each one of them and their quirks. Amber always getting drunk. Stumbling over to us and talking gibberish and acting like we knew exactly what she was talking about. Her playing the guitar for us, singing alone at camp by the fire. Every swaying along to her voice.

Jade's jokes, how she would make everyone smile and know exactly how to get them out of a depressive episode. She would talk so fast that we would often just nod our heads and pretend to have heard what she said. Her brain worked overtime and when she was in the zone while painting nothing could get her out.

Lilly and her seriousness about school. Always getting us to try our best. Most people knew her serious side. Everyone teased her for being the teachers pet and a nerd. Not us though, we knew her as the amazing girl who can talk to us and give us amazing advice. She was the one to go to when there was a problem. Her and Jade when painting though, couldn't get a word out of them.

And Ali, my best friend. The one who could disappear without me knowing. She could pass any day and I wouldn't know. She is the athletic one. We both were. We were similar in ways that you would think we were sisters. Tears spill down my cheeks as I think of her. She is amazing, and I can't stand being away from her and not knowing what is happening.

I can't believe I left her. I can't believe I left any of them. I left my life behind.

I tilt my head up to look at the roof. I lift my hand to wipe away my tears. I have to be strong. I have to get through this and go back to her. I need her in my life.

I lower my head and look into the mirror opposing me. I stare back into my dark yellow eyes I now perceive as bronze. I flash my vampire eyes and see the bloodred colour and know I am going to make it out and see them again. I am going to make sure of that.

I study myself in the mirror. I have tear tracks down my face from the tears. My eyes were red and puffy. They will know I have been crying. But crying doesn't make me weak. It makes me strong.

"Hey, Ashley," The way Dylan says my whole name hurts me. I'm beginning to get the mate bond feelings stronger and I don't like it. I don't like being dependent on him. "Alpah Duncan wants us both now."

I begin walking towards the stairs not acknowledging him. At least until he asks,

"Who is Aiden?"

"How do you know about him?" I snap. Aiden is my ex. I don't know why he left me but I still have feelings for him. I was devastated when he broke up with me. Jade was able to get me out and distracted.

"I heard you murmuring names as I came upstairs." He shrugs.

"He is my boyfriend." I lie. I know this is wrong. I don't even know why I did it.

'I made you. I want him to realise his mistakes.'

I roll my eyes and go along with Aurora. It's wrong but she has a point.

His face pales and he doesn't ask anymore questions. I walk a few steps in front of him. My shoulder back and proud. We reach Alpha Duncan's door and I reach up to knock when Dylan just barges right in.