Strangers▪ Matei Covaci imagine

Nine

I wake up to the obnoxious blare of my alarm making my ears ring. I prop myself up on my elbows and look around, realising I'm still in the basement. It's cold, earthy smelling and the scattered mattresses could do with a wash, but now that I'm alone is has a sense of homeliness. I dismiss my alarm and unlock my phone, wondering why I'm surprised at the fact I have no messages. With no-one around to tell me otherwise, I'm tempted to go back to sleep, however, a strong smell of bacon and sausages begins wafting down from above. Sleep or food? It's a tough one.

I manage to pull myself up two flights of stairs to my room and throw on some uniform on the floor. Whether it's clean or not remains a mystery. I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and groan internally, but even thinking of doing my makeup makes me lose the will to live. 

I chuck my makeup bag into my school bag and shuffle back downstairs, where the kitchen beholds any wolfblood's dream; stacks upon stacks of meat. I smile for the first time today as my dad joins me at the table and we eat in comfortable silence, listening to the radio. The only time either of us speak is when I get up to leave, stuffing several rashes of bacon between two slices of bread for the journey.

"Honey, please try to get on with the Covacis at school."

My heart immediately plummets as a pang of realisation strikes through me. The events of last night fade back into memory, almost making me feel sick. Regardless I smile and make a beeline for the front door. Once I'm outside I inhale several deep breaths of cool autumn air to calm down. How could I forget about everything that happened last night? 

Starting to walk, I keep my eyes fixed on the door of number thirteen, praying to every wolfblood God in existence that I won't have to confront the Covacis for dignity's sake. Sure, I wanted to get on with them- regardless of what my dad said- but not now, when my thoughts are anything but rational and I can't wholly remember what happened during transformation.

I knew they were different, and not just because they were wolfbloods. They were different because they didn't judge me after two seconds of knowing me, or make me feel like I had to put up a facade of who I was. It was only the second time since arriving that I felt there was something here for me after all- or someone. The first- of course -was sitting on the field with Matei, before it went to shit.

I can't believe I forgot about that too. I wonder if he has.

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After smothering my face with makeup in the girls' toilets I walk into class and immediately want to turn back. Aria and Hannah are all over a group of boys at the back, an usher me over as soon as they see me. The next hour is going to be hell.

I take a seat around the loud, crowded table. I have no clue who most of these people are, but the overwhelming amount of aerosol and cigarette smoke I can smell tells me enough.

"Y/n you have to come! It's gonna be insane!" Aria says eagerly.

"Come to what?" She'd better not be talking about a party.

"Charlie's Halloween party, you have to come!"

Shit.

A party, are you kidding me? Typically, fire is a wolfblood's worst nightmare, however personally I'd say parties are pretty high up the list too. Also, who has a Halloween party in early October?

"It's kinda early for a Halloween party" one guy- who I presume to be Charlie -says "But any excuse to get drunk, right?" He adds, earning a cheer from the table.

That is literally the worst excuse I've ever heard.

The teacher eventually arrives and the class settles down. I turn to face the front, but just as I think I'm safe I feel a tapping on my shoulder. It's Charlie, who has seated himself directly behind me.

"So you're coming? I've barely got the chance to talk to you yet. Not scared of a few beers are you?" He suggests smugly, winking before turning to his friends. Dickhead.

I smile and politely say I'll think about it. As I turn back to the front, I catch Matei watching me from across the room. He shakes his head, and I know exactly what he means because I'm thinking it too.

This is a bad idea.

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The final bell goes and I waste no time in bolting out of the classroom and then the school gates. I check I'm not being followed before I slow down and take out my headphones. It's just my luck that Charlie was in all five of my lessons today. With the amount of harassment I've had to endure today without wolfing out, I decide to take a detour to the Kafe. Besides, I'm hoping Katrina can give me some advice on the party dilemma.

The bubbly blonde girl greets me warmly as I sit at the empty bar, offering me a free brownie with my latte which I'm more than happy to accept.

"So, how's everything going? I can't believe you've already made so many friends y/n."

"It's good, really good. Aria and the others... they're great, but I need some advice."

"Is it about your hair? 'Cause I've been meaning to say-"

"What? No, Katrina. It's about a party."

"Really? You're the last person I'd expect to be a party-goer."

"Exactly," I say eagerly "but surely I can't be certain unless I actually go to one?"

"I guess. But these city parties are no casual get together y/n. There's gonna be all sorts there who you can't trust, offering you drinks or a ride home. If you do go, please just be careful y/n."

I roll my eyes "Okay Mum. Look, it was purely hypothetical. You know me, I wouldn't go near a party if you paid me."

"Good," she says, smiling.

We talk for a bit longer until I finish my coffee, then I give her a quick hug and promise to drop in again soon. As soon as I've left I pull out my phone and text Aria:

still going to Charlie's?X 

She responds immediately:

yep, why?XXX

My fingers hover over the keys for a moment, then I type:

count me in!X

This is the new me, and I'll do what I fucking want.

Author's Note:

Wow, it's been a while! Thanks to everyone who has stuck with this story, one of my new year resolutions was to write more often so hopefully you can expect some more uploads in the next few weeks :) 

Thanks again for continuing to read my story 

See y'all soon :) xxx