Chocolate Deluxe with a side of Werewolf

Ten. Introduction Overload

Emily was completely and utterly enthralled by Dylan's hockey skills. The game had already wrapped up and Emily was still marvelling over what she'd seen. She couldn't believe that despite Dylan being the shortest one amongst all the boys on the ice, he was the fastest and most skilled. He could intercept plays like there was no tomorrow, utilizing whatever means necessary to prevent the puck from reaching his goalie. 

Emily patiently waited for Dylan to change. While she waited, she took the time to quickly send a text to her mom to notify her that she would be an hour or so late. The rest of the time she spent watching the Zamboni. It didn't take Dylan long. He emerged from the locker room with his hockey bag slouched over his shoulder and casually carrying his hockey stick in his hand. 

Their eyes instantly locked on with each other and Emily smiled, standing up and walking towards Dylan. Even though Dylan just had a game, he looked stunning in Emily's eyes, dressed in sweats, old sneakers, and a windbreaker. Emily didn't know what she'd say to Dylan when she reached him. Her mind was a mess, flustered and allured simultaneously. Emily could only hope she wouldn't make a fool of herself once she reached him.

But someone beat Emily to him by a couple of steps. 

"Congratulations, Dylan," said a girl who Emily could only describe as nothing short of a supermodel. With a tall, slender figure, perfect skin, and blue eyes, the blonde girl looked as if she just stepped out of a fashion magazine. Emily instantly felt insecure about her appearance and choice of clothing. She could never look as stunning as the girl smiling down at Dylan. To make matters worse, the girl walked right up to Dylan and hugged him. "You were amazing as always." 

Emily gaped at the scene in front of her, stopping in her tracks just short of Dylan and the girl. In an instant, her stomach dropped and her chest felt tight, in an ugly way. She's been wanting to hug Dylan so much, but was struggling to find the right time and yet this new girl managed to do what Emily couldn't in only a matter of seconds. Emily couldn't stop the jealousy from running its course, turning her insides sour. 

Dylan noticed his mate's reaction. He kindly and quickly removed himself from the girl's hold. "Um, thanks." 

The blonde girl smiled the kind of smile that would make any guy's legs turn to jello. Emily wished she could smile like that. The girl glanced over at Emily curiously and Emily had to resist the urge to cower under her piercing blue eyes. Her eyes were so breathtaking and vast, they reminded Emily of the ocean as she gazed into them. Emily wished her eyes could be as vibrant as the girls instead of their boring brown colour. 

Dylan noticed the awkward silence between the three of them and coughed. "Emily, this is my childhood friend, Daisy. Daisy, this is...um," Dylan paused, stopping myself before he could say the word 'mate' out loud, "this is Emily." 

Daisy gracefully walked up to Emily and stuck her hand out. "Nice to meet you." 

Emily shook Daisy's hand and was stunned by how soft her hand felt compared to Emily's dry ones. She wished her skin could be as smooth as Daisy's. Emily couldn't even see any birthmarks on the blonde girl and yet Emily was riddled with them. Emily felt even sourer but managed to stomach a small smile. "It's nice to meet you too," she said quietly. 

"What's going on over here?" Asked a new voice. Emily turned to see two more girls approaching them. Just like Daisy, the girls looked ready to walk a runway. The one who spoke was of Asian background, specifically Japanese which Emily could easily pinpoint. She had medium-length, straight black hair with bangs that together, helped accentuate her small face, big eyes, and rosy cheeks. The second, Emily couldn't quite guess her ethnicity, but her lightly tanned skin and dark brown, almost black, hair made Emily wonder if she could have been middle eastern or around there.