In the Heart of the Forest

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Thea

"Hey, Mom. What time is Jason getting here? And what time is the dinner tonight?" I ask as I help my mom tidy the living room. It is finally Friday and I couldn't be happier to see my brother.

"Well, your father is picking him up at the airport at 2:30, so they should be back by 3:00. As for the dinner, they should be arriving at 5:00," she says. I nod my head in acknowledgement.

For some reason, I can't help but feel giddy inside. I think it has something to do with meeting the strange Wolf Boy again, but that can't possibly be right. He was just friendly, and I have a boyfriend.

A boyfriend who doesn't understand boundaries. A little voice in my head says. All week he has been constantly touching me. Every time I tell him not to, he backs off, but then he goes right back to it afterwards. Its really making me frustrated. Is he just with me to get in my pants? If so, he is wasting his time. That, and I will literally beat the crap out of him if he tries anything.

When I said yes to being his girlfriend, I just wanted to be in a casual relationship where we had deep, heart-to-heart conversations and got to know each other both mentally and emotionally. Not get to know each other physically.

I sigh, getting out the broom to sweep. He hasn't even asked me out on a date! Unless, of course, you count a rendezvous in the closet. That was something I never agreed to.

I just feel like I know nothing about him. Yes, he is funny, and smart, and charming, but other than that, I know nothing about him.

"What's got you down in the dumps, Kiddo?" My dad says as he comes down the stairs.

"Nothing, just tired," I lie.

"Alright, well, I'm heading out. See y'all later," my dad calls as he heads out the front door. I guess I should make sure everything is ready in the guest room for Jason.

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I am roused from my book-reading by the front door opening. Jason! I run down the stairs as quick as I can, practically slamming into my mom on the way.

"There she is," my brother says as he sets his bags on the ground. He smiles that familiar smile, his eyes crinkling around the edges. His blonde hair is just the same as it always is, maybe a bit longer, and his face holds more maturity than the last time I saw him.

"Its been a while, stranger," I say, smiling.

"Aww come on. Aren't you going to give me a hug? Or are teenagers too cool for that?" He says with a cheeky smile.

"Shut up. If anyone is the immature teenager here, it's you, not me." I chuckle a bit at my own statement.

He crushes me in a hug. I slowly wrap my arms around his shoulders. Eventually, he releases me, and I shake out the stiffness from being crushed.

"So, I heard you have a boyfriend. Is that true?" From the corner of my eye, I see my dad shaking his head with a small smile.

"Yes," I sigh, "But it's nothing serious."

"Well I am right here if you need me to beat him up or anything," Jason says, punching me lightly on the shoulder.

We converse a little more after that, just catching up on things. He says that college has been going well for him. He has been talking to a girl, but nothing serious.

"Okay, so these people coming over tonight, who are they?" He asks me as we sit on his bed.

"So, there is this neighborhood deep in the woods that is kind of it's own community. The Lykos family are the most influential of the bunch, so naturally, Mom wants to befriend them."