Luna Raine

XIII. Re-Cycle

Raine's POV:

I can't believe I did it.

I exchange phone numbers with a werewolf.

A guy that can change into a giant wolf without the help of a full moon. It seems that part of the myth is false. They can shift anytime they wish. They also have this voice inside their heads that gives them advice on what to do in life. Like a therapist except, their wolves may potentially be crazier than them.

Sometimes, it makes sense why they're so temperamental. I would be pissed off if there was a voice inside my head telling me what to do.

My consciousness is enough.

Helen took out a book, "What's wrong?"

I took a few blinks, only to remember that we're still in school. No matter what world I'm in, school somehow still exists. Education and knowledge only push forward for advances. Then again, I've only been to two different worlds, so what do I know. "N-Nothing."

She closes the dark blue locker, "You've been staring at me like-" She grabs the hand mirror inside the small pocket of her backpack. "Do I have something on my face."

I shook my head and stood up straighter. My back hurts. I need to save up for a massage. I heard mermaids give the best underwater message. I do not know how I'm going to breathe, but they'll figure it out. "N-No. You're good."

She closes the mirror and puts it away. "Then, what's wrong?"

I inhale a sharp breath, "You know that-" I lean in closer. "That werewolf I've been talking to?" Not many students talk to other werewolves, or they do, but they don't talk about it in public unless they're slandering them. Apparently, it's cool to degrade another species.

Her brows crunch together, "Your gaming partner?"

I tuck a strand of hair back, "Yeah."

"What about him?"

The bell rang, and students scattered from their social spots. I walked towards our next class, "Well, we exchanged numbers last night."

Immediately, Helen grabbed my arm and tugged me back. "What?"

I move us forward, "Yeah."

"Are you serious?"

I nod, "Yeah."

"Okay. I'm not saying this because he's a werewolf." The conversation from last night pops up inside my head. I wonder where this came from, this instinct to say something defensive before saying something potentially offensive. "But I don't think that's a good idea. I mean, how you exchanged numbers with a stranger. Again, not because he's a werewolf."

"I know it's dangerous because I don't know him." We entered the classroom and sat down. I'm happy that the desk I have today didn't squeak. "I don't know his name or how he looks." Or anything about him except he loves gaming.

"So, you do understand what you're getting yourself into, right?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you two exchanged numbers."

"So?"

"That's a step closer to a relationship." She pulls me closer. "You know how humans feel about other humans being in relationship with other creatures."

The teacher came in and set his stuff down. He isn't one of those good-looking teachers from a novel. He's old. Well, at least he's the friendly type of old man.

"We'll talk about this later," Helen whispers. Helen is a good student. The type who wouldn't talk during class.

During lunch, Helen and I huddle underneath the bleachers. It's a lot nicer than the packed cafeteria. I grab the sandwich and unroll the plastic around it. One good thing about being fed by the government is the glorious school food. Jokes.