The Crimson Pack

~6~

As we walk down the hallway in semi-silence, I see a few lone students watch us while rummaging in their lockers. It doesn't take long for us to reach the locker rooms and we split up with an awkward farewell.

When I get back in the now-steamy cement room, I can see Hannah on her phone while sitting on a bench. I quickly take my eyes off her, feeling embarrassed and still a little angry at her. Unfortunately before I can pass her, she holds out her hand.

"Hey about today," I give her a glance, watching as she stares at me with large blue eyes. "I was really really excited. You don't know this but our pack has waited 18 years to finally see who they would all end up with. And now that I met you I can say that you beat the other option by, like, a million percent." Her blonde braid still bounces on her shoulder as she bounces her knees.

"It's okay, I was just a little confused." I admit while unlocking my locker that holds my regular clothes. She stands as well and leans closer to me.

"So... what do you think?" She asks suddenly.

"Of?" 

"Of Dallas- of all of them?" I glance back up at her before blushing.

"It definitely seems like a lot. I mean, I don't even know who they really are, or what anything is anymore." I close the locker softly and hook my backpack over my shoulder. "I'm just a senior in high school. I have my whole life ahead of me. I wasn't thinking about college, but at least I still had the opportunity, y'know? I just... I have to figure everything out again. It feels like I'm starting all over again. And that I don't even know who I am anymore." I feel tears threaten to leak from the corners of my eyes so I quickly wipe them away. 

She wraps her arm around me supportively as we exit the room and see Dallas slouching at the wall, talking to the male PE teacher quietly, giving me a quick glance before continuing his sentence. "Alright, I have to go before I miss my bus, but tomorrow you should totally come to the library again." She tells me as she looks at the clock mounted on the wall. Shortly after a quick goodbye and boobsmashing-hug, I start heading back down the hallway. 

"Sweetpea?" I hear a call from down the hallway. I look over and see my grandpa looking a bit frantic before he sees me, then letting out a huge sigh of relief. "You gave me quite the scare! I can't even imagine what would happen if I had to go home empty handed." We quickly exit the school and get into the car, letting it rumble for a bit in silence before taking off.

Brr.

I look down at my phone, seeing a text from an unknown phone number.

Hey Dana, the guys and I would like to show how sorry we are about this afternoon. Would you like to have dinner and study?- Hayden. Sent at 3:34

"Hey gramps, is it okay if I have some classmates over for dinner tonight? They want to help teach me about the pack and stuff." I ask, not looking away from the gray dashboard.

"And are these classmates the same ones that have their scent all over you?" He asks with a hump, making a swift turn onto our road. I flush, giving him all the answer I need. He sighs. "Alright, I won't badger you for names, but your grandma would want to know, and good luck keeping a secret from her." And with that he parks the car and the topic in question comes rushing out, floating down the wooden stairs. 

"There she is." Grandma yells as she rushes to meet me, peppering me with cheek kisses. A sharp pain in my abdomen starts to make itself known again and I tell her I'm hungry. She grabs me and pulls me into the house and towards the kitchen, where I'm told to sit down at the island counter and wait for her to make me lunch.

"Eliza. We're having guests over for dinner." My Grandpa yells from the couch, where he's reading the newspaper.

"Who with?" She yells back. Grandpa looks back at me, waiting for me to explain.