Anna Begins [Paul Lahote]

Chapter Fifteen

Anna

It was surreal going to school Monday morning as if my entire world hadn't changed even more over the weekend. We were closing in on the end of the school year, gearing up for finals and graduation, but none of that felt real anymore in the face of the people I knew that could turn into wolves and the one wolf in particular that was somehow linked to me.

Felicity's eagerness to befriend me made much more sense now. The rest of the school had known her as she went through her drama with her ex. They judged her. She couldn't make true friends with any of them because their minds weren't open enough to see her as Felicity, the person—they were caught up in Felicity, the divorced senior in high school who was disowned by her parents. And then she got imprinted on by Jacob and had no one to commiserate with in the ups and downs of her relationships and experiences and life in general. Even before I knew the secret and was in the fully know, it made sense for her to want a friend—so much so that she'd take what she could get. Me.

Whether or not I was a good option for her remained to be seen, but I felt grateful for the friendship nonetheless and told her so when I saw her. "I'm really glad we're friends," I said, uncertain how this would be received but still needing to say it.

She grinned, her eyes happy. "I'm glad, too. How are you handling everything? Anything I can help you work through?"

I shook my head. "No. I'm fine." I'd been bursting with questions before, but after the bonfire and talking with Paul enough was answered that I was content to let the information I had simmer in my mind. I was sure there was more, and I'd learn about it in due time as it came up, but for now I was good.

"Let me know if that changes," she said solemnly. "I know I tend to talk a lot, but if there's ever something on your mind, I will listen and try to help. I promise."

I gave her a grateful smile. "I know. And I appreciate it."

Her expression turned knowing. "Which is why you started our day with your rare show of affection."

Wringing my hands a little because I kind of wanted to move on from this topic now that I'd said what I needed to say and prolonging it was doing a number on my nerves, I shrugged.

Luckily I was saved by the class being called to attention so even if she'd wanted to continue the conversation, it was ended.

But then at lunch, where Alex did not join us because apparently he was back to his own new friends, she brought it back up. "So are you finally starting to understand that you do have friends? And that we think you're great even if you're quiet most of the time?"

"Felicity—" I started, unable to touch the sandwich in front of me I'd brought in hopes of eating today.

"I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable," she said quickly. "Or put you on the spot. I just... Paul doesn't say much about what you two talk about. But he's said that he tries to be open and straightforward so you won't get too nervous. I was thinking maybe I could try the same? He kind of has an advantage of being your imprint but you've been such a good friend to be, and I want to try to do the same for you."

That was...one of the most caring things anyone had ever said to me. "I haven't done much," I said, because it was true. And it had been as much for my benefit as it had been hers. "It's not hard to listen when someone speaks."

She scoffed. "Trust me, it can be. It is for many people."

"You've been a good friend to me too, though. I've never thought you weren't caring about my feelings or anything."

She took a sip of her water, her eyes shifting for a moment before focusing back on me. I clasped my hands together in my lap because I knew whatever she was about to say was going to be a hit. "Are you really nervous all the time? Why? Did something...happen to you?"