Don't Let Go

Chapter 2

The last few days have been a blur of exhaustion. My nights are filled with nightmares, and my days are filled with stressing out about turning 18. It is finally Friday though, and the final bell just rang. I make my way to find Flora for our girl's night, and I spot her at her locker; she's leaning up against it with a smile that reaches her eyes and she’s flirting with Todd.

“Hey small fry, can I get a ride home with you and Flora today?” My little brother Kit asks, seemingly coming up out of nowhere. I roll my eyes at the small fry remark.

“Sure, why don't you ever take the bus?”

“The bus is for dorks.”

“Geez, thanks,” I say annoyed. I took the bus up until 2 years ago when Flora’s parents surprised her with a car. Kit gives me an apologetic smile,

“Sorry, that came out wrong. It's different for girls though, Aria.”

I'm not buying it, but I know he didn't say it to be mean.

“Better be nice to me or you’ll be taking the bus after all,” I warn while poking his chest. He raises his hands in surrender, and we slowly walk over to Flora and Todd. We all exchange awkward hellos, before Todd says, “I should get going. I’ll see you on Monday, Flora.”

“What's going on with you and Todd?” Kit asks.

“They're going to prom together and who knows what else,” I jump in, eager to spill the beans. Flora just smiles and rolls her eyes. We drive home listening to music loudly and we keep the girl chat to a minimum since Kit is with us.

When we get home, I help Flora grab her bags. We are greeted by my brother Eli, and his human girlfriend, Hadley.

Hadley is beautiful, with her long blonde wavy hair and light blue eyes. She is tall and has the body of a supermodel but she seems to be lacking in personality. She hasn't been outright rude to me or my family but she doesn't really make much of an effort to say more than ‘Hi” to us. She also has this ‘superior’ presence about her.

Eli could have his pick of girls, he's good-looking and very charming. I think he just wants a warm body to fill the void until he finds his mate. He, on the other hand, is very much looking forward to meeting his mate. We all say hi to each other and Flora and I head up to my room.

“What does he even see in her?’’ Flora asks with frustration, after closing my door. Flora has had a thing for my brother for years. Before her 18th birthday last January, she was so hopeful that my brother was going to be her mate because she’s had a thing for him for so long. She showed up on her birthday and was gutted when she realized he wasn't. She still has it pretty bad for him too. “I have no idea, you're way prettier, and nicer, and funnier... just saying,” I reassure her, but she just smiles and rolls her eyes. “Thanks.”

“Now down to business, let's talk accessories and hair and makeup ideas,” Flora adds. Flora was going through pictures on her iPad of possible eye shadow ideas when we hear my mom call “Dinner time!”

We all gather around the dining room table; on Friday's my Mom always orders pizza. We all waste no time digging in. Flora loves my parents, so she's soon asking my Mom about her dress for the festival. Since Hadley is joining us for dinner, Flora is careful not to mention the festival, and only refers to it as Mr. Grey's dinner party. After Dinner, my parents relax in the family room, and we all tidy up from dinner for them. Flora and I spent the rest of the night chatting, and watching movies and pigging out on junk food.

---

Every Saturday morning I make breakfast for my family. I enjoy cooking and it’s nice to give my Mom a break and take care of her a little too, and she really appreciates it. Since Flora is over, I have her on ‘cutting fruit’ duty. It’s safer for everyone if she stays away from the stove. I whip up some breakfast sausages, homemade waffles, with whip cream. Everyone loved it.

In the afternoon, Flora and I decide to go for a run in our wolf forms. We try and make it out for a run every weekend, but we missed last weekend, so we’re both itching to shift. We’ve been feeling a little off, and It’s like the wolf side of us demands time out too. After a good long run, we both feel much better. I always feel so much better after I get some exercise. Maybe I’ll even be able to get some sleep tonight.

***

The weekend was over before I knew it, and Monday and Tuesday went by just as fast. The final bell just rang and it’s Wednesday, May 30th. My parents are only driving down to Blood Moon, for the Blue moon festival tomorrow morning, but Flora’s mom invited me to drive down early with them tonight. That way tomorrow when we wake up we have all day to get ready. Flora’s Mom planned a spa day, and for professional hair and makeup artists to come to our hotel and get us ready.

Flora is an only child and her Mom likes to do stuff like this all the time, and they invite me along a lot. The car ride is a 5-hour drive, and Flora’s Mom has prepared delicious turkey subs, fresh fruit, and also has popcorn and candy. Road trips are always way better with good food and snacks. We make it to Cliffton, at around 9:30 pm.

Flora and I are in our own hotel room, with adjoining doors to her parent's room. Right away we unpack our dresses and hang them up. We don't want any wrinkles for tomorrow. We spend the night laying in our room watching movies, and Flora gushes about the possibility of finding her mate tomorrow. She is excited, and I'm nervous, but I'm trying not to be a total downer for Flora. I focus on how exciting it would be if SHE found her mate. I am actually really looking forward to the spa day tomorrow too.

***

“Flora, Aria, wake up girls!” Flora’s Mom is gently shaking our arms. “I’m up, Mom!” Flora yawns. “Good Morning, Mrs. Swanson,” I say with my eyes half-open.

“You girls slept in. We ordered some breakfast. Let's eat, we have our first appointment at the spa in 45 minutes. Chop, chop!” I look at the time and realize it is 10 am. I can't believe my eyes! All the nightmares must have caught up with me because I just slept 10 or 11 hours. I needed it too. I jumped up.

“I’ll take a quick shower, you eat. Then you can have one while I eat,” I say. Flora gives me a thumbs up and starts eating her bacon. She’s really not much of a morning person.

When we are all ready, we head downstairs. They have an amazing spa in the hotel. Mrs. Swanson really went all out. First, we got massages, then facials. Then we got manicures and pedicures. Finally leaving the spa at 2:30, we all felt refreshed and pampered.

We stop at the hotel cafe for a bite to eat, and to enjoy a cappuccino before heading back to our room at 3:30 pm, for our hair and makeup appointments. When we get to the rooms, we see Mr. Swanson is just typing on his computer. He gave us all a big smile “You pretty ladies look refreshed. Did you have fun?”

“Just what we needed, right girls?” Mrs. Swanson asked. “Definitely. Thank you!” I beam.

Three women show up and start by styling our hair. While they are working on our makeup, I hear a knock at our door. It’s my mom. She comes in and sees our hair done and us mid-makeup. Even though we’re all in robes, she still seems overly excited about how beautiful we look.

“Rayna, I’m all finished up, if you want to get your hair done, there’s still time,” Mrs. Swanson offers my Mom, and she excitedly agrees. Soon we are all ready and my Dad and brothers come to meet up with us in the room that Flora and I are staying in. Our room seems to be the gathering spot for everyone. All the men tell us ladies that we look beautiful. My Dad has also told me 3 times that he can’t believe how old I look. When Eli first saw Flora, his jaw dropped. Literally. 

“Wow… you look amazing, Flora,” he admitted.

Flora was blushing so much. I know she's always dreamed that Eli would look at her like that. When we are all ready to go, us ladies take one last look in the mirror. I am wearing a black strapless sweetheart neckline, fishtail dress, that falls to the floor. My hair is parted to the side with big loose curls, and the other side is pinned back. I went with a subtle cat-eye look and a luscious red lipstick.

Flora has a beautiful silk A-Line emerald green dress, with spaghetti straps and a plunging neckline. She looks gorgeous. Her hair has a loose curl, with a waterfall braid. Flora went with a red lip as well, and green and gold shimmery eye shadow. She looks amazing! My Mom was wearing a silver halter dress and wispy braided bun. Mrs. Swanson was wearing a black lace gown that went to the floor and had an illusion neckline. All the guys looked very dapper and handsome in their suits.

 “Time to go ladies and gentlemen,” my Dad says after looking at his watch.

Flora and I take a deep breath and look at each other wide-eyed. Flora’s are filled with excitement; mine are filled with anxiety and panic. If only I knew for sure I wouldn't meet my mate tonight, I’d be excited.