Luna Raine

X. Thank You

My heart halted, the mouth opened, but it didn't respond. "W-W-What?"

"Let's exchange numbers, Little Piglet. I want to talk to you outside of the gaming world. I like hearing your voice."

Sometimes, Wolfie and I have these personal chats during a game, which isn't so private since we played with a few other familiar online friends. I know it's foolish, but I would tell them about my late night nightmares, which is why I stay up at night, but I didn't tell them about my mom.

It isn't just me; we often share information, things we can't share with others in real life. We find it easier to share personal details with someone we don't know; perhaps it's because we never saw each other's faces, or maybe not seeing their expression makes things better. It seems that telling a stranger your problems always seems easier than sharing it with someone besides you.

Helen and Cory grew on me, but it's hard to open up to them fully. Sometimes, I feel like the more I talk about my other world, the more it becomes annoying. I don't want to lose them.

"I don't know," I mumble.

"Do you not trust me?" He sounds dejected.

"I kind of don't know you," I responded honestly.

I can hear him releasing a deep breath, "I understand."

After some awkward silence, I started scratching my head, unable to find a new topic to discuss. "I got to go to sleep. I have to work soon."

It was quiet on the other side; if I didn't see his username still online, I would've thought he logged off. "Little Piglet."

The beating inside my chest was unforgiving, "Y-Yes?"

"Sweet dreams," he whispered sweetly.

I glanced up at the screen to see that he had logged off, and I couldn't help but feel a rush of disappointment sink into my bones. "You could've been a bit more persistent. Maybe, I'll cave and give you my number."

Whenever I talk to Wolfie, it always feels good. He knows exactly what to say to make me laugh even when we aren't talking about the game. We don't know much about each other except we both are gamers. Wolfie says he started gaming a few years back when his father decided to start training him to take over the family business.

Then again, it would be stupid to give my number to a random person I met online. He could be extremely hot. But, he can also be lying about everything he said, and it turns out he is a forty years old man with an enticing voice that's living inside his mom's basement. It happens.

I released a breath and threw my remote as well as headset down. Laying my head on the couch pillow, I shut my eyes, preparing for the day unable to get Wolfie's voice out of my mind.

My eyes burst open, hands lazily reaching for my cell phone when I heard a ringing sound. I checked the number and turned off the alarm. Sitting up, I shook my head to clear my head. Dragging my legs on the ground, I head towards the bathroom to get ready for work.

I took my bike and peddled, feeling the cold morning air hitting my skin. I may get governmental support, but it isn't enough to get me a car. I miss my car.

When I reached the store, I took out the keys and opened it. Switching on the lights, my mind wonders what my boss is thinking, letting a teenager run the stores all by herself.

When I walked towards the counter, like always, everything was prepped.

A year ago, when I was looking for a job, I crossed paths with my boss. He was always around during my first weeks, but after that, he always says how he trusts me, an employee he trained for a week. He told me the donuts will always be ready when I arrive, and the money for the day will be on the counter. When it's time to lock up, I can just put the cash on the counter and leave. There aren't any other workers besides this other girl and me, but we don't frequently talk since we have different shifts.

I pulled up a stool and placed the money in the cashier. Sitting there, I grab a book and read about the hypothesis regarding other dimensions. I realized there are many books regarding the possibility of other worlds here, so I would always pick one out from the library, hoping it can give me some hint of going back home.

Leaning forward, I sat there, listening to the clock tick. I love working here because there are hardly any customers so I can do whatever I want during my free time.

The bell rang, and I looked up to see a familiar pair.

"What do you guys want?" I ask, "I'm working."

Helen leaned against the counter, "Is that how you're supposed to talk to your customers?"

"Oh. Are you guys finally going to buy something?"

Cory set his stuff at one of the empty tables, "Last time I check, we don't have to buy anything to be here."

"That's what I thought." I flip to the next page.

Helen leaned towards me, "Reading about other dimensions again?"

I exhale and nod, "Yeah."

Cory walks around the counter and looks past me. "How is it going?"

"Better if you two aren't here."

"And here I assumed we are friends."

I smirk, "Don't assume because when you assume. You make an ass out of-"

"You-" Helene said.

"And me," Cory finishes.

I wish Helen and Cory existed in my world. The three of us would've been great friends.

We all chuckle briefly before I return to my book. I noticed Helen elbow Cory, who shook his head. I close the book, "What's wrong?"

Cory licks his lips before he scratches his head. "I got a call."

"About?"

He sat on the stool beside me, "You remember Selection Day?"

I nod, "Yeah. How they choose five humans and hunters to go to the wolf academy."

"Well, the phone call was for me, and they said I'm one of the chosen humans."

My brows crunch, and I turn my whole body towards him. "You applied?"

Cory closed his eyes, "It was supposed to be a joke that the guys and I did. We all applied, but I didn't think they would choose me."

"But we didn't have a ceremony."

"Remember the day you left early for work?" Helen question.

"Yeah." The other co-worker called me and asked me if I can cover part of her shift because her mother got sick. So, I requested for an early leave from school. When you're an orphan, it's not that hard to leave school. Because no one cares. Cory's parents are my guardians, but they only come up if I get killed or hospitalized.

"That was Selection Day."

My mouth gap opens, "I miss everything."

"It seems to be your thing," Helen comments.

"So, what are you going to do? Are you going to reject it?" After all, he did it as a joke, so why would he go to a school full of wolves.

"No, I'm going to accept it," Cory responds.

"Why?" I ask.

"Well, two reasons." He exhales, "One, my parents are proud that I am going to be one of the representatives of the human community youth. It's kind of a big thing to be accepted, and I don't want to disappoint them by telling them that everything is a joke."

"What's the second reason?"

"I heard Full Moon has a large selection of books about other worlds. We might find something that can help you go home, Raine."

"Not only that but spells too," Helen includes. "There are restrictive books at Full Moon that even the Witch community doesn't have. If Cory goes there, then he may find a spell that can potentially take you home."

There was a kindness in their smiles, a soothing, gentle feature. It was a smile that expressed their support towards what others would find insane.

"You guys-" I exhale, "I appreciate this, but you don't have to do this." I look at Cory, "I don't want you to get hurt." I heard stories and witnessed werewolves a few times. They're incredibly hot-headed creatures, and when things don't go their ways, a fight seems to be the only way to work things out. I don't want Cory to lay his life down for me.

"Don't worry," Cory slapped my hand on top of mine. "The council informed us that we would be safe. Nothing will happen to us. If something happens, they will immediately pull us out of Full Moon's territory."

"Cory-"

"Please-" he said, "Let us help you. We want you to be happy."

"Why?" I whisper, "Why would you do this for me?"

They smile, "Because you're our friend and friends help each other out."

I didn't look at them. I couldn't look at them. This is it. The kindness that many lacks. My head could only drop, and the stream of hair on my face waves down, not a lot but enough to cover the flow of water.

"Silly," Helen whispered before she held me. Steadily, from the other side, I felt another surge of warmth.

I cover my face, embarrassed that they witness this pathetic state of mine, and at that tender moment, I could only say: "Thank you."