Luna Raine

XIII. Re-Cycle

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.

Helen took my food and put it down, "The conversation."

I groan, "Can't we talk about it after I eat my sandwich? I'm so hungry." I haven't eaten a lot recently because I spent my last paycheck on Mister Oink's food. Now, I'm questioning why I got a pet when I can hardly feed myself. But, I adopted him, so I have to take care of him.

"Fine." She grabs her homemade food and opens the pack of containers.

I bit the dry sandwich, but I couldn't help but glance at the delicious, colorful food. I would be lying if I wasn't jealous.

"Look." I threw the plastic on top of the lunch tray. "We're just talking. I made it clear that I'm not ready to meet him."

"What?" Helen screams, "You were going to meet him?"

"I said I wasn't going to meet him."

"Oh. No. No. No. You said you're not ready to meet him."

I lean back; a single hand rests on the green grass beneath us. "Did I say that?"

"Uh. Yah."

I close my eyes, "Okay. I might've...a little bit...want to meet Wolfie."

"He's a werewolf!"

"I thought you said it doesn't matter that he's a werewolf."

"I mean-" she grunts, "dang it!"

Damn. Now, I have to apologize to Wolfie again.

"If it makes you feel any better. I didn't give him my real name."

"You-" Helen's phone rang. She slips it out from her back pocket and smiles, "You're lucky. It's our dork calling." She slides her thumb across the screen.

There he is.

Our dork.

"Sup dork," we said at the same time.

He saluted us, "Sup." His eyes narrow, "Are you guys behind the bleachers of the football field?"

"Yeah," Helen responds. "How's Were High?"

He rolls his eyes, "Everyone is a prick here. I hate my life, and I think a girl tried to r**e me."

"What?" Helen and I said at the same time. I cannot believe he can say that so casually.

"Yeah. She said I was her mate or some s**t and tried to jump me." He shook his head and shutters from the memory. "Girl is strong as f**k. I had to shoot her ankle."

"What?" I grab the phone from Helen's hands. "You're going home."

"I'm fine, Raine."

Helen grabs her phone back. "You were almost r***d by a werewolf!" She glares at me, an indirect warning of what may happen to me. "Get back here now."

"You were so interested in Selection Day not too long ago," Cory said.

"Yeah. But that was before one of my friends got selected."

"I'm fine. The girl is contained and spending time in prison. Not being able to walk is a punishment too. God, I should've shot one of her boobs."

"You're fine?" I question. How can he be okay? He was almost r***d.

"Yeah-" he shrugs, before laying down on what I assumed to be his bed. One of his arms rests beneath his head, and he grunts slightly. "Girl probably thought I couldn't fight her because I'm a human. She forgot I'm an armed human." He smiles, but it drops when he notices we weren't laughing. Cory exhaled, "I'm really fine, guys, and I got good news."

"What?" I question.

His smiles only widened before a book made its appearance. "There's a truckload of books here about different dimensions and all that crap. Since I'm a student here, I can check these books out, then scan them and send them to you."

I exhale, "Cory. This isn't worth it. Come back."

"But, then, you can't go home to your mom."

The silence returns, "My mom?"

"We know you miss your mom," Cory said.

Helen pouts, "You talked about your mom in your sleep."

I couldn't do it. Once again, I couldn't meet either of their eyes. It's a bad habit, I know.

"And there are other things too," Cory said slowly.

"What?" Helen replies.

"I found books about witches. How they may potentially be spells where light witches can go out in the dark."

Helen grips firmly on the phone, "No way."

Cory smiles, "Way."

Helen grabs my shoulders, "Did you hear that? They have books for witches. Light witches can go out even when it's dark! I may be able to go out past sunset!"

Cory and Helen continue to talk while I settle in the background. I would smile and nod once in a while, maybe input a word here or there, but I didn't say much. I've never been much of a talker, particularly when I don't feel well.

Emotionally unwell.

I shouldn't feel that way. I should be happy to have a friend like Cory. Appreciate everything he had done, but with appreciation comes guilt. The guilt of living each day knowing my friend is in danger.

I shook off the thought and planted another smile on my face. "Thank you," I said.

Cory exhaled, "Stop it."

"Stop what?"

"Stop constantly thanking me like I'm a stranger. We're friends. I know you would do that same thing for me."

Helen grip onto my neck and pull me closer. "Of course, we would!"

Cory gives us a thumb up before the screen blacks out. Helen and I finished the rest of our lunches. When school was over, I did my usual shift at the donut shop then went home. Then, a repeat.

School.

Homework.

Work.

Sleep.

Research about other worlds.

Re-cycle.

Exhaling a deep breath, I lock the front door. Tucking the key inside my purse, I jump onto the bike. At a red light, I felt a buzz inside my purse.

Wolfie.