Chapter 2 Hello, freak

"Did you hear about Mark's girl-what's her name again?" There was a pause of silence. "Ugh, whatever. Anyways, did you hear she got..." The girl lowered her voice to a whisper, "The mark of the wolf?"

"O.M.G. Right. That is crazy. I can't believe we've got a wolf-girl walking inside these halls. Like, it's not safe."

"Yeah, what if she eats us or something?" A third girl drawled. "There should be a rule against allowing those freaks in this school."

I wiped a fat tear from my cheek, staring at the love notes written against the door of the bathroom stall.

There was a squeaking sound as someone opened a tap, and you could hear the running of water.

"I mean, poor Mark," the first girl continued. "He's the school quarterback. Such a total hottie. Imagine how devastated he must be when he finds out his girl-"

"Ex girl," the second girl corrected. "Can't imagine who'd want to date a freak."

"Absolutely," the first girl agreed. "But he must be devastated. They've been an item forever. Goodness knows I've been waiting for the day he sees that thing for what she is."

"I know, she's so daft. She doesn't even notice he's screwing her BFF right under her nose," the third girl snorted. "Like, isn't werewolves supposed to have epic senses?"

"Freak," the second girl sang.

I rubbed my shaking knuckles, staring down at the dirty tiles. Was Kelsey secretly seeing Mark behind my back?

I frowned. It couldn't be. Kelsey would never do me in like that. Right?

She's my best friend.

A door clicked open, and the bathroom fell silent. At first, I thought they left, until, "Did you see in which one Hailey went?" It was Kelsey.

Another stretch of silence followed until girl number one answered. "Hailey who?"

"Forget it," Kesley sighed, and knocking followed. I could hear the stall next to mine open.

"Hails, I know you're in here," Kelsey called out. "I saw you come in."

A knock sounded against my stall door. "Hails?"

I stiffened, balling my fists on top of my lap. The door rattled as Kelsy attempted to open it.

"Come on, please let me in," Kelsey pleaded. Someone clucked their tongue. "Could you I don't know, go away and mind your own damn business?" Kelsey snapped.

"Whatever," the second girl muttered. Shuffling followed, and I could hear them exit the bathroom.

"Hails, I know you're in here. Please talk to me."

I sighed, unlocking the stall. When I pulled open the door, Kelsey immediately threw her arms around me and pulled me into a tight hug.

"Girl, I'm so, so sorry," she said. "I can't believe Luca did that to you." When she stepped back, she asked, "Are you okay?"

"I'm a freak, Kels," I choked out. "I'm going to turn into a monster."

"That's complete BS." She took my hand and squeezed it. "You're still my best friend. No matter what happens, okay?"

I blew out a shaky breath. "I can't believe this is happening to me."

"I know, right?" She dropped my hand, turning to glance over her shoulder at the door. "It's insane."

My eyes narrowed to her foot tapping impatiently on the floor. "They're going to send me away. People like me aren't allowed to live here."

"I know. How did they allow Luca to get away for it so long?" She still didn't look at me, and her gestures were rigid.

"You need to be somewhere else?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

"Yeah, kinda." Her attention snapped back to me. "Look uhm, so I missed the bus looking for you. Mark offered to lift me home. Is that okay with you?"

I stared at her, my heart loud inside my ears. "Sure, I guess?"

"Cool," she grinned and pulled me into half-hug. "Look, I'll see you later. You'll be fine, okay?"

I quietly nodded, watching Kelsey rushing toward the door. She didn't express any more concern, suddenly appearing all giddy and smiling before closing it behind her.

***

What started as a regular school day ended as a tragedy. At least, that was how I saw it.

It felt like I died today, and some beastly creature took over my body.

Well, something did. I felt off since Luca attacked me, convincing myself it was from the shock.

But, since I realized I got marked, it was like my brain clicked, and I could feel everything.

My senses were heightened, and it felt like my skin stretched too tightly over my body.

And I think the panic was making me hallucinate. Because I swear, it was the third wolf I spotted since leaving the girl's bathroom.

It wasn't just any wolf. They were wispy, almost ghostlike-strolling down the hallway as if they belonged there, oblivious to my freakout-fits.

When I reached the exit, I stumbled face-first into a hard chest reeking of a sharp, floral perfume.

"Hails, babe, are you okay?" Hands held onto my shoulders, steadying my balance. "I heard what happened."

I forced my chin up to glare at Mark. "Let go of me."

Of course, Mark wasn't a good listener. He dropped his hands and wrapped an arm around my waist, jerking me flush against him. "Where's Luca? I'm about to beat his ass up."

"No point, it's non-reversible," I gritted. I had to dig my nails into his arm to drag it away. "And I'm sure I made it abundantly clear I don't want you near me."

"Babe, I-"

"Stop calling me that," I snapped. "I'm not your babe. Go babe whoever's cheap perfume you've got all over you."

He stiffened. "What are you talking about?"

"You heard me," I shoved his hand away. "If it's not bad enough you were caught cheating, you don't even try to redeem yourself. You just jump into the first skirt you come across."

His face reddened. "That's BS. You know it, Hails. You're the only girl for me."

He tried to reach for me again, and I slapped away his hand. "I said don't touch me."

"Look, so I screwed up. It happens." Mark grabbed hold of my backpack, dragging me toward him. "Let's just move on and be happy, okay?"

I pulled back. The force of the action tore open my backpack, and all its contents poured out, scattering across the pavement.

I ducked down, cursing under my breath. "Great. Just freaking great."

"Here, let me." Mark crouched down and helped me put back my stuff into the backpack.

My lips drew tight over my teeth. "Is this because if we break up, you're out of the football team?"

Just as expected, Mark looked nervous. "No, I miss you." He hesitated. "Yeah, I can't lose my spot in the team, you know, to get into college and all that. But, nothing is the same without you."

"Relax, buddy, I won't tell my dad a thing." My dad happened to be the football coach, and guess who helped this idiot get on it? I pointed to him and then to me. "But you and I are over."

"So I'm not getting kicked off the team?" his posture perked.

I hissed under my breath. "Just as I figured. Go away, Mark, now is not a good time to mess with me."

"I'm just trying to help."

"Yeah. Helping yourself, not me." I got back onto my feet, throwing my backpack over my shoulder.

Just then, Kelsey rounded the corner. I could see her reflection in Mark's red Range Rover, typing frantically on her phone. She couldn't see me from where I stood, hidden behind the pillar, which is a good thing.

I didn't want her to see me as I wiped the fat tears from my cheeks. "Leave me alone," I mouthed at Mark and signaled toward Kelsey. I blew out a relieved breath when he backed away.

Kelsey glanced up. "There you are!" She squealed and threw her arms around my ex-boyfriend, who looked like he was about to have a stroke.

I quickly found out why. Kelsey stuck her phone into her jacket's pocket, pushed herself up on her toes, and kissed him.

I could feel the world begin to spin as my stomach dropped.

She moaned into his mouth before she pulled away. "Finally got rid of her. Like, O.M.G. Luca's curse is a godsend."

I dropped my backpack and ran. I could hear her gasp of surprise when she saw me, but I didn't care. Instead of punching her, as badly as I wanted to, I ran straight for the street, past the bus stop, and I didn't stop.