7. Too Nice

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Quinn’s steaks were the best I’d ever had. Not only were they succulent and flavorful, but they were cooked to perfection and I could have used a butter knife to cut them. Selene made steamed vegetables and potato casserole to go with the steaks, and that was delicious as well. Afterward, we enjoyed freshly baked chocolate-chip cookies.

During dinner, I learned that Randall, along with several other pack members, went to my school. He was a sophomore and only a year older than I was. He told me that he would show me around campus the next day and help me figure out where all my classes were. He offered to have lunch with me during the school year when we had breaks in our schedules. I accepted, since I didn’t know anyone at Maynor and wasn’t looking forward to eating lunch alone.

Sylvea and Quinn seemed pleased, but I was somewhat embarrassed. I had never been treated so nicely by people that I barely knew. I knew nothing of their customs and I hardly knew anything about them as people. I didn’t even know how my parents found this pack. They were never able to find anyone else like me near home, but I guess that was just because there wasn’t an established pack in that area. The wolf that had bitten me must have just been passing through.

It started to get late, so I told them that I should get back to my dorm. They looked astonished at the time, but they agreed that it was time to go.

Randall walked me to my Jetta. As we stepped out into then night, I took note of the slowly growing moon. “It’ll be full before you know it,” He remarked when he noticed me looking up at it.

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I said quietly.

“Why would you be afraid? You won’t be alone, not anymore. You’ll have my family and the whole pack, and me too. Full moons are a whole lot of fun.”

I looked at him, his eyes shining and happy. In the dark, they looked grey more than blue, but they were still intense. This was a person who loved his life. His family didn’t think he was diseased or a freak, always trying to find a way to “cure” him, locking him up every full moon while the beast howled to be free, battering itself bloody against the bars of its cage.

I looked down, willing myself not to cry.

“Hey,” He lifted my chin with a finger. A tear leaked from my eye and slid partially down my cheek. He bent down a little and licked it off.

His odd gesture startled me and I pulled away. He dropped his hand to his side, realizing he’d made a mistake. I turned abruptly and quickly walked to my car, mumbling “goodnight.”

He called my name and I could hear him running after me.

“Why are you acting like this?” I said as I fumbled with my keys, more frustrated than I should be. I wasn’t looking at him, but instead looking down as I shoved the key into the lock, not facing him. “I don’t know you, but you are so friendly and touchy-feely. You act like we’re dating or best friends, but I just met you tonight!” I turned the key and unlocked my car. I felt his hand on my shoulder and spun around to look at him again.

“Sorry,” He mumbled. “I just…we hardly ever get new pack members close to the same age as me, and it’s against the rules for us to socialize with other packs unless it’s business-related. We rarely even interact with humans, not in the close friendship kind of way. I guess I just got too excited, kind of overzealous. I let my instincts take over my better judgment.” He scratched his head and shook out his hair. I think I hurt his feelings.

I put my hand on his shoulder and leaned forward, kissing his cheek. I could feel the beginnings of stubble poking through. It was rough against my lips. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

He grinned at me and nodded. I got in my car and drove back to my apartment, brooding over the night’s events. It was great that I was making friends, and Randall’s family would be able to help me out immensely, but I wondered how close I really wanted to get to these people.

When I got back to my room, Lilith was sitting on the couch watching television. When I walked in the door, she halfheartedly waved at me. I sat in the chair next to the couch and looked at what she was watching, “The Discovery Channel?” I commented.

“I was bored,” She told me. “Now I’m even more bored.” Meerkats were frolicking around the screen, nipping at each other.

“Did you crack any of your books yet? Study for the first day of class? Three of my teachers have already sent me reading schedules.”

She scoffed and laughed, “I haven’t done any of that yet…I have all year to study!”

I laughed, “Same here.”

“Do you have any plans for tonight?” She asked me.

“Sleep,” I sighed.

She looked disappointed.

“Sorry, I would love to stay up and do something, but I have some stuff planned for tomorrow and I need to be well-rested.”

“Oh? Big plans?” She smiled.

“A…friend of my parents, their son really wants to show me around campus. He’s a sophomore here,” I blushed, thinking of my time with him tonight. Embarrassing and confusing as it was, I had still enjoyed it.

“Is he good looking?” She noticed my face.

“Well, everyone has different tastes, but I think he’s pretty hot,” I grinned and blushed deeper.

“Well, then off to bed with you! You have to be in top shape for your date!” She shooed me away while I moaned about it not being a real date. I went to my room, got ready for bed, and fell right asleep.

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A/N: There's going to be a chapter on Thursday. It's very short, so that's why I'm posting two this week. Umm not much to say about this chapter, a bit more character development between Selene and Randall as well as Selene and Lilith. Lilith was watching Meerkat Manor, if you were wondering. I love that show, even though it's so sad sometimes. I like the Discovery Channel. >.<

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