CHAPTER TWO

     

Chapter Two

“Your exams are in two weeks…”

As Mr Timothy taught, I felt the strange shift in the room. I was in the class but not in the class at the same time. Closing my eyes, I relapsed into the cold forest brightened by moonlight and this time, I was running through the forest. The wolf followed closely, trotting with the wind. He was larger than the last time I saw him and like before, I felt everything he felt, more vivid than before.

I stumble as I reach the base of a waterfall, its cool spray doing nothing to control the heat inside me. As I turned to face the wolf, he rose to his hind legs and bore me down into the pool.

Why did he do that? I thought, breaking into the surface and coughing out water then breathed in air. Everything felt too real to be a dream. Suddenly, the wolf is gone, body lengthening and fur melting away until I am face to face with a man, eyes the same as the wolf’s.

I gasped in shock as I recognized at the naked man walking into the pool. Connor Hastings?!

Why was I having a steamy dream about Connor Hastings in the middle of class? Not that I am complaining.

My eyes fell from his eyes, trailing the ripple of his breathing chest down to his waist, covered by the waters. His dark skin shone under the moonlight as he drew nearer until the only thing between us was my wet school uniform.

The churning waters lapped at my thighs, and a wave of desire rushed over me, along with a fleeting thought. His strong arms held me firm against his chest as he leaned forward. Closing my eyes, I rose to meet his kiss with equal ardor.

“Phoebe Woods!”

I blinked awake to see the entire class staring at me. Mr Timothy in particular did not seem impressed.

“Thank you for waking from your meditation. Now, pay attention,” he said.

In spite of myself, I blushed and glanced in the direction of Connor’s seat. He watched me with a questioning look. Flustered, I looked away and bit my fingernail. I would never be able to look at him the same without embarrassing myself.

My daydreams were getting weirder by the day. A wolf transforming into Connor Hastings?

As soon as the bell rang, I packed my books into my bag and hurried out of class. After Geography was the last training for the term. I sighed and held on to my bag strap tighter.

“Phoebe,” Zoe called, putting her arm around my shoulder. “There is a party later this weekend at the Hastings. Are you coming?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“So, that is a yes.”

“I did not say yes but I might have to sneak out again. My dad has been more strict now that exam is on its way.”

“Your dad is always strict even when there are no exams. I will pick you up by seven-thirty.”

Someone bumped into me, hard, pushing me into Zoe. “Hey, what’s your problem?” I rolled my eyes as soon as I saw the accomplice.

“Hey, Phoebe. Did not see you there.”

“Of course, you did not.” Flipping Reed the finger, I straightened then added under my breath, “Asshole.”

“Me? Asshole?” His voice grew a pitch high as he asked. “Come on, you like me. Admit it.”

“How can I admit something that is not true?”

He chuckled, leaning forward. The seductive smile on his face reminded me of the wolf-man in my daydream. I held my breath as the resemblance grew too uncanny.

Taking a step back, he asked, barely a whisper, “You sure about that?”

Blinking, I looked away and felt oddly shy. He sauntered away, his loud voice echoing across the hall as he greeted Ken, a basketball teammate.

“You know, you two would make a great couple if you stop all that unnecessary feud,” Zoe voiced out, dragging me by the arm with her as she plowed through the crowd.

“Do not entertain that idea!”

“Everybody already does.”

“I told you before, Zoe. I am into his brother.”

“The boring one?”

“Reed is deep.”

Zoe made a retching sound then paused. “Well, it’s a copy and paste. Those twins.”

Aside from the fact they did look very much alike except for Reed’s braided hair and Connor’s freckles. It did not matter much about my thirst trap daydream now that Reed ruined it for me. Ugh!

“What are you guys doing here?” I asked when I saw the boys basketball team training in the basketball court.

“I should be asking you that question, Phoebe,” Reed stepped forward, jogging a ball in his hand.

“Whatever. Just get you and your team out of here.”

“And why should I answer to you?”

“Because I asked coach for this court at this time.”

“Well, your coach is not here. Go play tea party with your ponytails.” His team seemed to agree with him as they glared with annoyance.

Fuming, I clenched my fists wanting nothing more than to punch his stupid face.

“How about we share?” Zoe asked then gave me a pointed look. “Because that will be perfect.”

“How about a match?” I asked with a smirk.

Zoe pulled me back and whispered harshly, “Phoebe, are you out of your mind? We are here to train not play with the boys. Besides, we would lose with all that height difference.”

“But we are training by competing against them.”

“You are on,” Reed called out.

Zoe shook her head in disappointment. “This is really stupid.”

“I vote to be referee,” Sam said, waving her white handkerchief and putting herself in the middle of the two teams.

The boys shrugged with a nod of agreement. Sam was on good terms with them which annoyed me greatly. You do not make friends with the enemy, no matter how good-looking they are. Four girls on my team, including Zoe, made for the bleachers with six boys from Reed’s. They chattered among themselves with small greetings which really irked me. I wanted to go up and smack all of them.

“Here,” Reed said, hanging me the ball as everyone congregated to the middle of the court. “Have a head start.”

“Whichever team scores the most points in thirty minutes wins,” Sam said.

Only Gina, Jess, Cat, Mel and I were left. Gathering the remaining four girls playing together, I said, “We go box and one. Don’t forget to keep your forearms up and in front of your face to guard and keep your eyes on the game. Please.”

“Panthers,” the girls cheered with excitement.

Unlike me, they seemed to consider this a friendly match. Rolling my eyes, I rolled the ball in my hand and waited for Sam to call in. Sam whistled and the match began.

Reed smirked as he tried to take the ball from me. I dribbled, giving enough space between Mel and I before passing to her. Running along the court to their net, I noticed the boys pretended to play. Their defense was weak as they made fun of Cat’s rebounding skill. Gina collected the ball from Cat and threw it in the net, giving our team the win.

Hitting Reed in the shoulder, I asked, “What the fuck is that, Reed? Take this game seriously.”

“What are you talking about?” He chuckled. “I take everything involving you seriously.”

He was right.

The next rounds was a massive failure for my team as the boys dominated the court with their height. I was not even petite! Try getting a ball from a six feet two inches giant when you are five feet six inches.

I stopped and stood in the middle of the court, watching them pass the ball to one another, mocking laughter trained at me.

“Giving up?” Reed asked.

“Pass me the ball first.”

“Is that what you said on your last match?”

What an asshole. Even I could not deny that we lost this match too. Were we that terrible? Was I a bad leader? But Panthers have won all match until the last one and today’s. I will not go down like this.

“Hey, Phoebe!”

As I turned, the ball flew into my face. Hard. My face seared with pain as I cried, “Fuck!” My eyes and nose hurt so bad.

“Phoebe, you okay?” I opened my eyes to squint at Zoe. When did she get on the court?

“Who the fuck did that?” I demanded.

“Babe, your nose is bleeding,” Sam winced.

“What?” I wiped my nose with the back of my hand and looked at it to see blood running down my wrist.

“I am so sorry,” Reed said, his voice oddly soft. “You have a strong head.”

“Fuck you, Reed Hastings.”

I felt it before I saw it. The silver bracelet that held on to my wrist for so long suddenly felt apart and onto the floor with a clink. What the hell?

Suddenly, there was a loud ringing in my ears and my head pounded. Everything I saw began two and had a strange glow.

“You should go to the nurse…” Reed suddenly stopped talking as he stared at me strangely then took a step back.

As everything shifted out of focus, I promised, “I will pay you back.”

Then everything went black.