Chapter Two

MARCELENE

“Cheers!!!” My girls and I shouted, happily clinking our beer glass together. We were smiling and laughing hysterically, as Ash won't stop making a joke about her recent talking stage. It was so funny that despite how horrible I was feeling I couldn't stop laughing that I felt my cheeks starting to hurt badly. I'm very sure if I were in her shoes I would have hit the guy on the head with my heels. No offense, I'm the feisty one in our girl group.

“Jo? Lene?, I wish you could have seen all I had to go through on that date. It was a complete disaster. And the funny thing was he doesn't know what he did wrong.” She finished, hitting her black painted hands on the table.

“That's insane.” Jo said, shaking her head and chuckling.

“You surely hit the wrong button girl.” I said, smiled a little and winced a little as I felt a sharp pain in my right incisor but they didn't notice.

“Yeah I did!” Ash giggled.

The three of us sat on a table in the crowded bar taking a deep gulp from our drink. It was a good day. A day to celebrate our freedom. We just finished our semester exams. A thing of joy indeed.

We had actually finished a week before, but we couldn't celebrate it because Ash fell really sick and we couldn't just leave her on her own. Now we are making it up today. Just us girls.

“You’re still going home tomorrow? I'll miss you badly, Lene.” Ash said, pouting.

“Right. Do you need to go? Wait a few more days… weeks maybe.” Jo said also pouting her mouth as if that will help change my mind.

“ Common girls. I miss home. I miss my mother. She wants me to come unfailingly tomorrow. I need to go see her and figure out some personal stuff.” I replied. I was saying the truth but not the whole truth. I've been feeling off for the past few weeks and it had gotten worse days ago. Sudden headaches, toothaches, and my bones they're like they are about to break into pieces. Of course I can't tell the girls about this because they will get worried.

My dreams have also become frequent. Really bad dreams. It was just like when I turned eighteen but this time it doubled. I don't feel in control anymore which is really unlike me.

“Are you sure everything is alright at home?” Jo asked, concern evident on her face.

“Hey girls,” Sage greeted, cutting in on our conversation. I rolled my eyes, the witch is here, I thought as I stared at her elegant but nasty face. Hate is a big word, but we definitely do not like her, but everytime she can't seem to read the room.

“Hi Sage.” Jo replied while Ash and I just ignored her.

Everyone on campus knows Sage and her talkative mouth.

I'm definitely not in the best mood and the right space of mind to tolerate her. I can feel anger slowly coming up my throat. Now is not a good time at all.

“Oh pretty you look pale, too pale.” She turned to me then proceeded to touch my face. All of my pain turned into anger immediately and I lashed out at her.

“Watch it, I don't see that as any of your business.” I snapped, also glaring daggers at her, surprising her and also my friends.

“Lene? Are you alright?”Ash asked with concern written all over her face.

“Yes, I'm fine… I think I'll probably just go to the bathroom for a few minutes.” Sage curls her mouth in amusement. She also has this look in her eyes I can't explain. It was like she was enjoying it. Weirdo.

I literally staggered to the bathroom, and used the wall as an assistant. I was fine minutes ago, damn that Sage! but now it seems as if my face and whole body is on fire. I felt the urge to punch something.

Thankfully the bathroom was empty. I slipped out of my platform. I stared at myself in the mirror. A pretty white faced lady with a thick and long auburn stared back at me. Pain written all over her pretty face. I slowly squatted down, gripping the sink strongly with my two hands.

“Ahhh. I need to go home.” I whimpered

“Breathe, breathe, breathe.” I urge myself. Just a few more minutes, the pain will soon go away.

I couldn't take it anymore. In a rush I stood up and punched the mirror. It didn't break but it left an impact on it. Wide eyed I pulled myself together but I guess hitting the mirror did ease my nerves.

I also scribbled ‘Sorry’ on my sticky note and pasted it on the glass. Of course I can't go meet the manager and tell them I broke their mirror. How will I even tell them they will absolutely think I'm a nutcase.

I quickly washed my bloody hands, put my platform back on, and forced myself to put on a bright smile or Ash and Jo will get worried. I made my way slowly to our table, two other guys had joined Ash and Jo. They are probably looking for a nightstand.

“Great.” I muttered under my breath. It created just the right opportunity for me to leave.

“ Hey girls.” Jo and Ash looked up looking at me worriedly. I smiled and gave a quick wave at the men sitting with them. I have no intention of sitting less to talk about pleasantries. I just want to leave. Now.

“Are you okay? Seriously, you look pale.”

“ I'm alright.”

“ Are you sure?” Jo pressed on.

“I'm okay," I lied, my face deadpan so as not to give anything away. "But I need to leave now. A long day for me tomorrow. And I'm feeling a bit nauseous.” I added trying to sound more convincing.

“ But we just got here.” Ash said, squeezing her face and I gave her a ‘I really need to go look.’

“ Okay fine. Take care of yourself okay?”

“Alright.”

I stepped out of the bar and I felt the cold evening wind blow heavily on my face and body. It really felt good and soothing. I removed my leather jacket so that the breeze can settle more on my skin and provide a bit more solution to my hot and itchy body.

It's been so long that I have forgotten how it felt to be a wolf that hasn't actually turned to one.

Then there's the secrecy part, where I can't really express myself to my friends less to talk of telling them about my identity. It was really hard trying to behave like everyone else. Ordinary. A normal human.

“You are special, baby.” My mother had told me then but at the moment I really doubt her words. But I have a sick feeling that my worries have just started.

My mother told me I should have turned since I was eighteen, but it somehow didn't happen. I got scary dreams instead.

Extremely scary and draining. Then the physical torture. Days before the night of the full moon my current plague will set in. Teeth, bone and my entire body would ache badly.

Even my emotionally strong mother got scared at some point. But then it stopped. And now it's back. In multiple folds and I can't wait to get home.

I slipped under my bed and pulled my duvet over my head. Literally begging for sleep to come so I can get over the pain.

But then my terrible dreams are waiting for me as well.