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Author: Eleven
last update publish date: 2026-04-14 22:25:36

Maxine

It was a lie. A big fat lie. I told myself that ignoring my crush on Bran—and especially Johnny—would make it go away with time, but I was wrong. It’s only getting stronger. Both of them being so nice to me isn’t making it any easier.

It’s so confusing.

The closer I am to them, the more I feel this sizzling, quiet pull between us, like it’s just out of my control. And last night, I could swear I dreamt that Bran climbed into my room through the window and held me while I slept. I can’t
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  • The Lycans Nextdoor   41

    Maxine"Bye, Aunt Marge," I said, shutting her car door after she dropped me off at home.“Baby, are you sure you don’t want me to drop you off at your mom’s office? It’s going to be pretty comfy. You can rest and I'll get you something to eat on the way. I don’t know... if you’d be fine staying home all night on your own.”“It’s okay, Marge. I can do this. I had a really long day and I'm not sure I want to spend the rest of it in a hospital. If I'm feeling too scared, I can always call you or go to the neighbors' house. But I really want to do this on my own.”“Well, okay. Use your meds and call me immediately if it starts getting too overwhelming, okay? No matter what time it is, I’ll come pick you up,” she said.Christ. It had been a year since my last accident. I don’t even see Joey anymore, not even in my dreams, and it might have been my meds doing their job, but I was fine—except my mom and Aunt Marge wouldn’t stop treating me like a baby. I wouldn't be surprised if my mom left

  • The Lycans Nextdoor   40

    Michael “Please, stop. Not on the bus, please,” she begged, grabbing my hand. Her pretty, glossy blue eyes pleaded as she looked up at me.“Hmph. Do you get it now?” I asked.“No, I can handle it. Just not on a bus where I can’t control what comes out of my mouth,” she said. Her glossy lips were an invitation to take her right then and there.I leaned back in my chair. What is wrong with me? Her rejection had been fuel to my soul, and after that moment, everything had just gone south. I couldn't stop fixating on her, I was feeling deeply hurt despite the fact that I hadn't really cared for her before the rejection. I even spent time drawing her just to get her off my mind, but I’d just assumed that was the aftermath of the rejection. Then the bond just came back, and it was like everything in my head just worked in her favor now—like how I had never noticed her smooth porcelain skin and her eyes like the ocean, dark and bright at the same time. When she looks at me, I just want to ki

  • The Lycans Nextdoor   39

    MaxineEven though every single word he said was emotionless, with a straight face that didn’t bat an eye, it meant a lot to me. I felt it very deeply. That was probably the most romantic thing anyone had ever said to me, especially coming from Mike.Jeez.“Hey, are you ready? We have to really, really make a performance that chokes the other cheerleading team,” Poppy said.“Don’t worry, our routine is great, we'll do well,” I said.“Hey, boss. Let’s hope your corny dance moves don’t get us embarrassed today,” Olivia said to Poppy, Claudia standing supportively next to her.Queen bee Olivia always called Poppy "boss" in a condescending manner. She had definitely tried to start her very own cheer squad, but the principal didn’t approve of it. She had to remain under Poppy’s command if she wanted to stay on the cheer team, and she wanted to because it was the only way she got to flaunt her flat-as-a-board belly in front of the football team.Poppy ignored her as usual.“Do you know if M

  • The Lycans Nextdoor   38

    Maxine“Hey, Mom.”“Hey,” my mom kissed me on the cheek.“I paid for your New York trip today, the principal told me you will be going next week,” she said.“Oh, yeah. Thank you, Mom,” I said.Aunt Marge’s horn blasted from outside, and I immediately grabbed my bag.“Have a nice day at school,” my mom said.“Thank you, Mom. Have a great day at work,” I waved, hurrying outside.I plopped into the car, and then we drove to school. I had planned a list of cunning questions to ask Aunt Margery so I could determine if she or her husband were canines too, but suddenly, I wasn't interested anymore.I couldn’t stop thinking about Johnny and our kiss from last night. It felt so good, I had never kissed someone for that long or that deeply before, and the way his hands grabbed my waist was so hot. I couldn't wait to do it again.Aunt Marge dropped me off at school and drove off.“Hey,” I met up with Poppy.“Hi! So, how was it last night?” she asked.“Uhm, it went well... I don’t know. Bran stil

  • The Lycans Nextdoor   37

    Maxine “So, what did she say?” Poppy asked as soon as I tossed my phone on the bed, still tying a towel around myself. They had convinced me to take a shower and wear something a little more daring for dinner with our neighbors.Which I think is a little weird, you know, because their mom is going to be there. I hate that they hate me, and I want them to like me, but I didn't want to do that by giggling my ass around in shorts. It wouldn’t be bad to have a little more skin showing than the thighs beneath the see-through pantyhose I wear under my uniform.“She said dinner is going to be ready in like an hour,” I said.“So, go early. You can talk to the boys and even Amy. But before we go, we need to pick out what you are going to wear. I’m not letting you throw on some sweatshirt and pants,” Poppy insisted.“It’s cold,” I pointed out.“Grab a jacket, I’m sure their house will be warm enough, though,” Elodie pitched in.“Fine, I know what to wear,” I said, opening my closet to pull ou

  • The Lycans Nextdoor   36

    Maxine I poured one more glass and called it a day. I didn’t want to overdo it, get drunk, and march over to Bran’s house to ask him why he yelled at me before I kissed him.Why do I even want to kiss him?I ended the bond for a reason. Why do I still have these strong feelings?I changed out of my uniform and got it cleaned before choosing to use the hot tub my mom fixed, since it was a pretty cold fall evening. I took my iPad with me so I could read a book—just something about school.I hadn’t relaxed into the tub for long before the doorbell rang. That was weird, no one should be here to see me, and my mom certainly wouldn’t ring the doorbell.I stepped out of the tub and wrapped my robe around myself before heading to the front door. I had to peep to check who it was first, but all I saw was a giant teddy bear and red hair I’d recognize anywhere.I opened the door.“Poppy, what are you doing here so late?” I asked.I was a lot less angry than I had been earlier today at school.“

  • The Lycans Nextdoor   9

    Maxine “Poppy, c’mon!” I caught up with her after racing her down the hall.“I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have done that,” she said, still walking fast.“Yes, I know. It’s okay, I swear. You don’t have to avoid me,” I said, stopping her by grabbing her arm.“I’m sorry,” she reiterated sadly. I pu

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-17
  • The Lycans Nextdoor   7

    Brandon Maxine’s window is right opposite mine. She’s in her room right now, probably preparing for school, but I can feel her so close it’s as if she’s right next to me. Us being neighbors makes this so much worse. Everything has been weird. Mike doesn’t want to entertain the topic or even talk a

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-17
  • The Lycans Nextdoor   6

    Brandon I walked into my room and hurriedly started to take off my uniform, feeling my patience thinning. I’m barely out of my pants when my bones start to crack, snap, and reform. A growl escaped my lips as fur replaced skin and the pain subsided.I could hear my mom’s wheelchair humming from a d

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-17
  • The Lycans Nextdoor   8

    MaxineThere are so many stairs and floors and rooms in my school. Millicent Ray is so big it looks like a college campus building. I just need a quiet place to sit and catch my breath before my test in about twenty minutes.I don’t feel okay. I can’t sleep at night because of the loud howling of w

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-17
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