V

~Unknown~

I’ve been walking around campus for a while now. I came here and registered for the classes that father insisted on. I decided to register for online classes because I need my days free to find her. I’ve been keeping to the shadows, checking out the school. So far, everything I’ve seen has made me sure of my choice.

Loud music calls to me, and I make my way over to its source. Down the road, there’s a house that has a lot of people out front. They must be having a party, and I want no part of that. I hate being around a lot of people. Whenever I go out in public, I always block my scent to avoid drawing attention.

A car pulls up to the front of the house, and three people get out. I start to look away when one of the girls catches my eye. She has on a leather mini skirt and a halter top, but she looks so familiar, even though I can’t clearly make out her face.

I step closer, tempted to go inside so I can see her, but I’m stopped by the crowd. There are way too many people in there, and I can’t risk it. I watch the house for a while, trying to figure out what my next move should be.

I grow tired quickly because it’s a party, and there’s no telling how long they will be there. I walk down further, getting close to the nearby woods. Thankfully for me, this gives me a visual of the backyard area of the house. I catch a glimpse of the same leather skirt, the occupant standing next to a guy at the edge of a pool. Her back is toward me, so I still can’t catch her face. I watch them for a while, wondering why I’m drawn to her. Maybe I need to take the time to find out more.

~Akia~

I stand next to Matt in the backyard. We are standing at the edge of a pool, watching other partygoers getting closer to jumping in. Everyone is letting loose and having fun. I’m envious because I’ve never been able to be that free. I’ve spent my teenage years and past looking over my shoulder.

As I relive my sad existence, the hairs on the back of my neck raise. I feel goosebumps break out all over my body. I know this feeling, I remember it. I feel like I’m being watched.

His warm touch jolts me, and I take a step back without meaning to. “I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” I smile at Matt, my heartbeat increasing. “I’m really glad to be here with you. I’ve been wanting to spend time with you for a while, but I didn’t know how to approach you. I’m not really good at all this.” I risk a glance at Matt, and my heart melts. He looks so flustered, and it’s the cutest thing.

“I… I’ve been through a lot in the past. I’m still a bit scared to open up.” Matt moves closer to my side and reaches over for my hand. His warmth wraps around me, and a shiver goes through my body.

“I have no problem being as patient as I need to be. You’re worth the wait.” I raise my drink to my mouth, trying to hide my smile. This may be a major mistake, but I think I want to find out firsthand.

⇱⇲⇱⇲⇱⇲⇱⇲⇱⇲⇱⇲⇱⇲⇱⇲⇱⇲⇱⇲⇱⇲⇱⇲⇱⇲⇱⇲⇱⇲⇱⇲

We stayed at the party for a few hours before pulling Esme into the car. She had had a bit too much to drink, but had a blast with her crush. I’m sure she hated to go, but I wasn’t comfortable letting her stay.

Matt pulls up in front of our dorm building. Esme looks between us and exits the car, giggling as she moves. I know what she’s doing, and she isn’t funny. Matt turns in his seat and puts his eyes on me.

He lifts his finger and lets it graze my cheek. My body is responding to his touch, and I feel butterflies in my stomach. “I had fun tonight.”

“I did too, but next time a more secluded outing would be appreciated.”

“Next time? There’s going to be a next time?” I didn’t mean to say what I did, but I can’t take it back now. It’s already out there.

“I… if you want.” Matt leans in close, and my nervousness tries to take over. I can feel his breath on my face, and the butterflies are going into overdrive. Matt presses his lips to mine. His lips are soft, and the kiss is making me feel things. This is the second kiss I’ve ever had, and it’s everything. Matt pulls back much too quickly.

“I would love that. I’ll see you in class.” I nod and exit his car. I walk to the door of the dorm and open it. I stop in the doorway, that feeling washing over me again. I feel like I’m being watched. Maybe it’s Matt. Perhaps he’s watching me so hard that it’s evoking those same feelings in me as before. I shake it off and walk into the building, ready to go to bed.

~Third Person~

He follows the car to its destination. He didn’t want to be seen, so he stayed far away and stayed in wolf form. Something about that girl has him on edge, and he doesn’t like that. He wants to figure this out so he can focus on finding her again.

By the time he finds a good place to be, she’s walking to the door of the building. He still hasn’t seen her face, but there’s something about her that’s calling out to him. He can’t risk getting closer because he’d be recognized. If his father gets another call about him, he’ll probably be locked away.

It’s a big dormitory. It looks to be four floors, with who knows how many rooms on each. There’s no easy way to find her without knowing her name or having seen her face. He has to figure out what to do and how to find out who she is.

He shifts into his human form and moves closer to the door. The car has long driven off, and she’s been in the building for a while. He peeks into the glass doors, and there’s no one there. Maybe they don’t have anyone watching the door this late at night. That could definitely be in his favor.

He has none of his tools with him, so tonight will have to be stopped here. He plans to come back the next night and get himself into the building. How he intends to find her is still a mystery, but at least he’ll be in. He slips away into the night, using the shadows to hide him, finalizing his plan in his head.