In a Heartbeat

    If only he would pick up his damn phone. Rings, rings, rings. Hey, this is Jason. Leave a message. Beep! Man, that boy can be worrisome. I don't know exactly why I put up with him. I guess it's just because I've known him since we were kids and we've lived across the street from each other ever since in can remember. I guess we just became best friends. so that just means I have to deal with him. But he's a great guy, when he wants to be.

    At that moment, I was walking across the street to get Jason. My mom, dad, and I were on our way with three of my other friends to Ocean Breeze Water Park. I walked across the street and knocked on the door, really pissed off. He answered a couple seconds after. If it took longer... I would have had to kill him. Just kidding. Maybe.

" Ellie, I'm sorry. My phone was on silent."

" Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just bring your buns. Let's go." He laughed at me, which is something he was not supposed to do. Dammit. 

I helped him put his things in the car and he kept annoying me by saying he was so very sorry. I know he wasn't. I tried my very hardest to ignore him as we settled down in the luxurious rental van. 

" I threw a wish in the well. Don't ask me I'll never tell. I looked at you as it fell, but now you're in my way."

" Ugh! Please stop! You know, I just don't get why you treat me like this. Gosh." He did that little puppy face that I adore so much. His excruciatingly irresistible dimples caved into his face as he tried, not very well, to resist laughing.

" You can not be talking. Mister, Oh I'm Not Going To Answer My Phone! And then you just have to annoy me even more afterwards! You will be perfectly fine, honey bun." I giggled.

" You know I won't."

" None of us will be! Please stop. For me?" Sienna pleaded from the back of the car.  Jason and I were sitting in the middle of the van with my dad driving and my mom in the passenger seat. Sienna, my girl best friend, was sitting with her boyfriend, Alex and our other very close friend Korin. 

" Hey now. Don't be trying to get fiesty aight? Let's just be cool." they all laughed but I was very serious. Morons.

During the intensely long drive to Ocean Breeze Water Park for a summer vacation, I was the only one enjoying myself during the Carly Rae Jepsen hit Call Me Maybe. ( Author's Note: I really hate that song! But she loves it sooo oh wells. Hahaha)

" Come on you guys, sing with me! I chose for you all out of the goodness of my heart for you to come with us and you can't do me this one favor?"

They all groaned and looked out the window as if they were in one of those sad movies. I rolled my eyes and reached up to change the station.

Flipping through the stations, I found The Way by Ariana Grande and Mac Miller and decided to settle with that. We all like that song, more so love than like. I looked up and could not believe my eyes.

" Dad? Dad? Mom?" I'm just wondering how they did not see what was right in front of us. There was an 18-wheeler truck coming straight towards us. But, we still had time to steer away.

I looked back at my friends who looked as petrified as I felt. Then, I looked back at my parents who were still staring at the road. When I reached up to see their faces, they were completely pale, even with their light brown skin. Their pupils dilated, eyes foggy, veins appearing to have gone purple and bulgy.

" Mom! Dad! No, please don't leave me! Come on, wake up! We're gonna die! Mommy! Daddy!" I couldn't even wrap my mind around what was going on. Were they dead or alive? I shook them both back and forth, but they wouldn't budge. All fright came over me. This couldn't be happening.

" Mom. Dad. Please." Tears streamed down my face, pouring onto my thigh like heavy rain. My parents were obviously dead and we were this close to being hit by a massive truck that seemed to be towering over the car like a skyscraper, making me feel smaller and smaller. But I didn't care. I lost my parents and that was the only thing on my mind.

" Danielle, look out!" Jason pulled me towards him cradling me in his arms as our car was brushed aside off the road. We spiraled off the road and into the forest. Jason was whispering into my ear, while all my friends were screaming to the top of their lungs. And me? I was only sitting in Jason's arms wondering why? 

" You're going to be okay, Ellie. We'll get out of this."

I barely heard him. My ears were ringing, my head was throbbing. I thought I might have hit my head. I heard glass shattering beside me as we were still rolling along and along, seeming to go faster and faster. I felt Jason's grasp tighten around my waist and the next thing I knew, I felt as if I was flying. Green and brown whipping past my eyes. Maybe I was having a concussion. Did I faint?

The next thing I knew, I was all alone a couple feet in front of a big tree. The car was coming straight towards me and I slowly backed away waiting for the impact. Did I really deserve this?, I thought. What did I do? I've never done anything terrible to anyone or anything in my past sixteen years. So, no. I absolutely did not deserve this. The car was only a few feet away from me. So I closed my eyes, ready to accept my fate. After a few seconds, my I snapped my eyes open, reacting to the sound of metal ringing through the fresh forest air. Jason was holding up the car directly in front of me. I stared at him in shock, practically speechless.

" H-how did you d-do that?" He put the car down and walked over to me and sat down beside me. He took a deep breath and his enchanting hazel eyes stared at me. " No, Ellie. I'll tell you later. Promise."  I pretty much ignored what he just said. His voice was in another part of my mind as I was thinking about what had happened in only a matter of minutes.  My parents. Gone. My best friends. Gone. There went my lovely vacation.

On the bright side, I at least have one of my best friends alive. But, is that really enough? I couldn't deal with the fact that all of the other dear people to me in that car had just died. When I think about it, do we even deserve to be alive right now? We were the only ones to escape. How did we in the first place? We shouldn't have been able to. We should both be dead cold in the car right now with all of them. It's not fair to them. Why are we alive? Is this possible? The tears came streaming out again, more like Niagara Falls this time. Jason grasped my hand, pulling it softly and held me in his muscular arms. He put his lips to my hair and I heard him start to cry too. His warm tears greeted my long, silky brown hair, making me feel even more sad. The feeling of his warmth comforted me but that combined with the remorse I felt was something I can not explain. Again, my only question was why?

We looked up as we heard sirens arrive and policemen giving orders to find any injured persons. A lady police came over to the car and then noticed us behind it. Her slender face and high cheekbones were so kind and pleasant but with a hint of grief for us both. She had long, bouncy black hair that was tied up into a ponytail. Her tan skin was beautiful and she appeared to be Native American.

" Hi, kids. My name is Officer Adsila. Now, we're going to take you to the police department and then contact any of your family members to pick you up. Is that alright?" she gave an assuring smile and we both nodded. Jason helped me up and wrapped his arm around me.

 " Wait, Jay. I can't walk. My foot hurts." I pouted.

" Let me see." Officer Adsila held my hand for support as Jason checked my foot. He pulled off my flip flop and there was a whole bunch of tiny pieces of glass in my foot. " You're going to need stitches." there was no emotion in his eyes. I couldn't tell what was going on in that pretty head of his. " I'll carry you." He swept me off my feet.

 " We'll go to the hospital instead." She escorted us away from the crime scene as the investigators were putting that yellow danger tape everywhere. Here came the water works again. Our silent tears rolled slowly down our cheeks.

Arriving at the police car was just wonderful, notice the sarcasm. I've always wanted to ride in one since I was five. Not because of me doing something against the law, but just for the fun of it. My uncle, who is now retired, was a police officer. Though I never imagined it would be because of something like this. Strange how things happen.

We got inside and put our seat belts on. I put my head on Jason's shoulder and he slowly laid his head on mine, and entwined our fingers. He's like my brother, so sitting there with him felt completely natural. Although, sometimes, I don't think he feels the same way...

 I was dazed through the whole ride. Nothing in particular was on my mind. When we arrived at the hospital, I looked up to see that Jason looked dazed too. He slowly turned to look at me and stared for a few moments. Those hazel eyes sometimes make me feel a little something more too. But, no can do. I always push those feelings aside because I don't want to ruin our relationship. It's way too special to get all mushy over.

 

The officer opened the door for us with a nurse holding a wheelchair. Jason was still holding my hand and I then noticed that he was limping.

" Jason, do you need a nurse too?"

" Nah, I'm fine," He glanced down and saw me getting ready to protest. " I promise, Ellie. I'm fine," the look on my face is like, No you're not. " Alright, I'll explain later." He knows me so well.

 

We arrived in a room and the nurse immediately got a some alcohol and began to get all the dirt off of my foot. She then walked to the supplies and started to work on the stitches.

The nurse had very tan skin, more than likely from a tanning bed. Her hair was long and dirty blond. Her green eyes were beautiful and she had a model's body.

" I noticed you were limping hun. I should check that out for you." her deep southern accent and bright red lips were blinding me from seeing anything good in the situation- not that there was. She was pretty enough and all that makeup was taking her beauty away-if she had any. You couldn't really tell. At least she was nice.

" No thank you."

" Are you sure?" He gave her one of his Hollywood smiles and looked deeply into her eyes as if he was searching for something. She started to look dazed and then snapped out of it. Then she smiled with a twinkle of flirtatious-ness in her eyes as she walked out the door.

" Thank God she's gone." I said. Jason gasped slightly which I guess was intended to be a laugh. We sat on the hospital bed in silence, waiting for someone to come in. After a long amount of time, we heard the door swing open and bang into the wall.

" Oh my, God! You're okay!" Jason's parents came in and squished us together, leaving us no air to breathe.

" I'm taking you both to the house. We'll discuss everything when you're ready, okay?" his mom told us. That question was intended for me. I nodded my head and jumped off the bed.

Things Always Get Better

It's been three months since the crash and I'm still staying at Jason's house. Since I'm only sixteen, I have nowhere to go. In response to that, Ms. Angelina, Jason's mom, is going to take me in permanently until I go off to college. They know that's what my parents would have wanted. I'm glad about it too.

Day by day, I'm recovering from the tragic day. I've become able to laugh a little more, to actually smile. It's been rough but I'm hanging in there. All the love and support from my family and friends has definitely helped. It's kind of sped up the healing process. Especially from Jason. He's been the most patient throughout my outbursts of cries and yells, the late nights and the nightmares. Ever since the crash, I've been getting these strange dreams. I'm sitting in a room at a long desk with five important looking people on each side of me.

" This is our Chosen One. She will lead us in our journey to defeat the Archers. We will prevail again!" then there's cheers.

" Are you ready? This will probably end with you being dead. You are aware of that, right? You're our only hope. We thank you for proceeding."

I'm running through an event of a brutal war. Things I can't describe are coming at me but with this one thought, they fall to the ground. I then stand up on a cliff and my eyes rolled in the back of my head as I slowly raise up my arms. Everyone and everything that I can't describe falls to the ground, dead cold. Out of exhaustion, I begin to feel woozy and fall off the cliff. 

I woke up screaming from the feeling of falling. This time it's morning when I arouse. 

" Another dream?" I nod. " Aww poor baby." He joked with a baby voice. "Come here." He holds me tenderly, affectionately. How much I love his bear hugs.

" Were you watching me sleep?"

" Maybe." there's that puppy dog face again. I roll my eyes and don't even respond because it's not something that's new. He's been doing that since the dreams.

" They're so weird. I don't know what to do."

" I know. Hush. It'll get better I promise you. Your dreams will not come true and I'm going to make sure of that."  

" What are you talking about? They're just dreams."

" Oh, right. My bad." He laughed nervously and began to sit me up. " Are you hungry? We can go eat if you want. My mom's cooking."

" You're just saying that because you're hungry, aren't ya?" He did a puppy dog face. Again. He's probably addicted to doing it. Awkward. " Ok, come on."

We raced down the stairs but at the end, of course he won. I tried to push him to the ground but instead he picked me up and slammed me to the couch.

" What are you going to do now, punk?" He leaned over me and held my hands against the couch so I couldn't get away. " Exactly, you can't do jack."

" You're a jerk. You know that right?" 

" Yeah, pretty much. But the thing is is that I'm the sexiest jerk you'll ever meet." He leaned away from me and walked into the kitchen with a sly grin on his face.

" Such a moron." I muttered, rolling my eyes.

" Heard that." He sang, but he was so far away. So many questions.

As I walked into the kitchen, Ms. Angelina was preparing breakfast. She was making french toast, omelet, and bacon along with a strawberry, banana, and pineapple smoothie.

" Morning, Ellie. How'd you sleep, sweetie?" Jason and I exchanged glances.

" I had the dreams again." she turned around from the stove to face us.

" Were they the same?"

" Mostly. But this time I fell off the cliff instead of just fainting and hitting my head on it." she looked at Jason with what seemed to be anger and annoyance. 

" Jason, you're going to tell her about us and herself after we eat. No more holding it off. I'll leave you alone now." she made all of our plates and went upstairs to her room to eat.

" Holding what off?" He kept looking at the ground with an infuriated expression. " Um hello? Earth to Jason. Jay, I asked you a question." I firmly stated.

" I'll show you after breakfast." He then stormed out the kitchen with his plate. Mad much? 

The meal was pretty intimidating with Jason's messed up attitude. He kept scraping his fork against his plate, which he knows is something I hate.

" Dude, knock it off!" he looked up from his very empty plate with shameful eyes. " What's wrong, babe?" I rubbed his hand jokingly. This got him laughing. Thank goodness. But, he frowned soon after.

" Come in the backyard with me." He took my hand and led me to the back door. Mostly dragged with how fast he was walking. But, you get the picture.

We sat in the swing chair on the porch. He took both of my hands in his and silently pleaded with me with his eyes. He took a deep breath and began. " Okay, here goes. So you know how I've always been different from everyone one else. I'm the quick one, the one who usually has the most strength and more energy than the others. And lately, I've been a lot more hungry, angry over things I shouldn't be angry about, and my actions are way quicker than usual."

" Yeah."

" Well, it's because I'm not the person you think I am. My family along with many others have a certain thing about us that makes us very different. I know I should have told you a long time ago. I'm sorry about that. Really sorry." He paused and let out a breath. " Uh, I guess I'll just show you."

He let go of my hand but I grasped it tight. With reassuring eyes, he showed me it would be okay. I slowly let go of him as he walked into the middle of the yard. The yard is beautiful. Vines with purple, pink and white petals are wrapped around the white benches. Dogwood and cherry blossom trees surround the perimeter. There's a garden in the upper left corner with amaryllis, calla lilies, gardenias, and magnolia blossom trees around it.

" Are you ready?"

" I don't even know what I'm supposed to be ready for." He walked over to me, his eyes concerned again. Then he took both of my hands in his and looked me dead in the face. A sly smile slowly appeared on his face and I found myself smiling too. " What's on your mind, hmm?" 

" You'll be scared at first but you'll end up enjoying it anyway."

" Huh?" He picked me up and flipped me on his back before I could even blink. Immediately, he took off with such speed it felt like he had rocket shoes on or something. I couldn't tell where we were going because everything was a complete blur. After I seemed to get used to it, I felt that flying feeling again. Was this what happened during the crash? Is this how we escaped from the car? Now that I wasn't scared anymore, it made me feel invincible, like I could do anything. As I began to let myself enjoy the moment, I found myself laughing and I threw my arms up as if I was on aroller coaster. You'd probably think I'd be scared, I mean, I would too. But he did say I'd enjoy it.

    We came to an abrupt stop. I tried to blink the dryness out of my eyes from the immense amount of air. He gently put me down. When I figured out where we were, it nearly knocked the wind out of me.

The sight was beautiful, an extraordinary view of the ocean, with an island into the distance. And what we were we standing on? A cliff, but more like a gigantic rock in the middle of the ocean, not too far from the shore. I wanted to turn around but maybe, just maybe, that was a little to risky. Or in other words, insane. There was barely enough foot space for one of us to stand.

" How in the world are we standing here? " I whispered breathlessly.

" Shouldn't I explain when it's, I don't know, safer?"

" You could have thought-" foot. Gone. Off. Cliff. Oh no. " about that earlier. Thanks." I smiled in embarrassment.

" You're welcome. And you know this is the second time I've saved you. That should be a record."

" Don't get too cocky. But really, answer my question." He took a while to answer. So long that I literally forgot my question. I felt kind of slow.

" I'm a werewolf." Is this boy crazy?

You've Got to Be Kidding Me

" You can't be serious. You're joking... right?" I started to laugh my tail off.

" No, Ellie... I am serious. I can explain. See-"

" What? Explain? No no no. You're going to have to do a little more than explain! How can you be a werewolf? This isn't even possible!" I stared at him for a few seconds trying wrap my brain around those insanely stupid words that came from his insanely stupid mouth. He could not believe that he was really a werewolf. His expression was so serious though. "No! I will not believe that werewolves are real! They can't be! Why didn't you tell me earlier? What in the world is wrong with you? Do you understand how stupid this is? Lo loco que puede ser este niño? Voy a tener que admitir en un hospital loco? Take me to the shore right now!" We sped off the rock and ended up where I asked. ( you can copy and paste the Spanish into Google translate to see what it says. Or just comment if you wanna know. Kayyy, sooo like. Back to the storayyy!)

" Because I knew you'd react this way. Also. I don't know. I-"

" You what? Don't chicken out!" I slapped him on the arm. " Tell me. You what?"

" I, I didn't want you to reject who I am. I didn't want you to be mad at me. And mostly, I didn't want to lose my best friend." He lowered his head with a big frown on his face. I lifted up his chin with my index finger and looked him dead in the eyes with a serious face. I felt sympathy for him but it would leave soon. Definitely. 

" Thank you so much, Danielle." He spun me around in a tight embrace.

" Hold on. Don't get all carried away. You didn't even let me finish. I said I will but that doesn't mean I already have."

" What? Why?" his expression became a mixture of sadness and a little bit of madness.

" What do you mean why? I'm still very mad like, duh. I mean, what type of best friend are you to not tell me the most important thing I should know about you? Did you ever think about that? You really think I wouldn't be mad at you right now? I can't just let something like this slide. Snap out of your little clueless attitude." I popped him on the head. " Is this a part of your werewolf thing? Gosh!"

" First of all, stop being all physical.  Second, you don't understand."

" Stop saying I don't understand! I'm not five!"

" But you really don't. How about you try to put yourself in my shoes? Did you ever think about that?" I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. " Exactly. I didn't think so." He huffed and turned around with his hands on his hips. But I wasn't giving up. He must have thought that would shut me up. Wrong!

" And did you try to put yourself in my shoes?!" he huffed again and stormed up to me, putting his face really close to mine.

" Actually, I did! That's what kept me from telling you! Ellie, I really can't believe you right now. You literally think that I wouldn't do that? Now you need to ask yourself what type of friend you are. Think that's a good idea?" huffing for the third time, he sat down in the sand. I didn't know what to say, especially when he put it in that manner. I never even began to think about what it would be like for him to tell me he was a werewolf. The only thing I thought was that he betrayed me and nothing more. I only thought about how pissed off I was. Like he said, what does that say about me? It says that I am the one betraying him. I should be the one to apologize- that's what he thinks. All those words are what he thinks. I'm not apologizing. I have no reason to at all. He's crazy for that to come to his mind for even a split second. Am I going to have to hit him again? I sure want to.

He didn't give me any time to steam off. Not even any time to think. I guess he just thought that because I'm his best friend, I would take it lighter. It's so stupid he would even think that though. Who could really take this type of thing lightly? I never thought any of these things existed so he still could have given me a little more time. He could have shut his mouth for a few moments instead of yelling at me! There's nothing right now that could make this situation easier. This is stupid that I even feel bad about this. I should be the one mad, definitely not him!

I sat down beside him and looked off to the ocean like he was. We just sat there. It seemed like hours. Hours and hours and hours. The sun was starting to set and I was getting hungry.

" I want to go home." I looked at him, angry tears forming in my eyes. 

 " I don't know what to say. I'm really disappointed that you would even think to say what type of friend am I. Especially when you didn't even know what you were talking about." I looked away from him. I was fuming by then. There might have been steam coming from my ears. " Wait, I should not have said that. What I meant was I just didn't think you would be this mad. I thought you would be more calm about it. I don't know why." He grumbled.

"Wow. I can not believe you're still mad." I mumbled.

He put his head down and started huffing. It seemed like he was going to have a heart attack.

" What the hell? Jason?!" I put my hand on his shoulder softly.

" Go away! Get somewhere... Far!" I jumped back in fear. His teeth were like canine teeth and his eyes were a bright sky blue, definitely not the sexy hazel I'm used to. I scrambled away as fast as I could. He stood up crouching and then fell to the ground. He was screaming in agony. I ran over to him. I didn't know what to do but I tried to get him to calm down. Of course I knew what was happening, from movies. He was shifting. I couldn't let him do that though. Not in public, even though there was no one watching.

" Jason, come on. You've got to chill! Breathe or something!" he growled at me.

" Stop it, Ellie! I'll..." He growled again. "Hurt you!" Oh no you won't! I jumped on his back and wrapped my arms around his neck like we used to do as kids. If he'd let himself remember, he'd definitely calm down. He threw me off his back and I went flying in the air. I landed in the rough sand that practically burned me from it's intense heat and from me sliding all around in it. He began walking slowly towards me with his teeth bared and claws out. But I couldn't give up. I couldn't be scared of his tail. It would be too hard to see him change right in front of me so I had to keep trying. So I ran back and jumped back on. He tried to push me off but I kept hanging in there. I began to cheer up as he started to breathe slower and he wasn't screaming anymore. I jumped off of his back and made him sit down because he was still panting.

" Jay? Are you alright?" I cupped his sweaty face in my hands. It took him some time to get his breath back.

" I am now. Thanks Ellie."

" No problem." I started to giggle until I was rolling around in the sand, weak as a twig.

" Hey. What's so funny?" He laughed at me.

" This is too much! I just calmed a werewolf down! Wow. Makes no sense. My life is too much."

" I think I should take you home now." He gave me his hand for me to get up and held out his arms to carry me.

" Ew, you're sweaty! Not gonna happen."

" Um, just come on. You have no choice."

" Actually, I could take a taxi."

" You're too stubborn." he laughed and swept me off my feet.

After about three minutes of a trip that should take an hour, we arrived in his room. He plopped me on the couch rather rough- in a playful way-and began to take off his very sweaty shirt.

He was shirtless as he walked over to his walk-in closet. Jason has a really nice six pack. Yes, really really nice. That werewolf six pack....... But like I said, no can do.

Out of nowhere, he sped out the door and came back about ten seconds later with two bowls of nachos and a bowl of salsa and nacho cheese, my favorite snack. He also had some gauze, peroxide, and some neosporin He handed me a bowl of nachos and got a tray to put everything on. Jason always keeps a tray in his room. Neat freak.

" This is my way of saying sorry for almost ripping your head off."

" If you really want to apologize," I bit a chip in his face with a big grin, " you should have brought cake." He laughed.

" You'll have to get that yourself. Like... from the store."

" You ate the rest didn't you?" He grinned. I shoved him, making him almost fall off the couch.

" Ouch!" 

" See. That's what you get. Let me help with your arm."

" Don't get me started with you." He ignored me as I handed him my arm. He cleaned the wound-which was from the hot sand- with such care. Much nicer than when some doctors do it. I think he believes I'm fragile or something. I don't know why. He's such a caring guy though. Yeah, I guess that's why. Excuse my slowness.

" I have more to tell you."

" There's more?" He nodded as he wrapped my arm up. I breathed out.

" Go ahead."

" It's going to be way more than me being a werewolf." He looked up at me.

" Do you not know how much I've been able to handle? Boy, you literally almost killed me today. Just tell me." I rubbed his hand and held it in both of mine. He stared at our hands. He looked as if he was scared. I couldn't understand why it could be so bad after that whole day.

" Jason, you know you can tell me." I did that pout thing he does when he wants me to do something, but he just would not budge. " Okay. It's alright. You can tell me later. I'll, um, go to my room. I need to change my clothes anyway." I sighed- I really loved that shirt- and started walking to the door. As soon as I got to the door, Jason was standing right in front of me. I started panting because, obviously, I didn't expect that.

" I'm sorry for scaring you but just don't go. I'll explain now. " He led me back to the couch and huffed hard. He started to rub his head in frustration too. " Here goes again. I don't know how to tell you this. I'm not the type to just fall in love, you know that. I usually just go with the flow and let things happen. But with this type of thing, it's not how it works. You know how werewolves imprint and it's like love at first sight? In the real world its called marking. So, that's happened to me about three months ago. She's really great. She's funny, knows how to have fun, daring, and annoying sometimes too and beautiful. She's also my best friend." He paused. " You're my mark." He glanced over at me with a scared expression. He knew I was going to react in a way that he wouldn't want me to and he was exactly right.

I stormed towards the door, wrenching my hand from his and again he appeared before me. " Ellie, please!"

" Get out of my way, Jason!" I tried to get around him but he kept dodging my hits and pushes. " I said get out of my way!"

" Please, Ellie. Can we talk about this?"

" Let me just think okay?" I looked away from his face that was persuading me to stay.

" Danielle-"

" Just hush and get out of my way. I've got to get some air." I grumbled. He slid aside, his face more pitiful than ever. I ran myself down the stairs, hearing his groans behind me. I made myself not give a hoot because I knew I'd just run back. I couldn't even understand why I was so mad. I should have expected this but like so many things in my life right now, I never have the time to really think things through.

My problem was mostly the fact that nothing would ever be the same between Jay and I. I just reacted a little too harshly. But seriously? Why does he have to be in love with me? Why did nature have to pick me to be his mark or whatever you call it? Although, if you think about, we would be the perfect match and the problem with that is that I'm not supposed to think about him that way. We're best friends, not soul mates! I'm going to fall in love with him and that's just not how it's supposed to go down. I don't want that at all and I know very much that he doesn't want that either.

After about fifteen minutes of walking, I found myself in the neighborhood park. I sighed and then decided to sit in a swing for a while. When I'm ready, I'll talk to him. But that will be at least a couple hours from now.

 

 

She Fleed. Just Ran the Hell Away.

~ Jason's point of view

 

I should have expected that. Though, I didn't think she'd storm off so quickly. She could've given me a little time to explain. It's stupid to think she would. Her adorable stubbornness can get the best of her sometimes.

 

The reason she took off like that was because of the mark. When someone marks a person, for some reason they immediately become angry. Make sense? It certainly doesn't to me.

With marking, it's pretty complicated. But that only depends on the relationship between the two. If the two people have never met, the chances of the one marked falling in love are extremely small. That marker usually becomes really depressed or he or she will end up finding another mark. Those rates are usually rare. If the two markers already know each other, the chance for love is extremely high. I have nothing to worry about on that subject, but her being out there somewhere is driving me mad. The problem is I have to keep calm. Another thing with marking is that both markers can feel each other's emotions, but I can turn mine off. In time, she'll be able to do the same thing. It's hard though, to not worry about her. How long is she going to take? But luckily, as long as I stay calm, she won't be mean to me when I see her next. Yep, I'm smart like that.

It's been two hours now and she still hasn't come back. Should I look for her? Yep, time to go. I grabbed my black leather jacket off the hook and stomped downstairs. I used my speed to run and my sense of smell to search for her. She was close by. Luckily. I found her on the swings and decided to not go to her right away. Suddenly, I caught another smell. It was crazily disgusting and I knew the smell immediately. It was our friends and her parents kidnappers killers, the Archers.

They were on the other side of the park staring me down behind the brush of trees and bushes, just waiting for me to attack. I howled to call in the pack. The Archers have done enough just to get Danielle and I'm sick and tired of it. I howled again- an Archer can't hear a werewolf's howl- and then whispered to Ellie through our mark, something no one and nothing can hear.

“ I'm sorry Ellie but you're going to have to stay calm. You'll be okay. I promise. We'll get out of this and it's Jason by the way. I can talk to you through our mark kind of like thinking. I don't need to say it out loud. But anyway, yeah.” I waited for her to respond very impatiently. I used my hearing to see if she was making any noise and I heard her huff. That very well clarified that she heard every word. Little Miss Attitude. So adorable!

“ Okay.”

“ You responded! I'm surprised your stubbornly attitude would let you do that.” I heard her laugh.

“ Shut up! Just go do what you need to do. We'll talk later.”

“ Okay, Ellie.” There's a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders, more like my whole body. It was really nice to hear it in her voice that she's accepted our situation and we can still talk like best friends. This evidently means that the anger from the mark is over and she's all mine to make her happy now. Boo to the ya! Yes, I am a very corny guy. If you haven't noticed.

My pack finally arrived. The members are my mother, my oldest and youngest brothers, and my three cousins. Demetre is the oldest and Xavier is the youngest out of us three brothers. My cousins are Luna, Emilia, and José.

" Dude, I can't stand that smell! Can we kill them already?" José attempted to strike but Xavier and my mom were ready for that. All of us were. He's the youngest so... he's still got plenty to learn about the werewolf life.

" José, you're going to get Danielle and take her home while we fight them off."

" Fine, " he grunted, " Wait, they know about her?"

" Nope, they're just here to say hi and we we're all going to get coffee and cheesecake from Starbucks. You're so stupid." Luna snickered. She's an extremely feisty girl. " Come on guys. Let's go kick some Archers booty!"

" Alright, but I get to say go since I'm alpha." I pouted

" You're no fun, Jason." she giggled.

" Go now, José."

" I'm on it, man." He sped off as I told Ellie that José was going to get her home. As I asked she stayed very calm and barely let out a squeak.

As soon as we figured my Ellie was safe, we charged against the archers. They immediately went straight for our hearts. They striked but didn't quite get what they wanted. We went for their heads and ripped them off with our razor sharp teeth. The time to change to wolves would have us dead, so we just used the hybrid way. The Archers had no chance now.  All that matters is that Danielle is safe and sound at home... with José. I know it shouldn't but it really makes me jealous. But ouh well. I really don't care. Time to go home now. I sped off out of the brush, not caring if my pack was following me or not.

" Yep, he's jealous." I heard Xavier chuckle. 

" I'm so happy for him!" Luna clapped her hands together.

" Shut up guys." I told them and laughed. They started to follow me now.

When I arrived at the house, my pack was standing behind me. " We'll be down stairs." my mom told me.

" Thanks mom." I kissed her on the cheek and we all entered the house. I went up the stairs pretty slowly, scared of her reaction to me. My shirt was bloody and so were my hands. 

I put my hand on the doorknob and turned it slowly. She was sitting on the bed with a seemingly calm mood coming off of her. It was like nothing changed. When she noticed me, her face became alert and then she frowned.

" What in the world happened?!" 

" I'm fine. No cuts. No bruises. I already healed. It's all good. Mostly."

" Oh well," her face became serious as she crossed her arms and walked over to me, " What do you mean by mostly?"

" You know that dream you've been having? About the Archers. Their skeleton like features and arrows come out of of their hands and they-"

" Yeah," she shook her head and closed her eyes " Please stop talking. Just tell me what happened."

" Okay, okay. I'm sorry. They attacked tonight and they're after you." I trailed off, waiting for her reaction. She seemed to be in a daze. She walked over to my couch- I have a really big room- and let herself drop to the couch.

" Why are they after me? This is way too much. Jason, they scare me!" I walked over to my closet and grabbed some other clothes to speed change in my bathroom.

 For the insights of my room, it's a dark teal. I have one of those modern black leather futons. My bed is very tall and the backboard is mahogany. The dressers and night stands are all white. Lastly, I have a mahogany wooden floor. 

After only three seconds- no mean to brag or anything- I was done changing. I went to sit beside Ellie and I held her closely in my arms. Five minutes passed of her crying and I decided it was time for her to know the plans.

" El, I'm going to tell you everything thing now, okay?" she sat up with her head still on my shoulder and nodded. " Okay. We're going to have to leave Miami. I know how much you love living here in South Beach, but we can't stay here anymore. It's getting too dangerous. So, you're going to be in hiding with me and my pack. Do you remember the people at all my birthdays and my two brothers and my cousins were there? Those people you liked?" she nodded. " That's my pack. We are all going to protect you."

" How am I supposed to leave my whole life behind? Hiding? Why can't we just figure out what they want?"

" Ellie, it's not that simple. They want you and they aren't backing down. " she thought it over for some time.

" Okay, so my dream. I'm the Chosen One. I'm supposed to be able to defeat them, aren't I? I can do it with your help."

 

" Like I said, it's not that simple. You'd have to go through a lot of training for that and... there's a possibility you could die. " she frowned and all the bravery flushed from her face.

" But, what if I don't, Jason? My dream doesn't have to come true." 

" But it's come true with everyone else. I'm not letting that happen to you. I won't allow it."

" Do I look like everyone else? You can't tell me what to do. I'm doing this. That's it."

Um, You're Not the Police So Don't Be Thinkin You Can Enforce Orders, Partner

 ~ Danielle's point of view

 Nah, bro. He can't tell me what I can and can't do. He has no right. My dreams have tormented me at night but, they told me my life's purpose. How can I not listen? If I don't do what I was born to do, then what's the point of me being born at all. We are all put on this Earth for a reason. Trees give us oxygen, we give them carbon dioxide. The Sun gives us light. Music gives us something unexplainable, something that just simply makes us feel good. And me? I'm supposed to kill archers. From what my dreams explained, they're the most dangerous thing to all of mankind. How can I not do this? Yeah, I could die, but what if I don't? All the technology these days could help me live. And yes, it may not be that simple, but it's going to have to be.

When a person dies from killing an archer, they die from loss of blood and exhaustion. All I need is a blood transfusion. But the problem with that is I'm o negative. To supply me with the right blood, all we need to do is to be near a fully supplied hospital when we leave.

After thinking everything over and making my absolute decision, I decided to talk about all of it to Jason. Jason and I, we're obviously complicated but we've got a very reliable bond that nothing can stand between. He is my best friend so I'm sure he'll understand my decision.

" Jason? Jason? Please talk to me." He ignored the heck out of me. " Look, we need to talk." still, he ignored me. " Well, fine." I walked to my room and slammed the door shut. I see he's being an immature little mutt. What's his problem this time?

I laid there on the floor not really thinking, just staring at the ceiling. The fear of dying was eating me alive at the moment. I realized that maybe Jason was right. It could be true that I might not have even the slightest of a chance.

It's crazy how life goes, isn't it? My life was so wonderful at first. I had great friends... parents. Now they're dead, my best friend is a werewolf who is also my so called "mark", and I could possibly die in the next few weeks, or possibly days.

Knock knock knock. I heard a knock on the door and came to realize I fell asleep. When I was awakened, it was dark outside. I checked my alarm clock and it was quarter to eight. Knock knock knock knock knock.

" Hold on!" it was obviously Jason, that mutt. Always wanting to apologize. I opened the door and rolled my eyes. But, to my surprise, it was José. " Oh. Hey, José." I smiled in embarrassment.

" Yeah, it's not Jason." He laughed. " But I came for him. He wants you to come down and pack some snacks for tomorrow."

 " He knows what I want. Why can't he just pack the stuff himself?" I grunted.

José made a certain kind of grin that I didn't like too much. It was his player grin. " I like my girls feisty." He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. His stupid grin was still on his very handsome face. My eyebrow shot up, my face became hot.

" First of all, I'm not one of your little girls. Second, go tell Jason I'm not coming downstairs. Got it?" I slammed the door in his face. It wasn't much of a time that I felt like getting hit on. Especially not by a thirteen year old. I heard José snicker and walk down the hall. Guys can be very difficult.

I walked away from the door and plopped down at my desk. Jason's mom dressed up my room pretty nicely. Part of it is a sky blue and the wall where my window seat is a really dark teal. My floor is just a fluffy white carpet. My headboard is a leather black which is perfect for when you want read at night and sit up. For my own additional touches I put photos and posters and other wall decorations on my wall.

It's been a very long day. Something inside of me was about to burst. There was so much tension I was feeling. I picked up a pencil and began to draw. The pencil sped across the canvas. I've never drawn that fast. My was hand was moving in such a speed that it became blurry. After a couple of moments the picture became visible. My hand immediately stopped and dropped the ruby colored pencil. The image was a hand, more than likely a females, with a ruby single on the middle finger. The ruby's intricate design in the sunlight because the picture's setting was outside in a garden. The band of the ring was two snakes made out of tiny diamonds. The two snakes heads met at the bottom of the ring.

I soon remembered the ring along with the owner's graceful hand. It was my mother's. Her ring fell off of her hand in the car crash and the police gave ot back to me. I haven't even looked at it since then. The ring was in a box somewhere in my closet of the things I wanted to keep close of hers.

The tears dripped from my eyes as I went to retrieve the precious ring. This had to be a message from my mother. She must have been trying to tell me something. I already know that she wanted me to have it after she died and to pass it down in our family but I couldn't wear it yet.

I finally found it in the back of my closet in a small box. The box was full of her jewelry. When I went to my desk, I decided to suck it up and figure out why I would need the ring.

 

Mission Accomplished

TWO HOURS LATER

Knock, knock, knock.

" That better not be José or I'm gonna-" yelling at someone who isn't there again. Good job, Danielle, good job. It was Luna.

" Chill, fiesty. He told me." We laughed and went to sit on my bed. " What exactly happened?"

" That little bastard was hitting on me!"

She laughed her cheery laugh. " I see. But chill girl. He's just one of the many man whores. He won't do anything. José is all talk and hits on every pretty girl he sees. You would know from all those birthdays!"

" Yes! That boy is so crazy! When we were younger he would chase me and try to hit my butt. That little heathen."

" He did the same thing to me when we were kids and I'm his sister! He's on some type of drug, I swear!" we went weak from laughter.

"I hear you two talking about me. I knew all this would wear off on you someday, Danielle. Too bad you're taken."

" Go away, José!" Luna yelled. She zoomed in inhuman speed to the door. José pushed her out and shut it, leaving her in the hallway. He rushed over to me and squeezed me tightly, then sped away and pushed Luna back in. I shouldn't be saying it but that boy smells so good. The smell was as intoxicating as Jason. Hold on, don't even think about it.

" I swear I'm gonna kill him in his sleep! He pushed me so hard it put a freaking crack in the wall!"

" Calm down, feisty! Are you okay?"

" Yeah but the wall isn't! Now I have to deal with Aunt Angelina. Gracious." I tried to hold in my laugh. " If you laugh, I'll kill you too, hun."

" Hey, don't take it out on me, kay? So changing the mood what did Jason want me downstairs for? I know it's more than just packing some snacks."

 " He wants to apologize. He's mad at himself for treating you that way. Don't be so hard on him. Jason's just having a hard time with you being the Chosen One because he knows you want to fight. He'd rather the world be in danger than you get hurt."

" Ugh! That's not for him to decide. There's people in my life like you guys and my family that don't deserve to die. I have to protect you all. I love you guys too much to sit back and let you be demolished by those things!"

" Yes, we know. But you really don't understand how dangerous they are."

" I do understand! I'm not a baby. I've thought this through and researched the myths of Archers. All the technology these days will help. I'll be fine. I'm going to go talk to him now. Not about what we were just talking about but you know. Just talk."

" Alright. Go ahead. I understood what you were saying and I think it might work. You two definitely need to get along for the trip. We can't have a whole bunch of arguing, Miss Feisty."

" Shut up, Luna." I chuckled and then grabbed the picture and the ring. He'd probably know what it meant.

When I got to the kitchen, Jason was the only one there. He was making Alfredo, my favorite Italian dish. It was a part of his apology obviously and he was doing a very good job from what I saw. 

He turned to look at me and jumped. " Oh, hey Ellie. Didn't know you were there." a nervous laugh came from his mouth. I only stayed quiet. " I'm making one of your favorites. I also bought cheesecake and strawberries to go on top." I edged my way over to him and hugged him tightly.

" You little kiss up." I giggled. " I'm not mad at you, I guess. Luna told me your thoughts and stuff."

He hugged me back and I could feel the happiness radiating off of him. I didn't want the hug to end an sensed he didn't either. The love for him was becoming stronger with that one hug. It was overwhelming and I could felt tingly all over, on every inch of my body. It was as if a light was shining between us, getting brighter and brighter. And it was! There was literally a light shining between us! Excuse my french but, what the hell?! I stepped back some as I watched it grow, still holding Jason's hands. 

The light became a foggy white light and morphed into the shape of a crescent moon. It was the most magnificent thing ever. Again, what. The. Hell. The moon started to shake and then it immediately burst, sending Jason and I flying opposite ways. He flew into the refrigerator and I kept on going. There wasn't a wall behind me. Jason ran behind me and shielded me from the impact. 

We. Rashed through the wall, landing roughly on the sink. Dust and debris went flying all around us. The crash made a gigantic hole and the mirror over the sink shared all of its sharp crystals with us. 

" Are you alright?" Jason blew his sweet, minty breath over my face, making all the dust and glass come off. Stupid werewolf trick. I've got to learn that. " Ellie?" 

" So, like are you gonna tell me what the heck just happened?"

" A stage of our mark. When you hugged it confirmed part of it, so you could say mission accomplished." He picked up my hand and flipped it over, showing me my wrist. On my wrist was the same crescent moon that sent us on a trip to the bathroom.

" But why did we end up in the bathroom?"

 

 

 

 

 

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 15.06.2013

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