chapter five

Truthfully I wanted to go with Jasmine, well anywhere but home that is. After leaving the field I went straight home. When I arrived at my house I saw two cars in the drive way. Please don't be fighting,I thought to god probably sounding like a beggar. I shook off all my unwanted feeling and quickly got out of my car heading towards the house. When I was about to go in I heard a loud crash and a scream. This only quickened my pace to get in. The view from the opened door was my mother sitting against the stairs with a huge gash across her forehead. She looked like she was about to faint. 

"Mother," I whispered then quickly got out my phone and started calling 911, the call went through but when the person said hello my father snatched my phone away and pressed end. His eyes were on fire and he didn't seem to get out all of his anger on mother. I stepped back and out of the house, even so he followed me out. When I kept trying to grab my phone back he just took my hand and twisted away painfully. It felt like my hand was going to burn off. Behind my father I heard my mother's quiet sobs for help, but it was for herself not me. I used all my force to kick my father away and managed to get my phone. Even when I saw him groan in pain I didn't feel guilty. I immediately rushed towards my car and drove down the enterance to the park, because my I knew my father wouldn't. I called 911 and sent them to my house for my mother, then I waited ten minutes before driving over to Jasmines house. When I got there, I could see the ambulance was still there. I sighed but didn't walk over there or say anything. Quickly, before being noticed by my father, I rushed over to Jasmine's front door waiting for her mother to answer. Once she did, I stepped in without a word, but when she shut the door behind me tears crawled out. 

"Oh my, Charlotte, just wait a few minutes, Jasmine will be here soon," Mrs. Smith soothed. I felt like laughing at how much more normal a werewolf family was then mine. It was almost embarrassing, but then again it wasn't like I asked for this. With all that happened in the last 15 minutes, I couldn't help but forget Nathan, well that was until he entered the room with Jasmine. Quickly I looked away and wiped my eyes, then looked back with a smile, a very forced smile. 

"Jasmine, can you come with me to your room," I questioned, I really didn't want to be in the same room as Nathan, but also I didn't want him to hear about my family or whatever you can call us. She nodded with wide eyes then rushed over and dragged me up the stairs. Once we were in her room I started weeping again. Geez, what a wimp I am, I thought to myself trying to laugh rather than cry. 

"Char, that ambulance..." she started to ask but when my eyes widen even more and the tears fell faster, I guess she could already tell. I picked up one of her pillowed and suffocated my face in it to hide while crying. The next minute Jasmine was beside me with something cold. I looked up and saw the trophy, in an instant I was slightly recovered. Without any words I dropped the pillow and hugged the trophy. 

"This isn't soft enough to hug, but whatever," I mumbled into the trophy then heard a hard knock on the door. Nathan, I questioned myself, ah probably not. When Jasmine opened the door, I was wrong, well completely wrong. It scared me the look on Jasmines face, especially how much I started shaking. 

"Hi, father what are you doing here," I asked trying not to sound afraid or weak, but for the most part that was all I sounded like. Every time I looked at his face I would remember the fights my parents had, and now the gash on my mother's forehead. Jasmine jumped in front of me then called Nathan. Once he was next to my father he looked completely confused, but I suppose that was reasonable. Downstairs you could hear the door slam and the sound of chatter coming into the house, then the footsteps of the pack. Jasper was the first to see my father then the rest did and came rushing over to my side. I feel completely like a princess who has guys and girls as her knights, woo go my knights. Seeing them all here lifted my spirits and somehow even seeing Nathan did. No not Nathan, I tried to correct myself with a nervous feeling fluttering inside myself. Nope, never, I thought to myself. 

"Worthless little girl, you mother went to the hospitable, go see her," my father said to me ignoring the others, and then he glared at me for a few seconds before he left. Sunny fell onto the bed after we all heard the slam of the front door downstairs. 

"Geez, your father gives me the creeps," Drake exclaimed exaggerating just to make me smile, it somewhat succeeded because I gave a small smile. 

"I guess this is my bed for tonight," I told then flopped down hugging the trophy. When everyone looked away I wiped my slowly drying tears, there were no need for them anymore. No tears please, I thought to myself with a half smile. 

"I'm so lost because of that crazy girl," Nathan said making me flinch because of his voice. Not because it was scary, but because of how I liked it so much. Not good, it's really not good at all. Ah, then again I'm not a werewolf so there is no way I'm his mate anyways. Too many things happened today, I thought to myself then got into a comfortable position on the bed and fell asleep not caring how many people were in the room with me.

chapter six

When someone was shaking me awake the next morning I heard yelling. Jasmine’s figure came into picture once I opened my eyes. 

“What on earth is happening,” I asked groggily, and then heard my father’s voice echo the hall. Quickly I got out of the bed and ran to my father pushing me out the door.

“How rude of you to barge into someone else’s house unwelcomed,” I accused, normally I would just apologize to Mrs. Smith and make the guys take him away, but today I felt a different kind of hatred. My father laughed and went to slap me, but the sting never came. That, of course, was because Nathan caught his hand. 

“And who are you defending my daughter,” my father asked roughly, making my insides turn even more. It was like my brain and heart were working together to make myself believe that I truthfully did care about Nathan. I didn’t want to believe, but when my father yelled at him, my anger rose to a point it never reach so all I could do was believe. 

“Let’s pretend I’m not your daughter then,” I suggested pulled Nathan’s hand away from my father’s. My father laughed even more at my outrageous suggestion and put on a grim smile.

“Where are you going to live, you are nothing but a stranger in my house if you are not my daughter,” he questioned with an unusual amount of venom dripping in his words. Truthfully I didn’t know, but I did know it couldn't be here with Jasmine, it would be rude. 

“With me,” Nathan interfered; I unwillingly grabbed his arm and nodded sweetly to my father, anything to make him leave. Although there were sparks, ones that warmed my whole body, I could never come to love Nathan. I knew that he wouldn’t love me anymore than I did him. At the moment I didn’t care about that though, it was only my father I was thinking of, or whatever he was to me now. Once my father left I released my hold on Nathan and gave him a curious look. Why exactly did he help me? I wondered why the whole way up the stairs where Jasmine waited for me.

Jasmine dragged me into her Preppy Pink room, which I named myself, and picked me out a normal outfit to wear. Except since her normal was pink I decided I would search for one myself. 

“Look this violet romper is normal, at least in my eyes,” I told her while displaying the romper on the hanger. She laughed and showed me her baby pink fluffy shirt and hot pink skinny jeans. My eyes burned as I looked at the pink, but that was just an excuse. Truthfully I was beginning to cry again. 

“You know, Char, you've been my best friend since forever, so you can cry, I see it you know,” she stated then pokes at my cheek. I rubbed my cheek in wonderment, why exactly did she poke my cheek? I laughed as I realized it was to take my mind off the important things. Taking a deep breath I tried redeeming my silly, crazy, and random self. 

“I suppose I could, but I won’t,” I said and stick my tongue out as I took the romper off the hanger and stole her violet Reebok's. Soon after that I gave Mrs. Smith my apologize and then Jas and I were off to that boring place called school. 

At school it took all I could to not think or look at Nathan. Ignoring the teacher and Nathan I took out my Ipod and headphones to listen to music. Anything that could distract me would do fine, but this was the one way I could be happy while being distracted. In the corner of my eye I saw Jasmine looking over at me with a concerned look, in response I turned a little and gave her a weak smile then went back to looking at the board. If I’m going to ignore the teacher I should at least take his notes right? Slowly I started drifting away from taking notes and the music was being overcome with more thoughts. How on earth am I a werewolf, was the one thought that took over me. I mean it’s obvious that I am a werewolf, how else would Nathan be my mate. I still don’t except it though, there is no way right? Also, why did he say that to my father so easily? I kept questioning myself until I heard the bell sound over my music which was back to its normal loudness. 

Sighing loudly I realized that I was the only one who has these kind of problems, most likely. Jasmine hoped over to me and yanked out my headphones which were blaring music. I mouth the word ouch then collected them from her and stuff my Ipod into my backpack.

“Hey jasmine, tell coach that I’m not going to be at practice today, because of something important I have to attain to,” I told her hoping that she wouldn’t ask any questions and just listen to her awesome best friend. Of though she gave me her famous noisy look and took a step closer to me.

“Where are you going, Char,” she asked while eyeing me suspiciously, she knows that I never miss practice on purpose. All I did was smile then run out of the classroom. When I got to my next class I saw Nathan seating next to my seat as if he knew I was trying to ignore him. Why should he care, I thought to myself. He doesn't he know me, if anyone should be my mate, well no one should be my mate for all I know I am human. 

I shrugged off all those thoughts and unwillingly sat next to Nathan. The hour and 30 minutes went by in a breeze while doing the same thing I did in the last class. But this time when the bell rang Jasmine wasn’t the one to come up to me. Instead Nathan grabbed my wrist to keep me from walking out before him.

“Yes,” I questioned without looking at him. He shook his head then hesitantly let go of my wrist letting me leave the classroom.

chapter seven

Going to the cafeteria wasn’t what I wanted to do; both Jasmine and Nathan would be there, so I didn’t. I ran or rather speed walked to the library where no one would find me. Sitting at one of the tables I took out my IPod ignoring the silence that embraced the library. Well at least my life isn’t boring, I thought as the iPod was quietly switching to a new song. A SpongeBob song played and even in my deepest misery I couldn’t help but smile at the stupid lyrics. After a few more songs I couldn’t take the loneliness, usually at this moment I would be with the pack, it’d feel like I was part of the pack. Picking up my backpack I scrambled out of the library’s back door towards the parking lot. I don’t encourage skipping, I also don’t encourage Jasmine’s pink, but some things just happen. Thankfully this town is small so I got to the local bus stop before the bus had come. Getting on the bus I paid the driver, but he grabbed my wrist so that I would look at him.

“Aren’t you suppose to be in school,” he asked his voice old and gruffly. It took me a second to think of a response because of the millions of thoughts taking over my mind.

“I get straight A’s, it’s lunch, and my mother is in the hospitable. I’m going back after I see her,” I explained with the truth, not being able to think of a SpongeBob worthy lie. He tutted at me however he removed his hand and let me through. The driver didn’t wait till I was seated to start driving so I tripped forward into an empty seat. I rolled my eyes, damn old bus drivers their so rude. 

Once we arrived at the hospitable stop I looked at me with a smile and gave him a tip, he suspiciously looked at the money then put it in his tip box. I laughed as I got off the bus at his reaction, you can’t poison money can you? I ran up to the lady at the front desk with my student id in my hand.

“How can…aren’t you suppose to be in school,” she asked, in the same tone as the bus driver, even her voice match which scared the soccer out of me. Oh, me and my soccer phrases, I thought to myself with a light laugh.

“Lunch,” I explained with one word then gave her my id and continued “my mother is Gina Ross, I’m here to visit her.”

The lady hesitated for a second then searched for my mother’s room number. She gave my id back then told me 2202, second floor room 202. Too many two’s, I laughed as I walked over to the elevator. Stepping out of the elevator on the second floor I recognized shouting whispers. How could they fight in a hospitable, I asked myself then raked my hand through my black hair which resembled neither of them.  I walked up to the nurse in the desk for the second floor with an apologetic smile.

“Are those two people in room 202…,” I started to question then waved it off and walked into the room where my father was yelling over my mother. They both went silent and I could feel the deathly anger from my father coming towards me.

“You might not be a father to me, but she is still my mother,” I exclaimed before he could ask what a stranger was doing here. Tears threatened my eyes making me look away, while I stood there silently starring at the board that had my mother’s name and the nurse’s. 

“Charlotte, what is it that you need from me,” She asked with a sweet smile that was overruled by the tears spilling from her dark brown eyes, the ones that were honey and warm when none of this happened. My father took that as an insult and pushed out of the room knocking me into the wall. I ignored the sting my heart and walked over to my mother. I haven’t talked to her since I was fifteen, it’s been three whole years. Sitting next to her I had no idea what to say, so many things I wanted to ask, so many things that I was scared to say.

“Am I really your daughter,” my heart whispered, my mind wondering why I had asked such a thing. Where are all the unicorns and rainbows in my life, I asked myself realizing that the questioned I asked was what I truly wanted to know. I was about to cry just thinking maybe I’m not even their child, their fighting would make sense. My mother’s response was what made me actually cry though.

“No,” she sobbed her hands cupped her face to hide how ashamed she was. I took out a piece of paper and a pencil from my backpack, and then wrote on it:     even so I love you, Mother.

She hadn’t looked up since she said no so I left the note next to her on her bed. Getting up from the seat I wiped away my tears, no crying Ms. Wimp.

“Bye,” I whispered then ran out of the room not allowing myself to hear her sobbing any longer. 

I ran until I reached the bus stop and when I did I was breathlessly helpless, thinking that I didn’t have a home any longer. My fake father hated me, my mother wasn’t even my mother, and it was because of me that they fought. The bus stopped only a few moments later, but I was so emotional that when he opened the bus doors my tears spilled.

“I told myself not to cry,” I whispered shaking my head, feeling like a coward. As I passed the driver I handed him the money for the bus ride without a word. As I slipped into the nearest empty seat I sighed. Jasmine is going to hate me, I thought looking at my watch that was saying that it was 30 minutes after lunch ended. I took out my phone and sent a text message saying that I was alive. She replied by saying that I wouldn’t be for long, that she would kill me for skipping. A small smile reached my lips as I read it, only Jasmine can make me smile after something like this. 

I didn’t feel like getting off the bus and running to class, but I didn’t really have a choice, I had nowhere else to go. With a sigh I waved to the bus driver and walked towards the school, figuring that since I was already late the teacher wouldn’t mind if I was later. On second thought this would affect my scholarship, that caused me to quicken my pace but I still didn’t run. I sneaked into the classroom trying not to be the center of attention by being late. However even if I walked in normally they wouldn’t seem to notice, everyone was in group talking and not working. Silently I walked over to the teacher to tell him about my visit to my mother in the hospitable, the pity caused him to undo my tardy and warn me so that there wasn’t a next time. I maneuvered my way through the unsightly crowded high school classroom to my desk where Jasmine was impatiently waiting for me.

“Are you okay,” she asked the moment I got into hearing range, causing me to nod without a response. I know she hates when I go all quiet on her, but I couldn’t trust my voice. I sat down and leaned back in the chair for support. My mother isn’t my mother, that means that my father isn’t my father, but then who are my parents. That question kept repeating in my mind, almost as if I would forget if I didn’t stop repeating it. However how could I forget something as important as this? I wanted to break down and hug jasmine for support, for a shoulder, for a ear I could share all my fears with. When the bell rang both Jasmine and Nathan appeared at my side as if they were saying that I wasn’t alone. I knew that I wasn’t alone.

“I hate depressing stuff,” I mumbled earning a sweet melodious laugh coming from Nathan. It seemed force, if I knew any better I would think that he hated the thought of me being depressed. But then again why would you want anyone to be depressed whether you like them or not?

“Soccer practice will cheer you up,” Jasmine said then started walking towards the female lockers.

“Bye Nathan,” I whispered looking up at him in the eyes for the first time since I met him. I couldn’t tell whether I liked it or not, the warm tingles I felt in my stomach met the confusing question in my head leaving me completely and utterly lost in life. Jasmine said something to Nathan then waved goodbye, I stalked her into the locker room and got changed. Out on the field I felt like a different person, someone with no worries except the worry of getting the ball into the goal. I like it, no scratch that I love it, the feeling of playing soccer. It’s always a rush once you start playing, and I could admit that I was an addict to soccer, at least it isn’t drugs. The coach gathered us around and told us to run 12 laps for now then we were going to stretch again, after that we were going to go over positions for the next game which I couldn’t wait for. To the side of me I felt Jasmine jumping and I could tell that she was also pumped for the next game.

“I already did what I had to do so I came to practice aren’t you proud of me Jasmine,” I questioned with a smile that I found only on the soccer field. Her smile shifted into a curious one. She wanted to know everything, however if I didn’t know everything how could she?

“When you’re ready,” she stated after reading my helpless quiet cry for help. She knew exactly what to do so she grabbed my arm and dragged me back to the field and kicked the soccer ball to me. I was thankful for her sudden distraction.