Listen to my voice.

Chapter 10.

"Hi!" greeted Harley to her friends causing them to startle and almost fall over, the girl let out a giggle at her reaction "Sorry."

"Quiet." assured Thom smiling at her.

"How did class go?" asked Alei after depositing a kiss on her cheek.

"Just fine. In fact, I made them something."

She grabbed her purse and pulled out her sketchbook, not letting her friends look at the other illustrations, she slowly flipped to the last sheet she had used.

Both of their eyes widened in surprise, the portrait was about them, Olivia, Thom, Alei and her. They were in a meadow of sorts sitting under a large tree watching the sunset.

It was just them.

"Don't they like it?" she wanted to know when she received no answer, she put the notebook away with a jerk.

No one had ever in their lives done anything so nice and special to them.

They quickly reacted.

"No, that's not it" Alei hastened to say.

"Guys, if you don't like it just tell me, don't feel compromised, I can make a better one" she murmured.

"I've never had anything so nice done to me in my life" Thom assured her.

"Thank you, Ley" they blurted out in unison.

"So if they like it?"

"Of course they do! You turned out beautifully!"

The group of friends headed into the cafeteria looking for Olivia, she had left a few minutes after the brunette since the blonde wasn't drawing as well as her friend.

The girl raised her arm to make it easier for them to watch her, when her eyes fell on her blonde friend the three of them headed towards her, they already had the tray of food in hands to what they left on the table.

"Did they like it?" the twin asked Harley.

"Yes, I thought they didn't like it."

"I told you they would like it!"

They began chatting amongst themselves until Olivia got a call interrupting the moment, she excused herself to take the call.

When the girl returned to the table she had a small smile on her face.

"Is everything okay, Liv?"

"Everything's fine, Ley!" she exclaimed more smiling.

"What happened?" asked Thom.

"My uncle called."

"And that's good news why . . . ?" wanted to know Alei.

The blonde looked at her brunette friend "Dereck found your dad Ley, they're at the hospital."

Driving had never been his favorite activity, he hated having that responsibility and causing an accident, despite that, he was driving straight to the hospital with his friends.

The hospital wasn't that far from the high school, so the trip wouldn't take more than fifteen minutes, but that didn't stop his hands from sweating and his heart from pounding out of his chest.

He parked the car in the parking lot, as he got out the air hit his pale face making him flinch.

She walked up the driveway quickly and as she entered she saw her mother, she noticed her daughter's presence and wrapped her arms around her in a warm embrace.

She guided her to the room where her father was, he was sedated so he could not see her, a smile adorned his face and the accumulated tears seemed to want to come out at any moment.

Mrs. Veronica explained the situation to her daughter since she had been able to talk to her husband before he was sedated.

He was not kidn*pped the whole time, he had been able to escape and was outside for a few months looking for his family, but he was surprised to find that they were no longer there, after a few days he was kidn*pped again, he showed no signs of having been r***d or tortured, he was just a little dehydrated and tired.

Apparently they were waiting for Harley to come to his father's rescue, they didn't expect a werewolf to be the one to go after him.

Max, Harley's father, was already aware of the supernatural, since he had seen Dereck turn and had no choice but to explain it to him, he had not taken it badly, rather he was fascinated, in his youth he was a lover of fantasy books just like his daughter.

After a few minutes of his daughter keeping her father company and him being able to converse with her - she had woken him up - he fell asleep again because he still had the anesthesia in his body.

"Where's Dereck?" he asked his mom.

The doctor took him to the second floor, to room 106- she left her there retreating to give them more privacy, or so she thought- she opened the door and looked over to the gurney, the blue-eyed man was sitting on it looking down at his feet, he actually looked quite pensive.

"Dereck . . . " whispered the girl.

He looked up and gave her a smile.

"Hello, Ley" he replied looking up at her, getting up from the gurney.

She took a few steps towards him with a slight shyness, it seemed to Dereck that the girl was afraid that he would react badly, what she didn't know was that he wanted to hug her and erase the worry he had days ago.

To feel like he was protecting her.

"Are you okay?" she asked, but there was no response from the werewolf, making the chestnut's worry greater "Der?"

He didn't answer, he inhaled the room, taking in the vanilla scent that had become his favorite the last few weeks, soothing him, the girl moved closer to him, and pulled him into her arms, that act surprised the boy but as he felt the chestnut's small hands he pulled her against his chest gently, the girl's scent made him feel like he was in a place he had never been.

Dereck's parents, his uncle, Veronica, the group of friends and even Tyler watched the scene with satisfaction, and some of them were looking forward to tease the blonde with that situation.

As they parted she was blushing, she ducked her face a little, to which he gently lifted her chin "I told you I'd bring it."

She smiled "Thank you, Dereck. I'll always be grateful for what you did."

The boy was about to reply but murmurs caused them both to look to the side meeting everyone's watchful gaze.

The blue-eyed boy raised an eyebrow looking at his parents. "You didn't spy?"

"Spying? Who said anything about spying?" the father spoke nervously "We were just watching.... " he looked to his wife for help.

"We were just looking at the room decorations."

"Just the one I'm in?"

"You know, designer stuff."

"Uh-huh, sure" he looked at the others to which they gave him a smile "if you'll excuse me I need to talk to Harley."

And with nothing more to say she closed the door, of course, they couldn't hear as the walls and door insulated the sound.

He let out a hoarse laugh "sorry about that."

"don't apologize, my mom was there too" he said with a frown "and as I was saying, I don't know how to repay you for what you did."

"Don't worry about it, but if you wanted to . . . "

"But?"

"Maybe you could pay me back if you'd agree to an outing with me, of course, if you wanted to."

"Do you mean it?"

"Yes, hey, let him say, yes."

"Sure, I'd love to go out with you."

"So, I'll see you later?"

She nodded leaving a kiss on the boy's cheek "See you later, Der."

[ . . . ]

The boys were lying on the grass, watching the stars, their date consisted of taking her for some ice cream, and going to the lake, it really was a beautiful sight with the sunset, they were getting to know each other more, they were asking each other questions from what was her first word to the last thing she ate yesterday.

"Are you telling me you thought every country had its own planet?" asked the girl watching the boy's profile with a small smile.

He kept his eyes fixed on the sky "yeah, don't blame me, I was very naive at that age."

She guffawed a little "wow, well I thought the moon was following me and I hid from it."

"But unlike you we all thought that, but who thinks every country has its own planet?"

"Well, that's a point."

Hours passed and they kept talking, stealing a smile or two from the boy, and a sigh or two from the girl.

They were feeling good, feeling themselves.

When it was past midnight, Dereck left Harley at the door of his house.

"I had a great time, Der. Thanks."

"Thanks to you for agreeing to go out."

"Goodnight, Dereck," she said goodnight is depositing a kiss on his cheek.

"Good night, Harley."

At dawn Dereck had stopped by-although he lived next door-for the brunette to take her and her sister to the high school.

Upon arrival they met up with the other two friends, headed to classes-which they all shared together.

Most could tell that Harley was happy, yesterday, had been an excellent day, he spent most of the afternoon with his father, they caught up on the last few months, and after spending some family time with Dereck, who enjoyed his pleasant company.

"Well, boys. There's a pop quiz today" announced the teacher.

"Hello, God. It's me again" Alei spoke in a whisper, as the teacher handed over the test sheet.

The red-haired girl wasn't very good at chemistry, so she knew she wasn't going to do well at all on this exam, at least she could pass fair and square.

"Chemistry isn't very hard" replied Dereck as he copied Thom's answers, who didn't really seem upset at that "Thommy, four asks you for an equation not a reaction."

Regardless of what he was told, Thom turned his pretty eyes to the chestnut-blond to give him an appreciative and too-cute smile causing him to stare at him for a while.

A throat clearing caused them to come out of their bubble. "ejehm, sorry to interrupt your romantic moment, but could you pass me the answers?" spoke the red-haired girl looking at her friend, he nodded.

Harley watched the scene in amusement.

"You've only got nine minutes left, boys!" he exclaimed looking at the clock hanging on the wall.

"Which ones do you have left?" whispered the red-eyed boy.

"More than half" she replied letting out a nervous giggle.

The boy let out a sigh, looked to the sides and realizing that only his friends were watching his movements he took out a small blank note copying the solution of the exercises that his red-haired friend was missing.

She quickly put it in her case and passed it to Dereck who gave it to Alei, she said "thank you" to which he just nodded.

After a few minutes the teacher got up from his seat and collected the exams, telling them that the results would be given to them the next day, those who did not pass would have to be reinforced in the afternoon so that they would be at the same level as the exams they would take in a week.

"I think I'm going to fail" exclaimed the blonde, throwing herself on the grass in the courtyard.

"Well so do I" opined the red-haired girl "although maybe I'll be saved by Thom."

"Well I passed" said the alluded one "as well as Ley and Der."

the last two looked at each other with a smile.

"Since when do you call him Der ?" asked Alei with a frown "since when did you guys get along so well" she opened her mouth slightly "don't tell me you guys are having a secret affair!"

The blue-eyed stopped looking at the beautiful brunette to look at Thom and then both look at Alei with a weird grimace on his face and then let out a few laughs.

"What are you using?" asked Dereck "stop using illegal stuff, it's harmful."

Thom nodded "The point was to sell them not consume them, Alei."

"Stop bothering! girls say something to her!"

"Stop picking on Alei, guys" Liv spoke, tired of their bickering.

Both boys smirked.

"You bother Alei again, and when you sleep I'll throw you in the lake with rocks so you'll sink faster is that clear?" threatened Harley lying down with her eyes closed.

they all turned their eyes to the girl, surprised by her threat, she usually used to be calm and patient.

the lycanthrope let out a hoarse laugh, catching Ley's attention, causing him to open his eyes for a while as the sun's rays hit him directly.

"Spending too much time with Dereck is doing you wrong, sister-in-law."

the smirk on the boy's face disappearing and being replaced by a goofy grin that didn't go unnoticed by three friends.

Apparently someone had a crush on that girl.

[ . . . ]

The hands of the clock showed how slowly the time was passing, the ticking of the clock drowned the silence of the room.

Her green eyes were watching the girl, who was silent about five minutes ago, she was playing with the bracelet that adorned her wrist, her breathing was calm as she wanted to keep her mind blank and try to have a carefree countenance.

"I don't know where to start" spoke the chestnut looking up from her lap "I didn't even know you were a psychiatrist and that you were here."

"From wherever you want" he replied with a smile "there are many things you don't know about me" he spoke with a shrug "I arrived a few days ago."

"Isn't it f*******n for doctors to treat relatives?"

"Relatively speaking, we're not related, and it won't be a problem if no one finds out."

"That's a good point."

"Have you been taking the pills for your anxiety?"

He nodded "I just forgot to take them one day."

"Were you able to control it?"

"Yeah, Thommy was there."

"What's Thom like?"

"He's nice, and he's always there when I need him."

"Is he the guy who walked you here?"

She denied "He's Dereck."

"Uhm, tell me about him."

"The first time I saw him I thought he was a serial killer" she confessed with a frown causing the woman to let out a small laugh at the chestnut's witticisms "then I met him again at school even bumped into him. His sister, Liv and Derek helped me find the class. He rescued dad."

The woman smiled "he's a good kid."

"From the little I know him he is, he's very nice to me, he treats me well, he makes me feel at peace."

She had inadvertently opened up a little more to the psychiatrist, as an acquaintance she did but on a professional level she did not.

"How do you feel here?" he wanted to know.

She grimaced "I struggled a bit at first, but I like it here. Doesn't mean I don't miss my old city and my friends, though."

"Do you still keep in touch with them?"

"Yes, in fact they call me every day. I told them about my dad and they were so happy they wanted to come just to see him."

"Those friendships are the ones you need."

"And those are the ones I want to keep."

"Good, Ley. We've come a long way for today. See you at the next setion," he said standing up to give her a hug to which she reciprocated.

"See you later, Auntie."

And without further ado he closed the door.

Her footsteps made the blue-eyed man look up from the book he was holding, he smiled and looked at her tenderly. He stood up abruptly and approached her to give her his hand and entwine them.

"How did it go?" the werewolf inquired, as they were leaving the hospital.

"Better than I expected" he confessed simply "I really didn't expect to see my aunt."

His eyebrows rose in surprise "Isn't it f*******n?"

"I told you as much!" she laughed "but she's not my blood relative, she's mom's best friend."

"Oh, wow."

"Hey, Der" she called out to him as they were about to get into the van, he looked at her after opening the passenger door for her "Can you come with me to buy books?"

"Sure" she smiled turning around to get in "I've been thinking and it would be a good idea if we swapped our books, we could even have a book share."

The chestnut's eyes sparkled "Are you serious?"

She nodded "yeah, sure, if you want."

"Of course I do!" she exclaimed with obvious enthusiasm stealing a smile from the boy "Where have you been all my life?"

That comment made his heart beat wildly "I should be asking you that question."

After a few more minutes they were in the town's bookstore- town they went to various shelves from romance to horror.

The boy separated from her telling her that he would look for a book to which she nodded, what the brunette didn't know was that the bluish boy wanted to give her one- she had been looking at some a few seconds ago but she wasn't sure about buying them, besides she had only brought what she needed- she couldn't decide whether to buy him a suspense or fantasy book, since they were the genres she liked the most, so she decided to buy both books, When he had both books he started to look for Ley, but on the way he came across one that caught his attention, it was a romance, he had never read one of that genre because it seemed very cliché and cloying, something that did not go with the blond-brown, but for some strange reason he took that book with a striking cover and read the synopsis, he decided to take it, it would be the book that they would read together.

He took about three more books for himself, when he got to the brunette he saw that she had about four books in her hand, they both went to the cashier to pay for them.

Several girls were staring at the handsome blue-eyed boy, which made Harley a little uncomfortable, an action that did not go unnoticed by Dereck, with the free hand he had he intertwined his hand with the girl's and gave her a smile that she returned.

One or another girl let out a sigh at that act, and others looked with annoyance.

But for Dereck one thing was clear, since that clueless girl appeared in his life, there would be no other person who would occupy his thoughts or heart.

"Pull over here" Harley instructed him.

He furrowed his eyebrows "we're drifting" he reminded her.

"Pull over here."

"Okay" he stopped the vehicle where he indicated.

The girl literally ran out of the vehicle.

A serene field, with greenery adorning the entire place, with green in the lush grass, and flowers all over the place.

And he saw Harley, on her back sitting on the grass, her brown hair shining in the sun, and though he still couldn't see her directly, he knew a smile graced her lips.

He walked towards her without making too much noise, falling backwards.

"It's beautiful" he said looking directly at the girl "you are beautiful."

The girl watched him "Will you always have this habit of making me blush?" she asked nervously.

He sat down next to her shrugging his shoulders "it's not my fault you're blushing for telling the truth."

"Stop it!" she laughed with red cheeks eliciting a smile from the boy "uhh, you knew how to smile" he teased.

He looked at her pretending to be angry "if I want to I won't smile again."

The girl frowned "are you serious?"

She didn't answer.

"Hey, don't ignore me!"

She turned her back to him but internally she was dying of laughter.

"Der" he muttered "don't ignore me, I promise not to bother you again."

Silence.

"Sorry . . . " before she could finish the blonde-brown-haired man guffawed "hey, don't play like that."

"Sorry" when he caught his breath he touched the tip of the girl's nose "just kidding."

She frowned removing her hand "I don't like your jokes."

"I don't like yours either" she defended herself.

"Well that's a point in your favor" he mumbled "but stop making me blush."

"Then stop being so cute."

The girl covered her face with her hands.

"Dereck!"

"What?" she laughed "Ouch! Yaaaa! Got it!"