The Damned

Eighteen

Darian POV

This morning in Chemistry, Nina tells us all about the new family.  The Edwards.  Drake and Karlie have come to the island with their daughter Lynne, who apparently is Theo’s mate.  Drake is said to be one of the best warriors in the States.  Of course, I already knew quite a bit about the Edwards because Mom informed me of their coming from the States so that Drake can train our warriors.  Of course, I hope we never have to use our warriors, but I’m sure the day will come when we do need them to help protect the mortals of this world.

Lunch arrives and I don’t see Nix under her usual tree.  I wonder where she could be.

‘Hey, Nina.’

‘Yeah?’

‘Did Nix have another episode?’

‘No.  Why?’

‘She isn’t under her usual tree.’  I say.  Nina looks over.

‘Oh.  That’s because she is getting private lessons from Mr. Keel in the school’s dark room.’

‘What’s that mean?’

‘Mr. Keel is teaching Nix how to develop her own film.’  Nina says.

‘Oh.  Phew.’  I say relieved.

‘Yup.’  Nina says then she and I join the rest of the table in their conversations.

~

Nix POV

Mr. Keel is being very patient with me.  He’s showing me the steps and letting me try on some practice pictures that he took.

“The practice pictures are just that.  They are for you to practice developing so if they don’t turn out quite right, it’s not a big deal.  They aren’t anything fancy.”  Mr. Keel explains.

“Thanks, Mr. Keel.”  I smile as I hang up a practice picture whose image is coming through nicely.  My first three practice pictures didn’t turn out so well.  This one though seems to be coming through though.

“That looks great, Nix.”  Mr. Keel smiles.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.  Let’s do two more practice and see how they turn out before we start on developing your pictures.  Only with the next two, we’ll do bigger paper.”

“Okay.”  The next two turn out perfectly, so, Mr. Keel lets me work on my film.  When I get to the picture I want for Theo, I pull out a bigger piece of paper and put it through the process.  I hang it up and it looks like it’s going to turn out just right.  I finish getting all my pictures hung up just in time for lunch to be over.

“You’ll be able to pick them up after school.”  Mr. Keel says with a smile on his face letting me know I did a good job.  I nod and head for the art studio.  After school, I grab my pictures and head home.  We aren’t celebrating Theo’s birthday until this weekend which means I will have time to find the perfect frame.

As usual, I work on homework then go to bed.

~

Nix POV

So, Theo loved his picture.  Turns out he never heard me take it the night that he brought Lynne to meet us all.  Lynne actually asked for a copy of the picture, so, Mr. Keel showed me how to do that a week ago.  Yesterday, he showed me how to do black and white film developing.  So, today after school, I’m working on developing the pictures for the first photography project.  They are due tomorrow, so, I’m going to have to get them first thing in the morning after drying overnight.  Once I get them all drying, I go to the auditorium to meet Miss Graham and the three boys I have a scene with.  Thankfully, we still have two weeks until the scene is due.  I say thankfully because we just started working with the props we wanted for the scene.  After we practice tonight, the boys and I will be looking through the theater wardrobe to see what outfits we want to wear for the scene.  The guys all seem to think that that isn’t necessary, but luckily Miss Graham is on my side with the outfits.  She told the guys that the scene will be more convincing with the right outfits.  I get up to the auditorium, but the boys aren’t there yet.  Ten minutes pass before the three of them come walking in the doors.

“Sorry.  Coach wanted to have a talk with the soccer team.”  Greg apologizes.

“It’s okay.”  I smile.

“Cool.  Well, then let’s get started.”  Fred smiles.  I nod and the three boys join me on the stage.  I go up into the balcony we are using and get set for the scene.  I give the guys a thumbs up to show them that I’m ready whenever they are.  We start the scene and I can’t help but wonder if Greg will turn out to be my mate.  He’s so passionate about the scene.

‘Of course he is.  It’s part of the scene.’  Isla says.

‘Hush up.’  We finish the scene then go to the wardrobe to look through the costumes.  I help the guys find one that’s appropriate for their role before I even look for mine.  I decide to go with a medieval dress that compliments Greg’s outfit.

“Killer.”  Fred says.

“Yeah.  These will look awesome for the scene.”  Shawn smiles.

“Can’t wait to see how you look in that dress.”  Greg says with a wink towards me.  I blush.

“Thanks guys for all your support and help.”  I smile.

“Our pleasure.”  Greg smiles.  “Well, I gotta get home.  Lots of homework to do.  See you guys tomorrow in class.”  Greg leaves then and the other two follow.

“You four are doing such a great job with this scene.”  Miss Graham says.

“Thanks.  I hope it turns out as well as we’ve been practicing it.”

“I have faith that it will.  Now go home and rest.  I know you’ve been in the dark room and some of those chemicals are strong.”

“Yes, Miss Graham.  Thanks again.”

“Anytime, Nix.”  I leave the auditorium and grab my stuff from my locker.  I go home and dinner is ready when I get there.  I eat and then go upstairs to work on my homework for tomorrow.  After about an hour of homework, I decide to take a quick shower.  I dry off and dress in my pajamas.  I fall asleep with thoughts of finding my mate.  What will he be like?  Will finding my mate help with my episodes?  What will his wolf look like?  As I sleep, I dream about the midnight black wolf that I now believe to be Darian.

~

Darian POV

Waking up this morning, I can’t help but think about the dream I had of the white fox.  It felt so real.  Could she really be on the island?  If so, who is she?  Has she already had her first shift so she knows that she is the white fox of the prophecy?  I wonder if the white fox will be my mate.  If that’s the case, then the white fox might just be Nix.

I get ready for school and watch as Nix arrives in her Mini Cooper.  She looks so good in that little car.  I hop off my Yamaha and go into school.  School today goes by rather quickly.  During lunch there is talk about what Nix turned in for her first photography project.  Students in class with her can’t believe how beautiful and realistic the pictures she took turned out.  Maybe one day I will get to see them first hand.

After school, I head home and go for a run.  By the time Xavier lets me shift back, it’s been an hour and a half.  Luckily, I’ll have the weekend to do homework.  So, after my shower, I grab a quick bite to eat then get ready for bed.  I lay on top of my covers and think about the white fox.  She really is a beauty.  I hope that one day soon I will get to meet her in person rather than just in my dreams.

Darian POV

Riding my motorcycle to school, I feel very anxious.  Today is my eighteenth birthday, which means that if my mate is on the island and still in high school then I will smell her.  I wonder what she will smell like.  I park my bike in my usual spot and take off my riding jacket sniffing the air.  Nothing yet.  Once in the building, I go to the senior hall and to my locker.  As I am getting my chemistry book and homework, I smell the most amazing scent.  It’s like oranges and spices.

‘Mate!’  Xavier says excitedly.  I try to track her but the warning bell sounds, so, I have to go to class.  ‘But…but mate!’

‘We’ll find her at lunch.’  I assure my wolf, but he’s restless all morning.  Xavier becomes even more restless in my history class because it’s the class right before lunch.  As soon as the end of class bell rings, I’m sprinting to the cafeteria.

“Dude, where’s the fire?!”  Lucian asks catching up with me.

“She’s here somewhere.”  I say.

“Seriously?”

“Yes.  I have to find her.”  I look everywhere in the cafeteria, but her scent draws me outside.

‘She’s out here, but where?’  Xavier wonders.  I shake my head and sniff the air letting my nose lead me.  ‘There!’  Xavier says excitedly and I open my eyes to see who she is.

Nix POV

I decide to ride with Nina this morning because I didn’t get much sleep last night, so, driving isn’t a good decision.  I can’t remember what kept me up most of the night, but luckily I’ll have lunchtime to rest.

During my classes, I manage to keep myself awake.  As soon as the lunch bell rings, I sprint to my usual tree.  I put in my headphones and lay down on my backpack.  I set an alarm and start to doze off.