Pretty Little Thorns

Rose was wide awake as her alarm struck the quiet air with a blaring annoying noise. A sigh escaped her lips as she turned, slamming her fist against the alarms top. She turned onto her back once more to stare at her ceiling, which was covered in stars, that would glow if it was still dark. She painted them herself with green glow in the dark paint. They reminded her of herself. The light of day hid what was truly special about them.  Sighing once more, Rose rolled out of bed her feet hitting her plush rug that always slipped when she stood up, making her brace herself against the night stand. Her white night gown she wore to bed hit the floor, she loved the silk feeling of it, even though its usually something older adults wore. It made her feel as though she would wear it under a medieval dress. A slip of sorts, thin enough to see that the cold air was causing her body to react in a normal fashion.  Rose walked over to her vanity sitting down, she brushed her blood red hair out, which made it slightly poof as she has natural curls is she left it alone. She looked into the mirror examining her pale white skin on her face, a sure sign that she doesn't often see much sunlight. Only a few small freckles visible along her cheeks. Lifting her hand to her face she examined her bitten nails, and ruined cuticles. The stress she felt were taken out on the poor limbs.  Getting up she walked to her dresser, while full of name brand clothes, and some beautiful dresses that her mom and sister picked out for her. She knew she couldn't wear them. If her bully saw her wearing them, she was sure to gain much unappreciated attention. Instead she grabbed a baggy t-shirt and a pair of faded jeans. She slipped her sock covered feet into a pair of slightly scuffed up sneakers. She took one last look into her vanity mirror, eyes connecting with her mirror image, bright blue eyes dulling as she thought of the day to come. Another day of excessive loneliness. Another day keeping her head down and pushing along alone. So alone. deeply alone. Eyes officially dulled out she turned her head, hair covering her face and she lowered her eyes and head toward the ground, walking quietly down the stair case. Not wanting to wake her family from their slumber. She slipped out of the house, deciding against eating breakfast. Rose didn't live to far from school so she would normally walk, her sister used to drive her before she finished up school and decided to intern at the local newspaper. Leaving early before school had its perks, she often took this time to collect her thoughts by the river bed near the school. She would take the time to meditate and think. The river bed was one of the most beautiful unknown spots in her slightly small town. It was behind some densely covered woods, that few bothered to trek near, especially considering the large amount of wildlife you may come across on the way. Most people would go to the park near by which was down river. There was a nice seating space by that river bed, basketball court, and park with fence for children to play safely. But Rose didn't enjoy going there, not for a long time. Not after Veronica started to use it as a "hang". She took over the space roughly 5 years ago, when they were 12.  Veronica was the reason Rose had zero self esteem. Every since they were younger Veronica targeted rose and made her feel as little as possible. She would do all this behind the teacher backs. Even going as far as to invite her to her birthday bash every year. Making sure to have her mom call her parents, so she was forced to go every year. It was tradition for Veronica to play a cruel prank on her at every party. When Veronica and the other girls turned 16, they bragged about finally going through the change and becoming one with their inner wolves. Yes, you heard right wolves. We are Werewolves from the proud Pack of the Luna Eclipse. Named after our beloved first Luna, who lived long enough after her mate passed, long enough to create a new pack full of the strongest wolves to ever exist. A strength the Luna's son had passed onto his children for many generations. It is said the Luna was touched by the moon goddess herself. That she shinned as beautiful as the moon itself. When I turned 16 I shut myself away to go through the turn myself, I begged my parents to let me rent a cabin in the woods, away from everyone else. I didn't want a party, I didn't want attention. I just wanted to get through another birthday like any other. They were kind enough to agree after a ton of protesting and whining (my parents not me). I sat on a cabin floor as midnight struck, my body twisted and broke with every limb snapping and pushing, shrinking yet growing. Fur popping up on ever limb, my head thrown back in anguish. The change was always painful the first time. They say its genetics, your body activates under the moon and your body forces itself into a heightened state, similar to a flight or fight state. I remember turning looking down at the luminescent fur. Shining brightly as I walked out of the cabin on all fours, stumbling trying to get used to it. Normally you would be surrounded by family and friends who would help teach you, you would normally all go in a circle and howl for the first time. But not me, because I'm stubborn. So I climbed and trekked up the mountain alone. Standing under the moon on the top of the highest peak. I looked out at the time, surrounded by fire flies, a beautiful sight, the full moon high in the sky. I tilted back and howled as loud as I could, I felt my entire soul vibrate with relief. I never knew what pure happiness felt like. I prayed under the moon, to the moon goddess, to give me the strength to continue on. The strength to fight. I felt my soul ripple that night, and I felt my muscles tighten. I hoped she heard me. Normally you hear your wolf the night of the change, but not me. For some reason she remained trapped in slumber, while I was able to acquire the form I was unable to make full contact. Which means I have not been able to acquire full wolf status. Some times that happens, but usually the longest its taken others is a month, it will be a year in 2 days time. A year of loneliness not having my wolf speak to me.  I get up from the river bed, done reflecting and ready to push forward with my day. One forced step at a time I tread misserbly toward school.