Don't Wander

Introductions

Ben went to his own desk and ignored my shocked, “what?” I couldn’t believe he was ending our practically lifelong friendship over something so ridiculous. I felt stinging in my eyes, but I quickly blinked it away.

Getting through class was very difficult. I kept looking over at Ben, expecting an apology, but it never came. After class I told Eden about what had happened, and he didn’t seem surprised.

“I told you he wasn’t thinking clearly. You shouldn’t worry too much though, ‘cause as soon as he gets his head out of his ass, he’ll realize what a stupid thing he did. Then he’ll beg for your forgiveness, and you two can be besties again.”

“But what if he never does?” I asked. I was in a complete panic. I didn’t want our friendship to end, especially not like this.

“He will.” Eden reassured.

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because even though he’s a complete i***t, he isn’t that stupid. His judgment is clouded with jealousy and anger right now. It won’t last. It might help if he got his ass kicked though.” He looked at me hopefully.

“Absolutely not,” I said firmly.

“Damn. Oh well, it was worth a shot,” he said.

I laughed and said, “I don’t think that would help anyway.”

“Sure, it would. Guys tend to respond physically to our problems, unlike you girls. Your kind just b***h slap each other with cruel words, which makes everyone even angrier. It solves nothing.”

I put a hand on my hip and said, “Our kind? What are we, animals?”

He smiled slightly and said, “It’s possible. I wonder sometimes.”

“Jerk.”

He held up his hands and pleaded, “Oh no, not jerk! Anything but that! Please take it back!” I just stuck my tongue out at him like a three-year-old. He laughed and said, “No need to show me your tongue, we’ve already met.”

“I don’t even know what to say to that,” I said, blushing as always.

“I’m too witty for you, sorry.”

“Too childish, you mean.”

He raised an eyebrow and said, “This coming from the girl who just stuck her tongue out at me after calling me a jerk. Yep, you’re right, I’m a complete child. There’s no excuse for my behavior. It should be illegal, really.”

“Okay, you win. I give up,” I said.

He balled his fists and raised his arms in triumph. “Yes, I win! Wait, what exactly did I win?”

I shrugged and said, “No clue. Just be happy that you won.”

“Okay. Sweet! I won!” He started yelling. People started looking at us like we were crazy.

“Never mind, forget I said that.”

“If you say so,” he dropped his arms and grinned. We arrived at Eden’s history class and he said, “This should be interesting.”

“What should be?”

“My first class with Ben, as your boyfriend. If he knows what’s best for him, he’ll keep to himself. He probably doesn’t, though. We’ll see.”

“Please don’t do anything mean,” I practically begged. Eden rubbed his chin, as if he was contemplating.

“That depends. Is this a pretty please with sugar on top, or just please?”

I rolled my eyes and said, “Just please.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll take whipped cream instead of the pretty and sugar stuff.”

“Hold on. I gotta figure out where I put my whipped cream.” I pretended to start going through my bag.

“Oh, so now you’re stooping to sarcasm? Maybe there’s hope for you yet. I won’t do anything unless he makes it impossible not to.”

“How about you don’t do anything, period?”

“That’s asking too much of me, babe.”

“Ugh, fine. I don’t wanna be late, so I’m leaving. Try to be nice.”

“I’ll definitely try. Hey, you gonna attempt leaving without kissing me again? What kind of girlfriend are you?” I stopped and turned.

“How about this? If after class everything is good, I’ll give you two. If not, you can forget about any kissing until further notice.”

I continued walking and heard Eden whistle and say, “You’re devious. Unfortunately for you, I’m more devious. I’ll see you soon.”

I barely made it to biology on time. I would have kept worrying about the situation, but my focus was directed toward the rat we were dissecting in class. Britt was my lab partner, and we both thought dissections were revolting, so it was much more of a challenge to complete. We often cheated and had Kerry and Gavin, who were lab partners, help us. I didn’t have time to tell Britt about the problem until journalism the next hour.

“That’s awful. I can’t believe he would do something like that, especially just because you’re dating someone he doesn’t like.” Britt said.

I said, “I know. I’m worried about what may have happened last period between him and Eden, but I didn’t have time to check and make it to this class without being tardy.”

Britt placed her hand on my shoulder to comfort me and said, “I doubt anything happened. Eden wouldn’t want to make you mad, and I don’t think Ben is that stupid.”

I challenged, “We also didn’t think he would be stupid enough to do something like stop being my friend. And Eden…I’m not so sure he cares that much about upsetting me.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Well because he doesn’t seem to care that much about anything, and definitely not what people think or feel.”

Britt put her other hand on my arm and said, “I’m pretty sure he cares about you, Bek. Otherwise, why would he even be with you? He could get s*x from almost any girl, and you aren’t one I would include in that list.” We both smiled.

“Thanks Britt.”

“No problem,” she chirped. As soon as the final bell rang, I rushed to my locker and found Eden waiting for me there.

“How’d it go?” I asked. He lifted one shoulder in a half shrug.

“Fine. We exchanged a few words, but nothing happened,” he said casually, leaning against the lockers.

“Later lovebirds,” Britt yelled. I waved as she walked away.

“What did you say?” I finished getting the things I needed for that night’s homework and we headed to the parking lot. People were still ogling us as we passed, but not as much as earlier that morning. I took that as a good sign.

“He approached me before the bell rang and told me to break up with you and leave you alone. I refused. He got mad and said I would regret my decision. I said whatever. He left me alone after that and I did the same. That’s it.”

“Wow. He’s determined. I hope he doesn’t do anything crazy,” I bit my lip nervously.

“Like breaking up with you, in a friend way?” He raised his eyebrows and I laughed.

“Yeah, like that I guess,” I said.

When we arrived at Eden’s motorcycle, he turned to me and gave me a mischievous look. “So, I think you owe me something. Two somethings, actually.”

“Oh yeah...” I had forgotten about the deal. I was feeling bold at the time, but now I wished I could take it back.

Eden didn’t hesitate to close the gap between us, tangling both of his hands into my hair as he gently pulled my head back. My breath caught in my throat as my legs turned to jelly. If I hadn’t been securely anchored by Eden’s firm grip, I would’ve collapsed.

Eden smirked playfully down at me for a moment before lowering his lips to meet my own. My hands instinctively grasped his bulging arms, and my lips parted for his warm tongue. He expertly stroked my tongue with his, sucking on my lower lip and grazing it with his teeth. He tasted delicious and I wanted more.

To my dismay, Eden pulled away, both of us panting heavily. He gazed at me lustfully, then nuzzled his face into my neck and whispered, “That’s one.”

After catching our breath for a few moments, we got on Eden’s bike and rode back to my house. When we arrived, I saw my mom peek out of the curtains in the front window. I sighed anxiously. I was about to introduce my older, motorcycle riding, bad boy werewolf boyfriend to my mom—while still grounded. This was going to be a brand-new experience.

The few times in the past when I had dated, I had always consulted my mom and dad before going out. I wasn’t sure how my mom was going to react to the new process. “You nervous?” I asked.

“Not really. This isn’t the first time I’ve met a girlfriend’s parents, and your mom doesn’t rank very high on the scary parent scale. Plus, I’m awesome.”

“Well, I can agree about my mom not being very intimidating, but I’ve never had a boyfriend like you…so I’m a little worried.”

A ghost of a smile appeared on Eden’s face and he said, “Look at it this way; you’ll never have to meet mine. Half the trouble.”

“That doesn’t make me feel better. I know this isn’t a good time, but—” I was interrupted by my mom’s sudden appearance beside us.

“Rebekah, what are you doing? Who is this?” She demanded.

I took a deep breath and said, “Mom, this is Eden. He gave me a ride home.” Eden gave me a questioning look about my omission of our togetherness, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he stepped forward and extended his hand while introducing himself.

“It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Williams. I’m Eden, R’s boyfriend. I hope you don’t mind that I gave her I ride home. I wanted to meet you, and I figured it would be faster than if she took the bus,” he said politely.

I was surprised. This was the best I had ever seen him behave. I dared a peek at my mom, and she looked like she had narrowly escaped being mauled by a bear. Not good.