Apart, but not forever

Chapter 2

Lilah

My first few classes were uneventful. Ally and I sat at the tables just outside the cafeteria for lunch. It seeems like everyone wanted to sit inside so I was happy to be away from everyone's eyes. Emma walked past us on her way through the doors.

"Oh look! Seems Lilah has finally found herself a friend!" Emma sneered as she walked past us.

"You found yourself your very own fixer-uper, Ally!" Piper added while giggling. Ally just rolled her eyes.

"You'll have a lot of work to do with that one..." Emma pointed to me as I just lowered my head.

"Lucky they are sitting out here, we wouldn't want them to spoil everyone's lunches!" Piper laughed. I could feel other students staring at us as they made their way into the cafeteria. My skin flushed red in embarrassment. Violet was growling but I ignored her.

"Just piss off." Ally snapped back. I looked at her shocked. I would never have the balls to initiate confrontation.

"Go sit at your table and swap hair treatments, fry your brains some more." She joked. I heard a few students laughing as they overheard the comment.

Emma and Piper rolled their eyes and stormed into the building.

Ally continued talking as if it had never happened. I felt relieved that she was still willing to sit with me.

Soon, other people came and sat with us. Pete, Monica and Sam. They seemed nice and I felt comfortable listening to them. Occasionally they would ask me questions but it was nice just sitting and listening. It felt normal.

"Ready for PE?" Pete interrupted me from my internal monologue.

"Oh yea! Do you know if they have a soccer team here?" I asked, keen to get on the team.

"You're into soccer?" Monica questioned me excitedly.

"I played seniors at my old school." I replied, nodding. Monica did a little happy dance beside me.

"Finally!" Monica squealed, "We are desperately needing some good plays for our team! Our really good girls graduated last year, leaving a big whole within the team." Monica explained.

"I'm interested!" I said, finally feeling some excitement about this school.

"Come with me after PE and we'll talk to Coach Lowe!" Monica squealed.

"Well, seems like you'll be fine during PE." Pete laughed before grimacing. I looked at him questioningly.

"Pete is not built for physical exercise, are you mate?" Sam explained, laughing.

"I am much more suited to the stage if you ask me." Pete bowed his head dramatically. I giggled in response.

"Pete and I are in the school play every year." Ally added, winking at Pete.

"Practically the main event, really!" Pete laughed. The bell rang, interrupting us. Pete's face dropped.

"Let the games begin!" Sam declared.

I followed the group, sticking closely to Monica and Ally. Slowly, the building began to fill up with Red Shadow Pack students. I could feel their disdain for me as soon as they noticed me standing there. I stood out. It seemed like every Red Shadow pack member was impossibly tall. I, in comparison, was relatively short, particularly for a wolf. I had always been a little bit different though. I had my Mum's tanned skin and freckles but my Dad's bright green eyes and dark brown hair.

I noticed Emma walk in with her friends. They didn't even look at me as they found their spot at the front of the group. I couldn't help but notice all of the other students making a path for her. It was very odd, Darren wasn't high up in the pack's leadership and, from what I knew, neither was Emma's mum.

She must be quite the Queen Bee! Violet thought. I agreed with her.

"Alright, alright!" The teacher called from the front of the class, everyone hushed instantly. He was a bald man who was, like everyone else here, also very tall. He was clearly athletic in his build - you could tell straight away that he was the schools PE Coordinator. I assumed he was Coach Lowe.

"Welcome to senior PE!" He continued, "We are going to be doing soccer in the first part of this year, so we will start with some ball skills. Can I get everyone to separate into the teams on the board to run these drills." Coach Lowe indicated to the board at the front of the gym with the list of names.

Soccer, this is your chance to show them what you've got! Violet said excitedly. I didn't want to bring too much attention to myself, I just want to coast by and blend in.

"I'll go and see what groups we are in." Ally said to Monica and I as she made her way to the front of the gymnasium. Monica continued to suss who was there and who they were with.

It turned out Monica and I were in the same group, with some of the other school soccer players.

They must have read our transcript from Silver Moon School. Violet commented. They must be hoping that I will join in at this school too.

Monica looked a little pissed off after hearing the groups.

"Are you ok?" I asked her, a little concerned.

"Urgh! Yea..." She huffed, "It's just that we have been put with some of the guys from the boys soccer team and they think that they are legendary." She continued, rolling her eyes.

Nothing we can't handle! Violet mused.

"Is that a problem?" I questioned, ignoring Violet's confidence.

"Na, its fine. They are just...." Monica got cut off by Emma's shrill voice.

"FLYNN" Emma squealed, jumping into the arms of some guy. I shook my head, not surprised in the slightest.

"Speak of the devil." Monica laughed quietly while I sorted out the equipment we were supposed to be using for our stations drill. It was a pretty simple one; we had done it countless times at my old school. Dribble the ball around the set-out cones and then shoot a goal into the net. One group member will act as goalkeeper for the next person. I was warming up and focusing on bouncing the ball on my knee and foot when I was bumped into. I crashed onto the floor like a sack of potatoes. The ball went rolling across the floor and into the legs of the next group. They glared at me on the floor then continued their conversation.

"Sorry!" Some guy rushed to help me up from the floor. I am embarrassed to admit that it wasn't my most graceful moment.

I looked at the guy who had hold of my arm. He had deep blue eyes, messy dark blonde hair and dark skin. As he stood he was at least two heads taller than me.

Not that that is unusual, especially here. Violet added. I rolled my eyes at her.

I like him. Violet continued, ogling the guy still holding my arm.

"I didn't see you there." He apologized when I was upright. He was gorgeous. I stood there staring at him, unsure of what to say or possibly unable to say anything at all. "Dont know how I could have missed you though." He added flirtaciously.

"It's OK." I managed to reply, feeling the red seep into my freckled cheeks.

"I haven't seen you around here before?" He asked me, raising one of her eyebrows.

"I just moved here a few weeks ago." I answered, trying to regain some composure. I managed to get a glimpse of Emma on the other side of the room. She was glaring at me.

What on earth is her problem? Voilet snarled with annoyance.

"Right! Lilah!" He smiled with realization. "I've heard of you! I'm Flynn." He introduced himself to me with a wink. I could tell this guy was that guy. The flirt. The one who all the girls fawned over and Emma seemed to be one of them. It would be smart for me to stay away.

"You play?" Flynn asked me, nodding to the soccer ball I picked up from the floor.

"Yea, I used to play in the team at my old school." I reply, putting one of the cones back in its correct place.

"Well, I am always available for after-school practices if you want to practice some more." Flynn flirted. I scoffed.

"I think I'll be alright, thanks." I chuckled back.

"Your loss, I'm a very good teammate!" Flynn winked to me.

"Leave the girl alone, Flynn." Another guy laughed, elbowing Flynn in the ribs playfully.

"Jake!" Flynn feigned injury.

"Show us what you've got!" Jake said, leading me to the beginning of the drill.

"Alright." I said, dropping the ball and steadying it with my foot.

I effortlessly dribbled the ball between the cones and lined up to strike the ball right to the back of the goal. Monica, who was acting as goalkeeper, jumped to stop but it shot right past her into the top left corner of the net.

"Wooo!!" Monica cheered once she got up from the floor. She was jumping and clapping in celebration.

"Youre actually pretty good!" Flynn complimented, "But let me show you how it's done." He continued stepping up to the start of the drill. I took Monica's place as goalkeeper so she could have her turn as well. I had played a few games as our back-up goalie so I was quietly confident.

Flynn weaved his way through the cones effortlessly. He was fast and I was impressed. He approached the goals, lining up for a shot. As he did, he very slightly stepped to the left, indicating he was going to kick to the right. I prepared myself to launch my jump in that direction as soon as his foot hit the ball. Just as I predicted, the ball flew out to the right. It was a strong kick. I stretched my arms out to smother the incoming ball. It made a loud slap on my arms as the ball came into contact with them. I curled my hands around to catch it before I landed on the floor. A loud cheer came from the group of bystanders that had stopped to watch the new girl and the 'it' boy.

Killed it! Violet cheered. I couldn't help the smile on my face. Flynn looked shocked and slightly awed.

"That was awesome!" Monica cheered, throwing her arms around me in a tight hug.

"I have to admit, that was impressive!" Jake commented.

"Maybe you'll be the one giving me the extra practice sessions!" Flynn laughed as he jogged closer. "I wouldn't mind being schooled by you!" He said smoothly. I ignored the butterflies that started in my stomach as he flirted. I needed to keep a clear head.

"Coach Lowe!" Flynn called to the teacher who was standing a few groups over, "Looks like you've filled that girls' team spot!" I blushed. I felt my whole face go red as almost all of the students in the gym turned to face me. Monica just squealed with glee.

Pretty soon, Coach Lowe dismissed everyone.

"You sure you don't want to take me up on that extra practice time?" Flynn winked as he began walking over to his bag. I couldn't help but notice the posse of girls waiting around his stuff for him to finish, Emma being front and center.

"See you next lesson." I smiled back and walked back to Monica.

"Dont even think about it," Monica interrupted my thoughts. "I believe he is currently dating Emma... and it will be someone else next week." I shook my head and laughed.

"That wont be a problem." I said, knowing a guy like him doesn't go for girls like me. "Lets go, Darren is probably waiting in the carpark." I continued, changing the subject, and picked up my stuff.