The First One

Chapter 4: Closer

two months later

School has ended two months ago, the summer so far has been great. 

The moving has become my greatest blessing, I’ve made amazing friends and had a great senior year. I was and still am part of the dance crew I joined in high school and it’s all thanks to Catherine. She is an amazing friend, she was the first friend I made in here, she’s probably the only one. She introduced me to her friends who soon became mine too and got me a chance to become a member of the dance crew. Outside school, I did something I enjoy which in dancing. 

I remember that day like it was yesterday.

*

There’s still fifteen minutes to this class before the lunch break, I’m so hungry Jesus. The teacher is writing down on the board what our homework will be for the next week. In my class, everyone was very welcoming and the teachers as well, some of my classmates have come to talk to me. Asking questions about me and none were rude or mean to me. It’s been great until now, I finished writing down the homework and I put away my supplies. The school bell rings and I start making my way to my locker when I see Catherine at her locker. I wave at her and open my locker and put my things away. “How was the day so far? Everything went well?” Catherine by my side ask.

“All great thanks.” I give her a smile and we start walking to the cafeteria I suppose, I’m just following her. 

We enter the cafeteria and I see many students already there. From what I see students regroup themselves from classes, students that have sports classes stay at one side and together and those who have art classes at their side. Obviously, it’s not all of them some are mixed with others, it’s refreshing to see. 

“Hey babe, are you new here? Never seen you here.” A super-tall guy is approaching me and gives me a seductive look and smile. He is wearing a football uniform from what I see and a football in his hands. He is handsome I will give him that but he seems like a big jerk to me.

“Leave her alone James! You’re just scaring her.” Catherine gets in front of him and pushes him but he does bulge much. She grabs my arm and guides me to a table at the corner of the cafeteria. 

“Ignore him, he’s some brainless athlete. Such a shame since he’s handsome. Unfortunately, some can’t get both. That’s why. I’m lucking that my ma-boyfriend.” She looks at me nervously like she said something she shouldn’t have. I give her a smile and she seems a relief. Weird.

We stand in front of a table with 4 girls that from what I see are in dance, they all have training clothes. 

“Hey, girls, this is Maya, she just started today and she is in dance with us. Introduce yourselves guys.”

“Hi, I’m Vanessa, I’m in group 3D in dance and painting and you?” She is a tall skinny petite girl. She has long dark blue hair. White and fair skin and big brown eyes. She’s wearing a black sports bra with a white sweater and long grey leggings. She has a super friendly look and smile. 

“Hi” I wave and smile at her and then continue. “I’m in group 1A in dance, drawing, music and painting.”

They all seem shook. Vanessa and the girl next to her have their eyes widened. Why are they looking at me like that, have I said something weird? Have I ruined my only chance of making friends? “Woah! We have a smart kid and not only that she has so many art classes. Awesome!” Vanessa says with a grin. “I wish I was that good and smart like look at her she’s even super gorgeous.” I blush and look down embarrassed. 

“Anyways, I’m Lily, it’s nice to meet you. I’m in group 2B in dance and music. We will be seeing each other a lot.” She gives me a warm look. She is probably the mom of the group.

“Hi, I’m Melissa, nice to meet you. I’m in group 3D like Vanessa and I’m in dance and painting as well.” She looks really mature like she knows a lot. 

“I’m Crystal the youngest. How old are you by the way? And I’m in group 2B like Lili and Catherine and we are all in dance and music.” Lily and Catherine nod at that. 

“I’m 17, I will turn 18 in July.” 

“What?!” They say in unison. “You’re in class 1A were the smartest kids are in and you’re 17?! Woah genius!” Says Crystal.

“Well, the thing is that I skipped a year that’s why.” 

“Crystal you’re not the youngest anymore we have a new youngest.” Tease Lily and all the girls start laughing. Saying that she made me feel so welcomed and that I belong here. It’s really nice. I smile unknowingly. 

~

At the end of the day, I took all my things from my locker and the waited for Catherine. I look up and see her with Lily walking my way. “Come on let’s go.”    

We go to the basement floor and then enter a super big dance studio, it’s pretty and really big. “This dance studio it’s for those who want to practice outside of classes, it’s open all day.” Catherine points out. “Those that are for classes are on the other floors.” Adds Lily. There I see Vanessa, Melissa and Crystal with 3 other girls.

“Hey! Here is a new student we have in school, her name is Maya and she is in dance with us. Maya this is Nathalie, Scarlet and last but not least Jennifer.”

“Hi!” They say all together while smile. They are all super nice, I haven’t felt this comfortable with others. It feels great.

“Since you’re new we have to see you dance. We will be your judges, we have to see your potential.” Scarlet winks at me. 

I take a got look at them, they are all so pretty. I feel like I don’t belong here like I’m such a fatty. Do they just recruit pretty girls to be part of the team? 

“Mmm...well okay sure.” I suddenly feel extremely shy, I probably look like the reddest tomato.

And that’s how I became friends with them and joined the crew.              

*

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     As time went by the 9 of us have become extremely closer. Before I hated being up from one grade because I was bullied for it but now I’m glad to be a grade higher from what I’m supposed to be. Thanks to that I made amazing friends. 

*

a month ago 

Today the girls will be coming to my house to stay the whole day and have a sleepover for my birthday. I will finally turn 18, here in the US you become an adult at 21 but in Canada starting from today I’m officially an adult. It’s a big deal for me, hopefully, this next year of my life I will have many blessings. 

I get ready for the day, apart from the girls I don’t really have friends like I did meet another person through my last year of school but I’m not really close to them. I look at my phone to see that I woke up late, I told them to be here at noon so we could enjoy all day. So for my birthday, there will be the girls and my family that’s it. 

I go to the kitchen and see my mom with a chocolate cake in her hands and José and Alex are by her side. And near them are the girls they are all looking at me some are laughing. They are singing Happy Birthday to me. I blow the candles and my mom starts cutting the cake. I give all of them a hug and thank them for the beautiful surprise. 

The girls had already met my mom and little brother when they sometimes came to my house and at my graduation ceremony. They melted with my little brother’s charms, they find him so adorable. 

My family went out, they told me a few days ago that they wanted to give the girls and I some privacy so we could enjoy our time together. I’ve told them it was okay for them to be here but they insist. They were super happy that I've been happier and that I made friends. 

 There’s some tension in the room, the girls and José keep sending look at each other. I will have to ask them later, hopefully, I won’t forget. 

My family out we decide to go to our basement to have a movie marathon. After a good 15 minutes we finally all agree to watch Mean Girls, such a classic love it. We kept going until 8 pm. I know that’s a lot but when we are together time goes by fast. My parents and Alex came like 2hours or so, they came to the basement to tell us they were already here. When they had come home they found us having some weird conversation, it was so embarrassing thankfully they got up quickly and didn’t say anything about the whole thing. I wish to forget this soon.

“Girls let’s have a walk, we have been here all day. Let’s have some fresh air.” Suggest Nathalie getting up from the one place couch. All the girls seem to agree with her.

“That will be good but isn’t a little too late? It’s already really dark outside.” I get from the floor and stretch, my butt hurts from being sit down for too long. 

“It won’t be that long, promise.’ Says Catherine looking at me straight in the eyes and then go searching for her coat. 

“Okay, but I will have to ask my parents.” Being followed by the others I go out of the basement, arrived upstairs I went straight to the kitchen knowing my family is having dinner. We aren’t having dinner with them since we ordered pizza an hour ago and had dinner in the basement still watching movies.

“Mom, can I go out a little bit with the girls to have some fresh air?” I try to do the best I can o convince her, I look at her in eyes with puppy eyes and pouting. Hopefully, that will convince her.

“No Maya it’s too dark already, something could happen to you or any of the girls.” 

“But mom pl-“

“No Maya that’s fin-“

“Honey, let her go besides she will be with the girls the will all stick together, right girls?” Weird he's usually the first to disagree for these things, he's super protective. 

“Well, that’s true. You will stay together, right?” 

“Yes, we will Ms.Rodriguez don’t worry about it. Anything will happen and we always stick together promise.” Catherine seems to convince my mother from her look. 

“Alright don’t stay too late and be careful please.”

“Thanks, mom we will be on our way.”

We all walk to the back of the house, the moon it up in the middle of the sky shining at it’s fullest. Full moon tonight, how pretty that makes me look up at the sky while smiling. I can see the stars from here, how great is that. Finally out of our yard we explore a little more of the forest at the back of my house, I’ve never been back here since I’m a scary cat and never got somebody to go with me. My house is pretty retired from the city but even that we have many things near which is totally strange. 

After 30 minutes we seem to had to get a little to further in the forest, something seems fishy here. If it wasn’t for the moon we will be not seeing anything from how dark it is. I’m getting scared ad to have a bad feeling from this. 

“Girls I think we should head back to my house.” 

“Yeah let’s get going.” Replies Jennifer. We turn to the head were we came from when suddenly I feel something past u my head. In front of me stands a super big wolf. I was the one at the back so now I’m the one in front of the group and the wolf stand right in front of me. I feel his eyes on me. Am I dreaming? My eyes widen and I’m about to scream when Catherine yells.

“Maya get behind me now!” 

Two more wolfs come and stand beside the first one. Am I going to die today? The night of my birthday, is this how my last day on earth is going to be eaten by wolves?

One of the wolves starts launching me when I feel going at my side and up my head and there right in front of me are 5 wolves making a wall. They start to launch at the ones that were about to attack us. I turn around to see Nathalie, Melissa and Catherine. Wolves? Starting to panic and getting super scared I scream and look at them with a surprising look. Is this what I think it is? Turning around to see how this horrible nightmare is going I see the wolves who were about to eat us their dead bodies on the floor a pool of blood around them. The other wolves that seem to be Vanessa, Scarlet, Jennifer, Crystal and Lil. Are the other wolves too? 

Feeling light head my legs gave up, from the floor I look up to see the normal girls and the wolves girls? Looking me with uncertainty not knowing what I’m thinking from all of this. I feel some warm liquid falling from my cheeks, I put my hand on my cheeks to realize that I’m indeed crying.

“What is all of this? What are you guys?”

“Let us explain, I promise we didn’t tell you because we were scared you wouldn’t want to be our friend anymore. Please try to be open about all of this, try it to see it from our perspective. Please.” Catherine gives me a pleading look nearly crying

“Okay.” I look at the others that are still wolves? Do they stay like that all night?

Reading my thoughts Catherine says. “Their clothes rip off so if the shift back to humans they will be naked and will be cold and we couldn’t explain that to your family. And like that, they are warmer.” I nod understanding.

“Okay so here it goes. We are all wolves none of us are turned or anything as the stories say we were born wolves. Our parents are wolves for the majority of us and for some we have one parent that is a wolf and the other parent is a human.” At that, my eyes widen. Human? How can that be?

She continues. “We have mates what is let say our soulmate has a human will describe it but it’s more than that. We have a god the one that made us the Moon Goddess she is the one that makes the perfect person for who your mate. She is the one that pairs us and gives us our other half that’s why some have wolf and human parents like Lily and Scarlet but they both turn out to be wolves. One has to be a wolf and Moon Goddess has to give them human mates. As time has got by human mates are getting more common in our world. We have packs which are a family and there are positions for the wolves. They are small or big packs it depends on the number of wolves and the power the pack has. In those packs the is a hierarchy, firstly there’s the Alpha, he is the leader of the group the strongest the one that protects us alongside warriors and the beta. By his side, there is the Luna which is the Alpha’s mate, the mother of the pack, the one that guides us and supports the pack and the Alpha. Next, there is the beta hat that is the Alpha second helps with the pack and the beta female that is the beta’s mate and helps him and the Luna in their job and that’s my position in the pack since my mate is the beta of our pack.” She says that while blushing, I’m getting all until now.

“Those are big positions in the pack then they are warriors that protect the packs and it’s territory, they are doctors and nurses, they are those that live in the pack and don’t have a position they live there and we all do something to help the pack and lastly there are the omegas that are the workers of the pack like those who clean cook and all of that. In our pack, there’s the packhouse where those who don’t have family or mates live there and others have individual houses with their mate or family. Do you have any questions?” They are all looking at me.

“Are you all from the same pack?” 

“We were all from the same pack except for Lily that is from a neighbouring pack but eventually we have found our mates so some of us had to move packs. You see when you find your mate and they aren’t from the same pack as you, you have to move in with him if neater of you reject the mate bond. Now Lily, Crystal, Scarlet, Jennifer and I are in the same pack. Then Melissa and Vanessa are in the same and Nathalie is in another pack. In our world being rejected be your mate is the worst feeling that a wolf could ever feel since mates are our other half. Usually, you find your mate by 18-20 years old but they are some wolves that wait really long for their mate. if your mate rejects you or died you maybe could be giving a second chance by the Moon Goddess but that’s a big miracle. We turn in our wolf at your 16 birthday and for some, it’s at 17 but it’s usually 16 if not it means they are late boomers. For those who have a parent that is human they can either turn out humans or wolves and has you can see Scarlet and Lily turn out to be wolves.”

“Okay so from what you just told me, you mean that I could be a wolf’s mate?”

“Yes but not a high positioned wolf like a beta or an alpha, it could be a warrior or let’s say “regular wolf”.” 

“How so?”

“Well, never in the history of werewolves there’s been a beta or an alpha with a human mate it said that a beta or an alpha should have a strong she-wolf has a mate to help him with the pack and for her to guide the members of the pack.”

“Oh okay so is any of you a Luna?”

Melissa shook her head. “We’re not when we became members of our pack they already had a Luna she is super sweet.”

Nathalie replies. “Same for me they already had a Luna.” She smiles at me.

I turn to Catherine to see her with a sad face. “In our case, we still don’t have a Luna, our Alpha still hasn’t found his mate and he wants to wait to find her. You see a pack needs an alpha has they need a luna as well. A pack without a luna is not at is strongest. When the alpha is near his 30th birthday he has to choose a mate to be the luna of the pack. It’s to have a strong pack.”

Poor their alpha it must be sad to see others having their mates and he still hasn’t found his. Let’s hope he finds her soon.

“Alright let’s get going before other rogues come to hurt us.”

“Rogues?”

“Wolf out of control that don’t want to be in a pack or had to be kicked out for the pack's safety.” I nod while getting up.

In my yard, I turn to the girls. “You stay here,” I say pointing at the wolves, gosh this is so weird. “And you come with me to get them some clothes.” They nod and follow me at the inside of the house. 

*

That night is a night I will never never forget. That night we had become even closer, I learned something deep about them. Thankfully that didn’t change my relationship with them if not we’ve become...

Closer. 

Sorry for that super loooooong chapter but I hope you enjoyed it!