DANCING WITH LYCANS

CHAPTER 2: CATCHING UP

Speaking in present tense.

Glaring out the window of the car.

Stupid trees, stupid forest looking place. Stupid--oh, a cute deer! Ugh! No! I won't get sucked in!

Okay, I have to admit it, this place is so lush and green. Lands filled with beautiful lakes, rivers, and wildlife that I've only seen in movies. I've always wanted to experience the wildlife that only seemed like a fairytale portrayed in breathtaking scenes with skyscraping trees, mountains, and mist surrounding the area as if we were in the clouds.

We pull into the driveway of our new home. It's a large house made of stonework and thick pillars of solid wood and ceiling to floor windows. The doorframe and the windows are taller than average, I'd say at least ten feet tall. I get out of the car and stand staring at what seems like luxury that I didn't know my parents could afford.

Mouth gaping at the amount of land and the fact that we had no neighbors nearby.

When I come to and no longer in awe, I start listening to my surroundings and hear a creek flowing a little ways away by the treeline. I make a mental note to go check it out later. All that's on my mind right now is settling in and unpacking.

My parents already came up to set up the place before they brought me to our new home, so all I have to unpack is a suitcase filled with necessities that I use daily.

I walk slowly into the house. My parents are busy as usual, walking from one side of a room into another.

My dad sets down his reading glasses, sighs, and looks at me. I smile at him and wait as I anticipate some form of instruction or guidance to come from him.

"Sweetie, Angelica, if you hurry and unpack your things, your mom and I have something we've been needing to talk to you about. I know we haven't had much time to spend family time together with your mom and I traveling for work all the time, but now that we're back in our hometown and closer to work that will all change."

"Okay, Dad. I'll be quick. Um....just.."

"What is it, Angelica?"

"I was just wondering where my new room is going to be?"

My dad smiles wide and says, "Pick one!"

He grabs his folders and reading glasses and walks off towards what looks like an office, I'm assuming it's an office as I caught a glimpse of a rather large mahogany desk.

I can't help but feel that something is off about my parents. Unhappy as I was, the curiosity of new surroundings is occupying my thoughts, making me indecisive on my feelings of our new life here. I suppose I'll give it a chance before I hate the idea entirely. That would make me a fair person, right? Not that I have the choice for the time being, but at least if I choose to abandon post when I turn 18, my parents won't be able to hate me, right?

I couldn't imagine being estranged from my parents, I love them a lot, they've always been supportive and encouraged all my endeavors in life, never pressuring me to do anything that didn't feel true to my path.

Good with my thoughts, I continue walking through the house to familiarize myself with the place.

Walking along the main floor, I come across a large room with an en suite. Everything is light and flows with sheer light blue curtains giving a subtle sense of calm to the room. I think to myself, I feel like I could sleep here peacefully. I walk into the walk-in closet, and my jaw drops as I see there is ceiling to floor shelves and built-in cabinets.

The room itself is a soft white, filled with newly painted antique furnishings and a king-size bed.

If my parents had claimed this room, then they are out of luck! Hah! Dad told me I could pick. I smile to myself smugly, then run and jump onto the bed, taking a deep breath, letting my face fall to the side. My eyes land on a massive jetted tub. Jackpot!

I'm so going to use that later!

Satisfied with my choice, I look at the time. It's almost time for dinner, and I make my way towards the kitchen to help my mother prepare the table.

"Hey mom, can I set the table?"

"Sure thing! Just grab the salad and the plates and come with me. " she smiles at me while grabbing a tray filled with toppings for the salad. I follow close behind her and start helping her set everything in place.

"This table is huge." I couldn't believe my eyes. Where did my parents get the money for all of this?! Were we secretly rich? Did they choose not to tell me until now to instill conservative values into their only child?

"You sound overwhelmed, Angelica. I know this is not what you're used to, but it's a long the line of what we wanted to talk to you about." Dad takes a deep breath and sighs as if what he wants to tell me is causing him a great deal of stress.