CHAPTER 6
1109 Words
(Makayla POV)
Saturday morning arrives far too early after a sleepless night. My limbs are heavy, aching from more than just yesterday’s run. The phantom memory of silver fur, the sound of snarls crashing through the woods, and the glint of teeth in moonlight replay like a twisted lullaby that kept me pinned awake until dawn.
Still, I pull myself together, slide into jeans, and tug my hair into a loose braid. Jessa is waiting, and I need the distraction.
Downtown is already humming with life when I arrive at the boutique. The windows glitter with prom dresses in every shade imaginable—like a rainbow exploded in silk. Jessa spots me through the glass and bounds out to meet me, grinning.
She looks perfect, as always. Not just pretty—effortlessly pretty. Her golden curls bounce around her shoulders, and her skin has that healthy, sun-kissed glow I only manage after a summer vacation. She pulls me into a hug, holding on a second longer than usual.
“You look…” Her smile falters slightly. “Tired.”
I manage a small laugh. “Didn’t sleep great.”
Her eyes narrow, scanning me more carefully now. “Something happen?”
I shrug, like it’s nothing. “Twisted my ankle on my run yesterday.”
“Bad twist?”
“Nah.” I wave it off. “I’m fine now.”
She watches me a moment longer, clearly not buying it, but lets it slide. Jessa has a sixth sense when it comes to people’s moods. But she also knows when not to push.
We head inside and dive into the racks, letting the rustle of fabric and our shared laughter wrap around us like armor. For a little while, we’re just two girls playing dress-up, pretending nothing else in the world exists. We joke about hideous tulle monstrosities and compete to find the most ridiculous sequined gowns. I almost manage to forget the forest. Almost.
Then I slip into an emerald green dress that clings like it was made for me. The fabric is soft, whispery, and shimmers when it catches the light. The neckline dips low, tastefully daring, the color a mirror of my eyes.
I step out hesitantly.
Jessa gasps. “Kay. That’s it. That dress is dangerous.”
I glance at my reflection. “You think so?”
“I know so,” she says, her eyes wide. “Trust me, that dress is going to break hearts. You look like... like you could walk onto a red carpet and no one would question it. That green is literally your eye color. It’s criminal.”
I turn slowly in front of the mirror, unsure whether to believe her. But something in the way she says it makes me stand a little straighter.
She finds her own dream dress soon after—a breezy sky-blue number with spaghetti straps and a skirt that floats when she twirls. Watching her spin, laughing, so light and unburdened, makes something twist in my chest.
I miss being that carefree.
We leave the boutique laughing, dresses slung over our shoulders like trophies. On the way home, I finally return the call I’ve been putting off all week. My hands shake slightly as I accept the full ride to Cal State.
It’s official.
It should feel like victory. Like everything I’ve worked for finally paid off.
But all I feel is… hollow.
Jared has been texting. Little check-ins:
“How are you?”
“Did you find a dress?”
“Can we talk?”
My replies have been short, clipped—answers designed to end conversations, not start them.
“All good.”
“Yeah.”
“Busy.”
I know I’m being unfair. But every time I think about seeing him—really seeing him—my chest tightens. The way he’s been acting lately… it’s different. And after the forest, after the silver wolf…
There’s a part of me that’s afraid to ask the questions screaming in my head.
What was that creature?
Why did it protect me?
Why does it feel familiar?
And why, when I think of Jared, do I keep seeing those silver eyes?
Sunday brings a much-needed break from my spiraling thoughts. Somehow, both Mom and Dad are off work—a minor miracle. We spend the afternoon like a real family. First, a cheesy action flick that’s more explosions than plot. Then burgers and fries at the retro diner downtown, the one with red vinyl booths and faded photos of Elvis on the walls.
“So,” Mom says, sipping her milkshake, “tell us about this dress you bought yesterday.”
I smile faintly. “It’s green. Tight, but tasteful.”
Dad raises an eyebrow. “Define tasteful.”
I smirk. “Nothing’s falling out, if that’s what you mean.”
Mom laughs. “And the prom group? Still going with Jessa and the dance crew?”
“Yeah. Jared too.”
Dad exchanges a look with Mom. “And what’s going on with Jared these days? Any news on where he's going for school?”
I pick at the edge of my fries. “We haven’t really talked about it. Not since I chose Cal State.”
There’s a short silence. Then Mom reaches over and squeezes my hand. “You don’t have to figure everything out right now. But maybe don’t shut him out completely, sweetheart. If he matters, let him in.”
I nod but don’t say anything. It’s not that simple.
That night, when I’m finally alone, I check my phone.
Another message from Jared. “I’ll drive us tomorrow? I wanna see you. Please.”
It’s gentle. Hopeful. Still so him. I stare at it, rereading it until the words blur.
All I manage to send back is a single letter: “K”
It feels like cowardice. But it’s all I have.
Afterward, I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling. My fingers twitch, itching to type out something more—I miss you. I’m scared. Please just be near me.
But the words never make it to the screen.
Instead, I close my eyes and try to breathe through the weight pressing down on my chest.
I don’t know what’s happening between me and Jared. I don’t know what happened in those woods, or why it felt like something impossible just brushed against my reality.
All I know is the silence between us used to be comfortable. Now, it feels like a wall.
And behind that wall is a silver shadow I can’t explain—and a boy I might already be losing.
- Writer
