Apprentice to the Alpha 

Two: Hair Twirling

----Evelyn---

I decide to show up early to surprise my bestie. I know she’s anxious about this even though she pretends not to be, and making jokes at my own expense might just break through her nerves. Plus, she sucks at makeup. She’ll either cake it on and be self-conscious or wear none at all and feel underdressed.

“Bye, mom! Order some pizza so you don’t starve; I left money on the counter.” I shout up the stairs at her.

“You’re not funny. You act like I’m incapable of feeding myself just because I ask you to make one meal a week!” My mom yells back with a hint of a chuckle in her voice

Not funny, my ass. I can always get her to laugh. “I didn’t actually leave money on the counter, I lied! sorry!” I call as I run out the door.

I skip across our pack grounds, my face turned up toward the early September sun. It’s the perfect temperature to be outside, and I’m closing my eyes as the warm breeze blows my hair behind me. I’m in the middle of trying to decide how long it will be until the leaves start to change color when I smack right into someone. Damn it, I feel like normal people don’t do this stuff as much as I do.

“Oh Goddess, I’m so sorry! Where did I hit you? I was totally off in my own world; I’m so embarrassed.” I stumble over my words as I look at my victim. Oh. My victim is hot. Wait, I’m not allowed to think that. I have a boyfriend. s**t. This man I’m definitely not checking out is just over 6 feet tall, has dreamily windswept brown hair, and his beautiful eyelashes perfectly frame his vibrant hazel eyes. …Nope, I’m going to tell myself that he is totally ordinary, not cute at all. Ah, damn it. His face is totally chiseled... s**t. Nope, he’s got dull eyes, boring hair, and a regular face. That’s it. Yup! Have I talked enough about Josh’s muscles and how sweet he is? Ugh. I hope when Josh turns out to be my mate I quit having these micro crushes because they make me so uncomfortable.

The totally not hot stranger stares back at me for a second before stuttering out a reply. “In no, it’s okay! I... I... I wasn’t paying attention. Do you live around here? I’m totally lost.”

“Yeah! Feast your eyes on a real Eclipsian! Whatcha looking for?” I ask, looking anywhere except his dreamy eyes.

“Thank the Goddess. I just moved into the Black Crescent Pack a few months ago, so my parents are making me go to this birthday party dance thing to meet local shewolves. I literally just turned 18 yesterday, but you know how parents get about meeting people once you’re of age...” He rambled off before realizing he was pouring his heart out to a total stranger. “Oh, sorry, I just don’t know many people yet, didn’t mean to bombard you. What’s your name? I’m Kai.”

I laugh out loud. This man is just as awkward as me, somehow. “I’m Evelyn; my friends mostly call me Eve or Evie, though. And I don’t actually know myself, yet: I’m still 17. But I’m sure I’ll be feeling the same way soon.” I hold out a hand for him to shake. He takes it, his hand trembling ever so slightly at the contact.

“By the way, I actually know what party you’re talking about; it’s my best friend’s! But it doesn’t start for like two more hours. I’m not sure where you got your information from.” I say, returning to the topic at hand.

“Thanks, Eve. I did know, actually, but my parents kicked me out early. Something about making friends beforehand to bring to the party or something? Old people.” He chuckled.

The fact that he called me Eve, and therefore already considered me a friend already did not escape my attention. “Well, I’d hang with you to pass the time, but I have best friend duties to attend to,” I mention, holding up my makeup bag. “Buuuut my friend lives right by the best diner in town! I can show you where she lives and offer you a delicious place to twiddle your thumbs.”

He offers me a dazzling smile and thanks me as I try not to stare at his perfect teeth. s**t.

---Marie---

Pacing back and forth, I finally submit to my nerves and send the text I had typed out.

Me: [Evie? I know it doesn’t start till 8, but I’m getting stressed... Any way you can bring your scatterbrained tangents to keep me sane?]

Bitch <3: [Look out the window then, Merida, cause I’m basically here!]

I grimace at the comparison and run to the front door. I see Eve at the street corner with a boy I’ve never seen before when I open it. She’s playing with her hair, and points to my house, then at the diner down the street. I raise my eyebrows as she accepts the hug he offers, and they part ways. She sees me in the doorway and frantically waves before sprinting over at full speed.

“Hey!!! I brought makeup!” She giggles as she attacks me with a hug. “Do you wanna-”

“Um, who was that?” I interrupt her. We can discuss makeup later. I haven’t seen my girl playing with her hair like that since she got with Josh. That used to be an Eve flirting staple.

“Oh, that? Some dude named Kai is gonna come to the party. His parents made him come early, so I sent him to the diner to kill time. Just met him.” I start forming words to ask what the hair twirling was about when she cuts me off, clearly seeing what I was about to say. “No. It’s not like that. I have a boyfriend, remember? Josh is way too awesome to even think about flirting with boys.”

I raise my eyebrows. “You were playing with your f*****g hair, Evie. That’s your THING.”

She avoids my eyes and flashes past me and up the stairs. “Last one to your room has to get snacks!” She yells, not even bothering to look behind her.

Grumbling, I head to the kitchen for Oreos. I’m going to get that girl to tell me about it whether she likes it or not. Maybe I can talk her into a sleepover; she always spills the tea at 2 A.M.