Chapter 10: Chapter 10

TEN

Caleb was exhausted. He had to wake up early every weekday, drive to school, endure school, drive back home and also try to beat his high score on his games. The drive to school was half an hour long and no matter how much he liked having his own car, he did not like driving to school which was in the city. He could never get used to the schedule no matter how much he tried, he was only glad that it was his last year. It was only the beginning of the year but he could not wait for the last day of school.

He ran a hand through his hair after parking his car and grabbed his backpack from the passenger seat and got out of the car, and made sure to lock the car. People were already making their way into the school and mixing with their friend groups. Caleb chewed on the inside of his cheek and sighed before heading into the building. He definitely could not wait for the day when he would come here for the last time.

The loud bustle of the student body made him wish he was back home, bothering Aleisa or teasing his brother. Being in school even made him wish he was home taking care of Kace and changing the little boy’s diaper. He walked to his locker and took out the books for his classes. When he entered his first class, people were talking amongst each other and there was noise because classes were yet to begin. He took his seat, it was in the middle of the last column and next to a window.

He took out his phone and started reading a comic to pass the time. The scraping of a chair disturbed him and he looked up to meet a boy with dark hair that fell to his shoulders. The boy had turned his chair to face him. Caleb raised an eyebrow at this. People did not talk to him and he did not talk to people, he liked it that way.

“Hey,” The boy greeted with a smile.

Caleb frowned at this. He still remembered how everyone had tried to be his friend in junior high because he was Isaac’s younger brother. Isaac had quite the reputation back then and every girl wanted to be friends with Caleb in order to get closer to Isaac. Caleb had decided then to avoid everyone. Besides, almost everyone considered him to be weird because he preferred to spend his time reading comics and playing video games.

“Hey,” He had a bored look on his face and went back to staring at his screen after replying. The long-haired boy probably just wanted to seem polite by greeting him.

“My name is Edward,”

Caleb realized that he was wrong, the boy did not just want to seem polite. He actually wanted to have a conversation. He now wondered what this one wanted. He was not used to people speaking with him. Ever since Isaac finished school when girls talked to him they wanted his number and when boys talked to him, they wanted him to join some sports club. The only sports he played were the ones controlled by his consoles.

“I don’t want to join any sports club so it would be better if you leave me alone,” Caleb said and was about to go back to reading his comic once again when Edward spoke once again.

“I don’t play any sports either. I’ve just noticed that you sit behind me and I’ve only heard you speak when a teacher asks a question.”

Caleb put his phone on the desk and seriously looked up at the boy. Dark brown eyes stared back at him. The boy, Edward had a sharp jawline and broad shoulders. He was good-looking, Caleb acknowledged that as his eyes continued staring at him. Maybe it was metal on his left eyebrow or the long hair, but Edward kind of gave out the ‘trouble’ aura.

“What do you want then?” Caleb asked after staring at Edward.

“Your name?” Edward laughed off Caleb’s curtness. “And to be your friend.” He added confidently and stared at Caleb’s face for a few seconds.

Caleb could feel his cheeks heating up, Edward’s stare made him feel a bit too hot. He looked down and bit on the bottom of his lip before scolding himself mentally and looking up.

“Caleb,” He finally gave out his name before picking up his phone once again and trying to read his comic.

Edward kept looking at him and he could feel it. He could feel his stare and he wished it was not so intense because it was making his cheeks start to heat up once again. He had never even noticed the person who sat in front of him. That was how oblivious he was to his surroundings. How do you not notice the presence of a boy with long hair and a piercing?

“Will you stop staring?” Caleb looked up when Edward made no attempt to stop staring at him.

Edward cleared his throat. “I’m sorry...you’re just very handsome.”

Caleb almost choked on his spit because of how shameless Edward was. He did not know if he should be flustered or creeped out by the comment. He did not have enough time to dwell on a response or reaction because the teacher walked in and told everyone to settle down. Edward turned around and Caleb was left alone to his thoughts as he put his phone away and opened his books.

......

“Why are you following me?” Caleb turned around to face the long-haired boy that was behind him.

They shared most of their classes and only separated for one, Caleb had taken the time to notice. This had to have been the first time he noticed anything other than his phone while at school. It was lunchtime and Edward followed after him immediately when the bell rang.

“I thought we’d eat together, we’re friends now,” Edward replied.

“I do not recall accepting your friendship,” Caleb countered and continued walking down the hallway.

“You told me your name, that’s like saying ‘sure, let’s be friends’ to most people,” Edward replied and tried to keep up with Caleb’s fast pace. “Hey, we aren’t headed in the direction of the cafeteria. Where are we going?” Edward asked but kept on following.

“I’m trying to find the perfect place to kill you,” Caleb replied.

“Haha, very funny.” Edward laughed sarcastically. “Tell me where we are going now.”

“You mean, where I am going,” Caleb emphasized. “Why are you following me?”

“You want an answer and so do I, guess no one’s getting answered,” Edward said with a shrug.

Caleb rolled his eyes and started climbing a flight of stairs until he opened the last door that led to the roof. He walked to the ledge and sat down, Edward was still there and he also took a seat.

“Is this like your happy place?” The boy asked and looked down.

The ground was very far down and if one fell from the roof, it would be a horrible death. Edward looked at the trees that surrounded the school, he could hear the wind moving against the leaves of the trees. It really looked amazing seeing it from the top of this building. The forest that covered their school did not look as scary as it usually did.

Caleb was also looking at the forest longingly, he wished he could go for a run but he promised Isaac to never do so. He had discovered the beauty of the back of the school when he was looking for a place to freely play his video games and read his comics without noise and people. He ended up on top of the art building and ever since then, his lunch was spent on the roof.

“Happy place?...No,” Caleb replied. “Place where there is no noise and people? Yes, so I like it.”

Edward nodded. “I see why, it’s very peaceful here.” The air wanted through his hair and it covered his eyes. Edward tucked his hair behind his ear and looked back at the forest, Caleb found himself staring at the other boy trying to tame his long hair.

“Why do you keep your hair?” Caleb asked all of a sudden. Edward turned to face him and the look of horror on Caleb’s face was enough to tell him that he had just blurted out the question.

Edward chuckled. “Well, I don’t really have a reason. I just like it long.”

Caleb relaxed, he was happy to know that he had not overstepped any boundaries. “And the piercing?” He asked and pointed at Edward’s left eyebrow.

“That? Well, after getting a few tattoos, I decided to get a piercing as well.” Edward answered. Caleb admitted in his mind that Edward looked even more dashing seated on the ledge looking laid back and answering his questions.

“You have tattoos?!” Caleb’s eyes were filled with fascination and Edward found it cute.

“Yes,” He replied coolly and pulled up the sleeves of his shirt to expose the back ink that marked his arm below his elbow.

“Don’t forget to live,” Caleb read out as he stared at the words written on Edward’s skin I’m an amazing and clean calligraphy. “You said tattoos though, what about the others?” Caleb asked.

Edward brought down the sleeve of his shirt. “Well to see the others, I’ll have to take off my shirt and my pants.” He replied.

Caleb could feel his cheeks heating up once again after Edward said that and images of Edward without his shirt filled his imagination. He shook his head and tried to calm his heart rate.

“T-that won’t be necessary.” He stuttered out in a low voice but he was sure Edward heard him because he nodded.

A moment of silence followed afterwards and Caleb kept his stare at the trees below. He had never brought anyone here for obvious reasons. Edward had followed him here uninvited but it was not like he hated his company. Somehow, Caleb liked it better to have someone with him even if he had only met that someone a few hours ago. A notification sound brought Caleb out of his thoughts and he brought out his phone to stare at the message Aleisa sent him.

Aleisa

‘Could you buy me some pizza on your back’

Caleb looked at the text message for a second before shaking his head and smiling. This was very typical of Aleisa and to think she had a child. It seemed like they were going to have pizza as dinner once again because Aleisa always asked him to come with food when she was too tired to cook and Isaac was very busy. He typed a quick ‘okay’ before switching off his phone and shoving it in his pocket once again.

He looked up and found Edward staring at him. “What?” He asked.

“You’re on your phone a lot,”

“Please don’t tell me you’re going to give me a lecture about that.” Caleb rolled his eyes. Nina had given him a long lecture about how his phone made him less attentive to his surroundings. That was big talk coming from her since he knew way more than she did.

“No, I just want to know what you’re usually looking at,” Edward replied.

“Manga and video games,” Caleb replied and when he saw the look on Edward’s face, he laughed. It was clear that the boy did none of those. “It’s okay if you do neither.”

Edward breathed out. “Phew, I thought I would blackout from the conversation because I know nothing.” Edward laughed. “Are both that great that you ignore everything around you?”

“You want the truth?” He asked and Edward nodded. “Yes,” Caleb said truthfully.

“Well that just means I have to work harder for you to like me more than your phone,” Edward smiled and clapped his hands as if the task at hand was a challenge that he was willing to take.

Caleb could not control the blush on his face anymore and luckily for him, it was time to head back for their next class.

......

Levi was still trying to get used to the whole idea of having many rogues in one building and now he had to get used to having normal werewolves around. It bothered him and made him wonder. Naturally, werewolves in packs hated rogue werewolves and wanted to have nothing to do with them but here they were...drinking in the same building. This just made everything going on in the building feel even worse.

He remembered how someone had asked Willow about the rogues. It was definite that there was a pack nearby and some of those members came to the club to have fun and their Alpha had no idea. Levi grew more concerned for his brother, this could lead to their death. None of them could match an Alpha’s strength. He clenched his jaw and passed a few normal werewolves before walking out of the building.

Willow was outside when he stepped out, she was trying to get out of a conversation with a rogue. He walked over to them and pulled Willow to his side before glaring at the man. Willow was still shivering in his arms.

“Get away from here.” He said to the man who glared at him before he walked away.

Levi faced Willow. “Are you alright, Wills?” He asked and looked at her face before searching for any marks that the man might have caused but all he saw were the marks that still tainted her skin since last week.

The marks on her face haunted him, he felt useless. He could not even protect her from the horrible treatment she had to endure night after night. He was embarrassed to be called her friend when he could not protect her from his own brother.

“You must be my hero,” She laughed and hugged him.

“That’s not true,” Levi said under his breath so that she would not hear anything. “Come on, let’s go for a long walk.” He grabbed her hand in his own and started leading her away from the crowded building.

“Levi b—”

“I’ve paid for the entire week.” Levi cut Willow off before she could say anything. Willow gasped.

“Levi, you can’t do that.”

“I wanted to do it and I can do it.” Levi replied and kept her hand in his as they walked further away from their ‘nightmare’.

Willow was grateful for what Levi did but she also remembered how Louis would sometimes beat him when he “messed up”. What if he would get in trouble just because of this? Louis already knows about their friendship and he does not like it, not even a little bit.

“Don’t worry, Wills. Louis won’t be upset, let’s just enjoy this walk and possibly this entire week, okay?” He faced her and she nodded when he smiled at her. Levi had one of those contagious smiles.

“Are we going anywhere specific?” Willow asked once she accepted that the man with her was very stubborn.

“Not really, I just want to walk,” Levi replied.

Willow kept quiet and walked hand in hand with Levi. She kept stealing glances at his face and thanking her fate for bringing someone like him into her life. Levi had a calming aura and Willow always let herself relax around him. Despite his generosity and great looks, whenever she looked at him she only saw a great friend. A friend that she was willing to keep for a long time.

She did not even notice that they were walking down the main road, the town a bit of a distance away. The night air was cold and she cursed at herself for only wearing a light long-sleeved shirt. Levi noticed her inhale sharply and smiled before taking off his coat and covering her with it.

“You should keep warm, it’s becoming colder by the day,” Levi told her.

“What about you?” Willow asked as she looked at him, he was now just as she had been previously.

“You forget that I’m half wolf, a few hours in the cold won’t do much damage.”

Willow returned Levi’s smile and looked ahead as they kept walking. Her cheeks were cold but Levi’s warm hand encompassing hers made her feel warm and safe, not to forget the coat. The road was silent, Willow started thinking of the one person she wanted not to think about.

“Levi,” She called out and he turned to her. “What d’you think your soulmate will be like?” She asked in order to give her mind another topic to mull over.

Levi remained quiet for a few seconds before speaking. “I don’t really know, that’s the thing about the mate bond, you can end up with the complete opposite of what you expected but you still end up loving that person unconditionally.” He replied and faced her.

“Isn’t that a bit unfair?” Willow asked with a small pout. “It seems unfair for you to have someone you’re supposed to spend your life to be decided for you. What if you love someone else and your soulmate just comes around?”

Levi put on a thoughtful face. “Well, I think to avoid such a situation you have to avoid loving another before your mate. Besides, our fate is intertwined with our mates and the moon goddess knows who is best for us.”

“Tell me more about this soulmate stuff,”

“I think it’s the best part of being a werewolf, I can’t wait to meet mine.” Willow could not get over the wide smile that covered Levi’s face as he talked about meeting his soulmate.

“Life is not easy as a rogue and I know that meeting my mate will make it less bad,”

“Well, I can't wait to meet your soulmate...whoever she’ll be.” Willow flashed Levi one of her toothy smiles.

Levi’s hold on her hand tightened as they kept walking.