Chapter 35: Chapter 35

Throughout the day, I could only sit anxiously, continuously observing the teacher explaining the lesson at the front of the class. This is the first time I've felt like this, or perhaps not just today – it's been about a week now that I haven't been focused on what I'm doing.

Occasionally, I keep checking my phone whenever there's a spare moment, every hour, every minute, hoping for a reply to the message I sent to Gray. However, the result is nothing; my message remains the same without a response or an explanation about his condition for the past week. This time, I can't wait any longer; I have to make sure about his situation, regardless of the last time he was with me.

I immediately tidy up all my books as the school bell rings. The only way to ensure his condition is by visiting his house. I've held back for too long this week. I should have met Gray directly at his house from the beginning. My steps pause when my phone rings – it's Maudy sending a message. I forgot that we had practice scheduled for this afternoon, but this time I'll ask Maudy for permission. I'll explain that I have an errand with my aunt.

Afterward, I walk back to the school parking lot where my bike is. I don't even know how fast I'm pedaling; all I'm thinking about is how quickly I need to get to Gray's house. Taking around ten minutes, I finally arrive and stop my bike. I quickly walk to Gray's front door.

I extend my hand and press the doorbell, then turn around to look at the sky, which is starting to darken. Today, I checked thoroughly, and there was supposed to be no rain. Did the weather forecast fail again? I've been in front of this house for about two minutes, but there's still no sign of someone opening the door as I hope. Even Miss Veranda isn't at school; the staff said she's taking leave for a few days, adding to my frustration. I extend my hand again to knock on the wooden door in front of me, but there's still no answer as I'd like.

Finally, I step down from the porch and circle around the house. There's no opening for me to enter, whether through the back door or a window. I step back, looking at the second floor where I think Gray's room window is. I look around, grab a small pebble, and throw it. I'm sure if the neighbors see me, they'll think I'm a thief or a stalker, but I don't care. And it's in that moment – whatever misfortune it may be – that suddenly the rain pours down heavily. I run back to Gray's porch.

"Ah, darn it. I should have brought a raincoat," I mutter, while stroking my wet arms. Even my clothes are almost entirely soaked if I hadn't run immediately. The air instantly turns colder, causing me to retreat to the corner of the porch to avoid the splashes of rainwater hitting the porch stairs. I then reach for my phone, attempting to contact Gray, but to no avail. Even his phone is off and unreachable at the moment.

I then sit down, hugging my knees, listening to the loud patter of raindrops. The cold temperature forces me to tighten my grip.

"Gray, where are you actually?" I murmur. My thoughts are in disarray, and I'm afraid that something bad might have happened to Gray. I'm reminded of our last meeting at the treehouse. Of course, I was shocked by the transformation of Gray right in front of my eyes. Despite its initial strangeness, I somehow accepted it as the truth. He's not human, he's a werewolf, just like me. My interest in fantasy books made me see him shift from human to wolf form, and later, back to his original form.

Thinking about Gray, who's usually right in front of me, I recall the pained and confused expression he wore that time. Despite repeatedly reassuring him that I'm okay with his condition, it seemed like he couldn't accept it himself. I wonder if it was his first transformation. What other compelling reasons could there be for him to avoid me for a whole week? This situation has truly thrown me into chaos.

I should be fine waiting for Gray to contact me again, or maybe he's afraid that I'll reveal his secret to everyone. Of course, that's the last absurd thing I would think of. Why would I tell people about this world where werewolves actually exist? Just thinking about it hurts my heart excessively. I just don't want anything bad to happen to him. I then tilt my head back to gaze at the darkening sky. It seems like the rain isn't planning on stopping for the next few minutes. Should I wait longer in front of Gray's seemingly empty house?

With Gray's condition like this, is Miss Brenda also one of them? I pondered. I take a deep breath; they're siblings, after all. Suddenly, a thought crosses my mind—have they moved or returned to their own world? But that's not possible. Gray wouldn't just leave without meeting me first. I straighten up again, this time feeling truly afraid just by thinking that I might never see Gray again.

I don't know what I'm feeling right now. Even though we weren't that close for me to feel this much pain, just imagining him truly gone makes me restless. I even pound on the door in front of me quite loudly, surpassing the sound of the rain that's echoing so loudly around me.

"Gray, please, I need to talk. Can we meet? Are you inside?" I shout again, continuing to bang on the door, hoping that someone inside can answer all my questions.

"We really need to talk, Gray. I'm okay, and I'll keep quiet about everything that happened between us the last time," I continue, my voice quivering now. Maybe it's because of the chilling temperature outside or because of the pain in my heart, but my whole body is trembling intensely. I'm truly terrified, and even my vision starts to blur as tears well up in my eyes.

"Please, Gray, talk to me. If you don't want to meet in person, just reply to my message," I utter once more, my voice now shaking. My throat starts to ache as I hold back the tears that I don't want to let out so easily. Is all this effort in vain? Has Gray truly gone without saying a word to me? That thought settles in, and I finally find myself slumping down once again.

I embrace my knees tightly, bowing my head, and I can't hold back the tears any longer. All I can do is sob, feeling the heaviness of my chest, and the pain that's radiating through me.

"He's really gone," I murmur, the realization sinking in. I can only imagine not being able to meet the guy I wanted to avoid the most, the guy I was so ready to scold when we first met. And now, I'm crying just for him. I never thought our brief encounter would have such an impact on me. I've never experienced anything like this before. I don't accept new people into my life so quickly, and I certainly don't make friends, share secrets, or build connections as fast as I did with Gray. But this guy has left a significant mark on me.

I look up again, staring at the dark ceiling of the porch. "He's really gone," the thought reverberates in my mind, causing me to straighten up. I truly want to scream and cry aloud. Then I gaze at my bike lying in the yard. I can't keep waiting in front of the house like this.

Should I tell Rex? He's a police officer, so he might be able to track someone's movements. I think, and finally, my feet start moving. I ignore how heavy the rain is, it pierces through my shivering body, and at that moment, I can let my tears flow freely. When my tears mix with the rainwater soaking my face, I don't feel embarrassed if someone were to see me. I'm just a teenager playing in the rain, not a pitiful teenager crying in front of someone's house.

"Why does it hurt so much?" I utter again, my hands reaching for my bike. Even riding it seems to require too much effort. Once more, I look at the house where I've been several times before, the house where Gray used to be. This time, it feels like the house has turned into a mere memory, confirming that he really was a part of my life.

Until, I turn around and my body tenses as I see that figure. Somehow, my heart aches even more. He stands there, looking at me with sharp eyes, just as I did with him. We both ignore the heavy rain pounding against us. I can see his tightly clenched fists. Is he really angry, I wonder? But that's better than not being able to see him again. He's still here, and I can still see him. I'll ignore whatever he does, whether he scolds me or does anything else. I just need to make sure that he's still here, that I can still see him.