The Return to Willow Lake - 2

“Hey, Silver.” Eric smiled lazily as he slumped against the locker, “So Mahala told me, Masato proposed?”

I held my hand up to Eric without looking at him and showed him the small white gold band with three small white diamonds. “Nearly two weeks ago now, surprised you didn’t notice it right away.”

“I’m a guy; we’re blind and stupid. At the risk of incurring your ever-loving wrath, and please don’t take this the wrong way, but don’t you think you’re a bit young? You’re seventeen, Silver.”

I let out a loud sigh, rolling my eyes as I turned to look at him, he wasn’t the first person to say that and I had no doubt, he wouldn’t be the last either. Everyone except my family thought I was seventeen, while in reality, I was twenty-one upon my turning, and realistically, I wasn’t far off one hundred years old.

“I may be young, Eric, but Masato and I have been together for two and a half years. He uprooted his life from Japan because neither of us could bear to say goodbye to the other. I just know he’s my forever person, I can’t explain it, but I know that’s the wholehearted truth.”

Eric looked at me with a skeptical look, “I just don’t want to see you hurt, Silver, that’s all. But, hey, if you’re happy, then I’m happy. Guess no chance for that date now, then, huh?” Eric chuckled as his head swayed back and forth slowly.

“There never was, Eric.”

“Yeah, I got that. Guess I’ll have to settle for hanging out with the male version of you. Seriously though, I know I’m a jerk, but I’m happy for you. I know we’re not exactly friends, but if Masato messes up, I’ll beat on him in your honor.”

Eric’s posture changed into a man standing tall, with a hand over his heart, like a courageous soldier ready and willing to go into battle.

I couldn’t help but laugh as I shut my locker, “Thanks, Eric. And we are friends. We’re not like best buddies who are going to go binge-eating ice cream while watching movies kind of friends. But, you’re a friend. You’re not so bad once you get past that I’m a jock jerk exterior.”

“Well, once a girl tells you to get fucked by a cactus a good ten times, you figure you’re probably just a bit too much of a jerk. Besides, Zach and I are cool now, but I know he’d take no issue in beating me senseless if I piss you off. I like the guy. Speaking of, where is he?”

“Oh, he’ll be in a little late; he had an appointment first thing.”

It was a big fat lie. The vampires crossed the border again last night and came a lot closer than that had before. So Emmett took Zach out with the cover of daylight to throw up some extra security barriers and scout the area a little.

“Ah that’s cool, well, I’ll see you in class, Silver, laters.”

“Bye, Eric.” I smiled at him before he turned away, and I headed off to find Hannah and Mahala.

------

“Ms. Paxton?” Ms. Jameson called as I was about to leave the classroom.

“Yeah?”

“May I speak to you a moment?”

“Sure. I’ll catch up with you three.” I smiled at Zach and the two girls who nodded and left. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, just wondering if you’d read any of that book?”

“Oh, only a little.” I hadn’t originally intended to read any of it. However, a couple of nights ago, curiosity got the better of me, and I began reading.

I already knew and had heard a lot of theories over my years, but I’d never really cared to pay much mind to them. I also thought that maybe reading it might give me a clue as to why she picked the book for me to read.

“It’s been a bit of a crazy week, preparing for exams and family matters. I’ve only just finished the part where they’re talking about the origin’s and theories of werewolves.”

“Ah yes, I think out of all the mythical creatures they have the broadest range of theories, besides the Witches. Some, of course, being able to turn at will, some under the curse of the moon. Then you have those that were once human and now live every day as Wolves.”

“Do you think there’s any truth to the Wolves?” I questioned.

“To an extent. I took to the last theory of the three.” Ms. Jameson nodded slowly with a quiet hum. “What about you?”

“Well, I haven’t read much past that, so I couldn’t say yet. So, if that’s the theory you lean toward, how do you think they came to be?”

“A curse of some sort. You’ll understand once you enter into the Witch and Warlock’s section. I believe once a curse was put on a person or family and the Wolf’s bite is what spreads the curse.”

My heart began to beat a little harder than usual. That was precisely how the Wolves were formed. Our original members had laid a curse on a couple who threatened to expose them. They cursed them to an eternity of life as a Wolf, never able to speak of our kind and banished from living with humans.

The bite was correct too. If a human was bitten, they had a small window of twelve hours to find the antidote, or they would turn the following night. However, the cure was eradicated by the Wolves centuries ago.

The cure could only be acquired from the root of a Great White Cedar tree. However, the wolves set out to burn down every existing tree after the Vampire’s almost wiped them from existence in a war.

“That’s certainly an interesting concept.” I purred as I made small bobs with my head, trying my best to keep my composure.

“I think so. But as always, it’s just my view, theory, and it’s what made the most sense to me. When I’m not stuck in a history book, I’m stuck in a fantasy one. I have quite a wild imagination as I’ve been told.”

“Well, I don’t know if I believe any of it, but I suppose nothing is ever really impossible.” I shrugged cooly.

“Quite right. Well, I’ll let you get to your next class, and please keep reading. But of course, focus on your studies first. Is Zach keeping up, okay? I know he was homeschooled before decided to join you here.”

“Yeah, he’s doing fine. He’s a sponge, so it’s a non-issue for him. Thank you, Ms. Jameson.”

“You’re welcome, enjoy the rest of your day.”

I felt a shiver run up my spine as I turned to walk away out of the classroom. Her theory on the Wolves had been unsettling correct; did she know more than she let on?

I shook my head at my ludicrous thought as I closed the door.

She couldn’t know anything. She wasn’t a Vampire that I knew, and there was no way she was a Witch, nor a wolf. She was simply an older woman with her head in the clouds who enjoyed fantasy. Perhaps having read one too many novels or watching one too many movies. People like her weren’t exactly uncommon; this town proved that.

I turned to look into the classroom, her eyes were watching me as I left, and another shudder ran through my body like a current. No, she was just a crazy old lady, so I shook myself off and headed to my next class.