She saw two girls prancing toward her. One had light brown hair almost to her mid-back, a slight build, wearing skinny jeans and a tight gray pull-over. The other girl was about the same height as Emily, maybe a little taller at five foot two, but curvier in all the right places. She had dark brown hair with hints of lighter shades of brown when the fluorescent lights hit at a right angle.
It appeared the two girls coordinated their clothes together since they wore almost identical outfits, except the latter girl's shirt was bright blue. They both had dark tans, the natural kind. It seemed everyone Emily saw today had great tans. She couldn't get a tan no matter how hard she tried. If she was in the sun too long, she started to form nasty red blisters almost immediately. She had to stick with this anemic-looking skin color forever. Just her luck, having to be in a school where nearly the entire population was perfect.
"Hi. I'm Alex, and this is Madison." The girl with the gray T-shirt announced when they stopped in front of her. "You look lost."
Emily felt a complete washout of any remaining thoughts. After a few moments, she was able to mentally force herself to speak and mutter out a complete sentence. "Um, yeah. First day, I guess I sorta stand out. I'm Emily."
They must think I don't have half a brain since it took me so long to respond.
Madison, the girl with shimmering dark hair, peeked over at the schedule Emily was holding. "Hey, Zach," she yelled down the hall, "don't you have Warner first period?"
Zach nodded but did not attempt to come over to where the girls were standing. Madison gently pulled on Emily's arm and led her down the hall toward the two boys.
"These two are like dumb and dumber sometimes," Alex whispered sarcastically as they got closer to Zach and his friend. "Mr. Hernandez and Mr. Lovell, don't you guys ever do anything besides ignore us?" Alex pretended to be pissed off at them. They both stared at her like they had no idea what she was talking about.
Danny put his arm around Alex. "What can I help you with, sweetie?"
Alex's cheeks took on a hint of pink. "Emily, this is Danny." She poked the guy who was standing beside her. "And this is Zach," she did a nod toward him, "who will be your tour guide to first period."
"Uh, yeah, I guess I could," Zach mumbled out unenthusiastically and glanced away from Alex to Emily.
Emily was caught up in his stare but managed to mumble a comprehendible response. "That would be great. I think we sort of met in the office earlier."
"So, Emily, this is Zach. Zach, this is Emily. See, proper introductions, we can all be great friends now." Madison pulled Alex away from Danny. "Seriously, people, we're all going to be late if we don't move our slug asses."
"Hey, we'll see y'all at lunch," both girls shouted halfway down the hall.
Emily watched as the two girls turned the corner. She glanced over at Danny and Zach and found both boys staring at her.
Talk about feeling under pressure. Two scorching hot guys waiting for me to say something,
Emily's eyes shifted to the ground to get away from their intense gazes.
Finally, after what felt like hours, but probably less than ten seconds, Zach spoke a single word. "Ready?"
Emily assumed he was talking to her and nodded once.
"Later," Zach told Danny as they did that fist bump thing guys always do.
"Yeah, dude, we have to talk. Later." Danny ran down the hall the way Madison and Alex had gone.
Zach walked in the opposite direction, and Emily followed. Neither one spoke. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence but made Emily question the circumstances around them.
What did I do to this guy that would make him act this way? We don't even know each other.
He is either stuck-up, shy, or not freakin' interested in talking to me.
Good thing he's taking me to this class because the science department is a maze of classrooms, labs, and teacher's offices.
At the end of one of the halls, Zach stopped and opened the door for her to enter.
Emily noted the classroom was quiet when they entered. Everyone turned to watch them, well, mainly her. There were only about fifteen other kids, but it felt like hundreds when all eyes were on you.
The teacher glanced up from his desk, which was situated in front of the room. He was an older man, slightly balding with thinning gray hair. He had on a blue plaid shirt and an anxious expression, similar to how Emily felt.
"Hey, Mr. Warner," Zach called out the teacher.
Wow, he does know how to speak after all! Emily was surprised.
"This is Emily. She's new this year." Zach pointed to her by his side. "I was showing her where the classroom was; that's why we're a little late." Zach sat down, leaving Emily in the front alone.
"Ah, Ms. Emily. Welcome to West Lakes and honors microbiology," Mr. Warner addressed her in a faint English accent. "Grab a seat anywhere and we'll all get started."
Emily glanced around the room, pinpointing where Zach was located. Of course, there wasn't an empty seat beside him, how convenient. She walked over to the next aisle beside Zach's and sat next to a girl with long blonde hair.
"Hi, I'm Paige," the girl whispered over to Emily as she got situated in her seat. "Let me know if I can help out. I went to West Lakes all my life, so I basically know everyone and everything about this school."
Emily smiled back at her. "Thanks, I will." It was nice to see some people who wanted to help and not feel obligated like Zach did.
Mr. Warner rambled for about half-hour regarding what the class would be doing and what he expected from the labs. Emily only listened for about the first five minutes. She was too preoccupied watching the other students. Okay, Zach in particular, wondering what was going on in that head. She felt a tap on her arm. It was Paige.
"Mr. Warner said we could ask questions or quietly talk."
Wow! I must have zoned out. I don't remember anything he said.'
"So, have you known Zach very long?" Paige positioned herself in the seat so her concentration was on Emily.
"Uh, no, not really. We sort of were in the office at the same time this morning." Emily was wondering if Paige had something going on with Zach or maybe wanted to. "I was lost on my way here, and two girls, Madison and Alex, stopped to help me. They knew Zach had this class, so he showed me where it was."
Like okay, end of the story. No great love story is going on here.
Paige still didn't appear satisfied but let it drop. "Madison Bennet and Alexandra Klaus have been good friends with Zach since he started here back in middle school. Those four have been inseparable since. Have you met Danny Hernandez yet?"
Emily tried to think who that might be. "Is he the other boy that hangs around them? The tall, dark one?"
"Yeah, kinda weird. Most of the guys that hang around them are extremely gorgeous. Don't ya think?" Paige had a dreamy expression on her face.
"Yeah, I guess so. Um, are they all like together?" Emily tried to emphasize together without showing any interest.
"Nope, not really. Just all good friends from what I know." Paige looked like she was sure of herself.
"Not to sound as if I know him or anything, but does Zach always act so, um...rude?" Emily tried to find out if he was usually like that or if it was just her.
Paige's mouth hung open as her eyes bugged out of their sockets. "No, not at all. Why would you ask that?"
Play it cool, Em.
"I don't know. He was a little stand-offish."
He couldn't even say hello in the office or speak one word walking here. Sounds full of himself to me.
"Zach is like one of only a few boys in this school who isn't like that," Paige sounded a little on the defensive. "Now, his brother Jacob is the complete opposite."
"Jacob?" Emily questioned. She knew who he was but felt a need to find out more about these two.
Paige gave her a half-smile. "Oh, you would know Jacob if you met or saw him. I think everyone that is anyone has gone out with him at least once." She sounded a li
ttle infatuated as she tried to describe him. "He sort of looks like Zach." She scrunched up her nose as if in deep thought of trying to find the right words. "But, he's more of an animal. Yeah, that would describe him. He's athletic, funny, gorgeous, and has a perfect body. He has blond hair, well, sort of, and these deep intense gray eyes. His face is one you can’t take your eyes off." Paige looked smitten, and her voice trailed off as she spoke of Jacob.
Okay. Obsessing much.
"Have you gone out with him?" Emily asked curiously.
Paige gaped at her like it was rude of her to ask. Like, didn't Emily know who she was?
"We went out once. Like I said, Jacob doesn't like more than one date with anyone." Paige spoke as though she was trying to convince herself of something. "I don't think he's ever been serious about any girl." She sounded as though she was questioning his motives.
"Have you ever gone out with Zach, if you don't mind me prying?" Emily hoped she wasn't digging up any old relationship feelings. She didn't know why she was so curious about this guy, who made it so apparent that he didn't think twice about her.
Paige's appearance was solemn. She slowly shook her head. "Zach and I never officially went out. He doesn't date anyone. He sort of hangs out with a group, like Danny, Alex, and Madison." She made a sneered expression when she said the girls' names, maybe a hint of jealousy. Paige recovered relatively quickly and gave Emily a fake smile. "Jacob and Zach are complete opposites, especially when it comes to girls. Zach doesn't want any, and Jacob wants them all." Paige had a confused and unhappy look as they both turned to checkout Zach.
Emily saw he was staring straight ahead. What was he thinking, and why wasn't he talking to anyone?
I'll have to talk to Alex and Madison later. Maybe they can give me better insight into the mysterious Zach.
She tried to push Zach out of her mind and focus on something besides the guy seated in the next row.
***
Why didn't I find a place she could sit beside me?
What the hell is wrong with me?
Why am I running from my 'supposed' mate?
I didn't hear one word Mr. Warner has said since I walked in here. Doesn't every teacher use the same freakin' spill on the first day? Welcome to blah...blah...blah, this year we are going to learn about blah...blah...blah.
Zach was trying not to look back at Emily or Paige.
There's just something about her.
'She's our mate,' his wolf said once again.
'Yeah. Yeah. I get it. You said this before.
Zach was once again having an internal conflict with his other-self. If he didn't know he was a shifter, he would begin to suspect he was going insane with having a wolf talking inside of him. Zach knew he had to speak with his older brother Adam or his father if he returned soon. There hadn't been any other girl who had made him feel and act like a complete ass like Emily.
Yep, that is what she probably thinks of me right now.
Zach knew she was sitting somewhere next to Paige. Even though no one else could, he was able to hear them whispering. Why did she have to sit right beside school gossip? He slowly stretched his arms above his head and pretended to twist around like he was uncomfortable, but he was trying to get another peek at Emily.
"Shit," Zach muttered under his breath and turned back around. No sooner did he look over at them, Paige and Emily looked up at him from the next row. A good thing about being a wolf was that he could hear most of what they said, a positive point in his favor.
Zach went back to concentrating on Paige and Emily's chat while drowning out the other conversations in the classroom. They were talking about Jacob, like that was something new. Girls talking about his conceited brother was something that happened every hour of every day.
Wait, he heard Emily say his name. He wished the kid beside him would shut the fuck up. Zach was giving him a death glare, but the kid kept talking loudly to someone else who was two rows away. He wanted to scream, 'get up and go over there to talk,' but he had to get back to listening to Paige and Emily talk about him.
What the hell, a kid on the other side of Zach hit his arm. "Hey, who's the new girl?"
Zach was so pissed off he didn't get to hear what the girls said. He turned to confront the kid who punched his arm. "Marshall, what the hell are you doing here?"
"We all moved back this past week. My dad spoke with yours, so we're good to go. Didn't he tell you? They have a lead on the offspring."
"Nah, I haven't seen him. You know, pack business. He's been away for a while. I think something's going on. We'll have to talk about it later." Zach glanced around to make sure nobody else was listening in to their conversation and also to get another glimpse of Emily. "Are you in this class?" Zach hoped at least one pack member would be in one of his classes.
Marshall snorted out a laugh. "Yeah, right. You're the brains, remember? I saw you sitting here, so I popped in." He glanced over to make sure Mr. Warner wasn't looking. Luckily for him, he was too busy looking at some science magazine. "I gotta get going. I'm meeting Jacob before second period. So no answer to the new girl question." Marshall nodded up to Emily as he stood to leave.
Zach peeked over at Emily and Paige once again. They were still talking. "Just a girl I showed to this class. Why?" Zach turned back toward Marshall, but he was gone as fast as he came.
Zach reached for his cell phone and text Adam.
Need to talk, meet me around 4p at the house.
Hopefully, he wasn't on pack duty. Zach knew he had to figure out what was going on and why their pack was showing up now.
K was the only response he got from Adam. But then again, he should be happy he got one.
The bell rang to leave. Zach took one last glance at Emily, allowing his wolf to scream in protest of going, then exited the classroom.
***
Danny, Alex, Madison, and Zach were all in PE class together right before lunch. It was always an experience when they were all together. Today they played a quick game of B-ball. Zach and Dan liked to show off their skills in sports. It was the wolf in them that wanted the competition.
The girls tried to keep up, but the guys knew they wouldn't be able to. Madison bitched, and Alex kept looking at Danny as if she was in awe of everything he did. After they changed their clothes from PE, they met back in the gym to head down to lunch.
"Hey, where did Alex go?" Zach noticed her abrupt disappearance.
Madison smirked like she knew something was going on. "Oh, I think she had to head back to our locker for something." Zach started to walk away, but Madison tugged on his arm. "C'mon, let's get a table before they are all taken."
Like they had to worry. They'd sat in the same spot for the past three years. Nothing ever changed here, well, until this year.
The three of them walked into the bustling cafeteria and grabbed seats at their table. Like always, the same tables with the green tops and gold-colored chairs. Their group always sat at one of the tables in the back by the exit door.
Some group took over each section of the cafeteria, guys in sports and the cheerleaders were always in the center. The nerds were in the front area by the lunch ladies, the potheads over on the far wall by the windows, and everyone else scattered about the room.
"Ahhh, the smell of cafeteria food." Danny's sarcasm and disapproval of the food was felt by them all.
"Hey, I'm gonna wait for Alex to get back before I head into the line." Madison kept looking over at the entrance. "You guys want the usual pizza?"
"Yeah, sounds good to me. Better up it to three slices for Zach and me. We're growing men." Danny flexed his arm muscles for her.
"Oh, Danny, you beast!" Madison exclaimed, rolling her eyes at him. "There she is. It's about time." Madison pointed to Alex, who just came through the entrance door.
Even before Madison announced Alex's arrival, Zach's heart rate picked up a few beats. He glanced over to where Madison was pointing. Emily was with her.
'Go.' Za
ch's wolf decided to speak now that he sensed his supposed mate.
Why do I have to have the delusional wolf?
Zach questioned himself as he tried to rein in his inner beast. '
Lay back down. How can she be our mate when she shows none of the signs? If you come out now, shit, all hell will break loose. Just chill.'
Zach tried to get the wolf to calm down before they both made a scene. Madison was looking at him weirdly like she knew something was up.
Danny’s attention was on Zach. "Having some internal conflict with yourself there, Zach?"
"Yeah, you know how that goes." He knew Danny would understand about talking to the wolf inside of them. Danny nodded like he knew what Zach was talking about. The boys said no more, and Madison's attention turned away as Alex and Emily were now at the table.
"I told Emily I would meet her at her locker," Alex casually explained the reason why she was late. "We saw we had lunch together, so I figured she would be happy to have people to sit with that she sort of knew."
"Yep," Madison popped her 'p,' "that sounds great, right, guys?" she asked both boys but stared directly at Zach. Both Zach and Danny nodded. How could they say no without the girls getting in their faces about it?
"Well, I think you already know everyone here," Alex questioned Emily.
"Uh, yeah, I think so," Emily whispered as she sat on the opposite side of the table from Zach.
"Cool, now let's go get lunch. I've been starving for the past hour." Madison showed how impatient she was by heading up to the lunch line without waiting for anyone else's response.
"Is pizza okay, Emily? That's the only thing they serve that is half decent." Alex stood up to follow Madison.
"Um, yeah, that would be great. Thank you." Emily's eyes dipped down as she caught Zach's gaze.
"Be back in a few. Danny, come help with the drinks," Alex yelled back over her shoulder as she walked away. Danny followed after her without any questions or complaints.
'Talk to our mate.' Zach's big bad wolf decided to offer advice now.
'How about you talk to her. Aren't mates supposed to be able to talk to each other?' Zach secretly yelled at him.
Revelations (Separate Worlds Book 1) Page 3
