Twisting You

by Simone Elise

  “You sure—” Chad frowned.

  “I’ll be alright. Go.” I shot him a weak smile and sat down in the empty chair.

  Chad nodded his head and began to walk through the hall to the front. Dan sat down next to me.

  “You alright, Chloe? You look like you’ve been crying.” Dan turned in his seat and eyed me with concern on his face.

  “Yep. Fine.”

  “You’re lying.”

  I shrugged my shoulders. “I’ll be fine.” I played with the sleeves of my sweater. “I watched The Notebook. That’s all.”

  Dan shot me a small smile, still frowning. I knew he only half believed me. He turned in his seat and took in the room. People were filing in everywhere and the hall was filling up quickly.

  “Oh, how are you doing, Mr. Clark?”

  My head snapped in Dan’s direction as he greeted Xavier. Of course Dan would greet him. I cursed him silently in my head.

  “Daniel, how are you?” Xavier said calmly, I glanced up at him and noticed his weak frown in my direction. “And Chloe, how are you?”

  “Well, I’m gold,” Dan replied happily and turned his head to me. “And Chloe, she’ll be alright.” Dan patted my thigh. I noticed Xavier glare at his hand on my thigh.

  “Good to hear you are both well,” Xavier said coolly and then looked at me, meeting my eyes. “I hope things improve for you soon, Chloe.”

  I shrugged my shoulders and pulled my eyes away from him. He could go now.

  “I will see you two in class. I’d better go find a seat,” Xavier said to us.

  I wanted to scream in relief. It was painful being around him.

  “You can sit with us, Mr. C.” Dan stood up. “Move down, Chloe.” Dan waved his hand for me to move down a seat.

  My eyes went wide. No no no no! Grinding my teeth, I slipped over to the next seat and crossed my arms. Damn you, Dan!

  Xavier took the now-empty seat next to Dan and stayed quiet. Of course this would happen to me. My life sucked like this. Fate, damn you, fate! I could feel Xavier’s breathing, even though Dan sat between us. He was so close. I felt myself tuning into his heartbeat. I closed my eyes.

  “Chloe, are you alright?” Dan said softly and placed a hand on my thigh.

  “Umm, I think I am going to, umm, go see Chad,” I stuttered standing up. I had to get away from Xavier.

  “What why?” Dan frowned at me. “He said you could stay here.”

  I shot Xavier a sideways glance. “I just, I just have to see Chad. I’ll, um, talk to you, um, later, Dan. Bye, Mr. Clark.”

  I quickly made my way out of the bay and walked in the direction of the stage. Curse you, Chad, for placing me in this position in the first place.

  Storming up the stage stairs, I slumped in the closest seat and crossed my arms.

  “Change your mind?” Chad asked, while flipping through a pile of papers.

  I crossed my legs and glared into my lap. “Just drop it.”

  My father stepped up on to the stage and I sighed. Here goes a few hours. If I kept my eyes on my lap, I could try and pretend like everyone was staring up at us and I could pretend that Xavier wasn’t watching me closely.

  ***

  I darted up the staircase. Nearly there, I thought to myself. The voices from the hall lowering softly as I ran away in the direction of my room.

  “Chloe.” A hand wrapped around my upper arm, bringing me to a stop. “Wait a sec.”

  Xavier was standing dangerously close, and his breathing was sharp as he studied my eyes. “Are you unwell?”

  I frowned and swallowed quickly. “I’m fine.” I saw his eyes narrow and his grip on my arm tighten slightly.

  “You’re lying to me.”

  Gulping and closing my eyes, I held them tightly closed. “Please don’t make this harder for me, Xavier.” I exhaled quickly. “It’s already hard enough.”

  My eyes snapped open, as his hand cupped my cheek. His eyes were coated in worry and concern. He stepped closer to me. We were close to the same height, since I was two steps higher on the staircase than him.

  “You’re letting the separation take its course, aren’t you?”

  Nodding my head and unable to control my hands, I placed one on his shoulder, edging closer to him. I knew the feeling of need driving my body was showing in my eyes.

  “I’m sorry, Chloe.” He let out a soft sigh. “For this. I am sorry.” He pulled his hand from my cheek and his sudden withdrawal brought tears to my eyes.

  I closed my eyes again, not able to watch him turn his back and walk away from me when I needed him.

  His sweet moist lips planted a soft kiss on my forehead. “Thank you for doing this, Chloe.”

  I ground my teeth. He was thanking me for letting him go. How sick and twisted was that?

  “Just go,” I muttered through gritted teeth, “before I do something you will regret.”

  His shoulder brushed across my chest as he turned around and walked down the stairs. I didn’t need to see him. I felt it.

  ***

  I slammed my fist continually on Chad’s door. I didn’t care it was the early hours of the morning. It was his fault I had been crying for hours on end.

  The door swung open and I glared at my bare-chested brother. “You just had to drag me to that meeting, didn’t you?” I poked a finger into his chest while walking into his room. “It’s all your fault.”

  Walking to his bed I threw myself into it and curled up with one of his pillows. “It’s all your fault.” Tears began to leak from my eyes again.

  I heard Chad sigh as he closed the door. “I thought maybe he had stayed away from you.”

  I grunted and wiped my eyes against his pillow. The other side of the bed dipped as he lay down next to me.

  “Did he say anything?” Chad asked lightly, but I heard his real interest. I turned around on the bed so I could face him.

  “Like?”

  Chad avoided my eyes. “I don’t know. That’s why I asked.” I narrowed my eyes at him. He was hiding something.

  “What are you keeping from me?”

  “Nothing.” He replied quickly, too quickly. Sitting up on an elbow, I studied him. His face was tight. His breathing was steady but I noticed his hands clenched together under his head.

  “Tell me what you know?” I snapped.

  “I don’t know anything.” Chad replied coolly, keeping his eyes locked on the ceiling. That was the giveaway.

  “I never took you as one to lie to me.” I scoffed, getting up and throwing my feet to the ground. “I can’t believe you, Chad.”

  “Wait, Chloe.” Chad sat up and ran a hand through his hair. “It’s not my place to tell you.”

  I arched an eyebrow “So? Never stopped you before.” I crossed my arms, trying hard not to rant at him. He was holding back information about Xavier and I knew it.

  “It’s about Xavier.” Chad paused, studying my reaction. But I remained still.

  “What about him?”

  “I know why he denied you.” Chad stopped and sat up in the bed. “But it isn’t my place to tell you.”

  My fists clenched. “How do you know?” Chad looked guilty as his eyes met mine.

  “Who else knows?” I snapped, my voice dripping with anger. Chad gulped and kept his eyes locked on mine.

  “The elders, father, mother and me.”

  Grinding my teeth, I closed my eyes. “Why do you all know and why did Xavier tell you all? When he couldn’t even tell me!”

  Chad looked uneasy as he watched me. I could tell he was just waiting for me to burst into my wolf. “Did you honestly think Dad would let your mate deny you with no reason? Dad wanted Xavier’s head.”

  “What do you mean wanted?”

  “Xavier gave Dad his reason and, well, Dad had to accept it.” Chad’s breathing was steady. “Xavier was supposed to tell you in time.”

  “Well, he hasn’t, has he? Tell
me his reason.”

  I felt the anger burning through me. All this time others had known why my mate had denied me. But yet I was kept in the dark. I was allowed to think it was my fault!

  I saw the pity cross Chad’s eyes as he dragged himself to sit at the bed head.

  “Xavier was supposed to tell you.”

  “Well he HASN’T!” I yelled not being able to keep my anger from my voice. “So you will tell me now!”

  Chad moved slightly on the bed. “You’re not going to like it.”

  “Well, I don’t like a lot of things, but you know I deal with it.”

  Sighing, Chad glared across the room. “Xavier has a family.”

  I frowned and my expression only showed my confusion. “We all have families. Why does that matter?”

  Chad shot me a pitiful smile. “I mean, Xavier has a family,” he dragged out the word, but I still didn’t get it. “He has a wife and children.”

  My mouth flung open. “He can’t. I’m his mate. He can’t have a child with another wolf. Let alone marry one!”

  “They’re humans. Well, his wife is. The children we aren’t too sure about yet.”

  “WHAT!” My mouth went dry. I just stood in shock and stared in disbelief. “Xavier has a wife.”

  “I don’t know the reason behind why he does. You will have to take that up with him. All I know is he has two boys by her and they live in the suburbs.”

  I closed my eyes. Of all reasons to be denied, I think your mate wanting a human over you is the worst it can get. “And here I was thinking it was the age gap,” I muttered to Chad.

  “Well, now you know,” Chad said, uneasy, watching me closely. “You should really talk to him about it. Get closer.”

  I shook my head. “I can’t get closer. I need the separation.”

  “You’re wolf and you both need to deal with it, now that you know. At least get some answers while the separation is taking place,” Chad advised. “It could help the separation along.”

  Sighing, I turned my back to him. “I don’t know what’s worse. Knowing your mate wants a human over you or knowing that everyone knew about it but you.”

  “Chloe—”

  “Just give me some time, alright?” I opened his bedroom door and closed it gently behind me.

  I needed time to come to grips with this. Who was I kidding? I could never come to grips with it! My mate wanted to play happy family with a bunch of humans instead of spending an existence with me.

  ***

  I handed over a five-dollar bill to the cashier and took my ice cream. It was a beautiful day. The lake was surprisingly busy. I walked past a full playground of happy children.

  The shoppers were out in force and everyone was busy enjoying the summer day. Walking to the side of the playground, I lost my balance as a ball slammed into the side of my face. Stepping backwards, I tripped over a tree branch and landed on my butt.

  “Oops, sorry!”

  I glanced up at the small boy who was looking extremely guilty. He bent over and picked up his ball up from next to me. My ice cream was now covered in dirt beside me.

  “Chocolate is the best too.” The child looked down sadly at the ruined ice cream.

  “Yeah, it is,” I said softly, getting up to my feet. This would happen to me. Nice summer’s day and I get attacked by a flying ball. I sighed. “Don’t worry about it.”

  “Do you want to play with me and my brother?”

  I glanced down at the child as I towered above him. “Um, no thanks. I’m a bit old for that.”

  The kid frowned. “Old people can play too. My mom plays.” The kid put the ball on his hip “Look.” He pointed behind him and, sure enough, a woman was standing next to another small child, who looked like this kid’s twin.

  “Well, you should go play with them,” I muttered dryly and began to walk away.

  “You’re not very friendly.” The child skipped along side of me.

  “Did your parents never tell you about stranger danger?” I frowned down at him, slightly annoyed that he was following me.

  “You’re talking to me.” The kid pouted.

  “That’s my point.”

  “Come on, play with us.”

  “No thanks.” I gestured for the kid to go back to his family. He was seriously putting a damper on my depressing walk. I had aimed to walk the lake in self-pity. This kid was distracting me.

  “I’ll cry.”

  My eyes widened and I stared down at the cute little boy with shock. “That’s blackmail.”

  The child grinned evilly up at me. “It gets me what I want.”

  “I’m not playing ball with you.” I said firmly and crossed my arms. “Now go back to your family.”

  “It’s not ball. It’s soccer.”

  “I suck at soccer. Now go annoy another stranger.”

  The kid didn’t seem to get the point as he grinned up at me. “I can teach you.”

  “I don’t want to be taught. Go away.”

  “Why are you so mean?”

  I looked guiltily down at the child who was frowning sadly up at me. I sighed.

  “Fine. Five minutes,” I grumbled.

  “YES!” The kid screamed with too much excitement and that’s when it clicked.

  “You did that one purpose, didn’t you?” I accused him as he walked beside me with a jump in his step. “What are you, like an evil genius?”

  The child shrugged his shoulders, all sadness now gone. “I got you to play.”

  I kicked a few rocks out of my way as we approached his family.

  “Mom, this is Choc. I found her on the ground and she’s playing with us now.”

  Stunned I looked down at the kid. “My name’s not Choc.”

  “It is now. I renamed you.” The kid dropped the ball to the ground. “Me and Choc against you two.”

  I glanced at the women who stood in front of me. She had a large grin on her face. “Sorry about this. My name’s Emily, by the way.”

  “Chloe.” I glanced at the two boys who looked exactly alike and were bickering about me. “Do they do this a lot?” I asked her. Surely her kids don’t just randomly blackmail people into playing with them.

  She laughed lightly. “Only when my husband and I aren’t watching. Though usually he only brings back other kids.”

  I frowned. “They know about stranger danger, right?” Humans were usually blind when it came to danger.

  The women laughed again and I noticed that, for a human, she was extremely pretty. “My husband keeps a close eye on them when we’re out.”

  I nodded my head. “So what are their names?”

  “My name is Charlie and that’s my brother Nathan.” The child who blackmailed me into playing spoke up. “Ready to play, Choc?”

  “My name’s Chloe.” I pointed out, watching the kid smile evilly at his little brother.

  “Choc and I are going to beat you,” he taunted. His little brother Nathan crossed his arms.

  “This isn’t fair. I get stuck with Mom.” He pouted his lip and crossed his arms. “I want Choc.”

  “Choc can play two games.” Charlie spoke for me. I arched an eyebrow at him.

  “Can I now?”

  He turned around and shot me his famous cheeky grin. “Yep. Now, Choc, let’s kill them.”

  I chuckled at him. “Remember, I don’t know how to play,” I lied, and went to stand beside him.

  Charlie waved his little hand. “It’s easy. All you have to do is get the ball past them and kick it through them trees.” He pointed at two trees.

  Nodding my head, I said, “Ok. But don’t hate me cause I suck.”

  “You won’t suck, Choc,” he said seriously, and lowered his knees ready to sprint at the ball.

  Emily was smiling widely at me and sent me a wink. “Ok, Nath, let’s kill them.”

  “MOM! Don’t steal my lines,” Charlie snapped and crossed his arms. “You mak
e it sound lame.”

  For a four or five year old, this kid had a lot of guts and a big mouth. I chuckled to myself and smiled. It was a real smile. I wasn’t faking it and that really surprised me.

  “OK, GO!” Charlie yelled and then ran towards the ball.

  Looks like the game begins, I thought to myself.

  ***

  I held my stomach and laughed as I watched Charlie climb out of the lake, followed closely by a soaked Nathan.

  Emily and I were laughing at their shocked expressions.

  “They weren’t expecting that.” She smiled, watching her boys walk towards us all wet after their surprised drip in the lake.

  “That was mean, Choc.” Charlie crossed his arms. “You betrayed me.”

  I shrugged my shoulders and attempted to pull myself together. “Suck it up, Princess.”

  Charlie’s mouth flung open before his eyes narrowed and that evil grin spread across his face. A grin I knew too well after spending nearly the whole afternoon playing with him.

  “Whatever you are thinking, don’t,” I said, pointing a finger at him. But it was too late. He darted at me, launching himself in the air and bringing me to the ground.

  Landing on top of me, he shook his shaggy blonde hair like a dog and water droplets flew across my face.

  “STOP IT!” I laughed, as he continued to stray water over me. I put my hands in front of my face to try and block him. “You know I will get you back!”

  Charlie continued to laugh, his small legs pinning me to the ground. I knew if I wanted, I could get him off me in a flash, but that would ruin his fun.

  “What’s going on here?”

  My eyes went wide at the new voice and shivers ran down my spine. And it wasn’t because of the cold water Charlie was spraying over me.

  “Honey, you’re here, finally. Your kids have been running amuck,” Emily said happily as she greeted her husband.

  I closed my eyes tightly. Of course this would happen to me. Charlie’s weight was removed from my body. Opening my eyes slightly, I noticed Xavier smiling at Charlie as he spun him around.

  “You harassing people again, Charlie?” he smiled at his son and then turned to glance down at me. “Sorr-” That’s when he did a double take. “Chloe.”