~Chapter 6~

So, before I made it home I ended up getting everyone's contact information. Turns out, Finn goes to my school. No surprise there, I may haven't have noticed due to the fact I don't pay attention. Yes, I admit. I do not pay attention. To the people around me that is.

And maybe history, sometimes..

Besides that, Derek lives on the other side of town, and the twins live on the other side of that mountain somewhere. Funny, right? I was just wondering last winter what it was like over there and now I can just ask Marcus and Lucas.

It's a bit weird. All of it. I'll have to let Finn meet Stephen. They are a lot alike in my eyes honestly. Sometimes..

But, right now, I am unpacking and tossing most of my clothes in the washer. I have one pair of pants left and I'm sure those aren't going to last me all through school the school year. Thank god for a washing machine.

Soon enough, I'm back in my room, folding clothes, and setting the necklace back in my drawer. Yes, I had brought it with me. At least I didn't loose it.

After I put everything away, and notice my shoes looked demolished from how much I had used them this summer. I'll have to get a new pair..

I laid on my bed and messaged everyone in the group chat that Finn had made before we all left the camp.

"How's everyone? All unpacked?" Marcus had already asked in the group chat.

"We are getting there. we are a bit further out than you." Derek replied. Those were both around fifteen minutes ago.

"Yep, I'm in bed staring at my phone now. Anyone up for a sleepover this weekend? No one lives too far out." I sent back in the chat.

I hadn't got an answer a few minutes later, so I thought I would get out of bed and go for a walk. Considering it's almost dark, and not to mention, I still hadn't went to see the wolf since I've been back.

I've been back for a day, but I've been gone all summer.

I slipped on the necklace with the wolf pendant and left the room. Mom and dad were both downstairs in the living room watching tv, so I didn't bother them.

"Brr.." I hummed, the cold air was not a surprise. I could hear the icy wind whistle through the trees, the crunch of the frozen leaves beneath my feet. I also heard the clattering of my teeth. Okay, I'm a wuss. But I don't like the cold.

I was close to being back in the spot that I had met the wolf in, the ground was dry, and there wasn't any sign of anyone being here before me.

I chewed my bottom lip and stroked my arms to warm myself up. My breath being shown as a clear but white cloud in the air.

The birds were dead silent, not even an owl. It was only the trees and my feet making noise. If I walked any further I would be at Stephens house.

I had made almost a full, but wide, circle around my house.

Looking up, I saw a cloud of smoke in the air, it looked as if it was coming from a chimney. "Stephens house.." I muttered, dripping my hands in my pockets before I headed towards the smoke and random light I could now see. Stephen also had a porch light, so it wasn't that random.

Is he even back from football camp?

Probably.

He should be.

I was soon at his door, my knuckles meeting wood as I knocked.

No answer.

I knocked again.

A few seconds passed.

I heard the thumping of feet against hardwood floors, and then the door opened. It was Stephen.

"Lawrynce?" He asked, his brows furrowed to a wrinkle.

"Stephen. Took you long enough." I gave a small breathy laugh before I flicked his forehead.

He opened the door more, letting me in before he looked back outside then shut it.

I heard my phone vibrate while I also felt it. I didn't want to be startled in the woods at a random moment in case it went off. So I put it on vibrate.

I dug around in my pocket and pulled out my device, looking at the message, "Me and Marcus can't. We have plans this weekend. It's a family thing. Another time?" Lucas had sent to the chat.

"That's fine. Derek, Finn?" I asked again in the chat. Considering it was now nine they might have been asleep. Well, Derek might. Finn's the biggest night owl of us all.

"You famous now?" Stephen asked, peering over my shoulder down to my phone.

"Ha. Ha. No." I fake laughed then shut off my phone, tucking it away in my pocket, "I thought I would come ask you in person about how football camp was." I added, turning to face the dirty blonde male.

"It was fine. I honestly thought I broke my wrist when I tossed to Adam. It was a bit rough.." he muttered, making me lift my eyebrows.

"You're okay now, though?" I asked, walking through his house to the living room which opened up to a kitchen, "And where's your parents?" I asked.

"Yeah, it's fine now. And they're on their little anniversary trip." Stephen added, then plopped onto the couch in front of me, which I sat on the recliner.

"Huh, must be nice to get away from this ratchet town." I shook my head with a small laugh, earning a nod from Stephen.

"Yeah, they went to....I think Little Rock Tennessee." He said, propping his feet on the coffee table.

"Didn't need a baby sitter?" I teased.

"Nope, a surprise, huh?" He laughed and joked along.

"That plan failed.." I muttered under my breath but nodded.

"How long were you out there?" Stephen asked me, his laughing face now a bit serious.

"About an hour or two." I replied, my hands clasped.

"So,.....were you just enjoying nature?" He asked, "Or are you looking for something?" He added.

I nervously laughed, "What the hell would I be looking for in the pitch black of night?" I asked.

Stephen was silent for a moment, then was going to speak but backed down.

"Looks like you don't even know where you were going with your words there, big guy." I joked, making Stephen scoff then roll his eyes, mocking me on the "big guy" nick name.

"I have you know, that I worry for my friend." Stephen said, a small laugh after.

The males eyes traveled down to the chain that was around my neck, and stuffed into my shirt. My necklace, "Where'd you get it?" He asked, his face contorted in suspicion.

The fireplace crackled and popped, a log falling.

"At a souvenir shop before we left camp." I lied.

"Oh? So that's not that wolf pendant you had on before you left camp?" He asked, "I just wanted to know where you got that one." He added, his face showed a bit of a hurt look.

"I don't remember...it was a gift from my aunt before I moved. A small little, 'here, get out of my sight.' Gift. Ya'know?" I joked, but also lied again.

God, the devils going to get my toes..

"Oh, well that sucks, man." He replied.

I had an uneasy feeling. Did Stephen know about the wolves?...He can't...He would tell me wouldn't he? Then again, I'm not telling him. Although, I have a reason. He likes to hunt. He would purposely throw himself in front of one, just to kill it after. I know Stephen.

"It's getting late. Does your mom and dad know you're out?" Stephen asked, standing up.

"Yeah,...no,..no, I snuck out." I corrected my lie, standing up along with him before I started for the door, "Hey, I do have someone I want you to meet." I said, then almost immediately after, I had a text from the group chat.

"Oh yeah? Who?" Stephen asked.

Bringing my phone out my pocket, I noticed I got a reply from just the person I was thinking of, "Yeah, send me your address and I'll see you Friday." Finn replied.

I smiled then looked up to Stephen, "Finn Davis. I met him at camp." I replied to the dirty blond in front of me before I sent the address to the group chat, then stuffed my phone back in my pocket.

"Huh,...I've heard of that name." Stephen said, furrowing his eyebrows in thought.

"He has been going to our school. Maybe he's in one of your classes and you didn't even know." I said, before going to the door, "But I should be getting home. See you, Steph!" I said, leaving, and shutting the door behind me.

I let out a breath of relief, feeling like I had just been interrogated.

And then the silence was back. No warmth, but replaced with the cold. The chill of the incoming winter. The wind whispered to me, blowing my curls on my head out of order. It was a peaceful walk home, staying alert for the wolf that never came.

Maybe he moved?...Do wolves move? Their pack can move. Right? I'm new to these things.

Stephen was my friend since kindergarten. But, did that mean I had the right to know all of his secrets?

He doesn't know all of mine, and I have a feeling I don't know half of what he was trying to get out of me in there, but I'm pretty sure he knows something.

What if he already killed the black wolf?..

But he's only been back for a week..

Is that enough time to murder an innocent animal?..

I opened the door with a almost silent click. The tv in the living room was off indicating my mom and dad were most likely asleep. I kicked off my shoes at the front door, then quietly made my way up the stairs. That was until the stairs thought creaking would help me out.

Once I was up the stairs, I ran to my room with light footsteps. Shutting the door with another gentle click behind me. The light from the window overhead peered into my room. I slipped off the necklace and stuffed it in the drawer beside my bed again, slipping off my socks and tossing them in the corner. I'll get them tomorrow.

I laid back on my bed and stared at my ceiling, blinking restlessly. It was like that till around one.. restless. Thinking of the "What if's" and "How Come's". Because, what if something happened between Stephen and that wolf. What if,....how come he wouldn't trust me enough to tell me.

"Agh, I'm a hypocrite.." I mumbled to myself, rubbing my eyes. Shifting to lay on my side. I stared at the drawer, Thinking of the necklace it held, "He didn't hurt you?...did he?.." I muttered aloud.

I didn't stay as I was for long, eventually falling asleep into the darkness my mind was calling me into.

I woke up with my toes frozen, as if they were in a block of ice. Of course I felt like that, I completely forgot to get under the covers last night. Last night,....I need to talk to Stephen more. Get what he was trying to get out of me, out of him first.

"Calvin! Get up! We're going to get you some school supplies." My mom called from outside of my door, earning a loud groan of frustration from me in return.

The middle name, Really?

What kid wants to wake up, to immediately be told "we are getting school supplies". It's just a reminder you have one more year left in school!

Yay.

I sat up and fixed my crooked glasses, then ran a hand through my hair, looking around the still blurred from sleep room.

Getting up, I picked up the socks from last night and tossed them in my small dirty clothes pile, then searched through my closet for something decent but basic to wear.

My phone vibrated, but I ignored it. I would get to it later. I started to change clothes, then gave a small laugh at how I was still wearing the clothes from yesterday. I forgot a lot of things yesterday apparently.

I grabbed my phone then slipped on some black boots, running downstairs and being met with my mom giving dad a kiss. As always, I gave a disgusted face then walked passed them and out the door. No matter how old I get, I will never get used to that. Never.

It must have snowed at some point last night, the ground was in a half inch thick of snow. And since there was snow, I was also looking at the random indents in it, hoping it was a wolf foot print, but it only being possums or armadillos..

"What are you doing there, bud?" Dad asked, shutting the door with a loud clank and thud.

"Uhm, looking for deer prints." I said, which was believable.

I used to always look in the mud or fresh snow for deer foot prints.

"Ah, well, get in the Jeep." The black haired man replied, getting in the Jeep himself.

"I thought mom was..." I trailed off, realizing mom had set us up. Father son bonding mom. Really?

Over school supplies?

I got in the Jeep, then buckled up, clasping my cold hands together.

"School supplies, right? You know what you need, right?" My dad asked making me shake my head.

"Hah, yeah, dad." I said, leaning my head against the window.

My phone buzzed. Oh yeah, I forgot about the message.

I looked at the device in my palms, it was a message from Stephen. The one from earlier was a message from Finn.

I opened Finns first, "I will be there later today! When I finally get out of soccer try outs." Finn has texted. I sent back a thumbs up emoji.

I forgot that Finn had soccer tryouts today. He was hyped about it before we left camp. Hopefully he makes the team.

I opened Stephens, "Hey, what are you doing today? It's been a long while since we had one of our famous sleepover and food wars." Stephens text made me laugh, attracting my dads attention.

"What? How popular did you get at camp?" He asked, then made me scoff.

"Why does everyone think I got popular at camp?" I asked with a breathy laugh.

I sent a text back to Stephen, "It has been even longer since we had a food wars! Im getting school supplies at the moment, I'll get a few random ingredients, then me you and Finn can make a weird concoction!" I sent back, and like my treatment to Finn, in under a minute I got a thumbs up emoji.

"Why are you smiling so much? Did you get a girlfriend at a all boys camp?" He laughed, and I shook my head. Na-Da.

"No, I actually have Stephen and a friend from camp named Finn coming over tonight. We are going to play food wars tonight, so, I'm going to be stealing the kitchen." I told my dad, shutting off my phone and stuffing it in my pocket.

Stephen just got here. Finn won't be here until six, so we have around three minutes then we can expect him at any minute.

Stephen plopped on the couch. I shut the front door and stuck my thumbs in my pants pockets, walking to the living room where the dirty blond male sat.

"What food are you gonna kill me with tonight?" He asked, making me give a small chuckle, before I sat in the seat next to him.

"Who said I'm trying to kill you specifically?" I asked, then he leaned back on the couch, putting his feet on the coffee table. Which I slapped his leg lightly but not too politely for him to get them off.

"Well," he put his legs down, "You are Lawrynce. Just a hunch." Stephen shrugged, then stared at the back of my neck. I had on a turtle neck sweater which wasn't too uncommon for me. So, what was he staring at?

"What?" I asked, putting my hand on the back of my neck.

"Nothing, just a random freckle." Stephen said, then gave a small smile.

There was a banging knock on the door which broke the awkward silence.

"Hurry up! My tail's freezing out here!" Finn called, making lawrynce give a small smile and huff, standing up to go unlock the door for the slightly taller dual haired male. Yeah, Finn had naturally blond hair with brown streaks. It's weird, But weirdly cool in a way..

"Finally!" Finn said, pushing the door aside and hugging Lawrynce which gave a laugh in response, "Now, can I meet this Stephen guy?" Finn asked, then stephen emerged from the living room with an extended hand.

I shut the door behind Finn.

"Stephen Anderson. You're-" Finn took Stephens hand then cut him off.

"Finn! Finn Davis!" Finn called happily, "I'm so glad I got to meet you! Lawrynce said a few things about you to me and Derek-" Then I politely cut off Finns rambling, pulling his hand away before he shook Stephens arm off.

"Oh, yeah. I never got an answer back from Derek. Have you spoke to him?" I asked, my eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Stephen watched, listening in to what me and Finn were talking about. His eyes roamed Finns features, more like he was trying to figure something out. Finns perkiness would make people do that sometimes though.

I know I did.

"No, but he is most likely doing a late July the fourth activity." Finn replied, folding his sleeve covered arms over his chest, "Did you know he's Jewish?" Finn said, gossiping.

"No, I didn't." I answered, slightly surprised.

"Okay, you two! Lawrynce, where's your parents?" Stephen cut in and held a hand on both, mine and Finns shoulder.

"On a date. I bribed them. So we could use the kitchen." I replied with a small mischievous grin, "Just don't burn down my house." Laughing, I grabbed both their wrists and brung them to the kitchen, "Finn, do you know how the food wars works?" I asked, glancing at the male once I set them both in the barstools at the island table.

"No.." He replied, Stephen giving an obnoxious laugh at the scene.

I smiled. Tonight was about to get messy.