Chapter 7

It's been two weeks.

Maybe that whole encounter with that dream guy wasn't real.

First of all, I was way too calm in that situation, maybe I really am going crazy. Secondly, he disappeared into thin air after walking out my door. Lastly, Koray was lying in his cage when I snapped back to reality and followed the guy outside.

Most importantly, Python was sleeping through everything, so he isn't freaking out to confirm what happened.

Also also, I can't seem to get him off my mind.

Why did he have to be so good-looking?

"You wanna kill the plants?" Zack drags me out of my thoughts and I shake my head.

"Then concentrate," I can see this is all one big joke to him as I stop watering the flowers in the waiting room.

"I have worked hard keeping those plants alive, sweetie," Eleanor joins the conversation with a protective tone.

"I know, I'm sorry. I've been out of it lately," I sigh as my feet drag behind me.

"Some tea would cheer you up. What flavour do you want?" Eleanor shoos Zack away and hurries to her tea set.

"Cranberry, please," I help her make for both of our tea as she always drinks her rose tea.

I clasp my hands around the cup for heat and sit down.

"Love?" Eleanor throws in my direction and I choke with surprise.

"I've lived through life, I can see love problems wherever they are," she winks and sips her tea.

"I don't even know if he's real," my hand flies to my mouth as I realise what I just said.

"You think he's too good for you? Then forget about it," I clear my throat in confusion and she continues.

"If anyone makes you feel smaller than you are, then they will for the rest of your life. It's not worth it," she stirs her tea with the teabag as she stares blankly. She has seen or experienced something that she hates for someone else to go through, I can tell.

"What if he makes you wait?"

"Oh, sweetheart. By now you should have known he is a big old player with your heart," she looks me in the eyes and I nod.

She has a point.

"Eliah, shift's over. Drinks are on me," Jonathan always ends the week with a drink with his colleagues.

"Goodnight, Eleanor," she never joins, and for a reason. Drunk colleagues are not one of her problems and she won't change that.

I wash the cup and leave it on the dish rack.

As we walk to the cars I hear a howl in the distance and we all give each other a look.

"Do you think the wolves are to stay?" Grace grabs Linda's hand and they both hold each other.

I have a feeling they do.

"Don't think about it, just get in the car," Zack ushers everyone into two cars and we are off.

Ten minutes is all it takes for us to arrive at our destination, the car ride already making me tired.

"No, absolutely not," I yelp as Zack pulls me out of the car.

"It's new. We have to check it out," Jonathan skips towards the entrance of the club and the two girls follow.

I shake my head violently as I try to lock my feet on the ground.

"I thought we are going for drinks and snacks, not drugs and alcohol," Zack looks outright offended, but I couldn't care less.

If shaming gets me out of the situation, so be it, but it doesn't.

"Oh, come on," Demetri joins dragging me.

"No, not you too," I glare at Demetri while also pleading.

If looks could kill, I wish that it would be now.

After some struggle, they got what they wanted. I'm inside the club.

"Water," I huff to the bartender and my 'friends' snicker.

"Hey, if I'm being dragged off somewhere, I would like to know," I yank the glass and gulp half of the water down.

The rest orders shots and cocktails, so for the rest of the night I continue ordering water.

"How about that hunk?" I hear Grace whisper to Linda and I decide two hours is enough.

"That's it. Everyone, home, now," I threaten the staggering drunks as I push them out of the building.

I apologise to a group of teens as Zack throws himself onto one of them and I drag him back by his collar. I pull Linda on my back as it looks like she is about to pass out.

Jonathan plunges face-first to the ground and I sigh. I prop Linda in the car and pick Jonathan up along with Zack who is rolling on the ground from laughter. I put them in the same car as Linda.

I call the only person that will help and swing a pale Demetri into the other car. Grace grabs one of her high heels and yields it when I approach her.

I gently throw her in the back of the car with Demetri as she bursts into a fit of giggles.

Half an hour later my backup comes walking over.

"Eliah, how many times do I have to tell you that you should arrive with a taxi, so you can leave with a taxi," my brother huffs and hops into the car.

"Just leave it be, Elijah," I warn him as I know he will later ask me for support.

Elijah is an adrenaline junkie and always asks me to join him for stuff if he feels lonely. If I'm risking my life with him, he can drive my friends home every once in a while. He also ran away from home when he was fifteen and I don't know how he's still alive.

He groans as he swings the car out of the parking spot and races onto the road to someone's home.

I hop in the car and drive towards Zack's house since it's his car. He'll have to live with the others because I won't drop them all off individually.

I take a few lefts and two rights, parking the car and dreading the thought of dragging everyone up the apartment stairs.

Linda yelps as I hold onto her to get her out of the car. I drop Zack down as I get Jonathan out. They all groan as I drag them inside.

I swat Zack's hand out of my face as I hold the guys as they climb the stairs while Linda stops moving. Dropping Jonathan this time, I lift Linda up and push the two with me up the stairs. Jonathan follows to my relief, but he is crawling up the stairs.

With much effort, we reach the second floor and I begin throwing them all in Zack's apartment. Jonathan has been collecting dust and other people's dirty footprints while sliding himself to the door, so I'm not touching him.

I lock the door and hobble down the stairs, my legs threatening to give out.

I catch a cab and I'm off to my own home.

The guy lets me off a few meters away from the cabin and I pay him in cash before scuffing towards the cabin.

As soon as throw my door open, I fling myself onto the couch and sigh. I roll over to see Python scratching on the back door and I groan. I stumble over to Python and open the door.

I was about to open the door when I locate different shadows moving.

Why are there a dozen wolves outside?