Ch.1

I was lying on the couch, texting my best friends on our group chat, when someone knocked on the front door. I groaned and rolled off the couch, pocketing my cell. 

I looked out the window to see who it was and was surprised to see two of the Councilors and Cyrus High's principal standing outside. I opened the door, self-conscious of the ratty T-shirt and plaid shorts I was wearing.

"Mr. Harriott, Mrs. Collan, principal Mikaelson what can I do for you today?" I asked.

"Are your father and brother here Ms. North?" Mr. Harriott asked,

I stepped back to let them by. "No. They went out, but should be home any minute now. You're welcome to come inside and wait."

Once they were seated in the living room, I spoke. "I've made a pot of tea, would anyone like some?" 

Mrs. Collan kindly smiled at me, "I would love some tea, Cedar. Thanks" 

"I would as well. Thank you." The principal told me.

"I wouldn't mind some water." Mr. Harriott added,

 "Coming right up," I told them and briskly walked off into the kitchen. Once alone, I pulled out my phone, 

Wolf-Girl: Guess who's in my living room?

Fashionista 3000: the cops?

Wolf-Girl: not this time, it's two of the councillors and the principal.

Superman: What did you do this time Cedar?!

Wolf-Girl: No clue. probably something bad though since they want to see dad and Luca as well. 

 Anyway, I have to go. Ttygl.

Fashionista 3000: Alright darling. Try not to get on their nerves too much.

Wolf-Girl: No promises.

Superman: 😒

With that, I put my phone back in my pocket and returned to the living room with the drinks and a plate of shortbread cookies. 

 I hesitated before setting the plate down on the coffee table." So um, why exactly are you here? I'm not in trouble? I can still go to school in Cyrus High this year, right?" 

Principal Mikaelson glanced towards the other two before replying. "Not this time Cedar. As for why we're here, well that will have to wait until the rest of your family is here."

I nodded, not missing how he didn't answer my question about going to school. 

Just then the door opened and in walked my dad, Richard North. He pinched the bridge of his nose and gave a tired sigh. "What did Cedar do this time?"

"Cedar isn't in trouble Mr. North, this does however concern her and her brother." Mr. Harriott responded.

"So why are you here then?" Luca asked as he walked in.

"We're not going to Cyrus High this year, are we?" I blurted, thinking about earlier when they didn't answer my question about school.

"Well if your father agrees to this, then you are correct," responded Principal Mikaelson.

My eyes widened. "I'm not going back to the Eonian, am I?"  

"No. Of course not, Ms. North." Mr. Harriott responded.

 I sighed in relief. Now I'll be able to reuse some of my pranks, I thought. 

Is that all you ever think about Cedar? My twin soul, Rieka asked exasperated, 

No, I think about other things, I replied. 

Oh really, like what? 

Like parties and stuff. 

Rieka rolled her eyes at me, and in response, I mentally stuck my tongue out at her. 

Luca spoke bringing me back to the present by saying,"Then... what school?"

The three of them looked at each other unsure of how to say what they wanted to. After a moment Mrs. Collan finally spoke, "Well it's called Mountain View High." 

Luca's brows furrowed, "that sounds like a human school."

"Well… That's because it is." She told us,

"So why would my kids be going to a human school?" Dad asked.

"Well, the council has been talking to the human government about letting us integrate with humans. They want to test if it can be done by having a small group of students from different species to come live in the human city Albion for a year."

I laughed nervously and said, "Is this a joke?" 

"Of course not! Why would you think such a thing?" Mrs. Collan asked,

"Umm, have you met me?" 

"Yes ms. North, we have met you. However, the humans had insisted on the two of you being a part of this." Mr. Harrriot responded,

"Hold on, you made this agreement without consulting with me, the father, before you made this plan?" my dad asked, outraged.

"We haven't agreed to anything yet, Mr. North."

Dad nodded. "Who would the other students be?"

"If their parents agree it would be Eric Prince, Seth Carson and London Hazewell."

Well at least Eric is coming, and Carson does throw a mean party, I thought to Rieka,

Shh. Listen or I'm fronting. 

I rolled my eyes at her but I tuned back into the conversation none the less just to hear the last of dads question, 

"-would be the chaperones?" 

"The chaperones will be Benjamin Heart and Cordelia Marlowe." 

"Wait Benjamin Heart, as in my history and English teacher?" Luca exclaimed, 

"And Ms. Marlowe as in my swim coach from the Eonian's school?" I added, 

The three nodded. "They were the first to volunteer," 

"But they're not even the same species as any of us!" I exclaimed, 

Mr. Harriott sighed, "We are aware of this fact, Ms. North." 

Principal Mikaelson glanced down at his watch, "We should probably be going since it's getting late." 

Mrs. Collan stood up and dusted off her light blue dress. "I agree with Everett and thank you for the tea and cookies." 

"It was our pleasure," Dad responded. 

"Please give us your answer by the end of next week." Mr. Harriott told us as he walked towards the door, 

We nodded and said our farewells to the three. 

Once they were gone, Dad sighed and combed his fingers through his black hair. "What do you guys think about this?" 

I threw up my hands in the air. "It's my fault we even have to do this!" 

"Cedar, the Humans probably would have still done a test to see if it was possible even if you didn't have your… incident." Luca said, trying to calm me down. 

I crossed my arms and muttered,  "Way to down play it." 

"Cedar, you aren't to blame. You were twelve!" 

"It's my fault that Conner died!" 

"No! That hunter killed Conner and would've killed you if you hadn't lost control of Rieka!" Luca yelled, 

I stood up and started walking towards the stairs to go to my room. 

"Have you ever thought that maybe it wasn't Rieka who killed him?"

It wasn't fair that Rieka got the blame for everything! If I lose control of my emotions, Rieka gets blamed. if I steal, Rieka gets blamed! I'm just so sick of it!

With that thought my eyes turned gold, and I changed directions, heading to the front door instead.

"Cedar, where are you going?" Dad asked. He sounded weary but also concerned, 

"Out," I growled and slammed the door shut. 

I jumped over the railing and as soon as I landed on the lawn, I changed into my wolf form. I ran into the forest, heading towards my favorite place: a meadow on the top of moonstone cliff with three boulders near the edge. The boulder in the middle was great to lean against and two can comfortably sit together. 

Halfway to my spot I changed back to my human form to call my best friend Hunter Smith. 

"What's up North?" he asked upon picking up.

I smiled. "Hey Superman, I'm on my way to our spot and was wondering if you could meet me?" 

He sounded concerned. "Something happen?" 

I sighed, "No, I just need to talk." 

"Oh, I'll bring some root beer then." 

"You're the best!" 

He chuckled, "I know. I'll see you soon, Cedar." 

"You better." 

I ended the call and smiled at my phone for a minute before re-pocketing it and continuing on my way.

It was a half hour later when Hunter got to moonstone cliff with a case of root beer and salt and vinegar chips. 

I grinned. "My hero in plaid has come!" 

"Is that one of your supernatural quotes, Wolfie?" He asked as he sat down beside me. 

I grabbed a can of pop. "I don't think so but it might be." 

He chuckled. "Anyway, I was wondering if you have any plans this full moon?" 

"Well, Porter, Carson and I were thinking about throwing a party. Why?" 

"Just curious."

I nudged him playfully. "Hunter, I've known you since forever. You're never just curious." 

He nudged me back and said, "I was going to ask if you wanted to go on a run with me but you have plans." 

"That sounds a lot more fun than going to a lame party so sure," I told him. 

"Remember when we were kids, when I pushed you and you fell down a hill?" 

I playfully glared at him, "How could I forget, broke both my leg and arm because of you!"

"Conner didn't speak to me for a week after that," he responded with a slight smile on his face.

I looked down and traced the top of the can with my thumb. "I miss him," 

"You know I never blamed you right?"

"I know, but you should."

I could feel his gaze on me. "Why? It was the hunter who killed him."

"But I was the one who wanted to go near the humans."

He hummed, thinking. "Maybe so."

With that we lapsed into silence both lost in our own thoughts for a few minutes,

"Hey Cedar?"

"Yeah?"

"Why did the Councilors come to your house today?"

"The humans want me and Luca with a couple others to do a year in a Human school."

"Will you go?" 

I hesitated. "If Luca or Rieka wants to go then probably, but I don't know if I actually want to."

Hunter didn't reply immediately; he just looked out towards the horizon where the sun was starting to set. "Let's camp out in the forest for a few days, we'll get some supplies and tell our families."

I looked over towards him and grinned, "I'll get the supplies, you tell our families." 

He nodded, a smile of his own on his face and we got up. I was about to turn into my wolf form when he grabbed my arm.

"Pay for the food, ok."

"Sure," I responded.

He searched my face for a moment longer before letting go of my arm. I changed forms and howled before heading into the forest.