Chapter 6: An Invitation

A week passes, and the season of fall is officially in session. Halloween is just around the corner, and the trees have prepared themselves for the occasion by burning different shades of orange to prepare for the town’s pumpkin patch festivals.

Every now and then I would catch Ray coming out of the library or one of the humanity buildings. We’ve been keeping tabs on each other ever since he drove me back home from that whole mall fiasco. Although it’s just small talk, I can’t help but be a bit excited whenever I spot him on campus.

“Vanilla? And that’s it?” He looks at me offended.

We caught each other on our way out of the science building and decided to walk towards the campus food court, and somehow, the topic of desserts came into our conversation.

“Well I don’t mind strawberry or cookies n’ cream, but I guess I’m not that adventurous with ice cream nowadays,” I laugh seeing how baffled he is.

“You’re telling me you’ve never had mint chocolate chip?”

“No…” my voice trails off seeing how devastated he looks.

“Ah, Miss Interviewer,” he facepalms as we enter the food court. “Thinking about your childhood makes me pity you. I’m going to have to put you on.” He motions towards John’s Creamery Parlor at the other end. “My treat.”

Whoa, free ice cream? Wait, no, I can’t, that would be like a date.

“I’ll just sample it! Don’t waste your money.”

He smirks, leaning forward to meet me at eye level. “It won’t be a waste of money because you’ll enjoy it.”

Damn, I can’t refuse him if he smiles at me like that. This doesn’t have to be like a date if I don’t make it one.

“Well, if you insist-”

“Anna!”

I glance behind me. Jessica, Annica and Claire are all speed walking in their open-toed pumps, wearing the same nail baby pink nail polish on their feet. I guess they all got pedicures together at some point.

“Hey girlie! We’ve been looking all over for you,” Jessica wraps her arms around me, giving me a tight hug. “Quick! Adam said he needs to talk to you about something.”

I blink at that. “He needs to talk to me…?”

She releases me from her embrace and nods.

“Yeah, his practice starts soon so he should be at the track. You need to see him asap.” Annica motions her head to the direction of the field.

I could feel Ray’s glare on my back. Probably wondering why the hell I’m still talking to them.

The day after the mall, they all expressed how sorry they were for leaving me, knowing how horrible it made me feel. So they’ve been a lot kinder, more than usual, and more inclusive. Well, apart from the pedicure thing, but that’s fine, right? Yeah, they knew I was busy with a report for a class, so they were probably being considerate and held off on the invitation.

“Okay, thanks for letting me know!” I smile.

They all smile back awkwardly, reluctant to leave. Well, I’m in the middle of speaking to Ray, I don’t want to be rude and just leave him. Especially after he said he would treat me to free ice cream.

“I’ll just meet you guys over there-”

“Let’s go together!” Claire suggests. “We want to go costume shopping for the Halloween party this weekend, so you should come too. Please?”

That’s right. Adam’s frat is hosting the annual Halloween party this year. Is that what he wants to talk about? Are we…going to match costumes? My heart flutters at the thought of it. Out of everyone in the group from the mall, he was the most apologetic of all. I woke up to a bunch of missed calls from him, wondering where I was and if I got home safely. He said if he had known I was going to leave anyways, he would’ve taken me back. I did feel a bit guilty for doing that to him, but it was nice being worried over. Ray made a good call on that.

Suddenly, Jessica takes my hand, tugging me in their direction. “His practice is going to start any minute!”

Just as I’m being strung along by them, another hand holds me back. I look back to an annoyed Ray. He smiles politely, but I can clearly see the aggravation in his face. Unlike Jessica’s grip that’s tight, he is careful yet firm enough to hold me back.

“Is it so urgent that you had to interrupt our conversation?” He cocks his head at her. “We were in the middle of something too.”

The hidden scowl in his face renders Jessica unable to respond. Frantically, she turns to her girls for help who are equally as intimidated.

Sensing their unease, I take my hand back from Ray, who quickly lets it go when I do, to gently pull away from Jessica’s.

“He’s right, guys. I appreciate you letting me know, and I’ll meet you all up there to see him. Then we can go shopping, yeah?”

They all glance at each other, and Claire speaks up.

“Fine, but don’t be late!”

I nod. “I won’t!”

With that, they wave and click-clack their way to the field.

“What the hell was that?” Ray scoffs.

Sighing, I turn back to see him still visibly peeved. “You’re still with them?”

“I know, a lot happened, but we were able to patch things up,” I try to explain, but of course, he isn’t buying it. Didn’t really expect him to. “They realized what they did was wrong and apologized. We’ve been on good terms since.”

“Bullsh*t.”

Yeah, most people would probably never interact with them again, but the problem is that they’re practically my world. The idea of abandoning it, and having to be all alone terrifies me. As hurtful as it is, I don’t want to let go.

My mind traces back to a younger me and Sam, having the time of our lives karaoking in my old room. Maybe it’s because of my regret from that time that I’m stuck. I can’t go back to those good days.

However, when I look at Ray, I get this weird sense of hope. That this isn’t all my life has to be. Maybe, just maybe…

“Then see for yourself.” I say, which makes him curious. Good. “Like they were saying earlier, there’s a Halloween party happening this Saturday at ten. It’s happening right outside Deming Woods just a little beyond Carol’s Laundromat in the mini shopping district south of town. You’ll know when you see it.”

He looks surprised, but quickly returns to his frown. “As if I’d go.”

“Well, I would be happy to see you there.”

That actually stuns both of us. Did I really just say that?

“So, uh, just think about it. Anyways, I should go now. I’ll have to take a raincheck on that ice cream. Save it for when you say ‘I told you so.’”

I say that sarcastically, but a part of me wonders if I really am too naive about all this. But I’m too afraid to face the truth, whatever that may be.

As I walk to the field, Ray’s eyes never leave my form.

***

RAY’S POV

On my way back to the parking lot, I walk past the track and happen to spot Anna with Adam and her “girlfriends.” Adam lowers himself to her height, smiling happily at something she says. I click my tongue seeing her all flustered and embarrassed. Why is it becoming more and more annoying to see her like that? Especially around people who have been nothing but douchebags to her.

I can’t understand her way of thinking. But I wish I could. Maybe then I would be able to convince her to leave people like that that aren’t good for her.

‘Then see for yourself.’

I think back to her words.

“Saturday, huh…”

***

DEMING WOODS, WA – RAY’S HIDEOUT

“And after all of that she still wants to be friends with them, it just doesn’t make sense to me.” I run my hands through my hair, turning to Sam. “You’re a girl, what do you think about all this?”

“I’m just as lost as you are, I’ve never understood her obsession with being popular, even back then.” Sam huffs crossing her arms. “And just because we’re girls, doesn't mean we all think the same.”

“Wait, back then?” I question, to which she frantically changes the subject.

“A-Anyways! So she really does act like a stabilizer for Zeus, huh? When you went a day without seeing her, Zeus started to get riled up, but when you saw her again, he became silent…” Sam ponders while Nathan and I watch her go on her seventh lap around the sofa. “There’ll be a huge gathering before the Holy Moon tournament, and everyone’s expecting you to have a Luna by then.”

“Yes, yes, we went over this, babe.” Nathan groans. “But don’t tell me you’re suggesting her? Showing up with this Anna girl isn’t going to benefit Ray or the Bloodclaw pack. If anything, we’ll be a laughing stock.”

“Would we really, though?” Sam asks. “The last wolf from our pack who had a human mate was one of our greatest pack leaders in history, Alpha Josiah. This could be seen as a good omen for Ray being the next great legend! It’ll also keep Scarlet off his back.”

“But Alpha Josiah’s line was cut off because his mate was human,” Nathan points out. “Their only son was a halfbreed with hardly any strength in him. He couldn’t lead our pack. That’s why Alpha Caleb, his former Beta, assumed the role. Plus, Alpha Josiah’s Luna, Merida, was heavily criticized as a useless leader.”

“In hunt and combat she may have been, but she persevered through the mockery and helped establish a proper education system within the pack.” Sam claps back. “I wouldn’t call that being useless at all, Nathan.”

“Ugh, there is just no end to your arguments,” Nathan gives up and slouches into the sofa, clearly done with the banter. “I give up.”

Sam huffs in victory.

“Thanks for the history lesson,” I muse. “So what, you want us to be the next Josiah and Merida?”

“Exactly!” She beams, happy that I understand.

“Yeah sure, just pretend to have Anna be my mate and throw her into a world that’s entirely different from hers with ravenous beasts. I’m sure she would be happy to oblige.”

Catching my sarcasm, Sam rolls her eyes. But then she suddenly lights up, gears turning in her head. This can’t be good.

“So…she invited you to a Halloween party on Saturday, right?” Her smile turns mischievous. “Then, what if we did this…”