Chapter 35 - Slaying Dragons

Zelena.

We got to the makeup shop and it was super busy, there were heaps of people in there. The lights were bright, and the music was loud, usually I think it would be a pretty cool place, but it just made me feel nervous. I gripped onto Gunner's shirt and gulped.

"Do you want me to come in with you?" he asked looking down at me.

I nodded my head and he took my arm from his waist. Holding my hand, he led me slowly into the shop, trailing not far behind Nat.

We were looking at a giant rack of lipstick, when I heard a familiar voice from behind me. The shop was really loud, but I knew who it was right away, and a sickness flooded my stomach.

"Well, if it isn't Romeo and Juliet" screeched Demi,

"Haven't seen you two for a while".

I squeezed Gunner's hand, digging my fingernails into his skin. He stepped slightly in front of me as we turned around. Demi stood there, hand on hip, with her usual tiny skirt and skin-tight top. Her minions were standing on either side of her, dressed almost the same.

"Trying to find some makeup to disguise Frankenstein's monster?" she giggled to her friends.

"Who's this bitch?" Nat scoffed, looking at Gunner and back at Demi.

"Aw, the freak made a friend" she laughed looking Nat up and down and smacking her lips. Demi was sizing her up. Probably taken back by how gorgeous Nat is. Demi isn't exactly used to not being the prettiest girl in the room. And with Nat here, she was far from winning that title. Demi sneered and curled her lip back, feigning a disgusted look on her face. But I could see it, in her eyes, she was intimidated by Nat. Nat stepped towards Demi, but Gunner quickly put out his hand to stop her.

"Demi, leave" Gunner growled.

"Or what? You're going to throw me across the room again" she snapped.

Nat looked up at Gunner, she looked surprised, so she obviously doesn't know what happened on our last day at school.

"Where's my little freak? Aren't you going to say hello to me, I haven't seen you in ages" she said peering around Gunner.

He pushed me further behind him, I could feel his growl vibrating through his chest. Shit, he was about to lose it. I quickly stepped out from behind Gunner and stood in front of Demi,

"Hey Demi, you look nice" I smiled.

She stumbled a little on her feet as she saw me, she'd never seen my face so clearly, no one from school ever had. Also, I never spoke to anyone at school either, so I guess she wasn't expecting me to talk. But after everything I have been through, with my dad nearly killing me, and finding out I'm a wolf, Demi and her petty bullying just didn't seem so scary anymore.

"Ha! Someone's had a makeover" she sneered.

The friends behind her looked me up and down and whispered to each other.

"Who's that?" one said,

"That's the weird chick from school, Zelena" the other one answered,

"No way" the first one gasped.

"A lot has changed" I said keeping my calm and trying to hide the smirk that was threating to push through.

"Yeah, I can see that. So what, a little makeup, some new clothes and you suddenly think that you're better than me?" Demi frowned, crossing her arms over her chest and pushing up her boobs.

"Not at all, I'm just not afraid of you anymore" I smiled shrugging my shoulders.

She stepped forward right up to my face,

"You think you're hot shit now" she snarled.

I could feel the heat from Gunners body behind me and heard the soft growl on his lips. I put my hand back, resting it on his stomach. To both hold him back and to calm him down.

"Demi, can't you just leave me alone and find something else to occupy your time?" I said politely.

She lifted her hand to my face quickly, pretending she was going to slap me. I guess she thought I was going to flinch like I used to. Nat growled along with Gunner. I reached out with my other hand and grabbed Nat's wrist. I could feel her blood pumping fast under her hot skin. Demi looked disappointed that I didn't flinch at her threat. I stood up as tall as I could, my face just inches away from Demi's,

"Get out of my face before I rip your fucking throat out" I growled slowly at her.

She stepped back, her eyes wide, and her face a little pale. She froze for a moment, I suppose weighing up her options. After a long second, she huffed loudly. Then quickly turned on her heels and hurried out the store with her minions in toe. I can't believe I actually stood up to Demi, I felt so strong and powerful. I smiled and turned around to look at Gunner, he had the most adorable proud look on his face.

"I am so hot for you right now" he smirked, pulling me into his chest.

"Um, excuse me, who the fuck was that raging psychopath?" Nat snapped,

"No one important" I chuckled with a smile,

"Let's pay for this and go eat, I'm starving" I said while holding up my basket.

I felt so untouchable, like I slayed the dragon and conquered the beast. Demi and the pain she once inflicted meant nothing to me anymore.

We got to the food court and found Smith and Cole already stuffing their faces. We put our many bags on the table next to them and sat down.

"You will never believe what Zelena just did" Nat said excitedly,

"Oh shit, what she do?" Smith asked through a mouth full of food.

"She just gave a total smack down to this self-important beauty queen that was all up in her face. It was EPIC!" she laughed.

"Ay what, Who?" Smith said looking over at me,

"Demi" Gunner smiled, answering his question,

"For real?" asked Cole surprised. He lifted his head and looked at me with a quirked eyebrow.

"Yeah" I chuckled, feeling a soft blush grace my cheeks.

"Nice one" Cole smiled at me brightly.

"You little demon you" smiled Smith proudly.

I couldn't help but smile. Even Cole was impressed with me standing up for myself. Maybe he doesn't hate me so much after all. This has turned out to be the most awesome day ever. Gunner went and got us some sushi and spring rolls while I chatted with Smith and Cole.

"So, you smacked Demi, for real?" Smith said with his eyes wide.

"No I didn't hit her, I just told her I was going to rip her throat out" I laughed.

"Daaaaaamn Zelena, that's dark girl" Smith chuckled raising one eyebrow.

"She totally deserved it though, she was all up in Lena's face calling her a freak and shit. And then she pretended like she was going to hit her, and Gunner was growling and I started to lose it, and Zee was all like nah bitch, get away from me". Nat spoke quickly waving her arms around as she told the story.

Gunner brought the food over and sat down next to me, kissing me on the cheek as he handed me a fork. I looked around at the boys and Nat as they chatted excitedly, I felt an overwhelming wave of happiness sweep through me. As far as friends go, these guys are pretty great.

"So, I'm thinking movies and popcorn tonight, what do you guys reckon?" Nat asked everyone,

"Yeah, I'm in" said Smith,

"Me too" I squeaked,

"Sure, why not" said Cole,

"What are you thinking?" asked Gunner.

"Something scary I think, what about you Lena?" Nat said looking at me.

"Well I've only seen like three movies, and they were all for school, so I'm up for anything" I smiled.

They all looked at me surprised and with a bit of pity. I guess sometimes it's easy to forget my life before this.

"Okay, well you're easy then" Nat said breaking the silence,

"Smith, you're super weird and disturbing so you can pick the movie. Zelena and me will organize the snacks" she said rubbing her hands together,

"Uh thank you?" Smith said slowly with a light frown.

"We have just a couple of shops left, and then we can get out of here, are you guys going off on your own again, or coming along with us?"

"Who knows who Zelena will try and fight next, I'm not missing that" chuckled Smith,

"Yeah, I'm coming too" agreed Cole.

We finished eating and put our trays on top of the bins, then headed for the top level. I found a couple more things in the last few shops we went to. I found a pair of strappy heels, a dress, and a bikini swimsuit that Gunner was pretty excited about. Once we were all done, we headed back to the car and shoved our stuff in the trunk. There were a lot of bags, I can't believe how much we all got. I like shopping, especially with Nat, she's a really cool girl and I think we are becoming great friends. We climbed into the car and began the drive home.