I laid on Dylan’s bed, waiting for him to come out of the shower. No one had said a word since Mr. Arthur came to pick us up. Mr. Arthur himself hadn’t even looked at me. I felt more uncomfortable than ever but there’s nothing I can do about it. I had to stay since that’s what Dylan said he wanted.
The part of me that felt I had something to do with why Dylan and Mr. Arthur were in a bad mood was dead. Now I’m just worried about them. I already picked up a hint of what was going on.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”, Dylan said as soon as he came out of the bathroom.
“Don’t worry about it.”, I said, sitting up and turning to him.?
He was fully dressed but his hair was still a bit wet.
“Uhh…”, he trailed, proceeding to sit next to me. “You can ask me what’s wrong. I don’t know how to start explaining if you don’t.”
“Oh… Hehe.”, I laughed awkwardly, sighing after. “So what happened?”, I finally asked.
He forced a smile but it died quickly so he simply looked away, grabbing the sheets and squeezing it then taking in a deep breath, “My mom… She went for a run yesterday.”, he said then paused. “Then she came back.”
“Oh?”, I said, obviously confused.
“Not alive though.”, he let out a dark chuckle before laying on the bed, facing the ceiling.
I guessed that his mom was ill or injured. I didn’t think she’d be dead.
“Uh.”, was all I could say. What was I meant to say?
Sorry for your loss?
Come on.
I felt so pressured. I could tell he was already disappointed. Besides, he probably needed me here with him so I’d be able to comfort him but I obviously can’t. I can’t even pick a move to make.?
I’m literally just a sitting statue at the moment, basically counting my breaths.
“You froze.”, he said. I could see his face since he was lying down but I could assume his expression was neutral.
“You’re wondering what to say or do to make me feel better. Aren’t you?”
“Y-yes.”, I admitted, wasn’t proud though.
He sighed, sitting up then turning to me. I turned to him slowly, locking eyes with him but breaking it a second later.
“A kiss would make me feel better.”, he gave a pale smile then leaned in a bit. “So would you do what for me?”
“A kiss?”, I frowned a bit, looking at him like I was expecting a sike.
“I always wanted a kiss from you. Now that Brett beat me to it I’ve lost my patience.”, he leaned in more, cupping my cheeks and starring at my lips.
“Calm down, sugar boy.”, I said, pushing him away. “A kiss from me isn’t what you need.”
His eyes slowly shifted from my lips to my eyes then a small smile played on his lips, “She called me sugar boy.”
“Well yeah.”, I shrugged.
“I’m glad, you know.”, he sighed.
“That?”
“I met you.”, he smiled again. “You aren’t acting too different even though you know my mom just died. I love that.”, he said. “The last thing I need right not is pity.”
I understood exactly how he felt.
“I knew you’d never kiss me on a normal day so if you did when I asked you to. I’d have felt worse than I already feel. Like you were going to start acting differently towards me or something but then again part of me would be like yay. She kissed me. But still.”
“You really are an idiot.”, I laughed a bit.
“I feel terrible to be honest.”, he sighed, stretching. “I don’t know how I’m going to feel waking up every morning and knowing she’s gone. I don’t know when I’m going to get used to it or when the pain would go away. The thought scares me. I wanna believe she’s still alive but I saw her corpse. There’s no way she could have survived… I just want to run into the forest and kill the rouges that killed her. I want to kill every rouge but I’m not strong enough. Not yet.”
I kept quiet, knowing he still had more to say.
“I wasn’t meant to find out so early. My dad wanted to keep the news to himself for a short while but acting like he was okay seemed impossible for him. He eventually exploded and told me my mom had died. Just like that. That second, it felt like my whole world stopped. My heart was racing. I didn’t believe till my dad took me to the place her corpse laid, pasted the boundary. It looked terrible. Why did he even show me that?”, he continued. “I wasn’t myself this morning. I was mad. Not at anyone in particular. I was thinking of a thousand ways this could’ve been avoided. At a point, I started wishing other people died instead of my mom. She didn’t deserve it. I felt it would have been better if anyone else died. Even you… That’s when you showed up. I was mad at you for still being alive. I honestly don’t know what I was thinking.”
“Oh-”
“That’s why I acted the way I did. It wasn’t me. I was so pained. I only realized what I had done hours later. I have no idea why it took so long. I realized you are one of the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time. It was wrong of me to wish you were gone. I was crazy.”, he cut me off. “Just give it a while longer. I’d love you more than I’d ever loved anyone. It’s kinda obvious. Our friendship’s so young, yet I feel so connected to you.”, he smiled. “Let’s promise each other.”, he said, grabbing my hand like I was his lover or something.
“Huh.”
“Let’s be friends till death do us part.”, he said, squeezing my hand a bit. “And if we aren’t mates in this life. Let’s be mates in the next. If we’re mates in this life. Let’s still be mates in the next.”
I starred at him, surprised he could act so cheerful after losing his mom, “Is reincarnation even possible?”
“Yeah. Ofcourse it is. My mom told me once that two extremely powerful mated wolves with royal blood can reincarnate if they made plans before their death.”
“What makes you think I have royal blood?”
“Being my mate gives you royal blood automatically.”, he smiled. “So I promise to always be by your side till death do us part.”, he made his promise then nodded at me to make mine.
I let out a light giggle, “Fine. I promise to always be by your side till death do us part.”
“Avery.”, He called our my name
“Yeah?”
“Don’t die on me.”
Chapter 13?
~Dylan~
I watched her stiffen and roll her hand into a fist. I caught her off guard with what I said but I couldn’t keep it in anymore. Not now that my mom is gone. It’s something I’ve always wanted to say since the day I found out she was suicidal. I hoped that part of her was completely dead. I wasn’t sure. I don’t know her well enough.
“Don’t worry about that. I’m not gonna kill myself.”, she smiled, squeezing my hand now, reassuring me.
“Yeah. Don’t choose to die. Be careful.”
Avery.
I always feel kind of stupid around her.?
The fact that I once hated her and treated her badly sickens me.?
I feel like a clown, honestly.
Barely knew the girl and hated her. Now I know a bit and I’m falling. It’s happening so quickly.
It’s hard to keep all this to myself.
The first time I realized was the day she fell sick.?
She didn’t come over and dad wouldn’t take me to her house so I snuck off at night when my parents were asleep. I didn’t know her exact location so I was wondering around, asking the few people I came across.
I just wanted to see her.
Just here her voice or something.
That day felt like hell with thoughts of her walking all over my mind.
I started hallucinating sounds of her laughing at a point. It was ridiculous.
Before I could get to her house, the guards caught me. My dad woke up earlier than he should have then sent words to the guards. I was caught almost immediately.
My mom was surprised. She felt that times she saw us together, I was forcing myself to tolerate her. She thought everything I did was out of pity till that night.
She made me feel stupid by laughing at me then she told me to describe how I felt about her.
It was the first time anyone had asked me that question.?
The discussion was weird. That period, I still acted cold towards Avery. I didn’t know I was already connected to her
*”So tell me, what do feel for Avery?”, my mom asked, patting the space beside her, inviting me to sit.
“I don’t understand.”, I said, sitting.
“Okay. Why did you sneak out?”
“I couldn’t bare being away from Avery anymore.”, I said plainly. I didn’t want to act hard headed and lie to myself and mom.
“Why’s that?”
“Cause she’s my best friend.”
“Is that all?”, she asked, leaning in and smiling widely
“Yes…”, I trailed, pushing her face away.
She laughed a bit, “Just a best friend huh?”
“Yeah.”
“We both know that’s a lie?”
“Speak for yourself, woman.”
“Looks like someone has a crush on their ex nemesis.”
“A crush?… No it’s not lik that mom.”
“She doesn’t make you feel all tingly inside when she smiles or walks up to you or even just talk?”
“I mean…”, I trailed, thinking about it. “Yes it does make me happy.”, I admitted. “I’m kind of addicted to her voice.”
“More like your addicted to her.”
“Mom.”
“I’m being honest. I’ve caught you starring at her. At first I thought you just thought she was pretty.”
“No. You’re misunderstanding it. My eyes just wonder around sometimes and crosses her.”
“Them says there.”
“Because she’s pretty.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes!”
“How do you feel when you imagine Avery with someone else?”
“Uh…”, I trailed, giving it a thought. “I don’t think I want her with anyone else.”?
“So you don’t like the thought?”
“I don’t… I guess. If anyone tries forcing her to be with them… I’d beat them up.”, I said, earning my mom’s laugh.
I really meant it though. If anyone hurt her, I’d beat them. Past me is lucky I can’t meet him.
I promise to protect her.
“What would you do if she kissed you?”
“Sheesh mom. I don’t think I should be talking to you about this.”
“Just answer the question.”
“Well…”, I trailed, rubbing my neck closing my eyes and imagining it. I let out a sigh, feeling my cheeks warm up at the thought of her getting so close to me.?
“He’s blushingggg!”, she squealed, jumping a bit.
I opened my eyes, rolling my eyes a bit but I couldn’t get the smile off though. This wasn’t the first time the thought crossed my mind. I’ve had my fair share if weird dreams. “I’d kiss back.”, I gave my honest answer.
“You want her to be yours. Don’t you?”
“If that’s what makes her happy. I just want to see her happy.”
“Love struck.”, my mom sighed. “Its not love yet. Love doesn’t come so easily but the feeling could grow and turn into love though if you give it time. Though it’s rare to see a wolf in love with someone who isn’t his mate.”
“I’m not crushing on her mom.”, I stood, refusing to believe. The atmosphere was awkward enough for me.”*
With time, I realized she was correct.?
I felt it was more than a crush though. I felt I was actually in love with her till today. I don’t think you’d ever want the person you love dead just cause you lost someone.
I don’t love her, not yet but then within a few months or years possibly, no one else would be able to cross my mind. No one else would be able to catch my eye. If she isn’t my mate, then two bad for that person cause I’m already taken.
“Let’s promise to never keep secrets.”, she suggested.
Making these promises made me feel good. Talking to her was enough to distract me from my current situation for a while.
“Before we make that promise. Let’s ask ourselves questions. So we can get to know each other better.”
“That makes sense.”
“Great now. So tell me… That day you came to my house, bleeding and everything. What happened?”, I finally asked.
That’s something that’s been bugging my mind for years. I just didn’t want to intrude by asking. I needed to be sure she trusted me.
“My dad… He beats me up from time to time…”, she trailed. “A lot actually.”, she corrected herself.
At that moment, my heart stopped, flashes of thought of her getting beat up hit my mind. I couldn’t stand it. It took time for me to believe but then it wasn’t hard. She always looked tired or stressed. If you aren’t an idiot like me you’d know something is wrong at home.
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”, she said, squeezing my hand and closing her eyes as if trying to comfort herself or hold back tears.?
“Promise me not to get yourself involved.”
“Why would I do that?”
“It’s not your business.”
“You’re my best friend.”
“Just promise Dylan. If you do I might never see you again.”
“I won’t let that happen.”
“It’d happen so suddenly, you wouldn’t see it coming.”, I could tell what she meant by how dark her tone was.?
What kind of dad would kill his daughter?
“Live with me.”, I smiled, giving the idea.
“My dad would never allow.”
“Why’s that?”
“He’d never allow.”
Damn Avery
“Your mom. What about your mom?”
“She’s dead.”, she said so bluntly. She had already accepted it.
Again, my heart dropped. I had no idea her life was so messed up and I treated her like crap at a point in my life.?
I really just wanted to beat myself up.
She smiled a bit, letting out a sigh, “Feels good talking about it.”
“Avery.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m okay.”
“You’re not.”
“I am. I have you till I die. Right?”
“I’m not enough.”
“You don’t know that idiot.”, she said, grabbing my face between her two hands and squeezing it. She let out a giggle, watching my face get mushed up. I felt my heart race at the sight of that. “You’re more than enough to keep me happy Dylan. You mean so much.”, she whispered, letting go of my face after moments then letting out another round of giggles. “You’re all red now.”
“What?”, I said, touching my face like it’d help.
“Do I flatter you?”
“No!”, I denied, feeling more embarrassed than ever. “I’m just running a temperature.”, then there came the dumbest lie I could think of.
“Yeah sure.”
“What do you think about me?”, I asked, changing the topic.
“Hmm.”, she thought, leaning in to me then smiling again. “Best thing that’s happened to me.”
“Aww chucks.”, I smiled. “What’d you do if I kissed you?”
“Slap you.”, she gave her answer immediately.
“You didn’t even think about it.”
“I don’t have to.”
“So mean…”, I whined, getting ready to ask the next question. “How do I make you feel?”
“Happy.”
“Do you think we can be more than best friends?”
She gave me a laugh as her reply then shot her question. “Why don’t you have many friends?”
“I just prefer to have few reliable ones.”
“Why did you hate me at first.”
“I was jealous.”
“Do you pity me? I mean. My life’s pretty pathetic.”
“Saying I don’t feel bad about it would be a lie but that doesn’t change how I see you though.”
“Can we make the promise now?”
I smiled, nodding.
“I promise to never keep anything from you.”
“I promise to do the same.”
“I promise to never replace you.”
“I promise to never replace you. Promise to share your pain with me.”
“I promise to share my pain with you. Now you promise.”
“I promise to do the same.” I smiled.
How can’t she be my other half?