“Maya!” Naomi shouted my name, extricating me from my wholesome thoughts.
A smile bloomed on her lips when our gazes met. A smile that wavered the next second when she just realized something-the furrows on her forehead were enough giveaway. I am sure it was because of the news. Her parents must have told her.
“Hey babes, good morning.” I greeted her, nudging her by the shoulder when she pouted and looked away. “Come on, you know it’s not my fault. Let’s get out of here though, before they bear holes in your head with their eyes.” I said, dragging her by the arm to her bike which was a few feet away from her.
She turned then, chuckling softly when she saw the looks on the faces of my siblings and my father. “I bet they didn’t see the change coming. Their loss really.” She got on the bike, and handed me a helmet.
“Yeah, thanks.”
I will miss this bike too. I thought, as I hung my arms around her waist. Maybe, I could get mine when I got to the city of humans. Maybe, I could learn how to ride it. Maybe, I could learn whatever I want and be whoever I want.
As much as the movement was making me nervous and cranky, afraid and unsure, I was still excited about it. It was like a new life and a chapter had been opened to me to make necessary changes, and I was so ready to do that. I couldn’t wait.
When I and Naomi got to school, students were in clusters, talking about the king’s announcement. Eyes turned and stayed stuck on I and Naomi, I especially, as we strolled into the hallway. I wondered what they thought of the King’s order.
“They think you look chic. Gmelina thinks you are very beautiful.” Naomi whispered in that very low octave of hers.
I furrowed my eyebrows, as my brain tried to tackle up who was Gmelina. I didn’t think I had heard the name before.
“How did you know what she was thinking? Can you read minds now?”
“Well, no. But she had said that to her friend. She just happened to be a bit loud, and I heard it. The boys think the same too. They think you are hot. My brother thinks so too. That idiot. If he would have noticed this on time, we might have been in laws.” She said, and I coughed, unable to help myself.
Naomi could be quite.. well.. ahead of herself.
“In-laws?? Have you forgotten the concept of mates?”
She shrugged. “Well, don’t you like the attention? They are not seeing you as the wolfless girl again, but as the hot chick that needs to be talked to.”
I sighed, not sure what to say to that. The attention was okay, but I didn’t like being the center of attention. It was overwhelming. My eyes though, went in the direction of Timothy. The trip lasted for just a second, because in the next, it shifted to Adam and his two brothers.
As usual, the trio were flocked by girls. Claire was nestled in the arms of Adam, but his eyes weren’t on her. No. His eyes were on me. And so were his brothers’ too.
Claire, somehow, must have sensed that Adam’s attention wasn’t on her because she suddenly found me with her eyes. Immediately, she scrunched her face in anger, obviously remembering the incident from yesterday. But she didn’t move or say anything. She just stood there, glaring at me, unable to do anything.
Elation bubbled within me. Why didn’t this change happen sooner?
“Let’s get to class. I don’t think anything would be happening here. The king’s word is order. Not even his kids can disobey that. And don’t think I didn’t see the look Adam just gave you. I think he likes you.” Naomi said as we walked past the group.
“Hey, don’t give me that. He just wants to get into my pants. Well, too bad for him. I will be leaving here soon.” I smacked my lips, still getting used to the feel of lipstick on them.
After I and Naomi had driven away from my house, we had made a stop at a shade, just some miles away from school, and had done some light makeup. I still felt giddy about the whole thing. She had promised to get me a make up kit if we went shopping on the weekend. Weekend was beginning to look much more appealing to me than Adam’s lips. Or was that false?
I shook my head, refusing to dwell on the hot kiss that Adam and I had shared in Naomi’s kitchen yesterday.
“Who do we have here?” Cassey asked rhetorically, immediately I walked into the class. But I ignored her and walked to my seat. Naomi, however, flipped the class bully over with her third finger before walking to her seat.
“Well, it seems the girl has grown her wings. Beautiful, I must say. I’m sure this is your last day in school? Good luck then in the outside world. That’s okay, right?” Cassey queried, before turning to her own minions who shrugged and wished me good luck too.
Though it wasn’t sincere , I nodded at them. After all, I would need it for my new life.