ARI

I ran deeper into the woods until I was stopped by a man. His whole body seemed to be a shadow so I couldn't see who was standing in front of me.

"Why did you let him take control?" I asked the shadow, surprising myself. I didn't even mean to say anything?

He was on the ground now, gasping in pain.

I took a step forward but stopped myself.

He gasped in pain ripping the dirt out of the earth. "Because, I can never go back. I can never feel like that again. I can't live in pain." He looked up at me but I still couldn't see his face.

"Please you have to go! Go now! I can't control him!"

Control who! I screamed back but the words never left my mouth.

Then to my horror, his bones started to break into pieces. I instantly knew what was happening to him.

"I don't want to hurt you again but I can't promise what he will do to you. I'm sorry...Jennifer. My Jen. I'm sorry I couldn't be the mate you wanted me to be."

Jennifer? Why is talking about Jen?

I couldn't stop myself this time and I touched his cheek but was pushed away.

"I SAID GET OUT OF HERE."

I jumped back in fright and gasped.

Alex stood in front of me with eyes as black as night.

He opened his mouth and bared his teeth. I backed away not sure what was going on.

Then he jumped.

"ARIANA!"

"No!" I screamed  to my mother who was struggling to wake me up.

"Ariana please! Wake up!"

I jolted awake. My brain couldn't comprehend what was happening until I felt a sharp pain on my cheek.

I grabbed it and stared at my mother who was sighing in relief. 

"Did-did you just slap me? Why?" I asked shocked because it wasn't clear to me yet.

My mother gave me a pointed look. "I have been trying to wake you up for almost 10 minutes now. Do not scare me like that or I will do it again."

She slammed my door shut, stomping back to her room.

"What?" I asked myself in the room, not understanding why she was mad.

I got up and used the bathroom. I was running my hands in cold water when my dream started to come back to me in pieces.

Of course, I was dreaming about Alex. I rolled my eyes at myself. But why was I dreaming about Jennifer? And why was I Jennifer? I didn't understand it at all.

Alex was turning into a monster like how I always do. It felt so goddamn real but I knew it was a dream. A freaky ass one.

I remembered the way he looked at me, how I always dream he looks at me. The smile on his face, the love in his eyes.

Ugh!

Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!

That's it! I am not allowed to feel anything towards that man! I don't care how much I want to kiss him or hug him or love him or even just see him talk to me normally!

I do not owe him anything! I mean my dream proved that he was no good for me.

I marched back into my bed with new found determination and slept peacefully...until my alarm rang an hour later.

***

"Okay so on my birthday come around 2pm to set up and if you want, you can bring your clothes and makeup and get ready at my house!" She clapped her hands together and squealed. "Just don't come earlier than that! We're gonna be having a family meeting." She gave a pointed look to everyone but me.

I was sitting in the middle of the table with these people sitting around me laughing, playing, talking about Jen's party and how they were going to get so drunk and instead of joining them, I was stuck on one thought that kept going through my head.

Why didn't he come today?

Stupid bastard never showed up to school today and I was going to ignore him!

I gritted my teeth in anger. Why is it when I want to ignore him, he isn't here?

"Earth to Ari!" Jen waved her hand in front of my face and gave me a concerned look. "Are you okay? You seem a little distracted."

I smiled and waved it off. "No, I'm good! Just thinking about what to wear to your party!"

Great! Now I really was thinking about it. I don't have anything to wear!

Jen squealed again. I had to cover my ears because of the high pitched sound. "We'll go shopping! OMG! This is so awesome!"

I laughed nervously mostly because I was not excited about it. I hated shopping with my mom but with friends? I have no idea how that's going to be.

Aaron chimed in with a high pitched "girly" voice. "Let's go shopping!"

I snorted with laughter because he reminded me of the movie White Chicks.

"Who said you were coming?" Jen placed her hand on her hip.

Aaron pouted and widened his eyes trying to look cute, which actually worked. In a little brother sort of way.

"Please Cuz..Pwease?" He said in a creepy baby voice again. I shuddered from the memory of the first time he used that voice.

Jen rolled her eyes and muttered "fine" under her breath.

"Hey if Aaron is going then we're going too!" Anna and Ashley said flipping back there perfect hair.

"OMG! Fine! We'll make a trip of it! God!" Jen huffed, slamming her hand on the table.

I looked across the room to see Nate staring at me and I blushed looking down.

There I go again blushing like an idiot!

Actually, now that I think about it, Nate has never been mean to me. He's apologized for Alex's behalf all the time.

I looked back up to see him talking to Stefan and then they both looked at me and I looked away as quick as possible. Heat radiated out of my cheeks making me feel embarrassed.

Aaron was talking about how his outfit was going to be pimped out. Ashley and Anna rolled their eyes at him and scoffed.

Jen, on the other hand, was watching my exchange with Nate and had a frown on her face. I could have sworn I saw a bit of anger.

"What?" I asked her confused.

"Nothing." She said slowly, still frowning but then turned it into a smile shaking her head.

"Well I mean it was obviously something." I whispered. I looked away from her and starting to draw doodles on the table with my finger.

Jen mock glared at me before snickering making me glare at her.

"I hope your, um, your-" I struggled to find the right insult for her. "-gifts suck!"

Jen gasped dramatically and fanned her face to keep from crying. "I can't believe you just said that to me." And then gave me a pointed look. "I don't give a shit!" She laughed but then got serious and slapped Aaron in the head. "You better not buy me a sucky gift!"

"OW! Why my head?! Always my head!" He rubbed it and gave her a dirty look.

"I'll be right back." Jen said carrying her tray to the trash.

Aaron turned to me with wide fearful eyes. "Hey, psst! Ari!"

I was looking right at him as he called me and I slapped his head. "I'm looking right at you Aaron! What!"

He scoffed in mock anger and continued to whisper to me. "Are these a good gift?" He reached into his backpack and took out a pair of large socks that were so bright I had to look away.

I gaped at him as he looked at the highlighter yellow socks with admiration. "They're so cool huh!"

I laughed out loud and when I say loud, I mean so loud, everyone in the entire cafeteria was staring at me. Jen came back and sat down at the table with a large smile on her face. "What's so funny guys!"

Aaron quickly shoved the socks back into his backpack and gave her a fake laugh. "Nothing, silly!"

He gave me a pointed look. I giggled in return until he kicked me under the table.

"Ow!" I kicked him back but Jen shouted in pain.

"What the hell Ari!" She grabbed her leg and rubbed the spot I hit.

All laughter was ceased from my throat and I looked at her in horror. "Holy shit Jen! I'm so sorry!"

Aaron gave his cousin a hug and looked at me in disappointment. "How could you, Ari. Her birthday is basically here and you kick her?" He shook his head at me as well as Ashley and Anna.

"But-I-I-" I was cut off by the bell.

"Let's go Jen, you poor baby." Aaron stroked her hair and helped her up.

Jen put her leg back on the ground and whimpered.

My eyes widened in realization. How could I forget the strength I had?

Guilt surrounded me as I watched Jen limping towards the door.

I grabbed my backpack and ran to her, holding her other side. "Jen, I'm so sorry." I hung my head low with shame.

What if I broke her leg or something? My mom was right, I shouldn't have friends. I can't believe I forgot how much stronger I was.

I have to make up some kind of story to stop being friends with them. Maybe I should go back to homeschooling but my mom loved her new job.

What do I do?

"Ari! I'm joking! Stop stressing so much! You're so innocent!" We stopped and Jen stood up straight, laughing at me.

"No I'm not." I sniffled.

Look it's fine!" She shook her leg and hopped up and down.

I was mad at her now, so I looked away from her but before I could walk away she hugged me tight. "I'm sorry! It was just a joke!"

"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked still scared I hurt the only friend I've ever had.

"Yes!" She laughed. Aaron hugged me too laughing. "Aww man! You're such a baby!"

I slapped him in the head, the same time Jen punched his arm. "What the heck!" He gave us a dirty look and left grumbling under his breath how annoying we were.

Jen and I laughed until she hugged me again. "I'm sorry for making you think you really hurt me."

"It's okay." I told her with a smile. "Sometimes I forget the strength I have."

Jen pushed me away all of a sudden. "What do you mean, strength?"

Oh shit. I laughed nervously. "I meant the strength that any human being has in there legs! You know the legs have the strongest muscles in the body!"

"Um, actually, the strongest muscle is the Masseter, which is the jaw." Jen corrected me giving me a weird look.

"Phew!" I wiped the sweat off my forehead. "And I thought it was the legs! Okay now I feel better! Let's get to class, or we will be late."

I dragged her to class, thanking god she didn't ask me more questions.