Chapter 16: More Drama, wolves and parents-Part 2.

You know. Just as you think, nothing can get any worse. It does.

Zale shifted back in a flash and gosh, it was sickening. My mom gasped, hands on her chest and staggered. I think my mom almost gotten a heart attack. "D-did that...that...wolf...just...just turned hu-man." My mother stammered, shaking her head as her eyes fluttered. 

"Yes mom. "I said painfully nodded. My dad stared wide-eyed and mouth agape as my mother leaned onto him. You know, times like this.My mom has permission to faint. Damon slowly dropped to crouch and stared at them with wonder and fear. The bigger wolves craned their necks and sat on their hind legs. Observing him like a curious pup.

"Mom, Dad. Please follow me is getting dark. "I said, giving my brother a sharp look. He huffed. My mother stood transfixed and stared at with confusion laced on her features .

"No." My mother stammered. "I'm not going anywhere with that ...thing."she added. I stared at her wide-eyed and nodded with understanding. The wolves were stirring, impatient and restless as they thinned and disappeared . Zale's pale butt cheeks were flashed as I groaned and screamed as I hastily covered my eyes. And in a minute or so he appeared wearing high waisted jean shorts. My mother sighed again and squeezed Damon's eyes closed as he giggled softly.

"He nakie."Damon giggled, like a drunkard or someone high. Pointing at his shorts. I stared at the sky as we traveled.In a minute or so, my mom will dart her head and did the cross sign. Damon smiled like a Cheshire cat. Creep. The thick dark green grass did a sharp slope as we entered a clearing. Streaks of blue, yellow and red danced in the sky as the orangey sun dipped over the horizon as we were bathed in a golden light. The blades of grass were lighter and brittle to my skin.

"H-how did you control them? "My father asked. Strolling cautiously as he stiffened. I huffed and whirled to them. 

"I really need to explain but I think you'll need cookies, tea or coffee with that. "I said. The remaining Wolves paused, froze and whispered as they stared at us as my mother froze holding Damon tighter and he gagged. Their eyes trailed on us as they returned to their duties or whatever. Some growled, bared their canines or their eyes flashed.

"They aren't human, right? "My mother asked as I nodded. She gulped and hang her head. Who did this and why? Disbelief and anger laced her stammering and trembling voice. Shock.My dad was just starry eyed and mouth agape as he shivered. Damon eyed with wonder, amusement, and curiosity.

We approached the looming loft as it casted loud deep shadows on the blades. "Wow, a loft. Cool. "Damon muttered. "Damon. Not cool. "My mother warned her voice laced with anger. Then whispered."Shh.I do not want you dead. So shut up. "He gulped and nodded. They held Damon's hands tightly as he winced and strolled as some girls admired my brother as they tried to orient to this place.

***

"Tea anyone? "I asked, as I grabbed a tray as my mother stared at with anger and confusion. I sighed as I placed it on the desk. 

"Do we look like we want tea? "Mother screamed, huffed and placed her arms on her chest. They relaxed on the green plush coach as Damon sat on the fluffy peach carpet stuffing his face with cookies and dad shoot daggers at him. "Damon." Mother snapped as he grabbed the food and placed the slimy, half-eaten cookie onto the China.

"Damon. That's gross. "Mom screamed horrified as Zale sat on the couch looking indifferent and confused and bit his lips to suppress a laugh. They were gawking at us. "Well, this wolf or demon-thing. What do you want with my daughter? "My mother shot a blank faced Zale. He looked as if he was shoot or slapped. 

He cleared his throat and said," It is quite complicated really. We need deeper explanations. For one. You know we are werewolves, and we live in clans, tribes or packs or even in the city."

They nodded and pursed their lips as Damon clenched his fist. "The rat's name? "Mother deadpanned. 

"Thank you, miss. But my name is Zale. "He answered calmly. My mom glared at me, arch a brow and crossed her arms. My mom was holding her cup, blowing air as it soothe the steam.

After telling them about what exactly this is as they exchanged worried glances as Damon seemed to lose it like a ticking clock. He crossed his lean arms over his flat chest, huffing in frustration.AS confusion furrowed their features as I explained the terms as they tried to absorb everything .My father stared blankly into space, Damon in a ball as my mother cocked her head as a waterfall of braids hung loose from her bun, arm on her cheek as she breathed .I felt my moms pain as I concluded.

"...everything you thought was fake is actually real. All the monsters and creatures are real. "I said. Silence. Long painful and oppressive silence washed over us. Were they being dramatic or it was that bad to process. I had worst news and I might have lost the blocks of trust I've built only to tumble, fall and break. I told them everything and how it works, more confusion laced their features.

"You two are mere children and my daughter is a minor. We are not going to listen to your bullshit on soulmates, crap. "Mom snapped, she crossed her arms and got up as she glared at Zale."

"I'm eighteen."

"And so. That does not mean you can do shit."

"Ma'am. My father passed so is default."

"Still no."

She paced around in circles as she placed her hands on her chin. She tapped and look at us. Her eyes bloodshot and hysterically. "Mom are you ok? "I asked, walking closer to her, my hands on her shoulders, as her eyes twitched.

"No, I'm not. I blame myself. A woman told me not to move but she sounded crazy and mentioned all sorts of voodoo and juju so I lost it. She was a witch or something more livid. But she was right? "She concluded, running her hands through her braids and her lips trembled.

"Mom..."I croaked.

***

The car ride home was silent and awkward. Damon stared at the window as raindrops drummed on it .It was pitch black as we thudded down the road the pine trees were towering as chirping and the road was empty. Mom was driving us, her knuckles turning white as I sat on the shotgun seat. Dad was on the backseat with Damon who was tapping feverishly on his phone without a care.

"Mom..."

"Don't. Say .A .Word. "She said, through gritted teeth her words laced with poison. I recoiled before; I could utter a word as I swallowed my questions pointless excuses. He didn't want to reject me or let me go but I, on the other hand wanted to no, I needed to. I had a life and he can't just expect me, I Heather Lameria Mara de McCarthy will not be controlled and damn, McCarthy sounds so out of place. I forgot how much my dad likes westernizing our names to purely English.

The headlights flashed and glared as we approached the house.

***

The living room was still as comfortable as usual but in this situation is not. I stared at the house with renewed awe and interest but now I'm conflicted. Mom crosses her arms and placed the key on the glass bowl as it clatters.

"Why would you hide and do something outrageous like that? "Mom closed her eyes, breathed heavily and winced. She placed her hands on her hips, smoothed her black shirt even though there was no wrinkles and heard her mutter in Yoruba. A beautiful language that my father refused to let us learn instead. A string of cuss words in our bilingual tongue as I winced and Damon giggled.

My father placed his fingers on the bridge of his nose and huffed as he plopped on the green sofa. "Tell me Heather. Be honest! "Dad snapped. I sighed.

"Mom I-I was threatened .Ok." I snapped tears welling my eyes as my mother clamped her mouth shut.

"He or it told me if I do tell someone they'll ...they'll be killed so I kept. That's way my friends thought I was crazy and hell, I have no freaking idea how it spread.so yeah, I couldn't tell a soul. "I flailed my arms frantically as I sagged breathing.

"I-I would have told anyone or an adult but...but. I'm scared."

"Where and how did you meet him? "Father pressed.

"At-at a party. "I added, feeling my parent's look of disappointment as Damon eyes perked up. He whispered and cooed. "You dead. "I glared at him.

"At a party. You meet the boy at a party. Heather why? "My father groaned, his mouth squeezed into a thin line. "When?" He pressed.

"On a weekday, after lights out. "I croaked.

"Oh, Heather. Why? I thought you were better. "Mother added.

"How insecure are you? "Mother snapped.

"I-I..."

"He could be some perv or some idiot. Why are you so dense?" Mom snapped. I darted my head, to hide my tears and ran upstairs and slammed the door.Sadly.my mom didn't yell or chase me.

I cried, I screamed.

Damon:

Yesterday felt like something out of a soap opera or some fiction. Heather was roasted and shit. I was like gapping like a fish and just watching this circus unfold. I still remembered my mom's poisonous words. Damn. But that was three days ago.

"Maybe I would have preferred a crazy daughter!"

"Mom why?"

It echoed through my mind like a vibrating cymbal. Painful and exhausting. I still remembered how they growled, shredded their flesh and sported fur and all the intelligence they hid in their human eyes. I shuddered and froze at the spot.

Like honestly, they are monstrous wolves in skin suits and all they care is about mates, pack and leadership. Blah, blah, blah and blah.

Early morning sun filtered through the windows as I rolled out of bed. Quickly I slipped on a grey and white stripped vest. It was three days since the incident after my sister willing left the house to go to boarding school and avoid us. Petty but understandable. Guilt must have been eating her and sadness for her. Pulling up some red shorts.

It's go time.

6:01 am.

I rolled on the ground and tiptoed silently as I leaped only to freeze but it was eerily quiet. Damn, that sounded cooler in my head. I hid on the walls and moved pressing my back. I crawled on the floor then on the wooden stairs as I groaned in pain. Huffing I bolted into my dad's study and stole his laptop. Dad didn't go to work today and mom was more cranky than usual.

"Heather why don't you leave with your werewolf boy since you like him so much. "I scoffed yelling at my sis. She was frozen and gaped .Heather was a mess, and I was being an ass, but I lost it. We were too harsh and blinded by rage and lies.

"Damon, you too? "She croaked, I darted my head as I avoided her eyes.

Setting the laptop on the desk as I noticed the long uncomfortable silence as I sat the silver laptop on the wooden desk and pushed the wooden chair closer. I yawned, stretched like a cat and run my hands through my curls and shaking it .I slipped on my red beanie and slipping on my jumper. Opening up Skype as I wiggled my fingers as they answered.

I was taking about chatting with cousins and showing them the news. Ok, guys not that kind of news if you know what I'm saying. We decided to speak in English since vovo only speaks Portuguese and cokwe about how we might not come and visit even though I've never physically seem this place.

"Why did you have to call me so late at night, Primo?" Isabella complained as she yawned, rubbing her eyes and her eyes dropping. Her voice groggy as she sat on the carpet of the living room. She was sitting on the pink round carpet in their apartment. Scratched my neck nervously and darted my head trying to avoid her fuming face. Opps.I totally didn't choose a good time, didn't I? Idiota. We are literally seven hours apart.

"Um, what time is it? "I asked cautiously.

"Is 12 pm you você pau. "She screamed angrily, through gritted teeth as deep orange light flooded the room as I winced at the insult. Ouch, she called me a douche. In our texts it was different but any who.

"Te amo."I said effortlessly as she rolled her eyes.

"Que disse que?" Who said that? I instantly recognise that deep, slimy voice that cracked a lot.

"Don't worry, Carlos. Is just our primo, Damon." She whispered-yelled as he strode thought and bent, leaning his skinny arms on the desk and a waved. Dosen't mean I can know a couple of words in Portuguese and Spanish doesn't mean is just so easy to translate it. He sighed saying he was grateful it wasn't his sister being a flirt or even getting a boyfriend. Over protective brother mode would have been activated. He nodded and waved a hand.

I cleared my throat as they darted their hands as stacks I stared at their kitchen and smiled as it quickly morphed into a frown. They exchanged a look and urged me to continue as I took in a huge breathe. "I have some very juicy news and pretty sure you guys might not like it. "I said nervously, as they arch a brow and snapped their gazes. Sleep slipped away and was changed to alertness. 

"So spill it." She pressed. 

"We might not be able to visit you guys this summer. "I said quickly and in one breathe.

"What!" They screamed loudly then cursed as they clamped their mouths shut. Great, to finally get this out of my chest.

"Huh?" Carlos asked, leaning closer. Isabella and Carlos are twins. No, fraternal twins. Carlos is fairer than she is with dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes but Isabella is darker with black hair in pigtails. They are both a year older than I am but they are tall and lanky. "Oh and I have a crazy story for you. "I muttered, clenching and unclenching my fist through gritted teeth, as they couldn't hold their suspense. I grinned.

"In the history of our crazy family, my sister has finally gotten a boyfriend and maybe she might even move with him. "I said slowly, moving and waving my arms as a small smile formed in my lips and slowly they exchanged glances, eyes wide and mouth agape and stared at the scree in shock. 

"Again, what? "Isabella screamed loudly, in disbelief as in the darkness the only light on was the living room and the kitchen. "Boyfriend how? "

Carlos muttered, shaking the laptop as she shot daggers at him. The reaction I hoped. I smiled smugly and nodded as they looked at me as if I was going mad. "Is very complicated, prima."I said calmly as I felt my lips turn into a frown. Isabella might be family but I just can't risk even though I badly need to tell someone. But one: They might either look at me weird or burst at laughing. Two: Insult me and ask if I'm ok .Three: Might even demand to see it or call their grandma to yell at me." A boyfriend how? Isn't she a bit young but anyway how old is the dude? "She paused, looking at me expectantly. 

 I muttered lowly, "Um, about that he is an eighteen-year-old, white dude.

"They exchanged looks and furrowed their eyebrows. I'm pretty sure whatever their doing is a twin thing or is it twin telepathy. "An eighteen-year-old. Well damn.Is he at least hot or good to her? "She asked dreamily as I and Carlos rolled our eyes and glared at her. "Get back to the point. "I yelled, smacking my fist angrily into my palm for emphasis as it smacked her back into reality as she nodded curtly. "She isn't boyfriend material .O.M.L, have you seen how she looks or believes like I can't even. "She gasped in disbelief. 

"Holy cow. "Carlos gasped loudly, what a bunch of gossips. I thought angrily shaking my head in disapproval. Hypocrite

Suddenly, the light at the hallway flickered on as yelling and cursing in Spanish and Portuguese jolted them wake as she waved and whispered silently,"Gotta go, primo. "I waved back as she ended the call, closed the laptop and sighed heavily as I shook my legs and pulling my socks.

***

I should be heading to school right now but I felt that I needed to at least check my sister's room. Did I say that my family is falling apart? My mom took refuge in my sister's room sleeping in her bed and checking her baby photos as if she already left us. Dad has been cursing more than usual ad mom and dad hide the fact they've arguing a lot more lately. I realized that after this school that I might never see that bitch again.

Staring at the wide pale blue vision board decorated with golden fairy lights, photos, and articles of her bedroom. Heather going to a party was so unlike her and honestly, she's never been invited to one like ever. The vison board was pasted with photos of us, her friends and the sea and scientist names and links of websites. She told me once she's older to move she'll travel then go to college and maybe work at an aquarium or just go to college. Then if she's lucky find a dude who likes her for her. I know cheesy.

Sighing I fixed my beanie and bolted out and sat on my bike. I wasn't hungry and in the mood to see my depressed parents.

***

"Hi Evelyn. "I said as I walked down the hallway. She beamed as we squished our way through the crowded hallway lined with faded beige lockers and crappy posters. Evelyn was tall, skinny, and pale. Her brown freckles dotted her cheeks as she leaned on her locker twisting the lock. 

"You're late. "She snapped, rolled her light brown eyes and grabbed her books as the crowds of howling, screaming and shouting kids scramble to the homeroom since I missed assembly. 

"Seriously, I thought you'd be happy to see me. "I muttered tensely, unslinging my bag and stared at her from the opposite locker. Her chestnut brown hair, straight as a nail. "Well, because you've been ignoring me for the last three days. "She muttered dryly.

When I first met her, we were in detention after a quick and brief conversation and I knew we could be friends after my act of defiance and luckily, I met a new friend (clears throat, my only friend). Evelyn was black belt in taekwondo and mixed martial arts. Well, after months of our peculiar friendship, I come out to her and for hence fourth we've been buddies.

"No way. "Evelyn gasped loudly, dumbfounded as I nodded curtly. She regarded beyond paler never mind paler than usual. My mom was suspicious because I never brought a girl to study with me at all. "Your family sound like gossips. "She whispered as I shrugged.

"Ok, Eve .you've been my friend-"

"Yeah, Your only friend."

"Yeah .I got something to tell you but don't tell anyone, kay." I warned harshly as she nodded, flashed a mock grin and thumbs up. She was wearing a demin jacket, a black dress with flowers, leggings and flats. So I whispered to her as she giggled softly then screeched. "O.M.G." She exclaimed loudly, looked at me then shook her head. "Dude, you've gone mad. Yes, about the boyfriend ting is ...nice but this you're mad .let me see it for myself. "Then she busted out laughing. Hey, just in case you're wondering I didn't tell her the truth, nope .the half one.

Just to summarize . The teacher yelled at us, we scrambled to class at break time. Brandan, a scrawny fourteen year old kept taunting and teasing me who always wore baggy clothes and dressed shabbily. Then brought the latest gossip and mentioned my sis so I punched him then I got into detention, again.so to add more salt to wound it was this dude. He knew like honestly, and called her a slit and a hoe. Who told him? I don't know. Never be late to class.

"Wanna help me save my sis?" I asked. She snapped her head and playfully punched me then her face fell .

"You're serious, ok." She muttered proudly, after seeing the determination of my sis and not a beating from my parents. "Honestly, I don't think she's fine. "I said lowly, choking on my words. Oh, and anyway .We are in detention together. After detention, we grabbed our bikes and peddled into the woods and deeper till we were circled by wolves as we paused and exchanged glances at each other and I smiled nervously.

Oh hell no.