I walk through the halls of school, which for whatever reason are completely empty. I can hear the pads of my shoes hitting the linoleum and the swish-scrape of my bag rubbing against my clothes, but that's all I hear. No murmuring from classrooms, no giggling from the cafeteria, nothing. Is it the weekend? I thought it was Friday? Man, if I'm here and I dont have to be I'm going to be pissed. Suddenly I hear it, the heartbeat of another person. I look around and see no one.

"Dove.." A familiar voice calls. I turn around. It's Mason.

"Hey Mase!" I call, shocked to hear my voice out loud instead of just in my head. I wait for the pain to come, but there isn't any. I smile, but Masons face stays still as stone. He reaches out his arms and calls again, dragging out my name this time, "Do-ove.."

"Mase, why are you being so weird?" I ask, still smiling as I walk towards him. I blink, and when I open my eyes, Daniel and Jaxon are there too, both casually smiling wildly.

"Dove!" Jaxon exclaims as I finally reach them. This is weird, Mason is finally smiling but something feels off, but also comforting. Suddenly Daniel grabs my cheek, caressing it softly. I look at him, startled.

"U-Um.." I mutter.

"Dove, if you don't wake up, we're going to be late." He says softly.

Wait, huh?

-

I snap my eyes open to find Sym on top of me, grabbing my face.

"She returns to the land of the living! Jesus Dove I've been trying to get you to wake up for the past 10 minutes! Come on! We gotta go!" Sym clambers off of me as I try to orient myself.

"I just had the weirdest dream." I say, rubbing at my eyes.

"Oh? What was it about?" Syms question makes me realize that I have no idea what my dream was about. I can't remember.

"I can't remember, but it was weird." Sym laughs, shaking her head. She tells me to get ready before leaving and shutting my door. I check the time. Fuck, we have to leave in a few minutes! I spring out of bed and rush into my closet. I grab the nearest shirt and bottoms while throwing my hair into a ponytail. I stop in the mirror to remake it before I leave because I have a rat tail going down the back of my neck, and I throw on a pair of matching converse. I look myself over.

I managed to put together a light green t-shirt with a white denim skirt with a matching pair of white sneakers.

Not bad for someone in a rush

Why, thank you Lisa. Feeling better?

Fuck off.

Oookay then.

I grab my bag, making sure to grab all my homework off of my desk before I leave. Would really suck if I spent all that time doing my homework just to forget it. I'm not spetacular in school anyway, so if I start not turning in assignments then I'll really be screwed.

"Are you ready?" Mason asks as I reach the living room, and I nod. He takes my bag off my shoulder with a smile, and I touch my hand to my chin before flipping it towards him in thanks. "Is that ASL?"

"Yeah! I figured I'd learn some since I still can't communicate with humans all that well." I smile wide and he nods approvingly.

"Very nice, anyway you two we were supposed to leave 10 minutes ago, and though I don't care about being late I know you do so let's roll out." Sym says, putting a hand on each of our shoulders. We rush out the door and into the car.

"Hold up!!" We hear, and I turn my head to see Jaxon running towards us, looking out of breath with bag in hand. Sym waits just long enough for him to be in the car and peels out before hes even closed his door.

"Thought you weren't gonna make it." Symali looks at him through the rearview mirror and Jaxon looks bashful.

"I got caught up. Sorry." He responds, picking at something on his arm. I look closer and see that its dried paint.

"Were you painting?" I ask quietly. Well, at least as quiet as I can be through telepathy.

"Yeah. I was really inspired this morning for a new piece and I wanted to finish the last couple touches before I left. Didn't realize it had gotten so late."

"That's cool! I didn't know you painted."

"Yeah, I was never allowed to at home, my dad hated that I want to be an artist, but ever since I moved into this pack with you guys, I've been going kind of crazy with it. It's totally different, putting paint on a canvas instead of just sketching. A different kind of serenity, you know?" Jaxon looks at me, excited to be talking about art but I can also see the blush creeping up his cheeks.

"I'd love to see your work sometime!" I enthuse. It's sad that Jaxons dad hated art so much, because Jax is really good. I'm excited to see what he could do with paint instead of just pencil shading. I imagine a lot of bright colors.

"Of course! Once I finish this piece I'm touching up, would you like to see?" He asks. I nod my head and he smiles.

"Alright ya'll, we're here!" Mason says, smiling at us from the front. I get out of the car and find that Masons already off to find my brother.

"Hey! I'm going to go find Ana, I'll see ya'll at lunch?" Jaxon waves, already backing away.

"Sure thing!" Sym calls back after him, and he takes off, jogging towards the gym. Afterwards, Sym links her arm in mine and we walk towards the hall between our classes. Calum is off on tour again, so Sym has been clinging to me a lot more than usual. I think she just doesn't want to be alone. We're leaning against the lockers, chit chatting when we see Daniel coming our way from across the hall.

"Daniel!" Symali calls, sticking her hand in the air. He smiles and waves before we lock eyes. A sudden flash from my dream last night hits me like a truck as blush washes over my face. I look away, embarassed.

"Uhh I gotta go. Just forgot that I.. I promised my teacher I'd come early to class! Ok byyyyee!" I can hear Sym calling me in protest as I speed off towards first period, which doesn't start for another 10 minutes. I can't face him right now, especially since we didn't exactly leave on good terms, plus, my dream last night. He probably doesn't want to talk to me anyway. I sit down at my desk and pull out my notebook, spending the extra time I have to properly reorganize my notes so they're actually legible.

"Wow. For once I can actually read your notes. First time for everything I suppose!" I hear the voice but refuse to look up, my hand not writing anymore. I don't have the patience for this today. "Have you gone deaf too?"

I huff and look up right into Blakes eyes and I flinch. He's a lot closer than I thought he'd be.

"What do you want?" I scrawl out shoving the notebook in his face to get him to move away.

"Well there's a lot of things I want Dove, a sports car, a mansion, fourty billion dollars, for you to stop playing this silly game of house with the Lightstar pack and come home already.." He trails off, looking at me expectantly. I cock an eyebrow.

"You know, if you hadnt destroyed my vocal chords, I'd be laughing right now." He reads my writing and rolls his eyes.

"You know I'm not the one who did that, don't be ridiculous." As soon as the words leave his lips a wave of disgust washes over me. Hes pushing the blame.

"That's like saying just because you put down all the explosives and told a man to throw a match, the explosion that resulted wasnt your fault. It may not have been you but you forced Leo to."

"Yet you forgave him so easily."

"I never said I forgave him, but even if I did, he's my best friends mate. I'm being civil for Masons sake."

"Well I'm YOUR mate, so forgiving me should be easy." Blake responds, touching my shoulder, causing the warm tingly feeling that I have learned to hate.

"Forgiveness isn't something just given to you Blake, it's earned. You haven't even apologized for ruining my life." Blake reads the sentence, his face twisting. Thankfully, just as he's about to say something, the teacher interrupts him.

"Blake. Class has started, choose your seat and leave Ms. Ross alone." The teacher cuts in, giving Blake a pointed look. Blake grumbles something before telling the kid sitting behind me to move and taking the seat. I roll my eyes, scooting my chair in as far as possible to get as much distance between us as I can.

Throughout the rest of the class I did my best to ignore him trying to catch my attention, until he starts tracing my back with his finger. I turn on instinct and let a low growl rip from my throat, my mouth filling with blood shortly after. I put my hand out in front of me to catch any that drip and shoot my hand into the air.

"Yes Dove?" The teacher asks and I just kinda gesture to the bleeding. "Oh! Go ahead and take care of that. You're excused. Leave your homework from last night on my desk." He says kindly, and I rush to shuffle from my seat. Of course its the day I'm wearing white that I start bleeding uncontrollably.

"Sir can I go with her to make sure she makes it safely?" Blake asks from behind me and I freeze, my eyes shooting to the teacher. He reads my look before shaking his head.

"No Mr. Quinn, you have missed enough classes. Plus, Dove is a big girl, Im sure she'll be fine on her own without you causing her more stress." I shoot the teacher a grateful look before damn near running out of the classroom, the sound of giggling from my classmates at Blake being told off being muted by the closing door.

I hurry to the nearest bathroom and spit the blood out in the sink, immediately cupping my hands under the water and bringing it to my lips. I swish my mouth out, spitting out any leftover blood before getting another cupful and drinking it. My throat is on fire but Im pleased that something so aggressive as growling hurt less than I wouldve thought. Im really getting better. I put my hands on the counter and take a deep breath, looking at myself in the mirror.

Well done Dove, it's only first period and you're already falling apart.

Stop blaming yourself, that wasn't your fault. That prick was provoking you.

Yeah, I guess you're right.

I hide out in the bathroom until the rest of class is over, before leaving and heading to second period. I sit in the very back corner so I can't recieve anymore sneak attacks on my back.

. . .

For the first time in what feels like eternity, the rest of the school day passes by uneventfully. I wonder how long its been since I've had a normal day on the car ride home. I guess since I spend most of my time with such chaotic people. There's never really a calm ripple in the water, always a tidal wave. But honestly, thinking back to all of the memories we've made so far I dont think I'd change a thing.

Mm no you'd change one thing.

You're right. I never would've gotten together with Drake, but if I hadn't I wouldnt know how much me and my time are worth. I deserve a lot better than a "sometimes", I know that now.

Okay Queen I see you. Go off.

Youre ridiculous Lis

You love me that way

I can feel Lisas wolf head nuzzle against my face, enjoying the warmth from her energy. I dont know how humans can live without a friend in their head. Having someone that you know will always be with you is nice.

"Dove what are you focusing so hard on?" Daniel asks, waving his hand in front of my face, and scaring the absolute shit out of me. I jump so high its a miracle that I didnt fall out the back of Syms car. When did he get here?? I look around and see that the normal crew is gone. Now its Sym and Trinidee in the front and Jaxon and Daniel are next to me. Not only that, but all the scenery outside looks totally unrecognizable.

"Sym! When did Mason and Rose leave?? When did these guys get here? Where the hell are we going?" Symali laughs at how panicked I sound.

"Jesus darlin, you were really out of it, huh? We dropped Mase and Rose off like twenty minutes ago, and we're headed to Garnbrooke for my tattoo. These guys wanted to tag along and you werent responding when I asked of you were coming or not so I guess I kidnapped you?" She looks at me from the rearview mirror as I try to process. How the hell was I so spacial for that long?

Thats really funny considering how you were just thinking about how chaotic your friend group is.

"Speaking of which, what kind of tatt are you getting Sym?" Daniel asks, his eyes glimmering slightly.

"I had Jaxon draw me up a D20 with a watercolor back splash. Show him Jax." She encourages and Jaxon hands over a notepad across my lap. I lean closer to Daniel so I can see too.

"That's dope dude." Daniel says, his voice slightly in awe. Its a bright red D20 against a watercolor background of blues, yellows, and greens. I dont kmow how he managed to make it look so realistic.

"Jax this is beautiful!" I exclaim, facing the red-faced boy. He scratches the back of his neck.

"Honestly I was worried that it didnt look all that great so I'm glad you both like it." He smiles sheepfully and my jaw drops.

"Doesn't look all that great?? Man if this wasn't for Sym I'd get it tattooed on MY body." I hand him back his sketchbook and he tucks it away, smiling like a big goofball.

"Have you ever thought of actually getting a tattoo Dove?" Trinidee asks me from the front while putting up the mirror once she decides her makeup looks okay.

"Not really? It's not that I'm against getting one but I haven't really found anything that's inspired me. Plus I'm too young."

"Oh shit, that's right youre still 17. I always forget how young you are." Sym shakes her head, her bright blue eyes flashing through the rearview mirror. "When do you turn 18?"

"Ah, next month." I smile slightly. I never really celebrate my birthday. Partially because I never had anyone to celebrate with but also just because I dont think it's all that important. I've lived through another rotation of the sun is all.

"We gotta celebrate!" Daniel pipes up, his entire body perking up.

"You took the words right out of my mouth Daniel." Sym says and Trinidee nods in agreement. I feel a weird sense of panic go through me.

"No no! That's really not necessary! I can't remember the last time I had a birthday party, I wouldn't even know what to do!" I exclaim, exasperated.

"Well the fact that you have never had a party before is the exact reason why we have to celebrate." Jaxon nudges me with his shoulder and I crack a smile.

"Then it's decided! You, Ms. Dove Eliza Ross will be having a birthday party!" Sym states, not really leaving any room for argument. I slump my shoulders, giving in.

"Fiiine." I grumble and they all laugh.

The rest of the car ride passes quickly, the two hour drive only feeling like 20 minutes. We fight to find parking in the middle of downtown and laugh (lovingly) at Symali as she struggles to parallel park, before eventually giving in and having Jaxon do it. After Jaxon easily parks the car in one go, we head inside to this surprisingly clean looking tattoo parlor.

"Alright bitches, lets get me inked!"