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[17]

The enchanting moon shone across Dark Falls, lighting the park beautifully and even making the rusted swing sets look enticing. The park ground was covered in small wood chips that reminded Massie of her second elementary school's playground, where she remembered first breaking her left wrist after having a harsh landing from the monkey-bars. Of course, being the person she is the moment the case came off it was the first place she visited and ended up hurting her right wrist. Her mother never let her near them since then and even went as far as to let the teacher know she was prohibited from playing on them. It didn't matter, when the teacher became distracted with other things she seized that opportunity and swung past the monkey bars. No, she didn't fall in attempt, or ever after that. Third times the charm right?

Further to the back and partly covered by the shadows of large trees was Cinnamon. If she hadn't knowingly been searching for him she doubted anyone could tell he was a wolf. His coloring would make him look like a log at passing glance. Over the weekend she had forgotten how large he really was. Currently he was laying down; his face away from the moon, but the second her feet touched the park ground he stood on his paws and waited for her to get nearer.

"Did you miss me?" She asked, hugging his neck. His face fell on her shoulder and his nose towards her neck as he gave her a swift, quick lick. Massie smiled as she felt his familiar warmth radiate through her fingers. Hugging Cinnamon was better than any stuffed animal she own, of course, it would be better if he actually brushed his hair.

Massie laid on the grass near him, away from the light in case any wandering eyes caught her out of her estate. She doubted that would ever happen though. People in Dark Falls seemed to have placed themselves at a curfew, after 10 a night there was not a soul to be seen outside of their homes.

As the cold grass cushioned beneath her, Cinnamon fell into their usual position by placing his head on her chest while the rest of his body laid away from her vertically, knowing well that her form could not handle his heavy weight. Massie began to run her hands through the hairs above his head, and though he didn't make a noise indicating his pleasure like most dogs, Massie knew he liked it because he would sometimes wag his tail.

"I did the craziest thing on Social Studies today," Massie began, inwardly giggling as she remembered the events. Cinnamon opened one eye, and closed it again to show that although he was resting, he was still listening. "Remember how I mentioned I have a crush on Sebastian? Him and I share Social Studies together, and since we sat so far apart I took it upon myself to sit behind him. This girl sat there though, so I made up a ridiculous lie to get her to go along with it. I kind of felt bad, but— hey, are you listening to me?" Massie questioned, poking his head curiously.

Cinnamon barked an affirmative and Massie smiled, continuing her tale. "So I felt bad, but it's not like she would end up being his girlfriend anyway. I might as well do her a favor and help get over him. And you know, you'd think that being closer to Sebastian would make it easier for me to talk to him but ever since he caught me staring at him like a dumbass from the window I've been hesitant to do anything." Massie paused. "Whoa, what if he thinks I'm a Level 30 stalker?!" Without opening his eyes, Cinnamon barked again, as if to say 'I doubt it'. "Right? He shouldn't think I'm a stalker; he had his shirt off. I don't care if your face looks like, if you have a great body I'm going to stare. I should have the right to since I'll be his future girl anyway," Massie noted with confidence.

This time at her proclamation both of Cinnamon's eyes slowly opened as he calmly huffed, as if to sarcastically say 'sure'. Massie gazed directly at the wolf's disbelieving golden eyes as she said "I'm serious!" Cinnamon merely closed his eyes and returned to his rest, unperturbed.

Massie re-tied her loosened hair and stuck her tongue out, despite noting how Cinnamon wasn't even looking. Somehow, it reminded her of Jordan in Calculus, when he wished her good luck for chasing after the captivating Sebastian Pierce. She doubted it could be that hard to get the guy. He probably just hasn't met someone as amazing as her. "Whatever, after I follow through with my friends-then-lovers plan he'll be all mine." Cinnamon ignored her, and instead bothered himself to hit her hand with his nose before returning his head on her chest. Knowing he wanted her to resume her petting, Massie restarted caressing his head.

As Massie petted his head her mind went back to Jeanette's diary— the part where Kyle shifted to a wolf. Her violet eyes fell on Cinnamon's larger than average form and pondered the idea of him not just being a wolf, but a werewolf. He was so smart, the way he listened to her and responded as if he understood everything she said (which Massie felt assured he actually did). She sighed, and wondered if perhaps she was being too hopeful. She had always been an active dreamer, but maybe this time her thoughts were going too far, too unrealistic. The day she jumped off a swing because she believed she could fly did not end very well. Being young at the time it hurt her feelings. . . and her arm.

Suddenly getting an idea, Massie patted Cinnamon's head to get him up. His amber eyes slowly opened, clearly he almost dozed off. "Can you do me a huge favor?" The wolf held her eyes, waiting for her to continue. "Can you give me a wolfie-back ride? I've always wanted to ride a horse and you're the closest thing I've got." Without waiting for an answer Massie got up with anticipation. Seeing he had no choice Cinnamon stood as well and waited for her to get on.

Excited Massie gripped his neck as delicately as possible before trying to haul over his back. Key word: tried. For one, Cinnamon was taller than the average wolf and Massie wasn't the most flexible person around. She really had been lying to Kristin the first time she met her at the grocery store and told her she was once in gymnastics. Noticing her difficulty, Cinnamon laid on the grass to reduce the difficulty.

This time, Massie was easily able to get on top of him. She gave a happy 'yay!' before fastening her hands on his fur. Unlike the fur on top of his head, the fur surrounding his body was much thicker and rougher. Massie shook her head, disapproving. "Didn't I tell you to condition your hair?" She murmured, knowing well wolves didn't use conditioner. Actually, now that she thought about it, did they use shampoo? How did they even wash?

As he stood Massie slightly wobbled, but managed to gain balance. Cinnamon trod at a slow pace, careful so as not to let the girl on his back fall. Noticing this Massie became impatient. "Come on, go faster!" To her dismay Cinnamon dismissed her wish and remained walking the same pace. Deciding the ride was still delightful regardless of the speed she allowed herself to enjoy it.

Cinnamon took her inside the woods, clearly not wanting to risk being at full view in the park. However, Massie noticed he never strove too deep into the tree-infested area. Looking up at the moon, she couldn't help but think Dark Falls was the best place she had ever lived in, and truly wished that unlike the rest of the places she called "home", this one would remain permanent.

[o-o-o]

"Listen honey, you can't do that. You need to stop sweating him, let him miss you," Massie advised. It was during lunch and she was sitting with a worried Lucy, a concerned Emma, and an I-hate-Massie Emily.

As of yesterday (and to the surprise of everyone in the table) Lucy snagged a boyfriend. His name was James, and no it was not James Fulton from the Cult. It was James Deiderich, and no, Massie did not know how to pronounce his last name either. Apparently, Lucy and him had been texting for weeks and didn't bother to tell her friends because she felt it would be 'impossible to have him'.

Massie thought Lucy was too adorable; she had never met anyone as humble as her. She couldn't understand how on earth she believed she couldn't snatch someone like Deiderich. Lucy was definitely cute and had an engaging personality. Yesterday, after her shift in the diner he asked her out and they were currently boyfriend and girlfriend. Now Lucy feels he's been ignoring her all day and has texted him 12 times in hope of figuring out what was going on.

"Let him miss me? But I haven't seen him all day, and he just asked me out," Lucy reasoned. Nervous, she wringed her fingers and re-checked her phone for text messages.

Massie took out her nude nail polish and began painting her nails. She wanted to try it out after thinking it might go well with Sebastian's copper skin tone. You know, in case they held hands today. Massie giggled at her thoughts, but became serious again when she glanced again at Lucy's face. "You've been talking for weeks now so the relationship didn't just start. This is a big step for a guy, maybe he just needs a breather. If you're too anxious you might scare him off. I've definitely seen it before."

Lucy bite her lip as her eyes wandered the cafeteria around them, as if Deiderich would magically pop out of thin air. "What if he never texts me? He's avoided me all day in the hall." Lucy's eyes fell on the table, heartbroken. "Guys, what if this is his way of saying I want to break up?"

"I think you should break up with him before he breaks up with you," Emily contributed. Massie rolled her eyes. Figures Emily would be the most negative out of the group.

Emma shook her head, disagreeing with Emily's words. "No, do not break up with him. He's a nice guy, I don't think he'd do that to you."

"And besides, I rather the guy break up with me than the other way around. When it comes to relationships it's always better to be the victim, that way you can make them regret," Massie added.

Lucy gazed at her, uncertain. She sighed and returned to playing with her fingers. Massie stared at them, slightly mesmerized. They were so thin and tiny. Every time she bent them Massie would slightly wince, expecting for them to break. She didn't think Lucy should be so worried about her and James, it was just a little stump compared to what she's seen. Then again, perhaps Massie had always been overly confident in every relationship she's been in, she had no reason not to be. Guys liked confidence in a girl, and she happened to have lots of it. Often times some girls called her conceited. Conceited, confident. . . they both started with the same letter, and if she was both of them she didn't care. She preferred that over worrying herself sick like Lucy.

"If you've been talking for weeks I doubt he decided to ask you out on a whim. Wait until tomorrow night, that way he had time to breathe. If by Thursday he hasn't called then I will personally find him in the hall, bring you to him, and you well tell him to stop being such a baby and act like a man. What are we? In 8th grade? We are seniors, this is not the time to play hide-in-seek," Massie assented, finishing her nails. She hoped Lucy would takes her words into consideration, because she was willing to hold to every word she just said. Emma nodded in agreement.

Lucy gave her a small smiled, satisfied with the idea. "Thanks Mass, you're amazing," she replied, genuine.

At the compliment the corners of Massie's lips quirked up to a big grin. "I know! I knew it wasn't just me." The table laughed at the response and the rest of the period was spent on carefree chatter.

[o-o-o]

Sniff.

Massie slammed her head on the desk, earning a few quick glances that in moments returned to their business. Study Hall was so annoying. Usually, she would ask her porn-reading teacher to give her a pass to the library, where she would enjoy the quiet more amiable area rather than this stupid classroom that regardless of it containing at most 15 students, still felt suffocating to her. And maybe, just maybe, no— forget that, she would still hate this place with or without it— if the girl-boy sitting next to her would stop sniffing every 20 seconds she could actually not feel as if she wanted to hurl. But of course, her teacher had to go to the bathroom and have a substitute stand at the door until his return (probably cummed in his pants and needed to clean that cucumber out), leaving poor, poor Massie to wait his return.

Sniff.

Why couldn't he-she get a tissue! It was right there, on top of the teacher's desk next to the "fruit" book. Could he-she be so lazy?! Massie sighed, knowing she was being a hypocrite seeing as she too could be lazy, but this was too much. Every time he-she made that stupid noise Massie felt as if she was the one eating boogers. . . It was so disturbing.

When the original Study Hall supervisor returned (five minuets and 15 sniffs later) she sighed in relief. "Thank you for watching my class," he said, dismissing the substitute.

Massie got up with a start, not waiting for he-she to have as much as another sniff. When she reached his desk he waved her off without waiting for her to begin her sentence, knowing her daily request. Grabbing her bag Massie gratefully left the depressing classroom and headed to the library. There she hoped to continue reading Jeanette's diary; this morning she made sure to have it in her bag for entertainment.

Massie strolled through the semi-familiar halls with boredom. By now she learned that unlike some of her previous schools, none of the boys she walked pass in the hallway were cute. The bright side was that they thought she was (it was obvious by the way they sneaked appreciative stares before the went to their respective classes), which helped sooth her confidence after being ignored by a certain Pierce. Wow, even his last name was hot. Pierce. Massie Pierce. Hmm. . . it had a nice ring to it.

She turned a sharp corner and bumped into a hard, solid chest. She was about to apologize when she looked up and saw who said chest belonged to, and it was none other than a golden-eyed prince. Feeling rather lucky, Massie smiled and made no movement to separate them. As expected—and to much of Massie's disappointment— Sebastian cleared his throat and swiftly took a step back.

"Hi Sebastian," Massie greeted, her violet eyes joyful.

"Massie." He said, giving her a nod. No 'hi', no 'hey', and definitely no 'nice to see you'. He was so discouraging Massie didn't have to wonder why girls didn't bother going after him. Apparently, not only was it his greeting, but it was also his way of saying farewell, because in moments he moved past her and continued on his path.

Going with the stride of things she walked beside him. "So, where are you going?"

"Gym."

"Oh is that the class you have this period?" She questioned, attempting to make conversation.

"No." Sebastian's face never once turn to her as he spoke, he only stared ahead of him. It reminded her of a shark, those whose bone structures prohibited them from turning.

"Do you always answer in one—" Before she could finish the sentence she unceremoniously lost her balance. She hadn't noticed that as they were speaking Sebastian accelerated his speed and she unconsciously tried to match his.

With an unusual reflex Sebastian grabbed her waist and steadied her before she fell on the cold floor. His hands were warm and big, fitting perfectly against her figure. He sighed before finally gazing down at her. "Massie, you need to be careful." His stare left her breathless, and made her body tingle.

Seeing that she was now well to her feet Sebastian continued on his way to gym, never once bothering to glance back at a purple-eyed female. After watching him walk away Massie turned around and went to her original destination: the library, a smile on her face. For some reason every time a guy touched her waist she got all jittery and her voice sometimes rose to a higher pitch. Maybe because when a guys touch a women there it is usually for a claim. That's why in movies before a guy kisses a girl he holds her waist. When Massie entered the library she couldn't help but hope the next time he grabbed her waist it would be to lean in and give her a kiss. If not, she could always "accidentally" fall into his lips. At the image Massie laughed, knowing Sebastian would probably be pissed.

"Shh!" The librarian hushed, giving her a pointed look.

Massie mouthed a sorry before sitting comfortably in a small one man couch. Taking out Jeanette's diary she stared at the red cover and opened it. She was hesitant to believe in werewolves. But maybe, just maybe, Jeanette could convince her.