I've never been one for having any friends, and I can honestly say that I never thought I'd have any, either. But, these guys are managing to weasel their way into my heart. And, somehow, Cole's question retaining to his new nickname has kind of shaken me up a little. Never in a million years did I think anyone would even want to talk to me, let alone care enough to ask me for a nickname. It's stupid, I know, but I can't help it.

Now I'm left contemplating a new nickname for my new friend, buddy, mate, pal . . . chum.

Okay, I really need to get used to this.

How do you even come up with a nickname for someone named Cole? Isn't their name short enough? Well, I guess it doesn't have to shorten it, considering they have their own pet names for me that don't exactly shorten mine. I guess it could be something funny. So, I decide to speak my thoughts.

"Um... Cole, I don't know how to give you a nickname. Your name's already short enough. I could call you something funny. Hey, what about Coca Cola or Coly Poly or Coleslaw, maybe Coco? Or maybe even Colgate, you know, like the toothpaste." I'm firing off suggestions before I can even process them myself. Though, once I've had enough time to process my suggestions, I come to the conclusion that I'm a genius. Those names are freaking dope. My face is expressionless. Because, frankly, those are the best damn nicknames I've ever heard.

They don't seem to think the same, though. Because I'm pretty sure they all bust a nut laughing their asses off. Their cackling can be heard throughout the cafeteria. And if people weren't staring at us before, they sure as hell are now. They go on like this, practically wheezing, for what feels like hours. Though they all seem to stop as soon as they take one look at my face and realize I'm completely serious. Their faces go impossibly red.

That's right. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

"Wait, you were serious?" Cole asks, suprised.

"Did you think I was joking? Those names are genius," I answer honestly.

"Holy shit, dude! Coly Poly, that's fucking hilarious!" Xavier starts to chuckle once again. I send him a small glare, to which he chuckles and winks at. I roll my eyes.

You can never win with these kids, can you?

I suppose not.

"You do realize you look like an adorable little kitten when you glare, right?" Ash questions me mockingly. I look down and blush in response. These idiots can make me blush at anything can't they?

"Hell yeah she does. Why do you think I call her kitten?" Cole responds to him with another question, completely disregarding the fact that I look like a tomato, and Xavier just made fun of my genius nicknames.

"Ugh. You guys suck! That's better than you could come up with. Either way, those are the only choices you get, so take or leave it. And since I'm feeling generous, even after you guys made fun of me, I'll let you pick out of my amazing selection," I say.

"Fine, fine. I guess out of those," he fake coughs, "amazing choices, I'll have to choose Coco. It seems like the least painful to endure being called," Cole decides. I choose to disregard the fact that he just insulted my genius, again, and put on my best smile.

"Well, Coco, I'd say that's a wonderful choice," I respond.

It's at that moment the bell decides to ring. Somehow, throughout our conversation, we managed to make time to actually eat. We throw away our trash and make our way to sixth period. We don't have to split up and can all walk to this class together because we all share this period.

We make it to the gym, and I find myself in a large, open basketball court with blue bleachers. The bleachers are pushed against the wall, out of the way. Students are lingering around, mingling and conversing with their friends.

The four of us spend the rest of our passing period sharing with each other how our day is going so far. And I can honestly say that I've never been so happy to partake in meaningless conversation. They can make even boring things exciting. The bell rings, signalling passing period is over and class has started. I look around seeing the last of the students file into the gym. The teacher still hasn't arrived. I still catch the wandering eyes of my new classmates, and I can tell that it's going to be the new normal.

Teenagers.

I roll my eyes.

"Kitten, what are you rolling your eyes about?" Coco asks.

"Oh, nothing. I'm just not used to so many people staring. That's all," I answer.

"Well that's a surprise, baby girl. You're literally, like, the most gorgeous person ever. How could they not?" Ash sounds genuinely confused. I just shrug and blush, something that seems to be occurring a lot lately.

I can faintly hear the girls gossiping about the 'new teacher'. And out of nowhere, we see a man walk into the room, like he just appeared out of thin air. Weird.

I hear a low grumbling come from the guys, and I can tell the teacher heard it, too, because he looks directly at the guys and smirks like he's just won a battle or something. Confused, I turn to look at them, and I lift a quizzical brow as if to say, "The hell's wrong with you?" They each give me a look, silently answering my question with a, "Nothing, don't worry about it." I turn back around to face the new arrival.

And I can say that if he wasn't wearing a gym uniform and holding a clipboard, I would've thought him to be a student. Well, not actually. He seems just a little too old to be a student, but definitely too young to be a teacher. He has brown shaggy hair, and from my distance away from him, I can just slightly tell that he has grey eyes. He has a pretty muscular build, but he isn't as big as Xavier. He's handsome, I'll admit. Though, he couldn't possibly hold a candle to my guys.

Come on, Avelyn, we've went over this. They're not your guys, and they never will be. They don't like you like that. You're not good enough; you're a monster.

I can see all of the girls swoon.

Oh please, he's attractive. I'll give him that, but he's not that good looking.

Well, at least they'll keep their muggy eyes off of Xavier, Cole, and Ashton. I honestly don't know why I'm so jealous, but my "tattoos" seem to buzz in agreement.

Without even looking at the class, he starts to call off names for attendance. The students will reply with a 'here' or 'present', with the occasional schoolgirl-giggle.

He reads off the guys' names and they each answer with grunt: their way of announcing they're present. I don't know who shoved a stick up their asses, but I do wish mercy on the unlucky soul that has to pull them out. I unconsciously shiver.

I hope that it's not me. I've never even had a friend before, but even I know that's not a good way to start a new, budding friendship . . .

Finally, he gets to my name. I just realized: Why the hell aren't these names in alphabetic order? Who organized them, a child?

"Avelyn Gravaldi?" He calls. I don't really like the way it rolls off of his tongue. His voice is filled with a certain cold-like malice. And the way he says it makes me feel like I'm some cheap whore.

"Because you are."

My mother's voice taunts me.

"Here," I reply in a soft voice. Almost too soft for even my own ears. My mother's crude and taunting remarks never fail in making me feel like a useless child.

Somehow he heard me, and he finally lifts his head. He looks me directly into the eyes, as if peering into my soul. But in the worst kind of way. It feels like he is picking me apart, trying to find the answer to a silent question. He inhales, his nostrils flaring, and it seems like he's found the answer. He gives me a sly smirk, like he knows all of my deepest, darkest secrets. The tattoo on my wrist starts to burn a little. I have no clue why, but I slightly shiver from a feeling that I can only only describe as disgust. If I wasn't scared before, I sure as hell am now. Who even is this guy?

"Okay, class, my name is Ian Brown, but you can call me Mr. Brown. I'll be your new gym teacher. You're old one, Mr. Chadwick, I believe, has retired. Today we'll be running laps. This will not be an easy class. Don't think you can just get by without participating. The old teacher might have let you slack off last year, but not me. Now, everyone go to the locker rooms and get dressed I'm the outfits you were sent over the summer. Miss Gravaldi, please stay a moment. I'd like to have a word." He finishes his speech looking directly at me.

To be completely honest, I forgot about the guys. Well, that is until a few almost inaudible growls emit from their firm and muscular chests.

"She's not going anywhere with you," Ash snarls to the creep that is Mr. Brown.

"Oh, but why not? Is it because you've already sunk your filthy paws into her, you dog?" Ian taunts.

I'm so confused. What the hell does he mean by 'dog' and 'paws'? And why does it seem like they have some sort of feud between them?

"No, but I will sink them into your throat and slice you open," Xavier growls.

Did... did he just threaten a teacher? Is that even allowed? What's happening? Ian doesn't even seem to care that he was threatened and decides to further taunt my new companions.

"Oh no! I'm so scared! Pl-please don't h-hurt me," he fake pleads, adding a chuckle at the end for good measure.

"Keep your filthy fangs away from her, you blood sucker," Cole snarls.

Is he calling Mr. Brown a vampire? What the hell am I missing here? And why do I feel like this is some sort of bad Twilight remake?

"Oh please, little pup, it's not like any of you could stop me. Plus, she smells so sweet. So innocent and pure. Her kind always have the best tasting blood. And something tells me that she would taste even more divine than the rest. Because she's not like the rest. She's special, rare. She's more pure than any I've ever seen, met, or smelt. And she's hot as hell, too. God, she'd be so fucking delicious." Mr. Brown's eyes seem to roll into the back of his head for just a moment. His nostrils flare while he takes a big inhale of breath and lets out a low moan/hiss. He opens his eyes once more, looking directly at me.

Okay! What the actual shit is happening right now?! I cringe and back up a little under his strong, heated gaze. His grey eyes don't look so grey anymore--more like a liquid silver that flows with a terrifying want and desire.

"What do you mean 'her kind'?" Xavier questions, jaw clenched.

Ian seems to snap out of his daze for a moment, and he looks around. It's at this moment I realize that everyone has officially exited the gym and are now changing in the locker rooms. He turns his attention back to Xavier to answer him.

"Wait, are you telling me you don't know what she is? I could smell it on her the moment I walked into the room. Though, at the time, I didn't realize just how special she was until I looked into her eyes and heard her voice. She's a powerful little one, too. She's rare. Fucking delicious."

"Will someone please tell me what the hell is going on?!" I finally decide to speak.

"Hold on, are you saying you don't know what they are either? Oh damn, this shit is fucking priceless!" Ian exclaims.

He turns towards me. "Well, sweet cheeks, your little friends here are werewolves."

He then directs his gaze back to the boys. "And your little girlfriend over here is an angel. But not just any angel, a guardian angel."

Holy. Mother. Freaking. Llama. Shit.

What just happened?

____________________________________

Welp. That escalated quickly. I didn't even realize what I was writing until I finished. But hot damn, shit just got real! Let me know if I made any mistakes. And as always, until next time...

Sincerely,

The Annoying Author Lady