"o you have everything?" Mom asked as I dragged my suitcase down the stairs.

"Snacks? Blankets? Sleeping bag? Phone?"

"Like I'd forget my phone, Dad." I rolled my eyes.

"Just double-checking."

Every bio class got the chance to go on a three day camping field trip to study wildlife and stuff. But the best part was missing three days of school. The worst part was the outdoors.

Honestly, I hated camping and I hated the woods. I wanted to shower and I wanted to eat real food and sleep in my own bed. And the bugs. Oh God, the bugs. It was kind of funny because I was a werewolf and werewolves were supposed to have some sort of connection with nature.

My parents dropped me off at the front door where everyone else was. As soon as I got there, a dead silence hushed over everyone, all eyes on me.

News spread fast that I was a werewolf. Of course, Mystic High was also revealed to be full of werewolves, but the only thing people were talking about was me and I didn't know why.

My eyes connected with Stella's, who quickly turned around and started talking to Nicole and Taylor.

Since I had no friends to talk with, I kept to myself.

When the buses came, everyone shoved each other to get in line first.

Since we had more than double the amount of people going on the trip (thanks to Mystic High), we had to take five buses instead of two.

I got on the bus last, which turned out to be the worst mistake of my life. I looked around to sit next to someone but everyone was either already sitting next to someone or they moved their bag so I couldn't sit next to them.

There was only one seat open; the one next to Roan.

I sighed loudly and made my way to the back of the bus.

"It just had to be you." Of all people, of all buses, I just had to sit next to Roan. Why did God hate me so much?

"Like I want to spend five hours sitting next to you." He mumbled, looking out the window. I just prayed I could last that long before I socked him in the nose.

The four buses infront of us drove away first, our bus following last.

I shut my eyes and tried not to listen in on other people's conversation. But that was kind of hard when I had super sensitive senses.

"I heard the machine just malfunctioned." Some girl was saying.

"Maybe she paid the people to do that for attention."

"Her friends dumped her as soon as they found out. I saw it happen."

Everyone was talking about me.

"Don't talk so loudly, she can hear you." Someone whispered-yelled and I winced.

"She's sleeping."

"No, she has werewolf hearing. I heard it's, like, the same as that guy's super advanced hearing in Daredevil."

I really wanted to open my eyes and tell them it was none of their damn business. But I didn't. I tried to calm down and drown their voices out by focusing on my own heartbeat.

After a brutal hour of trying to fall asleep, I finally sank into a deep sleep. I dreamed about Thanksgiving and turkeys and pie.

When I woke up, I could already smell the woodsy air.

I looked at Roan, who leaned his head on the window.

I wanted to ask him so many questions. To ask why he lied to me, to ask him why he wouldn't talk to me, to ask him when we were going to eat because I was starving.

But I didn't feel like talking about something so serious right now. Especially if he gave me the cold shoulder.

The drive down was pretty boring and when we finally got there, everyone raced to get out and go to the bathroom. I got my suitcase and tried to avoid everyone. I wished I'd gone on the Mystic High bus, that way I wouldn't feel like such a freak.

Ms. Weatherly and the other bio teachers clasped their hands around their mouths to try and round up everyone in their classes.

"Okay, everyone, after you've set up your tents, meet at the fire pit." She explained and I followed everyone to the main camping grounds.

I grabbed a tent from the box like everyone else and picked a spot to the side.

I looked at the instructions and tried to set up my tent but none of it was working.

I swore in frustration, wishing I could just go to Stella or Nicole and ask them to help me.

"Need some help?" Laurel walked over to me and took the black stick things in her hands. "Don't jam it in, you have to be patient," She explaned kindly and I watched as she successfully set up my tent in a couple of minutes.

"I'm sorry." I blurted and she cocked her head at me.

"For needing help?"

"No," God, this was so hard, "I was the one who put peanut butter in your locker. Not Stella."

She was quiet for a moment, so quiet that I could hear other people's conversations.

"Why?"

"I don't know." You do know. Just tell her, she deserves to know, "Because I'm stupid. I'm so, so stupid. And I'm so sorry."

She looked at me as if she were debating something. Probably debating whether to hate me or not.

"Lia, it's okay."

"What now?"

"I forgive you. But I think there's more to the story that you're not telling me."

I studied the ground, the rock in the dirt looking really interesting right now.

"Fine. I did it because- becauseIlikeAsher," I slurred quickly, "I thought if I did something to you it would be like getting revenge on him. But I see now that that's totally mean." And it wasn't fair to her, she did nothing.

Laurel didn't say anything, only standing up and wiping her hands on her jeans, "We should probably go to the fire pit now."

I stood up with her and followed, wondering why she'd ever forgive me.

.•*•.

Ms. Weatherly and the other bio teachers talked about the hike we were going on tomorrow and told us to get some rest. We were leaving at eight.

Everyone hung out by the fire pit so naturally, I hung out where everyone else wasn't.

I walked through the woods and found a calm spot on the rocks.

It was strange, being alone. I was so used to be around other people for so long that I forgot who I really was and who I always will be.

A werewolf.

My wolf strained to break free and run like the wind, jumping over hills and rolling in the grass. I haven't phased in a very long time, I've tried my best to suppress it. I've always craved to be normal like my friends but now that everyone knows about me. . .

I sighed loudly and traced the lines on the rock I was sitting on.

If I were born a normal human girl, none of this would've happened.

Why was my life such a mess?

Leaves crunched in the distance and my ears twitched.

"Who's over there?" I called out, listening for the heartbeat. Roan appeared from behind the trees, seemingly distant.

"It's just me."

"I can leave if you want." I started to get up but he shook his head.

"Look, I've gotta get something off my chest."

"What is it?"

He walked closer and sat down next to me.

"Remember when we met and you kicked me in the balls for no reason?" I smiled at the memory.

"Uh, there was a reason, a very good reason, but yeah. What about it?"

"You caught me at a bad time."

"When isn't a bad time for you?" I muttered and he rolled his eyes at me.

"I was angry because I'd just found out I wasn't a werewolf. My parents told me everything. They told me I'd never be able to lead the pack."

"But why? Your parents are both werewolves, right?"

"It was also the day I found out I was adopted." Roan's voice cracked a bit. Almost like he was ashamed.

"You're adopted?" My eyes bugged.

"Yeah."

"Do you know who your birthparents are?" Hopefully, that wasn't a touchy question for him.

"No."

"Why didn't you tell me you weren't a werewolf when I asked you?" I asked curiously.

"It was easier to just go along with it. I didn't want to tell you, I didn't want you to be disappointed." He admitted bluntly.

Wow, that tooks guts. Roan just told me the biggest secret of his life.

Roan and I were friends, I guess, and he told me the truth. The least I could do was tell my best friends the truth.

I looked at him and gave him a small smile, "Thanks for telling me. I thought you were mad at me or something."

"No, I could never be mad at you," He said playfully.

"And by the way, I could never be disappointed in you."

It was a beautiful day and a beautiful moment. The air was so fresh and everything was so quiet. It was refreshing.

Until I felt my phone buzz in my jean pocket. I took it out and my heart stuttered when my eyes met the screen.

It was a text from Asher.

Asher: Can we talk?