today. My life is already a mess, but waking u

s. Lucky for me, the woods are right behind our house, so it's not a long walk back. S

r, knocking gently. It's almost a routine a

Her face was a mix of sadness and pity, a look I'

whispered, sh

lood. I froze as she stared at her fingers, her expr

embling, "there's blood on yo

tight, and I could feel her fear

for school before someone sees you,"

y," I mumbled, r

on my arms. My mind raced. What did my wolf side do this time? Did she... kill someone? I didn't want to believe

school uniform, and grabbed my bag. As I

en't eat

er worried gaze and heading out the door

ay, and as usual, the boys were playing basketball i

as possible. By the time I made it to the courtyard, the crowd was loud, the

rs, waving me over. Grateful for the f

nce slipping. Before I hit the groun

snapped, glaring

smile. "Oh, sorry, Mia," she said in the most insincere

fired back, her eyes narro

shrugged. "I don't know

ause she's prettier, better, and, let's be honest, way more likable th

thinking about the paper I'd seen tucked into Laila's notebook yesterday. I never got the chance t

something

s okay. It was my fault. I didn

e firm. "She stuck out her leg on purpose to m

d, trying to diffuse the

t go? She's just mad because

!" I hissed, c

ard shifting from the basketball game to our brewing confrontation. The noise aro

ll out, but my mind kept circling back to

ing me that? And what

in frustration. Can you just

ust my thoughts-it was her. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my emot

rd Maya's voice in my head. It was sharp,

My mom had suggested I name her to make it easier to talk about

ed something toxic, something dangerous-and that's when she took control. This

ya's voice was condescending, filled with anno

m not a weakling," I m

h mockery. Then why don't you just let me take

y mind, and I could pra

e some peace? I said, t

ry loud I know she wasn't happy with what I said, I hadn't meant for her to hear that. I wa

ng to you, i r