(Ethan’s POV)
I swallowed a bit of air as I lowered my gaze at Izobel’s plump lips. She has no lipstick, but her lips were glossy because of the lip gloss she had on. I glanced at her eyes, and I was taken aback by how she was looking at me intensely. The pupils in her eyes intensified that I could not help breathing on her, wanting to move closer to her face. An inch away from her, I looked again at her mouth. She has this magnet, a type of magnetic force that draws me closer to her.
Half an inch. My heart was thumping against the inside of my chest.
I could feel her breathing against my face, making me more drawn into her. I could not focus on anything else, only on her lips.
“Ethan Wilson!” exclaimed Ms. De Leon, catching us both off guard. I turned my direction to our teacher, and she was giving us a look, and her raised eyebrows warned me to explain myself.
I brushed my hand through my hair, blushing, and faked a grin. “Ms. De Leon, I was studying temperature shifts that occurred during a chemical reaction.”
She made a snorting sound. “By attempting to kiss your lab partner?”
Everyone in the class shifted their gaze in our direction. I glanced at Izobel, and surely all her blood seemed to reach her face. She was so red of embarrassment. Beneath the table, I could see her hands clenched into a fist like she was ready to punch me.
She looked down and did not move an inch until the class was over. When the bell rang, she immediately stood up and dashed out of the room. Good heavens, she walked fast that I had to run to catch up with her.
“Izobel, I’m sorry!” I said, catching my breath. “I did not mean to embarrass you there,”
She suddenly stopped walking, and I almost bumped into her. She turned around, her eyes glazing over me that I made one step back. It was quite threatening, and I swear her looks made goosebumps rise on my arms that I shivered.
“If you don’t want to get hurt, Ethan, stop following me, and don’t you ever talk to me again!” She hissed, then she turned her back on me and climbed down the stairs.
“You heard the lady, eh!” Nolan chuckled, putting his arm on my shoulder. I irked, shoved his arm away, and walked down the stairs, too, but not follow Izobel. I turned in the direction of the locker room and changed for the basketball practice.
---
I went to the gym earlier in the hopes that my annoyance would subside. I growled as I missed three shots on the ring already. My anger to myself distracted me from shooting the ball through the hoop. When the ball fell to the floor, Nolan scooped it up and dribbled the ball as he ran in my direction.
“So, what exactly is going on with this Izobel girl?” He asked, passing the ball to me. When I caught the ball, I dribbled it a few times before shooting it through the hoop again. This time, it made through the ring, but still, I was not happy. Remembering how angry Izobel had been made me more furious. I could not believe I had let that happen.
Nolan went for the ball again, but this time he did not hand it over to me. In the distance, he positioned himself to shoot the ball, and it made its way through the ring. “Have mercy on the poor girl, Ethan. Do you think Anastacia would let this go if she finds out you’ve been following Izobel around like crazy?”
It was my turn to chase after the ball. I scooped it as it fell from the hoop, but I did not give it to him. Instead, I jogged to the other half of the court while dribbling. We were still early for the practice, so I went here to be alone. On the other hand, Nolan was like Anastacia, not letting go of things unless they knew what was going on.
He ran slowly, matching my pace, but he did not attempt to get the ball from my possession.
“What’s happening with you?” He asked, grinning at me.
I scowled at him, but he ignored me. As I positioned myself to shoot the ball in the ring, he practiced shooting, bending down and popping up with his legs as he shot an imaginary ball in his hand.
“I’m not sure...” I really don’t know what was happening to me. I was utterly baffled at my actions. I almost kiss her in class a while ago. She must be furious at me and for this day. Her first day at school appeared to be riddled with humiliation, and what annoyed me was that I took part in ruining her day, perhaps making her day miserable.
I ran to get the ball that bounced on the floor and passed it to him. He started walking as he dribbled, then attempted to shoot the ball. It bounced on the rim but failed to go through the net.
“You like her?” He asked, running after the ball.
“I can’t like her,” I uttered, realizing I did not move. Nolan, my cousin, and my best friend knew that I could not like anyone else right now.
“But you like her?” Nolan will not let this go unless I give him my honest answer. When I didn’t answer, he tapped my shoulder. “I can’t, and I don’t are two different answers, Ethan,” He dribbled the ball again but did not move from his place. “You are trying to restrict yourself from liking her. Just like Anastacia...”
My forehead creased as I shook my head. “You know that my relationship with Anastacia is-” I stopped because I could not find the right words to say.
“Temporary?” He chuckled as he sat down in the middle of the basketball court.
'Temporary’ I planned to break up with her this summer, but she threatened me she would commit suicide if I did that. Delaying the breakup for another month wouldn’t be so bad until our new neighbor came to Springville Town.
I was unsure of the word, but I was convinced that our relationship would not continue long. “Something like that,” I said, unsure of the word. I could not picture my life with her forever if that word even existed.
Nolan burst out laughing as he watched me walking closer to him.
“Are you saying that Izobel might be the one? Permanent?” He shook his head, smiling smugly at me. “Dude, clear your head, okay?”
My jaw clenched, giving him a frosty look. I sat beside him and checked on my basketball shoes, untied them, and tied the shoelace again.
“She’s nothing special, okay?” I scowled, but somewhere within me was screaming about my unknown feelings for her. I did not look at Nolan. I focused on my tying my shoelace.
“What’s in her, by the way?” He asked again. I tilted my head to glance at him, trying to find out if he was mocking me or he was as curious as I was.
“What do you mean?” My eyes narrowed.
He shrugged his shoulders. “Have you seen how bubbly her twin sister was?” He had a sly grin on his face. “They went by Dad’s office yesterday afternoon to get the key to their house,” He explained. “And I can see why you’re so into her. They had the same outfit yesterday... you know, white mini dress, both hair down flowing freely at their back, no eyeglasses... and...” He sighed. “Doñas de Fuera,”
‘Women from elsewhere,’ I said as I translated his description of the twin. Nolan must be insane to make such a ridiculous comparison of them to supernatural female beings, and he must have said that since they were both beautiful and wearing a white dress.
“But Izobel was quiet, aloof, and would mostly talk only to her Mom.” Nolan continued. “I was actually surprised with her style this morning, but maybe she’s really different from Amber,”
I stood up. “Why are we talking about them anyway?” I tried to show that I was not interested.
He laughed and got to his feet as well. “First and foremost, you’re upset because of Izobel. Second, you almost kissed her in the class. Lastly, even if you deny it, you’re here thinking of her, but you’re well aware that you won’t be able to have her.” He walked and dribbled the ball, and then he turned to me. “Dude, stay away from her,” He reminded me as he passed the ball to me. “Either you will get hurt, or you will wind up hurting her,”
(Izobel’s POV) Alaric, my Dad, looked surprised when he saw me coming home early. His eyes flickered at the time in the vintage wooden wall clock mom had bought when we lived in Germany years ago, and then he arched his eyebrows to give me a once-over.‘Everything alright, baby?’ He asked without opening his mouth. He was sitting still in the dark grey leather egg lounge chair with a newspaper in his hands. If he didn’t pretend to breathe, he could pass as a gorgeous ultra-realistic mannequin sitting in our living room. I shook my head, but my face could tell it all. I plonked my bag and books on the floor as I plopped lazily on the couch. “These Gen Z peeps are making me crazy,” I said aloud.“Hmm...” He murmured, his eyes squinting. “You never complained in the past before,” He put down the newspaper and studied me like I was a shrink’s patient lyin
(Izobel’s POV)I was lost in my thoughts when I saw Mrs. Benson write the word werewolf in all capital letters on the board. I winced, looking at our teacher in Sociology. When she entered the classroom a while ago, I found her cute, even in her plump body shape. She has this curly brown hair that matches her round face, and her dimples appear when she smiles. I think she even looked pretty in her red dress, but when she started to talk about something they all considered as a myth or folktales, I now see her an apple talking in front of the room. ‘Why are we talking about a werewolf? Am I in the wrong class?’ I asked Amber sitting across the room. On our second day in school, she was already one of the popular girls, a part of Anastacia’s group. Meanwhile, I enjoyed the popularity of someone who needed to find a vacant chair to sit on in my every class, and at times if I’m lucky, I would be bullied.
(Izobel’s POV)Julia lived in a villa on the hillside, with no houses nearby but trees, so I bet only the animals and the insects would complain of the overpowering music blasting from their home. When we arrived, I was pretty much sure her parents were not home because from the lawn to the pool, and seemingly even inside the house, there were guests as if she had invited half of the population of the students in our school. The wall-sized transparent glass windows and doors proved that almost everyone was having a blast from her party. “Will you be alright here?” Daddy asked, glancing at the people inside as he stopped the car outside the gate of their house.“Of course, Daddy!” Amber answered, her eyes twinkling, and her heartbeat could not hide she was excited about the party. She knew the question was not meant for her, but she wanted to assure him, we would be okay.Dad looked at her. “You t
(Izobel’s POV)Slowly, I made my way to the far corner of the room and watched everyone in horror as they gathered in a circle with an empty bottle in the center. Nolan approached me, and I jerked as he yanked me at my arm, pulling me to follow him and join the others.“Don’t be a killjoy, Izobel,” He said, smirking at me and telling everyone to move to give us space. I heaved a deep sigh as I sat down, hugging my knees and avoiding looking at the others. I stopped aging at eighteen, but Amber and I were supposed to be the responsible adults here in this group, but I would sound like a conservative teenager. I would probably be the center of bullying if I reprimanded them for stopping this.They reeked alcohol, but I was just glad no illegal drugs were involved. My eyes met Amber’s, but I wouldn’t hear it even if she apologized because I had no intention of mind linking with her. I was too mad right now for ma
(Izobel’s POV)‘Amber, help!’ I screamed, crying in silence as I was breathing heavily. I had witnessed Connor and Amber when they shapeshifted the first time, and though it has brought excitement to the family, they transformed in the woods, not inside an old wardrobe closet with a handsome guy who had no idea he would die tonight. I remembered my siblings crying, screaming as their bones snapped and stretched until they turned into a wolf completely.My golden yellow eyes radiate, creating the eyes of a hunter, and I could see Ethan as my sight turned into an excellent night vision. I could see him on the other corner of the closet, his head leaning on the wood, eyes closed.‘I’m here, Izobel. Relax... I can’t hear you! Unblock me, Izobel! What’s happening with you?’ Her voice was in a panic, too.Why can’t she hear me?I took a deep breath, mind linking with
(Ethan’s POV)Everyone outside was surprised when I opened the door opened. My eyes narrowed as I searched for Anastacia, but she was already gone. I glared at Julia, surprised when she saw the scratch wound on my arm. I pursed my lips, feeling the tingling pain from it.“Julia, how dare you send someone inside that old cabinet. I was just glad it was me, but what if Izobel was hurt instead of me?”I turned to Izobel, hugging her knees, and I walked back to her. My forehead furrowed, feeling confused with how she reacted when she saw my wound, and I wanted to assure her that it was nothing but a scratch from the protruded nail that was loosened from the wood material of the cabinet. It horrified me that if Izobel had moved to me a little, she would have gotten hurt. I crouched down, facing her.“Hey!” I said, placing my hands on her knees.When she raised her head, I saw how horrified she was that inst
(Izobel’s POV)I rested my head at the backrest of the car as soon as I plopped myself in. Ethan looked at me, and I really didn’t care right now if he was saying something or not. This is all new to me, and perhaps even if I linked with Amber, she has no answer to my million questions.The ride home was quiet, and even Nolan was silent. Either he was drunk or not in the mood to make jokes at this dead wee hours. When Ethan stopped the car, we were already in front of the house. I opened the car and walked straight to the porch without looking at them. I heard Amber thanking Ethan for bringing us home, but she did not talk to Nolan.The door was open, so I assumed our father was still awake. It still amused me that he would still wait for us even if he knew Amber and I were not ordinary eighteen-year-old teens. When I pushed the door, the living room was dark, but I could see my parents well. My eyebrows raised when I saw mom pacing
(Izobel’s POV)This was the first time Connor did not bully me in eighty years. They were all just standing in my bedroom, staring at me and listening to my cry. They could pass a portrait or an ultra-realistic mannequin because they were not moving.‘What happened, Alaric?’ Mom asked worriedly.Dad did not answer.‘Shall we go to school, or should we just stay home?’ Amber asked as she looked at the window, staring at Ethan, who had just gotten up from bed. I turned my eyes in the same direction. I saw Ethan sitting on his bed, massaging his forehead, and turned his gaze on the window, but it was only for a short while. His two hands were on his head now, so I think his head must be aching right now.‘I’m sorry, Izobel. I had to erase his memory last night. He won’t remember a thing, so you have nothing to worry about,’ Dad assured me, making my