The Ember In The Dark

We headed out of the nurse's office and toward the cafeteria. We grabbed some tray lunches, eyes still very much on us. We're still the talk of the school.

We headed outside with our food where I spotted Toni sitting at a blue picnic table around a large fountain. He was smiling, and talking with some friends. A lot of them wore letterman jackets. Micheal was amongst the group, making me question Toni's judgment. Rachel was sitting at the fountain surrounded by her own friends, but still close to Toni's area.

"I'll go sit with Rachel. You sit with Toni. We'll still be close, but actually sitting with the people we want." I told Ash.

"You sure you don't want to sit by Toni?" He sang his name, teasing me. I poked his side hard. "Ouch, okay. Sorry." We went our separate ways to our group.

"Ember!" Rachel called me over. I smiled at her, making my way toward her. "Everyone, this is Ember. That's her twin Ash.” She pointed at Ash who was now sitting beside Toni being introduced like me. "Ember this is Autumn.”

Rachel pointed to a girl with orange red hair. It was barely above her shoulders and was very wavy. She wore a black short sleeve turtleneck shirt under her brown overall dress. She really fit her name. "This is Josh."

Rachel pointed to a guy with a small blue mohawk that matched the color of his eyes. He wore jeans with suspenders hanging off the sides, a white shirt, and a black jacket. He nodded at me and I nodded back.

"This is his girlfriend Dawn." Rachel added.

Dawn had long straight hair that was cut with many layers. Her hair was a dark blue with streaks of dark matte purple. Her eyes were hunter green and intense. She had a bad case of resting bitch face. She wore ripped, baggy black jeans, and a white shirt with black stripes

"Finally, this is Leti."

Leti had dark black hair that curled wildly around her head. She had beautiful skin, dark with a golden undertone. Her eyes were a light hazel and she had a small mole on her upper right cheek. She seemed sweet like Rachel, giving me a smile that I reciprocated. She wore gold hoop earrings and a long sleeve dark green dress.

"Sit and eat.” Rachel patted the spot beside her.

"Thanks." I said taking my seat beside her. I started eating, as Rachel and her friends talked.

"Dude, no. I told you that the concert was going to suck. I mean you saw the lineup. It wasn't worth it to me." Josh spoke to Leti.

"Well that one band was worth the 3 awful ones to me." She defended.

"I'm with Leti." Autumn sided.

"I'm with Josh.” Dawn added, wrapping her arms around his.

I'm not sure I like Dawn very much. She gives me poser vibes and she seems the crazy jealous type. "Well Rachel. What do you think?" Josh asked

All eyes went to her and I could tell she didn't want that responsibility. She gave me a cheeky smile and I shook my head, realizing what she was planning.

"I think we should hear from the new member of the group. I'm sure Ember has an opinion.” I almost choked on my drink.

"That prep. I doubt it." Dawn muttered.

She called me a prep. What a fucking insult.

"What was the band that you guys felt was worth it?" I asked Leti and Autumn. I want to side with them, but I also won't just say they are right if I don't agree.

"Never shout never." Leti responded and I winced.

"Leti no." I acted hurt. "I so wanted to be on your side too.”

Everyone laughed at my last comment.

"I approve of our new member.” Josh smiled at me and I smiled back.

Dawn gave me a scowl and I heard a growl from the picnic table. Toni was looking at Josh for a moment. Ash was smiling at me and I rolled my eyes at him. Toni got up and Ash followed closely behind.

"We need to talk.” Toni told me, standing down. He was even more handsome in the sunlight.

"I've come to meet new friends.” Ash said happily. He sounded so innocent. He's just like a child, I swear. "Just till Ember gets back. I don't wanna cramp her style.” Ash joked.

I poked his side again. I do that when he annoys me, and he’s been annoying me a lot today it seems. He rubbed the spot, saying ouch.

"Oh hush." I scolded him as I got up and started to follow Toni.

"Everyone, this is Ash.” I could hear Rachel start to introduce him.

"Listen, I told you that you're my mate. I know that you don't have your wolf, so this probably doesn't mean much to you, but could you please not test my wolf in front of everyone? He's really possessive and strong. I'm still learning to control him." I felt slightly annoyed at his words. "Excuse me? How did I openly test your wolf?" I crossed my arms and arched my eyebrow.

"Flirting with that guy.” He signaled to Josh with his hand.

"First of all, I just met the guy. I am not so daring as to flirt with someone I just met. On top of that he has a girlfriend. Literally the girl right next to him. Secondly, just because you feel like you have some claim on me doesn't mean you actually do. You don't get to tell me what to do. Learn to control yourself. I'm not responsible for your wolf." I was annoyed.

I started to walk away but Toni grabbed my wrist, turning me back around. His touch alone was starting to melt away the annoyance I was feeling at him.

"I'm sorry. That's not what I meant." He let go of my wrist, hanging his head. "I just don't know what to do. Reep is going crazy in me and seeing you smile at him just drove him mad. You're right though it isn't your responsibility. I'm not trying to tell you what to do.” He sighed. "I'm just having a hard time. I'm sorry I bothered you.”

Damn it, Toni. I rolled my eyes and sighed letting the annoyance fade away completely.

"I forgive you. I understand what you're saying. Charles will sometimes come to my mom at random times and just hug her real tight, inhaling her scent to calm his wolf, Gunner. Apparently feeling your mate close helps calm-"

Toni grabbed my wrist and pulled me flush against his chest. He wrapped his arms around me and rested his face in the nape of my neck, inhaling deeply. My body was on fire, yet cool at the same time. My heart felt like it was going to burst from my chest. I feel like my eyes are going to roll back in my head from how good he smells. After a few seconds he pulled away.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that, but you're right, it calmed Reep down."

I cleared my throat, fighting down the blush that crept on my face.

"You're right you shouldn't have done that.” I quickly turned, too embarrassed to keep looking at him.

That was the first time a non relative hugged me that tightly. I walked towards Ash and Rachel, not sparing a glance behind me.

"That seemed steamy." Ash teased me, wiggling his eyebrows.

"I'll beat you to a pulp later if you keep it up." I threatened him and he shut up.

"I'd pay to see that.” Josh chuckled. "You're so small compared to him."

"Yet she beats my ass every time.” Ash hung his head as he walked back to Toni's table.

"I love you, Twinkie." I yelled after him.

His head perked back up, and he turned around smiling at me.

"Ha! I love you too Twinkie." He pointed at me with both his hands. He's a goof.