15

The next morning I woke up early, showered, dressed, and went downstairs for breakfast. Dad always made breakfast, he just made us waffles and coffee. Lucas was sitting eating breakfast with dad.

"Good morning, honey," my father greets me.

“Good morning Dad.”

“How did you sleep?”

"Fine, all normal.”

Breakfast was normal, the same morning talks. Lucas and I left the house, I noticed that Kessler's jeep was parked in front of his house. A half smile escaped my lips and I think Lucas noticed it.

"What are you laughing at?" He wanted to know.

“Me? You are insane. Let me tell you I'm going to go see Lottie after school.”

“She’s at home, remember that she was discharged last night. Even though Lottie just got out of the hospital she wanted to go back to school today. I hope not because she has to rest.”

“You surprise me, brother, I thought you would never fall in love.” I bothered him.

"I'm not in love, we're just friends," he reproached. Lucas was defensive.

"Yeah, okay, I believe you," I replied sarcastically. A car sped past us, and my heart beat faster when I knew it was Kessler.

"That boy doesn't make a good impression on me," Lucas tells me, "you shouldn't be his friend."

“Why?”

“Because they're strangers, Eva, and it's also clear that the guy has a girlfriend. Stay out of the wolf’s mouth, will you?” It was the last thing he said to me. We had arrived at the school and Lucas went ahead.

His sentence gave me chills.

I put those thoughts out of my head and moved on. I feel so alone in this place without Lottie, at least I thought she would be my partner. I looked for my classroom and entered, there was no one here yet, I was just the crazy one who came to the classroom before they rang the bell. I took out my notes and drew hearts on the sheet, I was so focused on Kessler that I didn't notice when someone sat next to me and spoke to me.

“God!” I put a hand to my chest. "Lottie!" When I looked at her I hugged her “I'm glad to see you here but aren't you supposed to be resting at home?”

“I really don't want to stay at home doing nothing. I get bored there, I preferred to come for a while even if it was.”

"I'm glad you're okay," I told her, remembering the state I found her in and the things she said to me.

"I am," she smiled, "just a little beaten because in the forest I fell several times and hit my head. But nothing serious” she said, taking the note from her “How are you doing?”

"Well..." I wanted to ask her but I was embarrassed, "...about what you told me yesterday, is it true?"

“What thing?” she asked.

“About the wolf.”

"Which wolf?" She looked at me confused. I didn't even know what to say.

“Well, yesterday you told me that the wolf had done that to you.”

She frowned, not understanding.

“I don't remember saying that. When I left the school I got lost in the woods and I got scared, so I ran and that's why I fell several times. I haven't seen any wolves.”

"Lottie... and the blood? The call to the police?” I wanted to know because I'm so confused.

“The blood has an explanation. Imagine there was a dead animal and I just fell on top of it, can you believe my bad luck? I think he was a wolf... that's why I told you. But nothing.”

"And the call?"

“I usually stay late in the library classroom reading or doing work and at that moment the power went out, I started to hear noises, I got scared, I even got locked in the library and that's why I called the police. But then I realized that actually a chair was blocking my exit so when your dad came he didn't find me.”

Lottie can't be telling me the truth, she... the way I found her. It's all very suspicious, it doesn't look like her...it's like she was brainwashed out of her. The bell rang and the students entered.

•

After a morning in class it was time for lunch.

"Shall we have lunch together?" Lottie asks me.

"Okay," I agreed.

“And your brother?” She asks me when we go out into the hallway.

"He must be in his classroom I guess," I replied. Lucas had to be in the same classrooms as Kessler and his group, I was envious of him because if I were with them at least I would be seeing him all the time. But it's obvious that Kessler is a year ahead of me. We entered the cafeteria, Kessler and Riley were at their table, his gaze stopped at me, I felt tickles in my stomach at that moment but then he pushed it away, what's more, I was shocked when he took Riley from her face and gave her a kiss.

Just when he knew I was watching them. I remained static not knowing what to do, not knowing what to think, I thought that what had happened last night was enough for him not to continue with her but I was wrong. Was it just the thrill of one night for him? Why does he act so distant with me? I can not understand it.

“Eve? Are you OK?” Lottie asks me.

"Yes." I took my tray and had a sandwich and juice for lunch. Lottie and I headed for a table near the glass window that overlooked the parking lot. "You're in another world," she tells me when we sit down.

I feel bad, I feel used, I feel stupid. How could I believe a boy like Kessler? I am delusional of the worst.

"I'm…thinking about what you told me to do earlier. I still do not believe it.”

“It sounds silly, I know, but it's the truth.”

I sighed deeply.

“Alright.”

"Can I sit with you?" I was surprised to see Lucas here.

"Okay," Lottie agrees, smiling, and they immediately started talking, leaving me aside. Apparently today everyone is ignoring me. Kessler made fun of me in the worst way, I hate it when a guy acts like a real jerk and he was, he definitely was. I ate my sandwich with no appetite. I will not give Kessler the pleasure of seeing me defeated. At the other table I watched Jon with two of his friends, they were just talking.

"Jon," I murmured, like he was the solution to all my problems. As if he was listening to me, which is impossible, Jon looked from him to me and smiled at me. I smiled back. Jon stood up and addressed me. I hope Lucas doesn't make me a jealous scene because Jon sits down to talk to me.

"Hello, Miss Bailey," he greets me, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

"Hi Jon, how are you doing?"

“Good. Congratulations, you managed to find your friend.”

Lucas and Lottie were talking so animatedly that they didn't pay any attention to us.

"Yes, it was lucky.”

"I knew you would make it without my help."

"Where did you get lost yesterday? I didn't see you again.”

“I had to leave unexpectedly” he scratched the back of his neck nervously “Problems at home.”

"Okay." My gaze went to a scratch Jon had on his arm, it was almost visible because he was wearing a jacket. Jon lowered his arm quickly to hide it. I didn't want to say anything so as not to sound nosy.

"Do you want to go to a party tonight?" He proposes to me.

“Where to?”

“Here is a very popular place where parties are held almost every day. Today we celebrate the day of the independence of the people.”

"I understand... well, let me ask dad."

"I'll pick you up around eight anyway." He smiled.

I smiled at him. I looked for Kessler with my eyes and he was looking at me, I immediately looked away. I never thought that my first time having sexual intercourse was a disaster because, even though it was very special and beautiful, it was all a lie and I fell for it like a fool.

“Eva, can I ask you a favor?” He asks me.

I looked at him and nodded.

“Don't trust Kessler.”

I swallowed thick.

“Why?” I asked in a small voice.

"Because Kessler is an expert at fooling people. He has that gift, especially with women.” He confessed. I looked out the window feeling guilty and foolish. Lottie had warned me the same thing just a few days ago and I hadn't paid attention to her words.