3

I stopped the car immediately and turned towards Thomas, trembling all over with tears threatening to spill. It couldn't be that Apolo had doubts about me being his mate... It's impossible. Right?

Thomas looked at me calmly, without a trace of pity, completely composed.

"It must be something else," I muttered.

He took a deep breath.

"I'm not sure, little Anne, it was just a comment," he tried to calm me down, but it didn't work. "And we should leave because they're coming close," he whispered.

I looked at him, trying to steady the tremors in my body, nodded, and started the car. My eyes were teary; I'm so sensitive that anything affects me, I hate that about myself.

"We should stop for ice cream," he suggested.

Ice cream.

I scoffed.

"That'll calm you down," he added.

I rolled my eyes and, without responding, followed his suggestion, turning at a corner and stopping at the ice cream parlor. I noticed it was nearly empty and was thankful for that.

"I'm glad we're starting to get along," Thomas said, getting out of the car.

I did the same.

"You and I will never get along," I pointed out.

He chuckled sarcastically.

"We'll see," he muttered under his breath.

I gave him a dirty look but ignored it and we entered the ice cream shop, sitting at a table in the back.

"What flavor do you want?" he asked me.

"Strawberry," I said.

He raised an eyebrow at me.

I returned the gesture. He laughed and stood up to go get the ice creams. I checked my phone to see if Apolo had sent me any messages, but there was nothing. Can a wolf be wrong about finding their mate? I'm going crazy because Thomas mentioned that. Something that should have never come out of his mouth. Ugh.

Seconds later, Thomas appeared with two ice creams, placing mine in front of me and his beside it. I think it was... I have no idea, but it was light blue.

"What?" he inquired, looking at me.

"Nothing," I replied, licking my ice cream.

I was lost in my thoughts, thinking about how Apolo is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I had never fallen for someone like this before, in fact, I had never even had a boyfriend. Then he came along. With his honesty and charisma. So kind to everyone. I still remember the day he gave me the first kiss, it was a rainy day and I had been locked out of the house because my stupid brother forgot to leave me the key. Apolo rescued me, and there, in the rain, we looked into each other's eyes and kissed, a soft, timid kiss, so full of feelings. An explosion of emotions.

Thomas snapped his fingers in front of me to snap me out of the trance I had slipped into. I jumped a bit and then gave him a look of annoyance.

"Your ice cream is melting," he pointed out.

I looked at my hand, covered in drips. I felt my cheeks burn and wiped them with the small napkin.

"You were lost in space, huh?" he commented, crumpling his paper cup and tossing it into the trash.

I gave him a disdainful look.

"Thomas, do you have a problem with me?" I questioned abruptly. "Why do you pursue me? What do you want from me?" I bit into my ice cream.

He became serious, as if debating in his mind.

"I just want us to be friends," he smiled coyly. "You seem like an interesting person."

I squinted my eyes.

"Interesting? Most people would say I'm boring," I corrected him.

He shook his head.

"Interesting," he repeated.

I looked into his eyes, searching for any hint of mockery, something that would tell me Thomas was lying. But no, I found nothing; there was only transparency, sincerity. And considering I only met him yesterday, there's something about him that catches my attention. Sometimes I feel like I've known him for years. Is that normal? No, it's not.

My phone vibrated with a message notification. I read it immediately.

From: Apolo

I'm at your house. Where are you?

I stood up immediately.

"I have to go," I murmured.

Thomas followed suit.

"Was it him?" he asked. His eyes held a hint of... jealousy? No, impossible.

"Yes," I handed him my ice cream; he took it hesitantly. "I think you can make your way back alone."

I gave him one last look and left the ice cream shop, opening the door of my car and getting in. I started it and sped away from there.

Minutes later, I was at the front door of my house. I opened it, finding Apolo standing there with his arms crossed in front of me. I closed the door slowly; the atmosphere felt tense.

"I thought you were here," he commented, waiting for me to give an explanation.

I took a step towards him. I've never been good at lying, but I wasn't going to tell him I followed him.

"I stopped for ice cream," I offered a reassuring look. Besides, that was true.

He took a deep breath and walked towards the couch. My dad was never home, just like my mom. She was always traveling, and Dad didn't seem to care much about us.

Apolo was, like the past few days, strange. I felt him getting farther and farther away from me, so distant. And that was breaking me, he was doing it without even realizing... Or maybe he did, but just didn't care.

"Anne," he murmured my name but then hesitated, as if debating whether to tell me what was on his mind. "Forget it, it's just that I've been a bit stressed."

He sat on the couch and rubbed his face. He looked tired; his hair was messy, and I could see dark circles under his eyes. I approached him and sat next to him. I placed my hand on his, and the gesture made him look at me. It reassured me to see that he still looked at me the way he did the first time. I breathed a sigh of relief.

"I understand; I don't intend to take up your time..." I started saying, but he interrupted me.

"You're not, Anne. On the contrary, I enjoy being with you. It makes me feel good," he smiled faintly.

I smiled back and hugged him.

"Thank you for that," I whispered. He returned the hug.

I pulled back slightly, facing him. I looked at his lips. When he noticed my gesture, he did the same. I leaned in slowly until...

"Anne," he murmured.

I felt my heart stop for a millisecond and pulled back immediately.

An awkward silence followed that felt eternal. What's wrong with wanting to kiss my boyfriend? Please, someone tell me because honestly, I don't understand a damn thing.

"I have to go," he stood up and approached me. "See you in class tomorrow, okay?" He gave me a kiss... On the forehead.

I felt so foolish now. I smiled in farewell as I watched him open the door and leave. I slumped on the couch, and tears streamed down my face because I was hurt. It's the first time Apolo has denied me a kiss. And I have a feeling it won't be the last.

---

Carolina, Kenzie, and I were at our usual table in the cafeteria. The first day of school after summer felt... Lonely, not as interesting as previous years. The popular table where Paige used to sit was almost empty; only her friends with their boyfriends remained, but it wasn't the same without Kayler there... Not even a queen bee is as depressing.

Although, come to think of it, that queen bee could be Carolina, but knowing her, I doubt it. The guys were out training on the football field; the game was coming up, and they had to train hard. Will was also integrated into the team, as well as Thomas. I find it annoying.

"High school seems great," Kenzie said after finishing her lunch. "And you know what I like the most?" She looked at us. Carolina and I exchanged looks of confusion and then shook our heads, looking at her. "That there's no popular girl acting like she's all that."

Carolina and I exchanged a knowing glance.

"Of course, that's the good thing," Carolina said nervously as she sipped her soda.

I noticed the guys had arrived, wearing their playing uniforms and looking exhausted. I saw Apolo checking his cell phone as he walked, like the rest, towards us. I adjusted a strand of hair behind my ear and cleared my throat. Carolina playfully tapped my back.

I also noticed Thomas sitting at the... popular table? I opened my mouth in surprise but then closed it again. Kayler sat next to Caro and kissed her on the mouth. Connor did the same with Kenzie. Apolo sat next to me and kissed me on the forehead. Great.

"Who's the new guy?" Apolo asked, addressing Thomas, who was drinking an energy drink.

"Thomas," I blurted out unintentionally.

All five of them looked at me.

"How do you know him?" Caro asked me.

I opened my mouth to respond but could only manage to stammer.

"I... I ran into him... Today," I managed to say.

I felt Apolo's gaze on me.

Kayler took off his shirt, causing all the girls' eyes to land on him. I laughed; Carolina wouldn't like that.

I noticed she glared at him, and he just laughed it off.