Chapter 157

I was definitely not over thinking it, we hadn't even gotten halfway to the creek yet and I was already panting with exertion, my side stinging.

Dale hadn't come to school today which was a little weird because he had been looking forward to the trip, I would ask him about it later.

We had met Shana at the parking lot, Jaxon had driven her to school even though she pretty much knew how to drive but she hadn't gotten her license yet.

She was steaming mad, as expected while Jax was all smile and toothy grins, ruffling my hair much to Virgil's unhappiness.

"If I have to take another step, my heart is going to stop." I threaten Mae and Shana who has been putting up with me all morning.

Buses had taken us to the edge of the woods and then we had started the trip.

Jhené had been at her descriptive best, pointing out the different species of plants, it wasn't hard to tune her out.

Naturally we had fallen behind and now even more as my body threatens to give out on me, it' really not fair for Werewolves to have much stronger bodies than the average human, even petite little Nina was having the time of her life, her round face ruddy with life.

Shana and Mae stop as well with my dramatic declaration, concern written on their faces.

"I have no idea why you pushed yourself to come along." Shana scolds, still clearly remembering what happened the last time I had gone hiking.

"Mae, you should hurry up along, I'll take Hayden home then catch up with you guys at the creek." She says, taking my hand.

I give her a skeptical look. "Can you meet up?"

Mae gives me a smug smirk. "She can, see you later Hay!" She waves to me, hurrying up to catch up with the rest.

"I'd rather shave my hair than do this, so you're going to be the one to talk to Jaxon." She grumbles, bringing out her phone to dial up her older brother.

"Hi, Jaxie." I huff breathlessly into the phone, when he picks.

"Hayden?" He calls in surprise, a frown etching his tone. "Where's tha… I mean, where's Shana?"

"She's right here, um, could you give me a ride to the Pack House?" I ask shyly.

"Sure!" I hear rustling like he's getting up. "Where are you guys? Are you at school?" He asks quickly without wasting time and I hear the distinct jingling of keys.

"No, we're at the woods, we'll wait at the hiking trail." I suggest.

"That's fine, meet you in five."

Shana gives me an odd look that I can't help questioning.

"What's wrong?" I ask curiously.

She just turns around and crouches slightly, shaking her head. "Nothing, get on."

I do so without question because Shana looks like she's about to spank me and I'm not about to push her anymore than necessary.

"I've never understood your rift with Jaxie." I say softly, making conversation as she easily strides across the forest floor that's no doubt littered with hidden roots and rocks covered up by leaves, I should know because I had tripped on a lot of them while coming.

She shrugs, making a noncommittal sound. "Maybe its a sibling thing, he has always picked on me and although he's much older now I don't feel like he's changed much." She says generically.

I try to think, imagining how it would be to have a sibling, it was really hard because I don't even have cousins - it was probably a rich people thing, to have few children.

"Oh." I mumble to show that I've been listening.

We get to the mouth of the forest in no time and I see Jaxon already pulling up like he said he would.

"Go straight home, okay?" Shana tells me sternly when I get down, my coloring much better than it had been. "I'll come check up on you after school." She says quickly.

"Of course, thank you." I accept, I had no plans of going anywhere else anyway, I was truly bone tired.

"Was that Shana?" Jaxon asks curiously when he parks his car and steps out.

"Yeah." I affirm, walking closer. "She has to catch up with the rest.

"Are you okay?" He asks in concern, opening up the passenger door for me.

"I am, I'm just a little exhausted." I say honestly, leaning into the soft seat of the car. "Thanks for coming to pick me up." I give him a grateful smile.

He smiles in return. "Sure, anytime."

The ride is gratefully, mostly silent and I thank Jaxon again before facing off with the stairs.

I make it to my room in one piece, although my body feels like its disjointed, my clothes sticking wetly to my body as well as my hair.

I barely get in my room before I'm undressing, throwing my sweat soaked clothes every which way and nearly running inside the bathroom.

The cool water on my skin is a blissful feeling and I luxuriate in it for a long time, I dress up in a sweater and shorts, packing up my hair because I'm too lazy to comb or dry it.

I finally get myself back when I'm all clean and freshened up, I walk up to the tall window to look in the direction of the woods where the creek would most likely be.

It might have be fun for me as Mae said if I was someone who could perfectly handle physical exertion but as I didn't, I don't feel like I'm missing out on much.

I spend a good long time distracted staring out of the window that's easily as tall as me, getting lost in the beautiful sights of the pine trees.

I'm high up enough to see the sky as well as the tips of the tall trees, its peaceful here, just staring at nature and existing.

I think I hear a sound but I ignore it, my mom was really invested in her new job, maybe it was because she knew she had limited time or she wanted to win some bet against her older sister, I could never be sure.

It couldn't be my mom though and Apple was over at Julia's so its easy to ignore the almost nonexistent sound.

Much later though an even louder sound alerts me and I spin around in alarm, my eyes widening in horror.