11

A week has passed.

A week since I twisted my ankle and Kayler wrapped a bandage around it. A bandage that, by the way, I still have. Being Saturday, I'm super bored at home with nothing to do. I didn't go to classes all week.

I also haven't seen Kayler since that night. I haven't seen him again. I haven't received any weird messages either, which is good in a way. You could say I've had a very tough week, and you could also say that more than once I've missed that idiot Kayler; and I don't even know why.

Anne has sent me the notes of what they've covered in class this week via email, but I haven't even written them down in my notebook. You know what's even stranger? I haven't heard a single howl all week, strange, right?

Mom was at work, she wouldn't be home until tonight. Every now and then I would look out my window at Kayler's house; can you believe that since the party I haven't seen a single light on? Could they have gone on a trip? That's impossible. Kayler and his group have to go to classes.

I was sitting on the couch watching TV when two knocks on the door pulled me out of my thoughts. It's late in the afternoon, there's no sun. But it is cold. I got up and opened the door.

"Hi," greeted that person I hadn't seen since the party with a smile.

"Hi," I greeted back.

"Can I come in?" he asked, showing his hands which held chips and some movies.

"Sure."

I stepped aside and once Connor was inside, I closed the door. He sat on the couch and placed the things on the table.

"Carolina, you must be wondering why I haven't been around," he commented.

I frowned. Did he say "we"?

"Well... Yes. I admit it seemed odd," I confessed, sitting next to him.

He nodded.

"But, who else are you referring to?" I asked, paying close attention to any strange movement.

He looked at me.

"Come on, you know," he laughed. I shook my head. Kayler and his group, as well as Paige and her... Her friends.

Paige and her friends? I knew about Kayler, but not that.

"Actually, after the party, I twisted my ankle which is why I didn't go to school this week," I admitted, pressing my lips into a thin line.

His eyes widened in surprise.

"You twisted your ankle?" I nodded. "I didn't know... And about the other thing... Damn!" he sighed. "I thought you'd gone to classes and noticed our absence."

Connor is acting weird today.

"Where were you?" I wanted to know. "All of you."

He planted the seed of doubt, so he has to answer. Where could these guys have gone? I mean Kayler and him, I don't care about the others, but if Connor is back that means Kayler is too. A glimmer of hope and joy invaded me.

Am I really happy that Kayler is back?

"It's better if you don't know. I'm sorry," he said, "but I came to spend the afternoon with you." He smiled.

I smiled weakly. He didn't want to tell me, why? Is it something bad?

"Okay."

Connor and I can say that we spent a couple of hours watching an action movie, but I'm more into romance. I hardly paid attention because I kept thinking about Kayler. Where could they have gone? Why doesn't Connor tell me anything? God! So many questions without answers.

Honestly, all this is very strange. No wonder the forest was calm. There were no messages with warnings. There were no howls. It was as if they had taken all that with them... But now that they're back, will the danger return?

What are you hiding, Kayler Brown?

"Did you like the movie?" he asked.

I blinked and looked at him.

"Yes," I lied.

The credits were rolling on the TV, indicating that the movie had ended.

"I have an idea." He stood up.

"I bet you a dime."

He rubbed his hands.

"We should swim in the lake!" he exclaimed, smiling.

What?! That water is freezing.

"What?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

His expression turned to boredom.

"Come on, Carolina, don't be like that." He took my arm, pulling me outside.

The door was left open. I followed Connor until we reached the small dock. I was barefoot, wearing simple shorts and a tank top.

He started taking off his shirt, revealing his well-toned abs. Then he began to take off his... pants?! I covered my eyes.

"What are you doing?!" I screamed.

He laughed.

"Please, don't tell me you've never seen a guy in just his boxers."

"No."

He took my hands and moved them away from my eyes. Okay, I should just look at his face, but it's hard! Focus, Carolina.

"Now take off your clothes. You don't intend to swim like that, do you?" He raised an eyebrow.

I frowned, of course I wasn't going to undress in front of him, obviously not. He relaxed his shoulders when he saw I didn't intend to.

"Come on, Carolina, I promise I won't look."

I nodded, not very convinced.

But his gaze shifted from me to the other side of the lake. His expression changed to anger. That could only mean one thing. I turned to look. I felt a pang in my chest when I saw that guy I disliked so much —not really— there he was, on the balcony of his house, watching us; but with him were three other guys. They all had their eyes on us.

Kayler is back.

"Carolina," called Connor. I turned to look at him: Just ignore him.

I smiled.

Then, an idea crossed my mind. I started taking off my shirt from the top, revealing my pink bra, then I took off my shorts —somewhat sensually— leaving only my panties, which were also pink. This time I was grateful I had bought this set.

I'd like to see Kayler's face.

Connor was staring at me, stunned.

I cleared my throat, snapping him out of his trance. He cleared his throat.

"Well... Then let's swim!" he exclaimed with a strange gleam in his eyes.

But what I didn't see coming was that Connor grabbed me by the waist, lifting me up, and seconds later we were in the water.