UNEASE AND CONFUSION

I rush into the bathroom, and I freshen up before making my way to find Mia's guard and Dr. Volkov. My mind races with the realization of what I've painted. I can't believe I subconsciously painted Dr. Volkov. As I make my way through the packhouse I notice everyone rushing around preparing for the bonfire tonight. I push those thoughts aside for now, focusing on finding the guard and Dr. Volkov. As I walk down the hallway, I take quick steps, my heart pounding with anticipation.
As I take quick steps down the hallway, lost in my thoughts, I suddenly collide with a solid chest. The impact sends me stumbling backwards, but a strong grip on my arm steadies me. I lift my gaze and find myself staring into a pair of piercing green eyes.

My eyes widen as I gasp, "Dr. Volkov!" The sound of his name leaving my lips brings a sense of both relief and anxiety. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest as I stare up into those piercing green eyes, studying every inch of his face.

His sharp features are set in a stern expression, but I can sense a flicker of concern in his eyes as he gazes down at me. I suddenly feel self-conscious under his scrutiny, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"Alivia" he says his voice low and gravelly "Are you ok?"

"Yes, I'm ok" I reply, trying to steady my breathing "I'm sorry I was in a hurry and wasn't paying attention to where I was going."

He releases his grip on my arm, but his presence lingers, making me feel both comforted and uneasy at the same time. I take a step back, feeling the need for some space between us.

"I was actually looking for you," I say, gathering my courage to speak. "I have classes today and I needed the guard to watch Mia."

Dr. Volkov nods, his eyes still fixed on me "Of course, I will inform the guard to keep an eye on her," he says, his tone professional and emotionless. “If you notice or feel anything strange, make sure to come back to the packhouse we still don’t know why you went berserk”.

I nod feeling the weight of his words and I also sense a shift in Dr. Volkov's behaviour, his expression becoming more distant and reserved compared to how he was when he did my blood tests. Was that all in my head? Confusion creeps into my mind as I wonder what could have caused this sudden change in his demeanour.
"Is there anything else you need, Miss Alivia?" He asks with a hint of formality in his tone.

I shake my head, feeling a pang of disappointment at his sudden change in behaviour. "No, that's all. Thank you, Dr. Volkov," I reply, my voice slightly subdued. He nods once more, and I watch him turn on his heels and walk away, his posture stiff and formal. "Dr. Volkov!" I yell after him "Wait”.

Dr. Volkov turns to face me, his professional demeanour still intact “Yes, Miss Alivia?”

My words stumble out as I try to make sense of Dr. Volkov's sudden change in behaviour. "Um, Dr. Volkov, Mia... she's missing Agatha. I was thinking, maybe we could invite Agatha to the bonfire. It will put Agatha's mind at ease that she is safe, and Mia will be happy to see her." I say, my voice slightly shaky.

Dr. Volkov's features soften slightly at the mention of Agatha and Mia. "I will make arrangements for Agatha to come," he says, his voice gentle. "But we need to ensure her safety as well. I will have the guard keep a close eye on her too."

I nod, feeling grateful for his understanding. "Thank you, Dr. Volkov. I really appreciate it."

He nods, his expression still professional. "It is no problem, Miss Alivia. Ensuring the safety and well-being of all members of my pack is of utmost importance." He then turns and walks away, leaving me standing there, still feeling a bit unsettled. I take a deep breath, trying to shake off my confusion, and make my way to meet Jess at the front of the pack house.

As I walk, I can't help but replay the encounter with Dr. Volkov in my mind. The way that he is acting doesn’t sit right with me. I reach the front of the packhouse and see Jess waiting for me.

"Hey, you ready to go?" Jess asks, her bright smile bringing a sense of comfort to me.

"Yeah, let's go," I reply, forcing a smile of my own.

I step into the carriage, the leather seats creaking beneath me as I settle in. The driver snaps the reins, and we lurch forward, the wheels bouncing over the cobblestone road. The air is crisp and cool, and I relish the sensation of wind rushing through my hair as we make our way to Silver Oak Academy.

After arriving, I hurry to my dorm room, eager to freshen up before class. I change into a clean pair of clothes, smoothing out the fabric and checking my appearance in the mirror. Jess and I then set off for our class, walking and chatting as we go.

We arrive at the classroom, and I take a seat next to Jess as the professor begins to speak. I try to focus on the lecture, but my thoughts keep drifting back to Dr. Volkov and the painting I had created. I can't shake off the feeling of confusion and unease that has settled in the pit of my stomach, distracting me from the lesson at hand.

As the lecture drones on, I glance around the classroom, trying to distract myself from my troubling thoughts. I notice the other students diligently taking notes and participating in the discussion, but my mind is elsewhere. My gaze flickers to the window, where I watch a group of birds take flight, soaring high into the sky.

After class, Jess and I stroll through the streets, browsing the storefronts as we walk. Normally, I'm not a fan of shopping, but today it feels like a welcome distraction from my troubling thoughts. We stop at a boutique, the racks of dresses beckoning us inside.

As we peruse the options, I can't help but admire the intricate details and vibrant colours of the garments. As I try on different dresses, Jess provides commentary and feedback, making the whole process more enjoyable.

"That one accentuates your curves perfectly," she says as I step out in a fitted black dress.

I grin, feeling a surge of confidence. "You think so?"

"Definitely," she says, nodding in approval. "But let's try something a little more daring, shall we?"

Jess pulls out a few dresses and holds them up to me, grinning mischievously.

"These would look amazing on you, Liv," Jess says, holding up a flowy blue dress and a fitted green one.

I eye the dresses sceptically. "I don't know, I don't usually wear those colours."

"Exactly! It's time to step out of your comfort zone," she insists, shoving the dresses into my arms. I roll my eyes but can't help but chuckle. "Fine, but if I look ridiculous, it's all on you

Jess grins. "Trust me, Liv, you're going to look stunning in these. Now, let's go try them on!" she says, leading the way to the dressing room.

I follow Jess into the dressing room, feeling a flutter of excitement in my chest. As I slip on the blue dress, I can't help but feel a little self-conscious. The colour is bold and eye-catching, and it's not something I'm used to wearing.

But as I step out of the dressing room, Jess's eyes widen in delight. "Oh my god, Liv, you look amazing!" she exclaims.

I can't help but feel a bit flattered as I twirl around in front of the mirror, admiring the way the fabric moves and sways with my every movement.
"What do you think?" I ask Jess, feeling a bit uncertain.

"I think it's perfect for you," she says with a grin. "Now, let's try on that green dress!"

I nod, feeling emboldened by Jess's words. As I slip on the green dress, I can't help but feel a little nervous. It's a much tighter fit than I'm used to, and I'm not sure how comfortable I am with showing off my curves

But as I step out of the dressing room, Jess's jaw drops in awe. "Oh my god, Liv, you look stunning!" she exclaims.

I blush, feeling a surge of confidence as I take in my reflection. The dress hugs my curves in all the right places, accentuating my figure in a way that I'm not used to. But instead of feeling self-conscious, I feel powerful and beautiful.

"I can't believe how good this looks on you," Jess says, grinning from ear to ear.

I twirl around, feeling the fabric brush against my skin. "I think I might actually buy this one," I say, surprised by how much I like it.

Jess claps her hands in excitement. "Yes, Liv, that's what I like to hear! Let's go buy those dresses and show them off to the world!"

I laugh, feeling a sense of light-heartedness that I haven't felt in a while. "Okay, let's do it," I say, following Jess to pay for the dresses. I can't help but feel grateful for Jess's friendship. She always knows how to lift my spirits and make me feel good about myself.

My mind wanders to Mia and what she might be doing I’m sure she would be excited about the bonfire and about seeing Agatha "Maybe we should get something for Mia?"
Jess grins mischievously. "Ooh, I like where your head is at. Let's find something that'll make her jaws drop!" she says, leading me to another section of the boutique. We spend the next hour browsing through racks of dresses for Mia.

I feel grateful to have a friend like Jess who can make even the most mundane activities feel like an adventure. As we leave the boutique, our arms loaded with shopping bags, I can't help but feel happy and carefree, and I know that Jess is the reason why.