The Photo

The next morning, my phone was vibrating violently. 10 MISSED CALLS - J 🤍.

"CRAP!" I bolted out of bed, my wolf cut a disaster. I sprinted across campus, backpack half open. I stopped when I saw her the Mullet Girl from last night leaning against the gym wall. She gave me a cool nod.

She goes here? Is she following me too?

No time. I burst into class, panting. I sat next to J, who looked perfect as always. "N! I was so worried!" she whispered.

"Yeah... just a rough night."

J leaned in, her hime-cut bangs brushing my shoulder. "We have that partner project. Let's go to the cafe downtown? Just the two of us."

A cafe. Just us. Maybe I can finally feel normal.

At the Busy Bean Cafe, we worked over our laptops. "Wait..." I paused, looking at J. "Did you do something different? You look... good. Different good."

J blushed furiously. "I did my eyebrows today! It's my first time trying it."

I felt my own face heat up. "It looks... really good on you."

The tension was thick, a lingering silence between us until J cleared her throat. "So... how have you really been? Since... everything?"

My expression went cold. "I've been shitty, J. I'm being followed."

"Followed? Are you sure you aren't just... paranoid? Because of the trauma?"

"My whole family died, J! Why not me? Why follow me?"

BZZZT. My phone vibrated.

Unknown Number: How's the project going? You two look cute.

Attached was a photo. Taken from outside the window. It showed us, exactly as we were sitting. I pales, looking at the window in horror. "I have to go. Now."

I bolted. I ran until I slammed into someone. Again.

It was Mullet Girl. "Whoa. Watch it."

I grabbed her sleeve, breathless. "Teach me. Teach me how to protect myself."

A slow, dangerous smirk spread across her face. "Now we're talking."