As I drove away from Penny for Your Thoughts, I noticed my gas gauge was close to empty, so I pulled into a gas station before I reached Brandon's house, even though I wanted to race to Brandon's side to tell him what Dr. Meadows had told Nash and not miss even a minute more that I could spend with him - especially since Nash had cut into my time with him. I knew that it would be after dark when I left Brandon's, but it was still best to fuel up now.
Abby and Ivy would freak if they knew I was getting gas on the Westside. They thought people on the "wrong" side of town were shady, to say the least. Everyone was really friendly, and all the people I saw looked normal to me. After I fueled up, I went inside the station to pay. An older man was already being helped, so I stood in line behind him. As soon as it was my turn, I looked up and saw a guy standing in my place, as if I hadn't been waiting at all.
The guy appeared to be a junior or senior and sported black, spiky hair, silver piercings, and several tattoos. He wore a brown waffle shirt and oversized blue jeans. He was attractive but obviously not courteous.
I was impatient to get to Brandon's, and I didn't appreciate that this guy had gotten in my way. So I spoke up.
"Excuse me, it's my turn," I said politely.
The spiky-haired guy didn't budge. He didn't even acknowledge me but instead told the clerk what he wanted. I was already riled up after Dr. Meadows's new prediction. I didn't want to become a werewolf - especially one with Nash - and all that it could mean. And this guy was getting on my already frazzled nerves.
"I've been waiting here," I said in the sweetest voice I could muster.
Then he turned around. His hazel eyes gazed up my body as he checked me out ever so slowly, from my sandals to the pink headband in my hair. It creeped me out.
"So?" he responded when he was finished.
"So?" I retorted. "What about being a gentleman?"
"I don't have time for that," he said as he handed the clerk his money.
He turned back to me, this time standing a little too close for my comfort. I couldn't physically move him, and I didn't want to get into an altercation. But I was so surprised - and ticked off - at his rude behavior.
"So are you this rude to everyone?" I asked in a huff.
"I can be worse." He stared into me as if he was daring me to test just how far he could take this.
"Hard to imagine," I shot back.
That made him smile. "So what's your name?"
"I don't have one."
"My name is Ryder."
He grabbed his change and his pack of cigarettes. He didn't appear old enough to buy them, so I assumed he had a fake ID.
"Now it's your turn," he said snidely, gesturing to me to step up to the register. He pretended to tip an imaginary hat.
I gave him one last scowl and broke eye contact with him. He headed out the door.
There were two guys around the same age waiting for him outside. One had fiery ginger hair; the other's was shaggy, long, and blond. For some reason they kept looking back at me. Ryder took out two cigarettes and handed them to his friends. They smoked while he just stared at me. I thought they'd laugh at me, the girl who tried to stand up to the bully, but they didn't. Instead they just smoked and talked, as if they were discussing something important - me. I paused inside the store, pretending to read a mag, to make sure they weren't waiting for me to leave. It seemed like an eternity until they threw their butts on the ground and smashed them with their black boots. They got into their car - a vintage black Firebird - and pulled out. I went quickly to my car and started the engine, then saw them idling at the corner. I sped out of the gas station. Once on the road to Brandon's house, I checked my rearview mirror and was relieved to find they weren't following me.
I'd never seen these guys before in town. And I was hoping that they were just passing through.
When I reached Brandon's guesthouse, he was already waiting outside for me, fixing a broken kitchen chair. "What took you so long?" Brandon asked, looking worried.
"I had to stop for gas. There was this guy at the store who was so rude. He jumped in front of me, and when I said it was my turn, he was like, 'Too bad.'"
"That is rude." He wiped his hands and gave me a long, heavenly kiss.
For a moment, I was distracted. But when we stopped, my thoughts turned back to my unusual encounter. I shook my head. "I've never seen anyone like him. He was just so brazenly impolite. He should have had manners."
"Maybe he wasn't taught any. You'll have to let it go...."
"You're right. Maybe I should feel sorry for him instead of angry."
"Yes," he said, gently rubbing my back. "Now tell me what happened at Dr. Meadows's."
I felt even more stressed, like I was going to explode. "Nash had his reading. He wanted to know what to do. He insisted she tell him. He even grabbed her hand. Then she said a cure would be revealed to him and that he should take it. That he would be cured."
"With my dad's serum?" he asked.
"She didn't say. Only that it would be revealed to him. But yes, I think that's what she meant. I don't know of any other cures."
"But my dad wants me to take it."
"I know. So you will, and then we can get some for Nash. He'll take it and be cured. Then all our werewolf problems will be solved."
For a moment I fantasized about a life at Legend's Run High as ordinary as any other student's. I'd take my classes and see my boyfriend every day. I'd hang with my friends, and Nash could continue to be the star athlete. Our only problems would be what movie to see on the weekend or what dress I'd wear to the next dance. I had to admit, I'd miss those nights under the full moon when Brandon was so wild and irresistible. But I'd forgo those extraordinary times for the chance for him to live a normal life again.
"That's great news," he said excitedly. Then he changed his tone. "If you believe in that stuff."
"Well, usually I don't. But she's been right before.... But then, it is Dr. Meadows. She wants someone to become a werewolf - so she can get her camera out, tape it, show it to the world, and become famous. And she has more to gain with Nash being a werewolf full-time. Do you think she told him to take it to become a werewolf full-time?"
"Isn't that unethical?"
"Yes. It is. But she was trying to use us when I told her about you."
"She did do that."
"But she was touching him when she gave him that advice. I think she must have really been channeling something."
"Well, if she gives wrong advice, then she has more to worry about than anyone, don't you think? She'd be putting herself in harm's way if she told him to take it, knowing he'd transform every night."
"I guess you're right," I said, sort of relieved.
"And if she predicts he will be cured - then I assume that means..."
"That you will be, too."
He smiled. "Then I can be. If we believe her."
"Yes."
"But she didn't say I would be, too."
"No, but I assume so. You are going to take it first, right? Nash can't be cured until you are."
Brandon put his arm around me. I sensed the relief he was feeling, and I could only figure he was imagining our lives together without being a werewolf, just as I had a moment ago. However, there were other predictions Dr. Meadows warned of, and I wasn't too keen on being the one to shake him out of his good mood.
He gave me a luscious kiss.
I couldn't make eye contact with him.
"What's wrong?" he asked. "Isn't this good news - if it's true?"
"Yes," I said. "But there's also the other thing she said." I chewed my lip as I decided how to tell him about the last prediction she had made. "Nash is going to bite me," I finally blurted out.
"He's going to do what?" he asked, half laughing. "I thought you went there to find out if he's going to be cured."
"It's not a joke. I think Nash is going to bite me and turn me into a werewolf."
"Why would you think that? Did Dr. Meadows say that?"
"Sort of."
"Slow down." He put his arm around me and guided me to a picnic bench in his grandparents' backyard. We sat on the tabletop. "Now, tell me everything."
"When I left, she said, 'Beware of the full moon. A werewolf wants to take you into his world. Forever.'"
"That can mean a lot of things," Brandon surmised.
"It means one thing. Nash is going to turn me into a werewolf. I'm the next one in line."
Brandon thought for a moment. "What - how is he going to take you into his world?" he asked.
"He could bite me. You've seen him when he changes. He's violent."
"But now he's aware of himself when he's a werewolf. We were hoping your kiss would cure him of the thoughtless violence."
"I know. But that was before Dr. Meadows made this horrible prediction."
"What if she's not talking about that werewolf? What if she means me?"
"What do you mean?" I asked. I hadn't even thought of Brandon.
"Maybe she is warning you that I'm going to hurt you - bite you. Maybe the warning was about me." Brandon was visibly disturbed. He stood and paced around the table.
"Why would you hurt me?" I asked. "You haven't before. I've been with you a bunch of times when you were in lycan form. But Nash - he's tried to attack me at least two times. The next full moon is coming soon, Brandon. What if he finds me?"
"It's okay," he reassured me. He came back and sat beside me.
I was really scared. My life seemed to be spinning in chaos. The thought of my becoming a werewolf? My hands began to tremble.
I was so shaken up by the visit, the prediction, and the rude boy, I began to cry. I wanted our love life to be easier. Do homework together, kiss and cuddle, take walks in the woods. Now it was spiraling out of control. I felt like I was in danger.
Brandon held me tightly as I wiped away tears that streamed down my face.
"I was scared when you first turned," I said. "Then again when Nash did. Now I'm scared again."
"Maybe you shouldn't have gone to Dr. Meadows. She puts horrible thoughts in your head. And who says she's right?"
"She's been right all along," I argued. "I knew I shouldn't have gone with Nash. But I felt sad for him. And now look what has happened."
"But what does she know, really?" Brandon proposed.
"Uh...everything! She's been right about everything. And if I'd listened to her from the beginning, I wouldn't have walked home alone...."
"And, I know...I wouldn't have been bitten," Brandon said as if finishing my sentence.
"It's true," I said. "She said it first and then it happened."
Brandon paused. I knew he didn't believe in Dr. Meadows's predictions, but my nervousness was making him rethink the issue.
"Then we have to do something about it."
"Do what?" I asked.
"We have to let Nash take the serum," Brandon said firmly to me, "on the night of the next full moon. He'll come here, and I'll give it to him. We have to - if not for his sake, then for yours."
"Really?" I asked. "You decided...you were going to take it. Finally."
"But we didn't know about this. And now I can't take that chance."
I realized what he was really giving up: the cure for himself. "But that means you'll still be a werewolf."
"Well, if it means you won't, then I'm game."
"But your father - you promised you'd be the one who takes it first."
"That was before I knew about this prediction. If you say she's been right before, then we can't chance it this time. He can't change you into a werewolf if he isn't one."
"And your father was counting on me to make sure you took it. I don't know what to do. I don't want to let him down," I said.
"You don't have to worry about that. You have enough on your plate besides worrying about my father's feelings."
"So Nash will take the dose you have and then you'll get your father to make you another dose for the following full moon?"
"Yes," he said reassuringly.
"I just wanted us to be together," I said. "I wanted you to be normal - for your own sake. And now you won't be.... It seems to get more chaotic every day."
Brandon appeared content. I think he was relieved to be helping out Nash and me at the same time when, in fact, I wanted to be the one who was helping Brandon.
The following day after school, I saw Nash and tried to catch him before he went to practice.
"I'm not sure you should be near me anymore," he said. "What Dr. Meadows said at the end...You can't be around me anymore."
"Well, I have to be," I insisted. "I have something to tell you."
"Don't get too close," he said. "The moon will be full soon. I don't know what I'll do now."
"You won't do anything now but listen," I commanded.
"Sit down." I pulled him aside on the steps to the side entrance of school. "We might have a cure."
"What?"
"Brandon's father is a scientist. He made a possible antidote."
"Are you kidding? This is great!"
"Brandon's father made it for him."
"Oh...yes, that makes sense."
"His father was just in town. And Brandon told him about you. He asked for a second batch for you."
"Brandon did that for me?" Nash was taken aback.
I nodded. "Yes. There is only one vial now."
"Oh," he said. "But that still is great news."
"You think so?" I asked. I wasn't sure how Nash would respond - if he'd be hopeful or competitive that Brandon might be cured first.
"One less werewolf," he said with a smile. "And then if it works for him..."
"It can work for you," I assured him.
"I appreciate you telling me this." He leaned in and gave me a friendly hug. He was so relieved I could feel his tension releasing in our embrace.
"I have something else to tell you," I said when he pulled away.
"What?"
"Brandon wants you to take it first."
"What? Why? Because of Dr. Meadows's prediction?"
I reluctantly nodded.
"Why does he think I'll be the one to bite you?"
"We both think so. I've been around Brandon for several full moons. He hasn't hurt me at all. He's only been kinder, even."
"And I've been a monster."
"No..."
"I remember, Celeste. I remember everything."
We were both quiet for a minute, neither one of us wanting to talk about the horrible ways he'd acted before.
Nash finally smiled and broke the silence. "Of course I'll take it. I can't believe he's going to give it to me." He paused, really taking in Brandon's generosity. "I owe him big-time! Maybe I can get him a spot on the team."
I felt relieved that Nash was going to take the serum and that he was grateful to Brandon. Nash was not only changing as a werewolf but as a human being, too - he was becoming much more gracious.
Later that day, Brandon and I were settling into his guesthouse room. He was placing his backpack on his computer table and I was laying my sweater over his chair when we heard Apollo barking and a car pull up the long drive.
"Your grandparents must be home," I said.
Brandon rose and peeked out the window. "That's not my grandparents," he said.
He pulled back the curtain even farther. It was a BMW.
What was Nash doing at Brandon's? He never came to this side of town if he didn't have to. But I had an inkling as to why he was making such a sudden appearance.
Brandon opened the door and stepped out as I hopped off the chair. It was as if he thought I might be threatened and was heading Nash off at the pass. I tried to follow behind him.
Nash got out of his car and walked toward my boyfriend.
Apollo continued to bark. Nash had always been afraid of dogs - and at the very least shied away from them. So when Apollo raced for Nash, I was sure he'd step back a few feet. However, Nash didn't budge.
Brandon called out to Apollo, but he didn't retreat. Instead Nash just watched Apollo as the husky proceeded straight for him. When the dog reached Nash, Nash looked down at him with an intense stare. Apollo winced and raced back to Brandon, cowering behind him.
Nash continued to walk toward Brandon. "Hey, dude," Nash said in a friendly voice.
"Hey - " Brandon answered.
"Celeste told me...about the cure," Nash said.
"Keep your voice down!" Brandon chided. No one was around, but I could feel my boyfriend's tension about even the birds knowing his lycan identity.
"And Celeste says you are giving it to me," he said, lowering his voice.
"Yes. I am."
Nash was obviously touched. "I can't believe that you'd do that for me."
"I have something, but it's only a possible cure," Brandon said.
"A possible one is better than none at all."
"I don't know if it works," Brandon confessed.
"I still can't believe you are going to give it to me," Nash said. "What's the worst that can happen?"
"Well, there's no guarantee it will work, honestly. You might end up a werewolf full-time."
"Celeste didn't tell me that part."
I felt awkward. "I wanted to - "
"It's okay," he said. "It's a chance we have to take," Nash insisted. "If it works for me, then it will work for you."
Nash was showing a milder, more generous side. It was as if becoming a werewolf had made him more understanding as a human.
"Come here next Friday, just before the first night of the full moon," Brandon said. "I will have it for you to take."
Nash shook Brandon's hand, got back into his car, and drove off. I leaned into Brandon and gave him a huge hug.
Brandon and I took a walk in his backyard. But even when we stopped to admire the several deer we spotted in the woods or when we shared a few passionate kisses, the cure and its possible side effects were never too far from our thoughts.
We were nestled together by a tree as the sun was setting. Brilliant shades of reds and orange hovered over the treetops in a spectacular display. It was breathtaking as we kissed and cuddled.
When we drew apart, Brandon brushed the hair away from my face. He gazed lovingly at my eyes, my cheeks, my lips.
"It's still hard for me to get your kiss with Nash out of my head," Brandon said suddenly. "At times, I'm glad he's a werewolf! Serves him right."
"It's okay. It's only natural to have those feelings. If I saw you kiss Hayley," I said, referring to the skater chick on the Westside who was fond of Brandon, "I'd lose it!"
"Well..."
"You really did such a nice thing for Nash," I said.
"Maybe this whole thing will be over very soon. If Nash is cured, I can be next in line."
"And then the Legend's Run werewolves will be extinct," I said.
I leaned against him and rubbed his shoulder.
He took me into his embrace and nuzzled against me. "You'll still bring out the animal in me," he laughed. "I don't think that will change."
I giggled as he tickled me.
"What do you think our world will be like when I'm cured?" he asked.
"I guess it would be like this," I said. "Us hanging out and doing everyday stuff."
"You'd be satisfied with that?" he asked seriously. "Me just being a regular guy?"
"You'll never be regular," I assured him.
"Actually I bet you can't wait. Dating a werewolf - a freak - I'm so lucky you've stood by me."
"Of course," I said. "But it hasn't been all bad. There are some things I like about being with a werewolf."
"Really?" he asked, like my feelings were unimaginable. "Like what?"
"Like when you save little boys from a pack of wolves."
"You liked that?"
I nodded enthusiastically. "And you're really strong. Your muscles are killer, and you run so fast."
"So, if I take the serum, you think I'll just be a weak troll?" he teased.
"I didn't mean that," I said.
He thought for a moment, I assumed reflecting on his time as a lycan. "I won't be able to see in the night. Or sleep outside among the stars without protection."
"And no more wolves following us around like pets," I added.
He gazed up at the waxing moon.
"Yes, I love that wolf pack. They are really so gentle and protective," he lamented.
"You like being a werewolf, don't you?" I hinted.
"Of course not." Brandon sat up as if I'd spoken out of turn.
"No, it's okay," I tried to assure him. "You can tell me. You like the outdoors. And this does provide you with an insight into the animal world that most people don't get to experience."
He paused and then relaxed a bit. "Yes, I guess," he said, thinking.
Maybe I was the one wanting to continue his life as a werewolf. Did I like him so much in that form that I was missing how it was making him feel?
"You make me sound like I enjoy being a monster," Brandon said.
"You aren't a monster," I assured him, and gave him a hug. "You're something extraordinary. With and without a full moon."
"Well, hopefully we'll eventually put an end to my life as a werewolf."