"Change of plans!" Lena exclaimed in excitement as I parked my jeep in her driveway. I frowned at her words and waited impatiently for her to explain what she clearly meant. Lena's black hair was tied in a high ponytail. She had hazel eyes. I could been seen from miles that she was a werewolves.
Lena burst opened the passenger door and climbed in. I could see the excitement bubbling off her. She plugged her phone to the radio and proceeded in choosing a song, completely ignoring me for a few minutes.
"I am waiting" I muttered, turning the engine of my car back on. My eyes connected with my reflection in the rear-view mirror for a few seconds. My blue eyes were electric, borderline abnormal. I was surprised that no one really questioned the nature of my eyes.
"My parents aren't coming" Lena gushed, throwing her hands excitedly in the air. I tapped my fingers on the steering wheels, contemplating on whether I was supposed to inform my parents on this change. "Our childhood friends will all be coming there" She said before doing a quick clap with her hands. I frowned at her words.
I was guessing that these other people were werewolves too.
"How many are we going to be?" I asked her, as I tapped the address on the GPS. I didn't want to give her any hint that I was feeling a bit hesitant on this.
"Eight or nine" She shrugged.
Eight or Nine?
Werewolves?
My mind was already made at this point. There was no way I was going to inform my parents about this. They wouldn't hesitate to tell me to return home. My best friend lightly poked my arm, gaining my full attention.
"You don't have to worry. They are all pretty cool and easy -going" Lena reassured. I rolled my eyes as I started driving. It was two hours drive away. Lena knew very well that I was not a people person. I was more the invisible girl who sits in the corner with a book on her table. I could feel my eyes tearing up at how I was focusing on the road. "Aren't you supposed to be wearing your glasses?" My best friend enquired. She then proceeded in opening my hand bag to pull it out. "That's why you're always getting migraines! You don't wear your glasses" she huffed. She slide it on my face. That was relief. I didn't have to squint my eyes to focus on the road.
"Who's coming?" I asked Lena curiously. She put a song to play in the background then slid her phone in her bag.
"My cousins, Mayra and Eros. They're twins. Mayra's boyfriend, Spencer" she frowned, and started counting on her fingers. "My brother who you already know" she added.
"I never spoke to him, Lena" I deadpanned.
"But you saw him" She shrugged. "Two of his friends are coming too" she said casually.
"You never met them?" I questioned.
"Nope" she told me. I rolled my eyes at her words. She was not one to bother about details. We were polar opposites. I always wondered what Lena's reaction would be if she was ever to discover about my secret. Everything inside of me wanted to tell her who I was really. However, I was not going to risk the life of my family for this friendship.
"Hazel" Lena called.
"Yes?" I responded, looking at the trees engulf the road that we currently on. I slid open my window. The darkness reigned around us as the fresh air rolled in the car. I always loved the night better than the day. There was something about it.
The night carried something very soothing with it.
"People love you! I don't know why you're nervous" Lena rambled while scrolling her phone. I put my elbow on the door and held on the steering wheels. Billie Eilish's voice was playing beautifully in the background.
"It's just additional effort, you know" I responded teasingly. Truth was that I didn't really felt the need to be surrounded by a big crowd.
Quality over Quantity.
"You're impossible" Lena breathed. "It's good to just let go at times" she told me. I nodded in agreement. I wished it was easier for me to let go and be myself.
I stared at my best friend before turning my eye sight to the road.
Werewolves lived in this modern society so easily. They simply had to hide from humans, which was nothing. They lived peacefully in both worlds. On the other side, you have me. I had to hide from both. I was not safe in either.
Well, I was safe.
While keeping my true self hidden.
At this point, I asked myself whether I was ever going to show the world the real. Would I ever be able to sit next to my best friend with her knowing my secret? Could an enchantress be able to walk down the street without having the fear of being attacked? Will Jet ever be able to live his life fully?
A sigh escaped my lips, attracting Lena's attention to me. She tilted her head in wonder, then leant her head on her hand for support. "What are you thinking about?" She asked me curiously.
"What are your plans for the week?" I asked her casually, restraining my thoughts from going all over the place. I wanted to enjoy these few days. I wanted to feel normal. I guess the werewolves are going to keep it low, given that they think that I am a human.
"My first plan, Hazel Black, is to extend this week" Lena responded with a grin. I rose my eyebrows in confusion. "Your birthday is in twelve days to be exact" Lena said while staring at the date on her phone. "So I will have to talk to my parents so that we can stay for at least fifteen days" She explained.
"My parents won't agree" I scoffed at her words. I was genuinely pleased that Lena was thinking about celebrating my birthday. My parents would not agree that I celebrate my twenty third away from them.
"Haze" Lena breathed while facepalming herself. "I have met your parents and they're so nice. I don't think they will disagree. You're turning twenty three" She sighed. Thinking about it, my parents were doing so much effort for me. They accepted to have Lena at home so many times for dinner.
My parents were actually quite fond of her.
But they didn't trust easily.
"We'll see about it later" I suggested.
"Okay" Lena nodded. "I have planned several activities" Lena mumbled vaguely, trying to find something on her phone. "Ah, there it is" She exclaimed to herself.
"Sky-diving! Jet Ski on the lake, night club, dinners" Lena read impatiently. "I have prepared everything" She said proudly.
"Night club?" I wondered.
Weren't we going on the mountains?
"The place we're going is called Black lake" Lena said. "We have a holiday house in that area. It is so beautiful" She breathed. "You have many restaurants, spas, night club. They haven't lost the importance of nature though. Which explains why they're surrounded by the woods" Lena told me.
They.
Werewolves territory.
"I am excited" I gulped.