To Grow

I narrowed my eyes at the girl whose scent was all over mine. She was far enough away now, and I could see her slowly turning around and briskly walking away. Good.

"Storm! What was that about?!" Em asked. Her words flew in one ear and out the other, and all I could see was her face. And her lips. I licked my lips, because they suddenly turned dry.

"Hey, Storm, let's all calm down, yeah?" Summer said from behind her. Storm had forgotten she was even there.

"Calm down about what," Storm said, not taking her eyes off Em. She'd been walking by the classroom when she'd suddenly smelled Em and another unfamiliar scent mingling from the classroom.

"Calm down about what?" Summer repeated, almost chuckling. "Dude, let go of her and stand up. You're being really creepy." Let go of her? I looked down and realized that I'd actually somehow ended up grabbing Em's arms. I let go quickly, shocked that I'd actually laid my hands on her, and backed away quickly.

"Good, now, Storm, remember what I said?" Summer asked. What she said? Oh, when I'd left the cafeteria she'd said something about communicating. But at that time I hadn't really been listening. 

"Communicating?" I asked, just to make sure I'd remembered correctly.

"Yes, communicating. We can't just read your mind, so you'll have to tell us what's wrong," Summer said patiently. It slightly irked me, actually, that Summer seemed to read me so well now. I took a deep breath in, then let it out, like what they say you should do to calm down on TV.

"I..." I paused. What should I say?

"And apology would be good," Summer suggested. Right, an apology. Except on TV those never really seemed to work?

"I'm sorry for hurting you," I said, exposing my neck towards Em to show weakness.

"Uh, you're supposed to face the person you're apologizing to, not the sky," Summer said. But wouldn't that defeat the whole purpose of an apology? It'd be like challenging them while apologizing?

"I'm sorry," I tried again, this time looking directly at Em's eyes. Em seemed a bit confused at everything.

"Uh, it's okay? Next time just don't grab me like that," She replied. I nodded seriously at that. I didn't enjoy treating her so roughly. She only deserves the best, so I had to treat her like a....what were they called again. Those pampered, sheltered women that were saved by the men. A...princess. Yes, a princess. I'll treat her like a princess.

"I sincerely apologize for what I did," I said again, feeling that one apology wasn't enough. Actually, two didn't feel like enough either. Maybe a third one? Oh, or maybe a gift. I remember humans did that on TV. 

"And I forgive you. This time," Em said, looking... awkward now. 

"Okay, so this is getting awkward. I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Summer, and it's nice to meet you, Em!" Summer said, sticking her hand out. Why was she doing that? Was she trying to touch Em? As if sensing my glare, Summer said, "Chill out, dude. It's just a handshake." I relaxed at that.

Em hesitantly shook her hand, then quickly withdrew it, as if Summer was some venomous snake about to pounce. "How'd you know my name?"

"Storm talks about you all the time," Summer smirked. I do? I mean I guess the only reason I agreed to help her was because of Em, but did I really talk about her that much?

"O-oh? All good things I hope?" Em said hesitantly, still glancing uncertainly between the two of us.

"Yep. She. loves talking about how cute you are, and frankly, I'd have to say that Storm here has a really good eye," Summer smirked. Something about her smirk seemed to really irk me. And her body language... I didn't like it. I pulled Summer away from Em, and I said, "I'll find you later. Bye." Then I walked away, dragging Summer with me. 

Once we were out of earshot, Summer wrenched herself from my grip and said, while rubbing at her arm where I'd grabbed her, "We've gotta work on your jealousy. And possessiveness. In small amounts, it's hot. But with the amount you have, I'd have to worry about you going the full yandere route and offing yourself and her if she ever rejects you. Also, you gotta be more gentle! Not all of us are brutes like you."

"Yandere?" I said instead. I honestly didn't feel like Summer was owed an apology. It wasn't like I used that much force. I was half sure she was just acting it.

"Creepy psycho stalkers, dude. I could totally see you turning into one of them," Summer said, still nursing her arm like I'd broken it. Hm, that did sound bad to be.

"Then what should I do?" I asked. 

"Dial it back, and maybe apologize to that girl who ran away. I think she's some super nerd," Summer said. "I'm decently sure you can track her down by scent, since you keep on muttering about it." I could, but I really didn't want to.

"It's the right thing to do, and if you do it might make Em like you more," Summer said. "Whelp, classes are starting, so I'm outta here. See you back at the dorm." She then quickly walked away. Where was she going to, anyways? I shrugged. None of my business.

The day drifted past like a blur, and I soon found myself back at my dorm, holding a carving I'd began making in woodworking class. It was a sitting big furred one -or a mutated lynx, as humans would see it as- holding a mouthful of what would be flowers once I'd finished carving it. I partially grew out my nails, another trick I'd been working on occasionally. After figuring out the throat trick, it really made me curious about what else I could do without full on shifting. 

I then began gently carving the details, taking extra care about the flowers. I'd decided to make them roses, because humans on TV like to give it to each other in apology. Or when meeting each other. Or on holidays. Humans really liked roses.

As I was carving, Summer suddenly barged in the window, landing haphazardly into the room. I set the carving aside and said, "It isn't time for the evening inspection. You can just come in the front door."

"I know, but isn't it cooler this way? Makes me feel like James Bond," Summer said, picking herself up and plopping onto her bed.

"The package is still with me, by the way," I said, showing her the package I'd put under my bed.

"Cool," Summer said, disinterested. She continued to lay on her bed.

"Are you going to tell me more...tips on making Em...fall for me?" I asked. I'd learned the word 'tips' and the phrase 'fall for me' from Summer after she'd complained about my 'oldie language'.

"Not tonight. I'm too tired," Summer said, groaning.

"Tired from what?" I asked, annoyed. This thing she was doing was hindering her giving me more 'tips' on how to get Em.

"Just stuff. You wouldn't understand," Summer sighed. I frowned harder. Would this 'stuff' be interfering further with her helping me?

"What stuff. Is it reoccurring?" I asked.

"Sorta," Summer muttered. Then, as if catching on, she sat up into a more attentive pose, a gleam entering her eyes. "Why? You wanna help?"

"If that'll make you give more tips, then yes," I said. Summer sat up even more, a sly smile carving itself onto her face.

"It's just going to the edge of the woods and receiving a package," Summer said. "It's like, an hour or two of hiking, then another half hour of waiting, then coming back."

I paused at that. "That's why you never go to class?" 

"Pretty much, yeah," Summer said.

"Then the teachers? The dean? Or even the security guards?" I questioned.

"The teachers don't give a shit, since we're all underage criminals, and according to them, 'little shits'. And the dean? He has no idea what even goes on in here. The dude's mental. And the security guards can be bribed," Summer scoffed. I didn't think the dean would have no idea about what was going on, but if Summer, with her nonexistent muscle, could do it, then I should too. Plus, with my speed, I'll be able to do it without skipping class all day. 

"What's in the package?" I asked.

"Nothing for you to worry about. You just gotta give it to me immediately," Summer said, waving her hand slightly. I hesitated.

"And if I do this you'll help me more with Em?" I asked to confirm.

"Yep," 

"Then I'll help you," I said, making my decision. "Tomorrow, bring me with you."