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7

I couldn't believe what Carolina had said. I looked at her immediately, questioning how she knew. Her gaze never left that guy, her lips were tight, and something told me she didn't like him.

"How do you know?" I asked.

She looked at me.

"Kayler taught me how to identify them," she responded proudly.

"And he did very well," the guy commented. We both turned to him. His voice conveyed too much calm, confident but with airs of grandeur.

A vampire?

This world is definitely full of surprises.

"Last night they found out someone had entered the Brown territory," Carolina began. "Someone who wasn't human. They thought it was another werewolf, but they didn't find anything. I never thought it would be a vampire. And even less that he would come here."

I raised my eyebrows at how well-informed Carolina was about all this. I only knew that werewolves existed, and that's it. And then I realized the trust Kayler had in her. I admit I felt a little jealous because Apolo was never like that with me.

"Let's say I came here looking for other things," he replied, looking at me. Something told me those things were me.

I hope I'm wrong.

I gave a quick glance at Carolina; she didn't miss that either, so she squinted her eyes in his direction.

"My name is Clark," he said, noticing that neither of us said anything. "And I hope to see you more often. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to find a good friend of mine." He walked past us, smiling psychotically.

I turned to Carolina questioningly.

"What's happening?" I asked, though I think it was more to myself.

She remained thoughtful.

"Who could that good friend of his be?" she inquired, looking where Clark had gone.

I shook my head to indicate I didn't know anything. She shook her head as if to clear away thoughts that didn't make sense.

"Anyway, Kayler will take care of him. We, on the other hand, have to get going," she started walking toward the football field.

I followed her.

The hallways were somewhat deserted. Some people might be in the cafeteria, others in the backyard, and maybe some watching the guys practice.

We turned a corner, and nerves took over my body. Apolo must be there. And Thomas. I'm just realizing this. Ugh.

I walked beside Carolina.

We arrived at the football field.

There they were, passing the ball, some lying on the ground resting. And the girls sitting in the stands whispering things and then laughing.

All the guys' attention turned to us. I hate being the center of attention. I walked carefully, making sure not to trip and make a fool of myself.

Kayler, seeing his girlfriend, approached her and kissed her. Apolo was with him; he just limited himself to looking at me. Thomas was sitting, propped up on his elbows. Watching me.

Our eyes met; there was something different in him, maybe he was still angry about yesterday.

I looked away.

"Anne?" Carolina called me.

I approached them.

"We're going to Anne's house," she told them. "We have a lot of homework to do."

Kayler squinted, not very convinced. I suppose he already knows his girlfriend. Carolina looked calm.

"Yes, umm... The math teacher left us a ton of things to do," I lied.

Kayler had a look of amusement; obviously, he didn't buy it.

"Sure, I believe you," he murmured. "Just one thing: Apolo will be at his house all afternoon," he whispered so he wouldn't be overheard.

Carolina and I looked at each other, then started laughing.

Of course, he didn't buy it.

"What about Clark?" Carolina asked him.

"We'll take care of him, so we have to stay together. Whatever he wants, his main goal is to separate us," he explained.

"Hi, guys." A female voice spoke behind us.

I didn't recognize the voice.

We turned to her.

Kara.

She was wearing a very short pink skirt and a top. Oh God, she was showing everything. Her blonde hair was in a high ponytail, and her face was obviously full of makeup.

"We're looking for new cheerleaders. I thought, since the former captain died, someone has to take her place," she smiled. "Your friends aren't smart enough for that leadership, so now it's me," her voice was so annoying. And she only looked at Carolina, giving me disdainful looks.

"Are we supposed to applaud you?" Carolina mocked. I heard a chuckle from Kayler behind us.

I'm aware that all the guys are listening to this conversation.

Kara stopped smiling and looked at Carolina with some hatred but hid it and made her fake smile return.

"What I mean is, we need two cheerleaders," she explained. "And since you're blonde, not too bad, and you're dating the most respected and popular guy in school," she looked at Kayler with desire. I opened my eyes in amazement. I noticed Carolina crossed her arms. "I wanted to propose that you be one of them. Of course, my right hand because, did I mention I'm the captain?" she questioned annoyingly.

Carolina laughed.

"And what about Anne?" she pointed at me.

I opened my mouth to protest, but nothing came out. I just stared at her with some warning and then looked at the annoying Kara, who was looking at me from head to toe with disgust.

Now I feel uncomfortable here.

"Your friend will understand that we only have one spot," she replied.

"You said there were two spots available," she reminded her.

And it was true.

Kara seemed to remember it was true, so all she did was clear her throat and come up with another lie.

"Right. What I meant was I already have someone," she smiled. "But what do you say, do you accept?"

Carolina looked at me as if asking for my opinion. All I did was shrug.

Honestly, I can't imagine Carolina as a cheerleader.

"Sorry, Kara, but the truth is I have more important things to do than waste time on cheerleading and such. Thanks and goodbye," she smiled, raising her hand and waving goodbye for her to leave.

Kara burned with anger, and I wanted to laugh. She noticed my desire to laugh in her face.

"Go ahead, laugh; that doesn't make you any less of a bookworm," she spat with disgust.

My heart slowly stopped. She insulted me in front of everyone.

Shame. That's what I feel now. I want to yell at her; I want to... Ugh! It's no use thinking about all this if I don't say anything in the end. I wish I were bolder. Carolina was going to defend me, but I got ahead of her, just hoping I wouldn't regret this.

"I'd rather be a bookworm than a brainless slut like you!" I exclaimed so loudly that I think everyone heard, but then I immediately covered my mouth and looked at her in horror.

The "uhhhhhh" in unison from everyone present didn't take long.

Oh God, what did I do?

Her face was serious, as if she were about to pounce on me at any moment.

"I'm so sorry..." I began, but Carolina nudged me to stop.

And I think she was right.

"You'll pay for this," she murmured through clenched teeth, then turned and left.

I turned to Carolina, totally surprised by what I had just done. This will bring me trouble.

"That was incredible!" Carolina exclaimed, also surprised.

I smiled at her.

"I can't believe what I did," I said more to myself.

Then my gaze, for some reason, sought out Thomas, who was looking at me with a half-smile. He nodded to indicate I did well. I returned the gesture. Part of it is thanks to him.


"I still think this is a bad idea," I murmured, removing the leaf that had fallen in my hair.

We were lying on the ground, propped up on our elbows, with binoculars and black clothing. Yes, this time we had decided to come prepared.

"Shhh, he might hear you," she whispered, looking at Apolo's house with the binoculars.

I shook my head, laughing.

After leaving school, we got in my car to follow Apolo. As Kayler said, he had been almost all afternoon locked in his house. The strangest thing... Well, now it's not so strange, that he hasn't called me or anything.

I'm starting to hate you, Apolo.

I also looked through the binoculars.

Thanks to a large window, we could see inside the house. We could see the living room, a huge TV, and nothing else. No sign of Apolo, maybe he's asleep. Or maybe he went out the other door, and we're just fools here.

"We're not going to find anything here," I whispered.

I should be at home reading a book.

She raised her hand for me to be quiet.

A big bush covered us. I looked around, only trees.

"Someone's coming," she said, ducking more. I did the same. It was a black truck. It passed by us and stopped at Apolo's house.

Carolina and I quickly looked through the binoculars. A man in a suit got out. Too formal, I would say. And then, from the other seat, someone else got out. From this angle, we couldn't see his face, but seeing his feet walking towards the other man, we got ready.

I opened my mouth in astonishment and then closed it again when I saw who it was.

"What is Kent doing here?" she inquired.

"It's Clark."

She looked at me.

"That same. Now I remember the last thing he told us," she stayed thoughtful, "that he had a good friend to find."

I looked at her.

Could it be possible?

"If that's the case, that friend is Apolo," I concluded.

She nodded heavily.

"And if that's the case, it means he's dealing with the enemy," she murmured.

The mere thought of Apolo doing something wrong overwhelmed me. It worried me. There's no doubt that something is wrong.

"And what will happen if that's the case?" I questioned, a small knot forming in my throat.

She looked at me, debating whether to tell me or not. Finally, she did.

"He'd be expelled from the pack... and even from the city."

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