Damon chucked another rock into the lake, it skipped twice before plunging. Cursing under his breath he grabbed another. I don't know why I came out here. I left as soon as Callum and Bridget said goodbye and took the twins home. Dad tried to call me back so we could talk, probably about what happened at the hunt but I honestly didn't want to and felt that if I stayed I might say something out of line in my current state. I hadn't slept a wink that night and was feeling irritated. I was feeling anxious and jittery which sucked, especially so soon after a change.

Damon suggested we go out knowing full well I don't care for that shit. I didn't need a party full of fake friends and random chicks trying to dance with me or guys trying to chat me up. I needed a hug. Damon was never one for intimacy which also sucked cause he was so much bigger than me meaning I'd get to be held for the first time in a while.

"Dude you can't just sit around moping all day. You need to get up and do something," Damon said, "I'm not gonna sit here hugging and consoling you all day."

"Why not, your hugs are the best?" Getting up I wrapped him up inside a hug from behind, swaying as I held him

"Gone somewhere with that gay shit man," he said before bursting out laughing. "But for real. Lying around feeling sorry for yourself ain't gone fix anything. What you need to do is talk to him, better yet have your dad do it he might listen to him."

"We can't call cause there's no way Eli would let him talk to me and Eric probably won't go to school for the next few days." Burying my face between Damon's shoulder blades I mumbled into his shirt, "What am I gonna do?"

"I dunno. You said no to the party, how about we go out to eat?"

"Chinese?"

"Nigga you already know what's up."

"So it's a date?"

"For show. Danika gone be mad when she see me with yo fine ass."

Dying I let him go. Chinese food sounded nice right about now and didn't involve a party so I was happy to get into Damon's van and go.

To get into the spirit of things he drove to my house and made me dress up in something nice claiming, "You feel good when you know you look good."

"Yeah, okay," I'd said, giving him a look.

We ended up going to the Chinese place wearing blazers and dark jeans. I even brushed my hair back. It was a good distraction. Distractions were nice. I could just sit and eat butterfly shrimp and ice cream from the machines near the back of the buffet. It'd probably give me a wicked stomach ache but it'd be worth it.

Taking our seats near the back Damon and I ate our food over light conversation about my first hunt. He lit up like a Christmas tree the moment I mentioned it.

"You went on your first hunt? How was it?" he asked, popping a bit of meat from a frog leg into his mouth.

Shrugging I said, "It was cool I guess. But the weirdest thing happened. Dude, Schuyler was there."

"Why you lyin'?"

"I'm not lying," I frowned at him, "he stole our kill but when he saw it was me he just gave it to us."

"He's scared of you so he's kissing your ass," Damon stated, pulling apart another frog leg.

"Do those actually taste good?" I eyed his hands as they worked.

"Yeah, want one?"

I was about to let out a hesitant sure when I picked up the sound of teasing snickers before looking up to see you know who walking through with some friends of his. Schuyler didn't bother to look at me that time, but he did deliberately walk by our table.

"So what did y'all do after that?" Damon asked, my head snapping back towards him.

"After what," I said, looking stupid.

"You know..."

"After he gave us his kill? Nothing. Well my Dad didn't, I shared it with my brothers. I'm pretty sure my dad wants to ask me about it but I kinda don't wanna tell him. I mean, I've been hiding so much from him but I... I dunno I feel like I should sort it all out before saying anything."

"What you mean?"

Trying to glance behind me I stirred my food around a bit. I lifted my hand to flex my fingers, they healed up pretty fast but in the chill they still feel stiff. "I mean, I'd get in trouble for one, my fingers were still busted. Two, he's not here for no reason."

Brows furrowed Damon glanced over at the table the two sat at. "You think they-"

"They can probably hear us but it doesn't matter cause we're leaving," I said, grabbing my ice cream cone before getting up and pushing my chair in.

Following suit Damon pushed his own chair in. As soon as we got outside I started rubbing my hands together, I should have brought a jacket- and maybe gotten a to-go plate too. Shuffling my feet I got ready to open the passenger side door when I saw Schuyler's dad getting ready to drive off. He was just sitting, there talking on the phone until he noticed he was being watched and his blue eyes met mine. Before I knew it his window was rolling down and I was approaching the car.

"Hello, Tobias, right?" he said, giving me a cool look.

"Yeah," I exhaled, stepping closer, "dropping your son off with his friend or whatever?"

"Yes, he's lost car priveleges."

"What'd he do."

"Schuyler has a bit of a mouth on him." Giving me a look Tedrik didn't move until I nodded and voiced my agreement. Then he smiled, "You know I'm glad I bumped into you here."

"Uh, no sir," I stuttered, quickly growing unsure. I don't like this guy. Why am I talking to this guy?

Smile turning eerily knowing Tedrik leaned forward against the door. I couldn't help but feel rooted to the spot though, there something oddly compelling about the way he was looking at me. I wouldn't say it was with admiration but it was something pretty close to it.

"Yes," Tedrik said, turning serious, "I have... a proposition."