Sunlight spilled through the curtains, warming my face as I slowly opened my eyes.
For a moment I simply lay there, staring at the wooden ceiling above me.
“I could definitely get used to this.” Yesterday still felt like a dream.
I’d raced through the forest as a wolf.
Found a secret den with my friends.
Made plans for the future.
Friends.
I still wasn’t used to saying that word.
A sharp knock interrupted my thoughts.
“Lilah?” Nelly’s voice came through the door.
“You awake?” “Come in.” The door swung open.
Nelly was already dressed in ripped black jeans, chunky boots and a dark green hoodie, her curly blonde hair tied into a messy ponytail.
She was carrying two mugs.
“I brought tea.” I blinked.
“For me?” “Obviously.” She handed one over before sitting cross-legged on the end of my bed.
“I figured we’d fuel up before today’s mission.” I laughed.
“Mission?” She nodded seriously.
“Absolutely i’m rescuing you.” “From what?” She looked at my clothes on the chair.
“Those tragic clothes.” I looked at my oversized hoodie.
“They’re comfortable.” “They’re Jace’s.” “…True.” “And they’ve got holes in.” “…Also true.” “And they’re three sizes too big.” “…You’re making some excellent points.” “I guess I’m just used to these clothes”.
“That’s why we are going shopping, and you are going to pick your own clothes”.
“But i don’t have any money”.
“Don’t worry i have already ok’d it with Tony, don’t worry there are funds or things like this, besides he will put you to work soon”, She said laughing.
“ok as long as i can earn my keep i guess”.
Nelly laughed “Don’t worry there’s always something that needs cleaning up around here”.
After the best cup of tea i’ve ever had in my life we stepped outside into another beautiful summer morning.
The Compound buzzed with life.
Children raced bicycles between the cabins.
Someone was hanging colourful bunting across the square.
Music drifted softly from somewhere near the dining hall.
“What are they decorating for?” I asked.
“The Blue Moon Festival.” Nelly smiled.
“Everyone starts preparing about a week beforehand the whole Compound gets involved.” “There’s dancing, music, games loads of amazing foods and after midnight ” She grinned.
“We all shift.” I couldn’t hide my excitement.
“I honestly can’t wait.” “You’ll love it.
” As we crossed the square, a loud splash echoed behind us.
We turned.
One of the fountains had suddenly exploded twenty feet into the air.
Standing beside it was a boy about my thirteen.
He looked horrified.
“I only meant to make the water move!” Instead…The fountain erupted again, completely soaking three adults walking past.
Silence.
The dripping adults stared at him.
“…Sorry?” One woman sighed.
“You’re buying the tea.” The entire square burst into laughter.
Peter wandered over carrying what looked suspiciously like three apples.
One disappeared into his mouth.
“Morning.” “Morning,” I smiled.
He looked at me.
“You seem happy.” “I am.” He smiled back.
“I’m glad.” Before either of us could say anything else…A crow landed on Peter’s shoulder.
It immediately started cawing loudly.
Peter frowned.
“What?” More cawing.
“What do you mean she walks loudly?
“The crow cawed again.
Peter looked at me apologetically.
“I’m afraid…word has spread.” I sighed dramatically.
“Thunder Paws?” He nodded.
“The birds have adopted it.” I buried my face in my hands.
“I’m never living this down.” “Nope.” Jace appeared behind us at exactly the wrong moment.
“Morning, Thunder Paws.” Everyone laughed.
“So what’s everyone’s plans today”, asked Peter “I’m taking Lilah on her first ever girls shopping trip”, nelly said jumping with excitement “Good luck”, Whispered Peter nudging me with his elbow.
I smiled at him “Ok well we will see you guys later”, Nelly said grabbing my arm and puling me away.
We went out the compound and walk until we reached a dirt road.
Nelly unlocked a small silver car.
“You ever been in one before?” I shook my head.
“No.” She laughed.
“First shopping trip.” “First car ride.” “We’re making memories today.” The drive only took about twenty minutes.
I spent most of it staring out of the window.
Villages.
Shops.
Bus stops.
People walking dogs.
Children riding bicycles.
“So many people…” I whispered.
Nelly glanced across at me.
“You’re really seeing all this for the first time, aren’t you?” I nodded.
“Our pack hardly ever left its territory.” She was quiet for a moment.
“Well…”She smiled warmly.
“Welcome to the world.” Eventually she pulled into a busy retail park.
Cars filled the huge car park.
Families wandered between shops carrying colourful bags.
Children begged their parents for ice cream.
I climbed out slowly.
“It’s enormous.” Nelly laughed.
“You should see it at Christmas.” “I think I’d faint.
“She pointed towards a large modern clothing store.
Across the front, huge wooden letters read: WILD THREADS “This,” she announced proudly, “is where your new wardrobe begins”.
The automatic doors slid open as we approached.
I jumped backwards.
“What was that?” Nelly burst into laughter.
“They’re automatic.” “They opened by themselves!” “I know.” “…Why?” “So people don’t have to push them.” I frowned thoughtfully.
“…Humans are weird.” She laughed so hard she had to grab my arm.
“I knew you were going to say something like that.” Inside, my mouth fell open.
There were clothes everywhere.
Rows and rows of dresses.
Jeans.
Jumpers.
Shoes.
Jackets.
Every colour imaginable.
“I’ve never…”I slowly turned in a circle.”…seen this many clothes before.” Nelly smiled softly.
“I know.” She gently squeezed my shoulder.
“But today…..you get to choose.” Nobody had ever said those words to me before.
Choose.
Everything I’d ever worn had belonged to someone else.
Usually Jace.
Usually because he’d outgrown it.
I walked slowly towards one of the rails, running my fingers over the soft fabrics.
“They all feel different.” “They’re supposed to.” She picked up a pale blue jumper.
“How about this?” I smiled politely.
“It’s nice.” She tilted her head.
“You don’t love it.” “I don’t know what I love.” The words slipped out before I realised how sad they sounded.
Nelly didn’t rush to answer.
Instead, she linked her arm through mine.
“Then today…we’re going to find out.” For the next hour we laughed our way around the shop.
Nelly insisted I try everything.
Jeans.
Dungarees.
Hoodies.
Skirts.
Even a bright yellow jumper that made us both laugh because I looked, in Nelly’s words, “like a giant lemon.” “I definitely don’t think yellow is my colour,” I giggled.
“No…”She smiled.”…definitely not.” We both burst into laughter.
Eventually we collapsed onto a bench outside the changing rooms, surrounded by a mountain of clothes.
Nelly took a sip from the milkshake she’d bought us.
“So…”She said casually.” I wanted to ask you something.” “What?” She suddenly became very interested in stirring her drink.
“What was Jace like…
growing up?” I smiled immediately.
“You’ve got a crush on him.” Her eyes widened.
“What?” “You’ve got a crush on Jace.” She buried her face in both hands.
“Am I really that obvious?” I laughed.
“Only a little.” She sighed dramatically.
“I was hoping I was being subtle.” “You weren’t.” She laughed with me before becoming quiet again.
“So…..what’s he really like?” I thought for a moment.
“The kindest person I’ve ever known.” She looked up.
“Really?” I nodded.
“When everyone else ignored me…..he sat with me when everyone else laughed…..he defended me, he secretly brought me food he gave me clothes he even got into trouble on purpose sometimes…..just to stop his parents hurting me.” Nelly listened without interrupting.
“He sounds…..amazing.” “He is.” I smiled.
“But he’s also incredibly annoying.” She laughed.
“Oh?” “He leaves wet towels everywhere in his room.” “He snores, i can hear him through the wall.” “He thinks he’s hilarious.” “I am hilarious,” Nelly said in a terrible impression of Jace’s voice.
I laughed so loudly people turned to look at us.
“That was actually quite good.” “I’ve been practising.” We both dissolved into another fit of laughter.
After a moment, Nelly smiled shyly.
“I really do like him.” I reached over and squeezed her hand.
“I know.” She looked nervous.
“You don’t mind?” I shook my head.
“Not at all, Jace has always been my family, my brother, I’ve never really thought of him any other way.” Nelly smiled with visible relief.
“Thank goodness.” I raised an eyebrow.
“That relieved?” “You have no idea.” We both laughed again.
I had a feeling…This was the beginning of a lifelong friendship.