Love at First Sight

The girls just left me after being satisfied with slapping and humiliating me in front of many people. I adjusted my sagging glasses. With my chin held high, I walked out of the corridor towards the backyard of the school. Paying no attention to the curious stares of the other students.

In the end, I skipped class.

Yes!

My mood was completely ruined. Being half-human turned out to require great sacrifice. Instead of turning back to class, I jumped over the school fence after covering the CCTV with a tissue.

The full moon was still five days away. However, my body was already broken. The aches and pains typical of my werewolf body were starting to take over. Add to that the bullying by the girls at school, and my mood had dropped dramatically.

Malibu offers no safe hiding place for an abnormal creature like me. It was different from Alaska, which was full of trees and lacked humans. I had to settle for walking along the sidewalk in the hot summer sun.

"Hi, Lei."

I almost tripped over my own feet. I turned around quickly only to find Sol behind me.

Since when was she there?

"Hi." I returned her greeting with a sense of shock that must have been obvious.

"Skipping class?"

It was useless to deny it. I just nodded and started walking again.

"Lei ...."

"Don't follow me." I said curtly.

"But ...."

"New kids aren't supposed to skip class."

Sol studied me. His long legs made it easy for him to keep up with me who was half running.

"You didn't read the school announcement."

I reflexively stopped my steps. "What announcement?"

"The entire schedule after lunch is canceled. There's a fire drill."

I tapped my forehead. I just remembered that announcement. I was so angry at the bullying that I didn't remember the unimportant information at all.

"You should be at school practicing fire escape." I took another step, more relaxed this time.

Sol's laughter rang out. His voice was surprisingly pleasant. Heavy and deep. My heart rippled to hear it.

"My home was Alaska. Fire and water are my friends."

I unconsciously giggled. The guy's words reminded me of the jargon of one of the famous animated series from the Asian continent.

"Looks like you're more adept at avoiding fire than those firemen." I commented.

"That's what my friends used to say."

We both fell silent. I was at a loss for where else to go. Malibu wasn't as fun as I thought it would be.

This was the area Mom had chosen to disguise our aging existence. Mom missed the luxury, the hot breeze, and the modern urban atmosphere.

While I hated it.

"Lei, that's not the way home."

"I don't want to go home."

"Why? Are you angry at the people at school making fun of you?"

I stopped in my tracks again. So, Sol saw me being humiliated?

My face felt hot. I don't like being observed. It was so embarrassing, especially by the person who was the source of my bullying.

"Lei, why?"

I shook my head. Sol's good-looking charm faded a little because my heart was upset.

"Lei." The guy held my hand.

"Let go." I jerked roughly at his grip.

"Why are you angry?"

I glared fiercely. "Why are you inferring I'm angry?"

"Your emotions can be read on your face."

I snorted loudly. "So, you're a facial expression reader?"

Sol didn't answer. Instead, he took my hand again. I honestly felt happy with his treatment.

I don't know. I don't understand. We've only met twice, but it feels like we've known each other for a very long time.

But I had to put up my gang. So, I forcefully jerked her grip trying to get away. Unfortunately Sol was just as determined as I was, albeit for different reasons.

I want to break free. Sol wanted to hold me back.

"Lei, you better be my tour guide." Sol offered.

I snorted again. "I'm as blind as you are about this city. I don't like Malibu. It's too crowded."

"But I like Malibu because it has you."

I was stunned. My forehead wrinkled a lot. Sol's words sounded very awkward.

"Don't ever ask me out. I'm not in the mood for any commitment." I quickly told her before anything happened that I would regret.

Sol is indeed very attractive. It wasn't necessarily that he would ask me out. But I had to set very clear boundaries. Especially with my status being so complicated right now.

"Shall I try to seduce you?" Sol winked.

I groaned inwardly. That simple gesture just made my heart melt. No, no, no. This is not good.

I can't fall for Sol's charms if I don't want a riot in the Moon Clan.

"I firmly reject your advances. Please, don't make things awkward."

I tried to take a step with Sol's hand clasping mine. My instincts were dull. My memory also started to fog up just because of this handsome guy's presence.

I slightly forgot that I was being watched. Walking on the sidewalk with Sol was able to paralyze my alertness.

"But you're interesting. I want to get to know you better."

"Wow. Wow. Hold on, Brother. That's not how things play out in my love life." I tried to laugh to break the ice.

Sol was silent with a slight smile on his face.

"We are schoolmates. We are neighbors. I don't want our relationship to be awkward if we break up. I don't. It's better if we're just friends. Just as friends." I emphasized.

"Lei?"

"What?"

"I'm not a quitter."

Had my situation not been this complicated, I would have been happy to hear Sol's teasing. It was already like the promise and hope of a very sweet romance.

Unfortunately, I have a condition that cannot be trivialized. This time my feelings started to get restless. I sniffed the air, trying to smell the traces of my neighbor.

There was nothing.

The air was clear of the Moon Clan's werewolf scent. Or maybe it was because they were wearing an ancestral odor masking balm. I don't know.

What's clear is that I'm feeling uneasy right now. Damn it, I can't keep my hands off Sol.

"I think I fell in love with you at first sight."

I felt my eyes widened. My heart was beating so fast that my knees were shaking.

"Wow. Sol, calm down." I tried to laugh, though it was discordant. "We just met. I'm not the type of girl who likes to play fast and ...."

"I know what type you are."

My smile faded instantly. "Are you stalking me, Sol?"

I didn't wait for Sol's answer. I jerked Sol's grip hard. I don't know if he was in a trance or if he intended to let me go, but I was able to break free from his grip.

I quickly ran away from Sol. Every now and then I look back and feel relieved that he didn't follow me. At the end of the block I slowed my pace. My breathing was labored because it was so hot.

Unfortunately nature did not bring me peace. Just a few steps away someone suddenly stood in front of me.

The blood seemed to stop flowing on my face. I'm sure my face must be as pale as a corpse by now. With a trembling voice, I called out the name of the figure looming over me.

"Sergey ...."