Eight.

Cole's POV

Things have been going great since I came back. Iris, Bryan, Rose and I had been hanging out lately. We were part of the shifters selected to participate in the tournament at Beacon Hill Academy.

Bryan had stopped getting tongue tied in the presence of Rose and he finally grew the courage to ask her out. They found out about Iris's secret spot and now it has become our hangout spot.

Bryan and Iris had been getting along pretty well. It turns out that Iris is an evil genius. She had unleashed a reign of terror on the school through Bryan. She planned the pranks and Bryan executed them. That way he gets all the glory and she didn't get in trouble.

It was Thanksgiving break and most of the students were with their families but the students participating in the tournament had to stay in school alongside the other students who didn't want to go home.

In the past couple of weeks, Rose had been  absolutely amazing. She was now ranked the best shifter in the entire school. She was stronger and faster than every other shifter including the teachers. And the teachers were talking about the possibility of her being the Elysian.

But Iris, Iris still hadn't shifted and she was getting anxious and we promised to help her  trigger her powers. We were currently in the training area waiting for Rose to show up.

She had recently started hanging out with Clarissa and the power and fame of being the best shifter was gradually getting to her head.

" You guys should go, I can't keep you waiting any longer." Iris sighed.

" It's fine." I replied.

" No it's not!, You guys have been here for over two hours."

" It's fine Iris. Where's Rose?" Bryan questioned.

A few minutes later we heard the door of the training area open.

" Are you sure it's empty?" A voice that sounded a lot like Clarissa's asked.

" Yeah, now come on." Rose said.

We were sitting at the corner of the training area where they couldn't see us easily but we could see them clearly. Iris sighed and stood up walking towards the entrance. 

Rose finally spotted us and her eyes widened.

" Iris!, Oh my God I'm so sorry!, I totally forgot."

" Two hours Rose, we've been waiting for you here for two hours."

" I'm so sorry. I was hanging out with Clarissa and she wanted me to show her-"

" Just forget it." Iris said walking out with Bryan and I in tow.

***

We had a week till the tournament at Beacon Hill. The break was over and students were back in school. Iris still hadn't shifted and it's been almost three months since she got here.

It seemed like everyone else were also counting how long she had been here. Clarissa and here friends had been picking in her lately but the sad part was that, Rose never stopped them. And that hurt Iris even more.

Iris was walking towards her locker when Clarissa stuck her foot out and she tripped.

" You can't shift and you can't watch where you're going?!"

" I'm sorry!" Iris replied packing her books quietly.

" I'm pretty sure you're adopted. You're parents are so cool but you're just a loser." Clarissa taunted.

I saw the tears prickling at Iris's eyes but she blinked them back. Bryan and I went over to help her much to Clarissa's dismay.

" Are you okay?" I asked softly.

" Yeah I'm fine." She replied. She looked up and made eye contact with Rose who was silently standing next to Clarissa and she sighed. Bryan was about to say something when Iris stopped him.

" Let's just go."

He glared at Clarissa and her friends but when he got to Rose, he looked disappointed.

***

Iris's POV

" You wanna ditch this place for the spot?" Bryan asked bumping his hip with mine as we entered the dining hall.

" Nah, it's okay." I replied chuckling.

Second period was just over and it was time for breakfast. I picked a croissant and choclate milk and placed it on my tray.

" Hey pup!, Catch!" Bryan hollered throwing a piece of bacon at Cole. Cole growled.

" A pup is the worst thing you can call a  grown wolf." Bryan explained and Cole sneered.

" Bryan, that wasn't nice. Now apologize to Cole." I said.

" Now way." He argued.

" If you don't apologize I'm not going to plan your next prank for you." I reasoned in a sing song voice.

" But, but-"

" No buts." I said and he giggled.

" You said buts." He said and I rolled my eyes.

" Well you can forget your prank."

" Fine!, I'm sorry Cole." He mumbled and Cole smirked his icy blue eyes twinkling with mischief.

" Do you accept his apology Cole?"

" No."

" Oh come on!"

" You have to say it like you mean it. Something like this, Cole dear Cole. I am so very sorry for calling you a pup. You are the most amazing best friend in the entire world!."

" I am not saying that."

" Then you can forget about your prank." Cole retorted.

" Okay both of you just stop!, Cole accept his apology."

" Fine!, I accept your apology." He said pouting and I rolled my eyes.

" You're both acting like children." I stated.

" He started it." They said simultaneously and I face palmed.

I was getting looks of jealousy from the girls in dining hall. I didn't blame them, though. I was hanging out with the hottest guys in school.

We were arguing about which was better between a croissant, muffin and a bagel when I saw Rose approach. The table went silent once she arrived.

" Hey guys!" She greeted.

" Okay, Bryan I just wanted to ask if you'll be available tomorrow, for our date."

" Forget it." He replied blankly.

" Wait what?!, I don't understand-"

" I asked you out and now I'm telling you to forget about the date cause it's not happening."

Cole and I looked at each other then back at Bryan.

" Are you guys done?" He asked turning towards us and we nodded.

" Great let's go!" He said standing up from the table and we followed him leaving Rose standing there bewildered.

" You okay?" I asked as we left the dining hall and he sighed.

" I like Rose, I really do!, But ever since she started hanging out with Clarissa she's changed. She's different and not in a good way."

" It's gonna be okay man." Cole said patting his back.

***

I was by my locker, switching my book for 5th period when a very angry Rose walked up to me.

Oh boy!

" You!" She seethed.

" Rose I'm so-"

" It's all your fault!" She yelled.

" I had nothing to do with what happened-"

" Oh drop the act!, Clarissa told me that she heard you telling Bryan to cancel the date."

" Wait what?!, Rose I would never do that!,I-"

" You've been trying to steal him away from me all this while!"

" Rose, Bryan is my friend nothing more." I stated and she scoffed.

A huge crowd had gathered round us waiting for what was going to happen next.

" You know what, Clarissa was right. You're nothing but a loser." She said.

The words hurt me, a lot and I felt tears pricking my eyes.

" You are no supernatural. You are a pathetic-"

" Enough!" Bryan's voice rang out.

" Bryan what are you-"

" It was my decision to cancel the date. Ever since you started hanging out with Clarissa you've changed!, This isn't the Rose I know. The old Rose would have never believed anything Clarissa said!, The old Rose would have never caused a scene!, And finally the old Rose would have never said such mean things to her best friend." Bryan said and she gulped.

" This isn't the Rose I like. I miss the old you." He added softly. Rose opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out.

" Come on Iris." Cole said helping me with my bag as he led me away with Bryan in tow.

***

6th period was just over and it was time for lunch. I made my way to the training area alone. Bryan had detention for a prank he had pulled a couple days ago and Cole had some things to sort out with Coach Ryan. And I didn't want to go to the dining hall after what happened.

I entered my not so secret spot and saw a figure sitting in the middle of the room crying.

Rose looked up and wiped her face when she saw me.

" I should leave, it's your spot-"

" No, it's fine. There's enough room for both of us." I said placing my bag on the floor.

" Iris I am so sorry-"

" It's okay."

" Not it's not!, I shouldn't have listened to Clarissa. I shouldn't have said those things.I Iet the fame get into my head."

" I get it."

" I guess I was just jealous of you." She said quietly.

" What?!, You were jealous of me?!, Rose I'm jealous of you."

" Why?"

" Rose you're the best shifter in the entire school!"

" But apart from that, I have nothing else going for me!, But you, you have a lot of things. You're smart, you're kind, you're an incredible fighter, you're beautiful and you have an amazing family that loves you very much!"

" But I don't have my powers."

" Yet you still kick ass!, That's why most students are jealous of you. You don't have your powers and yet you can kick their asses!"

" I can't kick your ass. You're super strong. Like Elysian strong." I stated.

" Okay now you're exaggerating."

" I'm not!"

" Look, if I'm that powerful I should feel it!, But I don't. Maybe I'm just strong and nothing more."

" So who do you think is the Elysian?"

" I don't know!, It could be anyone Nerdy Joe, Cole or even Clarissa!" She said and I shivered.

" God I hope not."

" Yeah me too. Or it could be you." She mused and I laughed.

" Really Rose?!, I don't even have my powers yet and you think I'm the Elysian."

" It actually makes sense!, Maybe you're powers are taking so long because you have a lot of them." She reasoned and I rolled my eyes.

" I just hope I get it before the tournament is over." I said sighing.

" You'll get it. An I promise to do anything in my power to help you." She said and I hugged her.

Someone cleared his throat behind us and we turned to see Bryan and Cole standing by the door.

" Bryan, I- I -" Rose started but was cut off by Bryan.

" 4pm."

" But you said-"

" I know but the old Rose is back so the date is back on." He said smiling and Rose ran to hug him. He froze at first but later he hugged her back.

" Finally!" Cole muttered and I laughed.

" I'm glad that things are back to normal." He said and I smiled.

" Yeah, me too."

***

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