I don’t want to go to school today knowing I have to end things with Claire. Sometimes I have to wonder if it’s me who has a curse. Everyone who seems to care for me ends up hurt. I force my feet out of bed, knowing what I need to do. I get dressed, wash my face in the basin, and head downstairs for breakfast. Everyone is already halfway through breakfast. I must have slept in. Everyone greets me except for Nina. Her eyes stare vacantly at her bowl of cereal as she swivels the milk around with her spoon, lost in thought. As soon as I sit down, she stands up and grabs her schoolbag to leave.
‘In a hurry?’ Leon asks her.
‘I’m meeting up with Moss so we can walk to school together.’
‘Okay, honey. You have a great day.’
‘Thanks, I will, Dad.’
She runs out the door. Zak, May, and Josie are ready to leave. I grab my bag and join them.
‘Have you talked to Nina yet?’ I ask May.
‘No, last night I went to her room, but she ignored me and wouldn’t open the door.’
‘Nina has gone through a lot. She needs some time, and then the opportunity to talk will arise.’
‘I hope so.’ She frowns.
We arrive at the school. I walk to my locker and hear my pet name being called out.
‘Boo-boo, I missed you.’ Claire smiles. She leans up to kiss me, but I take a step back.
‘Claire, we need to talk.’
‘What’s the matter, Boo-boo?’
‘There is something I need to tell you, and I’d prefer to tell you privately.’
‘Whatever you have to say, you can say it here. I’m sure it’s not that bad, whatever it is.’
‘Claire… you know how I have my wolf now?’
‘Yes.’
‘Well, that means I can sense and feel my mate, and I don’t feel the mate bond with you.’
Claire lets out a loud gasp, gaining the attention of anyone nearby.
‘What are you saying, Magnus?’
‘What I’m saying is you’re not my mate. So our relationship needs to end. You’re only going to get hurt if we stay together and I find my fated mate.’
‘You’re dumping me in front of everyone at school?’
‘I suggested I talk to you privately.’
Claire bursts into tears.
‘How dare you break up with me? No one breaks up with me!’
‘Claire, I’m sorry, but it’s over.’ I take my textbook from my locker and head to English class.
She doesn’t sit next to me in her usual spot but a few rows away, sobbing throughout the class.
‘Claire, you have been crying throughout the class. It’s rather distracting, you know. Do you need to see the school nurse?’
‘No, Magnus broke up with me.’ she blurts out and cries louder.
All the girls in the class whisper amongst each other and smile at me. The bell rings, and I walk to my next class with a dozen girls following close behind. I completely ignore them and walk into science.
Nina sits at our wonky table in silence.
‘Hey, Nina.’
‘Hey.’ she says quietly and focuses on the notes in her textbook.
‘I thought maybe we could go to the library today and study up about curses. It might help us find out more about yours?’
‘Shh, someone might hear you. I’ll go to the library after school by myself. We need to avoid each other until you find your mate. I’m only sitting at this table with you because Mr Thomson made us lab partners, and we don’t get a say in it.’
Knowing Nina doesn’t want to be around me after we already missed seven years of friendship together is taking a toll on me. At lunch, I decide to spend it in the library and research curses to help Nina.
I’ve spent twenty minutes searching for a book about curses and cannot find one. I see Pipsqueak at her usual table.
‘Psst, Pipsqueak.’
She looks around the library.
‘Over here.’ I loudly whisper.
‘Magnus?’ she says, standing up from her chair as she approaches me. ‘I-is everything alright?’
‘I need your help.’
‘W-what kind of help?’
‘If I wanted to study curses, where would I find the right book?’
‘Oh, curses or any type of magic isn’t allowed, Magnus. Those books aren’t out here with the other books. We would get in big trouble if we studied any kind of witchery, voodoo, or magic.’
‘Where are they kept then?’
‘In the t-town library, behind lock and key, in a r-room out of sight.’
‘Do you know where?’
‘Y-yes.’
‘Great! Meet me at the town library after school.’ I say, taking my leave.
‘B-but…’
‘4.pm sharp.’ I yell, ‘And don’t be late.’
The school bell rings. I run to my locker, take what I need. I shut my locker door to find Zak, May, and Josie standing there.
‘Ready to go home, bro?’ Flint says.
‘Um, I have a school project I need to do. I’ll be home late for dinner. Tell Mum and Dad not to worry about me.’
I run down the corridor, past Nina and Moss making out, and growl. They stop kissing and watch me continue running. My wolf wants to come out. Pain soars through my body. I stop running, lean on some lockers, and fight my wolf to contain itself. Once I’m in complete control, I race to the town library. Pipsqueak is waiting out the front.
‘Are y-you okay, Magnus? Why are you drenched i-in sweat?’
‘I’ll be fine. I had to fight my wolf back.’
‘Oh, so the r-rumours you have your wolf are t-true?’
‘Yes.’
‘Magnus, I know y-you want to see these books, but we will get into s-so much trouble. You should reconsider this.’
‘No, I have to do this, Pipsqueak. I don’t have any other choice.’
‘Why? What has happened?’
‘I can’t tell you. Only the high-ranking wolves in the pack know, and I’ve been told not to tell anyone else.’
‘Oh, Okay. I just m-might not be as much help if I don’t know what it is you are trying to find the answer t-to.’
‘For now, let’s just get inside that room.’
Pipsqueak nods and gestures for me to follow her. We enter the library, and she leads me to the librarian’s desk.
‘See the office over there? Inside is another door at the back. It’s locked, and that is where the forbidden books are.’
‘Where is the key?’
Pipsqueak points at the librarian at her desk, scanning the box of returned books. I can see a ring of keys dangling by her side.
‘How are we meant to get the keys when she is wearing them?’
‘Y-you distract her. I’ll sneak up behind her and take them.’
I nod my head and approach the librarian.
‘Why hello, miss,’ I say, gazing into the librarian’s eyes.
‘Yes, how can I help you?’
‘I-I um was wondering if, ah, you fell from heaven?’
‘Excuse me?’
‘Well, heaven called and said they are missing an Angel, and I know a sweet angel when I see one.’ I wink.
The librarian, twice my age, blushes while Pipsqueak facepalms herself.
‘Oh, my.’ she giggles.
I continue to flirt with her. Finally, pipsqueak successfully takes the keys and tiptoes into the back office.
‘I’ll see you around doll face.’ I blow a kiss goodbye to the librarian. She sits down and fans her face as I walk away.
