Eternity

  ***

  I got to the cafeteria early at lunch time, so there weren't very many people there yet. I sat by myself at a corner table and brought out my homework so I could try to get it done early. I wasn't sitting for long when someone joined me. I looked up and saw that it was Adrian, who smiled. It was the first time I had ever seen him eat in the cafeteria. The only time I'd ever even seen him in there was the time he'd tried to attack Michael. I mentioned as much to him.

  "Yeah, I know," he said. "Normally I don't like eating in here because it's loud and busy, but I figured I'd find you here. Plus, it's really nice to be able to enjoy my new freedom."

  "Jack told me you already moved back to your old room. It must be weird to be back there."

  "Yeah, I moved my stuff over this morning before breakfast. I tried to be polite with Jack for your sake, but he wasn't buying it." Adrian shrugged, as if he didn't really care. "At least I actually bothered to make an effort, unlike him. He really hates me."

  "You never used to like him either," I pointed out.

  "I still don't, but I'm trying."

  I sighed. "I guess that's all I can hope for," I said. I just wished that the two most important people in my life would get along so I wouldn't have to choose who to spend time with. Clearly, that wasn't going to happen any time soon.

  When Jack came into the cafeteria he looked over at us. He frowned at me and gave Adrian a dirty look before going to sit with some of his werewolf friends. Heather and Melissa acted similarly when they came in. They looked over at us and looked confused, and they sat down with Rhea at another table. In fact, it seemed like everyone was avoiding our table, though we got a lot of looks. I didn't know if it was because they were surprised to see Adrian among them or if they were surprised to see me with him, since everyone knew he'd hurt me. They probably thought I hated him or something, which bothered me.

  "Don't worry about it," Adrian said when I mentioned it to him. "Your friends will come around, except maybe Jack, and who cares what the rest of them think."

  "I guess there isn't much point in worrying. Things will be what they will be."

  "Yeah, there isn't much we can do about it. Want to watch a movie or something tonight? It's Friday, so there isn't much else to do."

  "Actually, I wanted to go swimming tonight since I haven't in a while. Feel free to join me though," I said. "I'll be at the pool by around six thirty."

  "Sounds like fun," was Adrian's reply.

  After we went swimming that evening, which was a lot of fun, we decided to go out for a walk, since Adrian hadn't been out in so long. We went out into the cool evening air and walked hand in hand along the edge of the forest. It was a quiet and clear night, and the moon was getting close to being full. I asked Adrian if he wanted to practice changing and being a wolf, but he said he just wanted to relax. Instead, we both enjoyed the fresh air and the relaxing sounds of the forest, like the rustling of leaves and the occasional calls from birds. It was a peaceful and romantic atmosphere, and we stayed out just walking until it was time to get inside before curfew.