James has been teaching me,
But we have mostly been having fun while I try and fail at what ever home work Mrs, Peterson asked me to prepare.
It is after two weeks when I find James really down at our usually spot.
I try to lighten his mood with a joke but it doesn't really work.
Then I notice the bruises on his neck,
They aren't the kind of bruises I have seen Victoria waking up with after a party.
I pull his high turtle neck down.
They seem to be in the shape of a hand.
'Who did that.' I surprise myself with the anger in my voice,
James just shakes his head and seems to become even smaller.
'I am sorry, are you oké?'
Wauw, stupid question Mara. Of course he isn't.
He shakes his head to confirm that.
'I mean, is there something I could do for you?'
He looks at me, and only then I see how red his eyes are.
He cried, for quite some time.
I hug him thightly.
He lets out a sob and I try to make him feel better.
It takes everything in me to not ask him a hundred questions. He knows I am here and if he wants to tell me what happened he will.
To my shock I find him in the same state again and again after that day.
Weeks turn into months and I stil don't know anything.
I asked him a few times, when it was just the two of us and he seemed happy, "what is going on." I begged him a few times too.
But he never gave in.
I think it has to be someone I know, but I know everyone James knows around here. And no one seems to mean him harm.
In the end I promised him to stay by his side as much as possible. And to not alert anyone about it.
Even though I was at his side most of the time, I never caught the bastard.
Despite this awful secret that stands between us,
He and I grow quite close. There aren't many supernaturals of our age around.
And though Victoria seems to like human company, I am way to intrigued and have to many questions to be pretending to life the life I always thought I lived.
In the beginning of the year I thought Victoria would become my best friend,
But now it is definitely James
Victoria is very nice to everyone.
And she definitely looks out for me and makes me feel save,
And I can party with her like no other,
James is the person I am closed to.
Though it has only been three months.
I am on my way to meet James,
We were planning on going in to the city because there is a fair.
I am a bit late and I rush through the school.
I am still on track with Biology but all my academic focus are on my witchcraft lessons.
Still, it has been made very clear to me that I need to pass in the official subjects do I want to continue to attent this university.
'You think you are so smart, don't you?' A deep voice that is nearly growling sounds from the other side of the corner.
'Stick so close to Davir's girl. But you can't escape me.' I slow down and come to a halt.
Davir has a girl? That is new.
My interest peaked I silently listen to what the angry man will say next.
'You deserve so much worse. I hate your thieving guts.'
I hear another now too, their breathing is shallow, as if they can't get the air into their longs.
'You fucking despise me, you know that? You ruined everything.' The deep growling voice is winding himself up. His voice raising and the anger with which he spits his words increases.
'Ik only you had never been born. I HATE you.'
All of a sudden all pieces fall together as I recognise the shallow breathing.
I rush around the corner. But I am too late.
Rexes fist connects to James jaw. I cry out in horror.
I pull at James arm, and Rex lets go of his neck. He looks almost shocked that I discovered them.
I start running and pull James after me.
He follows silently.
I run to a more deserted part of the building.
At this time of day there are only a few classes taught here.
I pull him into a bathroom.
And hide us under the sink.
Rex wasn't following us but still, hiding feels saver.
He is shaking and he stares at the floor apathetically. It breaks my heart.
I pull him to my chest. He is turned ninety degrees away from me.
My left leg leans against his back. My right runs under his legs.
I rest my chin on his head as he sobs.
I don't say a thing.
For a while I don't have to.
'He said I despise him.' His voice breaks as he says so.
I think he wants to say more but he can't, with out sobbing.
I run circles on his back, trying to sooth him.
'He hates me, what can I possibly do about that.'
James looks up at me now. His eyes are red pinkish.
Tears streaming down his cheeks.
I don't think I understand,
As soft as I can I say: 'what do you care what he thinks of you? You are a wonderful person and he is just a dumb aggressive wolf.'
His lips turn upwards ever so little. 'Thank you'. We have never talked this much about what happend.
'But it matters the world to me what he thinks.' His voice is rough from crying and it is unlike him. He usually has a voice made for singing. I can listen to him talk al day. Though this rough version of his voice does suit him to.
'I don't understand, please tell me a little more. Why do you care so much.'
I say it in a hushing tone to calm his crying.
I pull him against me as I ask him.
I rock us a little but he has turned silent.
I know then and there this is all he will say.
I feel a little say.
But I feel a lot more sad seeing James in this way.
We sit there under the sinks.
Ignoring the passers-by that use the toilets.
Until after it gets dark out.
Until James stopped crying.