Jackson ~

I’d been waiting forever for my mate. The bell rang at 3:44 pm on the dot, it was a minute early, and now the time on my phone was 3:51 pm. Where the hell was he?

For a second I was worried that he might’ve slipped past me, but there’s no way that could be the case. He was the only boy at school with bright red hair, and was not easy to miss. I didn’t need to see him to find him though, as a proud member of the wolf clan I was blessed with a nose that was perfect for finding little red headed prey. 

Clover's scent was sweet. He smelled like those little red cherries that come on top of an ice cream sundae, and, if my nose wasn’t lying, he’d certainly be just as delicious. I wanted to eat him up right now, but was worried that if I did he wouldn’t like me anymore. It was best to take things slow… like maybe this weekend. 

—

3:52 PM

I was about to go into the school myself and retrieve him, when I spotted my red little bunny hop out the door and down the steps. I was excited to see him, but couldn’t help but frown when I noticed that he was no longer wearing my sweatshirt. I had given it to him so that he wouldn’t be cold, but here he was clattering his teeth, wearing nothing but a thin jacket. 

I motioned for him to come over to where I was standing, but he didn’t even look up at me, and instead headed towards the buses. Didn’t he know that I was going to drive him home? We were dating after all.

Usually I don’t take my car and just carpool with Evan and Wyatt, but today was different. I had taken it with the sole intention of driving my baby home and wasn’t about to let my plans be ruined.

Clover ~

I shivered and shoved my hands deep into my windbreaker’s pockets as I walked to the buses. Since Mom had to work until 6pm, it was decided that she would drop me off at school in the mornings, and I would take the bus home. I mean, it was either that or I had to wait around the school for another 2 hours, which I was not about to do.

Thankfully, this would be a temporary situation as I already found a guy on Facebook Marketplace that was willing to sell me his motorcycle when he got back to town next week. 

I had yet to discuss this with my mom because I knew she’d be against it, but she couldn’t really do anything to stop me. I was 18 and had already done the necessary online and in-person steps to get licensed. Besides, she’d have to admit that this was more practical than the current transportation system.

Sure I had her and the bus to take me to and from school, but besides that I was basically trapped at the house until she got home from work with the car, which would seriously put a dent on my plans to start lifting.

—

“This one takes you to…” I checked my notes app. “4321 Marley Road, right?” I was pretty sure this was the right bus, but I wanted to double check with the driver to make sure. I didn’t want to end up getting stranded somewhere on the opposite side of town.

“That’s not where I dropped you off last night.” A familiar hand curled around the back of my neck, making me shiver.

“What’s wrong? Are you cold?”  His hand traveled down, wrapping around my chest and pulling me closer to his weirdly warm body.

“I’m fine, thanks.” I pushed him off and started to get on the bus only to be pulled backwards again. 

“I’m taking him home Mr. Day.”

“Alright then.”

“Huh?” I looked to the bus driver for help, but he just ignored me and closed the door. I watched helplessly as the bus disappeared around the bend, leaving me trapped here with Jackson.

Sure, I was a little scared to be left alone with the beast, but more than that I was angry. He ruined my clothes, he's why I’m getting stared at like a freak, and he’s the reason I got food thrown all over me and sent to the principal's office! If I had never met this guy I would’ve been able to just enjoy a nice quiet senior year! Maybe I would’ve even made friends with that twat Mathew! But nooo….

It was all his fault.

I was already miserable enough after being forced to move to this gloomy town, and now I couldn’t even have a peaceful school life! My only hope now was to dye my hair black and start going by Kevin. My red hair and weird name did not do me much favors when trying to blend in, especially in this tiny school. In fact, I had only spotted two fellow red haired comrades today, both of which were girls, and neither had the same deep red color that I fashioned. 

Having enough of Jackson’s bullshit, I finally stood up for myself and yanked my wrist free from his grasp. “Stop jerking me around already!” 

Instead of taking a hint, he just stared at me with a blank expression on his face before reaching for my arm again.

“I said quit!” I jumped back, putting a bit more distance between us.

“Clover, don’t make me–”

“What?! You gonna try to carry me again, man?” I laughed. “Not happening.”

“I’m not gonna try to do anything.” 

He moved too quickly for me to avoid. One second I was standing on my own two feet on the ground, and the next I was 6ft up in the air dangling over a bulky shoulder. 

“It was cute at first, but now you’re really starting to piss me off.” He growled. “I’m the one who should be mad, you purposely took off your boyfriend's hoodie! And now you’re bullying him too!”

“What do you mean why’d I take it off?! There was food all over it!” I screamed pounding one of my fists into his back.

That seemed to really set him off because right after hitting him I was pulled off his shoulder and literally dangled in the air. In no world should a respectably sized man like myself be held under his armpits like a cat by another man.

“Eek! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” My legs flailed awkwardly, as I tried to free myself. “Your friend Wyatt has it! Go get it back from him!”

“Why does Wyatt have it?” He pulled our faces closer together, trying to gauge my reaction. It seemed like neither Wyatt or Evan had informed him about the lunch room incident. 

“I’ll… I’ll tell you why… umm let me down first though.” I smiled nervously.

“How bout I let you down if you tell me what happened, and you let me drive you home?”

“... whatever.”

“Good boy!”