Amara – Reunion

Author's note: this is from Cristina's point of view

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I assumed that Zoe would act ladylike in front of Ash, but the reality proved me wrong.

I envy Zoe for being herself no matter what. I am good with Zoe and a few more people, but when left to my own devices I withdraw into my shell that was made out of shyness.

My wolf, Lana, reflects my personality to the point of being so shy that she barely speaks to me. It's strange knowing that there is a person inside my mind, yet she is quiet. If not for a few brief conversations we had in the last few months, I would doubt if she is there even though I can feel her.

"Hey!", Zoe called a second before taking a seat next to me on the sand. "Are you liking the food?"

"It's delicious.", I responded honestly and glanced at her plate that was full of various meat, just like mine. "Is that your third one?"

Zoe grinned in response and some grease dripped down her chin over the existing layer. It was gross. I handed her a napkin.

She wiped her face carelessly, missing most of it, and turned to me. "Are you enjoying the party?"

Why was Zoe asking me these questions?

My instinct told me to be wary of what's coming next. We are here since yesterday, and most of my time I was with Zoe. She should know the answer to this, but I still responded, "Yes."

"I have a question. A request. A plea."

I swallowed hard, knowing that this is what I feared. By the way Zoe looked at me, I guessed that it's serious. I knew that this trip to France is not really free. What does she want?

I gathered my courage before speaking. "Say it."

"Scavenger hunt is done in teams of twos. Would you be a sweetheart and pair up with Luca?"

I blinked. I thought that Zoe and I will be a team. We spoke about it a few days before coming here when we found out the schedule for activities. I remember that we looked up online what a scavenger hunt is and then Zoe said how it will be great for us to team up. Why does she want me to pair up with Luca?

I guess my thoughts were clearly visible on my face because Zoe spoke again.

"I would like to go with Ash. Since we got here, we didn't get much time for just the two of us and the last few weeks were not much better either because we were studying for exams between our regular duties." She looked at me pitifully. "If you team up with Luca, there will be no problem. Right?"

I apprehensively glanced in the direction where Luca was sitting.

I know him for more than two years, but I'm not sure if we are really friends. We met on several occasions, always as part of a bigger group, and I don't remember if we ever spoke more than greetings.

However, I knew that Zoe would love to be in a team with Ash, so refusing just because I'm not buddy-buddy with Luca wouldn't be nice, especially because he is the birthday boy.

"Are you sure he wouldn't mind?"

Zoe grinned, her pitiful expression disappearing instantly. "I'm positive."

She obviously took my question as agreement and it seems that she was planing this from the beginning. 

I eyed Zoe suspiciously. "What did Luca say?"

"I will find out in a bit."

I couldn't believe her. She didn't talk to him at all! "Why did you ask like it's a done deal? What if he hates it? What if he thinks I'm throwing myself at him?"

"Don't panic. I wanted to make sure you are fine with it before I talk to him. Luca never refused me anything. I have the older sister power.", Zoe said mischievously and winked. "Besides, will it be wrong if he thinks that you are coming onto him? My brother is a good-looking guy, and he is available."

I felt a sudden rush of heat in my face like I'm going to spontaneously combust. Is she setting me up with Luca?

Sure, he is good-looking, but we never interacted, and I definitely never thought of dating him.

"Zoe!", I squeaked when I saw her getting up, ready to leave.

"OK. I need to talk to Luca.", Zoe said through giggles and dashed before I could stop her.

I had a bad feeling about this. What exactly is she going to talk to Luca about?

I did my best to stare at the plate I was holding but I couldn't help my eyes from wandering toward Zoe who was now talking to Luca. I couldn't see his face because Zoe was between us and he was sitting on the ground, but after a few endless seconds he craned his neck and our eyes met.

Oh, God! He looked my way!

I took a deep breath, convincing myself that he will refuse to team up with me. Besides, there is no way we will end up dating.

With Luca's introverted personality and my shyness, if we end up together, our children will be mute.

Ah! Did I just think about children?

I'm only sixteen years old! It's too soon! I am too young!

I want to grow up and travel and see what the world has to offer and maybe go to school just like Zoe, and settling down is out of the question before I had my fill of fun and excitement. Starting a family is a lot of work and I will be trapped in the house with chores and taking care of kids and…

'You are working yourself up over nothing, Tina…', Lana grumbled in my head.

'Sorry…', I responded right away.

We are sharing emotions and she didn't appreciate me plunging into a panic over something that will not happen.

I nearly shrieked in surprise when someone sat next to me, and I realized that it's Luca.

How long was I spacing out? How come I didn't notice him approaching me?

I swallowed hard while timidly looking into Luca's face and trying to decipher why he came to sit next to me.

He observed me intently while his lips were pressed into a line.

"I'm sorry…", Luca said, and I was absolutely confused.

What is he apologizing for?

"I don't want to hurt your feelings, but I think it's best if we clear the air right away.", he said, and I blinked.

Is he rejecting me? But I didn't do anything.

Damn… you… Zoe!

I never went on a date, I never kissed a guy, and my first romantic interaction is a rejection!

I felt like crying. This must be a bad omen and I will never date a guy! I will be single forever and it's all Zoe's fault!

Against my will, my chin trembled as tears threatened to fall from my eyes.

I was not sad. I was angry. Why did Zoe do this to me?

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