Lunar Changes (unedited)

Chapter 1 - Reminiscence

My five year old self, I see her sitting there giggling with the other pups. A screech came from the woods and someone picked her up and took her, along with the others. I screamed and ran after her as she kicked and screamed. She bit the person and fell flat on her butt as everyone stopped. The Alpha and Luna looked at her with tears in their eyes and mouthed goodbye before the Blood Eyes pulled them away from the pack. I screamed as I tried to get to them and almost grabbed the Luna's hand when everything goes black.

"Mom!" I scream as the class and teacher looks back at me. I slouch in my chair, trying to deflect the attention that was now on me. My friend, Jesse, had a worried, sorrowful expression on his face.

When the bell rings I grab my stuff and squeeze through the crowd, hoping no one will say anything, but with my luck?

"Crying for your mama, Hannah?" Garrett, the school's MVP for practically every sport, taunted. "Where is she huh? Did she abandon you again?" he snickers and high fives his team mates, walking off with some of the cheerleaders.

I sigh, trying to shake it off. They did abandon me though, and I obviously haven't gotten over it. This stupid nightmare my mind made up as a kid, it just keeps coming back to me.

I run into the girls bathroom as I let it all out. I hear a knock on the door and a soft cough as he comes in. Pulling me into him he coos softly, attempting to calm me down as he runs his fingers through my hair. By the time the bell rings again, signaling we'll be late, I finally calm down with only little hiccups of whimpers. He helps me wash my face off, the cool water soothing to my now puffy, red face.

"Thanks J," I almost whisper.

"Anytime Hunt," he responds with a small smile, making me smile slightly. "Would it be too soon to ask why you're in the girls restroom? Last I knew boys weren't allowed in here and you qualify as one to not be allowed in here anymore."

His remark cause me to laugh, "Hey I haven't had surgery yet or an official name change, I can technically go where ever I please. You on the other hand are one hundred percent boyo, so why are you in here?"

We both bellow out in laughter then head to class. Jesse and I are best friends, have been since I've been living with the Evermore's. I met him in grade school and we've been inseparable since. His family were the ones to find me when mine abandoned me in the woods alone at five. They helped me get placed in a new family, Blake and Sally Evermore. They're really sweet and accept me for me. Born Hannah, growing up to be Hunter. I may not have had surgery or my official name change yet but they've taken me to start the testosterone shots. It's difficult, I don't have shot anxiety but it's weird. I mean I stab myself with a needle every week just to be who I know I'm meant to be. We've talked about me getting everything else done after my eighteenth, which is tomorrow. I'm excited to finally be considered an adult. I can go out into the world and find out who I'm really meant to be, all together, like what I'm supposed to do, who I'm gonna fall in love with, god I bet she'll be the cutest nerd ever.

After school, we decide to walk home instead of taking the bus, as we don't live too far out. As we walk home we joke about our day and how it went. He nudges me slightly and I nudge him back. We end up racing to his house, mine being just a couple more blocks up the road and to the right.

"Don't forget to text me ya weirdo," I giggle and he just chuckles, watching as I leave before heading back in.

As I walk home, I can almost feel another's presence. I need to hurry home and take my schizophrenic pills. The doctors diagnosed me with schizophrenia believing it occurs due to my past. I ignore it as I rush home.

"Aye mom, aye dad!" I yell as I push the door open.

All the lights are off and it is completely silent. Maybe they stayed late at work? I kick off my shoes and relax on the couch as I put on a random channel. Within minutes I am captivated by my traumatic past in my mind.