Puppy Love!

by Sienna Mercer

  ‘Um . . .’ Justin hesitated.

  He’d never been any good at pretending he knew anything about music. All those songs that Daniel played non-stop at home were just noise to Justin – he had no idea who any of the bands were. The all sounded the same – miserable, angry, and very eager to shout about it.

  ‘I . . . like . . . stuff that rocks,’ he said, and tried his best to scowl artistically. Unfortunately, he was pretty sure he just looked like his stomach hurt . . . which it did. How much more of Daniel’s meal could he force down?

  ‘Like . . .?’ Debi prompted.

  ‘Uh . . .’ In desperation, Justin stuffed the club sandwich back into his mouth, even as his stomach screamed in protest. He had to buy the time to think somehow! Come on, brain! Last night Mom asked Daniel what he’d been listening to, and Daniel said . . . He said . . .

  Nope, it was useless. Justin had tuned out of that whole conversation, too busy thinking about the Homecoming Game. He and Dad had ended up in a big debate over training tactics while Mom and Daniel had talked music.

  Oh, great, Justin thought. I’m going to have to eat this whole sandwich just to have an excuse not to talk!

  Then something caught his attention on the other side of the room, and he had to stifle a moan of relief.

  Daniel was stoop-walking out of the Meat & Greet, just like last time, pausing only long enough to signal in Justin’s direction.

  Justin dropped the sandwich back on to its plate. ‘Sorry, I’ll be right back. I’ve just gotta . . .’ He gestured vaguely, hoping she would think up an explanation for herself.

  ‘That’s fine,’ Debi said, and sighed. ‘Really. Totally fine.’

  Uh-oh. Justin grimaced as he hurried away. Anyone who says they’re ‘fine’ twice in the same breath is never ‘fine’.

  A minute later, he was pulling off Daniel’s scruffy band shirt and buttoning his own shirt back up with relief. Unfortunately . . .

  ‘Hey!’ said Justin. ‘You’ve got it all creased!’

  ‘That’s probably from the stoop-walking.’ Daniel shrugged as he pulled on his own shirt again. ‘Mine’s probably creased, too. So what?’

  ‘But no one can tell with yours.’ Justin shook his head and did his best to smooth down his shirt. ‘Whatever. I’m just glad to be heading back where I belong. Seriously, dude, don’t ever ask me to do that again.’

  ‘I won’t.’ Daniel grimaced. ‘Trust me. But look!’ He held out his arm. ‘I’m all back to normal again. No fur! So, thanks – you really did save me.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Justin said, doing his best to look confident. ‘Saved you. That’s what I did. Yep. Although, I think you should start talking about your favourite bands – Debi seems really keen for some recommendations.’

  ‘Awesome – that’s conversation I’m actually good at!’

  By the time he slid back into the seat across from Riley a minute later, Justin was more than ready to call the not-a-date over. ‘Hey, do you want to get out of here?’

  ‘What?’ Riley’s head jerked up from the stack of clipboards she’d been studying. While Justin had been gone, they’d somehow multiplied from two to four. Now she ignored them all to stare at him in open shock. ‘You want to leave already? I thought we were having dessert. Your stomach was rumbling just a minute ago – and they make the best ice cream in town here!’

  ‘Uh . . .’

  Justin’s stomach gurgled warningly. Warning! Warning! Explosion imminent!

  Riley’s brown eyes were fixed on him. He swallowed hard, fighting back a groan. He knew how much she loved ice cream.

  ‘Of course,’ he mumbled, and sank down in the seat, giving up. ‘I just forgot.’

  ‘Oh, good!’ Riley said.

  Justin put on his best fake smile as he signalled for the waitress. ‘Two sundaes, please!’

  ‘Large ones,’ added Riley.

  Riley went back to doodling quickly on one of the clipboards, while Justin tried to prepare himself for more food.

  This was what sappy singers meant every time they sang ‘love hurts’.

  Chapter Two

  As soon as the twins were safely home and alone, Daniel headed straight for the kitchen. ‘Finally. I thought I’d never make it back here!’ He tore into the refrigerator, searching for sandwich fillings.

  ‘I can’t believe you’re eating more.’ Justin collapsed on to a chair at the kitchen table, closing his eyes. ‘After everything we had at the Meat & Greet?’

  ‘Everything you had,’ Daniel corrected. He sat down opposite Justin and started to spread mustard and mayonnaise over his sandwich bread, salivating at the smells. ‘You’d already eaten your burger by the time I took over for you, remember? And by the time I got back to my table, Debi had asked the waitress to clear the plates! Apparently . . .’ he gave Justin a meaningful glance as he slapped in the cold cuts, ‘. . . she somehow got the impression I had no appetite!’

  ‘Argh.’ Justin tipped his head on to the table with a groan. ‘You don’t know how lucky you are. Riley thought I was ravenous! I know I wanted to bulk up for football, but at this rate, I’ll be able to try out for the Sumo team instead!’

  Daniel snickered, imagining it. ‘You’re out of luck,’ he said, through his mouthful of sandwich. ‘Pine Wood doesn’t have a Sumo team.’

  Justin gave him a narrow-eyed look. ‘This is no time to be literal. I’m dying here, Bro!’

  ‘A large sundae never killed anybody.’ Daniel grinned as he took another bite. ‘Maybe I should take a picture to send to the school paper: the big tough football player slain by his first date.’

  ‘Don’t call it that!’ Justin’s eyes flew open. He jerked upright, looking outraged. ‘It was a not-a-date. And, anyway –’

  Before he could say another word, though, the kitchen door opened. ‘There you are!’ It was their dad, dressed in a ragged grey sweatsuit. He looked like a guy in a 70s boxing movie – he even wore a green headband. ‘I’ve been searching for you everywhere!’

  It took a moment before Daniel realised his dad was staring right at him.

  ‘Me?’ Daniel blinked, taking another bite of his sandwich. ‘Are you sure you weren’t looking for Justin? If you want someone to help with your marathon training, he’s really the one –’

  ‘No, no, no!’ Dad shook his head. Half his hair was sticking up as if he’d been caught in a hurricane – or had been tugging at it with his fingers. ‘You need to be ready. There’s going to be a gathering tomorrow night.’

  ‘A what?’ Daniel asked, sharing a confused look with Justin.

  ‘A gathering of Lupines !’ Dad said impatiently. ‘I have to bring my son the werewolf!’

  ‘Oh.’ Daniel swallowed hard. Uh-oh. I guess he did mean me, after all.

  Daniel might have been a werewolf for nearly a month, but that didn’t mean he was comfortable with it at all. He could barely even control his own werewolf powers yet. The idea of being completely surrounded by other werewolves, doing . . . well, whatever they did at those ‘gatherings’ . . .

  He had to force himself not to shiver.

  ‘Oh, what a shame,’ Daniel said, forcing an upbeat tone, ‘I’m afraid I’ve already got plans for tomorrow night. My band –’

  Dad fixed him with a hard stare. ‘This isn’t optional, Daniel. Like it or not, you are one of us, and you need to attend these gatherings. They are essential if you want to master your new abilities and learn about your heritage.’

  ‘My what?’ Daniel winced, trying not to look at Justin. We’re twins. We can’t have different heritages! ‘I’m part-human, too, remember?’

  ‘That makes it all the more important.’ Dad pointed a warning finger at him. ‘It is only by spending time with the wolves that you will be able to fit in better with the humans. Do you understand?’

  No, Daniel thought. Then, as he looked down to avoid his dad’s disappointed eyes, he caught sight of his own arm . . . which reminded him of this afternoon’s disastrous, hair-raising
date. Learning how to not suddenly sprout wolf-fur probably wasn’t the worst idea in the world.

  ‘OK,’ he said, sighing. ‘I’ll go.’

  As Dad hurried back out of the room to make some calls, Daniel stared down at the sandwich in his hand. Two minutes ago he’d been starving, but now he set the sandwich down on his plate and looked at Justin. But his twin was gazing down at the table, shoulders sagging.

  Maybe it was Justin’s stomach making him feel bad . . . or maybe he felt bad about something completely different.

  Up until a month ago, Justin was the one who’d had all the intense, secret conversations and hang-outs with their dad. He was the one who’d expected to take part in all of this. Meanwhile, Daniel had never even known werewolves were real until the first time he’d looked in the mirror and seen a wolf’s face where his should have been.

  ‘Hey,’ Daniel said. He cleared his throat awkwardly, pushing his sandwich around. ‘Are you OK?’

  ‘Me?’ Justin frowned as he looked up. ‘Why wouldn’t I be?’

  ‘Well . . .’ Daniel picked up his sandwich, then set it down again, sighing. ‘I just don’t want you to feel left out.’

  ‘I’m fine, Bro.’ Justin shrugged. ‘Totally fine.’

  Anyone who says they’re ‘fine’ twice in the same breath is never ‘fine’, Daniel thought. ‘You sure?’ he asked.

  ‘Yeah,’ said Justin. ‘I’ve got enough going on, with Homecoming coming up, and . . . school . . . and everything. I’m sorry to miss that gathering, though. It sounds fun.’

  Daniel stared at him, trying to put together the concepts of ‘fun ’ and ‘werewolf gathering ’. But it didn’t work. His body still clenched with dread at the whole thought of it. ‘Are you serious?’

  ‘Heck, yeah.’ Justin gave his usual confident grin. ‘Hanging out with a bunch of werewolves, using all your super-strength to push yourself to your limits – what could be better?’

  ‘Right,’ Daniel said flatly. ‘Total fun.’ He tried to smile back, but he couldn’t. He’d just made a seriously depressing realisation.

  My brother is a better werewolf than I am, he thought. And he’s human!

  The next morning, Justin was waiting with the rest of the football team outside the school auditorium. An assembly was about to start and, for once, Justin couldn’t wait – because he desperately needed a distraction, now. Otherwise he might just be sick!

  Of course he knew that the werewolf players on the football team – known collectively as the Beasts – liked to eat rare meat in their sandwiches. But did they really have to carry it around with them everywhere? At first he’d thought he was imagining the smell. Then he’d spotted the rare burger sticking out of Ed Yancey’s pocket, and stumbled back away from the stench. No way can that be hygienic!

  Trying to hide his revulsion, Justin turned away – and found Kyle Hunter, the leader of the Beasts, looking at him knowingly. ‘Hungry, Packer?’ Kyle reached into the pocket of his football jacket. ‘Want a bite of my beef to tide you over? It’s from a couple of days back but –’

  ‘No, thanks.’ Justin fought down nausea. As far as the Beasts knew, Justin was a werewolf just like them. If I threw up on his shoes that would definitely give my secret away. The last thing he wanted was for them to find out the truth.

  ‘Maybe later,’ Justin said weakly. ‘I just ate a full side of bacon . . . two, actually.’ But he couldn’t help swallowing hard as the smell of the old, raw meat floated up to him.

  ‘Ha!’ Ed Yancey chortled. ‘I saw that, Packer! Getting a little . . . “light-headed”?’

  ‘Um . . . Err . . .’ Justin panicked. How could they tell?

  Ed elbowed him, smirking. ‘I saw who was walking past just then. I think our running back has a crush!’

  ‘What?’ Justin yelped. He had to force himself not to spin around and look. Was Riley nearby? Was she watching? Is my hair OK?

  As he reached up to check that it was smooth, the other Beasts burst into raucous laughter.

  ‘I’d never have guessed it!’ Kyle said, and smacked Justin on the back. ‘So, Justin likes the cheerleading style, huh?’

  ‘I do?’ Justin stared at him, caught off-guard.

  ‘Yup.’ Kyle shook his head, grinning. ‘I never would have thought Mackenzie Barton was your type.’

  ‘What?! ’ Justin stared at him. ‘You’re kidding, right?’

  Mackenzie Barton was the head of the cheerleading team – and Pine Wood Junior High’s reigning Queen of Mean. Justin and Daniel had lived across the street from her for years before she’d finally moved to a different side of town.

  Justin still didn’t know why they hadn’t had a huge party that day.

  ‘I would never . . . I’m not . . .’

  ‘He’s stuttering,’ Chris Jackson said, grinning. ‘You know what that means. He has a thang for Mackenzie.’

  ‘Argh!’ Justin started to turn away – and caught sight of Riley staring at him from the edge of the crowd.

  She had definitely been close enough to hear what the Beasts were saying. Oh, no!

  Justin whirled back around. ‘Shut up!’ he hissed. ‘Seriously, guys. Please! Don’t say another word!’

  ‘Aha!’ Ed beamed, looking as if he’d made the most hilarious joke ever. ‘That’s proof. We definitely hit a nerve. You definitely like Mackenzie!’

  Panic made Justin’s thoughts veer and crash together like bumper cars. He knew his team mates wouldn’t stop teasing him until he admitted something. But the only way out of this would be to admit the truth about who he really liked. And he couldn’t do that while she was in earshot.

  Why does it have to be such a big deal just to like a girl? he asked himself desperately.

  Then he saw who was walking towards them through the crowd. Groaning, he tried to close his eyes . . . But he couldn’t look away from his doom.

  Why? Why is everything bad in the whole world happening to me?

  Mackenzie Barton was walking straight towards him, her ponytail swishing around the shoulders of her cheerleading jacket.

  ‘I’ve gotta go,’ Justin mumbled. ‘I’ll be right –’

  ‘Absolutely not!’ Kyle clamped a vice-like hand on Justin’s shoulder, holding him trapped. ‘Trust me, Packer. You can do this! We’ve got your back.’

  The other Beasts crowded around, snickering and wolf-whistling.

  Justin saw Riley watching from the edge of the crowd. His stomach sank.

  Mackenzie sauntered to a stop directly in front of him, smiling sweetly and batting her eyelids. The bizarre sight made Justin’s breath speed up with panic.

  Why is she smiling at me like that? Is this a trick?

  ‘Hey, Justin,’ she said, her voice all light and fluttery. ‘How are you doing?’

  Justin gulped, feeling Riley’s eyes on him.

  Mackenzie had never asked him how he was doing before. As far as he could tell, she’d never cared about how anyone was doing, apart from herself !

  ‘Fine, thank you. And you?’ She batted her lashes even more rapidly. ‘Have you got something in your eye?’

  ‘Oh, I’m fine,’ Mackenzie said, stopping the mad fluttering and leaning a little closer. ‘I just wanted to wish you luck for the upcoming game – and to tell you that you should try to avoid getting injured in practice.’

  ‘Oh. Thanks for . . . “caring”,’ he said.

  ‘It would suck for Pine Wood’s Homecoming King to be limping around on Coronation Day!’

  What?!

  Justin was still gaping at her when the doors of the auditorium finally swung open. He’d never been so relieved to be swept along with the crowd as they stampeded inside, carrying him away from Mackenzie.

  Normal, mean Mackenzie was bad enough. He knew how to deal with her in her usual moods. Duck and cover! But a Mackenzie who was trying to be friendly . . . that couldn’t signal anything good.

  And what had she meant about Homecoming King?

  He tried to look anywhere b
ut at the smirking faces of Kyle, Ed, Chris, and the rest of the Beasts as they took their places at the front of the auditorium.

  Up on stage, Principal Caine was already waiting for them. She may have been smaller than some of her students, with pale grey hair and eyes, but none of that diminished her icy fierceness – or the intensity of her glare, which could paralyse even the Beasts at their rowdiest. When she stepped up to the podium and called for quiet, an immediate hush swept across the auditorium.

  ‘Thank you, students,’ she said. ‘Now! I would like to formally announce the upcoming Homecoming Game and Dance.’

  The auditorium erupted. Excited chatter swept through the audience of girls, while the Beasts rose up in their seats to hoot and holler:

  ‘Pine Wood! Pine Wood! Pine Wood!’

  Justin smirked as he looked across the auditorium to see Daniel and his band mates Otto and Nathan all sitting together. The only ones who didn’t seem excited . . . Yup. I knew it.

  Daniel was looking pointedly at the ceiling with his arms crossed in open resistance; Otto sprawled across his seat, as though bored; and Nathan sat yawning and rubbing his eyes.

  Justin smiled. So much for ‘School Spirit’!

  ‘Ahem,’ said Principal Caine, and the noise died down. Her face tightened as she said grimly, ‘I am certain we are all looking forward to the festivities.’

  Yeah, right. Justin bit back a laugh. From the look on Principal Caine’s face, she might have just bitten into a prune. Has she ever looked forward to anything, ever?

  ‘One very lucky student band will be allowed to perform their music to their peers at the Dance,’ Principal Caine continued. ‘Auditions will be held tomorrow after school, and we invite all bands to sign up for this educational event.’ She shook her head irritably. ‘Otherwise, there won’t be much of a competition! At the moment, we only have one band on our list: In Pig’s . . . I beg your pardon.’ She squinted at the paper in her hands. ‘I mean, In Sheep’s Clothing, of course.’

  No way! Justin choked on his laughter. Still fighting for breath, he swivelled in his seat to check out Daniel and the others.