by R. Mason
CHAPTER ONE
The cold bit at Amethyst’s cheeks as she rushed forwards through the wind. Her hood was up, and her hands were buried deep in her jacket pockets, but without a balaclava, having a warm face just was not an option. Trust England to be four degrees at the beginning of June. Amethyst could only pray that Faye would be warm enough in her shorts. Then again, running around a field kicking a ball would warm anyone up, even in this weather.
Pieces of auburn hair kept slipping out from her hood, whipping her in the face and causing her to splutter and choke. If Faye was there, she’d probably tell Amethyst that she was being over dramatic and could deal with a little bit of hair in her face. That was easy to say for someone with a box fringe that seemed to never be out of place.
There weren’t a lot of people Amethyst would venture out in the cold for. In fact, she was second guessing the decision to even do it for Faye. It would be fruitless to turn back now, though. Plus, Amethyst had never missed one of Faye’s games. Not once. She wasn’t going to miss the final game of the season.
They both preached about how female athletes were greatly under-appreciated and underestimated, and that female sport was just as good as male sport. Unfortunately, Faye always vetoed Amethyst’s ideas to bring huge banners to her games and scream at the top of her lungs when they scored. Amethyst did the latter anyway.
Football wasn’t even an interesting sport. Amethyst didn’t get enthusiastic about it for the game, she got enthusiastic about it for Faye. The smile on her face whenever she won was worth standing in the cold air for the better part of an hour.
They had been friends since childhood, inseparable for the last ten years. It was a sentiment to their loyalty, considering Faye was part of the sporting group of the school, and Amethyst was with the art kids. Every time Faye was dragged away by her teammates, she always came back to find Amethyst in one of the art rooms before the break was over. Every art exhibition, football game, track race, play with an exceptional set, they were there, supporting each other, leaning on each other, cheering for each other. They had both learnt that the cheering became inappropriate when it was in a quiet hall full of grandparents and delicate sculptures. There was a wall with a month’s worth of detention slips pinned to it to prove it.
They knew nothing could come between them. Only one thing ever threatened to.
A year ago, Amethyst was attacked. After spending the evening at Faye’s with a few other friends, she was walking home by the woods, her earphones in. Before she knew it, Amethyst was on the ground with a wolf looming over her, growling and dribbling, before running off, leaving a gaping wound in her shoulder and a scream in her lungs.
They were all shocked when the wound healed after a day.
It didn’t take long to work out what was happening, but it was Faye who noticed first.
“Werewolf.” She had said, smiling at Amethyst as if she should win a prize for her genius.
“You’re joking.” Amethyst shoved her friend’s shoulder, laughing, but stopped when Faye didn’t join her, “You are joking, right?”
“Why else would your wound heal so quickly?”
“Miracle.”
“You heard me saying your name from the other side of the school.”
“Soulmates?”
“It’s the full moon tomorrow. If you don’t turn, I’ll admit I’m wrong.”
Amethyst had agreed, still thinking of the suggestion as something ridiculous Faye got from one of the TV shows she watched. They went to the woods the next night. After a few hours of nothing, Amethyst started feeling sick, her stomach turning and her joints aching. Next thing, she was waking up under a blanket by some trees, a bloodied Faye lying a few feet away, only her even breathing letting Amethyst know that she was even alive.
Apparently as soon as Amethyst turned into a wolf, she went for Faye, only stopping when she saw the ring on the girl’s finger. It must’ve triggered a memory of giving it to her. The ring wasn’t even that significant, Faye had said, just a symbol of their friendship from years earlier. Amethyst knew it was more than that.
Since then, this thing had just become a part of Amethyst’s life. She was a werewolf, and nothing could change that. Whoever turned her must’ve run as soon as they did it, and she wished that they had stayed to guide her, tell her how to deal with this new part of herself that was just as unfamiliar as meeting a stranger.
It was hard.
Faye stopped eating properly, too busy doing research and helping Amethyst through the weirdest period of her life yet. Eventually, they figured out a weird rhythm. Every full moon, Amethyst and Faye would go out to the woods. Gradually gaining vague consciousness during her turn, Amethyst was happy, but Faye never told her how she did it.
But whatever it was, it worked.
After a year of struggling and crying and shouting, there was peace.
Amethyst had control, enhanced abilities, and a best friend that never gave up on her. So, what if only she and Faye knew about it? That was all they needed. It was all they would ever need.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she reluctantly pulled it out, already mourning the loss of warmth the material provided.
“Hello?” She answered without bothering to look at the caller ID. The phone was slightly warm so she held it closer to her ear, appreciating the protection from the ever-growing wind.
“Are you nearly here?” Faye’s voice was gentle, even through the harsh filter that is the phone line, “I’m bricking it and none of the others take this as seriously as I do.”
“Punch a wall,” Amethyst teased, “Do squats. Tai Chi!”
“You are both unhelpful and not funny.” The laughter in Faye’s tone betrayed her words, and there was some shuffling on the other end of the line, “But punching Yeva sounds awfully tempting.”
“Yeva is not a wall.” Amethyst raised an eyebrow even though Faye couldn’t see her. Though the girl talked a lot about hurting other people, she would never actually do it. Amethyst was pretty sure she had never even seen Faye kill a bug.
“Oh, I know,” Faye sighed, “Her incessant chatting has made that perfectly clear.”
“Faye, listen to me. I’m about two minutes away from the school. You’re fine. The game is going to be fine. You rock. Your team rocks. Just breathe, okay?”
“Thank you for reminding me,” Faye laughed, “I almost forgot breathing was necessary for survival.”
“Shut up.” Amethyst smiled, seeing the school up ahead. She quickened her pace. Despite knowing that Faye really was fine and that there was nothing to worry about, she still wanted to get there as soon as possible to comfort her.
“You think you could bite me when you get here?” Faye asked, “I mean, the whole enhanced agility and speed could come in handy.”
“One, we don’t actually know if that’s how this crap works. Two, even with my extra abilities, I would never be able to beat you.”
“True,” Amethyst could hear Faye’s smile, “Now get here so you can watch other people get beaten by me.”
With a laugh, Amethyst made her way through the people gathered on the field behind the school. She could see Faye stood by the side-lines of the hastily painted football field. Her hand was on her hip, and the phone was clutched so tightly in her thin, pale hand that the white knuckles would be visible even for those without enhanced senses.
“Don’t frown so much, you’ll get wrinkles.” Amethyst said quietly so Faye didn’t hear her in person.
“I’m not frowning.” Faye said, her frown deepening, her thin eyebrows scrunching together as she searched the crowd. Thankful for how quietly she could move, Amethyst tiptoed through the spectators
milling about so she was behind Faye without the girl noticing her approach.
“Yes, you are,” She sang, and Faye jumped, turning around with a yelp.
“Don’t do that.” Faye held a heart to her chest. The white T Shirt she was wearing hung loosely on her boyish figure, covering her hips. It was old and worn, unlike the new, black football shorts that reached her knees. Amethyst remembered her excitedly sending endless pictures of herself in them, lamenting about how comfortable they were and how she couldn’t wait to wear them for the final game of the season.
“It made you stop frowning.” Amethyst poked the visible dimple in Faye’s smile and the other girl slapped her hand away, “Still nervous?”
“Less now you’re here.” Faye rocked on her heels and looked around the people gathering to sit down.
“I do have that effect.” Amethyst nodded, watching Faye while the girl wasn’t paying attention and schooling her expression, “I’m sure you’ve whipped these guys into shape over the last few weeks. They’ll do fine.”
“I know.” Faye tipped her head back and stared at the grey sky, “Have you seen the other team? I’m pretty sure none of them are actually teenagers. I want to see a birth certificate.”
Amethyst looked over to the other side of the field and knew her eyes were wide with shock. All the girls looked like rugby players, with grim expressions and thighs the size of boulders. One of them had bloodied knuckles, and Amethyst did not want to know how that happened. She was suddenly overcome with the urge to throw Faye behind her and growl at them, as if they posed an actual threat. To be perfectly honest, she wouldn’t be surprised if one of them did threaten to beat the team captain up if they won the game.
Where Faye was all lean limbs and quick movements, these other girls looked as if they shoved their way through opponents like bulldozers.
“They’re nothing.” The words sounded empty even to Amethyst’s ears, “You’re going to be fine.”
“Don’t lie to me, A.” Faye’s bare arm brushed Amethyst’s covered one when she stood by her side, so they were both staring at the opposing team with similar expressions of dread and regret.
“Are they even human?” Amethyst waved the arm that wasn’t near Faye hopelessly, gaping, “I just- They know steroids are illegal, right?”
“Protein milkshakes aren’t, though.” Faye shrugged.
“What?”
“Protein milkshakes aren’t illegal,” Faye clarified, “They probably drink seven a day to look like that.”
“Seven?” Amethyst raised an eyebrow, “That’s oddly specific.”
“It’s my favourite number.” Faye shrugged, closing her eyes and taking in a deep breath, “Football isn’t a game where size wins. It’s tactic. Skill.”
“Are you telling me or yourself?”
“Both.” Faye’s eyes opened again, and her gaze burned right through Amethyst, making her swallow around a non-existent lump in her throat, “Are we going to lose? Tell me we’re not going to lose.”
“Come here.” Amethyst curled a finger, prompting Faye to step closer, her bottom lip sucked into her mouth like it is every time she’s nervous. Once their faces were inches apart, Amethyst cupped Faye’s face with both her hands, “This is the final game of the season. You have made it this far because you’re a freaking amazing football player. Don’t start doubting your skills now. Even if you do lose, you’re always a winner to me, okay?” Faye nodded weakly, “Okay.” Amethyst removed her hands, but Faye grabbed her right wrist before it could fall to her side.
“If I do lose.” She pursed her lips, “Can we make a fort at yours or something? I don’t want to look at my dad’s face.”
“We can make a castle,” Amethyst promised, leaning closer so she could whisper, “With a moat.”
“God, you really know how to get a girl going.” Faye teased, waggling her eyebrows, prompting a surprised laugh from Amethyst. She looked up into Faye’s eyes, trying to look scolding but probably just smiling like an idiot, “I should give the team a pep talk.”
“Yeah.” Amethyst cleared her throat and stepped away, waving at Yeva when she saw her watching, “Hey, Yeva.”
“Hi.” The other girl grinned, her almond shaped eyes narrowing with the force of it. Amethyst had always found it impressive how Yeva’s face didn’t have abs or something from the amount that she smiled. If it were an Olympic sport, she would be a gold medallist, “No banner?”
“Alas,” Amethyst tilted her head, pouting, “Faye threatened to keep my Buffy DVDs forever if I brought one.”
“Did you tell her about the glitter?” Yeva cupped a hand around the side of her mouth, acting as if that would stop Faye from hearing. Her golden hair fell over her shoulders as she leaned closer to Amethyst, and her pastel pink top and shorts contrasted greatly with the dark colours of the rest of the team’s uniforms.
“I even told her about the glitter. Can you believe she said no?” Both Amethyst and Yeva looked at the girl in question, shaking their heads almost in sync. It was great to have a kindred spirit on the football team, someone who also found pleasure in making Faye squirm.
“Get into the huddle, Appleby, before I bench you.” Faye all but growled, which sent a weird feeling down Amethyst’s spine. She ignored it with a laugh.
“Naughty step for you.” Amethyst giggled, shoving Yeva’s shoulder as the other girl laughed her way over to the rest of the team, gathered waiting for their captain, “Ma’am.” Amethyst mock saluted Faye, who was still glaring at Yeva’s back.
“Damn right.” Faye straightened, blinking away any remaining anger from her eyes and raising an eyebrow at Amethyst’s salute, “I think you’re doing that wrong.”
“Sorry, ma’am.” Amethyst put her hand down to her side and tried to keep her face blank, but then Faye cracked a smile, and she couldn’t hold in her own laughter, “Good luck.”
“Thanks.” Faye put a stray piece of hair behind Amethyst’s ear, and opened her mouth as if to say something else, but then there was a whistle being blown and she ran off to her teammates, leaving a tingling sensation on the side of Amethyst’s face.
◆◆◆
“Come on!” Amethyst yelled, watching another one of their team go down by the hands of the monsters on the away team, “That was totally a foul!”
“What did I miss?” A voice came from her side and Amethyst jumped, so immersed in the game that she hadn’t noticed anyone approach. She looked to her right and saw her mum, still in her police uniform, watching the field as if a ‘previously’ clip was about to play. Rida’s dark hair was up in a high pony tail, showing her olive complexion with slightly reddened cheeks.
“We’re up by one point,” Amethyst relayed to her, “But the other team keeps knocking down our players and the bloody referee isn’t doing anything about it.”
“And Faye?” Rida asked, and Amethyst’s eyes locked on the girl running across the field with a determined expression and fire in her eyes. There was sweat dripping down the side of her face, and a few minutes ago, she grabbed an elasticated head band and scraped up her fringe with it, meaning her face was completely on show. Faye never went red. Her skin stayed pale, but started to lose its colour, turning pasty and patchy where it was usually full of life. It made Amethyst worry before, when Faye was also not eating enough, but now it made her proud. It meant Faye was pushing herself. For a girl with such a thin stature, she could go far and bring her body to its limits with seeming ease.
“She’s doing great.” Amethyst grinned, “She scored two of three goals, and Lucy scored the other. They’re totally going to win with only twenty minutes left.”
“Great.” Rida smiled, then pulled Amethyst into her side with a strong arm, “Sorry I missed the beginning, it’s been pretty hectic at work.”
“Has something happened?” Amethyst turned away from the field, almost feeling a physical pain tearing her eyes away from Faye, to search her mum’s expression.
“I’ll tell you abo
ut it at home.” Her face was almost blank, but Amethyst could see the slight twitch on the left side of her mum’s mouth that meant she had seen something terrible.
“Is it really bad?” Amethyst asked, unable to help herself.
“Home.” Rida said with finality, and Amethyst frowned, turning back to the game with a few not-so-complimentary grumbled comments, “Come on, ref!” Rida shouted when Connie got tripped up purposefully during a tackle, “Call it!”
“Ridiculous!” Amethyst shouted in agreement and they both laughed as the referee looked up at them with a frown, his grey moustache twitching with anger.
The next twenty minutes went by in a blur of cheering, shouting, and more cheering. Faye scored twice, the other team scored once, then the referee blew the whistle one last time and Amethyst was screaming. She caught Faye’s gaze and tried to show how proud she was through her eyes. Deciding it wasn’t nearly good enough, she ran over to the other girl, her heart racing, and pulled her into a tight embrace.
“You did it!” Amethyst yelled in Faye’s ear, uncaring of if it was too loud.
“I know!” Faye yelled back, probably forgetting Amethyst had enhanced hearing and could have heard her even if she whispered. With her arms around Faye’s waist, it was easy for Amethyst to pick the girl up and swing her around, relishing in the laughter and warmth radiating from Faye like she belonged there. Finally, Amethyst put her down, but kept her at arm’s length, grinning like a fool.
“I still want to build that fort.” Faye said, just as the sky cracked and thunder shook the air around them. They both looked up, and watched as lights danced across the clouds, the heavens opening and the first drops of rain hitting their faces. Amethyst looked back down, but Faye was still staring, the girl’s grin blinding even though it wasn’t directed at her. Water droplets travelled down her throat, and Amethyst licked her lips, her heart jumping and beating against her chest. Her grip tightened on Faye’s waist, which prompted her to meet Amethyst’s gaze, her smile never faltering, but turning into something more soft.