Hours later, I was glad school was over. It had been a long, annoying day. I couldn't wait to let my beast race through the forest. I loved transforming into a tiger; the energy that rushed through me was enchanting.
As I walked down the hall, I spotted Abby at her locker. She seemed upset. I told myself to keep walking, but something compelled me to pause.
"Nick, I'm sorry," I heard her say into the phone. It was clear she was speaking to her asswhip boyfriend, the guy I would love to confront.
Despite my commitment not to get involved, I walked over to her locker. When she looked at me, I couldn't fathom how any man could hurt her. She seemed so sweet and innocent, and above all, she was absolutely gorgeous.
"What do you want?" she asked after hanging up the phone, sounding shocked rather than rude.
"I'll let you know when I figure that out," I replied, and she laughed. Her laugh was so contagious that it automatically made me smile.
Her eyes were fixed on me thoughtfully.
"Why don't you come hang out with my friends and me, Abby?"
"I'm supposed to meet up with my boyfriend, sorry," she replied, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
I nodded. What could I say? She wasn't interested in coming.
"Abby, you don't have to be with him," I blurted out.
Her expression shifted to confusion. "Excuse me?"
I lifted her chin to meet her beautiful gray eyes. "You don't have to stay with someone who hurts you, Angel."
I gently brushed my fingers across one of the bruises on her face, and I noticed her eyes glistening with tears.
"He doesn't hurt me," she insisted.
"Abby, I know what abuse looks like," I replied.
She looked down at the ground.
"I don't want to talk about this, and I don't want to talk to you," she said, pulling away.
"Fine," I responded, feeling a wave of disappointment wash over me.
As she turned to leave, I called after her, "Just know that if you need me, I will make sure he leaves you alone."
She glanced back at me one last time before walking away.
Transforming into my tiger, I leapt through the rainforest, the sound of my growl startling a flock of toucans into flight. I loved looking down at my huge orange paws. Eventually, I came to a stop under a tree, watching monkeys chase each other through the branches. I adored the rainforest, from the vibrant green grass to the mushy mud beneath my feet.
As I rested against the tree trunk, I couldn't shake thoughts of Abby from my mind. Why was she with a man who obviously hurt her? Was she scared to leave him? It simply didn't make sense.
The sound of footsteps pulled my attention back to the present, and I noticed Annette approaching. I felt my anger brewing as soon as I saw her blackened eye.
I quickly rose to my feet as we came face to face. "What happened?" I asked, gently stroking her cheek.
She wrapped her arms around me, laying her head on my chest, and I held her tightly. "Annette, what happened to your eye?"
"It was my fault, Abel," she said, looking up at me with visible concern.
"What was?" I urged.
"I got in the middle of Elias and Finn while they were fighting. I shouldn't have."
"Why don't you go lie down in my tent?" I suggested, kissing her forehead.
"Abel, I don't want them to get in trouble," she replied.
I chuckled. "This is way past them getting in trouble."