simple change

I was 17 when I first fell in love. At least, a real, honest to goodness love that only separation of worlds could sever… 1

I was the new girl, just two days into my new school when I met him. I was sitting at my desk in English, taking careful notes, listening to every word that the teacher was saying in her monotone, when he tapped me on my shoulder and asked significantly, “Can I borrow a pencil?” 2

Annoyed, I pulled one out of my pencil bag and whisked around to slam it onto his desk. But, instead, I found myself three inches from the face of someone so breathtakingly beautiful, that I could only reply with a simple, “here you go.”3

He had a tan face, flawless in every aspect, and his light gray eyes burned into my own blue ones. He was smiling a smile so perfect, that I was literally stunned breathless.4

“Thanks,” he whispered in a gentle tone, grabbing the blue mechanical writing utensil from my hands with ease, but his gaze never leaving my face.5

I could feel the blush grow up into my cheeks at the intensity of his gaze and slowly turned around to put my full attention back onto the task at hand. Or, more or less, I tried my best to do as much.6

After class, I gathered my things and started walking out of the classroom door when his hand reached out of no where snaked around my shoulders.7

“Names Korbin, what’s yours?”8

I smiled softly and then barely whispered, “Natalie, but call me Natty.”9

He smiled as we walked down the hallway further still. “Natalie… I really like that name, it’s beautiful. Kind of like you.”10

Without a second word, he winked and let go of me, walking in the opposite direction.11

From there it progressed. We were soon inseparable, starting off as the ‘best’ of friends. Then, we eventually took on the title of boyfriend/girlfriend after five months. We were literally the talk of the school. Pretty stupid if you asked me, but I guess he was irresistible to others, and had to be the talk of the school… the new girl just came along with the title.12

We could tell each other everything, Korbin and I. everything that is, but one thing that I knew he was keeping from me. And I finally found out what it was in early march of 09.13

“Walk with me, Natty,” he whispered in my ear convincingly after school one day.14

I obliged, grabbing his hand, lacing his fingers with mine, and following him as we walked out the doors and to the nearby wood, just about a quarter mile from the school.15

“I have recently discovered something, Natalie, and I have to tell you something before I go too much further on that discovery.”16

I looked up at his usually loving face and found a look of despair instead. 17

We continued walking, more at a faster pace than usual, and I found myself afraid of what would happen next.18

“Please,” he whispered, dropping my hand as we got to the thickest part of the wood and walking a few steps away. “Don’t run away, and please don’t be afraid.”19

I smiled reassuringly at him. I loved him to death, though he didn’t know it. Anything he asked, I would only be too happy to obey… well, almost anything. 20

I watched in partial confusion and frustration as he slowly slipped off his shirt from over his head, reveling his perfect abs, his perfect everything. His whole body was tan, and ribbed, and seemed to have radiated with complete existence.21

Then, slowly, watching my confused face, he sat down on the grassy floor, fear in his own gaze.22

I watched as slowly, he began shaking. I opened my mouth to shout in fright, but he held one finger to his lips and shook his head. I quickly bit down on my fist.23

The shaking grew faster and faster, and faster still until his whole body was a blur. And then, right before my eyes, the transformation began. His hands, his arms, feet, legs, were the first to turn, all covered in copper fur. Then slowly, his face began to sprout a muzzle, that similar to a dog, followed by ears to match.24

I could only stand there in horror… too afraid to move, and not moving because he had asked me not to. He stood there before me, on all four, staring at me with those same light gray eyes.25

“Korbin?” I finally whispered.26

A low whine emitted from his mouth, and he slowly walked toward me. I stood frozen in place, staring still in horror, but now with some curiosity.27

I held out my head toward him, inch by slow inch. His head finally met my palm, and I slowly ran my hand through the copper fur, marveling at the impossible softness. 28

I then grabbed his whole head and pulled him into an embrace. I closed my eyes and let my head fall against his neck and listen to the low and soft breathing, nervous breathing. I could feel him change as I still held him close. Soon, my head was leaning against his bare chest, arms wrapped around his neck. He kissed my ear with such tenderness and pulled me into a tighter embrace.29

“Do you accept me as I am?”30

I smiled at the question. “Of course, you accepted me, the new girl, doomed for loser Ville.”31

He laughed, and I liked the feel of his breath coming outwith sharpness into my hair. "What's your discovery?" I asked, resting my forehead just below his chin.32

“I love you Natty.”33

I smiled and pulled my head away to look up into his eyes, watch his smiling face, to literally melt me there where I stood at the utter affection shown in his face toward me.34

“I love you too.” I stood on my tip toes to close the remaining space between my lips and his own. And when they touched, it was like a kiss I had never felt before. Pure love was crafted carefully into it as his lips molded to mine.35

“A werewolf,” I whispered, pulling away. “I think I could get used to that.”