Firecracker, p.1
Firecracker, page 1
Firecracker
AJ Estelliam
Chapter 1
‘Fiya! Avi’s here!’ my mother called.
I came hurtling down the stairs at top speed. ‘Avi!’ I cried, hugging her fiercely.
‘Hey Fiya! You ready?’ she grinned.
‘Let’s go!’ I smiled. ‘First day of college, here we come!’
We waved to my mother and headed out the door, rushing in our excitement to get going. Once we’d reached the pavement, we fell into step alongside each other as we walked down the street towards our new college.
‘Look at you!’ she exclaimed, reaching to touch a tendril of my hair. ‘You chopped all your hair off!’
‘Yeah, well,’ I shrugged. ‘It’s been a weird summer…’
‘It looks really pretty-suits you,’ she smiled. ‘Kind of elfin like. What’s been going on this summer though?’ she frowned.
I sighed. ‘Oh God, it’s been hell,’ I told her, shaking my head. ‘I think my body is changing and I’m taking on new characteristics of an Omega. Guys have been hassling me to the point that I’ve literally started wearing this,’ I said, touching the necklace which hung around my neck.
‘What is that? Is that why you smell so bad?’ she asked, bluntly.
‘Uh huh,’ I said, smiling widely. ‘My scent seemed to be affecting people, so I started wearing this plant extract-it’s called Titum Arum. It smells like rotting flesh. Gross, huh?’
‘It really is,’ she said, wrinkling her nose. ‘When you say, ‘affecting people’ what’s been happening?’ she wondered.
‘It’s strange,’ I said, blushing. ‘You know how I’ve always been kind of invisible to guys? Well, suddenly, I’m not! They’re coming onto me, hassling me, trying to get me to go out with them…one guy even tried to kiss me!’
‘Did you let him?’ she questioned, her eyes wide and excited.
‘No!’ I exclaimed, shuddering. ‘He stunk…It was a total turn off.’
‘Oh my God, I wish I had boys trying to kiss me,’ she complained. ‘You’re so lucky!’
‘Not really,’ I murmured. ‘I didn’t like it…it was really off putting.’
‘Have you ever met a male wolf you have wanted to kiss?’ she asked, curiously.
‘No,’ I said, thoughtfully. ‘Their smell repulses me, in all honesty, Avi. I hope that’s not the case with all the wolves I end up meeting.’
‘I’m sure it’s just a ‘going through a change’ thing,’ she told me, ‘like you said, your body is changing right now. If you’re developing omega characteristics, it could be affecting your sense of smell and everything.’
‘I suppose. Anyway, how are you, Avi? Did you have a good summer?’ I questioned.
‘Yeah, it was fine. I mean Mum had me training a lot so that kept me busy. Dad and Naza were gone a lot, training with the pack.’
‘I heard about that-there’s concern about a hybrid attack, right?’ I frowned.
‘Yes,’ she nodded. ‘There’s been some attacks up North. Some of the fringe pack members and some of ours got together and trained hard, strengthening themselves in case we had any problems here.’
‘Oh wow…that’s kind of scary,’ I commented.
‘I know, right,’ she nodded.
Avi and I had been friends since we were young, but our packs were separate. Avi was part of the Yivalzen pack who lived to the North of my village while I had been born into the Asfallight pack who lived in the South. Our packs were connected through history, so we supported each other and met up frequently, hence the reason that Avi and I were friends. We hadn’t attended the same school but as we’d reached seventeen, and college was now starting, we would be attending together, which had pleased us both immensely.
‘I can’t believe we get to go to college together now!’ I said, thinking about how good this would be.
‘I know, I’ve been so psyched about this day…and you know what this means?’ she grinned.
‘What’s that?’ I questioned.
‘We get to meet the others from the neighbouring packs at last! We’re going to be able to meet different guys! Oh my God, I hope they’re hot!’
I smiled at her but felt none of her enthusiasm. It was strange to me that I didn’t feel the same was as she did about meeting new guys. All the male wolves did for me was make me feel sick. Their scent repulsed me, made me want to lash out and scare them off. While the other girls were simpering and inhaling their ‘delicious’ smells, I was feeling the opposite. It confused and bewildered me, making me feel different from the rest of them. ‘I…yeah…I’m sure you’ll meet someone hot, Avi. You’re really pretty and have an amazing personality too. You’ll be snapped up quickly, I’m sure,’ I smiled.
‘Do you think so?’ she questioned. ‘Ah, Fiya, you’re so sweet to say that. Thank you, sweetie!’ she said, hugging me warmly.
‘Well, it’s true,’ I told her, blushing at her affection. I wasn’t used to being affectionate with others, so her warmth always threw me a little.
‘I hear the royal wolves are back in attendance this year too…it’s going to be so interesting to meet them!’
‘The who?’
‘The descendants of the royal lineage, silly!’ she laughed. ‘There’s a female Alpha who is in her second year-she’s in line to take over as Queen and then her brother, also an Alpha, who apparently is drop-dead gorgeous!’ she sighed. ‘I’ve seen pictures and he’s dreamy!’
‘From which pack?’ I asked, curiously.
‘Fiya! Do you live under a rock! The pack! The Diazak!’ she exclaimed; eyes wide.
‘Haven’t heard of it,’ I said, shrugging.
‘Haven’t heard of The Diazak! Oh my God, Fiya, you’re clearly a recluse! We’re going to get you socialised and popular from the outset. It’s a good thing you’ve had a makeover this summer-you’re looking gorgeous, sweetie! We’re going to be so popular in our year group!’
I smiled at her but wasn’t feeling it. I didn’t feel ‘popular’ or ‘gorgeous.’ Quite the opposite in fact. I was used to being the quiet one, who nobody noticed. The trouble was that lately, that wasn’t happening. Men were interested and were making it known to me as well. It was very disconcerting.
We kept walking, chatting about the events of the summer and within ten minutes were arriving on the beautiful campus. The college was built on a wide, sprawling green area with a historic old house forming the centrepiece of the school’s basis.
‘We’re here!’ Avi exclaimed; her excitement clear for me to see.
‘Look at all these people! All the different scents!’ she said, lifting her chin to inhale the new wolves. ‘Wow!’
‘Yeah…wow,’ I muttered, feeling uncomfortable and like hiding might be a better option.
A commotion to the left of us had us turning to see what was going on. A large group of attractive looking people were gathering, hugging and whooping as a man and woman exited a huge, posh car.
We watched as they hugged their friends, the excitement clear to be seen. I found my eyes glued to the female. She was tall and powerful looking, her long frame strong and athletic. Her face was what caught my attention the most though. She was stunningly beautiful, but not in the traditional feminine sense. Her face was angled and strong, her jaw defined and chiselled. Her eyes were bright and wide, blue if I wasn’t mistaken from this distance, and they smiled as her lips curved. A strange, unsettling feeling gathered in the pit of my stomach and a jittery sensation filled me.
‘Oh my God, Fiya! Look, it’s the royals!’ she exclaimed.
‘What? Who?’ I questioned.
‘See that huge black limo? That’s Araiadax-the first in line to the throne and her brother Aradam, second in line. They’re the royals-they’re super popular here…’
‘Starstruck much?’ I joked, looking at her adoring face. ‘Come on…let’s go and get our new timetables.’
‘Oh, Fiya, you’re no fun. I want to stand here and gawk at the royals!’
‘We’re here to learn, Avi-not to spend the whole-time socialising,’ I complained.
‘You may be,’ she laughed. ‘I’m here to meet the cute guys!’
‘Idiot,’ I muttered, elbowing her playfully. ‘Come on…the lines are getting long to collect the timetables. Let’s go!’
We walked over to the groups of people forming to collect the new details of their classes for the term. The college was divided into four ‘houses’ and both Avi and I were in ‘Snow Moon’ so we joined that line. Once we’d collected the details of our classes, we compared them and found we were only in one together. I’d been advanced in several classes because of my intelligence and ability at the aptitude tests so would be with older pupils in some of my lessons.
‘I’ll see you later then, sweetie,’ Avi said, giving me a hug. ‘Shall we meet for lunch at those benches under the silver birch trees over there?’ she questioned.
‘I’ll meet you there,’ I promised, returning her hug.
As the bell rang for first class, we headed off in separate directions.
Getting into the building was a hectic affair and I joined a massive crowd of people who were heading inside. There was a lot of jostling and shoving as the group headed en-masse into the building and I found myself swept up in the foray, smaller than most and getting manhandled to one side, and straight into a solid body which slammed me into the lockers.
‘Hey!’ I objected, wrenching free of the arms which had grabbed me in the fall. ‘Get the hell off me! That hurt!’
‘S
The height and strength of the body had felt male, so I looked up in surprise, seeing, to my shock, the royal wolf who Ari had pointed out to me earlier. ‘Be more careful next time! That hurt my arm,’ I said, rubbing my shoulder which was smarting in pain. ‘Stupid dick,’ I muttered, pissed off that this was my welcome to a new college.
She laughed. Threw her head back and laughed, as the throng of people seemed to disappear from all around us and she guided me around the corner side of the lockers, so I was out of the way of getting hurt. ‘What did you call me?’ she asked.
‘Nothing,’ I muttered.
‘You know who I am?’ she asked me, staring down at me with an amused expression.
‘My friend Avi seemed to know you, but I really don’t care who you are. Now will you get out of my way and let me get to my first class! I don’t want to miss my first, bloody class!’ I exclaimed.
As I turned, she grabbed me, turning me back to her. I gasped at the contact, electrical sparks rushing through me as my body tightening in places I didn’t want to think about. ‘Don’t touch me!’ I exclaimed, tugging away.
‘Did you feel that?’ she questioned, looking shocked. Reaching to touch me again, I backed off.
‘Don’t you dare touch me again!’ I said, my voice sounding shaky, even to my own ears.
‘Who are you?’ she demanded.
‘None of your business,’ I said, my stomach clenching painfully.
‘I have to know who you are,’ she said again, urgently.
‘And I said I have to get to class, your highness,’ I added, somewhat cattily.
She cocked her head at me and smiled. ‘So, you do know who I am,’ she murmured, her eyes dropping to look at my mouth before lazily lifting back to my eyes. ‘And you still speak to me like that…’
‘Look, I don’t care what royal lineage you’re from. You hurt me and you didn’t apologise…now you’re stopping me from going to my first class on my first day of my new college. Forgive me for being a little shitty, but would you get the hell out of my way so I can get there on time?’ I ranted.
‘I will,’ she murmured. ‘If you tell me your name…’
‘Oh my God,’ I said, rolling my eyes. ‘Fiya,’ I muttered, to appease her.
‘Your name is Fire?’
‘F I Y A. Fiya.’
‘Fiya what?’ she questioned.
‘Fiya Kaira,’ I told her, looking past her to see how I could escape.
‘More like…’ she muttered, laughing to herself.
‘What did you say?’ wondering why she was laughing at me.
‘Firecracker,’ she said then, smiling at me, in amusement, her whole face lit up with pleasure. ‘You’re a little Firecracker, that’s for sure.’
I gaped at her, blushing wildly and completely thrown by her. ‘Get out of my way,’ I said, low and huskily. ‘I have to get to class.’
‘Which class? I’ll show you the way,’ she said, finally stepping back.
‘Classics with Professor James.’
‘That’s my class!’ she said, looking thrilled. ‘Come on…I’ll show you where to go.’
I reluctantly trailed alongside her as she led me down to the correct lecture hall and then walked inside with me while everyone greeted her warmly.
With the woman distracted by the professor and other students talking to her, I slipped into the back of the hall and found a seat right at the back where I could hide away. I didn’t plan on being an active part of the lesson, I preferred just to listen and absorb when it came to classics.
Unfortunately, that didn’t seem to be the other woman’s plan. As soon as she had finished speaking to her friends, I saw her actively looking for me before spotting me and heading straight towards me. I couldn’t help staring at her as she walked up the steps, her athletic grace clear as she jogged up the remaining stairs before easing into the seat directly next to me.
I looked at her with displeasure. ‘There’s about ten other free seats in this row…how about you give me a little space?’
‘No,’ she answered, smiling at me warmly. ‘I’d much prefer to sit next to you.’
I huffed my frustration at her. ‘Look, can you just go…I don’t want any attention brought to me and you seem to garner it wherever you go. Please just go and sit with your friends, okay?’
‘No thanks,’ she smiled. ‘I like it here,’ she said, studying my face. ‘I’m Dax by the way.’
‘Dax?’ I questioned, frowning. ‘Avi said you were something else…some fancy name…’ I said, trying to remember.
‘My full name is Araiadax. But no-one calls me that apart from my mother because I hate it. Call me Dax.’
‘I won’t be calling you anything,’ I assured her, turning my body away.
‘Look, I’m sorry I slammed into you earlier…I didn’t mean to-it was an accident. The crowd was large and you’re so tiny and petite…’
‘I’m not tiny!’ I objected.
‘You’re literally pocket sized,’ she grinned.
‘You calling me short?’ I demanded, angrily.
‘You are short!’
‘Well, I am compared to you-you giant!’
She threw her head back and laughed. ‘You’re an angry little thing, aren’t you, firecracker?’
‘Don’t call me that!’ I raged. ‘How dare you!’ I continued. ‘If you’re not going to leave, I will…’ I said, gathering my bag.
‘Hey,’ she said, reaching out to touch my arm.
I gasped at the intense, electrical contact. ‘Don’t touch me!’
She didn’t let go, and then squeezed a little tighter, making shivers of pleasure run down my arm. I felt my nipples tighten in response and a pulsating much lower that shocked me beyond measure.
‘Don’t go,’ she requested.
‘I don’t want to sit with you,’ I told her, bluntly.
‘Look, the lecture’s starting. I’ll be good…I won’t bother you…’
I snorted. ‘Right!’ I said, shaking my head. ‘If you’re staying here, get your hand off me and don’t touch or talk to me again,’ I ordered.
She smiled at me. ‘Bossy…’
‘Shut up,’ I muttered, wondering why she incited my rage so much.
‘Any specific reason you don’t want me touching you?’ she pushed, leaning in a bit closer.
I turned to look at her and found her face way too close to mine. Backing off, I snarled at her. ‘Because I don’t like it,’ I said, bitterly.
‘Don’t like it-or do,’ she asked, huskily, as the professor started talking.
I gasped. ‘What are you doing?’ I whispered, scanning her eyes, which I found to be an intriguing icy blue, iridescent in the light.
‘I find you interesting, firecracker.’
‘Stop calling me that,’ I hissed.
‘It suits you,’ she grinned, cocking her head and studying my face. ‘You’re fiery, hot headed and have a temper…’
‘Only around you,’ I muttered. ‘You seem to bring it out in me!’
‘Why is that, I wonder?’ she questioned.
‘Can you shut up?’ I whispered. ‘We’re missing the lecture!’
‘Fine…but we’ll continue this later, okay?’
‘We’ll continue nothing later,’ I said, grumpily, settling back in my seat with my notepad and pen at the ready. I focused in on what the lecturer was saying but found myself intensely aware of the woman sat to my left. If I wasn’t wrong, her eyes were on me as well, the weight of her stare making my body respond. I pretended she wasn’t there and got involved in what Professor James was saying.
An hour later, the lesson finished, and I started packing my bag, ready to leave.
‘So, firecracker…’ she began from my side.
I gave her a withering stare. ‘Can you stop?’ I questioned.
She smiled at me. ‘What’s that vial you wear around your neck?’ she wondered.
‘What this? It’s Titum Arum,’ I said, touching it. ‘Stinks, right?’ I smiled.
‘It does have a certain…stench…why are you wearing it if you know it smells bad?’
‘Have you paused to consider I might want to smell bad?’ I questioned, standing up.
‘Why would you want to smell bad, firecracker?’
I huffed at her. ‘Stop calling me that!’ I ranted. ‘And none of your business…I just don’t!’
‘What’s your next lesson, gorgeous?’ she asked as I turned to leave.
