The Last Werewolf Chapter 1

“It’ll be fine, son. I promise.” Dad said as we roared onto the freeway. I nodded but didn’t bother to take my earphones out. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Look, just keep an open mind about this school, ok?” Dad said, his voice weary. I yanked my earphones out and took some deep breaths to calm myself down. “Just like all the other seven school I’ve been too?”

“Look Zander, you know my work is very important and it requires me to travel around a lot. I mean, what do you want me to do? I work for you and Luke, to give you money for uni and a future.” Dad said. I nodded and focused my gaze out the window, trying to get lost in my music. I wasn’t mad at him, he had no choice, but I was sick of thinking we had a home and then us just leaving it all behind.

Three long hours later, we pulled into Lake Alexander. A medium size town in the middle of England, centred around, surprise, a lake. Dad was stoked about the school I was going to. St. Davids. It was one of the best private schools in the country and I know he’d shelled out a lot of cash to get me a spot. Even though we kept on moving Dad had always said that he wanted the best education for me at every school.

Dad worked as a real estate agent in a large company that had sites all around England. You’d think it’d pay a lot, but he has to work long hours and he gives a lot of money towards Luke.

And of course, I’m boarding. Great. Dad had said he just couldn’t handle me when he worked his long hours and he just didn’t have the money to hire a nanny or carer. So, I watched as the red brick building came into view. Half of the school was your traditional red brick affair, but the other half was surprisingly modern.

Please let the boarding house be in the modern half. I thought. Our car pulled into the parking lot and I groaned inwardly. Our dingy Toyota looked out of place among the shiny BMW’s. That wasn’t a good sign.

“Wait, Zander.” Dad said, as I was about to get out of the car. He searched for the right words. “Look, I’m sorry about all this. It’s just I need the money for Luke. Just try you’re your best at this school and I’m going to visit every weekend, ok?” Dad said turning around in his seat to look at me. I gave him a half-hearted smile.

“I know you’re trying your best, Dad.” I said, giving him a one armed hug as we got out of the car. He unloaded my suitcase from the back and handed it to me with shaky fingers. I pulled my jacket tighter around myself and waved to him as he got smaller and smaller in the distance.

I took a deep breath and made my way over to what I presumed was the entrance.

Rain started to pour just as I arrived at the building. I ducked into the reception before I could get soaked and headed over to the desk. There were a few younger kids waiting in some chairs, and they stared at me as I walked past. I went up to the desk and rung the bell, standing awkwardly as I waited for someone. The room was small but they had had managed to stick up awards all over the place, and it made me feel self-conscious, like I wasn’t good enough. Finally, a man came to the desk. He was stick thin, with a shock of white air and a thin pair of glasses. It was hard to tell his age, he could have been between twenty and forty.

“Hello my name is Mr. Yate, can I help you?” Mr. Yate said, pushing his glasses up to look at me properly.

“Uh, yes. My name’s Zander Cross, I’m starting tomorrow?” I said. Mr. Yate nodded and turned to the computer, his long fingers skating across the keyboard.

‘Welcome then. “ Mr. Yate said with a smile, he reached behind his desk and brought a pile of papers.

“Here’s your room key, a map and your schedule for the semester. The dormitories are in the big red building near the oval. You’ve got a roommate as well. Classes start tomorrow.” Mr. Yate said, handing me the key and the papers.

“It’s a lot to take in, huh?” Mr. Yate said, giving me a smile. “Don’t worry we have a lot of new students this year so they’ll be just as lost you. “ Mr. Yate said. I laughed and shoved the papers into my backpack.

“Thanks.” I said, giving him a grin. I exited through another pair of sliding doors and out into the rain and crisp air.

It took a while but I did manage to find my way to the dorm’s. They were unfortunately in the old part of the school, and every time I took a step on the dingy carpet it let out a creak. Plus, because I was walking around in the rain, my map was soaking wet by the time I arrived at my room. I ran a hand through my hair, pulled my bag up and knocked on the door.

“Are you Zander?’ Said the guy at the door. He had his tooth brush in his hand and his hair was dripping onto the carpet. He was short but well-muscled, with ash blonde hair and startlingly green eyes.

“Uh, yes.” I said, pulling my suitcase in front of me. “Can I come in?” I asked. He gave me a smile then nodded. The room wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Two single beds, two wardrobes and a desk at the bad.

“My name’s Alec.” He said. Alec gestured towards the empty bed. “That’s yours, and feel free to put your stuff in the wardrobe as well. Oh and the toilet and bathroom are in there.” He pointed to the door at the opposite side of the room.

“Okay so, what’s your story? I know your name, but nothing else about you.” Alec said, as he tidied up the room. “I mean, this is the first time I’ve had a room mate.”

“Well, I’m in Year 10, I was born in London and I don’t know, what else do you want to know?” I said, sitting down on the bed. Alec turned around and grinned at me.

“Do you have a girlfriend?” He said, I laughed at his serious expression.

“Not at the moment, why?” I grinned. I was warming to Alec, and I thought that maybe this school might be finally somewhere where I would have a genuine friend.

“Trust me dude, this school is the perfect place to not be tied down with a girl. There are a lot on offer, if you’re looking for one.” Alec said with a wink. I laughed.

“Well I’ll just have to wait and see what happens, hey?” I said, opening up my bag I started to unpack some of my things. I grabbed my guitar case and propped it up on the wall. Alec stared at it.

“You play guitar?” Alec said. I smiled to myself and thought back to the first time Dad gave me the guitar.

I had been seven years old and we had been moving house. Dad had got it out from his closet. It was a semi-acoustic but mainly electric. I remembered how awestruck I’d been when I looked at it. It was jet black, wickedly cool. Dad pulled out a case as well.

“I thought you might want this, I know it’s a bit big, but you’ll grow into it.” Dad had said, watching as I picked it up with my small hands.

I remember looking up at him, a smile lighting up my face. “Yes.”

I smiled. “Yeah I do, why?” I un-zipped the case and grabbed a pick. “Want me to play you something?” I said, Alec nodded. I started off with a blues scale but I quickly just got lost in the music and my hands raced up along the guitar neck.

I stopped and Alec whistles.

“Not bad at all! You ever thought about joining one of the campus bands?” He said, eyes lighting up. I shrugged and smiled. “Maybe.”

Alec winked “Trust me, the girls dig musicians.” I laughed, and he got up.

“You know, I was kind of worried about having a roommate. You know, what if we didn’t get along? But I reckon you’re alright.” Alec said, pausing at the door.

“Thanks man.” I said, giving him a smile.

“Hey look, I’m heading out for some food, wanna get some with me?” Alec said, grabbing a shirt from his bag and slipping it on.

“No thanks, man. Got to unpack all this stuff.” I said. Alec left and I stuffed my bag in my closet and fell straight into my bed, fully clothed, asleep before my head hit the pillow.

“Damn! I’m not in a single one of your classes!” Alec cried, studying my timetable. I groaned and looked down at me uniform. It was a horrible shade of purple and the tie was a mucky brown.

“Do I seriously have to wear this?” I said. I didn’t want to turn up on the first day looking like a complete idiot.

“Unfortunately, yes. Don’t worry, everyone has to wear them.” Alec said. Reassured, I quickly changed and grabbed my backpack. I was about to walk out when a picture caught my eye. It was half-wedged into my bag, and as I picked it up I smiled.

It was a picture of me, dad and Luke when we where both six. Wearing cordial smiles and grubby t-shirts we had our arms around Dad, who looked more alive than I’d ever seen him.

“You coming, Luke?” Alec said from the hallway. I dropped the photo on the bed, and walked out the door.