Rori and her father had been in their new town for almost a month now and although she was loving it, it also meant being the new kid at school. On her first day, she was in complete admiration of the building, inside and out. It was so big that she spent her first day just being shown around, and told where all the classes were. In a way, she was quite sad that this would be her last year at school. With a school like this you would never want to be at an age to leave. It was like something out of Harry Potter and she loved it. Jake had made her feel really welcome, but she was yet to meet many of the students. Sure Jake had introduced her to a few people, but because she was new, they weren't what you could say, very talkative to her. Likely because she was the new girl and they weren't sure what to say or how she would react around them.
She felt she had settled in quite well, and she was enjoying all her classes and the teachers were pretty cool as well. A lot less stricter than her previous school, though still showing authority when it was necessary. Earlier, Jake had asked how she would feel at being introduced to some of his friends, which she had been more than happy about. He had agreed on it during their lunch recess, and now it was time. She had reached the dining hall first and had grabbed her food and taken her seat at a table. It was a huge hall, and so she had no idea where Jake and his friends would have sat, but she wasn't going to stand about looking lost. The first few weeks she had taken a lunch into school with her, preferring to break herself into the routine slowly.
Jake had spoken to a couple of his friends, who were also members of his wolf pack to say that he wanted to introduce them to his new friend. Well, she was more than a friend, but they hadn't really shared anything as such, as in nothing more than a kiss on the cheek. He hadn't wanted to scare her off by becoming too strong too soon after all. He hadn't told them he had imprinted on her, just that she was the new sheriff's daughter and that she was pretty and cool and that they had started a budding friendship. Some of the wolf pack were older, but there were a few close to his age and a little younger as well. One of them was the one he was closest to, the others were just good mates. It didn't change the fact that being in a pack meant that you were family even if you weren't. Though Jake did have his older brother Jonah, but he was much older and worked. Of course, even though they hadn't been introduced to Rori officially, she would have been seen around the school in the classes, new kids were always introduced to the class by the teacher. It can be a bit of an embarrassment, but Rori handled it like a pro thought Jake.
However, the first one into the hall after Rori, apart from the other students, wasn't one of the pack, it was Nick Morningstar. He was quick to spot Rori sitting alone, he had been looking for her every lunch recess, but he had never seen her, until today. She must have been going home or something. She really did look so cute, there was no way that she'd go for Jake, he was the far better looking one. Besides, a bit of playful banter wouldn't go wrong, right? Anything to keep Jake on his toes. Once he had his food he made a beeline to Rori and sat down on her right. “Hey girl, finally decided to grace us with your company have you?” Even though she had been expecting Jake and his friends, she jumped, as he had startled her, coming up and jumping in so quickly without her realising it. It made her spill her drink a little, “Sorry, didn't mean to scare you.” He got up grabbed some tissue and started mopping it up. “There, all away.” Rori smiled, “Thanks, sorry, I was just in my own little world, I think I'd have done the same thing even if Jake had plonked down like that with no warning. I just felt until I was more comfortable that I'd eat elsewhere at lunch, but I agreed with Jake earlier that I was ready to start mingling properly.” She looked around just to see if he was anywhere in sight, but he wasn't. She wasn't uncomfortable exactly around Nick, but she would just prefer if Jake was here as well.
Nick grinned, “Oh well, looks like it's just you and I for now then. So, are how are you enjoying the school, other than still not being too familiar with a lot of the other students?” Well, that was an easy question to answer for her. This place looked and felt magical and she was all for magic and the supernatural, she just had no idea how close to all of that she actually was right now. “I love it. It has that old world feel to it. My last school was just your average modern school. I love this.” She moved her head and hand around as she said the last part. “Cool, glad you're settling. So, has Jake taken you on any more dates since the bowling? Because if not, I'd like to maybe take you somewhere, maybe for dinner one night?” He was really trying and he knew deep inside that it was a bit unfair to cut on Jake's grass like this, but it wasn't like they were actually a couple, was it? And he had always had a thing for blondes.
Rori wasn't sure what to say or where to look, she was all for making friends with Nick, but she had sights firmly set on Jake. How could she turn him down politely without hurting his feelings? “Well, actually, to be honest...” Her words were cut off as they were finally joined by another student, this time, it was one of the pack. He plonked himself down on the left of Rori without saying a word, for now.
Introducing Chase Fitzgerald played by Gregg Sulkin
Chase sat in silence, to allow Rori to finish her sentence, not wanting to be rude by interrupting. “...I'm, how can I say this without being horrible, I think I'm sort of seeing Jake.” She didn't want to say it in an official, he is mine sort of a way, because that would be bad. They had been out a couple of times and had only really kissed briefly here and there, and usually on the cheek. Clearly with Nick's response, this wasn't flying, “Sort of? That doesn't sound good to me, you could actually be properly going out with me, and I mean, look at me, I'm way better, don't you think. No girl can resist this.” He was half joking and half serious. He usually did have all the girls falling at his feet, but Rori didn't seem to be all that bothered, not exactly pulling to him. It was frustrating him a little, though to be fair, he could do with a proper girlfriend. However, they were either already with someone, or they were batting for the same team. For the first time, a newcomer and they were single when they arrived, so, he had to try.
This time it wasn't Rori that spoke, it was Chase, he quietly stood up, grabbed Nick by the scruff of the neck and pushed him against the closest wall, “I think the girl said no did she not? Come on Nick, sometimes the girls don't actually all fall at your feet. Leave her the fuck alone, she's with Jake.” As he continued to hold him, his face was beginning to show the signs of the wolf behind him, eyes glowing amber and snout threatening to form, he had to compose himself, or he'd change right here in the school and seeing as Rori still wasn't up to speed on this place, that would be bad. Nick just laughed, he wasn't threatened by a salivating wolf, but if the rest of the pack joined in, that was another matter. Chase let him go, “You're not worth the energy half breed.” This stung, Nick hated being referred to as that, and he soon shut up and put his hands up in surrender. “Can't blame a single guy for trying.”
Meanwhile Rori sat mesmerised by the scene unfolding in front of her, though with Chase's back to her, she hadn't seen the changes to his facial features. “Please stop, it's fine.” She tried to say, just as the other guy had let go of Nick and returned to the table, this time sitting on the edge of it, rather than the chair. “Guy thinks he can have every girl he sets his eyes on, fucking jerk face.” Chase said and then his mood changed in a snap as he turned to Rori and grinned, holding his hand out to her, “Chase Fitzgerald, pleased to finally meet you properly, Jake sure has told us a lot about you.” This made Rori blush a little, but it was nice to know that Jake had been talking about her. She took his hand and shook it firmly, “Well, it's nice to meet you Chase, are the others coming?” She asked, wondering if they did this, come into the hall separately. “Yeah, they will be, depends what class we have before lunch recess, if we're in the same class we'll come together, otherwise we meet up in the hall, like today.” Rori finally noticing that he was sitting on the edge of the table, rather than the chair, couldn't resist asking, “Is that normal?” Pointing to the table and adding, “For you to sit like that?” He laughed, and nodded his head, “Depending on my mood, yeah, you should see where some of the others sit at times, the window ledge get a lot of use from time to time.” He pointed to one of the big bay windows just in front of them.
Rori didn't want to say anything, but she did find it a little strange that they would do that. Was there a reason? Surely sitting on the chair was the most comfortable thing to do? “Anyway, thanks for that, you didn't have to, I could have dealt with it. Admittedly probably not doing a good job of it.” Chase looked across at Nick who had moved to another table and sort of growled at the back of his throat, “He's like a dog on heat when a new girl joins the school. Wish he could finally settle down with someone and then the girls wouldn't need to lock themselves away.” It was kind of a funny thing for a wolf to say about a completely different species, but it really was the best analogy of how Nick was around girls, especially blondes. Rori smiled, “Oh well, maybe someone will come along and they will be the one to make the first move on him and he'll be swept off his feet.” She giggled, and Chase had to join in, he could see why Jake liked her, she was easy to get along with.
Location of Thread: Mirador Castle Tag Line: Family doesn't always mean blood! Characters Involved: Nick Morningstar, Aurora Hanaway & Jake Wheeler and other characters introduced throughout Played By: Gavin Leatherwood, Elle Fanning & Colin Ford & others mentioned throughout
It wasn't long before Jake joined Rori and Chase, along with another couple of the students. Jake was quick to notice Nick off at another table, and Chase watching him discreetly, though, not enough for Jake to notice it. He noticed that the seat to Rori's other side was free, and so he made his way to sit down next to her. Choosing the seat as opposed to the table, which Chase had chosen. It did make him wonder if Rori had questioned that odd behaviour. Poor girl was clueless about the town she had moved to. Zach had gone to the window ledge, his chosen spot, he liked to sit with his knees bunched up as he looked at the world outside. Then came Richie, he was a bit more of a loner, not as in lone wolf, he was very much in the pack, but loner as in, he didn't have a girlfriend and had no real family to speak of.
Richie's parents had been killed in a tragic accident just a couple of years ago. Well, tragic accident was what he was told, but he had a feeling there was more to it than that and he had been trying to figure it out, but hasn't been successful thus far. Even when he spoke to the Captain about it, he just kept telling him the same thing that he had been told from the start, likely in a bid to protect him from the truth. He didn't want protection, he wanted to know what had happened. There was nothing worse than having to fend for yourself. Though, technically with the wolf pack as his family, he really wasn't all that lonely. He just felt it.
Introducing Zach Morrison & Richie Dixon played by Garrett Wareing & Lachie Millar
Now that all the lads were finally together, Jake was the first to break the new silence that had built. “So, I see you've met Chase already Rori, well that is Zach over by the window and this is Richie who is leaning against the table. Zach, Richie, this is Aurora, prefers to be Rori.” Both the lads waved, and then one by one, they both got up and took her hand and shook it, “Pleased to meet you Rori.” Zach said and went back to his window seat, and then Richie followed, “Yeah, nice to meet you officially Rori.” He too returned to his spot. Rori thought it was funny to see them do that, it was almost as though it were routine to them or something. Even Chase was still sitting on the edge of the table. The lads all seemed nice so far. Jake had a good group of friends, she thought, apart from Nick, she was still unsure about him. Surely a friend wouldn't try to latch onto his friend's new girlfriend? Yet, at the same time, there was something about Nick that fascinated her, and she couldn't put her finger on it, which was frustrating.
Even though both Zach and Richie had gone back to their spots, she shouted, “Nice to meet you both.” Jake then reached over to Chase and said quietly, “Trouble with Nick by any chance?” He looked up and gave Jake a bit of a frown, he wasn't sure he wanted to really go into it in front of Rori, but then, he did have a go at Nick when she was watching, so what difference did it really make? He nodded, “Kinda, a little. He came up bold as brass trying to get Rori here out on a date, like she's a trophy to be won. Just spun me out man.” Jake glanced over at Nick and his own eyes flickered a little amber, thankfully without Rori noticing. He turned back, “Jeez, I mean, it's not like Rori and I are official or anything, but it's really mean of him to try and cut my grass.” Chase nodded and patted Jake on the back reaching across behind Rori. Jake then spoke to Rori, “Sorry about Nick. He thinks he's god's gift to every female that graces the school, especially blondes. He had a weakness for them. Funny enough, they all usually drop at his feet, so it's quite refreshing for you not to be turned on by him, so to speak.” He grinned, realising the phrase he used could probably have been worded better, but what the hell. Rori realising this too started to giggle and blush. “I can guarantee I am not turned on by him, not one little bit. He's not my type.” She blushed again as she held his gaze for a few seconds and then went back to her food. She was really beginning to fall for Jake, even in such a short space of time.
The other lads overhearing the conversation between Chase and Jake, alerted them, and they decided to join them at the table, and sit properly. Placing their trays in front of them, Chase then sat down as well. It was a bit weird to be sat around like dogs in front of Rori when she had no idea about what they were, after all. Zach spoke first, “So, what's with this Nick guy then? Does he not realise that you and Rori are starting something?” Richie added, “Yeah, I mean, come on, you don't do that, it's a Pandora rule.” Jake just laughed, it didn't matter about rules where Nick was concerned. He was a nice enough guy in the main, but he had a devilish side that came out to play every so often and nobody could stop it. “And who has been able to tell Nick what he can and can't do? But it's frustrating, especially if it's making Rori uncomfortable.” Turning to bring her into the conversation, “Is he making you feel that way honey?” He asked, then blushed, realising he had just used a pet name on her for the first time. She caught that and joined in with his blushing. “A little. I mean, I don't really know him properly, he seems nice enough, but, yeah, he doesn't seem to get that I'm not interested like that. I'm happy to be his friend, but that's it really.” She ate more of her lunch and a sip of her drink, before adding, “I don't understand how a guy looking like him is still single to be fair.” She might not be attracted to him, but she could still see how handsome he was, dark, broody.
Jake shrugged and frowned, “No idea to be honest, maybe too many of the girls have seen how he is with newcomers and it's creeping them out, understandably to be fair.” Rori nodded, and glanced over at Nick, and he clearly must have felt it, as he turned and stared straight at her. It was as though his eyes were burning into her soul. Her heart started beating a mile a minute. She wasn't attracted, but it was almost as though he had this magnetic pull and it was definitely weird and it sure made her feel uneasy. Nick then smiled and the only thing she felt she could do was to smile back, a small one. This was weird. Before she could shake it off and look away, Nick had stood up and made his way over to the group.
“Ears are burning guys. I know you're talking about me, but then, who doesn't. I'm going to take a guess it's about earlier, but come on, unless you actually announce you're a couple, then I'm open to pursue her if I want.” He smiled a little, Nick really wasn't a bad guy, he was just a little delusional when it came to certain things, this time, it was this and none of the lads were happy, especially Jake. However, it wasn't Jake that said anything to start with. It was Chase, again, he turned, “Look man, I don't understand why you are doing this. Aurora made it clear earlier she isn't interested. So just leave it out will you?” Zach and Richie added to this, by standing up, “Leave, or we will make you leave, have you got it?” Whoa, thought Rori, was she about to witness a fight over her? This was ludicrous. I mean, like what was going on? The three lads seemed to be more worked up over it than Jake, or maybe it was just that Jake hadn't a chance to say something for himself yet. It was almost like, well, like they were brothers or something. A gang. She wanted so badly to say that it was fine, and yet not really wanting to get involved.
Jake finally got up from his table and put his arms out, shielding Rori, but also stopping the rest of the guys from saying something. “Look Nick, I know all you're trying to do is wind up my mates, there's no need for it. Just because Rori and I haven't shouted from the rooftops that we're a couple doesn't mean that she is free for you to try and date. The reason we haven't, is because she's not some prize to be won. She'll choose who she wants and it might not even be me, it might be you or any one of the lads at the school. Whoever she chooses, or doesn't, we will have to respect that. So, why don't you just go and start being the Nick we all love and stop being such a tool.” Nick knew when he was beat, he started to back down, it was bad enough when the others got involved, but when Jake stood in front like that, he knew that if he didn't back down, it might get ugly. The others tended to do as Jake said, and so they backed down and returned to their seats. Nick moved off again, sulking, but maybe Jake had a point, hopefully one of these days, he'd get a girl just for himself, he was just lonely and he was the type that needed to be in a relationship. He had a lot of love to give to the right person.
Jake sat down again, “Sorry about that Rori, Nick can be a bit of a dick at times.” Zach, Richie and Chase nodded, “You got that right.” They almost said in tune with each other, just off by a fraction. Zach was the first to talk, “Hey, you know that you don't have to be blood to be family, nothing can be truer for us, so, you know, maybe we should make a pact, to keep Rori safe, what do you say?” Not just because she was sort of seeing Jake, but because she was new to the community, had no idea what she had come into and not every resident were nice and cheerful. Some of them were downright nasty, and Rori could get caught up in it. Chase nodded, and Richie added, “Sounds like a plan to me dude. What do you say Jake?” He looked at Rori, he was worried, she'd think this all too much. “How would you feel about that? Having four lads looking out for you, making sure you were safe? I don't want you feeling strange about it or anything like that.” Rori didn't feel weirded out by it at all, in fact, she thought it was a lovely gesture. She smiled, “You know what, I think that is lovely. I've never had anyone want to look out for me like that before, apart from my father, of course.” She had to compose herself, as she felt tears building in her eyes. Jake nodded, “Well, that's set then lads, let's make a pact to protect Rori at any cost. Deal?” Jake put his hand out palm up, and one by one, all the lads did the same thing, with Chase putting his on top of Jake's followed by Richie and then Zach. This the pact was made. Rori feeling like she was some sort of princess, someone special, felt like she was glowing on the inside. “Thanks guys, I don't know what to say.” One by one they then took Rori's hands in their own, so that it ended up with hers underneath all of theirs in a massive hand clasp. “Together forever, you are now officially one of us.” Jake said and then leant in to kiss her on the cheek, and whispered into her ear, “I'll be your boyfriend if you'll have me.” Rori whispered back, “I do.” Well, with that pact to protect her, how could she not?
