Catching Genesis

I enter the studio at the back of the store. I pick a big blank canvas, put an apron on, then I attack the canvas, pouring every anger and frustration and sadness into it. And, it is only after I'm done when I realize that my cheeks are wet with tears.

I stare at my work-it's a semi-abstract, with layers and swirls of colors of demons and angry lines of heartbreaks. A single white dove is flying alone. Its fluttering wings are almost translucent. The dove is ethereal, too exquisite for its surrounding. My hope and strength. I am good enough.

"Oh, honey," says mom from behind me. "That is...absolutely amazing." She gasps. Tears are filling her eyes as she stares at the painting.

After school, my two friends show up looking excited. They both drag me to shop for some new outfits and get my hair trimmed up a bit and add a few very bright red highlights. Oh, joy, retail therapy.

***

"You guys suck! Why are we watching this movie again?" complains Penny as she throws some popcorn on my head.

"Hey, Reese voted for this movie too," I argue, flicking some popcorn back at her.

For someone so sassy and looking so tough, Penny's a scaredy-cat when it comes to horror films. Reese, who's always looking like a sweet Disney princess, can't seem to get enough of them. I'm stuck in between them.

It's Saturday evening, and we are currently watching Annabelle: Creation on Netflix in my bedroom and Penny is hiding behind a big pillow on her lap.

Mom and dad are still at the store and Autumn is out with her friends.

"Come on, Penny, it's not that scary," says Reese, shoving a big scoop of Ben and Jerry's in her mouth.

Penny scowls and throws another handful of popcorn onto our heads. Reese giggles and picks another bowl to empty it over Penny's.

"You are so helping me clean my room before you go tonight," I warn them laughing, throwing more popcorn at the both of them.

All of a sudden the familiar pain starts at the base of my stomach, knocking the wind out of me.

"GenGen, what's happening?" asks Reese in alarm as I writhe in pain.

"Nothing," I gasp. Oh no, I don't want them to see this.

"Should I call your mom?" asks Penny, panicking.

"NOOO.No," I yell, clutching my stomach. "Don't.. tell my mom." I choke out. Tears are starting to run down my cheeks.

"What's wrong? What's happening?" asks Penny again.

"I think I know what's happening," answers Reese, gripping my hands on my stomach. "That manwhore Logan is doing somenasty things with some slut," she continues coldly.

Penny lets out a string of curses.

The pain is excruciating. I think I passed out after a while. Thank goddess for that.

When I open my eyes again, Reese and Penny are still there. Reese is still holding my hand tightly in hers with tears on her face. Penny is fuming and walking around the room as if she wanted to kill someone.

"Hey, you're still here," I smile, feeling exhausted.

They both snap their heads to look at me. Penny is looking totally pissed, and Reese is staring at me with sadness, pity and also some anger. I don't think her anger is directed at me though.

"How many times had this happen, hon?" asks Reese.

"I bet this is not the first time," says Penny, looking at my belly now exposed from my t-shirt that has ridden up from my twisting and squirming.

My stomach is black and blue. The bruising came from me clutching my stomach so hard when the pain gets too much.

"This is the fourth time so far," I decided to be truthful. They had seen me in pain, after all, there's nothing much else to hide.

Penny starts cursing all over again. "It's not fair! He can't do this!" yells Penny.

"Now where are you going, Penny?" asks Reese when Penny jumps to the door.

"Where else? I'm gonna go and kick his ass off to the moon!" Penny wails hotly. Her chocolate brown eyes turn even darker, showing that her wolf is close to the surface.

"No, you're not," announces Reese, dragging her back into the room.

"Oh, hell yes I am!" argues Penny, trying to get out of Reese's firm grip on her arms.

"We're not kicking anyone's ass today. We're going to do even better," Reese declares. That makes Penny stop struggling.

"He's hurting one of us and we're beyond pissed. Girls, we're getting even. It's operation payback," announces Reese.

What did I do to deserve such awesome friends? "I love you guys," I say as I hug my two besties.

Penny writes down our plan for Operation Payback on paper. If that's not a commitment, I don't know what is.

Most of the ideas come from Reese and Penny. I just scrunch up my nose at most of them. Well, maybe all of them.

There are a few phases to our Operation Payback:

The first one is for me to look awesome and get the attention of un-mated boys at our school. Umm...I think that needs a lot of work, but maybe that can be done. Maybe. I don't know.

The second part is for me to flirt with some guys to make him jealous. According to Reese, all werewolves, especially the Alphas are very possessive of their mates...even with the ones they've rejected. We'll have that theory tested soon. I kinda doubt that he cares. He has the beautiful Mia and all the other girls anyway.

The third phase is for me to get a boyfriend since I don't have a mate anyway.

The third phase would lead to phase four, and this is the toughest one for me...lose my V-card so that he can feel the pain he causes me when he's with someone else. I'm not sure if I'm on board with this one.

"It's not like you're saving yourself for your mate anymore," argues Penny when I disagree with the fourth stage. Ouch!