It was a partly day at the collage Mark attended. It had rained for the last 2 days and the ground was still drenched with water; puddles often covered up the sidewalk or even whole sections of the lavish and aromatic gardens which were very well tended. The layout of the school was simple, each building had a courtyard with a circular garden, and there were 4 buildings to a block. each block housed one type of class such as English, science, or history. Each of the beds of flowers contained no more than 3 main colors and 4 shades of each color thereof, as well as 1 item of topiary, usually in the shape of smaller animals. The gardens also were complimented by the architecture which was post Victorian and mid-colonial brick and wooden finishes. All in all, at any given point, you could find yourself surrounded by vast beauty and works of art from the last 100 years. This collage was very high class and had equally high standards for its students. Which is to say that if one was accepted, you were the finest student of your area, just like this school was the finest in the nation.

Mark had just finished his chemistry class and was headed to them main parking rap his car was placed in. He decided to walk through the medical gardens on his way there to see if the wolf's bane tree was in bloom, and sure enough it was. the Red and snow white pedals of the flowers were open and bearing their scent. He cringed a bit as he passed it, but the scent was lovely and the visuals just to good to pass up seeing every now and again. You see Mark is a werewolf, and not like the movie ones. Because he is able to control his transformations and powers most of the time, he can usually make great use of his abilities. Though every now and again, Mark loses control as all lycanthropes do, and thing can go awry. These occurrences were rare and very far between, with the last of them being this last all hallows eve due to the full harvest moon coinciding with it perfectly.

Standing a good 6' 3" and weighing in at 195 pounds, but Mark was no slouch when it came to fitness. He was stronger than most men his age of 23, mostly due to his condition. Being a werewolf had certain perks in human form. Including but not limited to, increased muscle mass and strength, super human endurance, high metabolism, keen sense of smell, hearing, and taste, and improved 'performances'. Though all this came at a slight cost of and constant craving for meat and desire to push yourself once or twice a week. For most Lykens that is not an issue because of how local most gyms are, and for Mark, his collage had a world class gym on site free for student use. The last trait you gain from lycanthropy varies from person to person, but Mark became an archery savant from his curse.

He eventually reached his kind of beaten up 2004 ford mustang. It was blue in color but the years had not been kind to it. the previous owner had gotten into a few accidents and because of that the back passenger door no longer opened at all and the paint job was screwed up to hell. Aside from that it ran great and everything worked. After sitting down for a minute to catch his breath, Mark checked his phone because it had gone off in class. It was a text from his best friend Charles. "Can you pick me up at the medical building and take us to the 'Bronze Bull Diner' Carl needs someone to talk to. :C". "Oh Christ," Mark though, "what happened now?"

As Mark pulled up to the medical building Charles shouted out, "Hey Mark! "

"Get in the car dude." Mark replied. "What happened this time?"

"I will tell you at the diner." Charles was frowning all the way there. "You know a lot of people in my class were talking about how certain games and gamers looks so good while playing that it should be an art form." It was obvious Charles was trying to lighten the mood.

"How is that. if gaming is an art from then so is driving." Mark replied sarcastically."

"Well you see some gamers make their characters act in a way that almost looks like dancing, and as the characters dance so do the players. It was a very interesting discussion."

"Well, I personally think that people who play games to make art should stick to creation games like 'The Sims', "Mine craft", and the likes."

"I cannot change your opinion, but all I am saying is that one day people will pay for videos of people playing games as art."

"Fair enough Charles." By the time they had wrapped up the little discussion they arrived at the diner, and saw Carl crying his eyes out.

Now Carl was a reasonable person with an awesome family, looks, body, and good grades, how could anyone be sad with all that? Well Carl had problems getting a girl, and this was more often the reason why he would be saddened. This time was a bit different though. The girl who had rejected him was Carl's long time crush. Not as beautiful as you would expect someone like Carl to go after, but her personality was like reading a book made of diamonds and golden ink. When Mark and Charles stepped in and sat down in the booth, Carl unloaded his emotional payload. "OH GUYS...SALLY REJECTED ME!" He was sobbing is brains out, and it was apparent what he wanted.

"So," Charles said, "what did you say to her?"

"I was talking with her about our physics homewor tonight, and...and...and i asker here to come over and study."

"Mark replied, "well what is wrong with that?"

"Well she though I had said 'will you come over to fucky with me.'" Still rather watery eyed, he continued, "after that she slapped me in the face and said that she never wanted to see me again!" Resuming his crying on the tabel the watres walked up.

"Get rejected by another girl i see. I will get the usual for you then. Charles, Mark, same things for you?" she enunciated. The three of them were there often enough that every server and cook there knew what they usually wanted This was surprising as it was also kind of creepy.

Charles was the first to place his order. "I think i will have the 2 pound steak and egg dinner to split with Mark tonight. Expect a lot of ice-cream though."

"Thanks man, "Mark declared toward Charles, "want to split the bill with me then?"

"You took me to dinner last week at the Italian place. I got this one."

Mark was surprised that Charles remembered that, and humbly accepted the offer. Mark now turning to Carl said, "Look man, you cannot keep doing this, all the girls know you are like this when they reject you, and you just keep at it. Have you perhaps though that the girl you are meant for is not in this town but back home? There is a reason Charles and I don't date people here. It is because they are snobs or douche bags, or bitches of the highest orders."

"I have to agree with that. If you want a good girl, look for one back home. I heard Britney Coltez was interested in you last time we went home. why not give here a shot." Charles said as the waitress walked away.

Carl was a bit upset by this but still rather relived, "You guys don't understand what it is like to be rejected by every girl here. I am a good looking man with lots of money..." this rant went on like this for about ten minutes. All the while Mark and Charles tried to be sympathetic, but after the food arrived they started to get rather annoyed with Carl.

"Look Carl, we are not here to be tissues for you. We came here to help you, if you are not taking our advice then shut it! I am sick of having you whine about girls when you perpetuate your own issues by presenting the same flaws over and over."

Charles was with Mark in his sentiment on the situation. continuing the though process he said, "You think we can head out after we finish this up Mark. It is almost 7pm and we have homework to do." With that they finished eating, paid their check, and left for Mark's dorm room.

End Chapter 1