I could barely focus all throughout English class. We were reviewing pages from The Scarlet Letter, which was boring to say the least. Our teacher claimed she wanted to make our reading list broad for our Junior year.
"So, what do you think of chapter five?" our teacher asked the class.
One boy, Matt, raised his hand.
Our teacher called on him, clearing her throat.
I zoned out the rest of that conversation, only checking back in to read when she told us we could have free reading until the bell rang. I read about ten pages further into the book when the bell, high and piercing, cut off the silence of the classroom. Everyone immediately started shoving books into bags and bustling for the exit. I slipped my English folder, The Scarlet Letter, my planner, and my binder into my shoulder bag and slipped out the door, as quiet as an owl flapping its wings.
My locker was only a few doors down from the English classroom. When I reached it, I spun my combination and opened my locker with a loud metallic noise. Clumsily, I exchanged my school book for my free reading book, which was far more exciting than The Scarlet Letter by far, and swapped out my English folder and binder for my computer and slammed my locker shut with that satisfying sound.
I turned and headed down the hallway to the very end of the hall, where the study hall classroom was. There were long, wooden tables set up in a line pattern in the room, and I plunked my bag onto the table closest to me and sat down at the chair in front of it. I grabbed my free reading book from my bag, called City of Bones: The Mortal Instruments. I had only started it a week ago, and it was already pretty good.
I read my book for the entire study hall period, my eyes rapidly scanning the pages, my hand flipping to the next page. Then, the final bell of the day rang, and I slipped my bookmark into my book, and closed the book with a creak to the book spine. I opened my bag to put my book away, and noticed a folded piece of paper in my bag. I took it out and stuffed it into my back pocket to read later. I put my book away, slung my bag over my right shoulder, and left the classroom.
I walked all the way back down the hallway and came to my locker again. I spun my combination, grabbed all my stuff, shut my locker again, and left the building. I turned down the sidewalk to walk towards Shawn's house, and reached into my back pocket and pulled out the piece of paper. It was a note from Shawn. It read: V.S.- come around back at my house and use the back door and meet me in my room. I don't know when my dad will be back, so we should keep our ears out for him. -S.G.
I folded up the note again and continued walking down the sidewalk and turned into Shawn's neighborhood. I walked a few houses down and saw his house some into view. It was a stone house, one story, with a walkout basement in the backyard. I snuck around the side of the house and opened the sliding glass door as quietly as I could. I walked into the living pace, which had two couches and a TV on a large carpet square in the otherwise hardwood floored basement. I saw a hallway off to the right and saw three doors. I picked the one on the far left and I was right.
Shawn was sitting at his small desk, his laptop lighting up his whole face. I knocked on the doorframe. He jumped, turned his head, and instinctively closed the laptop with one hand.
I laughed. "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you."
Shawn sighed, seeming relieved. "Come in."
I walked into the room and sat in one of his chairs, which was a white swivel chair, more comfortable than the wooden desk chair Shawn was sitting on.
"I see you got my note."
I nodded. "What's really been bugging me all day, is that, how can there two shapeshifters the same age at the same school, growing up together in the same town. Is that too big of a coincidence? We've both literally been here our whole lives."
Shawn nodded. "I've been thinking the exact same thing."
"And I don't even know what type of supernatural that I am anyway."
Shawn shrugged. "I've never heard of any type of supernatural that can shapeshift into an owl, but then again, I didn't know about Nahuals until I looked it up, so I don't really know anything."
I sighed, leaning back in the chair, spinning myself around in an overly dramatic way.
Shawn laughed at me. "The visual representation of my thoughts all day."
I laughed at that too. Then something came back to me that I had thought of the night I found out about Shawn. I sat up and looked at him. "What if we aren't the only ones living here. What if the entire town is supernatural?"
"That seems a bit unlikely."
"And shapeshifting into a bird? That's not unlikely?"
"Alright, we can't disclose the idea, but let's just try to think of other things."
"Then we could be here for days."
"Maybe."
"But maybe we could do some research?" I asked.
Shawn nodded. "We could figure out what supernatural type you are."
"Good idea," I agreed as I reached into my school bag and pulled out my laptop. Placing it on my lap, I opened it and entered 'shapeshifting into an owl' into the search engine. Nothing useful came up. I got movie references, wikipedia results, and something on mental health. I sighed.
"Nothing?" Shawn asked.
I nodded. "The internet thinks I have mental health problems."
Shawn laughed, and I couldn't help but crack a smile.
Then I tried entering 'types of shapeshifters' into the search engine, but still, I got nothing useful.
"What website did you find out the Nahual thing on?" I questioned.
"Oh." Shawn turned around and hurriedly typed something into his computer. After a few moments, he moved to the side and let me see his computer screen.
I stood up and crossed the room, leaning over his desk and scanning his screen with my eyes in rapid motion. Then, I asked, "Is this website real?"
He shrugged. "I'm sure nobody really believes this stuff who isn't experiencing it themselves, but I'm sure they used reliable sources. Besides, I've heard of some of these before."
I nodded, not really sure what to say. I returned to my chair, retrieved my computer, and sat on the floor near Shawn. He joined me, and we searched the internet.
Then, my phone buzzed from inside my bag a little while later. I walked back over to my chair and picked my phone up. I had a text from my father, asking when I'd be home.
I looked at the time on my phone and it was nearly five o'clock. I texted my father back saying I was heading home now, and that I was sorry I'd lost track of the time. Slipping my phone back in my bag, I then shrugged it on over my shoulder.
"I should get going. My dad's wondering where I am."
"Oh."
I nodded, reaching down and picked up my laptop, slipping that into my bag as well.
"See you in school tomorrow?" he asked me.
I nodded. "Friday. Can't wait."
He smiled. "See you then."
I nodded, returned his grin, and left the room. Turning down the hallway, I marched towards the sliding double doors and slipped in and out, as silent as the wind. Continuing around the side of the house and down the sidewalk, I headed home with a lot of the same thoughts circling through my mind.
Why was this happening to me? Why me? Why us? And am I right? Could the entire town be supernatural? I didn't know. And I hated not knowing. But, I also knew that I was lucky, in some way. Most kids grow up wanting to be different; to have special powers. I guess I'm one of the lucky few. And sometimes I did feel lucky, but other times I didn't, where I found myself asking, "Why me?"
I picked up my walking pace to a jog and jogged until I reached my neighborhood. I slowed to a walk again and walked all the way to the end of the street and entered my stone and wood house. It was two stories, with a wraparound porch and porch swing next to the dark wood front door, with big windows all around the house, making it look more spacious than it actually was. In reality, it was really only enough room for two people to live in. The stairs were right by the front door, and the whole house was kind of tall and narrow.
I walked up the front steps, my boots causing echoes of the soles hitting the solid stone steps. I stood in front of my door, not wanting to open it and find my father standing there, waiting for me to come home.
But that's exactly what happened.
"Why didn't you come home right after school?" my father questioned.
"I texted you that I would be home late," I countered.
"Not this late."
I sighed. "You can lighten up, you know. I'm not a little girl anymore."
"I know that-"
"But you still treat me like one," I pointed out, my voice getting louder.
He was silent.
I brushed past him and up the stairs behind him and up into my room. I hid up there for the rest of the day, not wanting to see my father again. Confrontation is one thing that I really didn't like. It was always messy, involving hurt feelings or mistrust. All things that I didn't like.
Instead of waiting around for my father to get out of the house, I decided to do more research on my supernatural occurrences. I figured I shouldn't waste time while I waited for night to fall.
I started researching the actual barn owl. I discovered that they have really sensitive hearing and sense of smell, are the most silent flyers on the planet, have one of the biggest wings a bird can have, and barn owls, when their wings are fully extended, are above sixty inches in length. Then I watched a couple videos, just to see how they looked when they moved, and what kind of predator eat them, thinking about my dreams.
It turns out the owl can take on a lot. They can beat a wolf in a fight, apparently. Coyotes too. Big predators, not a problem, apparently. They're also number one among the birds as well. Hmm, I thought. Pretty badass.
I continued to scroll through the internet, but I didn't find anything. Then, I decided to click on 'images'. The first hundred or so were pictures of barn owls in real life, flying sitting, eating, or with other owls. Then there were some pictures of people shapeshifting into barn owls. I clicked on the 'visit website' tab text to the picture. It took me to a shapeshifter website.
Yes! Finally, some real answers.
The website was an article explaining the odd appearances of giant owls appearing across North and South America in the past three hundred years, and that they were most likely a spirit transformed into an owl called a Lechuza. Lechuzas were known for being mysterious, evil spirits, harbingers of doom, things like that.
I rolled my eyes at the latter. I wasn't about to rain hell down upon the earth. Well, I thought so anyway. Who knows? I didn't think I would shapeshift into an owl either, but, here I am.
I texted Shawn after that. I typed, Guess who's a Lechuza? I am. I think I figured out my supernatural type.
Then I waited for him to respond. It was dark out, but I was hoping he was still awake. And I didn't have to wait very long either. My response came after only a few minutes.
Really? Are you sure? He asked me.
Yes, I typed back. I've been doing research for the last couple of hours, and I checked my sources. There's nothing else that I could be.
Okay, okay. I'm sorry, but I just wanted to make sure. But at least you know now, right? He asked.
Yeah, I guess, I answered. But it doesn't feel as good as I thought it would, you know?
Yep, I think I do, Shawn responded, and I could imagine the expression on his face, even if he was a few miles away.
I also saw a video of an owl taking a wolf in a fight and winning. You might wanna watch out. ;) "Barn owls can beat many types of large land predators in a fight with their impressive flying skills."
I'll keep that in mind :), Shawn answered
Well, I typed again, It's getting late. I should try and get some sleep.
Okay, Shawn answered. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Wanna have lunch together?
Sure.
Goodnight.
You too.
We signed off after that. Then I wondered, Why did Shawn want to have lunch with me? Did he want to talk, during school hours, or what? I didn't know, but I honestly didn't care right now.
Checking the time, I realized it was 7:28. I looked out my window. The sun had set about an hour ago, but my father could still be awake. But It was a chance I was willing to take. I wasn't going to sneak out this time. I was going to walk out of my house, and walk to Sakura's house. It was time I finally came clean to her about everything. And I needed to talk to someone besides Shawn.
Opening my bedroom door slowly, I scanned the dark hallway as I did. Continuing down the hall, I stopped in front of my father's door, listening for any noise. I heard the soft noise of his snoring, and knew he was asleep. Good.
I crept down the stairs, snuck through the kitchen, slipped on my jacket and boots, grabbed my bag, and silently opened and closed the garage door. Unlocking the outside garage door, I opened the door, and turned down the street, my shoes slapping against the pavement of the sidewalk.
Heading towards Sakura's house, I continued down the sidewalk. I was finally ready to tell her everything. About me. About my supernatural heritage. I wasn't sure how she was going to handle it, or even if she would believe me, but I had to try and talk about it.
I felt the autumn leaves and undergrowth crunch under my feet as I walked around Sakura's large house. Stepping onto the wooden dock, I picked up a pebble and threw it at Sakura's dark window.
After waiting a few moments, nothing happened, so I picked up another pebble and chucked it at her window again. I waited again, and this time, her light clicked on and then her curtains parted, swinging her window open.
She saw me standing there, and shocked filled her face. "Vera?" she mock-whispered. "What are you doing here?"
"I need to talk to you."
Sakura sighed. "I'm coming down."
I smiled.
She rolled her eyes at me, swinging her window closed again.
While I waited for her, I sat on the edge of the dock, watching the water rush past, listening to the peaceful noises it made, the moonlight reflecting off the shifting water. Long story short, I was unable to tear my gaze away.
Then I heard footsteps approaching from behind me, and I turned around to see Sakura approaching from her back entrance. She had sounded like she was right behind me, though. I guess that's my owl hearing for you, my thoughts added snidely.
"Thanks for meeting me," I started.
Sakura shook her head. "No problem. I told you could talk to me, but I just didn't think it would be this late at night."
I laughed. "Sorry."
Sakura smiled. "So, you wanted to talk?"
I nodded, taking a deep breath.
Sakura's smile dropped. "Is it serious?"
I shrugged. "Yeah, it kinda is."
Sakura walked up the dock and took a seat next to me. "How serious?"
"Well, I didn't kill anyone or anything like that."
"Good."
Remember when I told you about Shawn?"
"Yeah."
"Well…" I told her everything. Everything about me, my dreams, my transformation, my research, and how hard it was keeping it from her, and from everyone. "And I really wanted to tell you," I finished, "But I found out about myself after we talked on your boat, and I really didn't know you'd you react." My final words hung in the tense air between us.
Sakura was silent. Then, she spoke, her voice soft, "I still can't believe this." Our eyes met. "How is this even possible?" Her voice rose.
"I don't know, but it really happened. I've been dreaming about forever, and a couple days ago, it actually came true."
She shook her head. "This is insane. This is crazy. This is impossible!"
"I know. I've been thinking the same thing."
Then Sakura smirked. "But, if I had to pick one animal to transform into, the owl is pretty badass."
I let out a relieved breath that I hadn't known I'd been holding. "I'm glad you're taking this well."
She nodded. "I've known about Shawn for about a week now, and I think I've actually come to grips with it. That it's actually possible."
"Yeah. But I did some research, and I found this video of an arctic owl attacking a pack of arctic wolves to protect her young, and winning the fight."
Sakura grinned. "Cool." Then her face changed, and she questioned, "How is it that you two just happened to have been born in the same town, at the same time, going to the same school?"
I nodded. "Yeah. Shawn and I were talking about that today, actually."
"At lunch?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"I saw you two. And, just to let you know, there's a rumor going around school that you two are dating."
"Seriously? We talked for five minutes and now everyone thinks we're together?"
She shrugged. "It looked pretty intimate."
"Ugh." I hung my head into my palms. "That was when I told him that I was a shapeshifter like him. I guess I forgot we were in school for a few minutes." My voice was muffled from my hands over my face.
"Are you two the same type of… supernatural?"
I shook my head, lifting my head back up. "He's a Nahual and I'm a Lechuza."
"I've never heard of either of those."
I grinned. "I didn't either until I looked it up."
She groaned, brushing her long hair back from her face. "When did your life get so screwed up?"
I laughed, mainly because it was true. "I honestly don't know."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sakura lean back on the wooden dock and rest on her back, looking up at the sky. I joined her, feeling the rough, cold wood under me as I laid down.
"How was it? Be able to fly?" She asked.
I sighed. "It was like nothing I've ever experienced before. The wind was cold, but I barely felt it. My wings were so big, and feathers so soft."
"Did you feel powerful?"
I nodded. "How could I not?"
She was silent, and I let her, trying not to freak her out too much.
"It's not a coincidence, is it?"
I shook my head. "I don't think so. And I think we're not the only ones either."
She sat up. "Who else do you suspect?"
I shrugged, sitting up as well. "Well, Shawn and I are in the same grade, so probably the entire Junior class."
"Including me."
"Yeah."
"Well, I don't think I have any supernatural abilities. And I think I would've noticed if I was a shapeshifter by now."
"I didn't, until last night."
"But you've been having those dreams your entire life. I haven't."
"Well, I would assume all the supernaturals in this town would be different types, different races, like me and Shawn."
"Would we all be shapeshifters, like you guys?"
"I don't know. Maybe."
"Well, what other types are out there?"
"I don't know."
Sakura stifled a yawn.
I stood up. "It's pretty late. Maybe I should get going."
She nodded. "But thanks, for feeling like you could talk to me." She said as she stood as well.
"I really started to hear you, I guess."
"And if you wanna keep hearing me," she sighed. "Talk to Isabella. If you can trust me, you can definitely trust your best friend."
I nodded. "Yeah, I know. But I don't want her to see me as…" I trailed off.
"See you as what?"
"A freak."
Sakura grabbed my hand. "You're not a freak. And she won't think that. Isabella's not like that."
"But how do we really know? How do I really know how she'd handle something like this."
"I understand."
"But I am really tired of the secrecy."
"I know. I can see it."
I smiled grimly. "I guess you know me better than I thought."
"In all seriousness, Isabella can see it too. She won't judge, she won't call you a freak. The only thing she might be mad about is you telling me first."
"You're right. I'll talk to Shawn, then I'll tell Isabella."
Sakura nodded. "Good."
"Goodnight." I gave her a hug.
She returned it, then we broke apart. "You too."
I turned and walked along the bayou back towards my house. And I hoped that I wouldn't regret my decision. But I wasn't changing my mind. I was really fed up with the secrecy. I just hoped Isabella would take it the way I thought she would.