The year was 2544. Humans have advanced so far with technology that they have created human and animal hybrids. Human beings now walk the planet with the ability to shift into an animalistic form. Some even gain the ability to control how fully they shift at will. Only going through a partial shape shift. This gives them heightened senses. Stronger hearing. Quicker reflexes. Better eye-sight.

Now many view this as next step in human evolution. Combining the best traits of the animal kingdom with mankind. But there are some that don't. There are those that view these bio-enginered humans as a heresy against god and faith and will do everything they can to destroy any relationship where the two come together. 

Eighteen-year-old Gavin Johnson was stressed out. Exams were kicking his butt this week. His small social circle were all off doing their own studying, trying to make sure they received good scores for their future. Gavin was worried himself, the school was looking into was the toughest magical academy to get into. Only the best get in. Unless they have a letter of recommendation. 

" Hey Gavin, how's the studying going?" A soft feminine voice came from behind the door as it opened slowly. 

Gavin turned, a smile on his face. It was Erza, his oldest and best friend. 3 years older, she was 21 years old. She also used to be his babysitter growing up, but that had ended years ago. She wasn't human, not fully. She was a werecat. She was able to shift to a feline form at will. She was beautiful with her long red hair and warm amber eyes. She stood in the doorway, hand on her hip as she looked at him, hunched over his desk with a mountain of books in front of him. 

"Maaaan, I'm getting hammered this week. Any chance you wanna take these tests for me this year?" Gavin answers, hanging his head, wishful thinking.

A soft melodic laughter fills the room and lightens his heart. " You know I can't dude. I barely passed my own at the time and it's been 3 years. You really think I'd do any better now?" She responds, stepping into the room and setting a can of cola on the desk for him. "Here is some sugar for your grind," she said as she looked over his current paper work laid out on the desk.

Gavin smiled softly and took a swig before setting it down, "Yeah I know. These tests just blow" he said before he turned his chair around to look at the mountain of text books and study guides on his desk. "I'm pretty sure that I almost failed the math final yesterday. And I'm sure the science final tomorrow is going to kick my butt" 

Erza leaned over and looked at the study guide he had opened in front of him. She brushed a stray piece of hair back from her eyes and rubs his back soothingly. "Hey, I'll tell you what, if you pass your final tomorrow, I'll take you out to a movie or dinner to ur favorite restaurant, my treat," she says, trying to encourage him to study hard. 

Gavin perks up immediately, "Oh seriously? Bet! It's a date. I'm going to crush these tests. Then we're gonna have the best food ever!" He says energetically, not thinking about his word usage at first. 

"Oh, a date, huh?" Erza asks with a hint of mischief in her voice. "Why, Gavin, I didn't know you felt that way about me," she laughed at the beet-red expression on his face. She knew how he felt about her, but she didn't want to risk their friendship. It meant everything, and he really was like her best friend all these years. Her solid rock. Her safe harbour when life came at her hard and unyielding. 

"That's not what I meant" he stammers, quickly turning his back to her. "Leave me alone. I have to study hard," he said as he turned his attention back to his books.

 She smiled widely as she leaned back and walked out of the room, knowing he was going to ace his tests the following day. 

Erza walked down the hallway and said goodbye to Mr and Mrs Johnson. "Oh ur leaving already dear? " Mrs Johnson, a short sweet human woman asked.

"Yeah Mrs Johnson, he's studying hard, and I guess he forgot our plans to hang out after school tonight, so I'm going to let him study in peace" she responded, and waved a hand as she headed for the door to the small 2-story house. 

"Don't you want to stay for dinner?" Mr Johnson asked, his deep voice a soft rumble in the kitchen. 

"No, thank you, Aria and Lila need my help for a music video project, so I have to go save the day" she said with a laugh.

"Alright, be safe" Mrs Johnson said as she set the table for the three of them instead of four. 

As the front door shut, Mrs. Johnson looked at her husband and smiled sweetly. "Dear, when will those two finally get together?" She asked him in a hushed voice.

Mr. Johnson laughed good-natured. "Darling, I don't know. They've been thick as thieves ever since she first came to baby sit for us and been inseparable ever since." Mr. Johnson took a glass out of the cupboard and poured him some coffee before continuing. "I've been waiting for it for a long time. But he just can't seem to get the courage to confess he likes her. He'll probably say something once he graduates and finals are done," he said as he took his seat at the table. 

"But those extremists" Mrs Johnson commented worriedly. "What if they find out about them and go after her?" 

"I'm sure things will be fine dear" mr Johnson tried to calm his worried wife. "He doesn't know yet. There is still time to tell him" Mr Johnson continued, as he took another sip.

"No. He's far too young to know yet" Mrs Johnson refused to acknowledge their secret that they'd kept hidden all these years from her precious son. "I don't think he'd ever forgive us for not telling him sooner" she whispered mournfully at the thought of his anger over finding out. 

"Lets cross that road when we get to it dear." Mr Johnson said peacefully as he glanced upstairs to where Gavin was most assuredly studying his backside off. 

"For now, let's let the boy worry about and pass his finals." He proclaimed as he set his cup on the table as a breaking news story came on the TV. 

This just in. In Kuerien city, officials have found the disposed bodies of several biohumans and their believed partners beaten and hung under a bridge. The perpetrators are still at large and unknown at this time. Anyone with information should call the authorities. A reward is being offered currently for information leading to the arrest and sentencing of people responsible.

As quick as it came, it left and both the Johnsons felt a twinge of fear settle in their hearts thinking of the two they wanted to get-together. Their son, and the girl he longed for.