Chibi Jak- Hello everyone! My name is now Chibi Jak, once known as Vivi Pinkfeather, and other names, but now I feel much better with using the same name as the one on my account! So, to get this started, I'm writing an original story on a character I named after the little mage in Kingdom Hearts II. It has nothing to do with that game at all.

So, just sit back, read, relax, and don't forget to REVIEW! Cheers :D

I Can’t Complain, I Can’t Explain

I see them, but I don’t know if they see me. They’re there, in the crowds as though they were part of them. No one could see them, and if people saw what I did, they would scream and run. Every day I’d watch as some caused terrible things while the people couldn’t figure out how they tripped on clean, flat roads or how someone flew in front of a speeding truck when nothing was there to push him or her. It wasn’t fun to not be able to tell anyone who actually did it.

I never tried to make a fool of myself, though I looked like one. I was born with a strange pigment discoloration in my hair, people always wondering why it was blue; I think my mom swallowed hair dye when I was still in her. It’s my favorite color, but it is embarrassing to prove that it is natural. Sometimes I wish I couldn’t embarrass my mom with my abnormality.

It’s cool though, having a funny natural color of hair like that guy with white hair in Fruits Basket. People question, but they think it’s awesome. It is sometimes hard to manage; ulotrichous hair is a big hassle to brush. I break a lot of those brushes that when you squeeze them, they let out a puff of air and squeak!

I’m going to be in eighth grade this year- now I get to torture the “sevies.” Eighth graders are now freshman, but they stay in the junior high because the high school is too full. No matter what building they’re housed in they’re still considered high schoolers. Well, at least they’re not going to be shredded to death by bloodthirsty seniors. Moreover, teachers.

I sit at a table in the commons and take in a breath of school air, looking around to see students scrambling around to get their schedule. The sevies seem to get shorter and shorter every year. I don’t like to get in the school messes, so I just sit here and wait. A chill ran down my spine, telling me that someone or something was watching me. I looked around, and then I saw it.

One sat above on the theater pedestals like a gargoyle, except it had a sword and shield. Its skin was blacker than black, covered in old-fashioned armor. I took one more glance at it, and it looked back at me. Its eyes were red like fire. My heart beat fast as its eyes narrowed, and then I pretended to be looking at something else. It took the bait.

I took in a sigh of relief and threw my backpack under the table. I propped my special binder up on the table, took the zipper all around, and opened it up. I sighed as I looked at my drawings, retracing the lines with my eyes to how I started it out. My heart kind of fell because of my low self-esteem, and I couldn’t help but remember what someone told me back in seventh grade.

I couldn’t snap back because that guy was an excellent artist and way beyond my skills. It hurt me real bad. But, I never stopped. I had a reason. The monsters.

I looked back at the double doors of the school entrances. Teachers were in groups talking to each other. They kept looking back at the group of kids in black. The corner kids were quieter than usual. They must be planning something.

I dig around my binder for my carrier, having the urge to draw that gargoyle warrior. I finally found it, and dumped out a bunch of pens and pencils and erasers out of the small carrier. They came out like a waterfall, then a clogged sink. A white eraser bounced around and fell off the table. I got grumpy and reached under it to get the bouncy rubber.

There aren’t many monsters in this school, only some in classrooms and in the never-to-be-used hallway upstairs. The one on top of the theater roof was new. I got back up as I got the eraser, and saw Kit-Kat. Katy was her real name, and she was a real good friend. I smiled and said “Hi Katy,” and she replied “Hello!” with her usual bright tone.

Her hair was brown like my mom’s, except lighter. She wore glasses like me and had a bit of large nose that reminded me of Snape from the Harry Potter movies. She loves the Harry Potter series, and the actor in the movie. She was wearing a pink shirt and Capri pants, and carried her cheer bag as a backpack. She’s a bit slim because of her cheer classes, but has a bit of chub in the belly. Baby fat, nothing to really worry about.

Same old, same old we ask and answer the same questions everyday.

“Morning Vivi.”

“Morning Kit-Kat.”

How are you?”

“I’m fine. And you?”

“Fine.”

Then something different.

“Vivi, I’m hyper.”

I just give her this look and raise my eyebrow. She didn’t sound it, but the expression on her face just made me crack up.

“Aren’t you always?” I asked her.

“No, sometimes I’m hyper, and then there’s really hyper…” I didn’t listen to the rest of what she said as I started to draw.

I never paid much attention to the outside world when I draw. That’s why my grades began to drop in fifth. The warning bell rang and I jumped. Time went by that fast? I finally got my schedule after throwing everything in my binder.

Homeroom last year was strange. Instead of having it in the morning, we had it after third period. Now it’s normal. Joy. I had Health after homeroom. I hear they talk about making babies in there. Ever since sixth, I didn’t want to hear about that ever again.

No art classes again. Great. Now I’m starting to think the teachers are against me. I chat with my other friend Alexis, who used to a very quiet friend. She’s a grade higher than me, and she’s changed since the last time I met her. She’s a little more outgoing this year.

Alexis Hernandez is her whole name. We call her Warrior Nun. She’s Filipino, but she looks a bit Chinese. It’s kind of funny though. She looks the same since I met her in seventh.

She draws too, a different style. I sometimes help her out. She’s from Japan, which is real awesome. We love manga and anime, and so do a lot of my other friends. We part as we near the stairs; it’s just now me and Katy. I hate the stairs. I’m a bit out of shape, and the stairs seem to laugh about it.

We talk about what we did over the summer. We both turn left and manage through the crowds. I look to my left as she talked, feeling that strange sudden chill crawling down my spine like a snake. I see someone walking into Ms. Casad’s classroom, and that person stood out to my eyes. I couldn’t tell whether that person was a girl or boy, either way I saw a flash of wolf ears on his or her head. The mystery person wore real baggy clothes. One ear twitched, and then I knew it was a girl as she turned around.

I looked away as she looked at me, but I knew I was caught. I’m probably gonna die before the end of the first day of school… Katy was taken away by the wave of people. She was already turning a corner. I bee lined over to the green door closest to a load of lockers for sevies and smellies (eight graders).

I’m gonna have the same homeroom teacher for my entire life at this school. Hopefully I can finish all the grades at this school; I always end up moving halfway through. I don’t move very far from the Northwest, and I end up living in either California or Washington. I’m living in this retirement town named Port Orchard. It’s very quiet here, and usually there aren’t any disruptions here, except for the monsters.

There it is again- the cat woman. Standing in Ms. Casad’s classroom with a hand pressed against the glass. No one seems to notice her but me. She smiles with rows of sharp teeth, her eyes looking as though they had been pressed too far back into its socket. She’s always looking at me.

This all started when my parents filed divorce papers. I hated it, and the majority of my anger hit my mom for cheating on my dad. I thought this would never happen, but it did, and I’m realizing that they did fight constantly. Sometimes their fights were violent and stuff broke. So, now I’m stuck with my mom, her boyfriend and my sister in a condominium at the bottom of a winding hill. The rain always ended up here. And it always seemed to rain whenever my dad came to visit us in Washington.

I’m still full of anger. Sometimes I cried when I thought about it. Then they began to show up. I thought it was just my imagination overwhelming my trauma. But they could touch things and push people, as though they existed. Like the monsters in Pulse, (which by the way is not an original film, as the American media keep saying) except they’re real.

The scary ones are those that looked human. Some people walking around looked normal to everyone else, but sometimes I’d see their ears look like ghosts while a second set of animal ears sat on their heads. The ones that people couldn’t see looked nothing like a human. Some had skin as black as charcoal with eyes like fireflies at night. They had frightening claws and teeth, and thank God, that some never noticed that I could see them.

Demons. That’s what they could be. But I’m not quick to judge. They could be ghosts, or poltergeists. Sometimes it drives me mad trying to figure out what they could be.

I was the fourth one to be near Outhwaite’s homeroom, Joe, CJ, and Cheeto goofing around. I always kept quiet and thought to myself. I creeped out a group of sevies as they stared at my blue hair. The teachers didn’t seem to really care. My hair was nothing to worry about to me- it was my mind.

The late bell rang, and the teacher wasn’t there yet. I was fine though. Outhwaite was usually late, and so we didn’t get into trouble. He was cool, and always had that expression of sleepiness and content. Today he wore a green polo and tan shorts, showing off his hairy legs and ankle tattoo of one of his school mascots. I liked his class; it was usually chatty and had music playing. Announcements came up, and we stood for the pledge of allegiance.

Around lunch, I got myself a pizza and ranch for my fries. I was kind of okay because I had second lunch. I hated third lunch; the food was stale. I had third lunch tomorrow. I sit down and wait for some of my friends to appear. I forgot what Katy said her lunch was; Alexis doesn’t remember hers even after she’s had all the lunches.

So I sat alone. So far I liked 1 day; 5 day will suck- I hate P.E.; 3 day will suck even more. Health was okay, Science was awesome though the teacher sounded a bit dull. Chrome dome. I didn’t like Drama class too well.

I finished the rest of my lunch and threw away my tray. I didn’t know why I wanted to sit near the theater after seeing that monster. That cold chill seemed to run down my spine again. I shook it away and took out my drawing supplies: paper, clipboard, ruler, pen, pencil, and eraser. I kept record of every monster I’ve drawn since December 17 of last year.

I drew something different today. Something to keep my mind off of the monsters. I listened to all the chattering in the commons. It was loud today. They took out the soda in the machines this year and replaced it with juice, Gatorade and water, probably that’s why.

The cold chill ran down my spine again. I dared not to look, and I saw someone sitting next to me at the corner of my eye.

“Hi.” It was a girl by the sound of the voice.

“Hi.” I didn’t look up at whom it was.

“Whatcha drawing?” she asked.

“It’s nothing really.” I didn’t feel like breaking my concentration at this point. “Just a new character I‘ve been working on.”

His name was Sky. From what I hear from other people, he’s a sexy Asian boy. I didn’t really give a care; it was just some teen Asian dhampir in really cool clothes. It had a whole bunch of buckles and belts. One of my friends asked how he is able to use the bathroom in them.

I drew him with his hair down. His before look. Before he was hung.

“That’s real cool.”

“Thanks. His name is Sky.”

For a few more minutes, I couldn’t help but get a little irritated. I didn’t like people staring whenever I drew. I’m surprised she hasn’t said anything about my hair yet. I looked up, and kept my expression to a minimum. It was the girl with wolf ears.

She was very pale, and had dark circles under her eyes, as if she hasn’t gotten any sleep for the past few days. She was very thin, and had a bit of a large nose like Katy’s, except there was more flesh at that weird end of the nose. Her hair was a bit red, but there were traces of it being brown. If I were to take a picture of her, she’d look like a guy. Her head shape was kind of caged, and had a roughly squared chin. She seemed somewhat pretty, but I didn’t say it because I think she’d take it the wrong way. Her red jacket had the logo of Spitfire emblazoned on the pocket.

I put up the best smile I could manage, though I hated smiling. I felt my eye twitch when I saw she had a tail too; it was a swishing around off the seat. She didn’t notice I noticed. I hope she doesn’t know I could see through her disguise. I felt like throwing up because of how scared I was. I’m gonna die.

She smiled back. She told me her name was Kayla Krug. We made small talk. She didn’t know anything about Jak and Daxter. That’s when I started to chat a lot; people not knowing anything about this under-looked game has to be warned before they talk to me.

She knows a lot about Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy. Not exactly a big fan of the games, but I liked some of the art. I’ve played a few of the old ones. They’re okay. I pay too much attention to graphics in a game, and a bit on the storyline. Then my eyes stuck to the wolf ears on her head.

I shook my head and went back to my drawing. Kayla asked me what was wrong. I told her it was nothing, and said that my eyes love to stick to some random, and sometimes embarrassing, spot. Her thick eyebrows reminded me of a Final Fantasy character. Some of her physical traits tricked people into thinking she was a guy. I already got used to it.

The bell rang, and she gave me her number to call her up whenever I felt like talking to her. I felt a little better, acknowledged that she wasn’t going to kill me (for now). My English teacher told us she was also the drill team coach. There were a bunch of shopping bags on shelves near the ceiling. Calvin Klein, Abercrombie, and JC Penny… most places I’ve never shopped at, nor been in. Wasn’t surprised that she’s never been to Wal-Mart.

My mom worked there, and hated it. She didn’t care about the store just as long as she made money. If I traveled up the road where I live, it would be straight ahead. But you’d have to take a right, wait a bit, and take the crosswalk. It was almost impossible to jaywalk across that road.

The teacher kinda creeped me out. She was very skinny and pretty, and dressed like she was a student here, too. I could tell she was well over 30 and her tan was very sloppy. I had a keen eye, even though I wore glasses. My old ones were ugly and big, and the new ones made me look a little prettier. I just couldn’t admit it.

None of my teachers were monsters this year. Just like last year. Sometimes I never imagined I’d make it to a junior high. My last school was a middle school. It had no lockers. This school does, but I’ve never used it.

The bell rang, and I left last. The crowds weren’t so bad. I made it down the stairs and talked to Katy and Alexis. I told them about my new friend and asked if they wanted to meet her tomorrow. I heard a car horn and saw Alexis running to a big green car. I didn’t know what type it was but it said Trailblazer on the back. Katy said of course; she liked meeting new friends. She ran onto her bus; its tag was missing.

I looked around, a bit upset the day ended quickly. I missed my school; it was boring during the summer because I had nothing to do. I got onto my new bus, MM, and handed the bus driver my pink pass. She reminded me of Kelly Clarkson on a casual day. By the time I sat down in my seat, I’ve forgotten my new friend’s name.

I walk down the road as my bus rushes past. It hurts my ears whenever it gets too close. I talk to a girl with a horse voice. It reminded me of an old friend. She moved to a different school when Dominic hurt her by accident. People were still mad at him, not many like him because he’s very rude and obnoxious. Sometimes I yell at him too.

We stopped talking when there was nothing left to be said. I take the road to the left, where people sometimes end up taking. It’s funny, but very stupid. The manager didn’t seem to really care about this place. A cold chill ran down my spine again.

I kept walking and ignored that feeling, shifting my eyes around as I kept my head down. There was something creeping around, I knew it. The trees rustled in the wind, and then a twig snapped. I froze because I was stupid and feared many things. I hid all that with a rough yet fragile exterior. Something large and brown ran past the tree near a run-down truck, and I sprinted down the steep hill and smacked into the front door.

I fumbled around for the keys in my pocket and remembered they weren’t there. I’ve never felt so afraid in my life and felt my heart beating against my rib cage. My throat was dry and I let in large gulps of air, cursing myself out. Another cold chill ran down my spine faster, hearing scratching against the road. I was too scared to look, and I unzipped the last backpack pocket, took out the keys and burst through the door.

I threw my backpack onto shoes and slammed the door shut. I pressed the lock on the door and applied the old-fashioned lock on the knob. I took off my shoes and looked out one of the windows. There was nothing there. My watch beeped 3:00. My little sister should be coming home soon.

I slung my backpack over my shoulder and put it in my room. No one was home, judging by the dead silence. It was a Tuesday, and my mom’s day was off. Probably in Silverdale. Robert wasn’t home either. Probably at the hobby shop.

Robert was my mom’s boyfriend. He’s all right, except he acts like an idiot. I don’t get too close, but sometimes we do talk. He likes to pull pranks and says weird stuff. I think he gets it from his dad. I’ve heard he’s worse. My sister doesn’t mind him. Sometimes I was afraid to be left alone with that guy. I got used to it.

I sat on my new bed, lying down on the silver, silky sheets. I rested my head up on the pillow and adjusted myself. School was just the same as usual, and I was thinking of this year’s Talent Show already. I was thinking of playing the keyboard. I didn’t really like its sound. It was a Casio. I’m hoping I’ll get a Yamaha, they’re better by far. I heard that the same name makes motorcycles too. I don’t like Harley Davidson’s brand, I think they’re just tricycles with a motor attached to them.

Then the leathery exterior of one reminded me of my new character. He wasn’t exactly new, just a remake of the old story. He used to be just some orphan boy living alone. Now he’s a hunter with an unlikely friend, a werewolf, Lance. He isn’t really a werewolf; he’s a dog demon and a wolf demon that’s been driven into one from the neglect of his packs.

The idea of Sky’s dad remained the same as looking the same as Sky, just older. He had the same thin bangs that looked like antennae drooping over the face, same spike hair; just the difference was the sideburns were graying. I sighed as I got too comfortable in my bed and began to drift off. I snapped myself awake. It was 3:25. I heard the doorbell ringing incessantly.

I hated getting up, shuffling out and into the hallway. I walked through the always-dirty kitchen and unlocked the door for the brat. She came in all grouchy, throwing her stuff around in the living room like she owned the place. I wasn’t too fond of her messiness, so I did a bit of reminding while she just waved it off and said whatever. She acted like she owned the world. Just like my half-sister, Melanie, but not so serious.

I aligned the shoes, did the dishes and took out the trash. The house seemed bleak because of the little sun outside. I called up Katy and chatted with her ‘til my mom came home around 5:30. I was right. She carried in a whole bunch of bags full of vegetables and junk food from the Filipino store in Silverdale. I always keep forgetting the name of it. I liked the sound of the plastic there; it always seemed to have a different sound than ones from the commissary and other stores. It sounded fuller.

She complained how I was always on the phone, and I argued back that I had nothing else to do. It was a lie; I had plenty of things to do. I had a computer, a TV, a DVD player, and a PS2. Plus my drawing fetishes. So I pretty much knew I lost the battle before it began. I always seemed to get annoyed whenever Belindalyn asked mom if she could go outside. The answer always seemed to be yes.

It irritated me even more when she told me to make rice. She always told me that it was very good and that hers was always mushy. I didn’t know if she was lying or not, it’s hard to tell. I pressed all the buttons on the old-fashioned rice dispenser, and poured in five scoops of rice in the pot. The water turned milky as I played around with the rice, and after two washes, I put the rice pot in the cooker and plugged it in. My mom clicked the thing on. I always forgot to turn it on.

Whether she noticed or not, I went back on the phone. I called up Alexis, and waited for someone to answer. A voice came up, and it was a lady with a Filipino accent. It was her mom. She asked me the usual “Who is this?” and got Alexis. Alexis and I never talk too much. The longest ever was half an hour. This time it was only seven minutes.

I felt the same weight of boredom when I looked at the phone. I cast it aside and lay down on my bed. I thought about the monsters I saw today; some were the same, but a few were new, like the gargoyle statue. I put my hands through my curly hair, and played around with it. It was natural, not plastic, I remembered saying to someone. I told them to feel for themselves. I let out a chuckle when it reminded me of Daxter talking about how his fur was real in one of the model viewers in Jak 3.

I was a total geek for Jak and Daxter. Half of my drawing collection proves my authentication. I take out my binder, and stare at the pictures. I need to get something to protect them better. I was the worst caretaker for my illustrations. I look through, and find a piece of ripped paper stuffed in my supplies carrier. There was a number on it, and then I remembered the new friend I made- I didn’t feel like calling her. I forgot her name.

I was in a weird place in my dream tonight. I was in the park where there was a forest and a small train that ran on certain days. Sometimes I lead my dreams. It seemed to be getting dark, and my dream was leading me this time. I was walking through a trail, seeing a whole bunch of trees looking like someone had snapped them in half. I was afraid to find out what’s been causing it.

I started getting scared when my dream made me jog a bit as a twig snapped. I heard myself breathing. The dream me looked back and saw a large brown figure walking towards me. The dream me turned all the way around and froze in place. I wanted to move, and every step the monster took, it was taller, uglier and more scarred.

I finally woke myself up and stared up at the ceiling. My room was dark, but I knew its layout. Dresser to my right, bed against the left wall, computer desk ahead. I felt one of the cold metal bars. I was getting somewhat big for the bed. I stayed in the same spot for a couple more minutes, and then lied closer to the wall. I listened to the whirring of my fan, and the sound of my hair stuck in it. I needed to clean that thing out one of these days.

Then I felt the cold lingering up against me. It wasn’t the one I felt when I sensed a monster. It was the feeling of loneliness. I wasn’t allowed to have a boyfriend until I was 18. I didn’t mind it at first, but as the years started passing and I was in junior high, seeing other girls holding hands and kissing their men, I couldn’t help but feel a little sad. I hugged my blankets a little tighter, and felt my throat tighten with every inch of growing strength in my grip. I wanted the blankets to be warm like another human being. I hated this cold loneliness and wished I had someone there to hold, hug, and maybe, even kiss.

I guess I’m too dependent to be independent. I felt the tears rushing down my cheek, and I started having the symptoms of a cold. I was a big crybaby, and not many people really knew that either. I’m also a drama queen, and thought drama would be easy, except for when audience performing came up. I tried not to whimper because I didn’t want anyone to bother me. It confused me to why I wanted someone to be there, but not have anyone to be there. I started drifting away into sleep when I thought about it more.

I didn’t see any monsters the next day of school, which was kind of strange. I started scouring the school for my new friend. She ended up finding me during my first lunch. I laughed a little when I told her I forgot her name. It was Kayla. I had a bad memory. I told her it‘d stick after a while. I noticed her wolf ears weren’t showing at all today. She probably noticed my staring and hid them better. But I still saw a tiny lining of her tail.

I introduced her to Katy, who was being modest about herself when she talked about her drawings when Kayla asked. Alexis was quiet, but we finally wound her up to her outgoing self when I brought up something funny.

“Never get her angry. She might pull out a gun and hunt you down.”

It was her nickname joke. Being Warrior Nun had something to joke about. I wasn’t really too fond of nicknames, and usually went about as Chibi Jak. I love my real name, unlike Katy hating her full name. Katherine. She says it reminds her of her grandma, the 500 pound lady who broke her ankles just by walking and whose 37-year-old son (Katy‘s ‘loser’ dad) is still living with her. Kit-Kat was a nickname Katy’s had before I met her. I could tell Kayla noticed Katy’s funny smell too.

Sometimes it made me gag, but I didn’t let it interfere our friendship by far. She had a bit of a bladder problem, which earned her the nickname “Port-a-Potty” when she was in elementary. I never got used to it, no matter how much I’ve been around her. She’s told me I’m the only one who’s ever told her that. I guess no one really wanted to tell her (to her face). Kayla told us she had a nickname too. It was Koda. It reminded me of the movie Brother Bear, and for some reason, a Klondike Bar. I told them that, and they all started to laugh.

Then they brought up the subject about my hair as Kayla asked me if I dyed it. I looked at all my friends, and I took a bite of my prison food cheeseburger. Food shipped to schools here are the same as the prison food around here. I just know it. So I explained my little assumption why my hair is naturally this color. I told her it was kind of cool that it was like that white haired kid in Fruits Basket. Koda told me his name was Haru… something.

We finished eating, and started chatting around about random subjects. Koda didn’t seem too interested in Kit-Kat’s conservations, and always had that attitude of hating her. Maybe she wasn’t a fan of the optimistic type. Hopefully they’ll get along once in a while. I didn’t really like it when I make new friends and they don’t get along with the others. She got along with Alexis okay. I put an elbow on the table and my hand on my chin and looked out at the commons entrance. The whole entrance was clear windows. It was sunny today.

After school, it was raining when I got outside. So much for a sunny afternoon. I was nearing my old bus, and then steered myself toward my new bus when I remembered. I kind of miss my old bus driver. He was one of my mom’s co-workers. He was pretty cool too and didn’t seem to mind the excessive loudness from the back of the bus. My stop being the last went to being the first since I switched.

I was almost near the front door when I felt a firm grip on my shoulder. I looked to my right and saw Kayla’s strange hand on my shoulder. I looked at her and she smiled.

“So, are you gonna call me today?”

“Yeah. Sorry about that. I-”

I broke off at that point. I didn’t feel like telling her I forgot her name. I was kind of embarrassed asking her earlier.

“Aw, I see. It’s okay. I’m the same too.”

Yeah, except you just might be one of those monsters. I bet she knew too. I smiled weakly and parted, every bus letting out a loud blundering honk like a warning bell in school. I heard the rumble and starting of the large engines. The bus had a bit of shaking to it, and I started thinking something wrong. Some guy was thinking the same thing too when he was staring at me in an awkward place, and I glared at him and turned away. Perverted little git.

I couldn’t really do anything about it. I wish I did though. I looked out the window, and saw Kayla running real fast into the pickup and drop-off lot. The bus went through the loop, and I saw her getting into a large car like Alexis’, except it was black. It was close to the metal fence, so I only saw a quick glimpse of the driver. I think it was her dad. I had another cold chill running down my spine again, and I looked back and saw the car driving away. I wish I could’ve taken a closer look.

It was strange. I didn’t see any of the usual monsters today. Either my sanity was returning, or they knew I could see them. I didn’t know which answer to choose. I was too scared to think of what they were planning. But the anxiety kept me thinking about it. I tried to get my mind off it, but then something about Koda kept me thinking about it.

All this thinking would make someone think I’m conceited, but that’s how my mind works. It’s constantly thinking, and not just on one thing either. If the major idea I’m thinking of starts up, little voices around in my mind start to think and tell me reminders of other things. I could be a doctor when I grow up, my dad jokes. My mom thought I should be a journalist because I was very since I was born.

Koda had a dad so far. He was probably a monster too, but I couldn’t get a good look at him. I wondered if he was the same as Koda when I got through the door, sopping wet. I hated the smell of Washington rain, so I set my stuff down and started looking through my drawers. I need a new wardrobe, I kept reminding myself. I went through a phase of being a big tomboy in fifth and most of my clothes are baggy. The phase started to fade since seventh grade started, and I’m thinking of going back to my old self. Wearing cute clothes and dresses, but I’m just too lazy.

I grabbed my favorite beach towel through the fabric cupboard, and started thinking of my weight. I wish I could use a bath towel, and not a beach towel to wrap around me. I turn on the light, and stare at my reflection after closing the door. I sighed as it stared back at me. I was starting to look different and think I’m not so fat anymore, which was a good thing. I set my clothes on the bathroom counter and looked at my reflection again after undressing. I may be out of shape to have trouble climbing up two sets of staircases, but it didn’t mean I was fat. I was just not used to moving around so much after summer.

The shower was cold at first. I let it run for a while, and it started warming up. Soon, questions a scholar would ask started filling my mind when I thought how a human could feel these temperature changes, and then the answers only a physiologist would know stopped the questions. Another question came to mind about how I take so long with showers. It’s because I usually am just thinking the whole time I’m in there, soaking up the warmth and comfort of the water that reminded me of the heat in California. I try not to think about the monsters whenever I’m indecent. I’ll start thinking they’re watching me in here, too.

The thought made me shudder worse than the chilling snakes that ran down my spine when a monster was nearby. The room started getting steamy from the warmth, and I opened up the bathroom window a bit to clear it up. I hate opening it up though, the neighbor’s next door was able to see because they were on a higher part of the mile long hill. I took up all the hot water when I finished, cleaning up my body as much as possible from the Washington rain. I picked up a funny and embarrassing (to others) habit a few weeks ago. I walked out of the bathroom wrapped up in a towel while carrying my pajamas. I left my dirty clothes on the floor, like all the other girls in this house.

Robert hated when I did that, I could tell. He’d never face the direction, which started up my habit just to get a kick out of the reaction. I know it’s rude, but I have trouble breaking habits. And no one should be complaining because if I were to get dressed in the bathroom, I’d be in there for more than I’m usually in there, half an hour. Now that I remembered Koda’s name, I forgot her phone number. Great. I got the phone of doom out of the kitchen and took it to my room. I forgot to turn off the fan since this morning.

I sat in front of the fan for about twenty minutes, and then started putting my watch on my left hand, and my two wristbands on my right. It was a gift from Katy a long time ago, and I’ve still worn them. The watch is from my dad, and I can’t believe I haven’t lost it yet. I slid on a pink pajama gown, and deeply sighed. I was getting taller because it was shorter. Now it was halfway up my thigh, and if I stretched, people would see my underwear. Whatever, I was at home so I didn’t really care too much.

I went into the living room and searched for the phone book. Hopefully she wasn’t on a private list. I didn’t know why I didn’t want to call her, even after she told me to. I wanted to, but I was kind of afraid to. What if she was a monster that sucks the soul out of people who talk to her too much? Or what if she said, “I know you can see through my disguise,” then, “and I know where you live.” What if when I call her she’ll enslave me with a whole bunch of other humans and start eating us one by one? Okay, now even I had to say that was a ridiculous idea.

I took the phone book into my room and closed my door. I hated leaving doors open. I was very strict about my privacy. Her last name was Krug, so I hoped to God that she wasn’t staying with a stepfather. Even if I saw the monsters, I couldn’t help but think the ones that look like human having lives like a human. I’ve made friends with one, but I still couldn’t shove off the thought that she could just be trying to fit in with humans. It stained my mind like the Tempera paint on my carpet.

I never liked phone books because they were confusing. I always get distracted by other things, like ads and then forget what I was supposed to be looking for. Well, my mind was set on the goal and soon I found the name. I hoped it was that one, because there was more than one Krug in this district. One said Port Orchard. Krug, George. That must be her dad’s name. I wondered who’d pick up the phone when it rang. Someone with a voice as smooth as warm oil and deep as rolling thunder answered, and it kinda scared me. It must be her dad. I hope…

“Hello?” my voice was shaky.

“Who is this?” the voice asked.

My heart was thumping and I was getting scared. I felt like hanging up at this point. I was never good with asking who is answering. Or calling.

“Um, this is one of Kayla’s friends from s-school, and I was just w-wondering if she was home. I-is is she?”

The line was silent, except for the ruffling of some papers. I knew what paper sounded like. I was always surrounded by it.

“Yes. Would you like to speak to her?”

“U-um, yes. Please.” I wanted to hang up at this point. But I couldn’t.

“All right, just give me a minute. And your name?”

“I-it’s V-Vi-” I couldn’t say the rest, but I had to. “Vivi.”

There was relief when I heard him calling out her name. There was a long silence, and I couldn’t help but listen in to what was happening. I heard something funny, like a growl someone makes when they’re irritated, and it kind of scared me when I heard him call her out with a louder tone. It kind of scared me. He sounded angry. He called her Koda this time though. Kind of funny for a parent to do that.

I heard another voice. It must’ve been Koda’s, judging by her voice. It was usually mellow, but she sounded annoyed at this point. I had to listen because of my nosy nature. They were kind of arguing.

“What?”

“Why didn’t you answer me the first time?”

“I couldn’t hear you. My music was too loud.”

“You know that it’s bad for your ears.”

“What do you care? So, what do you want?”

“Phone for you.”

“Who is it?’

Her voice sounded closer, and there was a shuffle of the phone being moved around.

“She said she’s a friend from school. Vivi?”

“Hello?”

“Hi.” I answered back, feeling a bit of a strange smile coming across my face.

Then I couldn’t help but ask.

“You know, it’s kind of rude to be talking to your dad like that.”

“It’s okay. It doesn‘t bother him too much.”

I didn’t feel like pestering her about it too much. Then I heard him again in the background.

“I was already going!”

I am cursed with curiosity.

“What was he saying?”

“Telling me to go in my room because he can’t concentrate on his work.”

“Oh. Sorry, I’m very curious.” I apologized.

“Curiosity killed the cat.”

Insecurity started building up, and hearing it from her made me just a tad too afraid.

“Don’t worry, it’s just a phrase.” She probably noticed the long silence.

I hoped so. We talked for a while about what was going on in our classes, and what she thought about the school. She seemed to be a new student. I mean, someone transferring in from one of the other schools. Sedgwick. I heard it was full of rich snoots and preps. I liked their school colors though, silver and blue.

I was being skeptical about her story. Frankly, I didn’t know if I should trust her or not. I was leaning towards the not. But I had to if I were to hide my secret. If I were just to end the friendship so abruptly with no explanation, she might know that I do know. And then go after me. When we had nothing else to say, I told her “bye,” but then she said “wait!” and I took my thumb off the End button.

“I was wondering. I’ve never really had friends over, and I was wondering if you’d want to sleep over sometime.”

My eye kind of twitched, mostly because I was scared, but also what could happen.

“I don’t know.” I answered. “Sure, I probably could,” I thought about the unnecessarily long process of my mom answering. “But not to sleep over. My mom has work on the weekends.”

“That sucks. Well, probably you could convince her to be able to spend a night on a school night. We both go to the same school.”

I think she was planning this since yesterday.

“Or, you could just hang out for a while here. I‘m sure my dad wouldn‘t mind.”

I seriously had no answer to this. My mom took forever to answer.

“Yeah, maybe, probably next week. We‘ll see.”

I told her bye, and hung up. It was 8:24 p.m. I snickered as I heard Belindalyn complaining there was no hot water for the tub. Payback for getting on everyone’s nerves in this house. My mom and Robert were probably asleep; they have their day off on Wednesdays too.

I got to bed earlier than I usually did, and I was thinking the worst of what might happen if I went there. They might tear me limb from limb, and feed me to that brown monster thing in my dream. I tried to think on a happier note, thinking that she probably just wants to live a peaceful life and live among humans. Hoping to God no one will notice their differences. Or it’s just the first thought. I couldn’t sleep in my clothes tonight. Another bad habit I picked up a long time ago.

The loneliness didn’t feel like lingering tonight. I was home free tonight. I felt a strange reassurance, and I couldn’t really figure out why. I was going to a monster’s house next week. And I had sweeter dreams for the past few days.