June 2020
We arrive at our family's house and go to the front door. I knock on the door, and Nick, a tall, lanky man with a mischievous smile, opens the door. "James, hey, how's my favorite cousin?" He says
"I'm fine. Where's A.J. at?" I say
"He's making food, so he's gonna be busy for a while," Nick says
"I see," I say
"Come in. We gotta catch up," Nick says
"I'm going to help A.J. with the food. Just talk with Nick, alright?" Molly says, going into the kitchen
Nick and I enter the cozy living room, filled with familiar family photos and the comforting home scent. "So James, how's school so far?" Nick asks, settling into his favorite armchair. I reply, "It's OK. Some classes are easier than others, but at least summer vacation is right around the corner, so that's nice."
"It's OK. I guess some classes are easier than others, but at least summer vacation is right around the corner, so that's nice," I say
"I wanted to talk to you about something," Nick says
I take a seat on one of the couches. "What did you want to talk to me about?" I say
"Well, this video was sent to me by one of my friends, and I want you to be honest with me," Nick says, his voice tinged with a hint of mystery.
"Honest about what? I don't know what you're talking about," I say
"James, are you a furry?" Nick says
"Oh, that's what this is about. No, I'm not. It was fake. Some people have it out for me, I guess," I say
"I see. Sorry for accusing you. It just looked so real," Nick says
"It's okay, don't worry about it," I say
"How's your friend Jack? I haven't seen him for a while," Nick says
"He's doing good," I say
"That's nice. Hopefully, you can bring him over soon. It would be nice to hang out with him again," Nick says
"Yeah, sure, I'll try to bring him over one day," I say
"Cool, so how are you feeling about your father?" Nick says
I get reminded of all his experiments. "I don't want to talk about it. I don't want to be reminded about him," I say
"It's still affecting you five years later, dude. Move on. Did he do something that bad?" Nick says, his voice tinged with concern, his eyes searching mine for answers.
"Again, I don't want to talk about it," I say
"Alright, I'll stop. I'm sorry," Nick says
"It's okay, you were just curious. Maybe one day I'll tell you," I say
"Alright then, I'll be waiting," Nick says
I start to feel the pain of when I need to shift. "Not here. I don't want my cousins to learn about this," I think.
"James, are you alright? You don't look so good," Nick says
"I need to go to the bathroom real quick," I say
"Uh, alright, sure, go ahead," Nick says
I quickly reach the bathroom, lock myself in, and shift into a dragon. "As much as this feels good, I hope no one has to use the bathroom," I think.
I try my best to ensure my wings or tail don't knock into anything, and I take out my phone and text Jack, "Hey, Jack, how's it going?"
"I'm good. How about you, man?" Jack texts
"I'm visiting my cousins right now," I text
"Oh, I'm assuming they don't know," Jack texts.
"No, they don't, and I don't plan on telling them," I text
"I understand anyway. I gotta go; I got some stuff to take care of," Jack texts.
I put my phone down and accidentally knocked over the metal toilet paper holder. "oh, that isn't good," I think.
I hear Nick come up to the door and knock on it. "James, are you alright? I heard something fall in there," Nick says
"Yep, I was just being clumsy. Sorry to worry you," I say
"Woah, you sound different. Are you sure you're alright?" Nick says
"I'm fine," I say
"Alright then," Nick says, walking away from the door.
"I think it's been long enough," I think, returning to my human form.
I leave the bathroom and head back into the living room. "There you are. Are you feeling better?" Nick says
"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry to worry you," I say
"It's fine. I'll be right back," Nick says, leaving the room.
"Hopefully, I didn't leave anything incriminating in there," I think.
I see Nick come back to the living room holding something. "James, what is this?" Nick says
"I can't see it, so I don't know," I say
Nick brings it closer to my face. I see it's one of my scales. My heart skips a beat. "I found this in front of the sink. Now tell me, what is this?" Nick says, his eyes wide with confusion and curiosity, his voice trembling slightly.
I try not to panic. "I don't know what that is. Why are you acting all crazy?" I say
"You're hiding something, aren't you?" Nick says
"No, of course not, I would never," I say
"James, seriously, I know you're lying. Please tell me the truth." Nick says
"One day, I'll tell you. Just please me keep this to yourself for me," I say
"Fine, I will only for your sake, but you better tell me the truth," Nick says
"I will, I promise," I say
I see Molly poke her head from the kitchen. "Hey, food ready? I'll bring it to the table," Molly says
Nick and I go to the table and sit beside each other. "Can I at least tell A.J. about this?" Nick says
"Yeah, just do it when I leave," I say
"Okay, fine," Nick says
Molly brings the food, A.J. brings the plates, and they take their seats. "So James, How's school?" A.J. says
"It's good. I'm about to be on summer vacation after this week, and I'm super excited about it," I say
"You got any plans for summer?" A.J. says
"Nope, I'm just going to stay at home mostly and hang out with Jack and his friends," I say
"Dude, come on, you got to get out more. I heard there was this summer camp. Maybe you could do that," A.J. says
"No, camping isn't my thing," I say
"Alright, fine, just waste your time away one day. You'll listen to me." A.J says
We finish eating. "Anyway, we gotta get going. I have to work early tomorrow," Molly says
"Alright, catch you later," A.J. said
Molly and I leave the house and see Nick staring at me the whole time. "Did you have fun?" Molly says
"I guess so. Let's just head home," I say
We get in the car. "James, is something bothering you?" Molly says
"Huh, no, I'm fine," I say
"I see. If you ever want to talk to me, I'm here." Molly says
We arrive home. "I know I'll talk to you if anything is bothering me," I say as I head inside. I go straight to my room, and I fall asleep.
YOU ARE READING
life as a shapeshifter Remastered (book 1)
FantasyJames Carter was a 15-year-old who became a shapeshifter after one of his father's experiments five years ago. He has to keep his powers a secret while having the death of his father loom over him his entire life. Can James keep his powers a secret...
