Hidden Fox

Twelve

Thursday passed in a breeze. I had a new bounce to my step as I got through my classes. After my mythology class was over-I decided to take this elective to see if anything would bring me clues that could lead me towards discovering more about myself-I headed for the library to grind out some of my homework.

I was halfway through my English assignment when the chair across from me pulled out. I glanced up from my laptop, half expecting to see Xavier. Instead, Andrew sat down and pulled out a couple of notebooks along with his laptop.

"Mind if I join you, Freckles?"

I smiled. "Go for it. What's Everlee up to today?"

"She's got her anatomy lab she's finishing up. I'll text her to join us here when she's out."

"Sure." I went back to my assignment, and he got to work on his homework.

After a half an hour, I finally took a break to talk again. "What are you studying?"

"Politics mostly. Not only does it fascinate me, but I'm already set up for a career in business."

That answer made sense. He wasn't lying and he didn't give anything away. I was actually pretty impressed how casual it was for him to respond that way. Politics would help him be a good Gamma, the pack being the "business" he was referring to, and so I had no doubt he also was taking business classes, as well.

"I have no interest in politics, but I'm glad some people enjoy it!"

He chuckled as his fingers scrolled down on his laptop pad.

Technically, I should have more interest in business and political affairs, being an alpha's daughter and possible heir, but I never could put my heart into it. Without my heart, my mind was never focused in Dad's lessons and meetings. It was actually immensely relaxing to be on the other side of the country and away from all the alpha prep my parents were encouraging.

"How about you, Freckles?" Andrew continued the conversation. "Ev mentioned you were clueless, but there's gotta be something that interests you."

I sighed and rested my chin in my palm. "I really am clueless. I'm sort of dabbling in everything."

"Oh yeah? What classes are you in?"

I had to think about it for a moment. "The basics mostly. English, biology, and algebra are my big ones. But I'm also exploring mythology and wildlife resources for fun."

"Mythology and wildlife resources, huh?"

I shrugged shyly. "I have my reasons."

He didn't press, and we easily fell quiet again as he worked on whatever he was doing and I started back up on my English paper.

Everlee joined us about an hour later, bringing new life to the conversations and allowing us to study for our upcoming biology test that she was most definitely going to ace and I was going to bomb. This was another thing my heart wasn't in. Anatomy and biology and most of the sciences never resonated with me, even as a child.

I was right. The way I felt walking out of the testing building on Friday was not a good sign. Biology definitely just wasn't it for me. Everlee and I had studied a lot in the library earlier that week, and then I reviewed by myself each night at home, but half of that test was a guess.

I sent a quick message to my friend saying I was out, and she responded by telling me to go to a particular booth in the cafeteria.

The second I sat and shrugged my backpack off, Andrew slid a bowl of frozen yogurt across the table. I sent him a puzzled expression.