The Secrets She Hides

Chapter 6- New Kid in the Park

Hey guys. Dad's doing a little better today. They say he may get out in a week or maybe even sooner. :) Oh and The Correct name for a group of cats is a clowder, but lets stick with packs. Thank you for your support. -Cam

(Jack's PoV Monday Sept. 2 last class of the day)

"Jack!" My head snaps up and I look at Rob sitting in the desk to my right. "What?" He glares at me with a weird look in his eyes. "I've been trying to get your attention for five minutes now. What's up?" I sigh and prop my head up with my hand. A paper air plane flies past and I watch as it land on Mrs. Guinness' desk, who, as usual, is sleeping. "I'm just...worried. What if most of you guys are the same species and then you hate me?" More importantly, what if Melody hates me or the guys hate me and stop me from speaking to her?  "Jack, Friday when I change, I'll become an okami. The others don't no it, but okami have strong enough senses to figure out what other hybrids are before they change."

"That's...helpful?" I guess. Then I can get away from my father. "What's really bothering you besides changing?" I look at him. His features are blank, but his eyes have curiosity and concern in them. "My father. He's a hybrid hunter. I have to move out by the end of this week. He is taking my mother to Spain, or rather, they're moving to Spain. He hates me, I hate him, my mother wants to protect me, so she is leaving me here." My wonderful life. Rob reaches a hand out and pats my shoulder with a sad smile. "At least you've got Riptide Base, besides hybrids are supposed to leave home to be with their packs anyway." I give him a sad smile as the bell rings to go home.

I grab my bag and walk out of the class room with Rob close behind me. We walk down the main hall and only split to go to our separate lookers. I break into a run fighting the sea of students. As quickly as I can I open my locker and grab my books and notes for my home work tonight. I slam my locker shut and race back down the hallway to Melody's locker. She's putting her books away with a sad smile on her face. Four girls were standing behind her smirking, I recognized Louise.

I walk towards them and stand beside Melody, smiling. "How ya doing sis?" I try to sound like an older brother and when she looks at me relief floods her features. "Great, how was English?" I have to get her out of here. "Oh you know, teacher was asleep, no homework, the usual." She through a last book in her bag and shut her locker. "Who's this Melody?" Louise asks saying here name with some much hate, I'm surprised she's smiling. "This is Jack. He and the other guys have been letting me hang around with them for the last couple days." I laugh a little to put the point across. "Come on Mel. The others are waiting for us." There's a genuine smile. We turn to walk away and Louise gave Melody a look that clearly says, 'We'll get you later.'

When we were far enough away Melody looked up at me, "The others aren't actually waiting, are they?" I smiled and shook my head. This is a bad idea, but, "Melody, I was wondering... would you like to come to my house for an hour or two? My mom would love to meet you and I have some thing to tell you that she can help with." She looked surprised, but that was quickly washed away with excitement. "I would love to!" I smiled and we walked out to my truck. Melody had walked to school so her car was at her house.

(Time skip Jack's house)

I pull the truck into the driveway and kill the engine. Good Dad's not home. We get out of the truck and walk to the front door. Boxes line the walls, most of them ready to be shipped to their home in Spain. "Are you not done unpacking?" Melody motions to the boxes. "That's what we're going to talk about." I walk into the house a little further and call Mom. "In the living room." We walk through the packed hallway into the living room where Mom is sitting on the couch watching TV.

"Mom, this is Melody. She's one of my friends at school with the same medical condition I have." She understands instantly. "Don't worry. Your fathers at work." Melody is shifting her wait from her right foot to her left nervously. "Calm down. Mom isn't one to judge." Mom smiles kindly and motions for us to sit. "I'm guessing you want to know why we haven't unpacked yet?" Melody looks a little shocked but nods yes. My turn to explain. "Have you ever heard of a hybrid hunter?" Melody's eyes grow wide and she seems to shrink away from me and my mom. "Well, my father is one. Mom is moving to Spain with him, and since Dad and I hate each other, it works out. Instead of trying to hide I'm a hybrid for the rest of my life, I stay here. Not in this house, but in this town. Where Dad can't get me or my friends." Melody's eyes had so many expressions in them I couldn't tell what she was actually feeling.