Caged

▪▪Chapter Two▪▪

Chapter Two

Something is seriously wrong with my parents.

That was the thought on my mind ad they got home from work.

They were jumpy and nervous and looked at me with excitement.

Then Mom pulls out a crisp, cream-colored envelope.

On it read Half-Moon Academy.

"No, Mom, you did not." I said, looking at her.

She smiled. "Open it."

It had already been opened, but the top flap had been tucked in.

Dear Miss Chelsea Carter,

We are pleased to inform you that--

I read only that aloud when Dad put his arm around me. "You made it in."

"Dad, I'm perfectly happy here in public school." I said.

"This'll be a perfect time to interact with more wer--kids your age!" Mom said.

"Mom, I already hang out with Grant and Matt and Miranda and Michael." I protested.

Then I realized my mistake. My parents hated Michael. With a burning passion.

"That hooligan?" Dad demanded. "He has no business around you, Chelsea, do I make myself clear?"

I did the only thing I could when Dad got this way. I nodded.

"You start tomorrow." Dad said, then stormed off.

▪▪▪

"Half-Moon?" Miranda demanded. "How the hell did you get into Half-Moon?! They're pretty exclusive."

"I don't even know! My parents put in a scholarship without me knowing!" I said. I pressed the phone to my ear with my shoulder, comparing two sweaters.

"And I have no idea what to wear!" I complained.

"Wear the white shirt with a red bow, red bracelet and a red belt, but wear dark blue jean shorts." Miranda said. She was a fashion genius.

I picked out the appropriate clothing, knowing she was right.

"Thanks, babe." I said.

"No problem." She said. "You'll have to tell me all about it. Cute boys and everything."

I laughed. "But that'll make Matt jealous,"

"Don't even get me started on that boy."

We talked the rest of the night about Matt, and finally, at eleven, I went to bed.

I was running through the woods. I felt jubilant. Alive.

My legs were powerful, and I moved with ease among the trees.

The ground was cool and soft against my feet and I had the urge to roll in the grass.

I looked down and saw that my feet weren't feet, they were paws.

I woke with a start. It was 7:03. I needed to get up, because I think school started at eight.

I got dressed and put the bow in my hair. For my makeup, I carefully applied brown eyeliner and then a light tan-colored eyeshadow. I put a bit of red lipstick on my lips to go with my outfit, but dabbed most of it off so I didn't look ridiculous.

I jogged down the stairs. 7:48. Man, that took longer than I thought.

I grabbed the box of frosted flakes and poured myself a bowl. I was hunting for a spoon (why did we never have any spoons?) when I was suddenly so hungry.