Voraciously

Germophobia

Alright, Naruto, you got this. Think germophobe. You are a germophobe. You don't like germs, you don't like people because they are filthy. Think germophobe.

"Do you remember the plan." Iruka spoke to me, peering at me through the rear-view mirror. We are currently driving to school. I don't like sitting in the front, my eyes are sensitive to the sun, so the front seat was like a torture chair to me. Besides it feels nice being chauffeured around.

"Yes, father. I've gone over a million times!" I said with annoyance. I really have gone over the plan every day for the past year and half. 

"Tell me one more time, for my sake." He says.

I groan and slouch in my seat, sliding through my seat-belt, like goo. I stare at him and he stares back at me. After a second, I roll my eyes and sit up.

"Ugh, I'm a germophobe. I've been homeschool all my life, until now, because of my condition. Doc said I'm getting better, and wants me to interact with people to help cure my phobia. So I was enrolled in school, but got sick because it was a lot for me to handle and had to come to school later."

"And?" Iruka waiting for me to explain more.

"And, I don't like to be touched. I'm not good at talking to people. Um...."

"Come on Naruto, we rehearsed this!"

"Yeah, yeah! I know, just hold your horses! Let me think. Um...ummmm" 

Iruka sighs, "...and because I'm a germophobe, I'm a very picky eater and I don't like to eat a lot. I can't believe you could forget this part. You got to be prepared, when they start suspecting weird things about you at this school. If they see that you don't eat, they'll think theirs something else wrong with you besides germophobia!"

I roll by eyes, "I don't see why I need to go to school anyways! I was perfectly fine being homeschooled!"

"And I've told you a billion times, Naruto, I can't keep teaching you myself. I don't know everything. You need to learn how to interact with humans, and that part isn't part of an act. I can't watch you forever...You aren't like me, Naruto." Iruka ends with calm voice.

"I know that!" This was a sensitive subject for us both. I don't understand why he brings it up all the time. 

"I'm sorry, Naruto. But it is inevitable. You aren't me. I don't know a full extension what you are capable of." Iruka looks at me worried.

"All the more reason for me to stay home!" I yell.

"Not if human interaction is good for you. Both of your species crave human interaction, and I need to know if it will be good or bad, so we can prepare your future when you reach full adulthood." Iruka explains.

"And what if, it's bad. Are you going to kill me?" I stated.

Iruka turns around to me quick and briefly. "I would never harm you, my son! Not in my entire life. And, because I worry for your safety, I don't want you to get in danger and fall into the wrong hands, or worse, hunted down like a monster-"

"But I am a monster, dad!" I interrupted.

"No you aren't. I believe you are who I raised you to be. A kind, caring, boy." 

I rolled by eyes. Dad was so melodramatic. I looked out the window. We were already parked in the school drop-off area. Shit we're here.  I stared at the gigantic school in front of me. Once I stepped out of these doors, I would be on own. 

"Don't worry. I have a friend, who will keep an eye out for you." Iruka intercepts the silence.

"Oh and that's supposed to make me feel better." I said, sarcastically. I grab by bookbag and open the car door. Before I close the door, Iruka yells toward me,

"I love you, son." 

I looked toward him with a reassuring smile and closed the car door. He slowly drives off and I wave him good-bye, before I turn around and face the impending doom ahead of me.