1# The unusual friends

Chapter 14: Scales

Jess:

I stared at my arm in shock and amazement. Sky blue scales covered my arm from my wrist to me elbow. "How could this have happened?" I asked myself not believing my eyes. I touched the scales lightly. They felt rough and cold. Someone knocked on the bathroom door. I quickly pulled my sleeves over my arm. I opened the door to see Taia staring right through me. She punched my arm.

"What was that for?" I asked. She smiled cheekily.

"Oh you know setting me up on a date with Beck," she replied dreamily.

"What was it that bad?" I asked disappointed. Taia hummed.

"What ever you say," she said and slowly walked away. She looked like she was drunk even though I knew she wasn't. I grabbed her wrist and she shot her head to me. Her eyes suddenly turned sharp and her jaw was set.

"What?" She snapped.

"What happened?" I asked. She yanked her arm free and walked up the stairs. "What was that all about?" I thought. I locked the door again and pulled my sleeve back. They were still there shining like the reflection of the moon on the water. Excitement ran through my body. Suddenly I heard Taia giggling from my bedroom and her feet moving along the floor boards. I ran upstairs and rested my ear against the door. I heard nothing for a while. I slowly opened the door a crack and looked through it. Taia was sitting in the bed staring at something in her hands while smiling.

"Girls dinner is ready," mum called. Taia walked to the door. I quickly stood up straight look like I was going to knock.

"Hello," Taia raised an eyebrow. I out my hand down.

"Hi, uh did you hear mum?" I asked.

"You weren't spying on me, were you?" She asked. I shook my head and Taia walked down the steps. Like normal the table was just set for mum, Taia and I. Mum kissed my forehead.

"Ok darling I will be gone for the rest of the weekend to work, will you be alright?" She asked.

"Yep we may burn the house down but we will be fine," I giggled.

"Thanks for soothing my nerves, but anyway bye and have a good time," she finished and grabbed her car keys and bags. I waved her goodbye but Taia stared at her plate of food. Once mum was gone she fiddled with her fork but it never touched the food.

"Aren't you hungry?" I asked her. She looked at me. Something sparkled in her eyes but I didn't know what.

"I don't feel like eating right now," she replied.

"Why! Don't you feel well or something?" I asked. She slammed her fork on the table.

"I just don't feel well ok?!" She stormed out of the room. I sat there frozen in my spot. I pulled my sleeve down and looked back at the scales. I calmed down and pulled the sleeve back over them. Something had happened between Taia and Beck and I was going to find out.