Inhumans

Chapter 3

Jay's POV

          Alicia, Juli, and I were in my car. Alicia sat in the passenger seat while Juli sat in the back behind me. Alicia told her parents she was going to a study group and that she'd keep them updated. I didn't have parents. I lived with my older brother, Richard. He had the ability to read minds. I keep forgetting to tell Alicia about him because Juli is constantly on my mind. She's never demonstrated her powers and I've been wondering how they work. I've also been wondering if she was single. A hot, soccer player like her ought to have a boyfriend at least. But I didn't see her with anyone. 

“Right here!” Juli snapped me out of my thoughts as I approached her house. 

I pulled into her driveway behind a light blue Mini Cooper. I turned off the car and we all got out. Juli rushed to the front door. Alicia and I trailed behind her more slowly. It was a nice house in a peaceful neighborhood. Richard and I lived in one of the druggie filled neighborhoods to further conceal ourselves. Plus we couldn't afford anything bigger than a mobile home. Richard was only a secretary at a business. He has to climb his way up. Juli unlocked the door and walked in. 

“Mom! I'm home!” Juli shouted. 

Alicia and I followed her in. I shut the door behind me. Right past the front door was a set of stairs. To the left of the stairs was what looked like a family room. Juli led us through the family room, where a man snored on the couch. 

“That's my dad, this is how we always find him after work.” Juli whispered. 

Alicia and I nodded. We walked into the kitchen. A woman was standing at the stove. She had blonde hair like Juli but she was a little shorter. She turned as she heard us. 

“Hi, Juli! How was school?” She smiled. 

“Hi, mom. It was great. These are my friends Alicia and Jay.” Juli introduced us. 

“Pleasure to meet you. Finally, friends who aren't soccer freaks!” Juli's mom winked at us. 

I smiled. 

“We're going to be in my room.” Juli said  , leading us back out of the kitchen and through the family room. 

We walked up the stairs and into the first room on the right. The room was green with pictures of female soccer players and Juli's family. She was an only child, it seemed. Juli shut the door after Alicia and I walked in. 

“Do your parents have powers?” I looked at Juli. 

“My dad is a scientist, my mom is a nurse. They don't have powers.” Juli shrugged. 

“Interesting.” Alicia furrowed her eyebrows. 

“What about your parents?” Juli looked at Alicia and I. 

My heart sunk. Alicia spoke first. 

“My dad is never around. My mom can control emotions.”  Alicia said. 

They both looked at me. Their faces fell as they noticed my expression. 

“Jay… you don't have to answer.” Juli said. 

I bit my lower lip and nodded. I furrowed my eyebrows. I felt arms wrap around me as Alicia gave me a hug. I hugged her back. She hesitantly let me go. I looked at Juli. 

“Do we get to see your powers now?” I asked, changing the subject. 

“Oh! Right!” She backed away from us and rubbed her hands together. She threw her backpack on her bed. 

Alicia and I stood back and watched her. She clenched her fists and bent forward. We watched as tan fur sprouted from her back. Her hands and feet changed. Her face grew a snout and whiskers. In front of us stood a panther. She sat down and licked her chops, her sharp teeth showing clearly.