* The Hybrids *

Chapter 3: Jamie

 I watch as Wren kinda stumbles out of the car. Her hair's a mess, her uniform is wrinkled, and it's 8:51. So you could say it's a normal Monday.

"Hey Wren," I say as she waddles over to me. She's holding her backpack in her arms while book after book slips out. "Let me help you with that." I bend down and grab some of her books and help her pack up her bag again.

"Thanks, J." she says as she's zipping up her backpack. "Sorry I'm so late!"

"Late?" I say, acting surprised, "But it's only 8:50! Why this must me record time!"

"At least I'm not as late as Oliver. Speak of the devil, where is he?"

"He headed in with Charlie about 10 minutes ago," I say, still laughing.

"Damnit!" she said angrily

"Let's just head in before you're even later." I say

"You mean we?" she asks me

"Nah, I'm having some 'stomach troubles' at the moment" I say, hinting at the fact that I've already signed in.

"You're too good." Wren mutters and starts dragging me inside.

We walk into the classroom and see Mrs. Slater looking at us. Slater looks at me and says "So, you feeling better?"

"Uh, yep! Fresh as a daisy!" I quickly assured her. She looked dubious, but moved on to Wren with a displeased face.

"And where have you been, Miss Harkings?" she asks while giving Wren the death stare.

"Uh- uhm...." Wren pulls the collar of her shirt while looking around the room. "I needed to help my dad... sort... pencils... for the community meeting!" she sputters. She gives the teachers one of those "I-fucked-up-but-im-super-sorry-please-don't-give-me-detention" smiles, and then rushes to her seat. I wander over after her

"Wren, this is your last chance" Mrs. Slater says. I can hear Wren breath a sigh of relief as she almost seems to become a sack of potatoes on the old-ass seats they give us for school. Mrs. Slater starts up again with her history lesson. "Alright, so who can name one god in..."

I was so happy when the class ended. As soon as I walked out that door, I felt free. Until I entered Mr. Jones' Math class. Then Ms. Lee's Science class, and so on. And then the call.

My phone started to ring. I sat in my seat and tried to ignore it. Mr. Marko saw and gave me a small nod. I ran out of my seat and to the non-binary bathroom on the 2nd floor and into an empty stall. "Hello?"

"Jamie, we need to get her out of here. Tonight." Jolie says through the phone. I realize what's going on and check the date. Fuck, it's the 12th.

"When and where?"