The girl stood in the doorway just gawking at Baylee for what felt like an eternity. Until Mickey elbowed her best friend in the shoulder. Knocking her out of place, nearly causing her to fall.

“That’s rude. Yeah she’s new but dam girl” Mickey looked at Baylee waiting for an explanation. “Can’t just be starring at black folks like that”

“Hi” The girl gave a little wave and quickly started off on her own way into the store.

Ignoring Baylee completely, who for a few seconds started to tear up. All on her own, something inside her body and mind tearing at her to stop the new girl.

“I’m sorry” Baylee blurted out after the girl had gone.

Catching Mickey eyes she sighed a bit and leaned against the counter. Looking back at where Leah and Logan stood looking at her slowly growing bruise.

“I don’t know what’s wrong…. But that hurt…” Baylee said to her best friend.

“What hurt? Staring at the new girl like she was a juicy steak?” Mickey tried to lighten Braylee’s mood but she seemed crushed.

“She didn’t even acknowledge me….” Baylee groaned but it sounded more like a puppy whining.

“You don’t even know her? Like you could have introduced yourself?” Mickey still wasn’t quite understanding what she just watched happening. “Maybe saying something to her tomorrow about it would be better. Cuz them straight up creeper eyes definitely didn’t do you no favors”

“She didn’t feel it….” Braylee whispered.

“Did you feel her secret? Is that what this is about?” Mickey again tried to pick her friends brain with no luck.

“No. Yes, but no. I don’t want to talk about it” Braylee disappeared into the back.

Returning a few minutes later with a few boxes to stock the first row of shelves. Ignoring her best friend completely.

Closing up was easy, Leah and Logan took care of all the money stuff. Mickey pulled in all the estranged shopping carts in the parking lot. Yet as she watched Braylee sulk to her car without a word.

“Ok, you need to explain this shit to me. I’ve never seen you like this?” Mickey said hoping into the passenger seat. “We’ll except when you kitten died”

“Just leave me be. I don’t want to talk about it” Baylee put the suv in reverse and ripped it out the parking lot.

“I can’t just leave it…. It’s bothering you” Mickey tried to make eye contact but Braylee was to focused on the stop light.

“Could I even trust to tell it to you? Your obviously don’t care about girl code” Braylee’s words were harsh but she didn’t even care.

“Ughhh. We are happy… Doesn’t that mean anything to you?” Mickey shot back.

“How long we’re you lying to me though?”

“It just started this last summer…. We both wanted to tell you…. I just didn’t know how” Mickey grumbled. “Just let out here. I’ll walk home”

“Aren’t you gonna have dinner?” Braylee felt like crap now, knowing full well that she was just throwing it on them.

“Not that hungry” As Baylee pulled over, Mickey hopped out.

“Shut up and get your ass back in the car” Braylee’s voice was stern and Mickey didn’t even try to talk back. “I’m sorry, I just have a really weird felling about that girl. Like she’s important somehow”

“We’ll don’t take it out on your bro and me.” She replied closing the door. “Not gonna lie I was gonna miss going home to see him”

“Ughh. Y’all better be tactful with our parents. They don’t need to know” Braylee started driving again. “Also you better not let him knock you up”

Of course Mickey laughed at that. “Aweee you don’t want a little mixed niece running around.” She coed.

“Not while your both still in high school” She sounded like a parent but she didn’t care, this day was already wild enough.

**

The rest of the week zipped by, of course Mickey spent every night at Braylee’s house. Braylee finially seeing all the stolen glances between the two. There disappearances together for a few moments at a time, or them nearly making out in the garage before Braylee and her hid up in Braylee’s rom.

School came and went each day Braylee didn’t see the new girl. Maybe she was sick or something or more possible she was ducking her. But either way nothing else happened out of the ordinary.

“So sleepover all weekend?” Mickey asked with a huge exaggerated smile.

“Nope. Keep your thirsty butt home” Braylee laughed as her best friend scrunched up her face in mock rage.

“That pretty much is my home” Mickey laughed a bit and Braylee sighed.

Knowing full well the only reason that she’d missed her bestie brother relationship was because of the past summer’s unfortunate circumstances.

“Come on please!” She whined.

“I swear y’all get caught. I’m not bailing you out.”

“If we get caught I’ll clean your whole car out” She laughed, looking at the mess of Mc Donald’s bags littering the back floor.

“Shush. If we weren’t rushing I’d clean it out” Of course as she said that they wizzed through the red light as it turned and the police light’s caught them both off guard.

“Now who’s getting caught” Mickey laughed as they pulled into the grass beside the road. Waiting for the cop to come up.

Of course as they watched it slow down behind them. The new girl was sitting in the passenger seat looking at her with an open mouthed expression. Baylee watched as the girl said something the her father before he stepped out the car.

Of course he didn’t rush up to the window. Just slow walking with the same smile from the other day.

“Hey girls. How are you doing today?” He just took off his sun glasses and stood their all smiles.

“We’re good. Sorry about the light” Braylee mumbles still looking at the mirror to the new girl.

“Well my daughter Shay says she recognized you two from school. So I’ll let you off with a warning. Just make sure your paying attention” He tipped his light brown hat the them and smiled. “We are new to town, it would make me feel better if she had friends to hangout with. She’s kind of a loner.”

“Well maybe if she’s free tomorrow afternoon. She can hang out at the school pool with us?” Mickey asked all friendly like she was a perfect little angel.

Braylee couldn’t be rude and interrupt her friend. So she just sighed to herself.

“I’ll let her know” He smiled again and went back to his cruiser.

Braylee stayed and watched him bring her the news of their hang out idea. To her surprise she just waved at her quickly with a smile.

**

“Ughhhh . Why did you do that?” Braylee grumbled tossing her car door closed in the driveway.

“Well you seem like you want to get to know her. So what’s the problem?” Mickey threw her hands up in mock defeat.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Braylee spat.

“Well if you were a boy I’d say you were trying to bed her the moment she walked into the store” Braylee’s face reddened a bit but growled.

“That’s none of your business” Braylee’s voice was loud enough now that her mother started to peak out the front door.

“You girls alright?” She asked looking like she’d spent the last few hours cleaning the house.

“We’re fine mom” Braylee answered and left her best friend to grab her stuff alone.

Of course the basement now consisted of her sister and her boyfriend cuddled up. Mickey and Corbin acting as if they weren’t a couple, close enough to touch but far enough away not to rouse suspicion. The Caden to busy on his game to bother anyone. Braylee just sat by herself with her AirPods in listening to music.

Hours passed without anyone bothering her. That is until her sisters boyfriend left and Caden went upstairs. Mickey crossed the room without much of a sound, tapping her on the shoulder. An awkward moment of silence between them after Braylee pulled out her AirPods.

“Just fucking apologize” Corbin’s bright smile came with a chuckle.

“Of course it was your idea” Braylee grumbled.

“I’m sorry I invited her…. I didn’t think it was gonna be that big of a deal… I didn’t consider your feelings” Mickey looked down at her best friend and tried to make her smile.

“I don’t have any feelings towards it at all” Braylee folded her arms across her chest like an upset four year old.

“Can we cut the shit. Are you like into this girl? Cuz your acting hella suspicious” Mickey cocked her hip to the side and nearly broke her neck with the obnoxious head roll.

“Ohhh Braylee likes a girl?” Corbin questioned slowly moving closer to their conversation.

“If you ever want kids, you might wanna get your boyfriend. Cuz I’m gonna cut it off” Braylee lunged at Corbin in a mock rage, quickly pinning him to the floor.

“Ughh. Stop ignoring the question and get off of him. I’m the only one who gets to do that” Mickey pushed Braylee off as she gagged on air like she was ready to puke.

“So mature” Corbin added in trying to tickle his older sister.

“I guess I don’t know” Braylee said and Corbin stopped his playful advances.

“You know I wouldn’t care” Corbin looked at her with his grey eyes trying to figure out if that was the best thing to say.

“I also don’t care.” Mickey said dropping down into Corbin’s lap. “As long as your happy”

“First high school crush is a girl” Leah’s snarky voice called from the steps, where she sat just watching them.

Mickey quickly rolled out of Corbin’s lap and got into a mock wrestling stance as if they were just play fighting. Leah just shook her head and slapped her forehead.

“Not sure why you guys are acting like that” Leah watched them both with a gaze of pure contempt. “Mom already knows, I’m pretty sure she caught y’all sometime this summer”

“Your bullshiting me” Corbin asked with a terrified look on his face.

“Nope, I heard her telling dad the one night. After I left Logan’s house and came home late.” She answered honestly bouncing up the stairs. “But Braylee’s secret is way to much to keep to myself”

“If you tell anyone, I promise you it won’t just be bruises” Braylee huffed with a flat expressionless tone, that scared Mickey enough that she jumped towards Corbin.

“Be glad I didn’t tell mom about that one” Leah continued up the stairs and Braylee growled a bit and started to smack the couch cushions angrily.

“She’s gotta be bluffing…” Corbin questioned.

“She sounded dead serious” Mickey added in.

“She’s about to be dead, seriously” Braylee angrily headed for the stairs and Mickey grabbed her arm.

“You’ve been so aggy lately?” Mickey asked, giving her friend a hug from behind. “I know it seems like a lot but we got you sis”

**

Everyone minus Leah slept in the basement, which gave Corbin and Mickey cuddle time. Which was cut short in the morning when their father shouted down that the food was ready. Baylee skipped breakfast without a word, sliding up into the second floor to get ready for the day.

At the school only a few other students showed up, most of them freshman. Braylee and Mickey waved to Emily who had showed up for the weekend swim.

“Hey stranger!” Mickey yelled across the bleachers to a very shy looking Emily.

Who at first only waved till Mickey motioned for her to come sit with them. Which she seemed to consider for a few brief seconds before heading towards them.

“The more the merrier” Caden said as Corbin punched him in the arm and laughed.

The whole time he was watching Emily waltz up to them. Emily was a blonde freshman who had passed out with them. Instead of a set of pigtails like the other day. Her hair was in a single messy bun. She still looked like a teenage bubbles from the powerful girls. Cute and innocent looking, with an athletic body, maybe a bit to tall for her age.

Corbin laughed at Caden when Emily stood a step above him and he looked shorter. They were probably all about an inch or two apart between the three of them. Mickey was by far the tallest with her basketball girl length. Which she hadn’t played since middle school.

“Hey” Emily said waving to them all as Braylee let out a loud growl.

Shay had definitely showed up and right now. She was being hassled by a few of Bruno’s football teammates as she exited the girls locker room in a cheetah print two piece that even from across the room. Braylee could see it was a bit cheeky for school.

“Mine” Braylee’s thoughts crept into everyone’s heads and Mickey was quick to grab her.

Emily just looked over as they watched Xavier waltz over to the boys. Point back at Braylee’s group, which made her entire face warm. Muttered something, before locking arms with the poor girl and dragging her up to them in a hurry. Thankfully Shay didn’t freak out, but Braylee was sure everyone knew of Xavier’s not so secret, secret.

“Calm down sis. I brought you the infamous Shay” He giggled as Braylee and Shay locked eyes.

Instantly she felt a burst of sadness, a longing pulling her away desperately, then something came to abrupt halt , leaving her feeling empty and drained. Which caused her to fall back onto the bleachers, which somehow Shay reached for her before Mickey could.

The moment their skin touched sparks erupted through each of them. Emily had to stop Shay from falling down the bleachers.

“So anyone gonna fill me in on this?” Xavier asked pulling the attention away from the girls, yet pointing to the two of them.

“It’s complicated…” Shay answered sitting down on the bench next to Braylee.

A silence falling across the entire group. Shay and Braylee were staring at the floor, while everyone else was staring at them.

“We should go swim” Mickey started to push Emily, Corbin and Caden down away from them. “Let’s go Xavier. So help me god”

“Yes mother” He stuck his tongue out giving her the finger.

They only watched her friends disappear into the pool, splashing and acting a fool. Corbin leaping over his brother to cannonball next to Mickey.

“You have a good group of friends…” Shay mumbled, chuckling at their antics.

“Can you believe I only had Mickey until we all fainted?” She asked still watching the water.

“No you guys all seem to be so close” Shay pointed out watching Xavier toss Emily in the air as Caden swooped in to save her before she hit the water.

“What are we?”

“I’m not allowed to speak about it…. Idk how you all became involved…. But I’m forbidden…” Shay’s eyes locked on hers for a second and she could see the turmoil in her eyes. “I want to tell you…”

“So your like us….” She looked away and silence started again.

“Can you tell me why I feel like this with you?” Again silence.

“Just tell me what you can tell me” Braylee groaned, completely fed up with this whole situation.

“Nothing… Are you gay?” Shay asked as her cheeks started to flush.

“I don’t think so…” Braylee twirled her hair around her finger anxiously. “Thanks for saving me from that ticket and your dad”

Shay giggled a bit “Actually you saved yourself, cause you were the only one who smiled back my first day”

“I totally have to get him back for that” Braylee laughed too. “ Your secret is your mother….”

“What?” Shay turned looking white like a ghost.

“I feel flashes of people’s secrets, sometimes even an image…. I saw a woman fleeing in the rain….” Braylee started.

“My mother died…” A single tear started down her cheek and she quickly batted it away. “That’s cool thou…. Never heard of something like that… amongst…”

At that moment Shay started to convulse, her eyes white and rolling into her head. Braylee turned her onto her side and shouted for help.

“Please someone!” She howled out and everyone else stopped dead in there tracks.

The nurse came running through the door and quickly grabbed Shay and started running out the door. Braylee was quickly on her heels, everyone else started to funnel out of the pool after them.

Of course the nurse needed to call the nearest emergency center and they came out to transport her.

Braylee followed the ambulance in here car full of soggy bodies. After arriving they all were sent to the sitting area, until further examination revealed what caused it.

“Great idea!” Braylee said out loud hiding her face in her hands.

“Come on sis. Nobody seen this coming” Corbin started to shield Mickey from the anger that seemed to be pointed at her idea.

“How are we going to explain this to her father?” Caden watched the man running through the double doors and slowing as he approached the lady at the desk.

Emily and Xavier started towards him, he caught Braylee’s tear filled eyes as he turned. She watched him smile a bit.

“Jesus. You better not have run any lights to get here” He joked looking at them all. “Did you bring everyone at the pool?”

“Nah we left the uncool people behind “ Xavier cut in trying to lighten the mood a bit.

“They said she’s alright. Some sort of freak accident epileptic episode….” Now he was looking at Braylee. “Your welcome to come see her with me….”

“Go ahead sis” Corbin said and Mickey nodded her agreement.

“No it’s fine. I just wanted to make sure she was safe. We need to get home anyway” Braylee whipped her face and started for the door.

“I’ll tell her that you all were waiting for her” He smiled. “Drive safe”.

**

Of course the ride home was silent, nobody knew what to say to Braylee. Yet now Emily and Xavier were going to be fully added to the Braylee’s house crew.

As they pulled up the boys rushed everyone inside while Mickey hung back watching Braylee’s sluggish movements.

“Did you at least get her number?” Mickey tried to make her laugh as usual but instead she only got an eye roll. “I know that was super scary but she’s fine. So cheer up.”

“She knows stuff. Things I think we should really know. But she’s forbidden from saying anything about it….. You think that’s what caused the episode?” Mickey looked at her with a deep breath.

“How could information cause a serious episode like that?”

“Idk but how is any of this shit possible” Micky grabbed her best friend by her shoulders and pulled her into a hug. “It’s gonna be fine. Stop worrying about your little girl friend” Of course Mickey couldn’t help but tease her.

“Your terrible” Braylee laughed a little.

“Says the person who didn’t even stay when her girlfriend woke up” Mickey snapped back and with another eye roll Braylee sulked away.

Annoyed at the fact Mickey was right. She should’ve just stayed and tried to make it up to her.

**

The week started without any warning. Pulling them back into class work, homework and reading. Then working at the store. Each day Braylee was hoping to see Shay, maybe get some kind of information out of her. Tell her how sorry she was that they’d bailed after hearing she was fine.

Instead while working at the store, minding herself and Mickey.

An older boy caught her eye. His skin was a tad lighter the Mickey’s but he was muscular and carried himself around like a soldier. Except for the beard and facial hair that seemed wildly growing. Dark brown eyes watched her as her and Mickey were talking and gossiping about Caden and Emily hanging out.

When their eyes meet her body trembled like nothing before, dispare cut off her air like a hang man’s rope. Weeping, loss, desperation, fleeing all spilled out of her body like a deep cut. The man saw her reaction but just carried on.

“That was weird…” Mickey quickly held Braylee up by her shoulders. “I don’t think Emily and Caden got that far” She laughed getting punched in the thigh by Braylee.

“Ughh can we not talk about that” Braylee’s voice faltered and sounded weaker. “One brother active is enough for my brain to handle”

“True” She laughed.

“That guy looks Uber sketchy!” Leah’s voice caused them both to jump a bit. “Logan is watching him”

“So cuz he’s probably new to town. We should be weary?” Mickey questioned, glaring at Leah. “Or is this something else entirely”

“Ughh. Must y’all do that. It’s not a color thing.” She sighed. “He gives me the hebbi jebis”

“I’m gonna ignore that, and not have Braylee put another beating on you” Mickey tried to be the bigger person and turned around.

“Is that how this store treats newcomers? Following them like criminals?” The man’s voice cracked between the sisters and he tossed Logan by the collar to the floor. “Also note to you. He’s not very good at tailing a mark”

“I’m sorry sir. My sister is pretty much a ….” Braylee started as Leah glared at her.

“Bitch!” Mickey said louder then she ment too, which caused the man to chuckle.

“I get it. Protecting the family” He patted Logan’s head like a puppy.

“I’m no threat. Just moved here and trying to get buy” He gave them a smile and Mickey started to ring up his basket.

“What were you running from?” Baylee just questioned and his face flushed pale for a second.

“Break ups are a terrible thing.” He said nonchalantly and quickly paid for his stuff.

“I’m thinking he knows stuff” Baylee said as she started to follow him outside.

“Why did I know you’d follow me?” He said leaning against the wall.

“Cuz I can see things others can’t”

“A wolf with powers, never heard of that before” He shrugged still watching her intently.

“A wolf?” Now his smile started getting bigger.

“You don’t know what you are?” Now he was confused. “It’s a family trait normally, but you don’t seem to know that?”

“Is that why you smell different?” Her noise started to move and he giggled.

“It’s like explaining life to a puppy” He shook his head. “We’ll I’ve got to go. But I would bet that you have wolves in your family. Same thing for your friend. I don’t get why you’re not being trained by the pack…”

“What pack?” He sighed as she spoke.

“None of you have seen a full moon yet? But you all can hear, see, and smell better then before…” She just nodded and he gave her a pitiful smile.

“Only the kids that fainted at school together are like this” Something told her not to mention Shay, so she didn’t. “But I can feel and see people’s secrets…. Sometimes…”

“Never heard of something like that before… I’ll come back and check on you all before the full moon. Three days from now. How many are you?”

The man spoke and she felt a little at ease.

“Five of us…. What’s your name?” Baylee asked as he started walking towards and old beat up red ford pickup.

“Jayden. I’ll be in touch” As he started off down the road Mickey came outside.

“Guess you didn’t get taken” She laughed.

“No but I might have found something out” Baylee started back towards the doors. “We are werewolves…”

As she thought it through the mind link Mickey turned around and laughed.

“Bullshit” She said matter a factly.