At Lavender Brooks High, everyone buzzes when gossip goes around, which happens to be pretty often.

Whether it be that two classmates found their soulmates or did something irresponsible with their powers, it traveled fast.

When there is a new student, the school goes haywire. There is an excitement in the air on what they can do, where they come from, and if they have met their soulmate. Because if they haven’t, then there is a chance that the new student is someone’s at the school.

Lou remembers all too well when she was the new kid. Thankfully, she and Jeremiah both came to this high school on the same day, so she didn’t face it by herself.

“Did you hear, Lou? There’s a new kid coming today,” Roman mentions, his voice much higher to imitate the gossipers. It makes her giggle behind her hand.

“Another human in this crowded space?” Greg, her lizard friend, grumbles on her shoulder. She runs her finger over his head. “Be nice, Greg. They could be our next friend.”

“At least I know it wasn’t just me that Greg doesn’t like,” Roman says, grinning at him.

Greg mutters something. “What did he say about me?” Roman asks, curious. She zips her lips and pretends to throw away the key.

Lou turns just in time for Bell to sprint up to them, out of breath. “Geez, I am really out of shape,” she wheezes, her hands on her knees, huffing out breaths.

“You good?” Roman inquires, eyebrows lifting at her disheveled state. Bell is normally very put together but not today.

“Lou, can you show the new guy around? I was asked to be his guide, and I said yes. But then I forgot I really need to talk to Mrs. Britol about my essay topic before classes start.” She ended her speech and then looked pleading at her.

“Say no. No need to socialize with the new kid,” Greg whispers in her ear.

Going against the devil on her shoulder, she agrees, “Sure.”

Just as she was about to ask his name, Bell runs away, disappearing into the school.

“How am I going to find this new boy?” Lou asks aloud, hoping that Roman will help her with the answer. “Maybe find the guy that everyone is looking at,” Roman offers, pointing the ogling students staring at someone.

“Have fun with the new kid, I’m meeting up with Jeremiah.” She glares at his retreating figure for leaving her and Greg alone. Now she has to approach the new kid.

As he walks in her general direction, she studies him. His gait reminds her of the long, graceful strides of a gazelle. From him ignoring the many people whispering about him, his attitude is like a cat. Aloof. Something about his sharp gaze makes her think that he might be rough around the edges.

Once he is getting closer to her position, she steps in his path. “Hi, Bell couldn’t show you around, so she asked me. I’m Lou,” she introduces.

“Oh ok. I’m Jones.” His voice is deep, rumbling like a bear. She waits for him to finish his name. Maybe he just likes to be called by his last name. When he doesn’t elaborate, she realizes.

“Sorry, that’s your first name?”

“Yeah, I know it’s a bit strange.”

Lou shrugs, “Not the weirdest thing around here I’m sure.”

“It’s pretty weird,” Greg mumbles.

“Yep, it is,” Jones responds. Lou’s eyebrows furrow together in confusion. It was like he directly replied to Greg.

Her mouth opens and closes, not sure what to say. He helps her out after an embarrassingly amount of time. “My powers. I can shapeshifter into animals.”

“You can understand them too?”

“Only when a part of me is shifted. I shifted my eyes.” He demonstrates again and his eyes indeed change to a reptilian look, a narrow ovalish pupil. Her mouth gapes wide open in awe at his ability.

“That’s amazing. Can you shapeshift entirely?” She can’t keep the bubbling excitement from her tone. Even Greg now appears intrigued and he doesn’t get interested in humans apart from Lou.

A small smile forms on Jones’ face. Not in the mocking way that some have. A genuine one rooted in amusement. “I’ve never had someone so interest in my powers before.”

“Well animals are my life. My gift is understanding and communicating with animals,” Lou explains, gesturing to Greg who nods to confirm.

“They are so much easier to get along with than people,” Jones adds which Lou internally screams in agreement.

“Exactly!” She practically shouts, not caring at the people giving her weird looks.

It takes her a second to think past her fervor. “Does it bother you? Everyone staring?” While she is used to and not caring about humans judgemental gazes, she shouldn’t assume that everyone else is immune.

“No,” he answers simply.

Suddenly their conversation is cut short by the warning bell. “Oh my gosh, I totally forgot that you’re new!” How did she forget she was supposed to be his guide?

There’s that grin again. “It’s cool. Just show me to my homeroom and I think I’m good to go.”

Looking at his schedule that he hands her, she drags him through the hallways until they reach the correct room. Good thing hers isn’t far or she’ll be late.

“Thanks for the fun convo,” he says, turning to go into his assigned homeroom.

Something about him draws her in. It isn’t just their shared view on animals. It’s something else that she can’t place. All she knows is that she wants to keep talking to him.

“Do you want to have lunch with me and my friends?” She blurts out. “We always eat outside unless it rains, though Bell can usually stop it.”

Facing her, he voices, “I’m usually a lone wolf.”

She is hard pressed to believe that entirely. Lou isn’t great at reading people, but she knows animals, and she has a feeling that he has a bit more animal traits than most humans.

“Wolves usually have packs,” she points out.

Greg taps her cheek with his tail. “If he is coming up with excuses, maybe he doesn’t want to sit with you.”

Having mostly likely heard her lizard friend, Jones’ shoulder raise in a shrug. “Sure. Why not?”

———

(Shoutout to AJ Kit who suggested a shapeshifter friend for Lou! Let me know what you think about Jones. There will be more shapeshifting in the future, this is just an intro. I’m trying to decide if Jones is her soulmate. I feel like it would be really unrealistic for so many characters to meet their soulmates while still teenagers, and Lou is such a strong character on her own, so right now I’m just thinking besties. Let me know what you think about that!)