KEEFER
"Hello?"
"Hi....is this the WIlliams's?"
"Yes....who is this?"
"A friend of Melina's from school. Is she there?"
"A friend? Right. LOSER! PHONE!"
I tensed instantly and wished I was there to shove those words back down the kid's throat. No one talked to my sister like that.
"Hello...?"
"Mel?"
"Keef!"
"Hey...."
"Oh my gosh I never thought...."
"I'd actually call?" I hoped she could hear the smile in my voice. "I had to make sure my box got to you."
"It did!"
"Hmmm so you like it?"
"I love it! It's adorable! I wish you were here so I could give you a hug."
"I wish I was too. Everything okay there?"
"I guess..."
"Mel, are they treating you okay?"
"It's a good family, Keefer. They take care of me."
"And call you a loser?"
"I can live with it."
"I don't like it."
“I know. But unless you can’t find me a better home, I have to live with it. I’ll be okay.”
“I’m working on it.”
“I’ll be okay, Keefer. Please.”
I sighed, deciding just to let it go. “Fine.”
“Thank you…Keefer, are you doing alright?”
“Actually, yeah I am. I have a place I can stay for a while. A safe place.” There was that smile again.
“Really? That’s awesome, Keef. That makes me really happy.”
“And that’s all I need. Happy Birthday, Mel. Maybe I’ll see you soon.”
“I hope so.”
I didn’t want to hang up. Every time I talked to her, I was scared she’d disappear when I said goodbye. The harsh voice that ordered my sister back to work didn’t make me feel any better, either. Then all I heard was a dial tone. A growl rumbled in my throat and I could feel my claws forming. No, not now, I couldn’t do this now…
I made a run for the house, hoping I’d get there before I shifted too much more. Wolf ears were already trying to show themselves. There. The mansion head-quarters thing. I had just made it.
“Keefer! There you are….”
No no no not right now! This was not the time for Karin to be all cheerful. I tried to dodge her, but it was no use. I’d been spotted.
“Where were you? You’ve been gone a long time…Keefer, are you okay? You look funny….”
“Leave me alone.”
“I was just asking….”
"Well stop asking!" My wolf teeth flashed and startled her. “No, I’m NOT okay! Because the one person I care about is the one I can’t go near, everyone thinks they can hug me and make me feel better, and I’m stuck in a monster’s body!”
Karin took a few steps back, her eyes a little wide, but I was long gone before I caught any more of her reaction. Akira had been right. I’d just end up driving everyone away.
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So Keefer is still kind of avoiding people. But he is trying to get along with them, he just doesn't know how. Hopefully he'll learn he doesn't have to run.
