Charlie’s voice echoed in Roxy’s ears till she woke up. Roxy bolted upright in her bed, panting and covered in a cold sweat, her sleep mussed hair sticking to her face. She had never once had such a vivid dream. Roxy didn’t know why, but the dream had scared her. She looked down at her hands, half expecting to see small paws coated in russet fur. Roxy sighed with relief at her slender hands when she saw that she was indeed a human.

“Roxy. Roxy!” Roxy’s mother called. “Roxy, come on downstairs. It’s time for breakfast. I hope you’re ready for school! I can’t believe you’re going to be in high school next year!”

Roxy immediately jumped out of bed when she realized that she’d overslept. She quickly pulled on some jeans, tugging a wrinkled t-shirt over her head. Roxy raked her fingers through her shoulder length red hair, not bothering to brush it. She glanced at herself in her mirror, noting the light dusting of freckles across her nose. She noticed light smudges of purple under her eyes, due to lack of sleep, her green eyes sparkling in the sunlight filtering through the window. She quickly shoved one foot into a shoe, racing out of her room and skidding down the hall.

As she ran down the rickety old stairway down to her kitchen, she thought about how her dream was almost exactly like her life. Her name was Roxy Foxx, her best friend’s name was Charlie and she had two older brothers named Alex and Aaron. Her family also owed the bank money and would be evicted from their home if they didn’t pay up soon. However, they had three weeks, not three days. So that was good, at least.

“Hey, Rox.” Aaron said. He had bright blue eyes and short, brown hair, just like their father.

“How’d you sleep?” Alex asked. He and Aaron were twins, but only fraternal. Alex looked more like their mother, as did Roxy. Everyone in her family had red hair, save her dad and Aaron.

She quickly studied the two of them, making sure they were also human. “Okay, I suppose.” She didn’t feel like talking - or eating, for that matter. Roxy sat down at the counter as her mother handed her a plate of food.

“Eat up, dear. Then you can get to school faster. The sooner you get to school, the sooner you can get out and get summer started!” Roxy’s mom laughed. “I just can’t believe you three are growing up so fast! I mean, Roxy, you're going into highschool for goodness sakes! And my two boys, college! College?” she pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket, dabbing her eyes.

Roxy ignored her mother, as this was the fourth time she’d given her little speech this week. Aaron glanced at his brother, a smile playing on his lips, while Alex rolled his eyes theatrically.

Roxy continued to pick at her food, too puzzled to eat, until she finally gave up. “Okay, mom. I’m done.” she said as she pushed her plate away.

“Are you sure? You barely ate your waffles. That’s unlike you.” her mother asked her.

“Yeah, I’m sure. Like you said, I have to get to school. Bye, guys. Have a good day.” She shoved her chair back, quickly standing up.

Her mom hesitated for a moment, clearly noticing something was wrong. She seemed to drop it, though, for she said, “Well, okay Love. Just remember to come straight home, because we’re going over to the Mousee’s house for dinner tonight.”

“Got it. See you later!” Roxy ran to the door before her mother could start sobbing about how fast she was growing up, waving over her shoulder as she closed the door.