“What the f*ck!” Jack quickly turned to face both Yoselyn and her sister, Nora. “I can explain!” Nora’s eyes widened. She began to scream incoherently, running back from where she had come from, pulling Yoselyn with her. Jack ran after them, trying to explain his ability to both of them, being followed by Nightlight. “I am so sorry, my friend. It wasn’t my intention,” he explained. Jack smacked his lips, “I know, but they saw you. They’re going to think I’m a freak or something.” Nora ran inside her house’s gate and under her portico. “Stay away from us!” 

Karina, their mother stepped out of the house after hearing the yells. She had long, dark, curly hair. She stood tall, or so it seemed, as she stood at the landing part of the staircase, holding onto the finial ornament of the railing. “What on earth is going on out here?” Yoselyn looked up to see her mother, raging with anger at the commotion that had been formed in front of her doorstep. “Nothing, mother.” Nora pushed her, “What do you mean nothing?! Jack scared us!” Karina stared at Jack. 

“So you’re the famous Jack. Well, looking at you personally, I don’t know how my daughter was able to set her eyes on a boy like you.” Yoselyn’s heart dropped, “Mother!” She hurried inside without saying a word as Karina stepped down the stairs. “Nora, go inside.” Jack looked at Karina, making sure he didn’t take his sight off her. She continued, “I'm going to ask you a favor. Stay away from my daughters, since I don't like them to hang out with indecent and vulgar boys. Now, get out of my property little boy, go home!” 

Jack shook his head, “I’m out on the pavement, not in your house. I’m not leaving till I see Yoselyn again.” Karina sneered turning her back towards Jack, “Do as you wish, but my daughter will not come out.” She walked up the stairs and slammed the door behind her. Nightlight crossed his arms, “She’s real nice.” Jack turned to look at him, “Not now, Wick!” Jack and Nightlight made their way back home.

A boy bumped into Jack, making his way down the street as he inattentively scrolled through his cellphone. Jack turned to look at him, “Watch it!” Fabio, a boy with the same skin tone as Jack and black curly hair turned to face him, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bump into you.” Jack rolled his eyes and continued to walk down the street. The boy called out to him, “Are you Yoselyn’s friend?” Jack came to a halt and spun around to return to where Fabio was standing at. 

“Do you know her?” Fabio let out a smirk, “Yeah. I’m her best friend, Fabio. We’re practically inseparable. She texted me about a problem she had with her mother and I’m heading over right now. Are you Jack?” Jack gave him a nod. “So you know… well, I’ll see you around.” Jack grasped him by his shoulder, “Wait!” Fabio was yanked back. He looked at the desperate-looking boy as he asked him for a favor, “If you’re heading that way… do you mind keeping me updated?” Fabio shook his head in disagreement. Jack’s heart dropped. Fabio began to explain, “Karina is a very… special woman. Until she’s a little cooled down, I recommend you to stay away from Yoselyn. I’m not getting involved either, just for her sake.”

Fabio continued walking down the sidewalk. Jack watched him for a brief moment before being interrupted by Nightlight. “Hello! Earth to Jack!” Jack squeezed his eyelids, holding his emotions back. “Nightlight, I should’ve said something.” Nightlight lay on his floating staff, “What’d you mean?” Jack proceeded to walk towards his house, “I should’ve mentioned the way I feel.” Nightlight laughed, “Buddy, you like her too! Geesh! Well, I think for now we should let your friend take a break and follow through with what that guy Fabio said. For now, let’s focus on Mitch and protecting yourself and your home.”

It had been a week and a half since Jack last saw Yoselyn around his home. Nightlight stayed in the attic of his home, creating shield-like protection made up of light around the house. He stood up to hear Mayan’s voice out in the kitchen. He ran out to see her sipping on a hot cup of coffee. “Hey, Jack.” His mother, Regina shook her head ever so slightly, disappointed in him. “What time is it?” he asked. Mayan looked down on her phone, “Well, you’re late ‘cause I already came from taking Leonel to school. It’s about to be 8 o’clock.” Jack ran back to his room, where he found Nightlight already entering his room through the window. 

“You’re late, my friend.” Jack ignored him, heading straight to his belongings and getting them ready. Nightlight set his staff down on Jack’s bed and crossed his arms, “You seem in a hurry. Do you need help getting ready?” Jack replied, “No! Just get Pup outta my way, I don’t want him to distract me in school again.” Nightlight agreed, “Yes, he can be troublesome. But, he won’t do anything anymore today, I promise.” He smiled at him, only to be ignored once again. Jack ran out of his room and left Nightlight alone in his room with Pup. As Pup was about to run after him, Nightlight used his staff to hold the canine back. 

Jack hurried down the street, dropping items off his backpack without even realizing that it was open. As he reached the school building he found Melody who was late for class yet again as well. “Melody, hold on!” Melody slowed down, waiting for her friend, Jack. “Jack? You’re late?” He laughed, “Yeah, again.” They looked over to see their Physical Education teacher along with their class on the school’s football field. They hurried inside the building to sign in and rushed back out to their class. Everyone watched them as they got closer to the field. 

Melody smiled at her friend, Angel, a short girl at the very edge of the field, who was waiting for both of them to arrive. “Jack, Melody, come ‘ere. I need to mark your attendance,” Mister Garcia waved in their direction. Angel watched as they handed him their tardy slips. They sat down on the field with their group, as another class was also taking their P.E class outdoors. “Guys! Why are you late again?” Angel asked. Melody shrugged, “I had to take care of my little sister last night and she wouldn’t go to bed. I’m not sure how Jack comes late since he only lives like three blocks away from the school grounds.” They laughed. 

“I’m not sure either, I just wake up late all the time. Ever since we moved I haven’t had the same energy.” Melody scoffed, “You’re just getting old, Jack. By the way, are you guys coming to the homecoming dance tonight?” Angel nodded, “Yes. I got my dress ready too. Are you?” Melody shook her head. “No. I was going to come, but Jack told me he isn’t coming since like last week, and Aaron isn’t going to be able to come either.” Angel whined, “Aw, none of you are coming over then? Why?” Jack smiled at her, “Well, I’ve got things to deal with at home. We’ll leave it at that. But hey, I’ll be at the pep rally dealing with the stage lights later as Aaron deals with their settings.” Melody nodded, “Yeah he told me. Do you think you’ll be under a lot of pressure?” Jack nodded knowing how passionate the Drama teacher was when it came to school events taking place on his stage.

“Everyone! Welcome to today’s P.E class. The reason we haven’t started doing our laps around the field as I had said, is because we have a new student joining us today. There he comes. Everyone, please welcome your new classmate, Fabio Salto.” Jack's jaw dropped when he realized who the boy was. Yoselyn’s best friend stepped closer to the class and waited for further instructions. Mister Garcia shook his hand, “Welcome to your new school, Fabio.” Garcia faced his students once more, “Okay now proceed to do your laps, meantime I will explain to Fabio what that means.”

Everyone stood up from the field’s grassy ground and walked over to the benches area. As everyone proceeded to run Jack only walked, looking back at Fabio and Mister Garcia. Melody glanced over her shoulder noticing Jack in the process, “Ooh, I see what you're staring at.” Jack laughed, “No, no. It’s just that I know him.” Melody pulled him aside as some students completed their first lap around the field, “Jack, it’s fine if you had a liking for him.” He frowned, “No! He’s a friend of the girl that I like.” Angel pulled him away from Melody, “A girl? Who?”

Jack rolled his eyes as the two girls pulled him from side to side, teasing him about his romantical crush. He pushed them both away, “Stop it both of you.” He began to laugh. “What is it?” Melody asked. “S-she doesn’t even come to this school.” Angel began to giggle, “Yeah okay, Jack. The old, ‘she doesn’t come to this school’, lie won’t work. Just tell us.” Jack shook his head, “No. I’m just wondering how she’s doing, and I need to ask him.”