When I entered my room after my shower, I felt like someone was watching me. I turned to see my Dad, in his Wolf form, entering via the window.

"Rei, I have something I need to tell you," Dad said as he turned into his human form.

"Hello to you too," I said, a little disgruntled that he had come here now.

"Rei, you are in grave danger," Dad said. “I just got back from my homeland. They said that your wolf form is imperfect due to psychological reasons. They said the only way to fix it is to go through a great trial, but it seems it's already started. They said the chance that you die is higher than most Wolf pups going through the same thing. I want you to trust and rely on your new friends, as they can help you immensely."

"But what about you, Dad?" I asked, "Will you stay?"

"I will stay, Rei," Dad said, "But I have to go through the front door. I just had to tell you what I heard first." He kissed my forehead like I was a little kid.

"Okay," I said, "I'm glad you're back. But what took you so long?" Dad chuckled.

"I was told I had to swim back," Dad said.

"You swam the Pacific Ocean by yourself?" I asked, "That has to be a lie."

"It took me so many years; why wouldn't it be true?" Dad said, "But enough of that. You get some rest. You have another big day tomorrow, Vernon Daniels." Dad left through the window, and a few minutes later, I heard Mom bawling like a baby. I went to bed.

I was a little confused about how everything happened so easily, but I guess things just worked out like I had hoped they would for years. It just left a nasty taste in my mouth.

When I arrived at school the next morning, I immediately sought out Carly because we had the same schedule, only to bump into her and Larry in the middle of an argument.

“I didn’t do it on purpose,” Larry said, “How was I supposed to know that I wasn’t allowed to do that?”

“You could’ve asked instead of just doing it,” Carly said, “This is why I don’t want you touching my things.”

“But I didn’t think it would break so easily,” Larry said.

“You didn’t think it would break?” Carly asked angrily, “I told you it was fragile.”

“Um…” I said, “Good morning, you two.” They both turned to look at me. Carly looked happy to see me, but Larry had started to blush.

“Good morning, Vernon,” Carly said.

“Morning, Vernon,” Larry said.

“I don’t mean to pry, but what happened?” I asked.

“Just sibling stuff,” Larry said. Carly glared at him.

“He broke my locket that Dad gave me,” Carly said.

“I didn’t know the hinges would break that easily,” Larry muttered.

“Oh,” I said, “Well, I have something to report as well.”

“What is it?” Carly asked.

“My Dad finally returned,” I said.

“He did?” Larry asked, “Did he tell you why he was gone?”

“He left for my sake,” I  said, “But I don’t understand.”

“Well, I don’t want to tell you how to feel about it,” Carly said, “But it might be a good thing that he’s back.”

“I hope so,” I said. Larry had a strange look in his eye and I looked over to where he was looking. A group of cheerleaders and football players were chatting, but one of the football players was glaring at the three of us.

“What is it, Larry?” Carly asked, “Is it Marshall again?”

“Yeah,” Larry said, “I don’t know his problem.”

“Who?” I asked.

“Marshall Lambert, the varsity football captain,” Larry said, “I think he has a crush on Carly, but instead of just asking her out like a normal person, he makes fun of me, thinking that it would score points with her.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Carly said, “He’s a cool kid. Why would he want me, an outcast? I think he’s just a dick who wants attention and doesn’t know how to get it properly.”

“Why don’t you just ask him?” I asked.

“Because he’s ridiculous,” Larry said, “He doesn’t seem to be able to have a normal conversation.”

“What would happen if we made it seem like we were dating?” I asked.

“Who is dating who?” Carly asked.

“I’m concerned that you’re taking this the wrong way,” Larry said, “He might want to fight you.”

“I wouldn’t fight him,” I said, “But it would make things interesting, right?”

“I just don’t want you getting arrested,” Larry said. I almost chuckled but then realized it wasn’t a joke.

“I won’t get arrested,” I said.

“Again, who is dating who?” Carly asked, concerned.

“Does it matter?” Larry asked.

“Vernon, please just tell me,” Carly said, “I don’t want you to force yourself into dating someone you don’t even like.”

“Why would you say that, Carly?” Larry asked.

“Larry, shut your stupid mouth,” Carly said, “I need to hear Vernon’s answer.”

“It’s not that I don’t like you,” I said, “But I prefer your brother. I was just trying to get back at the guy bullying your little brother.”

“So, you’re going to use me for your gain,” Carly said, “But, you know what… It could be fun if you pretend to date me but are dating my brother.”

“How so?” I asked.

“We could still be friends,” Carly said, “But there’s so much that we have to plan ahead of time, so it seems realistic. Who knows, you might have fun, too.”

“So, how would this work?” I asked.

“We’ll discuss this at lunchtime,” Carly said, “Until then, follow my lead.” Carly kissed my cheek and grabbed my arm. I could already see a change in the boy’s expression.

“I guess I’ll see you two at lunch then,” Larry said as he walked to his class.

“See you, Larry,” I said as Carly dragged me to our class.

Carly ensured I was with her in every class because we had the same schedule, but she was rather clingy. When lunch rolled around, Carly dragged me to a table at which Larry and two other people sat. The other two left when Carly and I sat down, so Carly deliberately sat me between her and Larry. I started eating; thankfully, the cafeteria food didn’t taste bad.

“So, did you think of a plan?” Larry asked. Carly sighed.

“I think it’s working so far,” Carly said, “But I don’t like this. It feels like I’m betraying you, Larry.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Larry said, “Marshall hasn’t come up to me even once today. I think he’s almost at the point where he’s moved on.” I put down my fork and quickly swallowed.

“I still have no idea what this has to do with the g-.” I was cut off.

“Don’t say the ‘g’ word,” Carly and Larry said together.

“We’ve been trying to protect you from them, too,” Carly said, “It seems that they don’t bother the person they want to target when that person isn’t alone.”

“Oh,” I said.

“Do you mind if I borrow your boyfriend?” a strange male voice asked behind me, dripping with malice. We quickly turned around to see Marshall Lambert and three other boys.

“Whose boyfriend?” Carly asked. What was she planning?

“The guy you’ve been clingy to all morning,” Marshall asked.

“Oh, him,” Carly said, “But he isn’t my boyfriend. He is a new student who got lost yesterday, and we happened to have all the same classes.”

“But you kissed his cheek this morning,” Marshall said, “I saw it.”

“That’s just a misunderstanding,” Carly said. “I whispered something to him. Go on, tell him what I said.” I only half understood what she was talking about, but it clicked: She wanted me to say I was dating Larry.

“She said she didn’t mind me dating her brother,” I said. Marshall’s friends looked rather embarrassed at what I just said.

“But why would you cling to him if he was dating your brother?” Marshall asked.

“Because I needed to check something first,” Carly said, “And it seems that he was right.”

“What did you need to check?” Marshall asked.

“If you would notice or not,” Carly said.

“Marshall, why did you invite us along if you were just going to get rejected?” one of the boys behind Marshall asked, “This is embarrassing even for you.” The boys turned to leave.

“I was just…” Marshall said, “I… I like you, Carly North.”

“But why?” Carly asked, “You could have any girl in the school, and you decide on me? Isn’t that a bit ridiculous? I’m not even a cool kid. Everyone knows that.”

“I just…” Marshall said, “I thought it would be different if I dated you instead of the other girls. You’re funny, and don’t hide your flaws like other girls. You seem rather genuine.”

“But why bully my brother then?” Carly asked, “It seems redundant.”

“I don’t know,” Marshall said.

“I’ll tell you something,” Carly said. “I might always fight with him, but I love my brother. So, let’s make a deal. I'll date you if you promise never to bully my brother again.”

“I promise,” Marshall said.

“Good,” Carly said, “Now don’t go breaking your promise.”

“Okay,” Marshall said. Then, he and the guys left.

“Why would you do that?” Larry asked.

“Because,” Carly said.

“You didn’t believe me?” Larry asked.

“I was just testing the waters,” Carly said, “Besides, he wouldn’t ask for my ‘boyfriend’ if he wasn’t interested in me.”

“That’s why you suddenly changed your approach?” Larry asked, “You’re a wicked woman.”

“But now you two can date publicly, so it should be fine, right?” Carly asked. Larry sighed.

“I guess you’re right,” Larry said. Carly smirked, she seemed to be thinking something she shouldn’t be.

“How about you two go somewhere after school today?” Carly asked, “I’ll drop you off somewhere for a few hours and pick you up.”

“I don’t know,” I said, “My Dad just came home last night.”

“Yeah, that would be a problem,” Larry said, “What about over the weekend?”

“I guess,” I said, “I’ll ask my Mom.”

“Vernon, can I ask you a question?” Larry asked.

“Sure, shoot,” I said. Larry put his hands around my ear and his lips very close.

“How far would you go?” Larry whispered.

“I don’t know,” I said.

“Can I kiss your cheek too?” Larry whispered.

“Go ahead,” I said. Larry moved his hands away from my ear and kissed my cheek.

“I think you two need a room,” Carly said.

“Oh, shut up,” Larry said.

“Why don’t you finish your lunch?” Carly said, making me realize that she was finished eating already. Larry and I quickly finished eating, just in time for lunch to be over. Carly and I went to our next class.

When health class ended, Larry dragged me away before I could attend our only class together.

“I need to tell you something,” Larry said.

“What?” I asked.

“I don’t think we should go to our next class,” Larry said.

“Why should we skip?” I asked.

“Because I was just told that we won’t be hiking today,” Larry said, “Instead, we’ll be watching a stupid documentary as it’s raining outside.”

“Isn’t that more reason to be there?” I asked.

“It means we can’t run off together,” Larry said.

“But the room would be dark, right?” I asked.

“You want to kiss in the dark?” Larry asked.

“Oh, I didn’t realize you wanted to do that,” I said.

“So, can we skip?” Larry asked.

“Just let Carly know,” I said.

“Oh, I already did,” Larry said, “She said she didn’t care.”

“I guess you wanted to,” I said.

“Come on, I have an idea of where we should go,” Larry said as he dragged me away. He brought me to a strange room that I had never noticed before. The walls were covered top to bottom with vines aside from where the door was.

“Where are we?” I asked.

“Mom told me about this place,” Larry said. “Not many people know that it exists, but she found it when she went to school here, so she told Carly and me about it.”

“So, nobody would know that we’re here, right?” I asked.

“Yes,” Larry said.

“Why bring me here then?” I asked.

“I wanted some alone time with you,” Larry said.

“Oh,” I said.

“Can I kiss you?” Larry asked.

“You don’t need to ask,” I said. Larry kissed my lips, and my mind went blank. I had never kissed anyone before, so I didn’t know what to do, so instead of enjoying it like I should’ve, I panicked.

“I don’t think you should be doing that here,” a familiar voice said. Larry and I pulled away and looked to see Carly staring at us in disbelief.

“Why not?” Larry asked.

“She’s right behind you,” Carly said, “And she is pissed.”

“Who?” Larry asked, but then thought about it, “Her? But what can she do about it?”

“I don’t know,” Carly said, “But I think you should stop.”

“I think you should mind your own business,” Larry said. I suddenly felt like I was being forcibly transformed into my puppy form.

“Larry, let go,” I said, “I have to turn into my other form.” Larry frowned but let me go and backed away right before I turned into my puppy form. I don’t know why I couldn’t control it this time, it was almost like something else entirely was controlling my transformation, but when I transformed, I could see and hear the ghost Carly was talking about.

“You ruined my slumber,” the ghost yelled, “How dare you kiss in my presence? I don’t want to have to kill you, but it seems as though I must.”

“Why is kissing a death sentence?” Carly asked.

“Because I was never kissed,” the ghost said, “My fiancé killed me before we even shared our first kiss.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Carly said, “But if you don’t mind me asking, is there anything we can do to help you rest in peace?”

“Like any unfinished business or something you wanted to do before you died but couldn’t do?” Larry asked, even though it was obvious that he couldn’t see the ghost.

“It’s been such a long time since I died,” the ghost said, “I don’t quite remember what I would’ve counted as something of the sort. But I do recall that I always wanted to have a pet rabbit.”

“Doesn’t the school have rabbit cage?” Carly asked.

“It’s just too far from the building that us ghosts can’t reach it,” the ghost said.

“I could bring one over for you to see, if you want,” Carly said. “But wouldn’t it be inconvenient to see a bunny you can’t even touch?”

“I don’t need to touch the bunny,” the ghost said, “I just want to see a bunny.”

“Oh, okay,” Carly said. “I think we might need permission. Who should we go ask about bringing over a bunny?”

“What about Mrs. Cole?” Larry asked, “She is the teacher in charge of them.”

“I don’t know Mrs. Cole,” Carly said, “Do you have one of her classes?”

“Yeah,” Larry said, “I have her for the second year in a row. She’s the only teacher who teaches both Biology and the History of Taming. I thought you would remember that.”

“Why should I?” Carly asked, “I’m not fond of being nosy.”

“I’ll ask her then,” Larry said.

“Great,” the ghost said, “Now please remove this dog thing and the boy that was with them from my sight. I’m willing to wait.” I growled at the ghost; that was very rude and uncalled for.

“You did not just call Vernon a dog thing,” Carly said, “Besides, my brother knows who to ask about the bunnies.” I finally turned back into my human form and moved beside Larry.

“What did the ghost just say?” Larry whispered.

“She wants us to leave,” I whispered, “But she doesn’t seem to understand what I am.”

“What the…” Larry said, “That’s why she called you a dog thing?”

“Yep,” I whispered. “It’s a shame I can’t see or hear her in human form, but I think it’s better to hear what else she says directly from her.”

“Vernon, Larry, I think you should leave,” Carly said, “She is starting to act up, but I think I can handle this on my own.”