The Shifters: Katrina

Sonya and I walked side by side as we headed for the front of the school, still dying after Victoria's class. Not only was I dead physically, but I was also dead mentally considering it was a Monday. This morning I'd realized that I'd spent an entire Sunday at school, and immediately hated myself for not remembering that it was a weekend and I could've stayed asleep. Then an existential crisis hit me as I realized this was my fourth day here, and I was still fighting with myself on whether or not I wanted to be here. Get stronger, I was constantly reminding myself. It was beginning to sink in, and I was adjusting well.

"Hey Sonya," I blurted, "what are we doing today?"

The girl smiled. "Probably hanging around the forests. Sometimes we'll play fight or chase each other around. Just hang out and have some fun."

I nodded, leaning my head back as we waited outside the school. The student body was smaller than my old school, but still more than I expected for a mythical race. Several people goofed around with each other as humans or play fought as animals, causing me to smile as I picked sides and rooted for whichever animal caught my eye.

"Hey, you didn't back out."

I looked over my shoulder to see Tyree, Gene, Antonio and Ben grinning at Sonya and I.

"Nope," I smiled, but spotted a familiar face. Shae, Cory and Quintin were walking together, Cory meeting my eyes as they brushed past Tyree.

"Katrina!"

The others raised their eyebrows as the water shifters approached Sonya and I.

"You didn't pop in to the common room at all since Saturday," Cory pointed out, "we wondered what you were up to."

"School," I shrugged, "and I found some interesting people."

The three nodded to the other shifters who'd joined Sonya and I. Shae and Ben shared friendly smiles, and I realized these guys were probably already familiar with each other.

"Nice to see you guys," Tyree said, confirming my suspicions. She glanced over at me, motioning to the water shifters.

"These guys are in some of my classes, which is probably the same for the rest of us."

Cory nodded, looking over at Antonio. "Yup, we share the pain of fourth period elemental class."

Antonio laughed, and I found myself smiling as our group of nine seemed to get along pretty well. The others kept joking around with each other before Shae looked over at me.

"We've got stuff to do today in the common room, but I'm glad we ran into you," she began, "Willa wants to start some extra training with you and I tomorrow. Meet out here?"

I nodded, causing her to smile. "Cool!" She chirped. "We'll be on our way."

Cory waved, his brother much less enthusiatic as he nodded before the three water shifters trotted off. The chilly October breeze blew by and I rubbed my hands over my arms, feeling the bands around my wrists.

"Anyway," Tyree shrugged. It was clear that she was the leader of this little group. "We should head out to the forests."

She began walking, and I fell in step beside her. It felt like walking with Raymond -- that was the type of righteous, protective vibe that Tyree gave off. I found myself wanting to confide in her, but shook off the feeling.

I just need a good spar with someone to feel normal. I haven't gotten into a proper arguement in a while.

We passed by the small shops of the compound, leaving the dorms and school behind within minutes. The Iluita compound was made up of the school and dorms, houses for adults, a few office buildings and small cute shops as well as miscellaneous buildings I hadn't explored. It was its own fully functioning town with mysterious ways in and out, perfect for a species that wasn't supposed to exist.

Incredible, I admitted to myself. We were passing by Coraline's building, and I found myself staring up at her floor. Part of me wondered if I'd see her at the window, watching the town, but her seat was empty.

Weirdly, that bummed me out.

"Hey, Katrina."

I shook myself, looking back at Tyree. "Hm?"

"You never talked about how you came here."

I nearly froze, stumbling a bit before catching myself. "It isn't important," I mumbled, averting my eyes as we continued to walk, our friends too distracted to notice the tension.

The gorilla shifter watched my face, her stare boring into me as if she knew something was up.

She probably does, idiot. You made it obvious since you almost tripped and face planted the second she mentioned it.

"You don't have to tell me. We barely know each other," she pointed out, "but it looks like we, and I guess those water kids, are your friends in this place. You might find opening up to someone comforting."

"I'll keep it in mind."

She exhaled with a smile, shaking her head at me as if I was a stubborn child. Her point about me barely knowing them, however, made me think. Maybe I should bond a little more with these people, I thought, put some effort in.

"We're here," Tyree called to the others. I jumped at the volume of her voice before laughing at myself. We were outside the biggest forest inside the compound, the others jogging over to us.

"So what are we going to do?" Gene began. I thought back to when I first met him. Part of me found it weird that both Beth and Heather wanted to show off for this kid but hated his friend group.

Cause that's how you win a guy over, I mused.

Tyree shrugged. "Tag, elemental stuff, sparring..."

My eyes lit up. "Sparring! I'd love to spar someone!"

The others chuckled at my enthusiasm. Ben, who I hadn't spent that much time around, stepped toward me.

"I'm down to spar," he offered. I grinned, taking his hand and dragging him into the forest. The others followed as I searched for a clear enough spot. Eventually we found one, and our friends plopped down in the grass as Ben and I faced each other.

"Okay, first person to be held down for ten seconds or to yeild loses."

I nodded. "Sounds fair."

Ben mirrored me. "Totally."

On the outside, I remained excited and jumpy. Inside, however, was cold and collected, my thoughts washing away. It was as if Ben wasn't a friend, but just another bully.

Let's kick some ass.