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Jackie-The-Junior Chapter 9-Blackmail

Due to the whirlwind of events and emotions yesterday, today after a nice breakfast of omelets, I'm at a loss for what to do. So shortly after, I find myself wandering outside into the driveway.

My car is parked in an open space, slightly raised up on blocks, hood up and Patrick leaning down inside it. With a flick of my tail I walk over and lean against the side of the car next to him.

'Despite all the accessories not functioning, the engine ran great yesterday. So what are you working on?' Patrick glances over as I smile back at him.

"I have some time before a short shift at work today, so I decided to get the air-conditioning running on your car." We'll it's as good as anything I can think of doing right now.

Anticipating what tool he needs next I hand it to him with a friendly smile.

"So you're going to help me?." He takes while I shrug.

'I have nothing else to do today, and I'm still kinda recovering from yesterday.' Patrick hands the socket wrench back then I hand him a normal one. 'Thanks for doing this, I know this is Canada, so I don't expect too hot of a summer. Yet this will be my first summer with a permanent fur coat.' Trying to get a better look at what he's using it on just results in me squishing my breasts against the side of the car.

I add this to the list of the things they get in the way of. I bet he likes the view though.

"You went through a lot. An episode while you're at the mall, still looking for a shrink on that by the way." My ears droop at this, I'm not crazy but I know I need one now. "Then your reunion with your father. God-damn fate really likes messing with you with how close your father was last December. Then the sheer chance Mauri's was chosen by my friends and I in March." Tell me about it...

Patrick hands me the belts and rollers covered in a decent amount of motor oil, I use a nearby towel to handle them. Still, I end up with the oil getting into the fur on my hands.

Another item goes on the list of the downsides of having fur...

'So what are you going into work for on a Sunday?' Before Patrick can answer, he grunts and pulls out a badly cracked compressor motor and tank. Dropping it into a bin that I only now notice is behind his tools.

A moment later I help him in opening the nearby box containing a newly manufactured replacement unit.

"Training. Older cars are becoming too rare to use as a good cover vehicle, we're going to have to expand to newer ones. So now I have to gain some electronics certs to keep my semi-official position at the shop. If you were older, I would have seriously considered asking you to come in, it's more up your alley than mine." Much to my annoyance, the new motor and tank is a bit too heavy to allow me to lift it for him.

'What about the tracking on the U.S. side of the border?' Okay I'm like how close I am to him as we lift it, but not the fact that we're now a jumble of arms. His are holding the unit up, because I can't, while I bolt it back into place.

To be honest though, I don't know if I'm actually helping because maybe this would've been easier for him to do himself?

"We'll figure something out, if not, then you can help. I would think it would be similar to how you would get around old console's DRM systems when you repaired them." A console is one thing, a car is another.

'To be honest Patrick, I don't feel comfortable poking around such systems when I know you're going to be riding them.' Tightening the last bolt we both take a step back, and I find my hands covered in grime and grease, eww.

"Well they do say it's good for the skin, or would it be fur in your case?" Glaring at him while I use a towel to get what I can off. "Anyway, I trust you. You did well in finding that new method of getting around the PlayStation five's DRM." Letting out a sigh I watch him reattach the pulleys and belts.

'Wouldn't it be better to have put in a purely electric compressor?' Patrick shakes his head at this or at my change of subject. Which one he's doing it for I do not know until he speaks.

"Not if you want to keep the car stock enough to get by the internal combustion ban with having to replace most of the interior with modern components and safety items." Oh, right all the extra airbags and stuff.

I go back to just handing him the tools he needs as I stand next to him and watch as he continues to reattach things, my tail gently swaying back and forth kinda in tune with the ratcheting sounds. Every time it touches Patrick's leg I force it to linger, so I can feel it on him.

Eventually he has to walk away to get some refrigerant to charge the system, but comes back a moment later.

"Alright, that should do it. Hop in and start her up to see if the air-con is working." Taking a step back I smirk. I know the practice of calling cars and such feminine pronouns. I'm just not going to give this opportunity up.

'Her? Does she have a name now that you were elbow deep inside of her?' Playfully adding a bit of jealousy into my voice, thick enough Patrick would understand.

I want to joke after all, not make him think I've become the jealous female stereotype.

"Then Ms. Camry here goes both ways because you were in her just as deep as I was Jackie." He returns my smirk with a grin of his own. "Anyway, here." Patrick hands me Mom's spare set of keys for my car.

Taking them I walk around the front of the car and open the driver side door, plopping my ass down on the seat I stick one foot inside and the other dangles down outside with my tail.

Turning on the car, I wince a little as it's much louder with the hood up. Reaching over I push the A/C button and turn the nob to the blue section. The sound of a compressor kicking on makes me wince but a moment later, crisp cool air flows through the venting.

Along with all the scents of what's lingered inside for such an old car, eww. They clear quickly enough to a tolerable level though.

'Well it works now. I guess we can cross it off the list?' Patrick nods and closes the hood of the car as I shut the engine off.

"I need to get going, so I can go through the training they want me to go through. It will only be for a couple of hours or so." Picking up the rag I wipe more grease off before tossing it to him.

'Well, you know where I'll be. I'm not planning on going anywhere today.' Patrick catches it and uses it to wipe his own hands.

"Alright, see ya." I carefully head inside as to not leave grease on the doors or walls, then make my way to the kitchen as it's closer than any bathroom.

One liberal coating of dish soap later, I rid my hands and forearms of all the Motor oil they collected. At the price of making my fur there all frizzly looking and a bit rough to the touch.

Peeking into the living room, I see Mom and Christine watching the television, glancing at it I sigh. Female I may be, but soap operas seem so boring to watch and poorly written.

Back in the hospital I chose to turn the TV off in my room than listen to them to drown out of the background sounds of the hospital. So, I go upstairs. Pausing at the entrance of my room, the noise from Flint's room is again music, covering some kind of conversation over the phone or internet.

Shrugging, whatever it is, it's not my business. I go into my room, close the door and lock it. Just in case, I don't want to have a repeat of the first day here where Flint.

Having nothing better to do I plop down in front of my computer and look up the manuals for some of the more popular electric cars, maintenance and otherwise. Patrick is most likely having to go through the same material, but I find it semi interesting.

Hmm, maybe it is a bit simpler to fool the security and tracking systems than I thought it would be. I save the maintenance manuals in particular for later, just in case Patrick's associates and friends do as for my help.

Opening up the video site I normally visit, I find a few things to watch and lean back in my chair, letting my tail limply dangle as I stretch my legs out.

Some time and several videos later a knock on my door causes me to sit up. Going over to unlock it I can already tell who it is by scent alone, so I unlock the door and greet Patrick by hugging him.

"Hello to you too." Smiling he pats my head as I let him go and move to the side to let him in. Patrick closes the door behind him but doesn't lock it.

'Hey. So, how was it?' Grabbing the computer chair I swivel it around to face him and sit down as he takes a seat on my bed. Sadly, with the tail hole it's not the kind you turn around and lean forward against the backrest.

"Boring, but easy to understand. Their both simpler and more complex at the same time." Yea, simpler mechanical systems but in exchange a lot of complex electronics.

The onboard computers rival most of the older systems I've had to work on before.

'Yea I found some manuals online and looked through them. It may be easier than I thought it would be to help you if it comes to that.' Patrick smiles then looks around my room. I tilt my head at this wondering what he's looking for.

"First time I've been up here since your first day back and the night we shared. It's still just your bed, computer, dresser, nightstand, and desk. Considering you've accepted what you are, and how you acted that one day at gym class, I would've expected at least a couple of pin-ups of muscle-bound nearly naked body builders. Or some of the better looking male Bio-Morph pictures from those former fantasy anthromorphic sites." Rolling my eyes at him I let out a geckering giggle of amusement.

'If I look in your room here does that mean I'll find pin-ups of nearly naked supermodels with big busts all over the walls?' To emphasize the point I cross my arms under my bust to lift it up. His blush makes the joke worth it!

'You're the only one I want Patrick. It's just frustrating to no end that I have to hide it outside the house. When we went to the mall earlier I 'so' wanted it to be a date. You know, like the ones you used to go on when someone would give you the time of day...' Patrick smiles at me and the sight causes my tail to wag a bit.

The next thing I know he gently takes my arm and pulls me over to the bed, and onto his lap. I don't resist in the least as I lay my head against his shoulder. A moment later I feel his hand petting my head in long gentle strokes.

"Honestly, I would have been worried if you were actually interested in other guys. I don't want this to be something of a nightingale type thing." I'd be lying if that thought hadn't crossed my mind, somehow though I do think this is not that. I've known him all my life, we were as close as brothers for two people not related by blood.

I guess this is just the natural extension because I'm female now, instead of male.

'Yea, same here. What I'm not worried about in the least is how good this feels, please don't stop petting me.' Patrick laughs and move to rub one of my ears.

My body stiffens, my tail goes still as the other ear goes fully erect. I now know why canines like their ears to be rubbed as I melt onto him a moment later.

"I wonder, can I get you to kick your leg like I've seen some dogs do when they're petted like this." Patrick chuckles as I liquefy in his arms.

'You're lucky this feels so damn good I don't care about your little jab. Please, just don't stop okay?' Needless to say he continues, even switching to the other ear for a bit.

Eventually Patrick does stop, causing me to whine a little and look up at him.

"I'm only human, my hand was getting tired." Sighing a little I move to sit up next to him, leaning against his shoulder as my tail beats the bed as it wags.

'I understand.' Patrick drapes his arm over my shoulders and hugs me.

"I'll do it again later. Anyway, how are you holding up? Other than the bullying you've been getting from Diane." Moving my tail to my lap as I force it to go still, running my hands through the almost fully regrown fur.

'Bored mostly, a lot of the material is stuff I already know, and know the answers to. Mr. Mathew has Christine and I in college material rather than the standard curriculum, so I guess there's some challenge. I enjoy my talks with Ms. Henderson, she's a nice person, but on the other hand, Ms. Alice is just a bitch. We're forced to sit in chairs without tail holes and both them and the table look like they're a moments notice from falling apart. Mr. Davidson is okay, I like how he treats everyone though Christine thinks he could be a bit fairer.' I'm glad there is enough fur to do this, I've missed petting my tail.

"What about history with Mr. Mason?" I make no attempts to stop Patrick from reaching his hand over and joining in on the tail pets.

'Falls into the bored part. He follows the standard stuff, not the weird shit that Ms. Alice uses. Other than the Canadian specific stuff, I already know it. If it wouldn't attract suspicion, I would rather take the Canadian version of the g.e.d. and just graduate already.' Crossing my legs I move to lean my head against his shoulder.

"I don't think there is one anyway. Still, look on the bright side. This time around you're getting a good High-School diploma from a good school, you also regained about a decade of life too. It might even offset, well, you know..." Yea, that is something I've been trying not to think about. Bio-Morphs are so new, no one knows their max life span.

Do we have enough human D.N.A. in us to live as long as one? Or are we doomed to shorter lives? I don't want to drop dead of old age in my forties that's for sure.

'I... I didn't want to think about that Patrick.' Letting out a sigh I gently grab his hand as it's touching my tail. 'Look, I know you can't tell me much, so I won't get into trouble if you do. What are you planing though and why would you need to bypass or alter the federal tracking system on more modern electric cars?' Without even thinking we intertwine our fingers on that hand as I sit up a little and look Patrick in the face.

"All I can say is we have an idea that will make the nature walk you had to do obsolete." This gets my attention. For obvious reasons the journey I had over the border through the national park was hell. I wouldn't expect most Bio-Morphs to be able to make it.

Then again, I doubt most of them had to deal with being hunted the whole way to the border like Christine and I were.

'So, how's your hand feeling?' Smiling at him and tilting my head so one of my ears is closer to him. Patrick just chuckles and starts rubbing it causing me to melt again.

To the point I find my head laying in his lap with my muzzle pointed upwards at his face.

"Lap fox." Huffing once, I gently nip at his hand. To Patrick's credit, he doesn't flinch.

'That's Lap Fox 'girlfriend' to you buster.' Putting a mock outrage tone in my voice. We stare at each other for a moment before both of us burst out laughing.

Well, Patrick laughs, I make a noise between a gecker and a shriek.

Calming down a short while later we settle into a comfortable silence. Patrick rubs my ears in between me getting up once in a while to click on a new video to watch.

I even let Patrick choose a few as we enjoy the afternoon. Being Sunday though, and the start of a new week. It's now my turn to help Mother cook dinner. So my pleasant and relaxing afternoon ends when Mom calls me down to help her.

Thankfully the conversation as I help her is more about how to help her and what I need to do when I would want to make this on my own someday. In between some light jabs over how I spent my afternoon today.

Afterwards I poke some fun at what I saw Her and Christine watching, though it doesn't get the kind of reaction I wanted. Which was any at all to be honest, Mom just smiled and shook her head.

Helping her does give me the advantage of being first to the dinner table, and covertly grab something small to eat well before anyone else arrives. I think I'm developing that teenage appetite again. Where you're hungry a lot but you don't gain much in weight like you would if you ate like this later.

To my surprise, Flint is the first one down with a smile on his face rather than the constant frown he's had since I moved in. Normally he's barely down here before Christine and I.

'I hope you're not planning anything. If Patrick gets into trouble for rightfully beating your ass I'll be pissed, not to mention I don't want your parents to have to foot the bill for you to live somewhere else. They already help a lot in paying for this place.' Like normal, he takes the seat at the table farthest from where Christine and I sit.

"Not that it's any of your business, but my football coach decided to help me out. He gave me a lead on a way to earn enough money that not only can I graduate early, but I no longer have to live here with two animals." Rolling my eyes with a huff, I idly tap a few claws on the table while waiting for everyone else to show up.

'Whatever it is, I hope it's soon. I'm getting tired of having to stay in my room behind a locked door because of you.' I didn't think it was possible, but his smile gets even bigger.

"You'll find out soon enough. Then you can go back to doing all the perverse shit you do in your room whenever you want." What the fuck does he mean by that? Christine and Mom sit down at the table before I can ask what Flint means.

Patrick and the Tanners arrive soon after.

Conversation over dinner doesn't focus on Christine and I, so I'm left mulling over what Flint said. I wonder if it has anything to do with how his sports team has been running through the halls rather than practice outside.

I make a mental note to talk to Ms. Henderson later if she's seen anything odd as well. Something doesn't sit right with me about this.

Finishing out dinners, I ask and Mom allows Christine and I to leave the table, so we head up to my room. Since tomorrow is Monday, we do our normal evening routine and then settle down for the night on my bed.

Morning arrives like it always does, even though it's not wanted. Since it's a weekday Mom drops us off at the school like always, and we head for Mr. Mathew's class. In accordance with our new normal, everyone but Christine scoots their desk the few inches they're allowed to away from where I'm sitting. Just enough that they still look like they're still in their neat rows and columns.

At the end of class Mr. Mathew checks up on how we're doing again, I hope my math teacher next year is as nice as him.

Of course Ms. Alice behaves like she normally does as we sit in the only assigned seats in the class. Ignoring her rants is at least getting easier to do. From there it's Mr. Mason's History class and another round of people scooting their desks away from me.

Then we have lunch and the new normal routine shatters. We sit at our normal table, now empty, and for the first time in a week, Diane comes to bother us again.

'Hello my 'dear' sisters.' Without even asking us, again, she takes a seat in front of us. Alone this time, no muscle-bound Beta's standing near her.

''Diane', What do you want?' Not even bothering to look at her as I eat the home-made lunch of mine.

'Can't I just have lunch with my 'sisters'?' Diane forces herself into my field of view. ''Adopted' or otherwise.' I meet her attempt at attention with an annoyed gaze. Leaning back with a grin on her muzzle Diane hefts up her backpack and pulls out an expensive, and near paper thin tablet.

Diane gently sets it on the table, turns it on, before sliding it over to Christine and I.

I nearly have a heart attack seeing what's on the screen. An archived version of the website for Mauri's containing our pictures, number, and price per meal. Or per hour for private dinner parties.

Christine's ears are flat back, and she is raising her lips in a snarl, so acting quickly I grab her shoulders and hold her down in her seat. Calming a little from just my touch alone.

'How?' Spitting the word out with as much venom as I can manage.

''Dad' doesn't seem to know how well Bio-Morphs can hear, and 'Mom's' hearing seems to be going in her old age. They didn't know I could hear him explain to her how 'you're' not adopted by Maria Stradder, you are Anthony's and her biological son. Converted, like my mother was. After that, it was just a simple use of one of my pack's credit cards, and an image search with both your photo's over a VPN to the American version of the internet. Low and behold I find you two on a website of a brothel.' There's a split-second that I want to leap over the table and maul Diane. Thankfully for her sake I am able to reign this in.

Not only would I be kicked out of school, I'd face legal trouble. I'd still feel satisfied in a primal way though.

'What. Do. You. Want?' If my voice could go any lower with any more venom in it, I'd be growling loudly. Yet, this only seems to further please Diane. I still have to hold onto Christine in case she leaps at her or runs, both would be bad in this situation.

'First, the information on what I am? You speak a word of that to 'anyone' and I'll have a print out of this website taped to almost every locker in the school.' Diane picks the tablet up, shuts it off, and puts it back into her backpack.

'Second, thanks to you and that meal we had at your place. Dad is serious about cutting my allowance once I graduate, but, I've found a way to earn enough money that it won't matter. I need you to do two things, refuse to do them and the same thing will happen. Everyone in school will know you're some converted pervert who used to be owned by a brothel.' Clamping my hand down on Christine's muzzle is all I can do to stop her from growling.

It doesn't help that I want to do so as well. Both of our tails are angrily whipping about with both of our sets of ears flat against our skulls.

'Fine, since you have us over a barrel, what are those two things you need me to do?' Christine struggles a bit to get out of my grasp but I have to hold her. I can't say it now in front of Diane, but I don't plan on following through despite me saying I will.

My eyes are glued to Diane's hands as she digs out a small flash drive from a side pocket of her backpack.

'Your first task, 'Jack', is to give this thumb-drive to Flint Tanner. Should be easy since you live under the same roof. Oh, and don't try to look to see what's on it. The documents on it are set to track anyone who opens them. If he sees anyone but my name on it, the deal will be canceled and your degenerate freak ass will be grass so to speak.' Diane slides it across the table for me to catch. Picking it up I put it into my backpack.

I know the kind of document she's talking about, and unfortunately I lack the proper computer equipment and software to bypass that and take a look.

'Your second task is to make sure you, and your mentally deranged Beta stay in the auditorium Monday no matter what happens. Something will, but I won't tell you what other than it's going to make me more money than 'Father' ever gave me.' Wait, first Flint last night and Diane today? What's going to happen on Monday?

No, that's a question for later. Right now I have to deal with the problem in front of me, Diane.

'Fine, even though I know you're not going to tell me what this thing is that's going to happen on Monday?' Diane grins and shakes her head while mimicking zipped lips.

'Figured. First off though, my name is now Jackie, not Jack. As for Mauri's, I wouldn't even wish what happened to me and Christine on anyone, even you.' Both Christine and I flinch as Diane slams a fist against the table.

It also serves as a reminder that unlike humans, non-pleasure model, and in Diane's case. Half-pleasure model Bio-morphs have lower sexual Dimorphism, meaning when push comes to shove. Diane's stronger than I am.

'No! Your name is 'Jack'! In my eyes you're a freak, someone who doesn't deserve the looks you have. I bet you're also as depraved as that place is and that you get pleasure being able to see all the other girls here naked now that you look like them! Is that why Ms. Henderson keeps you from the rest of the class when out on the field? I bet it is.' Diane has her own ears flat back against her head as she nearly growls this at me.

I feel the urge to return it, but I just barely hold it back.

'For your information 'Diane'. I was a straight Male going into the conversion tank, and I came out a straight Female. I learned that the hard way. So you could wave your tiny tits in my face all you fucking want and it won't turn me on a damn bit.' Diane's face doesn't change, she still has that near livid look on her muzzle.

What does change is Christine grabbing my arm with enough force that it hurts.

'You'd like it wouldn't you because the conversion made you a sick freak. Your mother has to be just as sick for her to accept you, I bet that's why Anthony left you and her for my 'Mother'. I don't blame him because even as bad as my own mother is, she isn't so depraved as the both of you.' That's it! I'm just about to leap out of my seat and strangle this bitch, both in the literal and metaphorical sense. Only for Christine to slam me back down onto the seat by my arm with more strength than I thought she had.

'Alpha-Jackie, she isn't worth it. Mother-Alpha wouldn't like it if we get into trouble like this, as much as this bitch deserves for me to rip her throat out.' My head bounces between looking at Christine and Diane, the look on my sister's face. It is the look of someone who has killed. Does something that all my words so far haven't to Diane, it gets her to back down.

The fur on Diane's neck sticks up like it does on me when I have goosebumps.

'Just... Just remember your agreement freak, or there will be hell to pay!' Quickly gathering her things, Diane hightails it away from our table looking like she's struggling to prevent her tail going between her legs.

I'm quickly engulfed with a hug by Christine once she's out of sight.

'Alpha-Jackie, can you please calm down? I need you to be calm, so I won't lose control like I almost did.' Gently pushing Christine off of me I take a few deep breaths and look at the clock on the wall. We still have some time left, good.

'Sorry Christine. I, just, um... Diane just pushed the right buttons. I was barely holding it together until she decided to insult Mom and Dad.' Christine nods and pats me on the head before gathering her things.

'I know Alpha-Jackie, I would've jumped her earlier if you didn't hold onto me. I figured I should return the favor, the last thing we need is to get suspended.' Thinking back, yea I would be a rather stupid thing to get into trouble for.

We wouldn't even be able to tell the truth least we inform the school administration of who we are. Frankly, Diane has us good and there's little if anything we can do about it.

'So Jackie.' That's a good sign that Christine's calming down. 'What are we going to do?' Sighing, I heft my backpack up while standing, Christine follows suit.

'Nothing. We're going to have to give that to drive to Flint, and be in the auditorium on Monday. I could take a peek if I could get my hands on the same software I used to have back at the jobless center, even then I doubt it would be new enough.' We dump our trash and head for the door.

'Can't you just download it again?' Shaking my head I move to hug her once more before we go our separate ways for a couple of hours.

'The software is not something you would be able to just download. Without it being tracked by law enforcement anyway. I got it in an under the table trade and it made its worth known quickly. Anyway, please behave for the next couple of periods, okay?' It's not an order, but a wish. I just hope she thinks of it that way.

'Jackie, sis, I'll try. Same goes for you. Don't let 'her' bait you like that again please while I'm not around.' Nodding once, we again hug, then go our separate ways.

On the way to the locker room I mentally slap myself, even if Christine stopped me I did give Diane enough ammunition to get me into trouble with the school. I did break one of their rules, well two.

No growling at other students, and no baring teeth at them aggressively.

What's worse is that today is another free weight day, so I don't have the opportunity to talk to Ms. Henderson in privite. I need someone other than Christine to confide in over what just happened, and she's the closest at hand right now. So I'm only left with my own thoughts on the matter as I follow her advice from the last time, working my way up rather than down the weight scale.

I pretty much expect to be sent to the main office at anytime during the class causing me to have a nervous tic in my tail the whole period. Only it doesn't happen, gym passes by without issue.

The moment I enter Mr. Davidson's science class I feel Diane's dagger gaze on me, but she keeps quiet as I sit in my assigned seat in front of her. This just brings up further questions, she should have a shit eating grin because she has me where she wants me.

I broke the rules in the cafeteria, she and her pack could just as easily get me into trouble by flooding the office with 'witnesses' just as simply as she could to get herself out of trouble. The in class work we have does little to take my mind off of this problem.

By the end of class I'm at a loss, until Diane gets up and leaves, but on her way out she drops a piece of paper on my desk. Gathering my stuff up I shoulder my backpack then I pick up the note and glance at it on the way out.

[If it wasn't for 'my' father saying he'd cut me off of my allowance before graduation, you would've been in the office for breaking the school's rules on aggressive behavior. Just remember, do what I say freak, and your secret won't be exposed.] Well, that explains a thing or two.

Balling the piece of paper up, I toss it into the closest waste bin on the way to home-room. I think I know part of the issue of her anger now considering her emphasis on saying Anthony is her father.

Doesn't make the situation any better or provide any kind of answer.

I'm glomped again by Christine upon entering home-room. As expected, another teacher is here instead of Mr. Mathew, just some other female teacher from elsewhere in the school. She just tells us to take our seats and to use the class as a quiet study hour and if we need her, we can just come up to her desk.

Christine shows me that she had a similar note stuck into her locker in gym, other than that we take the teacher's advice and use the hour to do what homework we have from our other classes.

When homeroom ends, we exit out of another side entrance of the building and head for the light-rail station. I'm eager to get home and I don't question the reason why other than possibly wanting to be somewhere I consider safe.

'What a fine mess we've found ourselves in isn't it?' Christine breaks the silence between us in the empty cab. The city seems to have upped the amount of cars on each line to allow this, not that I'm complaining.

Being packed in like sardines wasn't fun.

'Yea. I didn't get a chance to talk to Ms. Henderson. Something is striking me as odd about this, and I figure she may know something being around other teachers. Mainly the human male gym teacher. The one that coaches Flint's football team.' Christine shrugs and looks over at me.

'Doubt she'll know anything. Why do we have to stay in the gymnasium on Monday? Isn't that the mandatory one during parent teacher day on Monday?' My turn to shrug.

'Don't know. Why wouldn't we be in there? It is mandatory for the half that have school that day. I'd rather have the day off and have a three-day weekend. As for that thumb drive, I'm just going to chuck it at Flint. I'd normally just leave it out for him but I would bet he'd claim he didn't get it just, so I would have to deal with Diane.' I fish the drive out of my backpack and look it over.

'I guess that means you can't just toss it into his room and be done with it.' Christine sighs. 'I'd also like to know why Diane hates her mother so much. I mean sure Xin's submissive, but she doesn't have what I have. Xin also seems to care a lot about Diane from what I can tell, would've loved it if my own biological mother actually cared for me.' I wonder about that too.

Our stop comes up, and we head into the fur town neighborhood. We walk in silence as we watch the various kids play while their parents watch them. Some wave at us, and we wave back. The rest go on barely even noticing us walking by.

Upon reaching the house Christine follows right behind me as we head up the front steps, as well as waiting for me to enter the house first. Entering only when I step to the side to exchange my outside shoes with my inside slippers. Not expecting him to be here I didn't even notice Flint's sent till he stops us on our way to the stairs.

"Hand it over animal." His mere presence makes me fold my ears flat against my head as he holds out his hand. Growling at him, because there's no rule here that I 'can't', I dig out the thumb drive and throw it at him.

Smirking as Flint fumbles to catch it I quickly head around him and up the stairs with Christine almost literally stepping on my tail in the process.

Once in my room I close and lock the door, nearly slamming it shut. That's as much of an interaction with Flint that I can handle today considering everything else.

Exchanging the uniform with actual clothes, Christine turns on my computer for me. I know why though, so after I log in I head to the school email site and see if there's any new ones from her father.

I don't see any, but while I'm at this site I bring up the messenger system.

[Ms. Henderson, are you there?] Sending it, I wait for a reply as Christine makes herself comfortable on my bed by shedding her blouse and tossing it to the side.

I put on a video for her to watch, then move it so the messaging window doesn't block it.

[Yea. But I'm still at the school doing paperwork for the upcoming parent teacher day on Monday.] Makes sense.

I stretch a bit before typing.

[I wanted to ask you something but I didn't have a chance to during class. Last weekend Mother and I came clean to my father, long story short it went well. But, Diane overheard him talking to Xin about it that night. She knows who I was, and further more gained access to the T.A.N.K. version of the internet, aka the American one. She found the site for the place that owned Christine and I, pulled up the old page with us on the menu. Diane showed it to us at lunch and then demanded something odd. She wanted me to deliver a thumb drive to Flint, and to stay in the gymnasium on Monday. This on top of Flint bragging over the weekend about some kind of opportunity his couch has for him has made me curious. Is the Male human gym teacher acting weirder than normal from what you can tell? I know you don't get along with him, but you're in the same teachers lounge as him from what I know of how schools work. So you must've noticed something odd?] Hitting enter to send it I lean back and sigh.

I just wanted to ask a simple question but I felt it better to explain the whole situation like this. I'm normally a bit more direct than this, am I still mentally changing to what I am?

Her reply pulls me from my thoughts.

[He normally doesn't interact with Bio-morphs in the faculty, but I've seen him on the phone more often lately. He keeps far enough away that I can't hear what the person on the other end is talking about. He though seems to be talking about selling something, what it is I do not know.] Okay, that's even weirder.

I know I have no proof that any of this is connected, but for some reason I suspect it is. I just don't know how.

[This has me worried.] That video ends, so I start another for Christine.

[It's most likely nothing Jackie. Having to deliver something to Flint from Diane though, that's odd. You said Flint doesn't like Bio-Morphs right?.] To be fair to Flint, I've not seen how he interacts with other Bio-Morphs, there may be a slight chance he just hates Christine and I.

[It is odd enough that I would try to call in sick or out right skip school on Monday, if I knew I could get away with it. Mother was damn good at ferreting me out last time through. I doubt she's gotten any worse in that regard since then.] Glancing over at the video I shake my head, what does Christine see in these fashion shows...

[Sounds like I'll like meeting her. She should be coming on Monday along with the parents of half of my other classes. Try to stay safe okay?] Hmm? Stay safe?

[What do you mean, stay safe? Diane and Flint haven't been too violent.] Ms. Henderson's reply is a link to a breaking news story of an assault on some Bio-Morphs within a few blocks of the route we walk to the light-rail station.

My ear swivels in the direction of the bedroom door as I hear the front door open and close, a bit earlier than normal too. So I reply to Ms. Henderson with a thumbs up and close the chat window.

Relinquishing the chair to Christine I head downstairs to see why they're early, whereupon I'm tightly hugged by Mother. Hugging her back I now suspect that it's due to what Ms. Henderson sent me.

"Good, if you're safe, that means Christine is safe too. I was worried when I heard the news about an hour ago." Rubbing my muzzle under her chin with a smile I then let go and take a step back.

'Ms. Henderson sent me a link to an article, didn't expect you to get off early just to check on me and sis though.' Mom grins and ruffles the fur on my head a little. Letting out a small huff I fix it back into place.

"Of course I was going to ask for it. I worry about you two constantly. But, so I don't have to do this as often, I'm going to be getting you two cell-phones. Nothing expensive of course, just something that I can use to text or call you in similar situations to make sure you're alright. Or if you need to get into contact with me if something happens." Nodding with a small smile, I won't lie in that I've been wanting one for a while.

I just shouldn't be happy it's because of someone ease's tragedy.

With another hug I follow Mom into the kitchen since it's my week to help her cook dinner and I'm already downstairs. When she asks how school went, I decide to not tell her what happened at lunch with Diane. She didn't like that Ms. Henderson figured our secret out, I don't think she'll be happy Diane learned who we were too.

Not to mention that Mom won't like that Diane pulled up the page for the place that owned me.

Dinner's uneventful. Flint just glares at us like normal, and I smile at Patrick, ignoring Flint. Discussion is around the current event of the assault of some neighborhood Bio-morphs. I didn't read the article fully when I was upstairs, so I'm surprised to learn that it happened merely a block away from where we walk to the light rail station.

I can understand why mother was worried now, it was close enough that there was a chance it could've been Christine and I if we went a different route.

Afterwards we do our normal evening routine, then settle down on my bed for the night after deciding that from now on, we'll use one of the overflow rooms rather than the main cafeteria to eat our lunch at school.

Tuesday goes by alright, other students act the same way they did the previous day in our classes up till lunch. As it turns out, the overflow rooms are more or less used only by outcasts. Like we are now.

Jokes on the rest of the student body though, it's much quieter and doesn't feel like I'm about to go deaf in it rather than the main cafeteria.

Hugging Christine after lunch, I head on over to the Small Bio-Morph girls locker room. Entering I'm still subject to most of the normal gossip that's said loud enough that I can hear. I notice my locker has been repaired, but I decide against using it and head for Ms. Henderson's office. The door opens though as soon as I reach for it and the Mouse girl that I'm pretty sure is in Diane's pack stands there on her way out.

Already dressed in her gym uniform she looks me up and down, then silently walks around me and goes back over to the others. Stepping inside I close the door behind me.

'Hello Jackie. Locker fixed, can use it now.' Smiling at her I place my backpack on the chair in front of her desk.

'I know, but I feel that if I use it, it'll get damaged again. I'll just continue to use your office, if it's alright with you that is. Not to mention that it allows me to talk to my friend.' I smile at her, and Ms. Henderson gives me a wide grin in return. So I go about changing into my gym uniform.

'Said, I'd keep eye out for odd things... Just had odd thing happen. Ms. Weaver, mouse Bio-Morph you saw as entered office. Did something odd. Asked if she not be present for parent teacher meeting on Monday. Due to behavior, has to be present with parents so can talk about and form plan to improve. Asked if she worried how parents react, cause seen parents react badly when their 'perfect' kid is in trouble. Ms. Weaver refuse to answer why she need to be in assembly rather than here. Told her I'd think it over.' Tilting my head curiously at this as I straighten up my gym uniform as I look at Ms. Henderson.

'That is odd. She's part of Diane's pack right?' Ms. Henderson nods. 'Christine and I are also supposed to be there to keep Diane from informing the entire school of my secret.' Ms Henderson goes about her desk picking up what she needs for class while I zip up my backpack.

'Agree with you now Jackie, this not smell right. Have other students in Diane's pack next period with your sister. Bet one or two will ask same thing. If do, will tell Christine to inform you. Now come, bleachers await.' Following Ms. Henderson out of her office I join the rest of the class as we head out of the school and to the track field again.

I pretty much expect the class to have to do laps as I stretch, but I'm pleasantly surprised as she divides the class into two teams by calling off names.

Even if it wasn't for my leg, with me here the class is an odd number, so I'd be left out regardless. So as the class goes to play soccer for the period, I walk over to the first rung of bleachers to do those stretches Ms Henderson showed me.

'You know, we've talked a lot about me, yet all I know about you Ms. Henderson is how you were converted and how you escaped.' The leg is not as sore today as it was the day before or last week when doing this.

Maybe Ms. Henderson was right in that it would get better over time.

'What want to know Jackie?' Ms. Henderson sits down next to me. No need to be careful what we say as the sports field inside the track oval is far enough away combined with the noise of the game masking our conversation.

'Well. You know I have a boyfriend, do you have someone special? I mean I know Henderson isn't a Chinese name, but you could've just adopted it when you emigrated instead of the normal means.' Ms. Henderson smiles while showing her buck teeth.

'Yes have special guy in life. Not boyfriend, but husband. Was neighbor when lived in ghetto like apartment block before fur town was built. Helped me find early work while get teaching degree, helped get to know others, but hit it off not long after. He escaped from United States, before drones.' That's interesting, and early escapee from the states.

As she speaks her smile changes into a loving grin as she looks out to the field watching the class play.

'So a fellow Bio-Morph?' Ms. Henderson nods. 'So what breed is he, if it's alright for me to ask?' Instead of telling me, she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a wallet. Yay, the usefulness of pants!

Opening it, she shows me a photo.

Her Husband is a leopard breed Bio-Morph, technically a cougar breed, but bred to have the rosettes that a leopard has. They're mostly a 'pet' breed, someone who is changed into a Bio-morph and then bought by a rich, or well off family who wants an exotic pet that can if needed, do housework in a pinch.

If that wasn't odd enough, he's about a head and a half taller than Ms. Henderson. She's taller than I am!

'He reformed hooligan. When he in late High-school, then into college he tricked into participating in riots and such by teachers and classmates. Assaulted someone then arrested when president restored order. Spent years in prison, then state dumped him to Conversion Center to deal with overcrowding. In return to becoming decade younger, became pet to upper middle class family. You think what you did was bad? While he not physically assaulted, at first, everything was mental stuff. Treated as non-human pet, eat from bowl on floor, drink too. Litter-box for bathroom. Same time need to do housework. After daughter of family hit puberty, he used as sex ed and toy for her.' Wincing a bit at this I take a seat next to Ms. Henderson after my stretches.

I'm still, kinda surprised at the depravity of some people.

'How did he escape?' Ms. Henderson looks at the photo and rubs her finger over it gently.

'The family that bought him was on their way via car to a Maine summer home. When they stop at rest stop, he grab keys from car and bolted, surprising the daughter enough that when he lock the car, she too disoriented by surprise to unlock it for few minutes. Ran to and hid in nearby woods, then walk across border to Canada. Canada relocated him here where he lived in that apartment up till we become couple.' Rubbing my sore leg I can't help giggling.

Not because of the situation he was in, but simply how he escaped. The mental image of a teenage girl trying to open a locked car, from the inside, is funny.

'How's he doing?' Ms. Henderson sighs a little.

'Okay. Has had professional help due to nightmares and effects of what he went through.' Yea, I would expect someone treated like that to have nightmares at the least.

I still have nightmares occasionally.

'What does he do?' Ms. Henderson smiles again.

'Emergency medical technician. Tried become cop, lack of able to speak English and French bar him. Feels sense of duty to repay what did in younger days. Despite my view of it not needed. Says he know now he was used and not like it.' Tilting my head, Ms. Henderson continues.

'Knows now what he taught in school was to get him and others to bring system down, not teach him to stand and build up. Can't say I not have hand in this view, telling him how communist society works.' This is a bit beyond my understanding.

I mean I know about how the old USSR acted, China was kinda skipped over. History focused a lot on the near one hundred year old conflict of world war two.

'Anyway, um, with how long you two seem to have been together do you have?' Ms. Henderson responds by flipping to another photo in her wallet.

'Yes we have child. Not old enough to be in High-school, but very much his little girl. Though he wanted son.' The cuteness! Being held by the leopard Breed Bio-Morph is what you could call cute overload.

Five, maybe six years old in a little girl's t-shirt and shorts is Ms. Henderson's daughter. She has the shape of her mother's squirrel breed, including the super fluffy tail. Her fur is a much darker shade of brown, almost russet red.

What stands out the most is that she has her father's rosette markings and smaller buck teeth. In their place larger canines by the looks of the photo.

This causes me to audibly squeal and hold my arms under my chest. I feel, I just want to pick her up and hold her while doting on her. The sound of Ms. Henderson giggling causes me to look at her.

'Yup, you female. Even if tomboy. Get same reaction from other women.' Yea of course... To be fair, even though this feeling caught me off guard, it's not a bad one.

Wouldn't mind having my own kid or kids someday to do that too.

'Seems like you got a good life. Maybe one day I can meet your husband and daughter?' Ms. Henderson closes the wallet and sticks it back into her pocket with a sigh.

'Someday yes. Not when in school though, that make it appear odd. Still need minor barrier between teacher and student. Least one assumes undo favor.' Nodding once I go back to watching the class play soccer.

I have to agree with Ms. Henderson, she's already gone above and beyond what a normal teacher would do in helping me with my leg. The last thing I need to do is have her get into trouble by making it look like it's because I'm close to her family, rather than it being the right thing to do.

'How long do you think I should be doing these stretches and exercise routines?' Turning to look at me rather than the class, Ms. Henderson hmms.

'Couple months at most. Muscle take time to rebuild around scar tissue. By fall be healed enough to play with rest of class fully.' Longer than I thought, but not as bad as I expected.

'You're going to be disappointed. Never played soccer before, so I'm pretty much going to suck at it.' Ms. Henderson pats my back gently.

'If heal enough fast enough can get you to play okay, not professional, doubt you want to. But, not so bad no casual game would not want you.' Shrugging some I glance out at the class then at her.

'I'll hold you to that.' Ms. Henderson nods, stands then stretches.

'Time pass by fast, class almost over.' Standing and stretching as well, I follow her over to the track as she calls out for the class. I look over at the mouse girl who's panting slightly as the class gathers into one crowd.

Whatever Diane has planed, I'm sure she doesn't deserve it. The question is what does Diane have planned?

Like normal, I lag behind the rest of the class as we head up and back to the school. Mainly so I can walk with Ms. Henderson. Following her inside I tail her till I enter her office before going about exchanging my gym uniform for the normal school one. I'm about to stuff the gym clothes into my backpack when Ms. Henderson taps my shoulder and shakes her head.

'Here. Clear spot for clothes.' She walks over to one of the wall mounted storage bins and empties it of its few baseballs. Shrugging I walk over and just place my clothes there.

'Thank you.' Ms. Henderson smiles and nods.

'Less to carry, backpack not smell like gym either. Now need to get going or late for next period.' Yea, Mr. Davidson's Science class, with Diane sitting right behind me. Joy oh joy.

Politely exiting Ms. Henderson's office I walk through the locker room, ignoring the other girls 'gossiping' about me. Then out into the hall, my mind more interested in the pieces that don't seem to fit in this picture.

Flint's American football practice having him run through the halls in full armor for no obvious reason.

His coach and gym teacher being on the phone most of the time he's on break. Talking to someone about money and buying or selling something?

The mystery of what was on that thumb drive Diane made me give to Flint.

Then the insistence Christine and I, not to mention Ms. Weaver be in the long assembly the school has planned for the students not having to be with their parents on parent teacher day. Not only do I feel I'm missing more than a few things, but what I'm missing is something I won't like.

Opening the door to Science class I find that like most of the time, Diane has beat me here. Only sparing the momentary glance to see her sitting behind my desk, I decide to not pay any more attention to her than I already have. At least she mostly leaves me alone, except for the occasional poke about where the clasp of my bra is.

Thankfully it's better made that to come undone with a simple poke of a pencil.

Making sure my things are packed before the end of class allows me to get out before Diane and more or less hide in the sheer mass of bodies in the hallways. I know it didn't stop her from grabbing me when Diane shaved my tail, but I feel that was more of a planed action than spur of the moment.

Christine glomps me like normal upon my entrance to home-room. Frankly, by now I wouldn't want it any other way and it seems even if I don't know the teacher this week. She seems to like the honest display of affection because I can see her smile from the doorway.

We take our normal seats, then Christine leans a bit closer to me.

'Ms. Henderson wanted me to tell you both of the girls in Diane's pack that are in my gym class asked if they could be exempt from being with their parents to be in the general assembly. Also, that one of them was acting like she didn't want to ask, yet still did.' Can't help it, I frown at this information.

Another odd piece to the puzzle is slotted into place.

'I don't like this one bit Christine. Something stinks but I can't find it.' Christine nods.

'Same here, I feel like I should fake being sick on Monday, but, mom seems to smart to fall for it.' This makes me chuckle a bit as I nod.

'Believe me 'sis' you won't be able to pull such a stunt over on her.' Christine looks at me and sighs before sitting properly in her chair. I can tell somehow the sigh is for the situation and not what I just said.

Via an unspoken agreement we try to occupy ourselves with the day's homework, so we don't have to focus on this mystery. Sadly, we do not have a lot of homework to do, nor is it difficult.

It's just enough though to get us through the period and to the end of the school-day. We've also run out of side entrances to go through to avoid Ms. Alice. We resort to using one of the back doorways and jog around the building, so we can still make the next scheduled stop for the light rail.

Because of the article yesterday Christine and I tightly hold hands and cautiously peer into the alleyways we pass by, just in case. Nothing happens and I end up feeling silly doing it by the time we reach the platform. I don't voice it though because it at least helped Christine stay calm, despite the fact I realize that statistically nothing would've happened.

What does happen though is without prompting by anyone the mixed crowd of humans and Bio-Morphs, some are fellow students, self segregate. The humans go into cars that already have more humans than Bio-Morphs in them, and the Bio-Morphs just go for a car that's either mostly empty or has other Bio-Morphs.

We just choose a car that has enough room, but isn't so crowded like that one time.

The impact of the news seems to have also affected Fur Town. Few kids are outside in their parent's front or backyards playing, those that are, have their parents watching over them much more closely.

We still get friendly waves from said parents and the same curious but playful looks of the younger kids while passing by. Not that I didn't notice before, but I just didn't pay attention to the fact that many of the kids seem to be mixes of Bio-Morph breeds. My staring doesn't go unnoticed by Christine, but she waits till we reach the house to speak up.

'So does my tomboy sister find little kids cute?' Christine's voice is laced with a sing-song teasing tone. My tail twitches at this as I open the front door.

'I will admit, that since becoming female, the thought of having or taking care of kids have been... More appealing, in what I come to recognize as a motherly and maternal feeling. Similar to how I've felt when comforting you.' Exchanging my school shoes for slippers, Christine just sheds hers, tossing them into a pile.

'So do you admit to making a girly girl squeal when Ms. Henderson showed you her fluff ball daughter?' Figured she'd tell Christine the same thing and point out I did in fact make such a girly girl sound.

Probably got a laugh out of it too.

'I refuse to admit making such a noise! I will agree that her daughter is the definition of cute and has made me wonder about having my own someday.' Leading Christine upstairs I pause in front of my bedroom door and look down the hall to the open door of Flint's bedroom.

I could, if I wanted, snoop around in there. I'm sure there's something that could help me, help Christine and I piece together the mystery of what's going to happen on Monday...

No...

I've realized that part of having my own space, means I have to respect other's private space too. Even if I suspect Flint's doing something terrible I can't just use that to barge in and snoop around. I'd be in the wrong and I'd be acting the same way Flint has been.

This time around I want to be a better person and not have to steal to get by. It wasn't technically stealing, even though it was someone's property. It was trash, but it was still stealing by technical definition of the law.

Opening the door I enter, letting Christine follow and then close the door.

'Refuse all you want Jackie my dear tomboy sister. I have it on good authority from a mutual friend that you squealed like a class A girly girl upon seeing her fluff ball daughter.' Rolling my eyes in mock frustration I change into some normal clothing. One of the pairs of shorts I have, well closer to short shorts, but it's still larger than my underwear so it's not 'actually' short shorts, don't judge me.

And a matching color thin t-shirt.

'Careful sis, Canada has libel laws.' I turn around and point my finger playfully at Christine as she shimmies out of her skirt, but leaves her blouse on for some reason.

'No jury of my 'peers' would convict me Jackie.' Christine sticks her tongue out at me. Well, two can play at this game. Reaching over I boop Christine on the nose with my finger, and goes cross-eyed as her tail swishes back and forth.

A playful grin spreads across her muzzle while she takes a slow step back. My own tail mimics Christine's as we both meet each other's gaze and stare each other down. With a silent signal, we're off.

Christine reaches the door first and flings it open then drops to all fours to dash down the hallway. Not wanting to be left behind I drop to all fours as well and chase after. Despite having spent a moment to open the door, Christine is about a yard or so ahead of me as we barrel down the stairs. I'm still amazed that I can do this on all fours and not end up in a heap of broken bones at the bottom.

In a flat out sprint I chase her down the front hall and into the living room where she skids to a stop in the open area in the center. I don't think the fact she's almost entirely in her underwear registers due to her joyful grin and panting. Resuming the staring contest from upstairs I pant a bit as my tail whips about.

Which way are you going to go sis? I'm not going to let you through back the way we came, and if you go through the kitchen you'll end up in a heap of limbs as you skid on the floor without the traction of any kind of shoes like I have...

Feinting one way, Christine then dashes in the other, the direction of the couch and not the kitchen. Matching her movement, I'm nearly able to grab her by the tail as she runs behind the couch. Thinking quickly I pivot on my legs and leap to the other end where she'll emerge.

Desperately skidding to a stop, she nearly boops me in the nose with her own as I give her a victorious grin. Letting out a yip Christine backs up and heads the other way.

I of course dash over, and we repeat the previous scene. I got you trapped sis!

The more rational part of my mind reminds me Christine can just jump over the back of the couch, except that part is not entirely in control. I think it's the same for her as we end up repeating this scene at a faster and faster rate.

That is until I stop on the left side of the couch from my point of view, only to find she isn't there. The moment of confusion is all Christine needed and suddenly I'm bowled over from above as she jumps onto me playfully and yips a giggle filled yip into one of my ears.

'Gotcha! I win Jackie.' The moment I open my mouth to protest a bright flash fills the living room and both Christine and I stop cold. My first thought is that Flint came home as we were playing and now took a photo of us to humiliate us.

To be honest, that might have been better than seeing 'Mother' with her cell phone out with a giggling grin on her face.

"Oh this is 'so' going up on my photo page." And that is 'exactly' what I feared. Christine gets up, brushes her hands off, then helps me up to my feet.

'No you're not. Christine is in her underwear, I doubt whatever site you use will let you.' Mom puts her phone back into her purse and shrugs.

"Maybe. But you can bet your fluffy tail Jackie, that I'll be showing it to your father and step-mother it." Straightening out my clothes, why didn't I feel them shift during all that? I only cock my ears a third of the way back in mock annoyance at what mother said.

Christine pulls her blouse down a little to cover her panties more.

'You leave my fluffy tail out of this!' Putting a mock tone of annoy annoyance in my voice, Mom giggles at this as I tilt my head.

"Your tail's so bristled it looked cute as hell. Honestly, I find it good that you and Christine play like this. It's just like siblings in natural-born families from what I've seen and heard." That may be the case, but you leave my tail out of this. It has done nothing wrong, other than betray my emotions.

Hearing Mother's comment on our little play session makes me smile and wag said tail though. I think of Christine as the sister I've never had and I enjoy such activities with her.

'Just, don't show it to everyone. Please?' Begging a bit. Mother nods, walks over, and hugs Christine and I in turn.

"I'm just doing my motherly duty of teasing the both of you. That includes showing embarrassing pictures to friends and family, within reason of course." letting go of me, since Christine was the first one Mother hugged, she looks at both of us. "Christine, go upstairs and put something on before the Tanners bring Flint home. Jackie, you still have cooking duty with me this week." With an affirmative yip, Christine heads back upstairs as I follow mother into the kitchen.

'Why are the Tanner's picking Flint up? Not that I'm complaining over it. I'm relived you're the one that caught us and not him.' With Mom's direction I get everything out we need for dinner tonight.

Mom turns and sighs at me.

"You didn't hear this from me, but, Flint skipped half of school today. Right after gym, he up and left, then the Tanners got an alert from their bank. Being a minor, he can't open an account on his own, so he tried to pass off a thankfully, unsigned paperwork from his parents to try to open one. If he had tried to forge their signatures, they'd be bailing him out of jail rather than picking him up from the lobby of the bank." Yet another oddly shaped piece falls onto the puzzle...

'Doesn't he already have an account? So why try to open a new one?' Prepping some food, I hand it to mother for her to finish before she puts it into a large pan on the stove.

"He has a joint account with his parents. They can deposit and withdraw money just like he can. He was trying to set one up they won't have access to. And oddly, one that isn't insured." Mom goes back to stirring the pan.

"Anyway, lets move on to something a bit more positive, what are your feelings on meeting Christine's biological dad Saturday?" I... Don't like the picture this is starting to make, so I accept the change in subject to when I'm not at risk of cutting my own fingers off while being distracted.

'I'm happy for her to have the same chance I had. But, I'm worried that without the solid proof I had to convince you, and dad, it might not go as well as it did for me. All we have is some information that may or may not have been kept in their family. I also know you're going to love it regardless, you'll get to see me in what you would call a proper dress for the first time.' Mother laughs a little, then looks at me with a loving smile.

"Damn right I'm going to enjoy seeing my Daughters dressed up like the beautiful young women they actually are! I 'did' pay for those dresses after all." Still damn expensive for a piece of clothing, but I can't deny I want to see how Patrick reacts to seeing me wearing it.

'Considering it took us hours to get ready last time. You'll be seeing it on me for a decent while Saturday.' Stepping to the side, mother moves in and starts to show me what to do at this portion of the recipe.

"But it will be worth it. After that though, I'll put the dress in storage. You can use it for your wedding dress, maybe in a couple of years. Only if you don't grow too much more in those two years." Mom has me come closer to help her.

'Supposedly I should. With the cost of that dress I think altering it would be the best choice rather than buy a new one. I'm not going to throw something like that out so easily.' Mother opens her mouth, but shuts it as we hear the front door open before being slammed shut a moment later.

Mr. and Ms. Tanner are in a full on argument with Flint. Over how he's been acting since I returned mainly. They try to point out to Flint that I'm the same Jack he occasionally hung out with alongside his brother. Flint of course rebuffs it with the same 'she only has some of his memories, but she's not him' line.

From there it changes to why did he think it was a good idea to ditch school and try what he did at the bank.

Thankfully for my ears they head upstairs to Flints room to continue this in a semi private area. Considering I can still kinda hear their loud voices over the noises of cooking, I don't think they're going to keep it privite.

Looking over at mother, she just sighs while rubbing the attachment point on her prosthetic arm. I shrug and lower my ears a little, then we both get back to working on tonight's dinner in silence.

Mother directs me to set the table after what seems a short while later, so I do so only to find Patrick already sitting in his normal spot. He smiles and I give him a larger one in return. When I'm done placing the plates and silverware, I sit down next to him.

'I guess you and your parents are reaching the end of your rope over Flint?' Patrick sighs, the sound of defeat obvious without him saying anything.

"We don't know what to do with him. We were a little worried shortly after we moved in on how he was badmouthing Bio-morphs. Then came the incident with you and him not long after you were let out of the hospital, then this." Reaching over I gently pat his shoulder and squeeze it reassuringly.

Flint is his brother, and he loves him like one. I wasn't that close to him, but I did know him and this isn't the Flint I remember. Or if it was the real him, he did a good job hiding it back at the jobless center.

Or maybe I was blind to his behavior like I was on the whole subject of Bio-morphs.

'Last Sunday, he claimed he'd been offered an opportunity that would solve the issues he was having. His words not mine. I don't know what it is, nor do I like it, but I'm sure it has something to do with his coach and gym teacher.' Patrick reaches up and gently takes my hand, moving it down to the table to continue holding it.

"He plays football, and is kinda good at it. More than likely he's been scouted by a college team or something. Other than today he's been doing well in school, good grades and no incidents disciplinary wise. I mean, it's not unheard-of recently that a scholarship includes room and board till the end of High-school. It would solve the main issue Mom and Dad are having to contend with him, mainly finding a place for him to live that he can afford once he graduates." Good point, I don't know how well he plays and colleges do scout seniors in high-school to try to grab good talent.

It doesn't fit with the rest of the puzzle though.

Our fingers intertwine before I scoot my chair closer and lean against him for a few more minutes before dinner.

Said minutes end faster than I would've liked as Mom comes in and starts setting the serving dishes in the center of the table. Christine arrives shortly after, followed by Mr. and Ms. Tanner. Flint's not with them.

Ms. Tanner answers the question I was about to ask, Flint's restricted to his room when at home till further notice, when everyone else is done with dinner she or her husband will give him his dinner. Speaking of, conversation is rather light, and because of that Christine and I clean our plates rather quickly. We don't get the listen to most of it.

Politely excusing ourselves we head upstairs and try to ignore the blaring music coming from Flint's room while doing our evening shower routine. Having enough of it, I break the silence as we brush each other's fur.

'Despite the distinct possibility that it may be something completely innocent. I don't like this new piece of the puzzle when placed with the rest of the information we have.' Leaning into Christine's brushing the fur on my back I realize I'm completely and utterly addicted to these new simple pleasures.

'Trying to get an uninsured bank account? What's he going to do to earn enough money to need one? I only had one when I was growing up the last time because my allowance would go past the ten thousand dollar transaction report threshold where the bank would need to file a report.' That's what I was thinking.

Normal accounts are limited to a certain amount, Three hundred thousand dollars at most in this case, due to federal insurance backing said deposits. An unrestricted account forgoes that in return to allow an unlimited ceiling. They assume that if you have enough money to need one, you have enough sense to protect your own cash.

With my back finished Christine moves to allow me to brush hers.

'I don't know, and that is what makes this whole situation stink even worse...' Having nothing to add, and being unwilling to speculate on what that might be, the room goes silent outside of Flint's music and our small yips of pleasure from being groomed.

With the brushing done, Christine curls up on my bed and after I shut everything off, I join her on my bed and try to curl around her. Sleep claims me not long after.

Wednesday comes and goes. Classes pass by like normal and Diane leaves us alone during Lunch period and Science class for me. We do get a piece of paper with our altered schedule for parent teacher day in homeroom, which surprises me.

Not that they're altering the schedule, but that they did this via paper when everyone has a school issued tablet with them. Seems like a waste to me.

The only change is now Flint comes home with everyone else. So for the first time other than the occasional day when I was learning to speak, we have the run of the house. So after changing out of our uniforms, we sprawl out on the couch and surf channels and browse streaming service catalogs on the TV in the living room til we decide on something.

On one side, Christine lies on her side, pillow between her legs, her head resting on her arm while her tail twitches as it dangles over her waist. While I lay back, sitting on the other side of the couch, legs apart, tail dangling mostly off the edge, and arms stretched out laying on top of the headrests.

As for what we're watching, it's a compromise. I wanted to watch a show on the early history of computers in the home and for entertainment. Christine though, weirdly enough wanted to watch a reality show where they take Bio-Morphs and humans. Dump them in a 'supposed' survival situation, and watch what happens.

A normal person would think there isn't something that could be found as a compromise, and so did I, till I spotted a show by someone who got his start on a video sharing service showing how to build structures that ancient humans built. Using the same tools and materials as well.

So we're lazing about, watching a human in his fifties to sixties. But boy he doesn't look like it! Explaining via narration the construction of mud and stone huts while how to fire primitive clay shingles.

Needless to say I think we're both enjoying all the aspects of the show.

Christine then pokes my leg with her toe.

'Don't sit like that. Girls shouldn't sit like that.' Gently I push her foot away.

'Don't care, too comfortable.' Christine snorts, but still pokes me a few more times. Rather suddenly, her tail just starts beating the couch, causing me to look over at her to see why.

'GAH!! Can this week move any slower! It's only Wednesday and I want the week to be over right now!' Chuckling some I gently pat one of Christine's legs between the ankles.

It seems to calm her, only a little. I turn my attention back to the show. 'Totally' not enjoying the fact the host only in his shorts. Sure he's ankle deep in mud collecting material for shingles, but still.

'Try not to focus on Saturday too much Christine, it only makes the time go by slower. The weekend will come soon enough.' Christine snorts, but her tail slows down to only an occasional loud thump against the couch cushion.

'Easier said than done Jackie, considering... The suspense is killing me over if Dad will accept what I am now or not.' Looking over at Christine again I smile.

'I understand that feeling Christine, I do. Yet, what I said still stands.' Christine just razzes me in response before she goes back to watching the show.

To say I didn't understand how complicated the whole process is of building a mud hut, or how interesting and kinda livable the result is, is an understatement. I'd always thought when hearing the 'mud and stone hut' thing that it was just both materials, roughly piled up to make a small space to shelter from the elements. There's a selection process of the materials, and they seem to be used to their strengths rather than thrown haphazardly together.

I have to wonder how long it took early man to figure all of this out through trial and error.

Not long after the show ends do we both hear the whine of the electric motors followed by the car door's being opened and closed. Mom, the Tanners including Patrick, and Flint are home. Christine sits up with a small yawn while I move to sit a bit more 'normal'.

'Oh so now you act like a normal girl Jackie now that mom is home.' Christine gently and jokingly pokes my rib.

'Less because of Mother, Patrick, and his parents, and more to not give Flint any more ammo in his delusion that we're just sex crazed animals.' I return the poke in the ribs as the front door opens.

Christine and I get up and walk over to greet Mom with a hug, while each of us rub our muzzles under her chin in that canine pack way of affection. Afterwards, I hug Patrick as his parents, the Tanners take Flint upstairs to his room. The hateful look on his face though causes my tail to bristle a little.

Something tells me he'll never come around to seeing me as the person I was from this, honestly it's a little disappointing losing a connection to that part of my past.

"He's been like that the whole trip from the school." Looking up at Patrick I nod in understanding while letting go of him.

Heading to the kitchen With mother I only hear Christine walk upstairs to my room. Considering we have more or less the same thing every Wednesday, I automatically start to take out what we need to make dinner.

This earns me a joking compliment from mother about me finally learning to cook after all her hard work, I just bat her with my tail once.

'Are you going to the Parent Teacher thing on Monday Mom?' Mother hands me the cutting board as I pull out a knife to use from the knife block.

"Yea. But I'll be avoiding your English/French class teacher, from what I understand, many others will too. So I will be with Mr. Mathew, then Mr. Davidson. More to discuss your path forward due to how well they think you're doing rather than anything disciplinary wise. I think they should start throwing college level material at you so you can earn some credits in case you want to go." I Cut up the veggies while mom talks, this makes me wonder again if I want to go to college or not.

'I'd appreciate the challenge, but, I'm not sure if I want to go to college.' Mother nods knowingly and takes what I've been working on, adding it to the pan, then sets about doing something else. Leaving me to stir it as it sizzles.

"Regardless the credits will be there when you want to go. It will lessen the cost of doing so, but then again the industry crashed when you were still a tyke from all the people they charged so much money too but couldn't repay." I guess I can think of it like that. Better to have it and not need it, rather than need it and not have it.

There's one thing I do want to know of course and I would like to change the subject.

'Can you tell me what you and the Tanners have been doing in the basement and why Christine and I are not allowed down there?' Mom reaches over and gently tussles the fur on my head for a short while with a smile on her face.

"Sorry honey, like we said before, for the moment it's best if you don't know. After you turn Eighteen though, you can make the choice of knowing, and helping with what we plan on doing. Before then, I'd rather you still have the protection of ignorance just in case something happens to us." Tilting my head to the side I stare at mother, she hasn't kept much from me since reuniting with her. So I wonder what this is all.

Least of which under the explanation of my own safety and well-being.

Having nothing else to discuss, and not wanting to press the issue further. Because I know I'll get nowhere and just rile us both up. The only thing we talk about as we continue making dinner is what needs to be done to it and how to do it, so I don't burn it or the house down.

Patrick isn't waiting for me at the dinner table like yesterday, instead I can hear someone, or more than one person making loud noises moving things about downstairs. So I set the table in silence, and then go back into the kitchen to help mother finish up the rest of the dinner. He and the Tanners, minus Flint, are late and look a little tired when they do arrive at the table.

Asking Patrick about it gets the same response that mother gave me. To try to ignore it for now till I turn Eighteen, then he'll tell me if I want to know.

Considering what he does, their viewpoints and how I escaped the United States, I think I can guess what they're doing downstairs. So I respect their attempts to shield me from what I suspect is legally gray activity, and back off, reluctantly. Only looking over to Christine who silently nods to the unsaid question over if she suspects the same thing.

Excusing ourselves like normal, we go upstairs and do our shower and grooming routine before laying down in my bed for another night. Putting us another day closer to Saturday, pleasing Christine a lot.

The next morning I'm in for a little surprise as Mom tells us I'm going to be driving myself to school today, it will be the first time I've done this. She has to make up for the time she's taken off by coming in early. So after breakfast, I grab my keys and soon Christine and I are off to school as I navigate my way there through all the morning traffic.

The term rush hour is now something I'm familiar with now, and hate.

Finding a parking spot at the mall, on a weekend, seems easier than finding one before the first period starts in the school's smaller parking lot. I can now understand why many students avoid driving to school even if they brag about having a car to those who don't. I'm not going to do that considering my car seems to be nothing to brag about compared to others.

We make it to Mr. Mathew's class, just barely though. To my surprise, the other students have stopped trying to move away from me. I don't care as to why, I'm just glad they have.

The rest of the day goes fine, up until lunch that is. Diane enters the overflow room and with a single glare at them, everyone else leaves the room. Either because it was a nonverbal order to pack members, or they didn't want to mess with the largest pack in the school I do not know.

She walks up to the table we're sitting at and sits down in front of us.

'I did what you wanted 'Diane'. Now leave us be.' I don't look up from my lunch, but my free hand does find Christine's to keep her calm. Along with myself to be honest.

'You only did half of what I wanted. I know Flint got the drive unmolested, though to be honest he should've waited to later to do what he did. You still have to attend the assembly on Monday after the half day of classes.' Sighing deeply I look at Diane.

'First off, that just happened the other day and is a private family matter to the Tanner's, so how did you find out? Secondly what was on that drive? Finally, why is it there seems to be talk of so much money over what's going to happen on Monday that Flint had to try to open an unrestricted account?' Diane grins, sending a shiver down my spine while causing Christine to growl out loud.

'Like I'd tell you like some Saturday morning cartoon villain! All you need to know is to be there and because of that neither I nor Flint have to worry about money for the rest of our lives, while my father will belong to me and me alone.' I don't like what she has said one bit.

I know she doesn't like it how I'm back in Anthony's life but what's going to happen on Monday to stop that?

'So whatever this event is, is going to earn you, and him a lot of money and remove me from the picture. Why's that? What does it have to do with us? Or for instance your pack Beta's like Ms. Weaver?' Diane's ears pin back as soon as I say the mouse girl's last name.

'That's none of your fucking business you perverted freak! She's a useless piece of trash like you!' Diane closes her eyes for a moment to calm down. 'Just, enjoy your lunch dear sisters, I'll be glad when I'm rid of both of you and those that are useless to me like Ms. Weaver.' Standing, Diane kicks the table. Shoving it back into us and hitting us in the chest, causing me to grunt. She then storms out of the room.

Gently pushing it back into place I look over to Christine...

'That's not strange at all.' Christine's tone just drips sarcasm. She then looks over to me with the fear and worry clear on her face, the same I'm feeling right now. Honestly, I'm starting to dread Monday.

'I do not like that clue Diane threw at us in a fit of rage. Set for money for the rest of their lives, and be rid of us? What's exactly going to happen on Monday?' Christine puts away what's left of her lunch seeming to have lost her appetite.

'I don't know but I feel like I should actually skip school on Monday, or try too.' Sighing I stand and gather my things, so I can head to gym. I've lost some of my appetite as well.

'I'll tell you from experience Christine, Mother will metaphorically string you up by your tail if she caught you doing that. I tried that only 'once' last time I was in High-School. I've never seen her that angry before, nor do I want to see her like that again.' Christine gathers her own things before nodding.

'I believe you Jackie. I'm not that kind of person anymore. I would try to skip school to get attention before, I don't need to do that now.' With a mutual smile, we give each other a short hug, then head our separate ways for the next two periods.

I know Christine wants the week to be over, so we can have that lunch meeting with her father. I on the other hand am both curious and dreading what's going to happen on that Monday. Mainly because it doesn't matter if Christine's father accepts her or not, I'll still be her sister, and my mother will still gladly be her mother as well.

We'll still be a family for her regardless if her Biological father wants to be a part of it again or not.

Opening the door to the Small breed Bio-Morph locker room I ignore the normal gossip going on inside between the other students, but I do spare a glance at Ms. Weaver, the Mouse girl. Why does Diane think she's worthless? I mean sure, she most likely failed in trying to bully me for Diane. That shouldn't warrant what this mysterious event may be.

Opening the door to Ms. Henderson's office I slip inside and close it behind me.

'Hello Ms. Henderson.' Walking over and placing my backpack on one of the chairs before retrieving my uniform from the cubbyhole.

'Hello Jackie. How feel today?' Casually I change out of the school uniform into the gym one.

'Alright. The leg is still a little sore, but like you said the more I do the exercises the less sore it becomes.' Letting out a sigh before continuing. 'Sadly, Diane has started to bother us again at lunch.' Ms. Henderson humphs as she collects her things for the class.

'What she do?' Stuffing my school uniform into my backpack I then take a small stretch before flicking my tail a little.

'Told us she knew we delivered the thumb drive unmolested. Then commented about a family matter with the Tanners she shouldn't have known about so I wonder how she knew. The only thing I could get out of her about what's going on is that she'll have more than enough money to not have to worry about anything for the rest of her life. She also called me and Ms. Weaver useless pieces of trash. I have a suspicion such a decision on Diane's part is because of how poorly her attempts to bully me through Ms. Weaver fared.' Ms. Henderson's ears lower a bit and her tail does too for a moment.

'Start to agree with you Jackie. Not like what this means and hate fact not have evidence to bring to administration or police. Meaning have no choice but wait till Monday and find out.' Following her out of her office we drop the conversation for now as I join the normal crowd of my class waiting at the back door.

Ms. Henderson looks at her tablet and then over to us.

'Next Monday parent teacher day. As know it half day for half of student body, then next day have off as other half come in for their parent teacher day. Unlike other classes I only want see parents of student who have issues. So this reminder to not misbehave, already have full schedule, not want to add new parents to list, but will if need too. Gym classes today do American Baseball, equipment are already at field, but that not mean be lazy. Like normal last one there will run laps, this time around field as others play.' Standing to the side she lets the class through the doorway, they walk with deliberate speed through the hall and out to the field.

I of course fall behind the group, so I can walk with Ms. Henderson like normal.

'Why Baseball?' Looking over at her while we head in a different direction than the track, soccer, and football field. More to the back of the school rather than off to the side. In an area that makes it obvious the school has been built in a few reclaimed city blocks considering how it abruptly ends at a sidewalk and across the four lane thoroughfare starts businesses and four or five-story buildings.

And the taller skyscrapers just behind those.

The typical bases of the sport and the tall curving fence behind home plate mark the field. Sitting behind that is a smaller set of bleachers, which is our destination.

'Admit not as athletic as other sport, but teach teamwork.' Upon reaching the bleachers I get to work on those leg stretches while the rest of the class divides into teams of their own accord.

Ms. Weaver appears to be chosen last by the entire student body and reluctantly by her team. She's then sent off as far out into the field as to most likely not come into play at all in the game.

'I'll be honest with you, it's not something I'd expect gym class to teach. You know, considering.' I would love to say more than this, but the bleachers are so close to home plate that the other students will hear us.

'The school in countryside not do sports in gym?' Holding my leg up and out like she showed me earlier I can't help grinning a little at her picking my hint up. Guess we can still talk as long as we frame it in the terms of my 'supposed' last school.

'Sports, wasn't a focus for them. More just a way to get us moving and exercising rather than sitting around all day. So we'd be ready for the farm work ahead of us rather than fleeing to the city for 'easy' jobs. Or that's what my last gym teacher kept ranting about everyday.' Considering I don't expect anyone here to go about fact checking things, I think it may be alright to add a bit of embellishment to it here and there.

As long as I don't go over the top.

'Hmph, short-sighted country bumpkins. Sports teach skills needed in walks of life. Teamwork and cooperation biggest ones. Especially between people not see eye to eye.' Lowering my leg, I rub the slightly sore calf muscle. Then I climb up to the row Ms. Henderson's sitting on and join her.

'Yea, one of the biggest issues back there was how strongly divided the cliques were. Nothing like the packs here, mainly because the student body was mostly human. Kinda pointless when looking at it from the outside.' Ms. Henderson nods solemnly.

How did our codded conversation shift to politics? Why did I bring that part up?

'Speak of packs, notice what going on with Ms. Weaver?' Ms. Henderson points out to the farthest position in the outfield. So she noticed it too...

'Wait, you chose Baseball for a reason other than teamwork today didn't you?' Looking at her questioningly Ms. Henderson just slyly smiles back.

'Maybe.' Tilting my head a little as Ms. Henderson's smile becomes a coy one during her reply.

Oh, I think I get it. She said teamwork earlier, she did this to see if other Bio-Morphs in Diane's pack would still cooperate with Ms. Weaver or if she had somehow fallen out of their favor.

The fact that Ms. Weaver wasn't eagerly chosen and then sent out to the least active position of a baseball team speaks volumes on her current position in the pack. As in, she's no longer wanted, but why not just eject her?

'She's being treated like a-' Ms. Henderson politely interrupts me.

'Pack term looking for is Omega. Ms. Weaver now Omega rather than Beta.' Glancing out to the crestfallen Ms. Weaver I look back to Ms. Henderson.

Sighing I slump down on the bench a little.

What I want to say is that this confirms that Diane wants to get rid of her somehow, and me as well. With the other classmates in earshot, and many of said ones in Diane's pack. Talking about how Christine and I have these puzzle pieces, and said pieces show that there's something bad happening on Monday. Would be a bad idea.

We'd be tipping our meager hand for Diane to see, and she'd inform those who planed this event that we know about it in turn.

Ms. Henderson places her hand on my shoulder and squeezes lightly, stilling my nervously swishing tail I only now noticed it was doing. Looking back at her I let out a small sigh through minimally opened lips before saying anything.

'Monday's going to be interesting.' Ms. Henderson shrugs at what I hope won't be an understatement.

'Not first Parent Teacher event. Though if guess, first one with you at school at same time?' Nodding I watch the baseball game a bit. I'm not a fan of baseball to be honest. So I don't know how well the rest of the class is playing.

Only they are playing it, and that one side is winning.

'As paper stated, have class for half day with half student body, then spend rest in assembly while parents talk with us teachers.' Ms. Henderson goes quite for a bit and looks out to the outfield before continuing. 'If not like, or need break from large crowd, east side of auditorium exits to same hallway we exited the building from. Can take break in there. Or outside.' I've not had trouble with large crowds before, but it's good to know regardless.

It's not like I've had too much experience with huge crowds since being converted. The light rail ride in the crowded cab non withstanding.

'What's the assembly about?' Ms. Henderson lets go of my shoulder.

'This year, it about new classes and opportunities for students. For seniors, it talk about some of local colleges and what they offer. Guess it may not be exciting but you not have deal with class and have day off school on Tuesday. So maybe win-win as they say?' Letting out a grumbling sigh before looking over at her.

'Sounds like a real 'fun' time actually.' Ms. Henderson giggles at that, then stands.

'Speaking of time, time almost up for period.' Cupping her hands around her muzzle she looks out at the rest of the class. 'Time up! Put gear behind home base and head to locker room!' Standing myself, I stretch a bit, then follow her down the bleachers.

Everyone else deposits their mitts just behind home plate along with the bat and a few of the balls, the ones that were not lost in the field, for the next class most likely, before heading back around the school to the normal gym entrance. Ms weaver oddly stays back and is actually walking near Ms. Henderson and I as we follow the class.

I'm about to say something, but she beats me to it while putting a venomous tone in her voice.

'I bet you're happy about this.' Um what? Ms. Weaver slows her pace a tad and walks on the other side of Ms. Henderson. She doesn't seem to react too much to Ms. Weaver's presence.

I keep an eye on her while I also try to keep a look out for where I'm going as to not trip.

'About?' Ms. Weaver folds back those mouse ears in a canine fashion of anger. It's kinda funny, like how Ms. Henderson's squirrel tail has the same canine mannerisms.

'Because I failed in what Diane wanted me to do, I've been demoted... Diane doesn't treat omega's well. So I bet you're happy you've won this little battle.' There's that guilt again, first for what she's going to be dragged into on Monday and now this bit of information confirming my suspicions.

'Despite what Diane told you, I'm not a bad person, I take no joy in anyone's suffering. If she's such a bad Alpha to you, and unless you have P.I.D. you can leave your pack willingly. In fact that's what I think you should do Ms. Weaver.' It's at that moment I learn that a mouse can growl, and it's not at all intimidating as it should sound.

'No growling Ms. Weaver. Understand you angry, will overlook this. Not bring it up with parents on Monday along with everything else you did. Now go, head up to rest of class before I change mind on it.' Ms. Henderson thankfully butts into our conversation.

Ms. Weaver lifts her ears up, nods, then goes to catch up to the rest of the class in a jog. Said class want nothing to do with her as they move away as she approaches. Ms. Henderson just shrugs when I look at her.

'As said before, they young and instincts strong and new. She obviously not happy at new status and blame you when Diane is fault for being bad Alpha.' I don't disagree one bit. The only problem is that we reach the building and can't talk as freely inside, so it's a silent walk through the hall and back to the locker room.

Since I didn't do any exercise, and it wasn't too hot out today. I can manage without a shower, so it was only a quick change of uniform and I'm off to Mr. Davidson's Science class.

Because of this I beat Diane there for the first time in over a week. It earns me a dagger filled glare from her as she enters the room though. Once she's seated behind me I just tune her out for the entire class. She seems to ignore me too, considering she doesn't poke me in the back with her pencil again. Or grab my tail.

After class, I'm quick leave her behind. Except I'm on edge all the way to home-room, expecting some of Diane's pack to grab me like that one time. No one does and I make it to Homeroom unmolested.

With the requisite glomping by Christine over with after I enter the room, we take our normal seat at a table in the back.

'How was Baseball?' Speaking softly while taking out what I need for homework. Christine lets out a sigh as she does the same.

'Boring. I was sent all the way out to the outfield, near the street, ended up just standing around for the entire period watching the rest of the class play.' Figured that's where the class would put her. I'd most likely have been sent out there along with Ms. Weaver if I wasn't allowed to sit the class out due to my leg.

'Ms. Weaver ended up there too.' Christine leans against me as we work on our homework.

'Kinda figured considering the rumors I've heard, as well as the complaints from girls in my class who seem to have also fallen out of favor with Diane.' Yea Christine did say yesterday that there were girls in her class who also asked to be in the assembly rather than with their parents.

We finish our homework well before the end of the period, so we just end up watching the rest of the class. People watching being the only thing we can do to pass the time.

Too many people here to talk about Saturday and plan on how to deal with Christine's father with her. We also don't have phones, so we can't just spend the time surfing the internet. Mom said she'd get one for us, but hasn't yet.

For a moment, I swear I saw the second hand go backwards a single tick on the clock. Needless to say once the chime plays, we're out of our seats and out the door before the rest of the class has finished packing up.

The rotation of school exits we've been using to avoid Ms. Alice changes to one of the ones we previously utilized upon noticing a backup of students near the one we were going to use today. At least we don't have to make it to the Light Rail station on time today, or we'd have to jog if not run to catch it.

Only I soon learn the major downside of having your own vehicle to drive to and from school happens to be.

The line to exit the parking lot seems to be moving slower than the groups of students walking for said Station by a wide margin.

'Christine, remind me that next time mother says we can drive ourselves to school, to politely refuse her.' She lets out a barking laugh as I gently hit the back of my head against the headrest a few times, after we've moved a total of two feet in the past five minutes.

'Will do, but at least you have proof you have a car now. I'm surprised how much of a status symbol they are among students to be honest.' glancing around at everyone else, they seem to be in much newer cars than mine.

Hybrids, pure electrics, early self-driving cars with the warning stickers still on them. Only they're faded due to weathering and age.

'We seem to be the only one here using an internal combustion car Christine. I think that might be a negative rather than a plus for me as the odd one out.' Christine shrugs.

'Maybe.' Moving forward about a car length or two, a record! I glance over to Christine once we stop.

'How are you holding up?' The thump of her tail against the seat tells me how she feels before her mouth opens.

'Still stressed and anxious, just one more day and I'll know if Dad will accept me or not.' I spare a moment to squeeze her hand before some more space in front of us opens up.

'As I said before, try not focus too much on it, just makes the time go by slower.' The intersection is visible, we're almost out of here and on our way home!

My tail wags at the thought of that.

'And that's easier said than done Jackie. Especially when our classes are so boring!' I'm about to open my mouth but the intersection light turns green, and we make it out onto the streets.

So in accordance with my learners permit's rules, I have to stay quiet as I drive.

Not like we can be caught and fined, it's just the principal of the thing as I hone my driving skills. Traffic is busy, yet nothing like the crushing mass there was this morning on the way to school.

'I think you're getting better at driving Jackie. I only had two heart attacks during this trip.' Huffing back at her playfully, I pull into our driveway I put the car in park.

'Hardy har har sis. I'm not that bad!' Pulling the parking break while I turn the engine off. I grab my backpack before opening the door and geting out. Christine follows suit. With the car doors securely locked, we head up the front steps to the front door.

Safely inside the house, I exchange my shoes for slippers, and Christine discards hers into a pile. By the time we make it up to my room the front door opens and closes again.

Having just sat down in my computer chair I get back up and head for the door with an annoyed sigh.

'Yea, we're taking the light rail from now on.' Commenting dryly as Christine only answers with a playful wave then takes my place on the chair. I have to go downstairs to help mother cook dinner.

I expect the Tanners to have Flint go up to his room once I'm downstairs, but they all go to the living room instead. I try not to listen in on their family meeting as I help mother make the normal Thursday dinner. Except, they're too loud to ignore with my better than human hearing.

It's mostly about living arrangements, as in where Flint will be staying after the school year ends, because he has his eighteenth birthday about a month prior. Mainly it's because he's made it clear he can't stay here as long as Christine and I live here and behave civilly.

Patrick offers some ideas on how to afford more or less a shoe-box sized apartment with some jobs that may be available to him right out of school. The Tanners tell him that maybe a live in college may be a good choice too, if he can manage to get a sports scholarship somehow.

What surprises me is Flints smug tone of voice telling all three of them that living arrangements won't be a problem.

Glancing over to mom who's frying something, she just shrugs as if to say she has no clue as to what Flint means by this.

Neither does Patrick nor his parents. All three in turn ask Flint what he means by that, and he rebuffs them all with 'you'll see soon enough'. It earns Flint a verbal scolding from his mother along with an order to go to his room by his father. Both having reached the end of their rope dealing with their youngest.

As a way to resist the urge for me to look at him as he passes by the kitchen doorway, I only move my ears to track his angry footsteps.

Dinner lacks Flint's presence again, not that I mind. I've started to scoot my chair closer to Patrick and lean against him as we eat. Of course, seeing this both Mom and the Tanners start teasing about 'grandkids' causing Patrick to nearly spit-take toinight.

Later that evening, after Christine and I have done our evening grooming routine, she instead goes to sit in front of my computer rather than lay on my bed till we fall asleep.

'Not tired?' Laying on my belly with a pillow under me I watch her and her browsing a few of her favorite websites. My tail is just laying there between my legs with the tip slowly twitching as my ears just kinda naturally splay, their default position when not showing any kind of emotion or I'm not forcing them into a certain position.

'How can I be? Tomorrow's Friday, and then we see my dad the day after. I haven't been this anxious since I was a little girl! When it was Christmas eve and before I understood what was going on in my family.' Christine folds her ears back but her tail twitches until I notice the signs she's forcing it to stop.

It looks stiffer and less flowy like normal, kinda hard to explain. I just kinda know. I think this may be like understanding other human faces for humans.

'Spending all night on my computer isn't going to do anything but make you tired tomorrow Christine. Besides, how many times can you refresh that site and expect more stuff to appear when the writers are most likely asleep already?' Christine's ears just kinda, pop up nearly instantly as she realizes that yes, she's been refreshing the same web page over and over. Just so she doesn't get mad, I have to suppress a laughing yip after seeing it.

I pat the bed next to me as I roll over onto my side and stick the pillow between my legs for support.

'Shut the computer off and the lights, then come here sis.' Christine does so but as the computer shuts down, she swivels the chair and looks at me. A mischievous grin growing on her muzzle.

'Is my sister and Alpha coming onto me?' Wait, what?? My own ears shoot straight up as my tail poofs out, looking like a bottle brush. This is followed by Christine nearly rolling on the ground laughing in loud yips and barks.

'Oh hell, the look on your face Jackie was priceless. You have to admit it, you did walk into that one!' Razzing Christine I pat the bed again.

'You know what I meant Christine. I was going to cuddle you and pet your head to help you relax, like we've done to each other before. Besides, I still want to sleep even if you don't.' Still in a fit of giggles Christine goes about shutting off the lights, leaving the nightstand one till she's on the bed and the little spoon to my big one.

'I know, but as I said, you walked into that with how you phrased it.' With one arm over her belly, I use my other to gently pet her head, ears, and muzzle. It takes a bit, but I can feel her start to relax, then yawn.

A moment later I feel Christine snuggle against me a little more, her hands gently holding onto the arm I have around her waist before she goes limp in that telltale way of being asleep. Knew this would get her to calm down.

Yawning once, I lay my head gently onto hers and close my eyes. Christine isn't the only one anxious for Saturday, I'm worried about how she'll take it if her dad rejects her.

The shell I found her in back at Mauri's has been left behind, but I fear she'll crawl back into it if he doesn't want to see her considering how the simple wait is tearing her up emotionally.

Sleep eventually claims me due to Christine's rhythmic heart-beat, but not without possibly an hour or more of this simple worry about her well-being coursing thorough my mind.