Sage

Sage’s P.O.V.

Do I really have to get out of bed? Why did we have to move? I was happy where we were. I had friends, and my school was incredible. It was a human school, but I never had any trouble keeping my secret. I’m a panda shifter, and my panda’s name is Piper.

My parents found out about schools for shifters, so we moved to another town just so I could go to a school with other shifters. What’s wrong with humans? I got along with them.

“Sage, it’s time to get up. You don’t want to be late on your first day.” How does she know I don’t want to be late? Maybe I want to make a dramatic entrance, or maybe I want to hide in the back of the classroom and hope no one notices the new girl. I groan as I get out of bed and go to the bathroom.

Looking at myself in the mirror, I stick my tongue out at myself. I’m eleven, that awkward age where my body is beginning to look more like a woman, but it just makes me feel weird. At least I have decent hair. It’s long, black and shiny. My green eyes are okay, too, I guess.

“Come on, I don’t want to be late. It’s so cool to be going to a school for shifters.” Obviously, Piper is more excited than I am.

I quickly get dressed, brush my hair, and grab my backpack. My mom looks over my jeans, T-shirt, and sneakers when I get downstairs and nods.

“Are you ready to go?” She asks, sitting a bowl of oatmeal in front of me. I start eating it but don’t taste anything. How can I eat when I’m dreading today?

“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. Can’t I talk you and Dad into moving back home? I want to go back to my school with my friends.” I plead as I eat my oatmeal.

“Sorry, sweetie, but we’re staying here. I think once you get in there and see what it’s like, you’ll love it.” She kisses my head. I’m not going to argue with her because I know it will be useless.

We get in the car, and Mom drives me to school. Willow Creek Academy comes into view, and I feel like I’m being sent to prison. Don’t get me wrong, the school is beautiful and modern, but it’s still an institution.

“Will you stop acting like I’m dropping you off at a dungeon where they’re going to torture you all day?” Mom says as she pulls up to the front to let me out. Obviously, it’s been a while since she’s been to school because she basically just described what school is.

“Fine. Thank you for bringing me to a place filled with sunshine and laughter.” I say sarcastically. Mom laughs and shakes her head.

“It’s going to be fine, I promise. Have a good day, and I’ll see you after school.” She kisses my cheek, and I get out of the car.

After she drives away, I walk toward the front door. No one knows me here, so I can be whatever I want. They don’t have to know that I’m a bookworm who would rather live in my stories than in real life. I try to smile, but it feels weird, so I just relax my face so I’m not scowling at people as they walk by. I feel like I’m doing a pretty good job until I reach the door and see a boy staring at me.

“Is there something wrong with your face?” He asks. I bite my tongue before I say the comeback that was ready to fly out of my mouth.

“Why would you think something was wrong with my face?” I ask, looking around, thankful that he’s alone. He’s tall with dark brown hair and blue eyes. I haven’t been around many other shifters, so I have no idea what he is.

“You looked like you didn’t know whether to laugh or glare.” He says, holding the door open for me. Well, at least he has manners.

“It’s my first day, and I don’t want people to see how much I don’t want to be here,” I tell him honestly as we step inside.

“It’s my first day, too. I begged my parents to bring me here. What’s your name, and what are you?” He asks as we head to the office to get our schedules.

“I’m Sage, and I’m a panda. What about you?” I ask, looking around at the people passing by. So far, this isn’t too bad. No one is even paying attention to me.

“Sage like the herb? That’s cool. I’ve never met a panda. I’m Bobo, and I’m a sasquatch.” I stop and turn to look at him.

“Bobo like the clown and Sasquatch like Bigfoot?” I ask him in disbelief.

“Yes, to both. My real name is Boman, but I prefer Bobo. So now that we know each other, can we be friends? At least we both know someone here now.” He has a good point. When we reach the school office he opens the door for me again.

“Okay,” I reply. We get our schedules and find out we have many of the same classes, including homeroom. We’re early when we get to the room, but everyone still turns to stare. At least I’m not alone.

“Welcome to Willow Creek Academy. Are you Sage and Boman?” The man in the front of the classroom asks.

“Yes.” We answer simultaneously. Great, we’re already speaking at the same time.

“I’m Mr. Gregory. Please sit wherever you’d like, “he says. Bobo and I sit at a table in the middle of the room.

“Are you brother and sister?” A girl with short blonde hair sitting in front of us asks.

“No,” I answer. She nods, looking between the two of us.

“I’m Bailey, a tiger.” She says with a smile. She seems nice enough.

“I’m Sage, a Panda,” I reply.

“I’m Bobo, a sasquatch,” Bobo says.

“I’ve only been here for a few weeks, so I’m glad I’m no longer the newbie. Has anyone said anything to you about the students who have started disappearing?” Bailey leans forward excitedly.

“No. What do you mean they’re disappearing?” I ask her, leaning forward as well.

“I overheard some girls talking in the bathroom, and they said that a few students are missing, but people are keeping it quiet. She said someone thinks whoever is taking them is using the shifter schools as a hunting ground to find certain shifters for experiments.” I look at Bobo, who looks just as shocked as I feel. If this is true, what did we get ourselves into?