The Hybrid and the Portal

Chapter 2 Starsy Mae

Chapter 2 Starsy Mae

We all sat down and had our dinner and we laughed and talked.

Suddenly it was time for our baths and to get ready for bed.

My birthday was 2 days away and I was so excited that I had trouble getting to sleep.

That was the last time I remember being happy as a kid. The last time my whole family sat down and ate together, laughed together. Mum and dad started fighting over everything. Where we’d go, how we’d keep food in the house.

The day before my birthday Tallon got up and got ready for school, he grabbed some toast as he was running out the door, so he didn’t miss the school bus. He called out saying he loved us, and he would see us later that day, but none of us could have ever known how much our lives were going to be flipped upside down.

Tallon was smiling and laughing with his friends as he was waiting for the school bus. Then suddenly, he was gone. Someone had taken him.

Someone must have found out that he was a hybrid. Hybrids like us aren’t even herd of. We shouldn’t exist…

It was the most heartbreaking thing my family ever went through, none of us have ever really gotten over it. We stayed and searched for a few years, the police had given up and even though there were a few calls with apparent leads, they always lead nowhere.

By my 8th birthday my parents had decided it was time to pack up and leave, being in our family’s house was too painful for them. So, from then on, we never stayed anywhere too long. My parents always kept me close. I was only ever allowed out of their sight while I was at school, but they would always drop me off and pick me up. 

I struggled to make friends in primary school, I always kept to myself. I was too afraid of anyone getting to know me, what if they found out what I was? Would I disappear like my brother?

I kept my head down in school and always got good grades, I managed to graduate primary school early due to how well I did in school. We moved during the holidays and my parents finally promised that we could stay in the one place throughout my high school years if I didn’t draw too much attention to myself.

I was so nervous to start high school.

“Breakfast is ready my little bug.” Mum called out from downstairs.

I had just jumped out of the shower; I threw my hair up into a high ponytail and walked to my closet to work out what to wear for the day. I decided on a mid-thigh length summer dress that was a beautiful ocean blue and a pair of ballet flats.

I grabbed my bag from next to my desk and ran down the stairs.

Mum was sitting at the table putting together a plate of food for me.

“How are you feeling? Are you excited?”

“I’m a bit nervous but so excited mum! I can’t wait to see what high school is going to be like! I wonder what classes I’m going to have.”

I sat down to eat my plate of scrambled eggs, bacon and toast.

I jumped into mum’s car so she could take me to school, as we pulled up, I took it all in. It was a massive building; I was sure I was going to get lost at some point today.

“Thanks for the lift mum, I’ll see you after school.” I said as I gave her a hug and got out of the car. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and slowly exhaled then I threw my bag over my shoulder and started walking towards the front doors.

I managed to find my way to the front office fairly easy to get my class schedule, then I started looking for my first class. As I was walking down the hallway looking at my bit of paper, I accidently bumped into someone. “I’m so sorry!” I said feeling completely embarrassed. “I should have been looking where I was going.”

“It’s okay, don’t stress about it, accidents happen!” she replied. “Hi, my names Starsy Mae.”

She was beautiful, she looked like she was the most popular student in the school. She was tall, had waist length blue hair that fell in perfect looking curls, stunning hazel eyes and what looked like the perfect summer tan. She looked to be a few years older than I was.

“Hey, I’m Almara. I’m new here, it’s my first day.”

“It’s nice to meet you Almara, are you finding everything okay? Did you need any help?”

“Actually, if you wouldn’t mind, could you point me in the direction of Mr. Kams science class?” I replied.

“I sure can. Go to the end of the hall, up the stairs, take your first left and it’s the first door on the right. He’s a great teacher.” Starsy said with a smile.

“Thank you so very much! You have been a massive help.”

“Hey, did you want to have lunch together today? I remember how scary my first day here was because I didn’t know anybody.”

“I would love too.”

“Awesome, meet me under the big tree out by the oval at lunch. I’ll see you then!” She called out as she ran off towards her classroom.

My first few classes seemed to fly by and the next I knew; the bell was ringing to signal it was time for lunch. I started heading towards the cafeteria and out through the big doors. I stopped and looked around trying to work out which direction I was going when someone waving caught my eye.

“HEY ALMARA, OVER HERE!”

She was standing up waving her arm around like crazy.

I tucked my hair behind my ear, smiled and walked over to her. She told me all about her family and how annoying her younger brothers were. She was one of 4 kids and the only girl. They lived just out of town in a massive mansion, her dad was away for work most of the time.