Living with a Hybrid

Chapter 6

The sun rays reflected on the living room's window where Holly, Max and Kyle were hanging around. Today's sunday which means there's no school or work. Just them taking a break and chillin'.

The two hybrids were comfortable setting their ears and tail free while they played jenga and the loser will have to wash the dishes. It was Kyle's turn, he squinted his eyes not wanting to lose focus as he stacked his block carefully. He punched the air when he successfully did and it was now Max's turn. He let out a sigh and cracked his knuckles before eyeing the towered blocks. He lightly pushed the block that he first saw but unfortunately it resulted to knocking the tower down.

"Noooo!" he screeched. Holly and Kyle high-fived for winning while the dog hybrid whimpered in defeat.

"Dude, you're really bad at this game. I can't believe you lost three times in a row." Kyle stated teasing which he owned a glare from the dog hybrid.

"It's unfair because you're a cat." Max whined.

"What's that even have to do with this?"

"Well, cats are really careful, you guys even walk lightly."

"Dude that doesn't even make any sense. You're just bad at it and I'm good. Holly's not even a cat but she still won." Kyle can't help but laugh at Max's reasons.

"Maybe try winning next time pup." Holly chuckled.

"Shut upp, I did it on purpose. I let you guys win."

"Of course you did." Both Holly and Kyle laughed as Max rolled his eyes with the continues teasing when suddenly Holly's phone rang. She excused herself for a moment to answer the call.

One of her bandmate called, she needed to talk with her with an important stuff and asked Holly to meet with her even just for a minute. Holly let out a sigh, it was supposed to be a free day for her. She's honestly too lazy to leave the house and she's having fun with the two hybrids but she really can't say no. Important stuff should always come first. Holly went back and saw them at the kitchen teasing each other. Holly's lips curled up letting out a small giggle.

"Guys I need to leave for a moment." Holly interrupted them.

"What? Why? We're supposed to play more games right?" Max whined while still holding the sponge to wash the dishes.

"I know, but it won't take long I promise. I'll bring snacks too."

Holly hurriedly left and made sure to lock the door. She noticed how the hybrids became comfortable with her presence. Comfortable enough to expose themselves and it somehow felt good for her. A smile was plastered on her face as she walks out the building.

They were meeting in a café, Holly wondered what is it that they're gonna have to talk about that it couldn't even wait until tomorrow. Is she gonna leave the band? or does she want Holly out of the band? that thought sent shivers to her spine. She can't afford to lose this job, although it's not like they were paid big, it's just that she loves singing.

Holly entered the café and as soon as their eyes met, her bandmate, Becky waved her hand while smiling.

"Hey, I'm sorry I had to call you here in your precious free day." Becky stated giving her an apologetic look. Holly then shooked her head.

"It's fine, don't worry. So what's up?" honestly, she's really nervous. She can even feel her lips trembling and hand shaking as her heart was thumping loudly. Why is she even feeling this way? Holly doesn't know why she came up with the thought of getting kicked out in the band.

"Well, I do need to talk to you about something important."

"Uh-huh?" this is it? Is she really gonna be kicked out?

"You see, you're a good singer Holly, you really are and as the leader of the band, I just want to ask if it's okay with you to---" Becky wasn't even finished yet when Holly cut her

"Please don't, I really need this job." Holly lowered her head, she can't even see how confuse Becky is right now.

"What?"

"Don't kick me out." Holly was now teary-eyed, she hates begging but if she really needs to do it right now she wouldn't mind.

"What are you talking about? Of course we'll never kick you out. I just told you you're a good singer, you're the perfect vocalist of this band." Holly forehead creased

"So you're not kicking me out?"

"Of course not, you silly" Becky chuckled "What I was about to say is if it's okay with you to perform in a mini concert we were invited to. You'll represent our band."

Her thoughts were in a mess, she can't process every word that left Becky's mouth. She wasn't getting fired but instead, she was invited to perform in a mini concert and will represent their band. Oh my god, Holly felt like throwing up. Performing in a crowd where people would finally appreciate her--- or not? but whatever. Her heart was now beating two times faster than before.

"Hey? So what do you say?" She snapped out of her thoughts when Becky waved her hand infront of her face.

"Yes, yes I'm good, I can do that. I will"

"Woah, chill. I can see you're getting nervous" Becky once again chuckled. Holly didn't thought she'd be this obvious.

"I'm sorry, it's just... It would be my first time. I got a little tensed." Holly bit her lower lip and hung her head low, she can feel her cheeks heat up.

"Don't worry, we'll be there and we'll help you okay? This would be a great opportunity to expose our band and your talent."

A contract was signed as she left the café with mixed emotions when her phone suddenly rang. It was Giselle. Wait, does Giselle even knows?

"Heyy so you and Becky already talked?" Giselle asked on the other line.

"You knew?"

"Of course dummy. Surpriise! and another surprise I'm on my way to your unit."

"I'm not home yet."

"I know but remember I have a duplicate of your key the last time you asked me a favor and we got in trouble 'cause I wasn't able to enter your room and you asked me to get a duplicate just in case?"

And that hit Holly. f**k! The hybrids were there and if Giselle enters she'll find out Holly was living with a hybrid. It slipped her mind honestly with too much going on right now.

"No, no Gi don't enter! I'm on my way now or we can go out and celebrate you know? So what do you say?" again her heart began pounding loudly.

"Uhhh it's okay we can do it in your unit, I brought a cake though."

"No! We don't have to, I mean let's go somewhere else?"

"Too late, I'm on your building. Come home quick, I'll wait for you. Ciao~"

"Wait, wait no!" Giselle already hang up and Holly was beginning to tensed again. If Giselle finds out, the hybrid might think Holly betrayed them. f**k! No! Holly ran as fast as she could and rode a cab.

Meanwhile the two hybrids were peacefully watching a movie, ears and tail still exposed while waiting for Holly to get back when suddenly they heard a key shuffling from a far and they were sure whoever it is it's coming in this room. They immediately turned off the television. The smell wasn't Holly either but confusing since they can smell her a bit in this person. They both were frozen when the door unlocked as it creaked pushed open revealing an unfamiliar person. They don't have time to run and grab their beanies or to hide their tails or even just hide from this person. Fear crept into them as their gaze met hers. Her jaw dropped and froze as she covered her mouth.

It wasn't even a minute when the door once again swung open and Holly entered sweats dripping drom her forehead while breathing loudly.

"Gi, I can explain." Holly stated in between breaths.

"Oh my gosh Holly, yes please do explain why you haven't told me that you own a samoyed puppy and a short haired british cat?"

"What? I do?" Holly was confused, she was sure she doesn't have any pets.

"Duh? Them?" Giselle gave way and there Holly saw what she meant. No way! How come? When did it happen?

"Oh yeah, about that I was about to tell you... i think?"

"I can't believe you kept this from me. Is that why you don't want me to come here? and why you keep convincing me that we go somewhere else?" Giselle sulks as she held the puppy in her arms and snuggled it.

"I will tell you but not today you know since they're tired? and not feeling well? I guess..."

"You're so selfish keeping this baby away from me. It's a good thing I have a duplicate of your key if not, I wouldn't have seen this cute furball." Giselle brushed her face on the puppy's fur. Holly was thinking what would Max feel about this. The cat, which is Kyle jumped at Holly's lap as he layed comfortably.

"Be careful Gi, umm Max isn't feeling well. He kept throwing up and pooping from time to time and it has worm? in it?" Holly lied, she doesn't know what to say. All she wants was to put the two hybrids in her bedroom and make Giselle leave.

"Oh my gosh, why didn't you say so. Aww poor pup." She carefully placed the puppy down and gave him one last smooch.

Holly immediately carried them, putting them in her bedroom.

"I'm sorry guys. I didn't know this would happen. We'll talk later." Holly closed the door and faced Giselle.

"I'm sorry about that. They're still sick so that's the reason I haven't told you yet."

"No worries, I understand now. Max is so cute I wanna cuddle him." Giselle let out a giggle.

"I know right, and Kyle too." Holly smiled realizing it was her first time seeing Kyle in his cat form.

"Well, about that. I'm not really a fan of cats."

"What? Why?" Holly can't believe there are people who doesn't like cats. They're the cutest and they're also smart too.

"It's not that I hate them. I'm just scared of them because I got somehow attacked before." Giselle placed the chocolate cake on the table and sliced one for Holly and one fore her.

"What happened?"

"I don't know, I was just sitting and then suddenly two cats were starting to approached me and they were like hissing? I didn't even do anything. I tried getting away but they kept following me and before I knew it they jumped on me and scratched me. After that I would never get near any cats. They're cute yeah, but scary as hell."

Holly can't help but laughed at the funny scenario.

"You're so mean, I got traumatized because of it you know." Giselle rolled her eyes and took a bite of the cake.

"I'm sorry, it's just funny and cute." Holly held her stomach while still laughing.

"Yeah whatever. Oh so yeah, congratulations you're about to sing infront of a crowd where people genuinely appreciates talent."

"It's honestly nerve wrecking."

"Oh we all know you'll do well."

"I hope so."

Giselle didn't stayed for too long. She just wanted to have a quick chat with Holly and eat some cake just to congratulate her. Of all people, Giselle was the person who knows how much this means to Holly. She wanted to be there for her to let her know she got her back and she's proud of her. Someday Holly's dream will be achieved little by little.

Holly silently walked towards the bedroom and leaned her ear on the door. She's nervous, really nervous 'cause what if they'd start thinking that she let Giselle in on purpose and betrayed them? that would be horrible. She can't hear anything so she's thinking that maybe they're still in their animal form. She knocked twice and carefully twist the doorknob.

She was greeted with the two hybrids sitting in bed and hugging plushies in silence.She was wrong, they were no longer in their animal form. She cleared her throat to get their attention. Holly can see how upset they are. Kyle wasn't looking at her and has a blank expression, Max on the other hand looked straight in her eyes but it's dead. Oh God, is Max really mad? Did Holly just happened to remind him about the betrayal yhing that happened to him before? Honestly this is gonna be the first time she'll witness Max mad.

"I'm sorry. I swear I don't have anything to do with what happened earlier. I was also surprise when she told me she was on her way here and the duplicate key honestly slipped my mind. I'm really sorry." She was hoping that they won't lash at her and leave.

"Really Holly? Throwing up? and poop with worm?? why can't you give a less disgusting excuse. That's so embarrassing." Holly was confuse, what's happening?

"Nothing's more embarassing than transforming in our animal form." Kyle stated and that's why he can't look at Holly. He was embarassed.

"Wait, so you're not mad at me?"

"No, it was clearly an accident. No one wants that to happen." Max's words helped Holly breathe again. She really thought they'd get mad at her but luckily they understood.

Of course, of course I would never do that to you." Holly smiled but it's the hybrids turn to get confuse.

"Are you okay?" Max asked with a concerned expression.

"Yeah, I was just afraid that you'd think that I did that on purpose which is really not. I promise." Holly was fidgeting, she secretly took a quick glance of Max but he wasn't seem upset anymore.

"We know and we heard your friend said you did your best to stop her. That's all that matters you know?" Kyle reassured her, they didn't really think that Holly betrayed them tho, didn't even crossed their minds.

"Thank you. I'll make sure that won't happen again. I'll take the duplicate key back." Holly quickly sent Giselle a message regarding the duplicate key that she needs to dispose.

"And you're not gonna lie to us right?" Max's question caught her off guard but she didn't let them notice. She took a deep breath.

"I could never." She flashed her sweetest smile that brought smile to the two hybrids as well.

Lies. She had been lying for some time but this isn't the right time for them to know. If possible she doesn't want them to know at all. It might sound selfish but she just doesn't want them to know 'cause there's no point anymore and above all Holly doesn't wanna hurt them and she doesn't wanna lose them as well so she kept it in within her hoping they would never have to talk about it. Ever.