Living with a Hybrid

Chapter 2

Holly groaned when she heard her alarm buzzing, she got up annoyed, and shut it off aggressively. Max didn't wake me up. Is he still asleep?

It was saturday and she has no class but she still needs to leave for her part-time job. Holly sighed, she could've been out now hanging out with her friends but she can't 'cause she doesn't have anyone to pay for her bills, tuition, and basic needs. She only has herself. She can only count on herself.

Holly noticed how the unit was quiet, At this hour Max would be busy cooking or setting up the table but there was nothing. Just when she was about to think that maybe Max was still asleep, she saw a note on the table.

"Good morning Holly, I left you breakfast. I'm sorry I needed to leave early, Kyle covered my shift yesterday so I needed to make it up for my missed shift. Have a good day!" - Max

Holly smiled, he really is the sweetest puppy ever. She immediately grabbed her breakfast or if she can still call this breakfast since it was almost lunchtime.

She hid the key under the flower pot and left for her work. She'll only be there for 5 hours, she hopes to go home before Max so she can cook for them instead.

"It's a good thing that it's already saturday, less exhaustion." Giselle, her friend commented. Holly first met Giselle as a member of the band but later on, they found out they were both studying at the same school and with the same course in the same class. Learning how similar their situations are they became someone they can rely on.

"Agreed, tho living in this cruel world has been exhausting already."

They both were called to start rehearsing, Holly has dreamt of becoming a singer before but now? she no longer minds if she's just singing in a cheap place or for a few people as long as it gives her money to tend to her needs. All she wants now is to graduate and get a decent job.

Holly stared at the people who doesn't even care about them performing in front but despite that she still poured her heart out relaying the message of the song she was singing. Even tho they may not be listening, even tho they may not appreciate her voice and even tho she may be nothing to them. She still sang as if she was in a crowd full of people that sees her worth.

They did around 5 songs before calling it a day, she never felt tired because it was her passion instead it makes her happy and satisfied.

"Great job everyone!" the manager of the restaurant exclaimed and gave them their payslip.

It was already 5 in the afternoon. The band members invited her for dinner and maybe for a drink too but she declined. 'Cause what if Max was already home and he's alone? she can't bare thinking about it. That poor puppy.

Holly arrived just in time but Max wasn't home yet, she immediately changed and went straight to the kitchen and look for something to cook. Max has been cooking for her and this time she wanted to do it since he'll be home late.

An hour had passed but the young man wasn't still home. Holly was beginning to get anxious, when he found max he transformed into a puppy because he was beaten up by horrible human beings and they even have the guts to think hybrids are monsters when in fact it's them, who are the monsters. It made her want to throw up.

"This isn't gonna work. I need to find him" she was about to walk to her room to get her hoodie when the door swung open and Max entering. He seems tired and sad.

"Hey, are you okay?" Holly got really worried, if Max got beaten up just now, she swears she will find those monsters.

"It hurts, it hurts so bad." Max whimpered. Holly guided him to the sofa, he looks really in pain.

"What hurts Max? Did someone hurt you?"

"No, it's my ears it hurts." and that's when she realized the hybrid was wearing a beanie probably to cover his ears. She gently took it off and the poor puppy his ears were folded.

"The wound from yesterday hasn't gotten better yet no wonder it was hurting and you've been wearing that beanie for hours."

Holly stood and went to get her med kit and cleaned his wound again.

"There you go, since tomorrow is sunday I'm guessing you're not going to work right?"

Max nodded and he still looks in pain and also he keeps looking at Holly with his puppy eyes and she can't help but adore him.

"Since you're not leaving tomorrow, you're free to set those poor fluffy ears free okay?" and by that, his eyes lit up and his tail wagging excitedly. God he's so adorable, it felt like Holly has her own pet dog now.

"I cooked dinner and I've been waiting for you so we can eat together."

"You did?" his eyes sparkling like a star.

Holly nodded, like how he waited for her yesterday morning. He smiled brightly as they both went to the kitchen for dinner.

"So who's this Kyle?" Holly remembered the note earlier and the name mentioned in it.

"Oh, it's my friend from the café I'm working."

"So you befriended him at work?"

"He's my childhood friend actually and we went here together to get a job and experience living with humans."

"You mean... he's a hybrid too?"

Max almost spat the water he's drinking. He wasn't supposed to tell other people about the other hybrids. It would be a risky thing to do for them.

"Uhh did I say that? No I mean I met him here and we became friends so yeah I guess that's how it is." Holly saw how he gulped the glass of water, shifted his gaze, and shook his legs unconsciously under the table.

"Max, I won't tell anyone about you guys. I respect your kind and I hate thinking people have the audacity of hurting you."

She would never tell anyone, aside from the fact that she doesn't want them to be in danger she also has no one to talk to about some stuff. Giselle is her only friend and even tho knowing she also won't dare tell anyone she still won't risk it. She saw how he hesitated at first.

"I trust you, Holly. Yes, Kyle is a hybrid too. A cat hybrid to be exact but he doesn't hurt anyone. He's kind and sweet. Really."

"I believe you, Max."

Holly gave him a smile. She can't imagine how they were living with the fear that if one finds out they were different they'll get beaten up or who knows what worst they can do.

"You're safe here Max, I won't let anyone hurt you. You can also invite your cat friend here, I don't mind at all."

Max felt excited and asked her if Kyle can come next weekend. Holly agreed with a smile on her face.

She hates it when people can't respect differences, she hates it when they can't respect different perspectives. She may have known Max not that quite long but she can tell how innocent and lovely he is. He can't even hurt a fly.

"Can you tell me about yourself Holly?"

The latter stiffened from the question, she can't tell him that yet. He'll get scared for sure and she doesn't want that to happen.

"Well, I'm Holly, a graduating college student and aside from being a student, I'm also working a part-time job so I can support myself. I work as a vocalist in a band and we play at the Casa de Restaurant 10-minute walk away from here. 3 hours on weekdays and 5 hours on saturdays."

"Wow! so you're a singer?" Max commented amusedly.

"If you can call that a singer." Holly chuckled.

"Of course, I wanna hear you sing but not here. I'll visit you at your work but I won't tell you when. It's gonna be a surprise."

"That place is crowded Max, be careful okay?" He nodded repeatedly while his tail starts wagging again. Holly noticed it happens whenever he gets really happy or excited. He really is a puppy.

Holly never had any pets before whether it may be a cat or a dog. None. Her parents won't allow her, it's a good thing that she no longer lives with them. Max may be half-human but you can really tell he still has dog things which are cute. He looks like a puppy and he acts one too a lot.

"Hmm, we should still do something about your room." Holly hasn't found a solution for his sleeping space yet.

"I'm fine on the couch. It's comfy and I can sleep soundly."

That still doesn't sound right. And then a brilliant idea struck her. She doesn't know what she's doing but maybe it's not gonna be that bad and awkward right?

Her room was actually quite big but her bed is for one person only. She thought of dividing the space so Max would have his own space in the room.

"We're sleeping together in one room? That doesn't sound right Holly" Max's face began to heat up just thinking about it.

"Of course not. We are not sleeping together like literally laying on the same bed Max. That would be my space, and this is gonna be your space the only problem now is your bed." she explained clearly so he won't have any weird ideas about it.

"Oh, I can buy my own bed. I saw how there's a discount at the store near the café I'm working at."

"It's settled then."

Holly's decisions were all rushed, she didn't even think that she was letting a MAN stay in her unit and letting a MAN stay with her in the same bedroom. All she has in mind is how that MAN was also a hybrid who was kind, innocent, and lovely. She couldn't care less anymore. This was the first time that she had company other than Giselle's, the first time she had someone with whenever she was just at home, someone she can talk to and someone she can take care of.

Its been a week since they were living together. On those days Holly slowly got to know Max better and she lets him know her too. She went to school and so is Max who also went to his workplace.

Max and Kyle wore their beanies while working, no one questioned them tho because it was also kind of a trend.

"Hey Kyle, wanna hang out at my new home this sunday?" it was break time for them, they both went to the storage room to rest and talk.

"Really? I can?" Kyle asked with beaming eyes.

"Of course, Holly said so."

"Who's Holly?" Kyle's forehead creased upon mentioning an unfamiliar name.

"The human I'm living with."

"Oh, on second thought I think I'm gonna be busy." Max frowned at his lies.

"No, you're not. You still doubt her?"

"I'm just being cautious okay? I'm protecting you."

"Then visit, so you can find out for yourself how kind, sincere and thoughtful she is." Kyle scoffed and shook his head in disbelief.

"I can't believe you're already down so bad. You already trust her."

"Come and if you tell me I can't trust Holly after meeting her, then I'll leave. I promise." Kyle stared at him for a second.

"Okay deal." they shook hands and sealed the deal.

Max knows Kyle will like Holly. Among the humans he met, she was the kindest and she accepts hybrids without feeling disgusted. If only all humans are like her then they would no longer have to hide themselves and live in fear.

After a couple of hours, their shift was finally done, and are now ready to go home. Max and Kyle always make sure that the door of the changing room was locked whenever they changed back into their comfy clothes. They can't risk exposing themselves and besides they were always the last ones to change and leave the café.

"Don't forget about the deal alright?" Max reminded Kyle as he took his bag and hang it on his right shoulder.

"I won't. A deal is a deal. You better do what you promise, you know you can't break a hybrids deal."

"And make sure you're honest with your opinion."

"You know I'm always honest."

"I know."

They bid goodbye and went their separate ways. Max was just taking a walk every time he goes home 'cause he loves walkies so much and he also loves observing what humans usually do especially at this hour, their actions, expressions, and emotions. Hybrids are also good at sensing other people's emotions, they can tell if ones having a bad day or if someone is sad, happy, tired, and more.

Max unlocked the door and was greeted with emptiness. Holly's not home yet. She always goes home late every weekdays. Studying and working, she must be really tired.

He was done preparing for their dinner and is now patiently waiting for Holly to arrive like the dog he is and because he's a dog even if Holly was still far away he can already smell her, that got him excited and his tail starts wagging.

"Welcome home!" he greeted as soon as Holly arrived. It made the latter smile despite the exhaustion she was feeling.

They happily ate and asked about how each other's day went.

"I already asked Kyle if he can come over and he says yes." Max announced.

"What if your friend gets scared of me? what if he won't like the fact that you're staying with a human?"

Holly noticed how his mood suddenly shifted, his ears dropped indicating he was kind of sad or disappointed.

"Honestly he's cautious with humans. No one knows what are they going to do to us if they found out we're hybrids. He's scared and overprotective of me."

"I understand, If I was him I'd do the same thing. To witness how cruel the world can be is the worst."

"By the way, am I the first hybrid you met?" he asked full of curiosity.

"Yes, you're the first hybrid I met and befriended." the hybrid's eyes lit up from excitement, and a wide smile plastered on his face.

"Hmm aside from Kyle, do you know other hybrids?"

"I do know a lot way back home but here, I only know Kyle. I guess everyone is cautious too."

Holly wanted Max to trust her that she will never hurt them, she will never be the monster her parents wants her to be and she will never be the monster like the people who hurts them. She despises them. She would protect hybrids, whatever it may cost, she will fight for them.

While washing the dishes Holly noticed how there were sticks scattered on the floor and some leaves too. She picked one and raised it.

"Max, what's this?" looking at the object Holly raised, he quickly ran toward her.

"Oh, those are pretty sticks I found on the street while walking home."

Holly laughed, that is so cute of him. He brought home some random sticks and leaves 'cause he finds them pretty. When she said he still has his dog things, this is what she meant. He also chews the throw pillows sometimes whenever he gets stressed or bored and whimpers when he feels sad.

As the night got deeper and the sky got darker they both went to their room and finally got some good rest.

Max had already bought his own bed, he also has his own space but something is still missing and he doesn't know what it is. Probably a plushie for a cuddle but he knows deep inside that's not it. He snapped out of his thoughts and drifted to sleep.