T U E S D A Y M O R N I N G

The girl hesitantly reached for the doorknob, turning it with an unsteady hand. She took a deep breath before opening the door; the early hour still present.

Despite the crisp air, a bead of sweat ran down her back. After the thoughts of yesterday, she was on edge. When getting ready this morning, she made sure her tentacles were under multiple layers of clothes. Being caught now wasn't a choice, especially after hearing the murmurs about hybrids the day before.

She talked with her father — their conversation surrounding the topic of invisibility potions. "I've been working on one recently; I'll need a test subject soon." He was a doctor for humans and an undercover nurse for hybrids. He mainly worked on medicine that can help them fit in, even if he wasn't one himself.

Maybe, just maybe, this new recipe could work.

///

Seungmin watched from Woojin's window. He watched as the girl seemed unbalanced as she walked. He heard the unstable breaths leave her mouth.

"What's with her," Minho asked, appearing next to him with an apple. "The fear is practically pouring from her." He took a bite, scrunching his nose. "It's messing with me."

"Something's messing with her," Woojin said, tossing the two boys their backpacks. Seungmin took a second glace at Y/n before sighing. "But what exactly?"

///

Y/n's world seemed to spin with every step she took. She swallowed the nervousness that crept up her throat and looked around the room filled with kids. Her nerves made one pair of eyes feel like a hundred; she felt like a spotlight was on her.

The first class of school had started; the bell rang five minutes ago. Sharing this period with Jeongin, Seungmin, and Changbin, she glanced at them often.

Every few minutes, she made sure they were in their seats, safe and sound. The boys shifted every time they caught the girl's stare.

"What's up with her?" Seungmin heard for the second time today.

He had his chin on the palm of his left hand, staring straight through Changbin. The girl picked at her fingertips, continuously looking around, her face disheveled.

The class silenced when the intercom beeped, signaling a message.

Y/n froze, her breath going quiet.

"All students report to the auditorium; this is mandatory."

Students got up, cheering for a break from their school work. The girl gulped, pushing herself up from her chair. This can't be happening, she thought, taking a deep breath.

As Seungmin stood from his seat, he gave Changbin a questioning look.
What was so important at this time in the morning, he thought. Y/n heard this, clenching her jaw slightly.

She ran up to Minho as the classes piled out of the classrooms, all students heading to the auditorium. She gripped Changbin's sleeve, staring into Seungmin's eyes.
"Get the rest of your friends and find me."

Seungmin jumped back slightly, his eyes widening. Minho's mouth dropped open, trying to stutter out a reply.

"Now!"

Y/n ran into the crowd, a struggling Changbin following after, his sleeve still held tightly in her fist. Minho and Seungmin shared a look before darting into the groups of kids.

///

Chan sped through the swarm of students, his eyes searching for the three boys. It was natural for him to do this, making sure his friends were in his sight, even in the smallest circumstances.

"Do you see them," I.N. asked, measly slipping past the people — thanks to his power. Hyunjin looked down at the younger male before focusing his eyes on the sea of students, catching a glimpse of a familiar head of brown hair.

"He's coming towards us."
Seungmin rushed toward the rest of his group, pulling the ones in the back forward.
"Come quick!"

He turned back on his heel, almost disappearing into the crowd. The others rush after him, bumping and pushing past the students.

"Why are you in a rush?"
Seungmin kept his eyes forward, slowing his pace as they entered the auditorium.

He didn't know why he followed the girl's instructions. It might have been the strong pull his head felt when she told him what to do. Or, maybe, he thought she knew something he didn't. Whatever it was, he strangely trusted her.

"I don't know, but Y/n made it seem too urgent to take our time."

///

Y/n pulled Changbin into the back of the auditorium, keeping a low profile. Changbin pulled his sleeve from the girl's hand.

"What's going on?"
They took a seat, keeping the other eight seats in the row empty.
"I might know: keep relaxed and don't gain unneeded attention."

Changbin followed her instructions, slumping his shoulders, a facade of a tired figure. On the outside, he looked like a regular kid, especially one that was up too late into the night. On the inside was a different setting; he worries for the others. The girl next to him shifts more and more as the school settled in their seats.

Y/n crossed one leg over the other, uncrossed it, and crossed it again. "Where are they," she whispered, biting her nails.

"We're here."
Both teens jumped when the rest of them appeared, taking their spots.

"What is going on? Why are we in the back? I can't see a thing," Jisung complained. Minho covered his nose, the overwhelming stench of confusing and fear clouding him, "we better know quick, or I'm gonna sneeze."

Minho kept quiet about the fear he smelled, the fear that radiated off Y/n. He kept his gaze on the girl. Why would she suddenly talk to them? She's never even exchanged quiz answers with them before.

"Look natural, like this is any other announcement," the girl whispered, her knuckles turning white. She forced a connection in her mind, her toes curling. All nine of the boys sat straight before sliding into more comfortable positions.

Y/n smirked.
Seungmin watched the girl's lips slowly fall as she looked at the empty stage.

"Students, I know you are wondering why all of you are here," the principal says, walking out onto the stage. He holds a hand behind his back.

The students of the school silence, their focus on the man on stage.

"Now, never has this happened before at this school, but nationwide it is a problem. Our school is now apart of that problem." He took a long dramatic pause.

Students of all ages licked their lips in curiosity, leaning forward in the seats. Some teachers even looked up: confusion written clear in their expressions. "Sir, what problem," the vice-principal asked, his voice barely reaching the ears of those in the back.

The principal's left hand rose to his face, clutching a light brown feather.
"Hybrids are in this school."

Hyunjin leaped forward, emptying his stomach into the trashcan at the right of him.

Chaos erupted.