I’m not sure what my Algebra teacher could do, but it involved the principal. I saw Manny and Miss Jarnigan go towards his office, so I hoped for the best. It was out of my hands if everything worked out. An ex-Marine could put up a pretty good fight. They trained to be that way. Me? I’m learning by doing, but sometimes I’m tempted to get real training. It could mean the difference between winning and losing my life. I’m particular about keeping myself alive.

  Joshua wasn’t in Study Hall. Crap. I walked over to one of the girls who was always staring at me. I couldn't remember her name. Was it Kristen or something like that? She had blond hair and looked like a Kristen.

  I asked her “Hey, did Joshua come in here?”

  She stared at my biceps for way too long. I snapped my fingers in front of her face, making her flinch and look up at me. “Yeah, I got big biceps. No, you can’t touch them. Focus, please.” Since when did I become Mister Polite? “Did you see Joshua? You know, the kid who always wears a black jacket even when it’s a hundred degrees out?”

  She looked back at my arms, but a warning growl from me forced her eyes back up. They were wide eyed, as if she couldn’t believe I did that. “N-no. I haven’t seen him.” She turned to her friend, who looked at me wide-eyed. “Did you, Cheryl?” When she shook her head I muttered a thanks and stormed off.

  Joshua wasn’t at Study Hall. Everything was off script and I was starting to regret it. Where did he go? I wished I could call him but I was certain he was going to let it go to voicemail. Why wasn’t he in Study Hall?

  Then I remember the look in his eyes when I gave a hint at how strong I was. Stronger than Manny. Stronger than a teenager had the right to be. If he suspected I wasn’t a human, he might…

  Dammit, he already knew I wasn’t human, didn’t he? I lost track of that info and my display of strength had sent him straight into flight mode. So where could he have gone? Where would Josh go?

  Wait, the script might have gone off the rails, but what if it accelerated certain events? The question made me walk at a rapid pace until I got outside. Then I ran as fast my legs could move me to my Jeep. I hoped no one saw me move at that speed. Any potential witnesses would wish I’d try out for football or, God forbid, baseball.

  I had a hunch he was going to Candleworks. Hell, my hunch was screaming this. I don’t know how he was getting there. An Uber? Lyft? He might’ve been hitchhiking or flying on a Goddamned broom for all I knew. I was certain he was going to be at Candleworks to get the ingredients for that spell, though.

  Only this time I had a strong suspicion he was going to target me with it.

  I got to Candleworks without getting pulled over even though I was speeding like a demon. I didn’t even lock the door of my Jeep and I wasn’t even sure I closed it. I was on autopilot. I entered the store and marched right up to the counter, prompting Keith to look at me.

  "Hey there, big guy," Keith said as he finished up with the usual customer. I didn’t have time to flirt with him so I didn’t even spare the kid a second glance. It gave me a weird feeling, was it because I felt bad to dismiss him? It wasn't important. I’d worry about it later.

  “Where’s Joshua?” I said, slamming my hands on the countertop. Did I hear it crack under the impact? I don’t know. The itching under my skin was worse now. Something was up.

  “I don’t know, but man, calm down. Don’t break my countertop. They’ll take it out of my paycheck.”

  Telling someone to calm down usually failed to do that. Unfortunately Keith was right there to take my growing anger. “Don’t tell me to calm down, Keith. Where is Joshua?”

  To Keith’s credit or stupidity he didn’t back down but at least he remained calm. “Man, I told you I don’t know. I haven’t seen him. What’s wrong? Is he okay?”

  Since I couldn’t get a reaction out of him my anger had nowhere to go. It packed its bags and got the hell out of my system. “I’m sorry, Keith. I’m… I'm afraid Joshua is going to do something drastic and I’m trying to find him.”

  “I wish I could help you, Israel. Tell you what, if he shows up I’ll give you a text on the sly. Gimmie your number in case he shows up.”

  I didn’t even give him any sass about using my number for unscrupulous purposes. I fired out my number and he put it in his phone. “You be sure to text me if he shows up.”

  “Sure thing, big guy. I hope things work out.”

  I grunted another apology and hurried out of the store. The itching subsided as I got further away from the damned store. Was Joshua going to show up? Was he walking to the store? I couldn’t track down all the routes from the school to here, so I got in my Jeep and headed to his place. This time I struggled to keep within the speed limit. A residential neighborhood would definitely get me pulled over if I was driving like a bat out of Hell. Getting pulled over would waste a lot of time, especially if I was right about what was going to happen.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  As I pulled into Joshua’s driveway I stopped the car and waited a second. No texts from Keith. No texts from anyone. It then occurred to me that I could have freaking texted Joshua in case he wasn’t scared shitless over what I did.

  Hey, I texted him. What’s up? You’re not in Study Hall.

  I waited five minutes with no response. Either he wasn’t checking his phone or he was ignoring me. Well, good thing I knew where he hid the spare door key to his house. If he was hiding in there I was going to find him.

  He hid the key under the doormat. I’m not sure how nobody robbed his house yet, but so far he’d stayed free of theft. I unlocked the door and peeked inside. “Joshua? It’s me, Izzy? Are you home?” When I didn’t get a response I checked my phone. No messages.

  I slipped inside and closed the door behind me with a silent click. While I was stronger than a human my senses were only a smidge better than theirs. I would have to change to pick up Joshua’s scent, but what if he was home and saw a giant werelion? He would panic and could hurt himself or someone else, like me. I had no idea if today would reset and I did not want his death on my conscience or my death on his.

  I decided to risk it, but not before warning him. “Joshua, if you're home you’re going to see something totally freaky,” I called out. Then I took off my shoes, socks and tank top. The workout pants would stretch enough to survive. Who knew I'd be grateful to Dad for investing in clothing that only weres would ever access?

  I took my time to let the change take over. The fur covered my skin, size and height increased until I was my towering, handsome werelion self. It didn’t feel right, transforming so early but at least Manny wasn’t going to be a target.

  I crept on all fours down the marble tiled foyer, glancing up at the stairs leading to the balcony/hallway combo. He could be in any of those second floor rooms and I was coming up with old scents which were hours old. It was the same when I went upstairs. Joshua wasn’t home, not since this morning.

  Dammit. Where did he go? What was he doing?

  I thudded my way downstairs, not caring how much noise my footsteps were making. I grabbed my tank top as I reverted back to my human form, putting it on once I was completely non furry.

  “I wish I could find Joshua,” I muttered as I sat on the ground then put on my socks and shoes. Another wave of déjà vu washed over me, this time a lot stronger. I blinked in confusion as everything seemed to grow dark and cold. When I looked around everything was warm and bright, or at least as bright as a darkened house can get. What the heck was going on with me? Was it connected to the loop?

  Every instinct told me yes but it was a damned shame my thinking brain couldn’t pull the answer out of my head. I hoped the answer would pop up later because I didn’t have time for it. I had to find Joshua.

  Only… did I? The day would most likely reset and I could always fix what I did, right?

  The doubt lingered in my mind as I drove away from Joshua’s house. What if I was blowing things out of proportion? Joshua had been my friend for years. I was always there for him. Why was I so paranoid he was going to turn on me because of one event?

  Because everything was going crazy for me. I was stuck in a weird as hell time loop. I should be taking advantage of it and becoming the best werelion at everything. Instead I was worrying about how to fix everything. Now I wished I’d seen that stupid movie with the groundhog. What the hell was it called?

  I found myself pulling into the driveway of the family home. I was out of ideas, doubt was buzzing around in my head and I didn’t know what to do. I took the back entrance of the house, shoulders slumped. I was admitting defeat. I could smell dinner cooking, which meant Mom and Dad had the fight. At least some things hadn’t changed today.

  I walked into the kitchen and once again saw her working a squid half her size on the cutting board. Her platinum blond hair was still tied up in a bun. The dark lines of the hairnet as usual couldn't keep a few wild strands from escaping down her forehead.

  "Hi, Mom, what's cooking tonight?"

  "Spaghettini with squid in black ink," she said as she pulled the tentacles away from the hood. She started to remove the tentacles by cutting under the eyes with a wicked sharp knife. Yup, it was still intimidating. It would never not be anything but.

  “Joshua would like that,” I said, going off script for the hell of it.

  “I know. He said he couldn’t wait to try it.”

  It took me a good five seconds to find my voice. “Have you talked to Joshua?” I asked, refusing to acknowledge the stirring of hope in my prairie-wide chest.

  “He’s in your room waiting for you. You said you wanted him to help with your algebra homework, remember?”

  He was in my room. He came here. He wasn’t going to target me with magic. Which means he wasn’t going to target Manny with any magic either. I smiled at Mom. “After the day I had, I completely forgot.”

  “He said as much himself. Don’t let him Uber home, Israel. Those fees are highway robbery.”

  “Yes ma’am.” I started to make my way out of the kitchen then paused, expecting her to tell me Dad wanted to talk to me.

  “Is something wrong, Israel?”

  I turned to face her. “Uhm, no. I thought I left my keys in the Jeep.” I lied, dangling the keyring in front of me. So Dad wasn’t on the warpath tonight? Was it because Joshua was here?

  Huh. I guess I’d find out later. For now, I had to keep Joshua from doing dangerous magic. Piece of cake, right?