The fluorescent lights of Moon High's science lab buzzed overhead like a swarm of mechanical bees, their hum a constant background noise that Jessica had long since learned to tune out. She peered through her microscope; the lens bringing into sharp focus the specimen Kevin had prepared. Her enhanced werewolf vision made the details of the cellular structure almost too clear, as if she were looking at a high-definition photograph rather than a real-life sample. She forced herself to squint and adjust the focus knob, mimicking the actions of a normal teenager struggling to get a better view.

  "See how the cellular structure shows signs of paranormal interference?" Kevin's voice crackled with excitement as he leaned over her shoulder, his breath warm on her cheek. "Those dark spots shouldn't be there. Your curse altered them so it can change your entire biological form when you transform.”

  Jessica fought back a smile, her lips twitching with the effort. She may not understand biology, despite the class she took, but she knew what normal cells were supposed to look like. Of course, she wasn't happy about Kevin secretly collecting her own supernatural cells from only god knows where. Kevin, in his enthusiasm, had unwittingly begun studying werewolf biology while attempting to create his supernatural detection device. The irony was almost too much to bear.

  "Super weird," she agreed, straightening up and pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "But shouldn't you be working on your actual science fair project? The one that's due tomorrow?"

  Kevin adjusted his glasses, the lenses reflecting the harsh lab lights. His grin was infectious, a mix of nerdy enthusiasm and genuine passion. "This is my project. Well, part of it. The microscope readings help calibrate my anomaly detector." He gestured to the mess of wires and circuitry spread across the lab bench, a chaotic jumble that only he seemed to understand. "Once it's finished, it'll be able to identify any supernatural presence within a fifty-foot radius."

  Jessica's stomach dropped like a stone, her heart pounding in her chest. "Any supernatural presence?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

  "Yep! Cool, right?" Kevin's eyes sparkled with pride, oblivious to the turmoil he had just unleashed within her.

  "Totally cool," she lied, her mind racing. She needed to sabotage the device before it could expose her secret to the entire school. But how? She couldn't just smash it—that would be too obvious. She needed a plan, something subtle and clever. And something to apologize to her boyfriend. Before she could plan anything, her phone buzzed in her pocket, a calendar reminder flashing across the screen. "Shoot, I'm late for practice!"

  Kevin's face fell slightly, his shoulders slumping. "Again? I thought there was no practice today.”

  "I know, I'm sorry." Jessica grabbed her backpack, guilt gnawing at her chest like a hungry beast. "Tiffany wants us to stay in shape for homecoming. But I'll text you later?"

  "Yeah, sure." Kevin turned back to his project, his voice tinged with disappointment. "Have fun with the popular crowd."

  Jessica hesitated at the door, torn between her boyfriend and her obligations. But she had already made the choice—these days, it felt like everything came second to maintaining her carefully crafted image as Moon High's perfect cheerleader. With a final glance at Kevin's hunched form, she pushed open the door and stepped into the bustling hallway.

  The football field was already buzzing with activity when Jessica burst through the double doors; her enhanced hearing picking up running feet on the grass and the steady thump of pop music from the speakers. The air was thick with the scent of sweat under the afternoon light, a familiar mix that had become synonymous with her after-school life.

  "You're late, Tumblerlee!" Tiffany's voice cut through the chaos like a knife, sharp and commanding. "Drop and give me twenty!"

  Jessica paused and glanced at her captain. “Seriously? You’re not Coach Harris.”

  Tiffany crossed her arms, glaring like an angry bull. “This is my new regulation! Do it now!”

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Jessica bit back a groan as she dropped her bag and hit the floor, her palms slapping against the cool grass. Push-ups were nothing with her werewolf strength, but she had to remember to make them look difficult, to strain and shake like a normal teenage girl would. It was exhausting, constantly hiding what she could really do, always holding back.

  "Looking good, Jessica!" Mark Turner called from across the field, where the football team was running drills. He flashed her his trademark perfect smile, all white teeth and charm. Jessica forced herself to blush, ducking her head as if embarrassed by the attention. Mark was the star quarterback, and Tiffany's prince charming. But he seemed to have set his sights on her for some reason. Did he forgot he already has a girlfriend?

  "Eyes on your own practice, Turner!" Coach Harris barked, his voice echoing through the air. Mark jogged back to his teammates with a wink, leaving Jessica to focus on her own punishment.

  "Alright ladies, pyramid formation!" Tiffany clapped her hands, the sound echoing like a gunshot. "Jessica, you're on top today. Amber and Mia, you're bases. Camella, you're spotting."

  Jessica took her position, letting muscle memory take over as the girls lifted her into the air. This was the one place where she could let some of her supernatural grace shine through without raising suspicions. After all, cheerleaders were supposed to be impossibly athletic, right? She stretched out her arms, balancing perfectly as her teammates hoisted her higher.

  "Higher!" Tiffany commanded, her voice a whip crack. "We need to show Henry Ballzack's stupid robot that humans are better than machines!”

  Jessica nearly lost her balance, her foot slipping slightly before she caught herself. "Henry's what?"

  "His creepy cheerleading robot," Amber explained from below, her voice strained with effort. "We saw him carrying it to his science class this morning. He's entering it in the science fair tomorrow. Apparently it can do like, a million flips in a row."

  Henry, the so-called school genius who was popular among the nerdy crowd. Unlike Kevin, he was a show-off and a bully to his own kind. He hated competition.

  "That's not even physically possible," Camella scoffed, her hands hovering near Jessica's ankles, ready to catch her if she fell.

  "Neither is half the stuff Jessica can do," Mia pointed out, her voice tinged with awe.

  Jessica's heart skipped a beat, her breath hitching in her throat. She forced herself to laugh, a light, carefree sound that belied the turmoil within her. "Yeah, right? I'm just really dedicated to practice."

  Tiffany was already moving on, her attention shifting to the next stunt. "Focus, ladies! We're not losing our spot as top squad to some tin can in a skirt. From the top!"

  Practice dragged on for another hour, each stunt more demanding than the last. By the time Tiffany finally called it quits, even Jessica's enhanced muscles were aching, a deep burn that radiated through her limbs. She grabbed her towel, wiping the sweat from her face as she headed to the locker room.

  "Great work today, everyone!" Tiffany beamed as they gathered their things, her ponytail swinging like a metronome. "Especially you, Jessica. Those aerials were insane!"

  "Thanks," Jessica mumbled, mentally kicking herself for showing off too much. It was getting harder and harder to hold back, to pretend she was normal when her supernatural abilities kept pushing her past her human limits. At least she could still control her transformation, but she could feel her wolf pacing within her, restless and eager to break free.

  The sun was setting as Jessica left the field, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. The cool air breezed against her skin, a welcome relief after the stifling workout. She should head home—her dad would wait with dinner, probably wanting to discuss a criminal occurrence he'd investigated as sheriff. But her wolf was restless tonight, clawing at the edges of her consciousness like a caged beast.

  She walked toward the science lab instead, her feet moving of their own accord. Kevin would still be there, she knew, probably tinkering with his invention until the new janitor kicked him out.

  Jessica still remembered the day after Valentine's Day when her dad caught Kevin naked under her bed after she had sex with him. Her dad could have killed him, but Kevin said he used a condom so they could have protected sex. Apparently, his condom saved his life because her dad appreciated safe sex. But no more sex, or else her dad will throw Kevin to prison where he could experience more sex with his cellmates.

  Jessica couldn't help it. Her wolf wanted to mate for being in heat.

  As she cut across the parking lot, a figure emerged from between two cars, nearly colliding with her. Henry Ballzack, his round frame blocking the path, adjusted his thick-rimmed glasses as he recognized her.

  "Well, if it isn't Kevin's girlfriend," he said, a smirk playing across his face. His shirt wrinkled and stained with what looked like energy drink residue. "How is the dork doing with his little science project?"

  Jessica's wolf bristled at his tone. "He's doing fine," she replied coolly, taking a step back. Henry had always given her the creeps, even before she gained supernatural senses. Now, his scent—a mixture of stale Cheetos and desperation—made her nose wrinkle.

  "That's good to hear." Henry's smirk widened. "Tell him not to work too hard. After tomorrow's science fair, his reputation will be in shambles, anyway. My project is going to revolutionize everything."

  "Is that so?" Jessica crossed her arms. "Like that cheerleader robot my squad keeps complaining about? Real classy, Henry."

  A flush crept up Henry's neck. "They won't be complaining tomorrow. When my greatest creation takes the stage, everyone will see true perfection. They'll worship me like a god!" His voice rose with each word, drawing curious glances from passing students.

  "Right," Jessica drawled. "Good luck with that."

  As she moved to step around him, Henry caught her arm. His touch sent a wave of revulsion through her, and she had to fight to keep her claws from emerging. "You'll see," he whispered, his breath hot and sticky. "Everyone will see."

  Jessica yanked her arm free, fighting the urge to throw him across the parking lot. She watched as Henry waddled away, humming what sounded like a twisted version of their school's fight song.

  Her phone buzzed in her pocket, a text from Kevin lighting up the screen. "Hi, is your practice over? I’m done right now. Wanna grab some ice cream?”

  Jessica smiled and replied, ‘Sir.’

  Tomorrow was going to be interesting.