Scale Diplomacy

1. Trust

The bell rang for the end of the period. A ruffling of feathers and a rattling of scales immediately filled the room. No one ever waited for the teacher anymore, especially Ms. Willow.
I watched the rest of the class file out the door. I usually stayed behind. I either hung out with the teachers or at least waited for the stampede to escape the room. I would rather not be squished between a pair of gryphon wings on my way out. Those things stink.
You're probably wondering if I'm talking about people or animals. Actually, it's both. Let me introduce myself.
I'm Jace. I attend Sirra Anni Full Education. Our city of is located on the southern edge of the Bermuda triangle. Ita probably why it's so mysterious to outsiders. I hear many mothers about the Bermuda triangle that the Normals made up. They're all false.
Our city, if you haven't heard of it, is entirely half breeds. We are humans who have taken animal properties. Whether it be wings of the raven, a tail of the cat, or gills of the shark, it's all here.
I'm registered as a half Anaconda snake, due to the green-scaled tail and forearms. That's not necessarily my genetic share however. The computer didn't have Patagonian Green Mountain Dragon in their system. But that's unimportant.
I was born and raised here in Sirra Anni. I'm 17 now, and a junior in high school. I've always felt different from everyone else, and often feel like I don't really belong here. Although the only place for me to hide would be the Outside, the world beyond the oceans surrounding us. No one has left Sirra Anni in 275 years. Although curiosity is eating at our heads now.
My flashback was interrupted by my homeroom teacher, Mrs. Willow.
"Are you going to stay to watch the class? Or are you gonna go home? I have to leave sometime you know."
"Sorry," I said, packing up my things.
When I was done, I went out to the quad to see what my friends were up to. They were usually in or around the cherry tree towards the back. We had a small friend circle, and weren't the type to socialize. We were always away from everyone else.
Caleb sat below the tree, reading another book on psychology. I've never seen someone read so many books on the same topics. Always psychology, anatomy, anything he could find about the man and how he works.
I like to tease him about it.
"I hope you're reading to understand why you read so much."
Caleb didn't look up. "Considering that I already know why I read, the question is why don't you?"
The poetic sarcasm was expected. "I read. I'm not entertained by the reasons behind why people kill or love."
"Hi Jace!"
I heard my name called from in the tree above me. I turned to see Ariana fall gracefully from the cherry tree, landing lightly in front of me. It wasn't anything new.
"Hi." I responded. She found her balance, staring back with light blue eyes and flipping her brown hair behind her. Her white-furred tail flicked playfully behind her. She never got upset. She always held her head high, storming through life with energetic pride.
She cooked her head. "I thought you would be in the music room today?"
"I've found that it's difficult to get from there to English in time. It's all the way across campus."
"So you'll be here more right?"
"No promises."
Another sassy voice called from behind me. "Most likely, though."
I didn't need to look behind me. I felt warm arms wrap around my waist. Nikkala was the only one allowed to do that. The red-scaled tail wrapped around my leg loosely. Her head leaned on my shoulder blade. She was too short for my shoulder. It was kinda cute.
"Because I'm here now."
"Fine. You win. I'll try."
Nikkala released her grip on my leg. She sat next to Caleb at the base of the tree, tapping the spot next to her with her tail, looking at me. Sometimes I wonder if the romanticism was sarcastic or truthful. It seemed so cliche from someone so original.
I sat next to Nikkala, with Aria right next to me. Nikkala's tail wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer.
Ariana shot up, turning to face everyone. "We can play our games now that you're staying more right?"
I nodded. "I didn't know you still wanted to play those games."
Aria's cat-like ears stood up. "Why?"
Caleb answered that question. "Everytime we try to play one of our games, something comical or dissapointing happens and we get side tracked. We have a difficult time staying focused on the game. It's better when we just sit here, find a subject to discuss, and socialize for 15 minutes before class."
I smiled. "I didn't need a full scientific explanation, but basically that."
I heard Caleb snicker to my right.
Aria didn't look discouraged. "Why don't we go to the music room then?"
The bell rang for second period.
"That's why."
Aria sighed, then grabbed her white drawstring bag and headed off to class, waving behind her.
Caleb looked up from his book. He grabbed his backpack, and stared at me and Nikkala for a second. "You two can't be separated can you?"
Nikkala looked at me. I looked back at Caleb, shaking my head. "Nope."
Caleb shrugged, and walked off to class, with grey, speckled feathers falling behind him.
I tried to stand, and a clawed hand pulled me down.
I looked at Nikkala. "You do realize we have the next class together?"
Her head only weighed down further on my arm.
You're difficult sometimes.
I lifted her head off of my arm and gave her a kiss. She finally stood up, giving me a chance to move freely. I grabbed my bag and she grabbed hers. We walked, hand in hand, to our next class, completely unaware of who was behind us.