Jean had is back pressed against his bedroom door, embarrassed and angry about what his mother said. Too young? His old lady could get annoying. Jean pushed himself off the door, tossing his school bag onto his bed that was against the wall to his right. His mind went back to the girl, wondering where she went and why. He growled out, feeling annoyed and decided to open the curtains that hung over his window that was next to his bed. He walked straight forward from his door, reaching out with large hands to grip the black and white fabric, and opening them. A large tree stood in view. He hated the damn thing, blocking his few. It had huge limbs, some nearly touching his window. If he wanted he could crawl out his window and sit on the large branch.
After opening the curtains, Jean began to take off his shoes. He then opened the drawer to his dresser that was on the other side of his room, looking for clothes to change into. He'd take a shower in the morning. He just wanted to sleep and get this day over with. Knock, knock. The sound came from his window. Curious, Jean made his way to his window and peered outside. He gasped slightly, eyes widening in surprise, when he saw who caused the noise. It was the Hybrid girl. He unlocked his window quickly and pulled it open.
"How the hell did you climb up there?" He asked, making sure to keep his voice down, so to not let his mother hear. The branch she was sitting on was the first one. There was no way she could have climbed that! He shook his head, recalling that she, in fact, was not human. Remembering his promise to help her, Jean stepped back motioning for her to come in. She did so, crouching low on the branch and walked gracefully across, before leaping through the window like a cat would. 'Of course she'd land on her feet…' Jean thought as she stood. Her eyes scanned her surroundings. Her ears were up and alert. When she finally seemed to have relaxed, she turned to face Jean, who was watching her curiously. She looked slightly underfed and her tail's fur was matted up with mud and tangled. She needed a bath. Jean decided he'll bring up some food from dinner later. Until then, he'll try to get her to speak.
"Uh, why don't you sit on my bed?" He asked, pulling up his computer chair from the desk that was on the other side of the window. She looked at the fluffy bed curiously, placing a hand on it hesitantly, and pushed on it. She smiled at it before turning back around and sitting on it. Jean wondered if she has never felt a bed before. He sat down in his chair, rolling it with his feet a little closer to her.
"Are you able to speak?" He asked, hoping she would nod her head at least. She frowned and shook her head. It was obvious by now that she understood him. "Well, are you a mute?"
Again, she shook her head. Jean sighed and shook his head. If she wasn't mute, then she should be able to talk, right? Maybe she could write? Jean stood up from his chair, slowly so he wouldn't frighten her, and took a few steps to his desk, pulling out a pin and a sheet of paper. He then picked up a book for her to set the paper on and handed her the items. "Can you at least write?" He asked. She took the book and paper, placing them on her lap. Jean then gave her the pin and crossed his arms as he watched her. She held the writing utensil wrong. Jean frowned. She scribbled random letters onto the paper before showing it to him. Jean shook his head and scowled. Was she messing with him?
"That's not writing. You have to make words." She frowned up at him, shaking her head. Does that mean she can't? "Don't you know how to do that? Can you read?" She shook her head. Was she not raised properly? What kind of life was she living? To Jean, it was obvious that she's had a rough life. She's a mess. Some of here bruises looked like handprints. There was one around her neck…Someone choked her…He clenched his teeth and glared at it, anger swelling up inside him. How could someone be so cruel? She lifted her hand to her neck, blocking it from his view. She glared at him, hinting that she didn't appreciate him staring at it. Realizing this, he jerked his eyes to the floor, rubbing the back of his head, feeling awkward. Now he felt like a jerk for staring. He apologized. She nodded, accepting his apology, removing her hand from her neck. Jean stood up from his chair. He'll just ask one more question. God, he hoped this answer was a yes…
"Do you at least know how to bathe yourself?" Please say yes, please say yes, please- - She shook her head no. She looked confused. Does she even know what the word meant? Jean groaned and gripped fists full of his hair. "Fuuuuck…! I'm stuck with an illiterate, hybrid, cat girl who doesn't know how to wash herself…!" He hissed. What is he supposed to do? She glared at him and hissed, knowing that she was just insulted. Maybe he can have Angel Handle the bathing part…Yeah. He'll call her tomorrow. Marco as well. Yeah. That dork is a cat freak. He would probably have a field day. A growl interrupted his thoughts. It wasn't a vocal growl, more like someone's stomach. He glanced down at her. A blush creeped its way to her cheeks as she scowled at him with a pout. She was hungry, huh? Dinner should be ready by now. He made his way to his door.
"Stay here. " He said, Opening it and looking back at her. "I'm sure dinner is almost ready, I'll bring you a plate." He turned around, closing the door behind him. "This is insane." He groaned out quietly. He pressed his back against his door. How was he even supposed to keep her a secret? He doesn't plan on keeping her locked up in his room. If the rumors are true…wouldn't people be after her? Bad ones? Dangerous ones? He is so screwed. He then trotted down the stairs, turning to his right, entering the kitchen. His mom stirred the pasta inside the pot of spaghetti sauce. She looked behind her shoulder with a smile.
"I was about to call you down. Supper is ready." She said to him. The two toned hair teen nodded as he went to get his plate.
"Hey, mom, is it ok if I eat in my room tonight? I have a lot of homework that needs to be done for next week." He lied as he fixed his plate. Well, the plate wasn't exactly for him. It was for the starving girl in his room. He'll eat later. He made sure to put enough on his plate that could serve two people.
"Sure, sweetie. " She then eyed his plate that had a mountain of spaghetti piled on it. "And don't you think you have enough? You're acting like I don't cook often."
"I didn't eat all day." He lied as he grabbed a fork, sticking it in the monstrous amount of spaghetti before grabbing a large cup filled with water, rushing up to his room before his mother could respond. He had to place the cup of water down to open his door. The girl was where he left her, though it looked like she went digging around in his stuff. His computer desk had paper and pencils scattered around, his dresser drawers were closed with clothes sticking out. She had changed into his T-shirt and shorts. He sighed looking at her with irritation as she gave him an innocent look. He could tell right away she was anything but.
"Sit on the floor so you don't spill on the bed… Here." After she sat on the floor in front of the bed he handed her the cup of water first, which she gulped down half way before setting it down favoring the plate of food. She looked at it curiously before taking a tiny bite, as if testing the waters. Her eyes lit up before she took another bite, which was much bigger than the last, with a pleased sound. He slumped down in his computer chair, watching her wolf down the food at an alarming rate.
"Hey, hey, slow down before you choke. It isn't going anywhere." He lectured. She ignored him, continuing the pace she was eating, before gulping down the rest of the water. 'Geez, she eats a lot.' he thought. He was really curious about the way she acted. It made him wish that she could speak so he can find out more. When she was done, she pushed her plate towards him and gave him a small smile. She was thanking him.
"You done?" He asked reaching down to pick up her plate. She gave him a nod. He turned in his chair, setting the empty plate on his computer desk. He'll put it away tomorrow. He decided to ask more questions as he turned back to face the blue eyed creature sitting in front of him.
"Can I get a look at your fangs?" He asked. Believe it or not but he was kind of fascinated by them. They were so cool. Her face lit up as she grinned, hooking two fingers in her mouth, tugging her cheek to the side, showing her fangs. She seemed proud of them. He stared at the pearly whites. They looked deadly, which made him feel uneasy.
"You…won't turn on me, right?" He asked hesitantly with a weak smile. She frowned bringing her hands to her lap and shook her head. Trusting her answer, has crazy as that was, he decided to ask about where she came from. "So…you escaped from a lab?" Her eyes narrowed as she nodded her head. He had a sickening feeling that scientist treated her badly from the condition that she's in. Cut up, scarred, and bruised. He then looked at her throat. Maybe they…"Did they take away your ability your talk?" He asked softly. The raven haired girl brought her hand to her neck as she nodded. So he guessed correctly…
"Is it permanent?" She shook her head. Well that's good. That means she would be able to speak soon. He glanced at the ceiling with a sigh. He's going to regret keeping her around. He can just feel it. That wasn't the only thing he felt, something nudged against his knee. He looked down, seeing the hybrid girl leaning forward, pressing her cup against it. He raised both eyebrows, slightly surprised.
"Do you want more?" He asked her. She nodded at him, pointing at her throat, and then opening her mouth as if trying to say something. Nothing but raspy breaths left her pink lips. She was trying to speak. He took the cup from her clawed fingers and stood.
"Do you think it will help?" He asked her. Maybe if she drank enough fluids it'd help her throat. She nodded again.
"Alright, Just stay here and I'll be right back." Jean also took the dirty plate with him as he made his way back into the kitchen. His mother was currently watching TV in the living room. He put away the plate, and then filled the raven haired girl's cup with cold water. Thoughts raced through his mind. He's going to have to take responsibility for her. He doesn't even like cats! Seeing how he was now involved with a test subject that has escaped and needed his help, he can't just kick her out. That would be cruel. He jogged back up the stairs, spilling a bit of water in his haste, and entered his room, closing and locking the door behind him. He handed the blue eyed girl her drink, who gulped it down in one go. She then cleared her throat, and tried speaking again. Her voice was strained and raspy.
"Th…ank…y-"A violent coughing fit interrupted her, startling Jean who began to panic. He watched as she clutched at her throat with a pained expression. Jean wanted to help in some way but he didn't know if she will allow him to get close. He relaxed once she was done. She grimaced and pointed to the empty cup that had held her water. Jean knew what she wanted right away and retrieved the cool liquid she desired. This time she took slow sips, savoring the water. She cleared her throat again but this time she didn't try to speak. Instead she handed the cup to Jean who sat the cup on his computer desk. The next few hours he asked her yes and no questions, some she refused to answer by turning her head to look away with a frown. He asked if she had a name and she nodded. Jean was planned on asking what it was when she started speaking. He told her his. Jean ended up cleaning and dressing her wounds. He was a bit flustered considering he had to remove her top to bandage up her wounds. He was surprised about the multiple bruises that were scattered around her body. She had begun to doze off afterwards, so Jean decided to let her sleep in his bed. The way she reacted to that, Jean concluded that she has never been in a bed. It disturbed him that those scientists treated her worse than an animal. He left the girl in his room while he went to sleep on the couch downstairs. He didn't get much sleep that night. His mind was focused on what he got himself into.
The next morning Jean was awoken by his mother around six in the morning.
"Why on Earth are you sleeping on the couch?" She asked. His mother was leaving to go to work. Jean's reply was incoherent for his mind was still clouded with sleep. The plump woman laughed heartily at her son, who went back to sleep, and left for work. An hour later, Jean was rudely awaked by the hybrid cat girl. She had grabbed him by the arm and yanked him off the couch. With a yelp, he crashed onto the wooden floor. He groaned loudly and looked up at the girl with a glare.
"What the hell was that for, hah?!" He shouted with irritation. In response, the girl gave him a smug grin then pointed to the kitchen. She wanted to eat. Jean let out a sigh and got to his feet. She's a pain in the neck. He decided to go ahead and make some eggs and toast. He walked into the kitchen, the girl following. Jean opened the fridge, pulling a carton of eggs, and then setting it on the counter. The hybrid girl sat on the counter as she watched the amber eyed teen pull out a pan and other things he needed. He started cracking the eggs into the hot pan. He cooked them slowly. He was so tired. He yawned, making himself a glass of water as the eggs slowly began to cook. He planned to call Marco and Angel over. IF they don't freak out, Jean would have Angel give that hybrid girl a bath or something. And Marco…Hell, he just wanted Marco's help. Tapping was heard behind him. He turned to see the girl watching the eggs curiously. She was swinging her legs causing the heel of her feet to tap the cabinet doors under the counter she currently sat on. Jean sighed with irritation.
"Come on," He groaned. "Get off the counter top. "He was already pissed off about the way she woke him up. He sat his glass of water next to her. He glared at her when she didn't budge. She glared back.
"Get down." He placed a hand on his hip and frowned at her. It was too damn early in the morning to deal with her attitude.
"I can kick you out my home if you want." He told her with a cocky smirk. Her eye twitched in agitation. Jean watched as she slowly lifted her arm, reaching out to his cup…then knocking it to the floor. The cup clattered on the ground, the water pooling around it. Jean Stared at her dumbfounded.
"Really? What are you, four?" He glared at her. She gave him a smug smile before jumping off the counter. He felt a headache coming.
Once the food was ready, he gave her a plate of eggs and a toast along with her drink, motioning her towards the table.
"Ever had eggs?" He asked her after catching her eyeing the plate of scrambled eggs like she did with the spaghetti. She shook her head no. Jean wanted to ask more but decided against it. He'll wait till she's able to speak, though he wanted to learn more about the creature in front of him.
"Go on. Eat it. I'm not a gourmet chef, but I make amazing eggs." He gave her a crooked smile. He cooked the eggs in cheese and added something spicy in it. Marco doesn't really like eggs, but he'd eat it if Jean cooked them. She gave him a doubtful look, and then took a small bite of the golden colored food. Her eyes lit up and she smiled, shoveling more of the food into her mouth. Jean was going to tell her to slow down, but he relented and smiled instead, eating his food.
After breakfast, Jean washed the dishes after sending the blue eyed girl to watch TV in the living room. He then decided to Call Marco.
"Hey, Marco, uh, if you're not busy, do you think you could come by? I kind of need your help with something. It's important." Marco's reply was slightly worried.
"Yeah, of course, Jean. I'll be there soon. Is it serious? Did something happen?" Jean settled his eyes on the girl who sat on the couch. She was hugging her knees to her chest, resting her chin on top of her knees.
"Uh, well…" He pulled his eyes away from the girl and fiddled with the chain on his dark Jeans. Hell, he'll just tell Marco the truth. The freckled idiot was really interested in the hybrid rumors that he always bugged Jaeger about it.
"Jean?" Marco called to his friend, getting Jean's attention again.
"Oh, sorry, buddy." Jean apologized. "Uh, you remember what Jaeger said yesterday, right?" There was a pause.
"About the human hybrids?" Marco asked.
"Yeah…He was telling you the truth…" God, he hoped Marco wouldn't call him crazy or teased him for saying that. But Marco, bless his heart, wasn't that kind of person. There was another moment of silence before Marco spoke up again.
"What makes you say that?" Marco's tone was curious. Jean glanced back at the girl who was focused on the cartoon. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"Uh, well…I have one…here. Right now…On my couch…watching…cartoons." Way to go, Jean. You sounded like a complete idiot. Marco was silent on the other end. Jean suddenly felt nerves at his friend's silence. Did he thing he was crazy now? Was he going to laugh? Marco laughed lightly. Jean frowned.
"It's not often you joke around, Jean. That was pretty funny."
"Damn it, Marco, I'm not joking!" Jean growled, causing the girl to look at him curiously. He gave her a weak smile before walking back into the kitchen. Marco was quiet again before responding with excitement in his voice.
"Wow! Seriously Jean!? Really?!" Jean could just picture the large grin on Marco's freckled face. "What does it look like?! Is it strange looking?! Does it have powers?!" Marco was shouting in his excitement causing Jean to hold his phone away from his ear.
"Stop shouting!" Jean hollered over his enthusiastic Friend. Marco laughed.
"Well?"
Jean sighed and answered Marco's questions.
"To answer your question about appearances…" Jean began. "It's looks to be around our age. Female. She has long black hair that reaches all the way to her thighs…I think her eyes were blue…" Jean peeked into the living room to look at her. "She has cat ears and a tail, Marco..." He mumbled. Marco gasped lightly.
"Wow, she sounds pretty! She's part cat?! That's amazing! What does her ears look like?! Are they big or small?! What color?!" Marco shouted with great enthusiasm. Jean was amazed how his friend wasn't questioning the girl's existent. No. The big goof ball was having a field day about it.
"Uh…Her ears are large. Black with white tips. Her tail too." Jean sat down at the table.
"Oh, that's cute!" Marco gushed. Jean grimaced. Her personality wasn't…
"Oh, and uh, about the powers thing…I don't know about that." Jean added.
"I'm getting in my car now. I'll be there in a few!" Marco said happily.
"Oh! Okay…" Jean said before hanging up. Well…that went expectantly well…