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Beefore: Chapter 4: A "new life" long friend

"(Yawning) Crap (very big yawn) Dun, dun, dun."

To be honest, her mind wasn't all at it yet. It was on Laura, who successfully haunted another of Kelly's dreams. With how clear her memory was, she thought hard the night before about her. In retrospect she may have been right, and though it confused the heck out of her, if Kelly didn't over-think her she could see Laura less creepy. Kelly was at least now intrigued by it and wanted to talk to her again, but as morning hit her, her routine life returned as Kelly was interrupted by the thought of her midterm tests. She didn't feel ready, but still had some confidence in herself, and just wanted to get through her tests, hopefully successful.

As she looked out the window, she could feel the late summer sun shining on and warming her, but when she saw the changing leaves on the trees outside her window she got chills. With the long summer, it seemed as though spring break was just a month ago! She didn't know how she could react if real-life moved this fast! Kelly had no idea where she was going in life. It felt as if she wasnt even meant to pursue what she was studying.

"Oh, crap..." Kelly thought to herself. "What if I'm NOT meant for it... oooooohhhh, I'm a moo!"

She started to whine, and slowly got started to what could be a potentially pointless, but horrible day.

The morning routine was mostly the same as usual, although that morning, Kelly's other friend and housemate, Melinda, was there. Her job often required her to travel a lot, but she enjoyed it, explaining how it kept her life from being too boring.

Kelly was getting ready to go to classes, but as she stepped into the kitchen where everyone (save for her grandmother) was at, everyone started to look at her, concernedly. Kelly, thought the worst.

"What? What happened? What time is it? Am I running late? Do I look bad? Do I smell bad? Am I completely dressed? Am I missing anything? Do I- No- Am I- Oh my god guys I'm so sorry! I-I'm... it's not what it looks like! Just please-"

"Girl, you look so out of it!" Melinda interrupted as Kelly walked into the kitchen. "Are you feelin' alright? Are you sure you're ready for your tests?"

Kelly could only sigh in relief. "No, honestly, I'm not ready. I've just had a long night, that's all."

"You stressed about the tests?" Sarah asked.

"Sissy, you have no idea."

"Okay... would you like to do some quick morning yoga? Or if you like, I can-"

"It's fine, but if you can give me some caffeine that would be great... and make me something, like a sammich and salad for lunch."

Everyone stopped. Kelly knew right away what she said and what they were thinking, but pretended to ignore them. She just thought that a salad wouldn't do too bad for her for a change. She was having somewhat less of a craving for anything greasy.

As Sarah gave her coffee and started making her lunch, Kelly indulged in the typical last-minute studying which she knew she might forget later, but she couldn't focus right. It was still early in the morning (not a fun time in any way), or maybe because her mind was wandering. Either could be an excuse.

Trying to get back on track as she was walking out the door, she asked her grandma for any words of encouragement.

"Don't worry, sweetie. You'll be fine! Just try. Think of the first thing that sticks to you in your head and go from there if you're not sure. You always pull through when you need to!"

"Thanks grandma." Kelly said, sounding as if she had only a grain of the confidence that she did.

-

Ah, Heritage University. Making the amateurs and breaking the privileged since 1889.

When Kelly reached her first class, early American politics, ugh, they began taking their tests right away. History class was probably one of her best subjects, though. Not having to remember literally EVERYTHING she's ever learned throughout her life really cut her a break.

It took a while before she could fully wake up, but once the caffeine kicked in she zoomed through the first half of the test and caught up on the first half of the time given. The second half, however, was not as successful after Kelly became stuck, and her mind began to wander from the presidency of Franklin Pierce, to other things that she didn't have to work so hard to remember...

"What was 'er name? Jenny? Dara? Barbara? Laura? LAURA!"

The same thoughts echoed through her mind of the only interesting thing that's happened in her boring and lonely life; and of the one who kept making it ever the more interesting.

"Oh, Laura, what do you want? I mean, it all seems so real, and she's the only one keeping me from losing my sanity right now. I've GOT to get this sorted out with that lady! I mean... what if... what if that really is my life?"

She looked u p toward the clock and came to. It was obvious it was going to be THAT KIND OF DAY!

...and it was. Kelly's lack of enthusiasm (and studying) forced her to draw more half-conscious moments of boredom and nearly fall asleep in daydreaming, which made presence throughout the rest of her exams.

After classes finished for the day, Kelly went home and went straight up to her bed. The first day of exams, which she never felt up for, went worse than she expected. She had done pretty well up till that point as opposed to the past year, but she only hoped now that she did better than she expected. Kelly didn't feel the tests went THAT badly, but she still had no idea.

She hoped the next day would go better for her. For some reason, Kelly just couldn't let go of it, the opportunity to talk with Laura again (even though she would have to work (ask if she could stay later, which she [Laura] can't that day (don't explain why, though, or argue from Kelly why she won't stay and watch over her.

-

Having no other plans for the next day except a half-scheduled day at work, and obviously she didn't usually consider studying as much as she did sleeping, Kelly took the opportunity to chill, then nap, then chill with a brief nap before going out for a brisk walk in the park. Who knows, maybe she could meet that deer again. It was now more amusing than annoying to Kelly by this point, so why not? Maybe she should try playing Laura like she did to her.

Kelly glanced around at the boring neighborhood around her as she walked down the street. Nobody did too much anymore once they got into the swing of social media, so it was no wonder there wasn't even half as many people out as there used to be, and not even half of those who were out could look in any other direction but down at some sort of screen.

"Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic."

-

Kelly walked rather fast along the path leading in. Before the... incident... she hadn't even gone to the park much since she was little while visited her grandmother. Since this was also the first time she came here rather relaxed, Kelly was finally able to truly look at it.

It was really beautiful, even with the city backdrop over the trees in the distance. The grass was soft and green, despite the amount of dog poop that had to have been able to fertilize it many times over. It was a shame that no one was able to enjoy it anymore, though probably a good thing for... anyone in Kelly's situation. Still sad, though. Kelly wasn't able to call much beautiful, but now she was able to truly embrace it, even if just for a moment. The park wasn't too big or too small. One corner extended just into downtown, the opposite into a small area of woods just along the outskirts of the city, which was an area of argument over construction rights that the mysteriously stubborn owner didn't want to give up, and thank goodness now.

As she neared the area where they met before, she checked to make sure there wasn't anyone in immediate proximity to her. She subtly called for Laura, but no response. She walked around nearby and tried again. The same. She waited there for another five minutes or so wondering if it was a trap, until she heard a thumping. It wasn't like a rabbit, but like a very excited toddler chasing a ball. Suddenly, a voice.

"Hey! Kelly!"

Thankfully, Laura came up behind her waving like she was hailing a taxi. It was easy to see that she ran here in a hurry and tried to hide it.

"What's up?" Laura shouted her as she tried to slow down, almost falling when she tripped over a tree root growing out of the path.

"Careful," Kelly smiled amusingly, "I just wanted to talk a few minutes."

"You... you w-want to... talk?! Oh no! Okay sweetie, just relax. Should I call the hospital, or-r-?!"

"Alright, alright, I know. I'm a stubborn, childish, pain in the... shut up!"

"(Giggling) Okay, okay, sorry. So what did you want to talk about?"

"I don't know." Kelly responded.

"You mean you called me ALL the way down here just for that? Did you just want to look at me or something, or... oh my, Kelly. I'm not that kind of woman."

"COOL IT, BUCKY! You know you owe me an explanation!"

"Bucky?"

"Yeah I got it all now; I believe! I have yet to give my trust, though. So help me you better not be the stalker you say, and you better have better ways to prove it to me than setting up some stupid deer to stare at me through my window trick because if not, you don't have the balls big enough to admit anything to me rather than play me!"

"I can't show you now; not here!"

"I'm not a lesbian!"

"You- what?!"

"Creepy little bimbo... Bimbi!"

"Which do you want?!"

(mocking her) "What do I want?"

"Do you want to go back to being that thing or be able to live with it, or go crazy and kill yourself if no one else does it first?"

Kelly was about to say something, but then thought about movies where they say that and they really want you do die. It was either be a monster or die. How did Kelly even know it was true?

Kelly got a sudden rush of fortitude while getting ready to run for it. If she could see for real what she suspected, she could make a show, hopefully successful if it played out as it did in her head.

"Sorry!" Laura continued. "I didn't mean to cause you trouble... like you learned already. I've learned enough about you already, and figured what your reaction would be if I went around the bush a thousand times while acting like some stalker when I'm everything but, so I-"

"Well what are you then?"

"Thought th- I'm just a friend who's the only one willing to help you; so anywho, I thought clearing everything up right away and trying to get you to shut up would BENEFIT you. It was all with good intentions."

"You know what I want! F-Freaking fix this damn issue!"

"No, what else?!"

Kelly paused and choked. "For you to prove to me."

"Come here." Laura gestured as she walked over to sit on the bench, making sure that the coast was clear. "Hold out your hand."

"For what, a silver knife?"

Laura walked over to her bags and picked them up and threw them off to the side. "You wanna strip search me? I don't care if someone sees my tits!"

"It's called logic."

"Well hold out your hand then. The most I could do is spit in it."

Kelly held her hand out, but close to her body. Laura grabbed and held it, placing one of hers inside Kelly's palm.

"What now?"

"Trust me, and don't do anything else at all."

Laura stood still, looking around and cringing as she began to perspire a little, but told Kelly not to let go. Before long, Kelly felt something strange inside her hand. Quickly looking down in curiosity she froze in shock as something replaced Laura's hand, which within seconds looked like something more... cervine, and looking up Laura's arm the deer-like appendage connected to, Kelly was definitely assured it was all one body, as Laura's arm started to change from light skin, into more brownish from the fur she was watching grow out of it. Finally coming back to herself, Kelly got chills throughout her body as she shook like a vibrator and started choking on the gasps of air she was trying to find to scream with.

Right as Kelly caught a breath, Laura put her changed appendage around her and her hand over Kelly's mouth and pulled her in close.

"So ya see? I'm just like you, but a different breed. I can't possibly hurt you. See? I'm a friend."

She wasn't sure if Kelly even understood her as she stared into her.

"Come on, wake up Kelly!"

She needed to calm her down fast so she wouldn't go off crying werewolf... or deer, but she couldn't keep talking. Finally she pulled Kelly in hard and gave her a deep, almost truly passionate kiss.

Suddenly all other cares flew away from both of them. Laura held there until Kelly relaxed, overwhelmed at what was happening before she let her go, both gasped for air.

"Now sit down!"

Kelly, obeyed her like a puppy. She stood up and sat down on the other bench as Laura wiped her lips off.

"Oooh I'm so glad Geoff wasn't here right now." Laura continued.

Kelly finally came to. "Who's Geoff"

'Oh, just a friend and a big dramatic goofball. Trust me, don't ask him to write your life story."

"Yes ma'am."

A pinch of tenderness mixed with sympathy filled her heart as she watched Laura continue to wipe her lips again. Was there another reason Laura was here?

"Sorry 'bout that. I'm just glad I brought your mind back to Earth, and for the record I'm not a lesbian... Are-are you okay now? Like, chill with me?"

"Y-yes."

"Do you think I'm a monster?"

"N-no?"

"Okay, now Kelly you know I'm with you in this. I'm not a monster and you're not a monster. It's not like the movies. Kelly... Can you be my friend?"

"I dunno. Not much of a choice."

"I'll take that as a yes. Do you think you could talk about it right now?"

She paused.

"Umm... you're a deer."

"Umm... yes."

"How can you help if you're a deer and I'm that moose-thing?"

"This kind of thing doesn't depend on what kind of animal. Tell me, what's your issue? Are you having more changes, physical issues, going insane, or someone after you?"

"No, not all of it. I mean, mostly it's just- all these things have just been getting to me, picking at my brain because I just wanted to talk to you again... for your help to make it stop? Tell me everything about that night?"

"Oh, you're overwhelmed, but curious, and wonder that if all of this is true, what else is there and how can you deal with it."

"Well, that's part of it. Do you do this a lot?"

"(Giggle) No.Assuming from your behavior, was your first official change; a shift, but the thing, is... how old are you?"

"Twenty one."

"Wow, dang girl! I mean, seriously! Normally a first true change isn't supposed to happen that late, though it is not unheard of, but for multiple reasons behind it, some still unknown, but its' still uncommon. Your change appeared to be average, not too excruciatingly painful and not too... ahem, excitingly painless. You haven't shown too much since then, which I also find strange, but again, not too far off."

"What do you mean?! This thing has been haunting me since I changed!"

"You're just anxious, that's all;. You'll see, it'll become less stressful for you in that sense over time. You'll eventually make it part of your life."

"WHAT?!"

"Whiiiiiiich will help you to balance it out again and potentially go back to your normal life. That being said, you should already know, that depending on how you take it, accepting it or refusing it or loving or hating it; will decide how it will affect your daily life. You know what I mean, right?"

"Well, you're already at a not-that-bad point. At least we know where most of the related stress is, which would be the anxiety of the sudden change into what they say is fantasy, and the fact that it's screwing you up with how you want to live your life. At least you don't seem to fear becoming a monster of the night,' and it's not making you a horny fan-girl; rather you're just debating how you'll be able to squish it in with the rest of your life. Don't worry at all, I'll help you with it! It'll take a couple of months of various-"

"Months?! NO!"

"I said don't worry, I'm here to help you, and make it as least stress inducing as I can. Getting back on topic... well... I think I lost myself. I don't know else to say, unless you ask-"

"How long? When? Who? How-"

"What, what, what, what?"

"When will I change again? How long will I be a steer when I do? How long before I can control it? Would there be any repercussions from doing so? Who's going to help me, be my spotter in case anything happens n' stuff?"

"First, I don't know when you'll change again. Not only is it difficult to tell at first, but you're difficult as well, with how off you, your body and your life are. Two, it will vary. Maybe for a couple of moments, maybe a couple hours, maybe a couple days, before you can control it as much as you choose to be a steer." She could already see Kelly getting a bit overstressed. "C, it will vary on how much you are able to learn before you can control it, sort of like learning how to drive a car, before you even try thinking about learning how to race one. Cinco... what was it again, sorry."

"Repercussions from controlling my body."

"Right, no, unless you overstress it in the wrong way, like ruining your health far beyond what it is, or getting too worked up, or too often."

"Who's going to help me?"

"Right, be your 'spotter', that'll most likely be me, unless we can find someone else who can help."

"We?"

"I'll get to that later. What- Oh! Wait, was there anything else?"

"I have other questions, but not sure how to ask them, yet."

"'Kay, well that other question... 'We' referred to, you guessed it, other weres!" There goes her cheesy excitement again. "That's to put it very simply, though somewhat demeaning, depending on who you ask. But all in all, we always like to stick together to help those who need it! I have a few friends in particular who we all get together and do our own things, like-"

"Aren't you a little old?"

"Hey, I'm only twenty two... oh. Age is just a number, little sweetie panda pumpkin cake. Besides we can do more adult things. Plus we still have our own roles in helping this, too. Sometimes in different ways though. You shouldn't have to worry about us."

"I'm just starting to."

"Alright, now you're just being mean. But really, We'll be almost like your extended family (because we practically are already), but maybe that'll help you to calm your life a bit, get you comfortable, give you awesome friends to hang out with, AND if there's things that I can't help with, maybe they can! Does that sound alright?"

"Do I have much of a choice?"

"No!" Laura said with a smile. Kelly assumed she was either happy to know she can help, or happy she can stay with her and bug her more.

"Here," she said giving Kelly a little piece of paper from her pocket. "Stop by my place and we'll meet up. I can bring a couple of friends if you want. Does Saturday sound good?"

"I don't know. What'll you do if I don't?"

"Hey! Right now, who else do you have? Well why don't you take a leap of faith with yourself for once and grab your life instead of everything else while waiting for something good to catch up wherever you go? What else could possibly go wrong? You can bring somebody with you then. We'll all meet up and have dinner together. Then we'll talk-"

"Laura- Look, there's not much else I can do right now, I know, but -"

"I know. See you Saturday." She said as she started to leave.

"I just don't know if- Hey!"

"Great talkin' to you for once, Kelly. Later!"

As much as Kelly didn't want to admit to herself, it was still quite amusing to her. Still though, for all she knew Laura was out to get her, but she just proved... Kelly could only agree with taking that leap of faith. If it were to happen again, which Laura seemed to expect, she might just go crazy or whatnot. It was definitely something she had to think about, but first and foremost, Kelly hoped she could think more about her midterms.

-

Next chapter honestly coming soon.