'I think she's actually shifting this time,' Janie exclaims excitedly while my back arches in agony.
'I've heard that the first shift is always the most painful,' Xander remarks.
'Why is it taking so long?' I cry out in distress as the agony intensifies.
'I've never seen a first shift, but I've been told it lasts no longer than five minutes. After that, the transformation is instantaneous,' Xander says.
Twenty minutes of unrelenting pain pass, and my friends' worried expressions deepen as the only progress I make is the magenta fur growing down my back. Janie speaks up, her voice trembling. 'Xander, you said it would only last five minutes.'
'I know, this is not right,' Xander replies, perplexed.
Suddenly, I sit up, heaving and gasping for breath as if an invisible force has pulled me up. All my wolf features disappear in a blink, except my ears and tail, leaving me with nothing but disappointment.
'It happened again. I only partially shifted,' I lament, feeling defeated.
Janie sits beside me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. 'But this is progress, Rose. You went further than last time. Maybe next time, it'll be different,' she offers with a reassuring smile.
‘But the pain is horrendous. I don’t think I could do it. The more I think about it, the more I don’t want to shift and just want to focus on getting rid of these ears and tail,’ I tell her.
‘Then, that’s what we’ll do. One more week, and we will go to Felderia and create the potion you need,’ she smiles.
As Janie takes my hand, she flinches and sees something. We are quick to realise she is predicting something. Her hold on my hand tightens as worry etches across her face. Suddenly she lets go.
‘What did you see?’ I ask her.
‘It was dark. You were crying and running home. You were distraught about something. You got home and locked yourself in your room. Your phone flashed. I can see there are seven missed calls from Brad, and you received a text from him. You were trembling. As you were about to read the message, the premonition stopped,’ she says.
‘Do you know when this will happen?’ I ask her.
‘No, I should have looked at the date on your phone, but it happened so quickly. Maybe I’ll predict more of the situation over the next few days?’ Janie says.
‘Friday night, I’m going to Neilson’s party with Brad. Could it be then?’ I ask.
‘You weren’t dressed up for a party. I’m not sure,’ Janie says.
‘Maybe we have our first argument or something?’ I tell her.
Janie’s bright green eyes bore into mine, ‘You were pretty shaken up and frightened, Rose,’ she says. ‘I’ve never seen you so upset or scared,’ she adds.
Feeling uncomfortable with the topic, I rub my arms. ‘It’s getting quite cold. Let’s go home.’
Janie stares at me with a frown, and her worry is deafening.
Xander opens the passenger door for Janie, then the back door for Imogen and me to climb into.
Imogen is the first to break the silence as Xander drives them to her house. 'So, what should we pack for our trip to Felderia?' she asks him.
'Nothing that will give away you’re human,' Xander replies.
'Well, that's not very helpful, Xander, since everything we have is made by humans,' I retort sarcastically.
'Nothing obvious, like brand-named packaged food. Bring bread, cheese, and baked biscuits. Things like that to eat, but wrap them in linen. Cloaks are commonly worn in Felderia and will help conceal your identities,' he advises.
'Where would we find cloaks?' I ask.
'Maybe a costume store?' Imogen suggests.
'I know a costume store we can go to after academy tomorrow,' Janie says.
'Most Felderian ladies wear corset-style dresses, but some, generally the unruly ones, tend to wear trousers tucked into boots with a long-sleeve shirt and a vest,' Xander tells us.
'Oh, like a pirate!' I laugh.
'Well, generally, they don't have a wooden leg, an eye patch, nor a parrot on their shoulder,' Xander quips.
'Whatever,' I mutter as he pulls up in front of Imogen's house.
She waves goodbye, exits the car, and races to her front door.
'See you tomorrow!' I shout out the window.
She smiles and nods before disappearing inside.
'Do you think you'll wear a dress or trousers?' I ask Janie.
'Guess,' she replies.
'A dress,' I answer.
'Yep. What about you?' Janie asks.
'Guess,' I reply with a grin.
'I bet you'll wear trousers,' she smiles.
'Yep,' I laugh.
Xander pulls up in front of Janie's house.
I hug her goodbye. 'I'll see you in the morning,' I tell her.
'Rose, before you go. You know I'm always here for you, right?' she says.
'Of course,' I reply.
'You know you can tell me anything if something were ever to happen?'
'Yes, Janie. I know. You don't have to keep reminding me,' I say.
'I will remind you daily until I feel assured that you will come to me for help. I don't want you ever to feel as scared or hurt as you did in that premonition, and if I can do something to stop it from happening, then I will,' Janie says.
I hug her again. 'Thanks, Janie,' I say and cross the road to my house.
As morning arrives, I stretch and roll in bed before accidentally falling off the edge. I quickly get up and race to my wardrobe, slipping on my favourite jeans and an eighties-style punk rock shirt. I wear a slightly oversized plain red jumper to cover my tail, but it still bulges. Frustrated by the rope that's been itching my skin, I grab a belt and strap it around my waist to flatten my furry tail. I check myself in the mirror and nod in approval before grabbing my beanie and rushing downstairs.
My father is eating breakfast, and I can't hide my annoyance at his absence. 'I haven't seen you in weeks, Dad,' I frown.
'I know, work has been busy,' he replies.
'I think Mum is lonely. Can't you cut back a bit?' I ask.
'Not at the moment. I can't just turn down high-profile clients. The money is too good,' he says, defending himself.