"(Y/N)," I said as I approached her.

She jumped when I said her name, but when she turned to look at me, she didn't look upset. No, she didn't look mad at me at all. She almost looked relieved.

"Hey Craig," she said with a small smile.

"You aren't mad at me?" I asked. "For telling everyone about the kiss?"

She gave me a perplexed look and paused before she spoke. "No, I'm not upset...actually, do you think that we could talk tonight?"

I was relieved. She wasn't mad; she even wanted to spend more time together. Although the last time we spent time together, it ended rather quickly. I looked to her hat that she always wore.

Did I make it up?

I was being ridiculous. Of course, I made it up, but then again, why did she run off so quickly? Is that way she isn't mad?

Taking myself away from my thoughts, I answered, "Yeah, I can come by after practice—"

"No, it needs to be much later than that. I got detention for skipping class. Once my parents find out, they'll kill me. It needs to after they go to bed this time," she explained. "You don't mind, do you?"

I stared at her. It seemed that whatever she wanted to talk about was important.

"I'm not shy of a late night." I smirked at her.

"I'll text you," she replied before walking off to go to class.

*Your P.O.V.*

I gave Craig a quick smile before heading down the hall.

I know what I need to do.

The first thing I did was call my mother about the detention. She didn't take it lightly but told me that she would pick me up at five when it was over. Detention wasn't too bad. I just used it as a study time; however, I didn't plan to make it a common thing for me. When my mother picked me up, I got my ass chewed. I told her I missed class because I fell asleep in the library. She knew how fond I was of naps. She bought my excuse and didn't question it being about my secret. When I got home, my father was just about finished with supper. After eating, I locked myself away in my room. Craig had texted me, asking what time to come, but it was still far too early. Around 10:30, my parents went to bed. I texted Craig at 11:00 that he could come.

Here goes nothing.

I climbed out my window jumped off the roof, landing agilely on my feet. I then ran down the block and got into Craig's car. He quickly sped off.

"Where we going?" I asked.

"You'll see," he replied, sounding rather disinterested.

He pulled into Stark Pond and parked his car.

He was the first to speak, "I want to apologize about tell—"

"Stop. Don't apologize. I just want to know why you didn't tell anyone about the other thing," I cut him off.

I usually wouldn't be so assertive with such an intimidating male, but it didn't make any sense. I couldn't coward down not. Not this time. This was a matter of my safety from them. Not only that, but I didn't want to leave South Park. It was an interesting little town, and it had Craig. I had to know why he didn't say anything. Was it blackmail? Or was it the fact that he liked me?

"What other thing?" he asked, his voice didn't waver.

Was he serious?

"You know what I am talking about," I replied.

He didn't speak. Did he really not realize? Or was this just a normal thing here?

I took a deep breath and mustered every bit of courage I had to take off my hat.

Craig's blue eyes were devoured by his pupil as he started at me. "I-I thought I made that up."

I scratched the back of my ear and gave him a weak smile. "No, I'm part cat."

"Jesus," he commented.

I didn't wait for him to talk anymore; I had to explain to him, "Please Craig just listen to me. I was part of an experiment. There are a few others like us, but the government found out. The whole operation was busted, but in the chaos, I ran. It took a few days, but I finally found my parents. We've been on the run since. I have the government trying to terminate me, and I have those scientists trying to finish their experiment. That's why I am in South Park because the last town found out."

"Why are you telling me this?" he asked.

"Because Craig, I really like you. Like way more than I have ever even had an opportunity to like someone—"

"I like you, too," he interrupted. "I don't need to know anymore. I'm not going to let anything happen to you or your ears."

I was so relieved. He took it so well.

"Thank you, Craig." I smiled.

He took my chin and kissed me gently. "Thank you for trusting me."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug. I wanted to cry. He was the only person I had ever opened up to about this. It was all so overwhelming that I just couldn't hold it back any longer.

"Don't cry. It's going to be okay," he said as he rubbed my back. "But I do have one condition."

I pulled away from him; anxiety filled my body.

Of course, there is a catch. This was a horr-

"You have to go out with me," he said.

I couldn't help but blush. "I can agree to those terms."

He gave me a smirk. "I mean even if you didn't, you wouldn't have had much of a choice. Let's get you home."

I held an undeniable smile on my face as he drove us back to my house, holding my hand in his.