Foxified

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02. birthday

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Knock.

"Mmph." I groaned, burying my face deeper into the pillow.

"Rae?" Mum's voice.

I ignored her, trying my best to get back to sleep, and hopefully have another dream about making out with Orlando Bloom. Yum yum. It's not like I really like him or anything, but he's so delicious looking, it doesn't hurt to dream about him. At all. I sighed in contentment.

"Raeanne Halley." Mum said sweetly. "You're going to be late for school. It's half past seven. Breakfast's at table if you want any." She paused. "I mean, if you still have time for it. See you later, honey." I heard her going back to the kitchen.

It took me a few seconds before her words registered. "Argh shit!" I cursed and dragged myself out of bed clumsily. Where's that damn alarm clock when you need it?

I remembered setting the clock yesterday night. It did not ring at all today. I'm positive of that. I caught sight of Kilan lounging near the table with an innocent look on his foxy face. I narrowed my eyes.

"Kilan? Where's the alarm clock?" I asked, suspicion lacing my voice.

Kilan let out a smug look and jumped onto the chair. The alarm clock was beneath him. That bastard. If you can even call a fox that.

Kilan scoffed and ran out of the room. I swear, he scoffed at me. He really scoffed. Can a fox do that?

Okay, maybe I'm just weird or something, but somehow, I knew how to read Kilan's expressions since young. I scowled. I vaguely remembered that I was afraid of him when I was younger, but after that I just grew out of that phrase and got annoyed at him instead. I mean, I was all happy wanting to be on good terms with my pet, but he has denied me all these years.

Can you imagine it? Kilan denied me for totally eleven years. I swear there's no other pet like him. And of course, adding to the fact that he is a fox. No one has a fox as a pet, I'm telling you. But somehow, all my friends find it cool that I have such a... unusual pet.

They don't even know what a terrible childhood I had with him. Being naive like a five years old should, I try to be his friend, as well as to try and be a good owner to him, despite my initial fear. Guess what? He totally blew me off. He ignored me, growled at me, and glared at me. In other words, he hated me.

So I have been tolerating him for the past eleven years. Of course, I'm not so stupid as to try and be his friend again. And he seems pretty happy that I've finally stop pestering him. So now what? He was feeling bored and decided to play tricks on me just for his self-satisfaction?

Yeah. Obviously that makes him happy.I thought sourly as I changed clothes. What kind of fox does that?

I brushed the comb through my jet black hair to get rid of all the tangles that I have acquired through sleeping and applied some make-up on my fair complexion. I glanced at the clock. A quarter to eight.

"Oh holy shit." I hurried over to the phone and dialed Luke's cellphone number.

"What's up?"

"Luke, can you come by on the way to school? I overslept today." I said, while thinking of the day where I'll personally pluck out Kilan's hair one by one. I sniggered at the thought of Kilan all bare, without his nice brown fur to protect him from the cold.

In case you're wondering, no, I'm not evil. It's only natural to sprout this kind of thoughts after eleven years with an unbearable fox.

"Is it so funny that you overslept?" Luke's amused voice brought me out of my thoughts.

"Nah, I'm just imagining Kilan without his fur." I smirked.

Luke sighed. "I really don't understand why you hate your pet so much. I mean, he's pretty cool, if you ask me."

I snorted. "Pretty cool? He always gives you that face that says 'Go Away' whenever you come over, and you think he's cool?" I scoffed.

Luke laughed. "Yeah! You know, other people's pets all cuddled up to me, but your Kilan just gave me this attitude of his. I think he's pretty interesting."

Oh. Did I mention that Luke's really good with animals? But somehow, his charms didn't work on Kilan. I think Kilan is just special in this way.

"Yeah whatever. Oh my god! I got so caught up in talking that I didn't even realize the time! Get your ass over here now, Luke! It's ten to eight!" I said in a panic.

Luke clucked his tongue. "Good girl Rae. Must always be on time." He chuckled.

"Luke!" I screeched. "You know that's not true! I can't be late again! It will be my fucking tenth time for this month! I do not want any detention on my birthday." I gritted out.

"Chill Rae. I'm on my way. Actually I'm only one street away. You might want to hang up now." He replied.

"Yeah. See you in a few." I slammed the phone down and grabbed my bag before hurrying downstairs.

"Hey Tenjo. Good morning." I greeted cheerfully. Kilan, who was loitering around Tenjo, looked at me pointedly. "Kilan." I acknowledged stiffly.

Tenjo made a noise in response while Kilan turned away haughtily. I rolled my eyes and went into the kitchen. If I have to compare, Tenjo is like the daddy fox in our family, while Kilan is like a teenage fox going through puberty. I snickered a little at that thought.

"Good morning, Dad, Mum. I'm off to school. Luke's picking me up." I said.

"Good morning Rae. Remember to come home early today." Dad replied without taking his eyes off the newspaper.

"Yes, remember. It's your birthday today. I'm cooking up a feast." Mum said with a smile.

"Yeah. Got to go. See you guys later!" I called out and ran outside. Luke was already waiting there, with a bored expression on his face.

"Hey Rae. Come on. I'll speed us to school. Only five minutes left." Luke shouted when he spotted me running across the lawn.

"I know. Gee." I climbed onto Luke's bike and wrapped my arms around his waist.

He took off and within a minute, we're at the school gates. I scrambled off and gave Luke a peck on the cheek.

"Thanks. I'm going in first." I hurried down the hallway and reached the classroom just as the bell rang.

Phew. That was close.

A minute later, Luke sauntered in. And guess what? He got detention after school. But knowing him, he'll just probably skip it. He only attends detention when I'm in it as well, so that he can keep me company. That's really sweet of him.

Most of the people in our school perceive Luke as this cocky bad boy who always gets into trouble, but he's actually a nice guy with a great personality. And he has this thing about him that just attracts people to him. So all in all, he's pretty popular in school, although he doesn't give a shit about his social status.

What can I say? He's just awesome in his own way, and in a sense, I'm kinda proud of him. Heh.

•••

After what seemed like an eternity in class, it was finally lunchtime. Thank god.

I headed for the cafeteria with Luke by my side. Jazzy, my best friend, will be popping up somewhere nearby any minute from now. You see, I have almost every class with Luke, but only a few with Jazzy. The three of us always hang out together.

"Rae, here." Luke suddenly said, stretching out his hand towards me. A small box was perched on top of his hand.

"Huh, what?" I asked in confusion.

Luke sighed impatiently. "You know, you, birthday present?"

A smile tugged at the edge of my lips. "Is this how you wish someone a happy birthday, Luke?" I asked with a pout.

Luke rolled his eyes. "Fine. I'll just take it back." He muttered.

I snatched the box from his hand before he could keep it. He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Well, it's mine." I said pointedly. I opened the box to find a pair of beautiful pearl earrings in it.

I gasped. "It's beautiful Luke. Thanks." I hugged him in delight.

"You're welcome. Now can you please get off me?" Luke asked, amusement dancing in his hazel eyes.

I shrugged and let go of him.

"Rae!" A voice squealed from behind me, and before I could respond, I was body-locked.

The corner of my mouth curved up in a small smile. "Jazzy, I'm suffocating."

"Oops. I guess I got too carried away, hehe." Jazzy released her hold on me and beamed brightly. "Rae, happy sweet sixteen to you!" She said, giving me my present.

"Thank you dear!" I replied cheerfully. "I'll open it!"

I unwrapped the edge of the present with anticipation, and found that it contained a paperback. "Ohh. It's a book?" I flipped the book over and froze when I saw the title.

"What the hell…? Dog training for dummies?"

I was flabbergasted, to say the least. I vaguely heard Luke snickering behind me.

"I thought you need this the most." Jazzy said brightly. "I couldn't find any books for training foxes, no matter how hard I try to find, so I settle for dogs instead. It's about the same anyway, a fox and a dog, they're both four-legged, isn't it?"

Luke burst out laughing.

Fine, Jazzy, you win.

•••

I was almost reaching home when I got a call from Mum.

"Yeah mum?"

"Hey sweetie, I'm out for some errands right now and will be back in about ten minutes time. Your dad should be reaching home anytime right now. Are you reaching home soon?" She asked.

"Actually, I'm at the front door."

"Alright then, I'll see you later honey. Love you!"

"Love you too." I mumbled before hanging up.

I entered the house and spotted Tenjo napping near the balcony. With careful steps, I made my way up to my room.

"God damn, I'm bushed." I muttered to myself and threw my bag onto the bed. "Should probably take a bath first…" I rummaged through my closet for some light wear before making my way to the bathroom.

I was just a few steps away when I froze in my tracks.

Running water.

Someone was in the bathroom, but who? I'm positive that I'm the only one in the house. Well, besides Tenjo and Kilan anyway.

I paused.

Kilan. Should I get him here to intimidate the intruder?

And then, another thought strikes my mind. How did the intruder get in without the foxes noticing?

I was snapped out of my thoughts when the water stopped running. Before I could do anything, the door opened and a stark naked man stood in front of me.

Oh . my . god .

My eyes widened and I opened my mouth to scream, but he was faster. In a flash, he pinned me to the wall and covered my mouth with his hand.

"Listen, stay calm and stop struggling." He commanded in a deep voice.

Oh hell. If he thinks I'm going to listen to him, he's dead wrong.

I bit down hard. On his hand.

"Fuck!" He cursed and loosened his hold on me.

I broke away and searched frantically for something that could be used as a weapon.

There was nothing. Damn it.

I diverted my attention back to him and glared hard. "Who the hell are you?" My eyes traveled down his torso. "For god's sake, use something to cover your lower half!" My face burned as I practically screeched that out.

I watched as he calmly picked up the towel that I dropped earlier and secured it around his waist. He glanced at me, and without warning, he suddenly took quick strides towards me.

I backed off instinctively. "Get away from me!"

I turned to run, but he caught me by the arm easily and once again, pinned me to the wall.

My breath hitched as I took a close look at him. Wet caramel hair, electric blue eyes, a sharp nose, and a defined jaw.

Damn, he's fucking hot.

I shot him a fierce look. "Who are you? What do you want?"

He smirked. "Well, for starters…" He leaned in close to my ear and whispered something to me.

My eyes widened.

A thud sounded on the floor.

I whipped my head towards the direction of the sound. "Dad…" His briefcase was on the floor beside him. Tenjo was there too, and amazingly, he had the same shell shocked expression as my father. I never thought a fox will have that type of expression.

"Raeanne Halley, what did I say about bringing half naked guys home when nobody's in?"

Uh oh. Dad's pissed.

Things just got better and better.

•••

A/N: For the old readers, yes, I've removed the curse part. It seems like the storyline will change much more than I expected, and I have to churn out new chapters, so look forward to it. Thanks for the reviews~