Chapter 7

Eventually we made our way to my house. I knew I needed to be back at

the barn but for now, I wanted to savor the thrill of having a

"yeerk-free hour." I went back out side and settled myself into the

giant beech tree in my back yard. I caressed her sleek bark and felt

the protection that her massive limbs radiated. As I closed my eyes, I

remembered when Tobias and I had perched upon a beech like this one,

once upon a white Christmas. Maybe I dozed off, but the next thing I

knew a hawk was perched on a thin branch above me knocking off some

snow. For a moment I thought I was still dreaming, until I began to

feel the frosted air. I shook off the snow that had fallen on my lap as

I stood up.

"What are you doing here, Tobias?" I inquired.

(I was sent to get you. For some reason they think you might be late.)

There was a good deal amusement in his voice. Glancing at my watch, I

could only smile at my punctuality, or the lack of it. I yelled for my

other sister, Joelle, to tell mom I was going to Cassie's and made my

way to the barn, wishing I were allowed to morph into something with a

fur coat.

As we approached the barn, Tobias seemed distracted. Looking up, I saw

his head cocked to one side as he focused on something in the

snowdrifts only he could see, and he was hungry.

"Go ahead, Tobias, you know you want it. I can make it from here."

He

threw a "thanks" over his shoulder and dived into the snow, a mouse

squeaked. Shuddering slightly, I approached the double doors. Upon

hearing my name inside, I paused to listen.

"Jake! Your way out of line, man." That was Marco.

"Look, all I'm saying is that things were a lot less dangerous when she

wasn't here." The voice dripping with rage was none other than Jake.

"Ok, Jake. I think your still upset now that someone else knows about

this." I recognized Cassie's kind voice trying to calm Jake down. In my

minds eye I saw her sitting by him, gently patting his hand, and

offering comfort.

"Of course I am upset! We are supposed to be fighting the yeerks and

it's supposed to be a secret! Not something you blurt-" I pulled away

from the door when I heard Steve breathlessly calling my name behind

me.

"Hi!" I greeted with false cheerfulness. "No wonder I like you, you

make me feel punctual." I laughed away my anxiety with him and finally

brought myself to knock. As we stepped inside I was aware of the

hostile air in the room. Ax looked very confused. I carefully

positioned myself as far away from Jake as possible. Tobias, who had

finished with his meal, glided in after me.

"So, Ax, would you care to tell us what's going on?" Jake asked, some

anger still lingering in his voice, which he fought to control.

(Yes, Prince Jake.) Ax jumped right into it. (What I tried to tell you

yesterday was that when one contacts a nothlit, that Andalite-or human

in this case, should not try to morph. If you do, there is no two-hour

time limit, the instant you morph you will become a nothlit.) For a

moment no one said anything. Remembering how I had almost morphed on

the way over here, I shuddered.

"Can you cure it?" Steve asked. I held my breath waiting for his answer

for what seemed like an eternal second.

(Well it does go away after a period of time, but yes I can.) Everyone

sighed with relief.

"How soon can you do it?" Cassie asked.

(I could do it now if you wish.) Cassie and I exchanged glances then

nodded to Ax. The sooner we were allowed to morph, the better. We again

exchanged looks. Cassie motioned her head towards me. I shook my head

and repeated the gesture toward her, meaning she should go first. She

also shook her head. I cocked my head stubbornly and she nodded,

surrendering. With that, Cassie told Ax she would go first. Rachel

grinned, understanding what had happened. Marco was very confused.

"What was that?"

"It's a girl thing." Cassie, Rachel, and I chorused, then we broke into

laughter.

"Women." The guys said together. There in the barn, was the difference

between men and women.