Two Schools Out - Forever

29

I'll say this for the world, and civilization: The whole hot-shower thing totally worked for me.

Reluctantly, I turned off the water and got out, then wrapped myself in my own personal towel, Dove fresh. On the other hand, civilization had its own quirky demands: remembering to brush your hair, wearing different clothes every day-details I wasn't used to.

But I was dealing.

"Max?" Iggy knocked on the door. "Can I come in? I just have to brush my teeth."

"No-I'm in a towel," I called back.

"I'm blind," he said impatiently.

"No! You're kidding! Are you sure?" I grabbed my comb and rubbed a hole in the fogged-up mirror-then stifled a shriek. Eraser Max was back.

"Very funny," said Iggy. "Well, don't take forever. Primping's not going to do much for you, anyway."

I still hadn't taken a breath by the time I heard his footsteps reach the end of the hall.

Swallowing hard, I reached up with trembling fingers and touched my cheek. It was smooth skin. The mirror showed a hairy paw with ragged claws, caressing my muzzle.

"How is this happening?" I whispered, terrified.

Eraser Max smiled at me. "But we're not so different," it said. "Everything is connected. I'm part of you. You're part of me. We can help each other."

"You're not part of me," I whispered. "I could never be like you."

"Max, Max," Eraser Max said soothingly. "You already are."

I whirled away from the mirror and burst out of the bathroom. Quickly I went to my room and shut the door, before anyone could see me.

I sat on my bed, shaking, and kept touching my face over and over to make sure I was still me. "Am I really, finally going crazy?" I murmured.