The X and Plus

Mariza adjusted her red jacket as she walked through the crowded hallway of Kingston High School. Her turquoise-streaked hair bounced with each step, and her bright green eyes scanned the familiar faces around her.

"Did you hear about the new girl?" her friend Jake whispered as they reached their lockers.

Mariza shook her head. "What new girl?"

"She's in our homeroom. Apparently she just transferred here yesterday."

The morning bell rang, and Mariza hurried to class. She slid into her usual seat and glanced around. That's when she saw her.

The new student sat in the back corner, her dark green hair falling like a curtain around her face. When she looked up, Mariza's breath caught. One of the girl's eyes had an X-shaped pupil, while the other had a plus sign with a bright neon green star glowing in the center.

Their eyes met for just a moment before the girl quickly looked away.

Mrs. Patterson cleared her throat. "Class, please welcome Lena Torres, who's joining us from out of state."

The Cafeteria Discovery

As lunchtime arrived, Mariza grabbed her tray and scanned the cafeteria for an empty table. She spotted Lena sitting alone in the corner, hunched over something on her plate.

Mariza approached cautiously. "Mind if I sit here?"

Lena looked up, startled. Her unusual eyes darted nervously. "I guess."

Mariza settled down and unwrapped her sandwich. That's when she noticed what Lena was eating. Dark feathers poked out from between her fingers, and she was tearing at something raw and black.

"Is that..." Mariza's voice caught in her throat.

Lena froze, a piece of raw crow meat halfway to her mouth. Blood dripped from her fingers onto the plastic tray.

"It's normal at my house," Lena whispered, not meeting Mariza's eyes. "We don't cook things the same way."

Mariza's stomach churned, but she forced herself to stay calm. "That's... different."

Lena quickly shoved the rest of the meat into her mouth and wiped her hands on a napkin. "I should go."

"Wait," Mariza called out, but Lena was already hurrying toward the exit, leaving dark stains on the table.