Chapter Text
After a surprisingly conflicting five to six minutes, Saleema finally speaks again, "Defne? Should I.. Umm.. Should I stand upright..? We've been like this for quite a bit now.." her voice was gentle, "And we also have a curfew where I'm at, soooo.." Defne snaps back to reality and starts nodding quickly. "Oh, yes! Yes, we should.. We should get up and part ways.." She says with a nervous smile. Saleema holds her carefully as she stands up, unintentionally holding her close to her chest. As soon as they're both upright, she lets go of Defne, who's clearly flustered. Speaking of, Defne chuckles nervously and rubs the back of her neck, "S- Sorry for that, I.. Zoned out.." "That's okay. I do that a lot, too.." Saleema says, smiling ever so slightly.
And oh boy, that stupid little smile.. It made Defne's heart melt, her gaze softened a little. Seeing the softened gaze of hers, however, made Sal think of something. Maybe, just maybe, this school is more bearable with a friend like Nene.
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{Ooooo, this is so good! Budding friendships, incoming drama- I love this story already!}
As the two girls walk up to Defne's dormitory, Saleema sighs deeply and looks down at her, "I never expected my night to end like this, y'know. You really changed my perspective today." "Your perspective? How so??" Defne raises an eyebrow with that little pout playing on her lips, and Saleema had to do a double take. Not because it happened, but because of how it made her feel. Her ears felt hot, her hands felt a little clammy, and for the first time, she felt.. Fluttery. As if she was floating. And in this moment in particular, Saleema knew that she'd die a hundred times over for that pouty expression.
Saleema clears her throat after a while, coming back to her senses and trying to process what's been happening today. "Well, you just.. I see people here a little differently. That's all I'm gonna say." She smiles warmly as Defne gently punches her shoulder, "Okay then, kitty!" she giggles, "You're awfully funny, I hope you know that." Saleema just nods silently as Defne runs into her dormitory, putting a clawed hand on her chest as she herself walks in the opposite direction.
Saleema chuckles weakly to herself, "Kitty? Is she deadass?" She shakes her head and keeps walking. She found the interaction endearing, but she didn't think too much about it. At the same time, Defne rushes into her dorm, shutting the door and looking at the floor. With a deep sigh, she glances up at the confused faces of her friends and roommates and murmurs softly, "I called.. A lioness.. Kitty.." she flushes from embarrassment, "A whole lioness.. Kitty..!"
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That same night, after Kenta had finished reorganizing the private dorm room that he shared with himself, his personal belongings, and his options for mobility aids, he came to a few realizations as he sat on the edge of his bed. Realization one was that no matter how hard he tried to be a man he wasn't ready to be yet, to fill in his biological father's shoes, he'd never fit in like that. He'd never get the chance to shine like his only real-ish sister can. Realization two was, as far as he can see, he's the only bear on land that he personally knows that's not insanely buff or even slightly toned enough to be tolerable. Instead, in the place where a set of abs would be, he's nothing but soft and is desperately trying to hide it with hoodies and baggy shirts, and the same goes for anyplace else on his body. The third realization was the one that brought him to tears and made him put his tinted glasses down on his nightstand after another rough day.
The third realization was the fact that, in his opinion, at least, he'd never amount to anything. Every hour spent hunched over his desk, writing notes until his arthritis would flare up in his hands just so he could get somewhere.. It led him here, in an overpriced school full of stuffy and stuck-up people, half of which only care about themselves. And he can barely catch up. This part had him spiraling, like every other time he's gotten here before.
The room felt too small despite it being standard size, his pajamas felt tight when they were two sizes bigger, the ambiant lighting he had on seemed too loud and bright for his liking.. As he kept thinking and feeling too many things in one night, after an entire day of a slightly uncomfortable uniform and horribly loud people surrounding him 24/7, it felt like he was falling into tighter and tighter of a space within his own skin and bones. His chest felt tight, his head felt heavy and light at the same time, and he could swear that he felt dizzy even though he never stood up too fast today.
Then came the lip biting, the rocking back and forth in his seat while snapping his left two fingers like he's trying to come back from a place he never even left in the first place. He never left this little place, loud and cramped and tight. That what this felt like, this is how he describes this feeling when the days are long and feel like glass is puncturing him from the inside. This is him spiraling, getting "overstimulated" is what his doctor from Norway used to call it before the rest of those earliest memories went away with the buckle of the seat belt, the flight to this godforsaken country..
...Then came what happened after. The texts about wanting to be alone for a few days, the impulsive email to the Principal letting him know that he needs two days off because of his mental health (which isn't too far off), the pitch dark room he reeled back to.. It hurt a new part of him he forgot he could hurt. Thank the stars that he's too tired to care now, because he'd be overthinking it until the sun rose otherwise.
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The next day rolls around, and the hallways are still buzzing with rumors about Tem's death. Some said it was a security guard, others said it was Kieran from the Art club, one person even tried to say once that it was the Jackal twins from the track team! The absurdity never ends, clearly.. And the same goes for the fear they all feel with each rumor spread, regardless of how fast it's shot down.
Today, Legoshi went to the Auditorium that Tem was killed in. The doors were shut, something about respecting the space and making sure no one tampered with the evidence. The doors themselves, however, had huge dents and cracks around the handles, a grim reminder of how strong the murderer was. Outside those doors, though, everyone had made a memorial for Tem, full of flowers and even a couple bottles of his favorite drinks. The flowers were an array of different colors, one of which was his favorite color: yellow.
Sitting there made him think back to before this happened..
{...}
Tem sighs deeply in front of his open locker, holding a love letter in his hands with a nervous but defeated expression on his face. As he puts the letter back and shut the locker, Legoshi is watching him intently, "Back to the drawing board?" "Ah! I- I.. The timing felt off! Don't worry, I'll wait for the perfect moment.. To tell her my feelings."
{...}
After a few seconds, Legoshi shuts his eyes and thinks to himself, "Tem, I told her." And right as he got a moment of silence..
"Look! It's Louis!" "Is it really?!"
Louis, a stoic and celebrity-like Red Deer, saunters his way through the halls, listening to the girls jabbering at his sides as he walks past. "Ahhh!!" "The star actor!" "He looks just as good as he does onstage!"
In his hand, he holds a small bouquet of flowers for Tem's memorial, his face expressionless as he walks over to those auditorium doors. The squeals and praises of girls fills the silence between Legoshi and Louis for a few short moments before Louis crouches down and places the bouquet next to the other bouquets of flowers. His eyes stay shut as he sits there for a while, feeling Legoshi's gaze burning into his left side. "His gestures.. His voice.." Legoshi thought to himself, "And his gaze.. He must have it all down. Of course he does, it's Louis. He’s only one year older than me, but he’s a star actor and the most popular animal in school."
"You're staring." Louis's words bring Legoshi back to reality, but all he could mutter was a pathetic "Sorry.." as Louis snapped at him again, "Is rudeness something that's inherent in wolves?" He pauses for a response, but once he's met with silence from Legoshi, he keeps talking, "You're the dog from the stage crew. Good, I've got a task for you to do. Come on." "Sure.." Legoshi murmurs as Louis stands up, watching him closely as the Red Deer walks off.
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Outside one of the other dorms, a white Dwarf Rabbit named Haru is watering flowers in a flowerbed and humming softly to herself, enjoying her time alone for a while. Suddenly, her school books come flying down from her window, landing in the flowers she was watering. Up above her, Haru heard her roommates laughing at her while watching Haru from their balcony. One of her roommates, a brown Flying Squirrel, pipes up first. "Sorry! Are you okay? The wind must've blown it over!" Haru's other roommate, a cat with piercing gold eyes, shouts down at her as well, "Of course you're fine! There's always a boy to rescue you, right??" "Ugh.. And they were in full bloom, such nice flowers.."
As the two girls keep laughing, Haru looks up from the mess of broken flowers and dirty notebooks with a frustrated expression on her face. "I'm fine! Nothing you can do can hurt me, so I don't know why you even bother trying!" In a span of a few seconds, the girls disappeared from the balcony, coming back soon after and throwing Haru's mattress off the balcony. Haru leaps to the side as it lands around one foot away from her. And right as it landed, the Flying Squirrel shouted at her again, "Why don't you take that to another room?" After that, the girls started laughing once more. Haru sighs deeply and mutters to herself, "Idiots.."
A few minutes later, Haru is dragging her mattress and her books back to her dorm when an anteater walks up to her and speaks up, "Mattresses for rabbits are really that small?" "Huh?" Haru looks over at him with a confused expression. "I'll give you a hand with that-!" "I wouldn't. That's Haru." Another boy, a brown horse with a deeper brown spot on his nose, puts his hands on the anteater's arm to stop him as he interjects. With the same frustrated expression that was fixed on her face earlier, Haru looks in front of her again and talks to the two boys. "Thanks, but I can do it myself." she says firmly, going back to dragging her mattress back to her dorm room.
On her way back, Defne spots her and raises her eyebrows. She goes over to Haru, "Did those two push your mattress off the balcony again?? That's the second time this month!" Haru sighs deeply, "It's annoying, but I'm managing just fine." "Are you sure I shouldn't help you with that?" Defne looks at the opposite end of the mattress before looking at Haru again. She sees Haru's shoulders slump in defeat before she responds, "Fine, you can help me get it to my room.." Defne nods and picks up the other side, "I'm guessing you'll wanna put it where it belongs by yourself, huh?" Haru nods as the two girls start walking up the stairs with the mattress.
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Stopping outside Haru's door, Defne carefully puts down the other side of Haru's mattress and takes a few deep breaths before opening the door for her. After the door's open, Defne shakes her head, "These girls are relentless.." "Well.. At least I can count on you." Haru smiles a little, something she doesn't do very often anymore. Defne smiles back, "Of course you can! You're not the only unfortunate one here, you know!" She watches as Haru chuckles a bit while turning to walk backwards into her dorm. Haru looks at her again, "Thanks for the help." "You're welcome!" "You should go back to your own dorm, though." "I know.. Those two wouldn't be too happy to see me, now would they?" Defne giggles a little and walks away, "See you Saturday!" Haru waves her off and starts pulling her mattress back into her dorm.
"Three down.. 'To become a loner beast'? One, two, three.. Ten letters.." Haru comes into her dorm as Sally, a squirrel and Haru's roommate, is sitting on her bed with a crossword game in her lap. Haru puts her mattress down and puts her arms against her sides, "Phew.. Sally, you could've stopped them if you were here!" Without looking up from her crossword puzzle, Sally responds condescendingly, "She's kinda pissed off right now. It's best that you leave her be for a bit.." Haru sighs, "Thanks for the warning.. Wanna go eat with me?" "Like, with you? I think I'll pass." "Okay." Haru walks off as Sally keeps muttering to herself, "Ten letters, 'To become a loner beast'..? Is it 'carnivores'?" "It's 'ostracized'!" "Os-tra-cized.. That's it! Thanks a lot, Haru." Sally smiles a little and goes back to her crossword puzzle. Haru murmurs, "Yeah, whatever."
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Later that evening, as the sun started to set and everyone went to eat, Haru went around asking if someone would sit with her. Each time, she was turned away for different reasons. So, she sat outside alone, contentedly eating her food and thinking to herself, "Doesn't matter where I sit, delicious food is still delicious." Right when she has a moment alone, the two girls from earlier show up again, this time with Mizuchi in tow. Mizuchi, a Harlequin rabbit with a perfect fur color split down the middle, speaks up first, "Wow, I'm impressed! The whole school's ignoring you, and yet you sit here, still so strong, Haru. A little risky, wouldn't you think? For a bunny rabbit like you to sit alone after that student was devoured, like your lunch." Haru sighs deeply, "Suddenly, the food doesn't taste so good."
She tosses her spoon back in her bowl of soup and stands up, holding her tray in both her hands and looking Mizuchi straight in the eyes, "Rather than spreading rumors about me, concentrate on maybe.. Spending that time making up with your boyfriend?" "Huh? Who do you think you are??" Mizuchi puts her hands on her hips as the cat behind her shifts her body slightly to the side, "None of that is-" "Actually, he's the one who kissed me." Haru holds back light chuckles as she keeps talking, sounding a bit amused, "Besides, a guy who gets excited over one little kiss? Kinda tells you something, doesn't it? Excuse me-"
Mizuchi roughly elbows Haru in the arm, making her fall down and drop her tray of food all over the place. After she falls, Mizuchi pours a bucket of water on her, "Don't forget, My boyfriend and I are both Harlequin rabbits, which makes us an endangered species couple. You.. You are nothing compared to us. A common dwarf rabbit, who's trying to destroy a couple with obvious pedigree. Ah, I guess I'm just going to have to tell everyone that you're fooling around with our guys." Mizuchi sighs and throws the bucket at Haru, "Let's go!" She walks away with the other two girls from before, leaving Haru alone.
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Meanwhile, Zoe, a goat from the Drama club, is standing in the Drama club office as Louis and Legoshi walk in, turning around when the door opens and Louis steps inside. "Oh! Louis!" Louis talks to Legoshi, "Have his costume fitted by tomorrow's rehearsal." "What?" Legoshi looks at Louis, confused as all hell. Louis goes on to explain, "Zoe is Tem's replacement. We selected him at yesterday's leader's meeting." Louis looks back at Zoe, "Right?" "Y-Yes!" After a few seconds, Louis faces forward again, "How ironic to see you here, Water Spirit O'Dea." Zoe looks up from the floor, "Huh?" "We're rehearsing. Give me O'Dea's lines." Zoe stammers, "I- Right, I'm sorry.. I haven't memorized it."
Louis walks up to him and grabs Zoe's mouth, "What is it? Open wide." "Uh.. Louis.." Louis' voice was dark, imposing.. And the height difference between him and Zoe didn't help to ease the goat's anxiety. "Now, now. Don't tell me you went and ate that script.." Louis pauses for a moment, "That is all goats like you are good for, isn't it? Eating paper? This isn't the place to go around showing off, you know." Zoe speaks up while Louis still has a firm grip on his mouth, "I- I'll memorize it by tomorrow, I promise..!"
Right when Zoe finished that sentence, Kai, a short brown Mongoose another member of the Drama Club, comes bursting through the door to the office. Legoshi's head whips around in Kai's direction, following his movements as he talks.. Well, yells. "Louis!" he shouts, "Zoe doesn't deserve being Tem's replacement! I was runner-up at the auditions, so-!" "Won't you knock?!" Louis looks back at Zoe, "Now, get out. And memorize the script." Louis lets go of Zoe's mouth after that, letting his hand go in his pocket. "Okay.." Zoe walks out, his head hung in a show of defeat and embarrassment. Kai speaks up again as Zoe shuts the door, "Hey, what're you doing in here?" he snaps, looking up at Legoshi, "Don't you just work on the stage crew?"
"Uhh.. I guess I'd better get going too-" Legoshi goes to leave, but Louis interjects, "No. You stay." Louis looks at Kai, "Kai. You and Legoshi need to get along. You will be working together in the Art Department." Kai gasps softly, but Louis keeps going. "We made a decision during the meeting. You're off the actor's team." Kai's gaze hardens as Louis continues explaining, "You will support us by working behind the scenes in the Public Relations sector of the Art Department." Outside the door, a group of the other actors are huddled at the door to eavesdrop on the conversation when Sheila interrupts them, "Hey! Did everyone complete their warm-ups??"
Inside the office, Louis is continuing to talk to Kai, "'Spring Breeze' second act choreography. 'Winter Safari Tournament' final dance. You, of all animals, should know the significance of those two references. Right, Kai?" At this point, Kai was infuriated. Louis is not only reminding him of his worst moments as an actor, but he's doing it while letting him know he's not even an actor anymore in the first place. His fists were clenched at his sides, his fury etched into every inch of his face. "Those two particular blunders of yours, your most memorable ones in the last two years,' Louis continues, "Aren't exactly a good legacy for an actor." he looks at Kai for a split second before looking up again, "I am curious about one thing.." Kai winds up for a punch as Legoshi rounds the Mongoose's right side, "How could you possibly think you could replace Tem-?"
Right as Kai goes to punch Louis square in the face, Legoshi blocks it with his shoulder, equally as pissed as Kai for an entirely different reason. Legoshi's voice was as dark and imposing as Louis's was with Zoe as he talks to Kai at an eye level, "Actor's safety first. That's the job of the stagehands, right?" Kai keeps his fist firm against Legoshi's shoulder as Legoshi keeps talking, "Kai, he's the star." "Who the heck do you think you are?!" Louis watches from behind Legoshi, appalled that someone so introverted and awkward was acting like this. In the mirror's reflection, Louis could see Legoshi showing Kai his fangs, immediately spooking him into backing away. Kai nervously chuckles, "Welp! I'll let it go, at least, this time.." Legoshi stands upright as Kai keeps talking, clearly upset, "It must be nice being rich. Nothing ever harms you!" He opens the door and angrily shouts, "What're you lookin' at?!" He slams the door behind him, leaving Legoshi and Louis alone in the office.
Louis stares intently at Legoshi, "Huh.. Showing your fangs as a means to actually avoid a fight? How curious. I figured you as a quiet tree, but you have a savage in you.." Legoshi goes to leave after that, "Excuse me-" Louis grabs the tip of Legoshi's tail before he can leave the office. His expression was unreadable.. Was he trying to be smug or what?? "Excellent. You seem like you're going to fit right in." Louis remarks, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as Legoshi looks at him. "Listen. We'll sneak into the theater later tonight and rehearse the scenes with Zoe." Legoshi's eyebrows shot up, "What? But what if we were to get caught-?" "That's why you're going to be the lookout. What's wrong? You gonna turn it down and put on some kind of 'good guy' act?"
After he says that, Louis reaches forward and grabs Legoshi by his tie, pulling him closer while letting go of his tail. "Disappointing.. And what if I were to offer you one of my legs? You would salivate and happily accept, am I right?" Legoshi leans back slightly as Louis continues holding his tie, "You're a wolf, aren't you? Take advantage of that. You should act a little bad and accept your nature. Let's see your dark side." Legoshi's eyes dart off to the side to look at the wall as he stays silent, taking in Louis' words.
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{Haru's POV}
In the girl's bathroom, I checked my uniform to see if it was dry. "Hm. It's dry enough.." I muttered as I slipped into my clothes. The events from earlier today kept running through my mind, living in my head-space rent free. It's suffocating. Every new rumor adds another weight to my chest, I can't stand it anymore! Still, I can't help but think about it..
"All the guys take one look at me.. And tell me they wanna protect me. And be by my side. Y'know, like annoying pests. When they realize their fantasies are wrong, they use me up and run."
I walk out of the bathroom, looking at the sky with my hands on my hips. "I've lived my life as fodder and a plaything for all kinds of guys. Well, it doesn't really matter, does it?" I thought to myself as I busied my present evening with walking down the stairs and getting some fresh air. That's what I need.. Yeah, fresh air.
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{Third Person POV}
Across the courtyard, Legoshi is pacing in front of the doors to the theater, his mind racing. "If we get caught, Drama Club's gonna get shut down. Then I'd get.. Suspended." He sighs deeply, "C'mon, guys, hurry up..! Security's been patrolling a lot since the incident." His eyebrows were furrowed, his gaze full of worry as he slowly paced back and forth in front of the doors. Suddenly, he heard rustling from afar, his focus shifting to the courtyard for a moment. It was foggy, with the only other sound being the fountain as of now. Just then, he heard the rustling by his feet, so he looked down and saw a little green cricket by his shoe.
He kneels down and lets the cricket hop into his hand. "Hey, little guy," he starts, his voice soft and gentle, "What're you doing out here? Well, that's what I should be asking myself.."
As he says that, footsteps are heard through the courtyard. The steps were an average pace, the shoes sounded like the slightly chunky Mary Janes that were for the girl's school uniform. While Legoshi was staring at the cricket, he caught the scent of a small herbivore on the wind. "Hm? Hm.." He turns around, putting his hand down as the cricket hops off his finger and he quietly searches for the source. "An herbivore.."
His heart starts pounding, his blood coursing through his veins as he processes the scent. It felt like every muscle in his body was telling him to go after this herbivore, and it was taking a lot in him to not give in.. This awakened something in him, the driving force nearly making him fall to his knees as he lets out a low growl.
Back with Haru, her ears stood straight up when she heard the growling from the back entrance to the theater, the sound made her stop in her tracks by the fountain. She heard it, but she couldn't properly see where the sound was coming from due to the fog. Cursed fog.. Cursed carnivores!
Haru thinks to herself, thinking of what she'd have said if she had time.
"Yes. The ones who are victorious are the ones who live by their lowest instincts.. And still exist in this world. I'm not good enough to be a loser."
Haru takes a slight step back and looks up towards the theater. Her expression was one of defiance. "You should just take me. I don't care anymore." She starts to run, with Legoshi in hot pursuit. His gaze was filled with a certain desire, a new kind of hunger he'd never felt before. Acting on these instincts, he ran.
"And yet, even with this sad, unfortunate life, I still had a reason to run."
Legoshi leaps over the fountain with a surprising amount of force generated in his legs, a newfound purpose fueling him.
"I cried because I was scared. Even I experienced all those things."
A split second later, Legoshi captures Haru, sending them both tumbling forward one or two feet ahead of where he'd just caught her.
"But.. Will you understand?"
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{Well, that's all-! ...There's more?? ...Welp, okay then.. Here's a little extra! From us, to you!}
{Kenta's POV}
This wasn't normal. Riz and the other guys are asleep back at their dorm, so now I'm writing in my journal. But these past two days with Riz have been nothing short of unpleasant and unsettling. He eyed my sister like she was fresh kill yesterday morning during Drama Club, he was gone all night the night before and he came back with only his pants on with this.. This utterly ridiculous and horribly flimsy excuse that his uniform was dirty.. He's been awfully positive my whole life spent with him, but I don't know where that's gone now. I love my friend dearly, just as I do with everyone else. But I'm unsure of how this change happened so fast.
I sigh deeply as I shut my notebook, tossing my pen back in my pencil organizer and taking off my glasses to rub my eyes. This is more than frustrating, actually. And just when I thought I was alone here, awake and confused..
"Kenta? Are ye home, laddie?"
It was Thomas. They always came late on Tuesdays, we'd talk until four o'clock and they'd sleep on my sofa after we were done. So, like always, I tossed on my shirt and went up to the door, opening it quietly with a deep sigh. "Hey, Tom. C'mon in, bud.." "Thanks for openin' again, Kenny." "Doooon't mention it.." They shut the door before sitting down on the sofa, sighing just as deeply as I'd done a few minutes ago. I flipped on the dimmest of my LED lights and sat down in my desk chair, watching the clock strike midnight. I chuckled softly, "You got an excuse ready?" They laughed a little and leaned back, "I told the lass at the office that I was doin' my usual rounds, that was valid enough for her taste." "Of course it is, that woman's your mom's best friend!" "Yeah, that part's obvious enough.."
I shake my head with a soft smile as I shut off the light on my desk, putting the blue leather-bound journal back on the small, dark brown bookshelf hanging on the wall to my right side. I always kept that there because that's where I put my cane, my favored side is my right side anyways. Spinning my desk chair to face Thomas, I broke the ice again, "Have you noticed how weird Riz has been lately?" Thomas thinks for a second before responding, their voice dropping an octave, "Yes, I've noticed.." "Good to know I'm not crazy." I say as I stand up, putting on my usual glasses as I hold my cane in my right hand and push in my chair. "I mean, you've not been wrong 'bout much since I've met ye, Ken. Riz has been givin' me off-puttin' vibes since we've started this new school year!" "Mmmm hmmm, and you're not the only one. Dipper was telling me last week that he felt off. It's insane!" "Yeah! And Dipper's never once felt "off" about anyone!"
I start making a cup of tea as I respond, "It's odd.. I've known Riz since I was six or seven years old, he's never acted like this before." I look up from my kettle, "Want some tea? I have that lavender stuff you guys like." Thomas smiles a bit, "Sure, I'll have some!" "Alright." I turn on one of the burners on my stove and place the kettle down, pulling out the teabags and mugs. I run my left hand through the tufts of fur on the top of my head, "Still, I can't help but wonder what he's hiding from me.. I know he's not into me, that one's straighter than a ruler." "Noooo, I've always seen the poor lad bein' about as straight as one of those bendable pencils from the nineties!" I snickered a little, "Are you serious??" "Yes sir!" "Oh, you're insufferable!" "That's my job, Ken!"
Sighing deeply, I brought us back to the original conversation after clearing my throat. "Well, anyway.. What do think's on his mind?" Thomas shrugs, "I haven't got a Scooby, Ken. Aren't you s'pposed to be the nerd 'round 'ere, mannie??" "Ha! I thought I was the, quote, 'friendly neighborhood therapist with mobility aids', Tim Tom!" "Shut it, ya reprobate!" We were stuck laughing together again while the kettle whistles, I couldn't stop laughing. Nope, not even while pouring the water into the mugs and putting the tea bags in.
After two minutes or so, Thomas sighs their usual airy sigh that they let out when they've been laughing too much. "And anyways," they start, "That Riz is a great loony! A real boggin' diddy, he is!" "I- Sweet Jesus, Thomas!! Maybe you shouldn't get this tea, din uheldige skapning.." "Noooo, dinnae dae that! It's what I came for!" "Oh, shut it, dumbass, I have your tea steeping right now! I'm joking!"
Thomas starts cackling like a maniac as I scoff playfully and put his tea on the coffee table in front of the sofa. Everything feels lighter with Thomas. They've been close with me since we started middle school together, and they're my buffer, my safe space.. I met them after they moved from Scottland, and they leapt for joy when I said that I was able to speak English with them. For someone who speaks perfect Japanese, I can see why they hate having to use that language so much.. They're happier like this.
As the hours of gossiping about Riz with them passed, I could see Thomas getting more and more tired, so they fell asleep an hour earlier than usual. And when they did.. Man, the sigh I let out. Cleaning up is probably one of my favorite parts of when I can see him or one of my other friends this late at night. It gives me time to think..
To me, it sounds like Thomas isn't too fond of Riz. Ever since they've met the guy, they've always gotten a little more tense around him, a little more alert. I see why, Riz is kinda odd, even to me.. Even Roger, an old Dalmatian friend of mine and Thomas' that moved back to England two years ago, wasn't too thrilled to see Riz, and he always tried to be kind to everyone he came across! It irks me a bit, the fact that I seem to be the only one who's still a huge fan of Riz while still being a close friend of his. Why am I the only one Riz is close to now? What do I not understand?
Even as I went back to bed, it still made no sense. What do I not get? What am I missing..?
...Is continuing to not understand Riz gonna be what's gonna keep me and my friends and sister safe..?
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{To be continued.}