E.U.R.O Chapter 2
Chapter 2:
An Unexpected Letter
The morning rush stormed the school, corridors bustling with students going about their routines; a group of cats carried guitars, eager to practice. First years getting swept along in the crashing navy tide.
Arthur fought his way through to laboratory nine, his form room, this took him a good five minutes to arrive by which time he was certain he was late. "Tuesday mornings." Arthur sighed, they were always so busy.
He finally arrived at laboratory nine where the headmaster's secretary, a short Corgi, stood. Her eyes settled upon him. Arthur froze, was he in trouble already?
"Ah Arthur, the headmaster wishes to speak with you immediately"
He sighed and looked at the half asleep corgi "Thank you miss." he then turned on the spot and set off on his way to the headmasters office.
A knocking was heard on a pale wooden door in the main corridor of the school, on this door a small plaque read 'Headmasters office' and it rattled loosely on its worn screws. From behind the door a clear voice was heard. "Enter."
The Huskute opened the door and walked in before closing the door behind him. "You wished to see me, sir?" He looked to the tall grey furred wolf. Who indicated for him to sit on the opposite side of his own desk.
"Ah yes, Arthur. Thank you for turning up so quickly" The wolf paused as Arthur sat down, he then took a great gulp of dark coffee before continuing. "As I am sure you are not aware a new international school has set up on an island in the Atlantic Ocean."
"Oh?" Arthur's mind began to run, could such a place be real? An International school? One with different languages? And people of different nationalities?
"Of course the new school has requested for specific pupils to attend and in short, they've offered you a place there"
"They offered me a place?" Arthur's mind now was leaping and bounding. Why me? Why me in particular? What have I done? Is this a joke? But soon he came to the prospect of a new and exciting adventure. "I would love to go Sir."
"Good, good. Your parents already know, you will leave this evening from the train station at six O'clock and you shall catch a ship in Dover" The wolf smiled at him and indicated to the door.
Arthur's green eyes widened in shock, it was so soon, although on the other paw it was a delightful and new experience. It was the latter feeling that took hold of the Huskute. "Thank you sir." Arthur exited the large office, shutting the door behind him.
- ~~_~~ -
By the time of the following lunch break, Arthur had endured three of his most hated lessons: Maths, Physics and of course French. So it was a shock to his now bored mind when he felt two strong arms turn him around and saw a very concerned German shepherd looking at him and an equally worried Lioness who was holding the frame of what looked to be a broken pair of glasses in her paws.
"Right you, what's wrong? We haven't had a text from you during French or maths so we're worried" The German Shepherd said to Arthur who quickly put on a smirk. "Ah Kyle, I'm fine, honest just I'm tired is all, What have you done to your glasses Ruby?" The Huskute turned to the Lioness who gave a grin, "Well this idiot of a dog decided to try and pass me the ball during our game at break" She quickly jabbed the Shepherd in the side which resulted in a high yelp from Kyle. Arthur's smirk swiftly changed into a healthy laugh. "Well I'm afraid I'll be leaving you two today... you see I've been selected to go to this new school and it's in a different country so... well I just wanted you to know that I-"
"Save it Art." Kyle interjected his tall form now becoming less friendly, he gave a glare at the Huskute.
"Kyle! I just think it's better for me and you've got Ruby here so it's not like I'm leaving you two without anyone and you're popular so why are you complaining?" Arthur looked to the other canine who crossed his arms and looked away.
"Right so leave me with her, some friend you are taking off like this. What about this weekend's trip to town, we're going to have to cancel that now." Kyle narrowed his gaze at Arthur before leaving the lunch hall.
"He'll come round Arthur, you know he doesn't like change much. You have a good time and make sure you stay in contact with us, okay? We'll have a good catch up when you come back and I'm sure Kyle will be glad to see you when you do, as for now though I'm just going to have to sit and wait for the storm to end." The Lioness sighed but smiled encouragingly to Arthur.
"Sorry for starting him off like that Ruby, make sure you look after yourself and try not to get too drunk at any parties whilst I'm gone." He grinned at her knowing that she was a little to happy with a bottle of alcohol in her right paw and another in her left.
"Don't worry when have I ever done anything when drunk that I've regretted before" She smirked at Arthur and when she saw him open his muzzle quickly added "Don't answer that."
The day moved on fairly slowly, and any lackadaisical attempt to make it go faster seemed fruitless. Arthur did not want to learn any more at this school when that evening he would be far away on an island in the Atlantic ocean, though it did worry Arthur as he was not sure exactly where he was going, in fact he was a little concerned about where he was going. He had not really expected any big change to happen so quickly, yet here he was waiting for this school day to end so that he could leave his home country that evening.
- ~~_~~ -
By 16:00 Arthur had made it home from school although it had felt like an age had gone by since he had left the house with a growl that very morning and he noticed his brothers car on the drive. Arthur wondered why the car was there, he had not expected his brother to come home before tomorrow and his brother was never early for anything. After searching for his key in his bag he gave up and knocked on the door, which to Arthur's surprise was opened by his brother who immediately hugged the smaller huskute and guided him inside. Arthur dropped his bag in the hall and turned to face his brother who was smiling at him. "Owen, what are you doing home?" Arthur asked looking up at the Huskute who had inherited his fathers black and white fur.
"Well I had to come see my favourite brother, didn't I?" Owen smiled a full genuine smile.
Arthur cocked an eyebrow "Favourite brother? I'm your only brother, or have Mum and Dad been keeping siblings from us?"
"Well you got me there, anyway I'm quite proud of you, Mum phoned about the whole situation but I'm glad you told her and I've also told her to stop being stupid and to get a grip, it's not the end of the world for God's sake."
"Eh.... Thanks bro, but why have you come home early? You're not meant to be here till tomorrow, Mum will panic, she's got nothing in the cupboards." Arthur smiled back, he was on the whole very relieved that his brother was happy with who he was.
"Well that's a shame, but I'm here to see you off, and because I'm going out with a very nice fox tonight and you may be able to help me choose what to wear?" Owen grinned at his younger brother.
"You never change." Arthur rolled his pink eyes and took his bag upstairs, his brother followed behind him. "Right then let's see what we have to work with and I warn you now, I am no miracle worker, you'll still be stuck with that unfortunate face of yours." He grinned and looked towards Arthur who shrugged.
"If it's so unfortunate why do the girls keep wanting to go out with me?" He crossed his arms as Arthur put his school bag down.
"Bah, details. But good for you, Mum will get her grandchildren after all" The pair looked at each other and both burst into laughter.
The next hour passed with Arthur slowly going through his brother's bags and wardrobe before finally settling with an outfit that, in both of their opinions, would work for Owen's date later that evening.
It was around 17:20 when the pair decided to look at the digital clock on Owen's desk.
"I haven't even begun packing yet Owen!" Arthur gave him an alarmed look and dashed immediately to his bedroom to begin packing his bag, he packed his laptop, washing kit, clothes and a couple of snacks. Owen also insisted that Arthur took his pocketknife "You'll never know when that'll come in handy." Arthur put it in the pocket of his red skinny jeans along with his mobile and wallet.
A few minutes after leaving the house, the pair were speeding down the motorway in Owen's black car, listening to the radio. Owen was driving quite fast, but this didn't bother Arthur at all, he smiled and wondered how fast the train would be.
The car eventually pulled up outside the station at 17:57, Arthur got out the car with his bags, "Good luck on your date Owen! I'll text you when I'm in Dover!" He waved his left paw at the other Huskute.
"See you later Arthur, and good luck!" Owen smiled and then drove off, leaving Arthur alone at the station.