Choice Part 1

Story by DJ Wolf 92 on SoFurry

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As mentioned in my previous post, I'm still working on part 3 of Cloak and Dagger, but here is a story I've been working on on the side. As always comments and critics are much appreciated, enjoy :)


_Things in my life seemed to be going great. I was doing well in school, had a ton of friends, and was great on the wrestling team. Nothing could bring me down. That is . . . until my girlfriend, Emily, had told me she was leaving me. She had gotten into an arts college two states down, and didn't see us getting serious anytime soon. She wanted to focus on her art and had no interest in a long-distance relationship. _

_ I was devastated. How could she do this to me? I loved her so much, and would eventually marry her and settle down, maybe have a cub or two. But I guess that wasn't what she saw for us._

_ After a couple of months had passed by with no contact, I forgot about her. Somehow I knew something good was going to happen, and I was going to find the right person who truly loved me . . . ._

Sweat dripped down my body, matting my thick fur. It had been a long, hard workout in the college's gym, and I was ready for a nice shower. And that was exactly what I was going to do. I started the water, steam billowing out of the enclosed space. The water cascaded against my body as I held my head under the water. A moan escaped my lips. God . . . did I need this.

I stood under the stream for a couple more minutes just to take it all in. I grabbed a bar of soap and started rooming my sore muscle, feeling the aching spots. Slowly I worked the suds into my fur starting from my chest down to my foot paws and back up.

The sound of the shower going on install next to mine, made my ears twitch, and I poked my head out. No one was there so I just shrugged and continued cleaning myself, working some shampoo into my head fur.

With some time by myself--well, sort of anyway--I started to think about things, mostly about my ex-girlfriend. Sadness started to grip my heart but soon was overwrought by anger at what she'd done. Telling me she didn't love me anymore . . . that I would have been off. That part she was right about.

Trying to distract me about her I thought about how I was going to raise my grade in English--defiantly not my forte. If I didn't pass this class, I'm going to be kicked off the wrestling team. Shit . . .

I ambled over to a mirror after I finished my shower, drying off my damp fur. I wiped down the mirror and stared at my toned muscles, admiring my work. My charcoal and ashen fur gleamed as water dripped off it. I smiled again and made my way to my locker.

Jaxon, a tall bulky lion, walked over with a towel around his waist and opened his locker next to mine. He took a good sniff at his clothes and tossed them inside, wrinkling his nose.

I grinned a little.

"Great workout out there, Chase," he said as he pulled his shirt on.

"Thanks," I said. "You too. You think you'll go to sectionals this year?"

"Man, I hope so. Been working my ass to get to the spot I'm at," he replied. "What about you?"

I shrugged. "I don't know, maybe. I've thought about quitting. Just not as fun anymore you know?"

Jaxon nodded. "Well, it's up too man," he said, clasping a paw onto my shoulder. "I'd have to see you leave, though. Gotta do what you gotta do. But none of that now, are you going to Mark's party tonight?"

I nodded. "Of course, but I might not stay long."

"Okay," he said. "Hey! Maybe you'll get to meet some hot chicks there." He gave me a toothy grin and waggled his brows, tail swishing in anticipation.

I laughed and said if only.

Once the lion left, I finished getting dressed and made my way down the empty hallway. But then I stopped at a door when I heard chatter inside. Above the door was a sign decorated with a rainbow and the words "Gay-Straight Alliance" sprawled across. Though I'd never admit it to anyone, I kind of wondered what went on in this club. Was it just a bunch of queers talking about cocks and gay things? I sort of entertained the idea of hearing their bet on who gave the best muzzle jobs?

I quickly looked around and made sure no one saw me before stepping into the room. People of all different species were gathered inside--mostly foxes--a couple of wolves and bears, and even another badger, smaller compared to me, shorter even. He sat a little off from the group, resting his muzzle on his paws against a chair that was reversed backward. He wore tight-looking jeans and a plain black shirt with a hoodie pulled over his shoulders. His head fur was spiked up into a small Mohawk and dyed blue, and from what I could tell he had in an industrial piercing in his right ear and his right brow was pierced, as well.

I decide to sit next to him because of us being the same species. When I sat down, he looked at me and smiled. He held out a paw, and I shook it, smiling back.

"Hey," he said. "My name is Alex."

"Chase," I said.

Alex dug into his pocket and pulled out a chocolate bar, and took a bite out of it. "So, is this your first time here?"

I nodded, suddenly nervous. "Yeah," I replied. Why was I so nervous near him? "What do you guys talk about around here?"

"Oh . . . who's top or bottom?" he said.

I just stared at him, muzzle ajar. A blush streaked across my face at the blunt answer.

Alex laughed when he saw my expression. "I'm teasing. Mostly it's about how to make some of the LGBT students feel more comfortable here. How the world is changing for the better for gays and lesbians."

I nodded.

"So, what made you decide to come here? Curiosity?"

Sudden shyness washed over me. "Yes," I replied. "You?"

Alex shook his head. "No, I've been to a couple of meetings before."

Before I could ask how he came to join this group a short, chubby fox stepped into the circle and said, "Hello everyone. I see we have a few new people here; so why don't we go around the group and tell each other our name--and don't worry about stating your preference, that's all up to you honey!" He giggled the last part. Guess I don't have to guess what he's into.

One by one everybody started saying there, and as it got closer for me to tell my name, I started to wonder why I was here? I mean, did I really care what a bunch of queens thought about cock and what not?

A paw waved in front of my face. "Hey, new guy," the fox said. "What's your name?"

"Oh . . . um . . ." I stuttered out, wishing I wasn't here. "Chase."

"Hey," a few people said.

The fox rolled his eyes. "Mine name is Lonny since you obviously weren't paying attention."

I glared at Lonny, and he glared back at me.

Alex snickered silently. "Don't mind him. He's just an attention whore."

I giggled a little too. That was obvious.

The next couple of minutes flew by. I really didn't pay much attention to what the group was talking about. And by the time the group parted, I bolted out as quickly as I could. That was the last time I go the room. _Fucking homos_I muttered to myself.

Once I got to my bike, I realized I was missing something: my bookbag. Fuck me. Guess I'll be going back after all.

"Hey!" a voice called out. Shit! Had one of my friends seen me leave? I turned around to saw Alex rushing toward me, bag slung around his arm. He stopped short of me, panting.

"You ok?" I asked worriedly.

"Yeah," he breathed. "You forgot your bag, so I ran to give it to you before you left . . ." His sentence fell short as his eyes slid past me to start at my Harley. He stepped up to my bike and put a paw on the handlebars. "Nice."

I grinned. "Thank you," I beamed. "This baby was my dad's, so he gave it to me."

Alex nodded. "Cool. Well, I'm gonna head to my truck. It was nice meeting you," he said. He held out his paw again, and I grasped it.

My eyes wander around. "Is your car near?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Naw, it's all the way on the other side of the campus."

"Do you want a ride over there?"

"Thank you, but no. I got it, need the exercise anyway."

"Ok." I nodded and hopped onto my bike, waving goodbye as I rode off.

Later, into the day, after I finished my homework, I told Mom that I was going to head over to a party one of my friends was having. Mom told me to be careful and not drink to munch, making me promise before I headed out.

The street was packed with cars when I pulled up, a crowd milling around in front, and the blast of bass boomed outside. I walked inside and was soon greeted by Jaxon with a beer in his paw as he slung his arm around my shoulder.

"Sup, buddy," he said, his breath reeking with alcohol. "I found two lovely ladies who are dying to meet you."

Before I could protest, the lion pulled me through the crowd toward two girls resting on one of the couches. One was a gorgeous cougar in a tight top, her breast just barely fitting inside, and a nice skirt that rested just above her knees. The other was a doe, just pretty as the first girl, but not as busty. She had on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

"Well, here you go ladies," my friend said. "This here is Tina and the other is Kelly"--each girl smiling when their name was called--"and here is my man Chase."

I shook each of their paws, smiling. I really didn't want to be set up with a date but didn't argue.

"Have fun, you guys!" Jaxon called out, ambling over to another one of our friends.

I took a seat opposite of the women and started chatting them up. Tina was an honor student, hoping to get a degree in business, and Kelly was just going to college because her parents were forcing her. After a couple of minutes of talking with them, I found out they weren't interested in me.

The two started talking to each other, forgetting about me. That was fine, I could have cared less. I looked around the house and saw my friend was flirting with another lion. He was pressed up against her, arm around her waist as they talked. He said something and she laughed, her tail swishing behind her.

People were all around the place, trying to hook up and get drunk. A few were making out, others were playing beer ping, and I wondered if anyone here was gay. I'm sure there were a few here.

"So," the doe said, batting eyelashes at me. "What do you like to do for fun?" The question was innocent enough, but there was a deeper meaning behind it: Maybe we could do something fun together? I wasn't interested.

A familiar face streaked past me, catching my eye. I excused myself and followed the badger. Sitting at the kitchen table was Alex, looking bored. I sat down next to him.

"Hey stranger," I said.

Alex looked up and smiled. His paws were encircled around a plastic cup, a claw gliding against the rim. He took a sip and smile again. "What you up to?"

"Oh, one of my friends was trying to hook me up with a date--with girls," I blurted out. I don't know why I said the last part like I just had to clarify in case he wondered what I was into.

The badger started shaking, covering his muzzle with a paw. I gave him a strange look; it took a while to realize he was laughing. I laughed a little too.

He leaned in closer. "You know that group with for gay and straight people too. Not everyone that goes there is gay."

"Oh." That was all I could say, deeply embarrassed.

I was about to ask him which one he was before the music's volume increased, and I cupped my ears back away from the music and the harsh scent of liquor stung my nose.

"Hey," I said. "Do you want to get out of here?" I nodded my head to the backdoor.

Alex nodded and followed me outside. We sat down at a bench that was off to the side. At least no one else was outside. It was much quieter out here, the music being secluded more toward the front of the house. The moon was full in the sky, and twinkling stars pooled around in the black night.

We sat there in silence for a while until Alex asked me what I was going to school for. I told him that I studying to become a mechanic, following in the family business, but mentioned that had an interest in music. I told him that I played a little bit of piano and drums and guitar. Alex said he wanted to go to an art school because he's an illustrator.

"Really?" I asked, perking my ears up.

"Yeah," he said. "I've been drawing ever since I was a cub."

I smiled a little, saying I'd love to take a look at some of his work.

It wasn't long until we started up a conversation about what we were into and what music, and movies we liked. I looked down at my empty bottle and asked Alex if he wanted another one. He nodded, and I headed back inside to fetch some. The kitchen had become crowded once I entered, and I had to force my way through to cool, grabbing Buds and ambling back to the outside door.

Alex looked up at me and smiled as I handed him his cold beverage, thanking me.

I sat back down and took a couple of swigs of my drink, rubbing a claw against the rim. "Tell me more about you," I said. "Do you live with your parents? My mom told me not to drink too much tonight, guess that plan went out the door."

The badger stiffened, his eyes darkened, ears quivering.

"Hey," I said, reaching a paw toward him. "Are you ok?"

He wrenched back when I touched his shoulder, dropping his bottle. "Don't touch me!" he shouted. "Just leave me alone." And then he stormed back inside.

I sat there dumbfounded at just what happened. Had I said something around? I sat there for a good thirty minutes trying to figure out the abrupt situation with Alex. Worry started to creep into me, and I rushed inside to make sure Alex was ok, but everywhere I looked he was nowhere to be seen. Eventually, I sat down, figuring he must have left, and spent a couple of minutes sulking for a bit. Jaxon tried to hook me up with another girl, but waved him away, not in the mood.

After it hit eleven I decided to head home, getting tired. Once I was at my bike, I saw a fur struggling to get his key into the keyhole for the truck door. It wasn't until he dropped them, and I went to go pick it up for him that I realized he was Alex.

"Alex?"

The badger looked up and smiled. "Oh, hey!" he said, slurring his words. "Sorry about earlier, guess I had too much to drink."

I got closer and could smell the alcohol in his breath.

He grabbed his keys back and tried, vainly, to stick his key in again, dropping them.

I grabbed them back and put them in my pocket. "Ok, you're too smashed to drive home. Let me give you a ride," I said, looking down at him.

Alex just stared at me for a few seconds, and then nodded lazily, yawning.

I helped steer him to my bike and straddled it, picking up my helmet. Shit, I thought. I only had one helmet, and seeing no other option, I handed mine to him. "Here, you wear it."

The badger shook his head. "No," he slurred. "That's yours."

I shrugged. "It's fine. It's not like I'm some kind of crazy driver or something."

He eyed the helmet, and then took it, reluctantly.

"Okay, hold on tight," I said once he got on, cupping his ears back and slipped the helmet on, and hooked his arms around my waist tightly. "Are you ready?" He nodded, and we sped off.

Houses, trees, and buildings all blurred together as we raced down streets as I followed the directions Alex gave me, turning here and there. After twenty minutes or so we stopped at a red light. I felt Alex's arms loosen around me, and I panicked thinking the badger had fallen asleep or something.

"Alex?" I asked. "Are you ok?"

His arms tightened around me and he buried his face into my back, and I felt something wet trickle down my back. "Why? Why? Why?" he murmured.

"Alex?" I asked louder, trying to turn around and face him, but the light turned green and I had no choice but to focus on the road again. The streets were pretty bare being late at night, which was good because of the lack of traffic. We sped by pretty quickly, and after what seemed like minutes, I asked if he wanted to call his parents and let them know where he was, but, again, I got no reply, and his arms tightened even harder around me, the wetness continued.

I pulled up to a dimly lit small apartment complex, parking closest to where Alex said his apartment was.

Alex let go of me, and I helped him up the stairs and to his place, catching him when he began to sway.

The air around us reeked with the overwhelming smell of different species, garbage--and I was sure someone puked not that long ago nearby--causing me to wrinkle my nose. I grabbed Alex's keys from my pocket and fumbled around for the right key until his door popped open. His apartment was a little messy, which surprised me; I thought it'd be, like, neat-freak clean, him being gay and all. A few dishes were lying about in the sink, my guessing they've been there for a day or so, and some clothes were draped against a couch far across the room.

The bedroom door swung open with a creak as we ambled inside. I laid him on his bed, resting his head on a pillow. Moonlight shun in through the window and I could see that fur around his eyes was damp. So, he was cry . . . Why was he crying? I'll have to ask him tomorrow, maybe.

Just as I was about to leave, Alex groaned. "Why? Why Why?" he murmured.

I got in closer to try and hear what he was saying.

"Why'd you do this?" he asked. "Why'd have to leave? Mom? Why?" Fresh tears started to stain his cheek.

Oh . . . that's why he was crying. His mom left.

"Why couldn't you accept who I was? A faggot?"

A strange emotion swelled in my chest; I thought that something had happened to his mom, but she left because he was gay . . . his own mom?

Alex's voice got softer as he spoke, barely above a whisper.

I leaned in closer and heard what he was muttering, looking down at him; he kind of looked . . . cute, our lips were so close . . . mere inches apart, and against my own will, they got even closer . . . .

I drew back, shocked. What was I thinking? Kissing a guy? I was tired--that's it!--tired. I just wasn't thinking straight.

Quickly, and quietly, as possible, I rushed out of his place, trying to erase the picture my mind had conjured. This was the last time I was going to see him again . . . .