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Sleeping restlessly, Rye woke up a little irritated the next day at six in the morning when his alarm clock went off. Rye cursed his restless mind for keeping him up while he dressed and drove to school. He was always one of the first ones at the school, which allowed him to get a great parking spot but he was surprised to see a white creature sitting on a bench outside the cafeteria, the white-furred person now easily for Rye to recognize now.

Going up to Cloud, Rye noted that the white otter was again reading from a book. "You're here early," Rye said and sat down next to Cloud. "And I thought I got here too early in the morning myself."

Cloud looked up from his book and closed it after placing his bookmark. "Hey Rye," he welcomed Rye with more enthusiasm than the day before. "I'm an early riser." He paused and stared at Rye for a moment. "You look tired."

"I had trouble sleeping last night," Rye admitted.

"Were you not feeling well?" asked Cloud, concerned.

"Not really," Rye answered. "I'll get better sleep tonight. It just might be the beginning of the year that's keeping me from sleeping."

"Perhaps," responded Cloud. The white otter looked pass Rye when he heard voices coming this way. "Looks like some of your friends are already here."

Rye turned his head around to see Ariel, and her usual group of friends heading this way. "Hey Rye," she called out.

"I should go," Cloud said and got up, smiling. Rye couldn't tell if his smile was a façade or genuine. "I'm sure you two have a lot of catching up to get done."

"Don't go," Rye said urgently. Cloud hesitated and looked at Rye quixotically. "I . . . I want you to meet my friends," Rye attempted to recover, wondering if he thought of the excuse too slow.

Cloud's expression took half a second to change into amusement and delight. "Okay, I guess I don't have anything urgent to get done."

"Hi Ariel," Rye greeted the group when they were in normal conversation-speaking range. "Marianne. Rose. Alexandria."

"Hi Rye," they all said at once, except Ariel, and giggled.

"Cloud. Ariel, Marianne, Rose and Alex," Rye introduced them, holding an open paw out to each of the girls as he named them. "Ariel and gang, Cloud."

"Hey Cloud."

"Hi Cloud."

"Good morning Cloud."

"Hi Cloud."

"Nice to meet you all," Cloud said, shaking each of their paws.

"Oh, he's cute," one of the girls were overheard whispering to someone else. Rye flushed and jealousy raced through him, which took him by surprise. He tried not to let it show by quickly turning toward Ariel.

"So how's the party-planning coming along?" Rye asked as calmly as he could but was aware that some of his exasperation leaked through his voice.

"It's coming," Ariel answered. "We're getting all the food delivered on Thursday this week. My mom has been directing the decorators around non-stop again. She's going to be doing it all week, I know it. She always does this! It's not like I'm getting married this Friday."

Rye laughed. "You know she means well."

"Yeah," Ariel didn't want to agree.

"Anyway, do I still need to talk to Ryan about the pool reservations?"

"Yeah, but I think we changed our mind back to having the pool party be first. My mom reminded me that we have to give our cooks 24 hours to cook everything so the food won't be ready until after we get back from the pool."

"Ariel!" a barking voice from the parking lot called out.

"I got to go," Ariel said seeing her boyfriend, Patrick, in the parking lot. "Invite everyone you can. You're coming too, right Cloud?"

"Uh," Cloud was taken a bit by surprise. "Yeah, I'll be there."

"Great," Ariel exclaimed. "I'll see you there!"

Ariel and her friends ran off.

"Who's all going to be at this party?" Cloud asked still with a bit of surprise in his voice.

"Just about the whole school district," Rye answered. "And more some. You'll enjoy it."

"I don't know anyone else, so I'll only go if you go," Cloud said with a laugh.

"I'm almost required to be there," Rye said smiling, both otters wandering toward the main building. "I'm pretty much hosting half the Games at the pool and if I don't go, most people wouldn't. It'd devastate Ariel if most of us didn't show up."

"Don't flatter yourself," Cloud joked, snickering. Rye laughed but Cloud didn't wait for him to say anything clever in response. "Do you like this Ariel?"

"She's a friend of mine," Rye answered keeping himself from laughing out loud again. "You still are trying to figure out our niches?"

"Yeah," Cloud said smiling and looked down as they went through the doors. "You're an unusual case. One in a billion. You're such a weirdo."

Rye laughed with Cloud. "Oh, now I'm just some police case?" Rye said trying to keep his laughter under control.

"More or less," replied Cloud, still giggling slightly.

"What's your story then?" Rye asked. "Why don't you have a 'mate'?"

"I just moved here," Cloud explained. Cloud's hesitation caused Rye to suspect that the white otter noticed the term "girlfriend" was intentionally avoided. "I'm concentrating more on how to keep supporting myself while getting an education."

"Good call," Rye said a little muffled, disappointed for some reason. Rye couldn't tell what he was feeling; almost pity or regretting that Cloud might not be looking at the same way Rye is looking at him.

"The school seems full of couples anyway," Cloud chuckled once. "Not a lot of singles left in the school."

Again Rye wondered why he didn't use the term "girls."

"I guess so," Rye smiled, trying to regain his normal attitude. "It's tough competition."

"Like Ariel's boyfriend," Cloud snickered. "It looked like he was glaring at you from the parking lot."

"I didn't notice," Rye admitted. As the time went by, the halls were filled with more students but Rye and Cloud wandered aimlessly around the halls.

"So what will be at this party?" asked Cloud.

"This is the first party of the Amor Games, which is what we call the parties," Rye explained. "This one will have the pool open to all sorts of games, and the sand pit will hold tournaments with beach volleyball and other competitions like that. After the pool, we go to Ariel's house where a variety of other sports are played and prizes are given out."

"Sounds expensive," muttered Cloud.

"It's not too bad," Rye said. "Ab Amor can afford it since our mayor uses the extra revenue from taxes to pay for these games. Well, Beach Lagoon pay for their own stuff since we charge per person to go in, and charge to rent out equipment but it's rather cheap compared to the amount of activities we have."

"What about paying for the roads, sidewalks, and all that?"

"It's covered. It's not as expensive as people think, and taxes aren't high so no one complains. It's just instead the office officials don't keep their six-digit, tax-free income like they used to under the Velmarian Empire."

Cloud chuckled. "It really sounds like the city knows how to manage their money."

"Yeah," Rye agreed. He stopped dead in his tracks when he noticed that they were approaching the stallion clique that Rye was unfortunate enough to come across the day before. He saw Diane talking among the students there. "Wait, let's go outside and get some fresh air."

"Okay."

The two attractive otters spent the rest of the morning talking about normal things, and walking around the school campus before the first bell rang. Without saying goodbye yet, Rye started to wander toward his government class but when Cloud followed, Rye grew curious of what Cloud's first class was and if they should say their farewells now.

"What's your first period class?" Rye asked.

"Government," Cloud answered. "Same class as you."

"Really?" Rye was shocked. "Why didn't I see you yesterday? And what is a junior doing in a senior class?"

"Well, you probably were distracted by the mare yesterday to answer your first question," Cloud chuckled. "And I already took most of the junior classes at my other school so it'd be a waste to take them again."

"You should sit by me today," Rye suggested. "It might allow Diane to pay attention to the class for once."

They both laughed.

Even with them entering the classroom a bit later than usual, both otters were successful in finding seats at the front of the classroom. Naturally everyone sat in the back of the classroom for some illogical rebellious teenage reason.

"What junior classes did you already take at your school?" Rye asked, as they both sat down in seats adjacent to each other.

"Well, I already took psychology, biology, trigonometry, college prep, and some other classes," Cloud answered, thinking of each class.

"Trigonometry? That's a little advanced, don't you think?" Rye asked, surprised.

"I'm good with numbers," Cloud admitted modestly. "Oh hey, there's that mare."

Rye turned around to look where Cloud was staring, and he saw Diane hesitating in the doorway of the classroom, and glaring at Cloud. After scoffing, realizing no other seats were near Rye, she sat in the back corner where she sulked. In order to avoid fueling her drama, Rye pretended not to notice her overreaction and turned back to Cloud.

"Maybe I can pay attention today also," stated Rye with a giggle.

Cloud chuckled. "She seems angry."

"She's a drama queen, let her sulk," Rye said.

"Welcome back class," the teacher welcomed everyone as the final bell rang.

The otters turned their attention to the teacher, but Rye found it increasingly difficult to pay attention, even without the distraction of Diane. Usually it was he who tried to keep his friends from talking while a lecture was being given, but now he found that he had an urge to continue speaking with Cloud. Ignoring the temptation to speak with Cloud, Rye still couldn't concentrate; instead he thought of random questions that he wanted to know about Cloud.

The class dragged on and on for way too long and Rye grew impatient. Tapping his foot lightly, Rye stared at the clock and watched the seconds ticked by. He was also annoyed that Mrs. Berenson insisted on keeping the focus of the class on her for the entire hour. Rye started to fidget, but the time still crawled by. However, every now and then, Rye and Cloud would glance at each other and they'd respectfully smile at one another before turning their attention to the lioness, which satisfied Rye enough from doing something drastic.

For what felt like three hours, Rye remained seated until finally the bell rang. Excited, Rye stood up and waited for Cloud to gather his books.

"Class was so boring today," commented Rye.

"Yeah, I thought I was going to fall asleep but Mrs. Berenson said that today was a rare occasion," Cloud replied back.

"Yeah, I can't sit for that long and stay focused on one thing," Rye admitted.

"Me neither. Where's your next class?" Cloud asked, while walking out of the classroom. Rye noted that Diane had already left.

"Health, in room 104," Rye answered. Although the conversation Rye daydreamed about during class was put on hold, his impatient mood was relieved just by speaking with Cloud again.

"104," Cloud repeated, remembering the map of the school. "Damn, my next class is in 218. I guess I'll see you at lunch then."

"Okay," Rye said, disappointed. "I can meet you outside the cafeteria's main entrance."

"Alright, see you there." Cloud turned around and went back the way they came.

Rye didn't realize Cloud was following him just to talk to him. He was flattered. But he quickly realized how rude it was to make Cloud walk the extra distance. The rooms in the 200's were on the other side of the building and upstairs.

Rye dismissed his thoughts as he entered his Health class. He was greeted by the meerkats twins that he met yesterday and he sat next to them for the class. Still finding it difficult to concentrate, Rye attempted to make conversation with the meerkats.

Hours might as well have been days, the classes went by so slow. Every second Rye watched on the clock, which only made it go slower. Willing for the seconds to speed up, Rye grew frustrated that school dragged on forever. The classes melted into each other, and they were all equally dull no matter the subject or those who were in the class with the otter.

Finally, after the longest morning Rye has ever had, the lunch bell rang. The usually-annoying sound of the bell restored Rye's optimism, knowing that he could be in the presence of Cloud once again. Rye hurried out of his last class, down the hallways and toward the cafeteria.

"Hey Cloud," Rye greeted Cloud who was waiting near the cafeteria entrance.

"Hi Rye," Cloud returned his greeting. "Jeez, you must have a class on the other side of the school. I've been waiting forever."

Rye laughed. "Sorry, it's just the packs of students that are difficult to get through."

"I hear you there," Cloud smiled and he opened the door for Rye.

"Thank you," Rye said and walked in the cafeteria with Cloud following right behind him. "So how's your second day at our school working out for you?"

"It's going okay," Cloud answered, still smiling. "But school will always be school."

Rye laughed again as he waited in line to get some food. "Today is dragging on so long though. Yet another reason why I always hated the beginning of the year." Rye knew that the fact that it was the beginning of the year had little to do with why the day was dragging on so long.

"I know," Cloud agreed just as he got to the bar of food. He grabbed a sack of food and a drink and followed Rye out, who picked up the same food items. "But that's one day closer to the end of the year."

"Isn't it a bit early to be thinking about the end of the year?" Rye asked, amused. "Think about the Amor Games this Friday instead." Rye led Cloud to the table where he usually sat and they both took their seats, with Cloud sitting right next to Rye.

Cloud opened the paper sack of food, smiling to himself, and pulled out the largest item in the sack. "Fish?" He held back laughter. "You and this school are going to make me sick of fish."

Rye laughed. "You don't like fish? That's strange for an otter."

"I didn't say that," Cloud chuckled and shoved Rye lightly with his shoulder, which almost felt like a nudge.

Rye returned the nudge as he got out his own items of food that were similar to Cloud's lunch. Pulling out an apple, Rye noticed the white otter eyeing his food.

"You get an apple?" Cloud asked, mocking shock and surprise. "That's no fair. I only got a stupid cookie."

"People used to like cookies," Rye reminded Cloud.

"Eww, I never liked them," Cloud explained looking at his cookie in disgust. "They're called 'junk food' for a reason. It tastes like junk!"

Rye laughed and slowly bit into his apple to savor the taste in front of the otter, taunting him. "You can go ask for an apple instead," Rye suggested while Cloud muttered to himself.

"How can anyone enjoy eating something so unhealthy for you," Cloud muttered. "It's just . . . gross!"

Cloud looked up at Rye and the apple he was eating and then he glared. Rye's smile only widened, being amused by Cloud's expression. Before Rye could take more than one bite out of his apple, Cloud snatched it out of his paw with cobra-striking speed.

"Hey!" Rye reached for his food, but Cloud put his open paw against Rye's chest and held him back while he took a bite out of the stolen apple. "That's mine."

Cloud laughed, still holding Rye away from the food. Rye knew it was childish to fight over food but in truth, he liked Cloud's paw where it was. "You need to learn your manners. You shouldn't eat something in front of me when I crave for the same thing. Don't wave a steak in front of a starving wolf."

Rye sat back down, pretending to sulk but he knew he was teasing Cloud earlier so he did deserve to get the fruit taken away. To his delight, Cloud's paw still rested gently over his heart, making sure he wouldn't snatch the food away.

"You're not being very nice," Rye complained.

Cloud chuckled.

Suddenly Rye jumped for the apple again, but Cloud extended his arm again and leaned away from Rye, laughing. Failing for the second time, Rye sat in his seat again. "I'll go get another one. You're such a lazy otter."

Cloud only chuckled, biting into the apple again, while Rye walked back toward the food bar. Rye knew that Cloud was enjoying the fruit more because it was stolen. Not being able to help himself, Rye grinned, thinking about the playful fight they just had.

A moment later, Rye noticed two pairs of eyes on him. One from his table, which Rye was able to break the eye contact when he looked back into the lizard's eyes, and another from across the cafeteria. Glancing at the pair of eyes, Rye was caught off guard when the eyes belonging to a rat didn't break contact immediately like most people did when they were caught staring.

Rye ignored it and was soon sitting next to Cloud again with an apple in his paw, and already a bite taken out of it.

"Feel better?" Cloud asked with a smirk.

"No," Rye lied around his giggles.

Cloud saw right through him and laughed. "Good."

"You love apples too much," Rye said trying to insult Cloud in some possible way.

"Only when I steal them from you," Cloud admitted, still grinning.

"Ugh," Rye pretended to sulk more.

It didn't take long for Rye to drop the act and he talked and laughed with Cloud for the rest of the lunch hour. The end of the lunch period came too soon for Rye though.

"I'm giving you a ride home again today," Rye said leaving the cafeteria with Cloud.

"I can walk," Cloud tried to protest. "I still need to get some exercise."

"After stealing my fruit today, you're going to let me do you this favor. It's hotter today than it was yesterday."

"That seems a little backwards," Cloud laughed, now as they both entered the main hallway.

"I guess you have that affect on the world," Rye joked. "Soon you'll have the world upside down and at your mercy."

Cloud laughed. "Whatever you say."

"That's right. I have to work again today; do you want to go to Beach Lagoon again?"

"Sure, it couldn't hurt."

"I also spoke with Ryan about hiring you," Rye said, while they walked back outside, again wandering aimlessly for the remainder of the lunch hour. "He agreed but it won't be a couple weeks before I can hire you."

"Thanks, you have no idea how much I appreciate you doing this for me," said Cloud, playfully shoving Rye again with his shoulder.

"I'll make sure you stay in this city. It gets far too lonely with no other otters."

Cloud giggled. "Working at a pool like that must be great. It's far better than other pools I've visited back where I used to live."

"The Amor Games are the only reason why we're able to keep it as nice as it is."

"You probably get a lot of attractive girls that visit there," Cloud assumed.

You're the most attractive guest yet, Rye thought. "I don't really notice. Usually I'm busy, or just messing around with one of the other lifeguards, like Aaron when he doesn't have front desk duty. But he always does, he's our cashier specialist."

"That's a bummer. So yesterday wasn't too unusual for you?"

"Well, I never had such difficult competing before and I wasn't as attentive as I usually am but it was fine. It's hard to miss someone drowning."

Both otters sat under a tree and leaned up against the trunk, staying out of the hot sun. Cloud picked up his reading book and searched through it, to make sure he didn't lose his place, before setting it back down.

"What book are you reading?" Rye asked, curious.

For several minutes, they discussed about several books that they both have read, and they found out that they shared similar interest in their reading material. Soon the bell rang for them both to go to their next class, and they walked with each other to the locker rooms.

The otters continued to discuss a variety of things, never finding a dull moment in their conversations. They were only interrupted when their gym class was grouped together for the game of soccer once again. But they resumed their conversations while they went to undress in the locker rooms again.

Rye struggled to concentrate after the two otters separated and he sat in his last class of the day. Instead he daydreamed about the white otter and their discussions, but most of all, he thought about when Cloud put his paw against Rye's chest.