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Cold Days

Chapter 2

June 23rd, 2013

Exams were finishing up and furs were excited to be done with class for the year. To us, it was another summer vacation to spend lazily by my pool, or hitting up the local amusement park. I seemed to get used to all the civil defence propaganda that's been shoved down our throats for the past half a year. Siren tests on Saturday mornings were just another reminder that it was time to get up. The country also developed an emergency warning system that would activate in the event of an attack. That would test once a month early in the morning.

I was walking back from my Music Theory exam when I saw something in the distance, a blue mountain bike with a black fox on it. As the mystery person rode closer, my suspicions were confirmed. A smile came across my maw as I recognized the canine.

"Storm?!" I asked in excitement as he came within earshot.

"Hey, kiddo! I haven't seen you in ages!" the fox said, dismounting his bike.

"I know! How was freshman year?" I became pretty good friends with Storm in grade 9. We were both Tenor Sax players and seemed to get along well when we met in band. He's two years older than me, hence the college question.

"It was great! Met a lot of good friends and passed with a very nice grade."

"That's great! Meet a girl yet?"

Storm went silent for a second, "You know I'm not into the dating thing, Noah," Which was true. Storm wasn't interested in dating. A shame too, he was pretty good looking for a guy.

"Heh, yeah. Just messing with ya'."

"Alright Noah, I gotta go. I'll call you later," Storm said as he hopped back on his bike.

"Yeah... See you around."

* * * * *

It was around 6:30 p.m., when I finished dinner and my phone went off. I changed the ring tone to something a little less embarrassing. It was nice to answer a call while "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd was playing.

"Hello?" I interviewed the caller.

"Hey, Noah," I immediately recognized Storm's voice.

"Oh, hey, Storm!"

"What are you up to tonight?" He interrogated.

"Nothing, really. Why?"

"Just wondering if you want to go chill somewhere. We need to catch up, bro!"

"Yeah. How about shakes in a few? I'll meet you outside your house."

"Sure, see you in a bit!"

"Yeah, see ya'." Not long after my phone rang again. I checked the caller ID and saw Dakota's name pop up.

"Hello?" My usual phone greeting.

"Hey, cutie," She flirted.

"Hey, 'Kota. What's up?"

"Nothing really. Wanna come over?"

"Can't," I said sadly. "Just made plans with Storm. We're going to get milkshakes."

There was an awkward silence, followed by a deep inhale from the other line.

"Why do you never want to spend time with me anymore?" The corgi scolded.

"What?!?" I almost yelled in disbelief.

"You're always making plans with others! Don't you want to be together?"

"Dakota, don't give me that. I love you dearly. It just so happens that Storm called before you, plus, I haven't seen him since September."

"But I'm your girlfriend. I should be coming first!"

"Stop acting like this! What's with you lately? I'll hang out with you tomorrow, like we planned."

"Acting like what? Just because I want to see my cute otter? If you don't want to spend time with me, that's fine. Just don't keep me like a play toy!" There was no way I was winning this argument. I let out a sigh and apologized.

"Listen, Dakota, I'm sorry. I should make more time to see my amazing girlfriend. I'm still going out with Storm tonight."

"Ugh, fine. I'll text you later. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Dakota. Have a good night. I love you." There was a brief pause before my girlfriend said something.

"...I love you too, Noah." She hung up first and I placed my phone down on my computer desk. I grabbed my wallet from the dresser, checking to make sure I had enough money, or if I'd have to pay with debit. As I went down the stairs, I told my mom my plans with Storm.

"Don't stay out too late, Noah," My mom yelled from the kitchen.

"Alright mom, I'll call you if I'm sleeping over."

"Don't stay up too late then."

"You know that's not going to happen." We both laughed as I opened the door and walked down my front steps. The motionless, humid air encompassed around my thick otter fur. Shorts and a t-shirt were perfect for this weather and I'd actually love to go for a swim. Maybe if it's not too late later...

I met Storm on his driveway, playing with his younger step-brothers.

"Hey, little guys," I said as I met my friend. The fox's mom was outside, reading a book while the kits were at play.

"Hey, Noah," He greeted me politely. "Mom, Noah and I are going to grab a shake and catch up with each other. I'll see you in a bit."

"Alright, sweetheart. Noah, you're welcome to stay overnight if you'd like."

"I just might take you up on that offer." I looked at my older friend as if to ask him and he nodded in approval.

"See you guys later." We both chorused as we walked down the street. It was a short little walk to the small ice cream parlour, but we made the most out of our conversation.

"So, dude, the first question I have to ask is this: how are you and Dakota?" He said as soon as his family could no longer hear him.

"Pretty good, but we just had a bit of a fight," i explained, looking down in shame.

"Awww. What happened?"

"Well, we made plans to have a whole day together, then I was going to sleep over at her house. Then after you called earlier, she calls and wants to do something, probably fuck. I said you and I were already going to do something, then she got all pissed off and shit, telling me I never want to see her anymore." I said in almost one breath.

"Damn. Did yo-" I cut off Storm, needing to get my rage out.

"It's complete bullshit! I try to see her once every other day at least. Plus, for like the past 3 months, she needs to be cuddled to sleep by me, which I don't mind. Just saying that I never want to see her is complete bogus."

"You...done?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have cut you off. I'm just a bit annoyed by it."

"No, you're a bit frustrated. It's good that you're getting your anger out."

"Yeah, I guess. I've just been a little more on edge since the sirens and nuclear stuff went up."

"Don't get me started on that..."

"What did they do at college for it?"

"We had to do fallout drills once a month. It's horrible cramming in with a bunch of guys that smell like crap," Storm complained.

"I bet Kayleb would love that..." I joked.

"Ha! If it wasn't for the terrible odour, he might. Is he still with Cay?"

"Over 3 years now."

"Wow," He exclaimed as we got to the shop. I got up on the comfortable stool, the fox sitting to my right.

"One chocolate shake, please. And you?" I glanced at Storm.

"Make it two, thanks." The tigress waitress went to the counter behind her to concoct our shakes.

"So what do you think of all this war stuff?" I asked, changing our conversation to a more serious tone.

"It's stupid. The fact that we even made a single warhead after Hiroshima and Nagasaki is completely irresponsible of either nation! Have they not seen any of the destruction from fallout and radioactivity? It makes me ashamed to be a part of this nation!" Storm was really bothered by this. I felt my phone vibrate a couple times, notifying me of incoming text messages, but I ignored them.

"Yeah, it's really terrifying. The sirens were put up to comfort us, that we'll know when we're under attack, but all it's done is make us realize that nuclear war is imminent or occurring in these regions..." I joked about what they said during the emergency warning broadcast tests.

"Haha, yeah. My mom doesn't want me to go back to college next year... I'm not sure if I want to go back either."

"Damn," My phone continued to go off, but I kept ignoring it, knowing my ring tone would go off if someone needed my immediate attention. Our milkshakes arrived and we drank them in relative silence, enjoying the music on the radio.

* * * * *

"Wanna stay the night?" Storm asked as we left the shop.

"I'd thought you'd never ask," I laughed. "Let me call my mom."

"Heh, alright." I pulled out my phone and saw I had about 10 messages, all from the same fur.

Dakota.

"Oh, SHIT!" I yelled.

"What's up, Noah?" The fox asked, obviously concerned for me.

"10 unread messages, all from 'Kota. Let's go to hell and back..."

"Damn. What do they say?"

"I'm sorry for earlier, hun." I told him, pausing a bit in between each message. "It was wrong of me to do that, I should know you have a life.

"Please just respond, Noah."

"I know you have your phone! You always reply!"

"Okay I know I've been a bitch. Just give me any reply!"

"For fucks sake answer me!"

"Noah I thought you were a better guy. You were different."

"I guess you really don't care about me."

"Goodbye, Noah." I gulped before I read the last one. Storm must have noticed me as he stopped and looked at me for support.

"What is it, Noah?" I breathed in before I read it aloud.

"Fine, fuck you Noah. I thought you were nice, and different. You showed me I was beautiful, but I guess that was all lies. I bet you are a faggot, just like Kayleb. We're done. I never want to see you again..." I felt the tears well. For the first time in years...

I cried. I let them all loose. I lost all my strength and collapsed onto my older canine friend. He reached around and hugged me, to which I hugged back. I didn't care what anyone thought, but the thoughts swirled my head. I just lost the love of my life for the past year, because of some stupid shit! Was it my fault for not checking my phone while I was with my friend, or her's for overreacting?

"You don't have to stay over now, if you don't want to, bro." Storm told me. He was a really good friend.

"No...I want to. Would you mind if Kayleb came over too? I'll call Dakota tomorrow." I asked, I was feeling that I was asking for too much.

"Sure, haven't seen him in a while, neither has my mom. Why not call her tonight?"

"I need to get my thoughts sorted out, and thanks, Storm."

"No problem, Noah. You need it now." I pulled out my phone and texted Kayleb, 'Come to Storm's now. Bring stuff to sleep over. Come now <3.' Ending any text like that gave the other a sense of urgency. His response was short, simple, and to the point. 'Omw now, bro <3.' I also texted my mom, giving her the plan. I met Kayleb outside and gave him a hug. He knew I was distressed and hugged back immediately. I don't know how or why, but gay people give the best hugs.

We entered Storm's front door and he led us down to his basement. He had 2 couches, but also had a blow up mattress in case. The fox said he wouldn't mind if Kayleb and I slept on it together, as he knew the husky was my best friend, and could make me feel better. It was a long day for me, so Kayleb and I decided to hit the sack. Kayleb and I got the mattress out and blew it up. Kayleb stripped to his boxers, as did I and we got into the bed.

"Night, Storm." I said as I pulled the covers up.

"Night you two. Behave yourselves." He joked as he was on his laptop on the couch. I turned on my side and looked at Kayleb. Thought of Dakota and I, or what was of Dakota and I, clouded my mind. I felt the tears coming again and got closer to my husky best friend. He saw me and wrapped one arm around my neck and I rest my head on his chest. I couldn't hold it anymore. I let my tears flow, trying to muffle my maw as I didn't want Storm to worry. I snuggled up to my brother from another mother, wanting all his support. He embraced me tight to him, like I saw him do to Caylen. It seemed to work a bit, but there wasn't much that could help me mourn the loss of my year-and-a-bit relationship. Kayleb fell asleep, still holding me and I decided that would be the best for me. I got as tight as I could to the 17-year-old canine without waking him up, his arm still around me. I wasn't pretending he was Dakota. No, right now I needed the support of a friend...

Of my best friend,

Of my brother,

Of Kayleb.