These Moments -- Episode One
#1 of These Moments Series
Episode 1 of the These Moments series. I appreciate any comments with advice.
Humans and furries never got along, they down right hated eachother, and it didn't help that furries had no place to call hom. Humans segregated and prosecuted the furry population everywhere, and none of their lives were safe. That's when a city was made. A city on unclaimed land, where furries could live in peace. Here, there was a university made, known as Fur and Scale University, or FSU, and this is where our story takes place.
Jesse was in his dorm room, and damn, that dorm never seemed emptier.
He was on his back, laying on his twin bed, burying his face alive in his pillow. Ocassionally, he'd glance over at the now empty bed across the room. That side of the room used to be drenched in posters of indie bands no one on campus could recognise, thousands of old cartidges to game's (well, it seemed like thousands), and God knows how many empty bags from any fast food joint around. Now, the walls were bare, the floor was clean, and the bed was stripped of everything, even his smell. No, that dorm never seemed emptier.
Just like last summer, Jesse and Chad planned to stay in their dorm for vacation(Jesse had his reasons, but Chad never shared his own). There was never anything intimate about their relationship, and Jesse wouldn't have it any other way. Despite his own homosexuality, dating Chad would be like dating his brother... And with Chad being straight and all, something told him that wouldn't quite work out. And this summer was going to be like every other
Except this time, at the end of summer, Chad was leaving.
He had graduated the previous year, and was going to spend this last summer with Jesse. How quickly time flies.
Before he knew it, Chad was leaving. His best friend, gone to start his career in computer science. God's, how does he bare such a boring job?, Jesse thought. Well, he couldn't really talk. He was majoring in philosophy.
So here he was, moping in his dark depressing room with the curtains drawn, when there was a knock on the door. Well, Jesse still had some friends to look forward to.
Jesse managed to grumble his way up to the door, and turned the doorknob, behind which were some of the only other people he cared about on campus.
Of course, Will was the first to talk. All the black-spotted white leopard does IS talk. Though, at least he liked cheering people up. "God it smells like death and despair in here", he said, amusement on his lips. His hair was long and ruffly, going past his neck, but was shaved on the sides. He wore his traditionally white and blue hoodie and grey sweats. His most noticeably feature though was his ice blue eyes that always seemed to shined with good will.
Sam laughed at that. Oh, Sam. He is an incredibly rare species in the furry population. A spider. Though, strangely a cute one at that. How can you resist that long teen dream hair? Though... He does have eight red eyes. And... Eight spider legs coming out of his back... Though, those were his only spider-like features, excluding his black skin. He had regular legs and arms where they normally would be on the rest of the furries... Okay so, he still gives most of the students the heeby-jeebies. He was incredibly scrawny inside his buttoned red jacket and black skinny jeans.
Cath punched Will in the arm, half in play and half in anger. She knew jokes weren't going to cheer Jesse up... Actually, she doubted anything would cheer him up, but that didn't stop her from coming over and trying. The cheetah had orange fur with traditionally cheetah spots. Her black hair was remarkably short for a girl (she claims not to be a lesbo...), and she always seems to be wearing the most boyish clothing she can find (today she was wearing a tank and jeans). She smiled, and hugged Jesse. Still not happy.
After another joke from Will (and another bruise from Cath), she suggested they all go to the coffee stall on campus. Reluctantly, Jesse got dressed in his all black jacket, jeans, sneakers, and trademark beanie, then went into the sunlight with them, a sight that burned his eyes from how long he'd been inside. The coffee shop wasn't to far from the boys dorm, and soon they were all sitting down with hot coffee in each of their hands.
Each took attempts to cheer Jesse, up, and each failing. Jesse just stared at his cup of coffee which was getting colder by the minute. They were all still sitting there, Jesse with a distant look in his eyes and a full cup, while everyone else had already finished by this point.
"You guys, I think Jesse wants to be left alone", came a voice. Jesse turned to see who is was. None other than Ryan, who was the only other person that Jesse cared for on the campus. The billy goat pushed up his glasses with a hand that already had a book in it, while the other hand was occupied by his own cup of coffee. He had grayish brown fur, curling horns, gray eyes, and always wore dress shirts and jeans near matching his fur color.
"What do you know, trash eater?" Cath remarked. Ryan and Cath didn't quite get along.
"I told you before, Catherine, I've never eaten trash before!" Oh, no. He just called her Catherine.
Though, suprisingly, Cath didn't get up to decapitate the billy goat and mount his head above the entrance to her dorm. She decided she would deal with him later, since a fight most likely wouldn't cheer up Jesse.
"No, it's not that, I just... Look, I love having you guys around, I really do, I'm just... Not in a good mood, I guess."
"Well, you definetly have the right to be in a bad mood", Sam said. "We all know how much Chad meant to you."
"Right," Ryan said, taking a chair from another table and making a 5th spot at their own. "And we are all here for you."
"Right...", Will repeated, a bit dreamily. He was looking at Ryan.
"Thanks guys..."
After a moment of silence, Cath asked a question on everyone's mind. "So, who do you suppose Jesse's new roommate is going to be, guys?"
"Well, he's from America", Ryan began, "So he should either be a fox or canine. That what makes up most of the furry population over there."
"No one asked you!" Cath bursted.
"Actually, you did. After all, I am pretty sure I am a guy."
"You sure?", Cath responded in spite.
Suddenly, Jesse interrupted their argument. "I don't care who it is." Jesse layed his head on his arms. "I just want Chad back..."
"Aw, how cute." There it was. That damn mocking voice. Josh, a black, buff wolf who thinks he's the king of the campus. He had suddenly appeared to the left of their table, his arm around his girlfriend Patricia.
"Shut the hell up." Cath said, targeting her anger now at Josh. She had built up quite alot.
"I wasn't talking to you, lesbo", Josh responded.
Sam suddenly got up, getting between his jerk of a roommate and his friend's. "Josh, chill out." Cath looked like she was about to explode.
Josh ignored Sam. "Freakin' faggots, all of you." He turned his glare on Jesse. "Especially that Chad guy."
Suddenly, in a flash, Jesse was up and had Josh's v-neck curled in his fist. "What the fuck did you just say?", Jesse said. The venom that was packed in each syllable of that sentence was highly toxic.
"You heard me. A faggot."
Jesse was just about to punch him, but he knew better. There was no way he was getting expelled. This guy wasn't worth it, not yet.
"You. Me. Behind the gym in the city. 9:00 P.M."
"What?", Josh laughed, "You asking me out, faggot?"
"No, I'm going to personally beat the shit out of you."
"You? Look at you! You wouldn't even have a chance against Cath!"
"You know, I could beat him up for you...." Cath said. If this was a cartoon, no doubt steam would be coming out of her ears.
"No, Cath. This asshole is mine."
Josh was grinning, almost evilly. "Alright, buddy. I'll be there. You better hope someone brings you a bodybag." Josh turned around, Patricia, who had been quiet the whole time, suddenly chastising him quietly. Josh smiled and kissed her to shut her up.
"Holy crap..." Will finnally said, minutes later. They were all still in the same spots.
"Dude, you can't take on Josh..." Sam mumbled awkwardly. "He's way to strong man..."
"I don't care." Jesse said, still tracking Josh even though he was a dot in the distance now. "I'm going to anyway." With that, Jesse turned and walked towards his dorm, leaving the others awkwardly at the table, still cluthing empty coffee cups.
8:55. The fight would be starting soon. Jesse and his four friends were just going through the alleyway towards the bgack of the gym.
8:57. Matthew got out of the cab, paying his fare and getting his suitcases and bags, two of which were filled with nothing but hoodies. He turned towards the main hall of Fur and Scales University, heading for the headmasters office.
8:58. "I was beggining to think you chickened out, buddy." Josh, said, with a crowd of people behind him."
"Oh, so you invited some people to see you get your ass beat?" Jesse replied.
Josh let out a growl. "Shut up and fight", he said, and went in for a punch to the jaw.
9:02. These halls are hella confusing. Finally, Matthew managed to find his way to the headmasters office.
"Come in", said a womans voice from behind the door Matthew had knocked on. He left his things outside.
"Ah, Mr. Anderson. You're late", the cold voice of Miss Spines said from behind her desk. The dark green dragon lady stood up to shake hands with Matthew.
9:13. This fight was taking to long. Punch after punch, neither of them seemed to want to fall. They almost seemed equal. Josh had went from cocky smirk to focused glare. Bloodcand bruises covered their entire bodies.
9:16. Finally, after paperwork and more confusing hallways, Jessehad found his dorm. He opened up the door and began unpacking immediately.
9:20. Both of them were beyond wore out. Neither of them had thrown a punch for the last few minutes. Finally, Jesse gave in to his pride "Call it a draw.?"
Josh was silent for a moment, before nodding. He put his fist down first. Jesse turned away from the crowd, who booed angrily, but Jesse ignored them and walked back to the campus with his friends. He was upset that he couldn't finish the fight, but even he knew there was no chance either of them would be winning anytime soon. And now, he could go to his dorm and rest...
9:34. Jesse opened the door to his dorm room. Matthew had his back to the door, so Jesse didn't see him completely at first. "Oh, hey. You must be my new roommate", Jesse said after he realized Matthew hadn't heard him come in.
Matthew glanced over his shoulder. "Oh, hey." He turned around, accompanied by wide eyes from Jesse. His new roommate had short brown ruffly hair, bright green eyes, and tan as white skin can get. His new roommate was a human.