FSE

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Sorry it took so long, things have been insane around here! Now that things have calmed down a bit, I should be able to post much more often!

Feel free to leave comments! I love feedback! =3

Enjoy!

Setting the Stage.

It was hot, unbearably hot; the sun above sending rays of blistering heat down upon the field as the band continued to practice its halftime show. They'd been out here for hours already, and it would be another half hour still before they were able to go home for the evening, and it was obvious form the drooping postures, the panting for breath, and the smell of sweat, that everyone was ready for the day to end.

Gavin, the 18 year old senior and sousaphone section leader, stood at attention near the back of the field, wishing more than anything that the director would simply give up for the day.

He was a wolf, his jet black fur streaked and matted with sweat while his equally dark eyes were hidden behind a pair of silver mirrored sunglasses to keep out the bright sunlight. He was a good looking wolf, his 6 foot runner's frame showing enviable muscle tone, and almost no fat.

Even thought it was obvious he was in great shape, his back and legs were ready to buckle from the intensity of the practice, and the weight of the sousaphone he carried. Sweat was pouring down his face and back staining his grey sleeveless shirt, and his khaki cargo shorts were clinging uncomfortably.

He cast a fairly annoyed glace back towards the front of the field where the director was shouting instructions from the director's tower at group of flute players who were almost 4 yards from where they were supposed to be. He adjusted the weight to a more comfortable position on his shoulder and let his eyes wander, cursing, not for the first time today, the ineptitude of the woodwinds at his high school.

"Geez...ya think they'd cut some of those useless lumps of fur...." Said Zeek, Gavin's best friend and fellow sousaphone player.

Gavin looked over at the coyote, prepared to tell him off for talking, but when he saw Zeke panting for breath and his knees trembling, he stopped short because he knew exactly how he felt. Instead he just whispered out the corner of his muzzle. "You'd think....now be quiet, so we don't have to stay longer for talking during practice"

Standing there, at attention like he was supposed to, his eyes traveled from the director on the observation tower, to the drum major standing on a raised platform at the front of the field in front of the directors much taller tower. As soon as his eyes fell on the drum major, he quickly looked away, blushing.

The drum major was an openly gay, but very mild mannered cheetah named Daniel, and Gavin had had a huge crush on him since his freshmen year. Not surprising really, all the girls and a fair amount of the guys had a crush on him.

He was gorgeous, standing slightly shorter than Gavin and thinner but with even better muscle tone which was clearly visible as the cheetah had removed his shirt in an attempt to cool off. His golden fur and the black spots that covered him glistened in the light, showing only a few sweat stains and streaks. His eyes however, Ice blue orbs that reminded Gavin of frozen sapphires and always made his heart hammer when he saw them, were hidden behind his sunglasses.

David's good looks and friendly personality, combined with his being available, made Gavin extremely nervous around the cheetah, not because Daniel was intimidating in any way, but because every time Gavin saw him, he was afraid he would blurt out his feelings for the cheetah, embarrassing not only himself, but Daniel as well.

Despite going to the same school for over 3 years, he and Daniel had only shared minimal conversation, mostly because Gavin was so nervous around Daniel. Every time Daniel would try to speak with him, Gavin would lock up, too nervous to give more than 1 or 2 word answers, and absolutely terrified to meet the cheetahs eyes for fear of letting Daniel know exactly how he felt. Besides, Gavin know that Daniel was so far out of his league that he didn't have a chance anyway.

Gavin forced his mind away from the cheetah, and instead concentrated on keeping his sousaphone steady as he heard the directors whistle blow, signaling that the band was to move on to the next formation. He pushed all thoughts of Daniel out of his mind as for what must be the 50th time today, he and his line made the transition to the next formation. And on they went, moving from formation to formation, adjusting the lines, backing up and trying again for another half hour till the director mercifully called an end to the practice and dismissed them.

Gavin stored his sousaphone and music folder in the equipment shed just off the field and started the walk back toward the school to pick up his backpack. Since this was pre season marching camp, school hadn't started yet, which was why the director could keep them for so long. All around him, the other members of the band were also limping and dragging themselves back to get their backpacks before heading home.

As he pulled open the front door to the school, Gavin was hit by a blast of cold air and quickly stepped inside, the wonderfully cold air a welcome change to the sauna outside. He stood by the door for a moment simply leaning against the c old concrete walls to cool off before grabbing his backpack from his locker and heading back towards the front door. As he neared the doors he spotted Daniel chatting with a couple of his friends in the hallway.

Gavin lowered his head, carefully not looking at the cheetah, and almost ran for the door, desperate to escape before Daniel noticed him. He'd just wrapped his paw around the door handle, when he heard a familiar voice behind him call "Gavin!"

Gavin froze, terrified, the voice calling to him was unmistakable. He turned around slowly to see Daniel walking up to him, his sunglasses pushed up on his forehead so he could see better inside. Gavin was frozen on the spot thinking to himself how glad he was to still be wearing his sunglasses so Daniel wouldn't see his eyes, and all the thoughts behind them.

"What?" 'Don't panic...'

"Just wanted to say great job today! You're really doing a great job with the bass line Gavin."

"Thanks" 'God his eyes...'

"No worries, you deserve all the credit. Anyway, a group of the seniors are getting together this evening for a bonfire party and dance at Nick's farm. You're more than welcome to come!"

Gavin's mind went into overdrive. ‘Is he asking me out? He can't be...but what if he is? Dear lord, what am I doing?! I'm just standing here with a stupid blank look on my face! Quick think of an answer! Argh! I'm embarrassing myself again!' and a thousand other totally random thoughts before he finally gave himself a mental slap and forced himself to calm down.

"Sounds like fun." 'Breath Gavin....just breath...'

Daniel couldn't hide the excitement in his voice as he talked about the coming night.

"It should be! Zeke is going to bring his band and play a live show; we've got a nice flat area roped off for a dance floor, we've even got some carnival style games! Think you can come?"

Again, Gavin's mind shot off in a thousand different directions, ending with a vision of them, making out behind Nicks barn. Gavin blushed horribly at the idea, and hoped his dark fur would hide it from the cheetah.

"We'll see." 'For the love of God...don't throw up...'

"Great! Party starts at 9:00 this evening! Hope to see you there!" With that Daniel patted the taller wolf on the shoulder, causing him to blush even deeper.

"You ok? You don't look so well." Daniel said to the now obviously embarrassed wolf.

"I'm fine, just tired. I need to get home and start my chores." Without another word, Gavin spun and pushed the doors open and started walking home, fighting both the urge to vomit, and the urge to run.

Daniel watched him go, wondering for the thousandth time what was wrong with the wolf. He watched Gavin break into a full sprint and quickly lost sight of him. Shaking his head in confusion, he returned to his friends who had continued their conversation while he had been talking to Gavin, though they quickly stopped when they noticed his expression.

Samantha, a slim, red furred fox with pretty dark brown eyes and a playful personality was the first to comment. "What's wrong Daniel? You look like your favorite toy just got smashed." She said, with a hint of a giggle.

"Hmm? Oh, nothing..."

"Come on Daniel, It's obvious something is bothering you." Chimed in Kai, Samantha's boyfriend, actually poking him in the ribs with a claw, his bright green eyes sparkling with seemingly endless amounts energy. The large tiger was as playful as a kitten, and just as mischievous. His practical jokes and pranks were legendary around the school. Even the Principle himself had been on the receiving end of the tiger's humor a couple times.

Daniel playfully pushed his paw away, before turning serious.

"It's Gavin. I don't get him. He's a great musician, gets top grades in all his classes, and is friendly to everyone, except me. I try and talk to him, to get to know and understand him better, and he clams up, and I get the impression that he wants to get as far away from me as possible. I don't get it!"

Kai stopped dead and a frown spread across his muzzle; it was rare to see Daniel this upset. All eyes turned back to Samantha, who had a gift for solving issues like this. To both Daniel and Kai's surprise, she started laughing, clutching her sides before stumbling over to flop down on a bench, still laughing her head off.

"What's so funny?" Daniel asked, slightly annoyed by her reaction.

Samantha could barely answer she was laughing so hard. "You really have no clue do you?"She managed to squeak out before collapsing into another fit of laughter.

"Apparently not, because I fail to see what's funny about him hating me so much he won't even talk to me!" He was actually starting to get angry at the fox, his claws extending slightly by reflex. When Kai laid a paw on his shoulder though, he got himself under a bit more control and retracted them. "So why don't you enlighten me, on what I could have possibly done to make him hate me so much?"

Wiping a tear from her eye, Samantha got up and patted Daniel on the shoulder. "Oh Daniel, it's so obvious! I'm really surprised at you! I would have thought you would have picked up on it and figured it out already. To tell the truth, I noticed it last year."

"What are you talking about?" He asked, his confusion overcoming his anger, looking back and forth between the giggling fox, and the stunned and confused looking tiger.

She looked him strait in the eyes, batting her eyelashes cutely. "Gavin has a huge crush on you."

Daniel was almost speechless, that was the last thing he had expected her to say. "That doesn't make sense! If he likes me, then why hasn't he said something? Why doesn't he talk to me? I didn't think I was that intimidating!"

Kai stayed silent, looking like he'd been hit with a truck as Samantha finally got her giggles under control and stood up to lay her paws on Daniels shoulders, looking into his eyes.

"He hasn't said anything you silly kitty, because he's extremely shy. He's so taken with you, that he locks up when you get near. I was watching him as you were invited him to the party, Daniel he was shaking, but not with anger, with nerves. I thought he was going to puke when you touched him!" She finished with a huge grin and another giggle fit. "Daniel he was terrified, and the only way he will get over it, is if you talk to him about it, alone.

Daniel just stood there, dumbstruck, his mind spinning as he thought about what she'd said. ‘It couldn't be true? Could it?' He turned to look at Kai, who was still standing frozen on the spot. "Did you have any clue about this?"

The big tiger just gaped and shook his head, looking as if he'd been hit with a frying pan. Daniel poked him in the ribs and repeated his question.

Kai shook his head slowly, a grin beginning to spread across his muzzle. "No...but now she says it...it makes sense"

Looking back and forth between the two, Daniel shook his head slowly, trying to fathom the idea. "You're really serious? He likes me?" he asked, looking at the fox.

Samantha beamed, grinning from ear to ear and nodded. "And unless I've missed my guess, you like him too." She finished, her eyes narrowing gleefully.

This time, Daniel actually blushed, flattening his ears as Kai let out a strangled meep, quickly looking back at Daniel to see his reaction.

"Yea, I kinda do." Daniel admitted, blushing deeper.

Samantha shook the cheetah playfully, grinning broadly. "Well then tonight at the party, tell him! Ask to talk with him in private and tell him! It's the only way he's gonna loosen up. Besides..." she said with a truly devious grin. "...you two would make a cute couple!"

Daniel blushed deeper, but purred softly a sly grin spreading across his muzzle. "I've had the same thought, for quite a while" He giggled a bit nervously and his eyes sparkled.

Samantha giggled louder and started to say something else but Kai giggled, and took the excited vixens paws in his and pulled her into a big hug and nuzzled her neck. "C'mere you. I think you've given Daniel enough to think about for one day."

Samantha beamed, nuzzling and murring into Kai's chest. "I think you're right hun. She turned her head slightly and winked at the cheetah. "So Daniel? What are you gonna do"?

Daniel grinned widely, his eyes sparkling. "I've got a pretty good idea, but if I'm gonna pull it off I need to get to work!" Without another word, he spun took off, his tail swishing with glee and excitement as he dashed out the door

"What do you suppose he's got planned?" Kai asked, nuzzling the vixen.

Samantha giggled and murred as she rubbed her tigers back, giving his chest a soft lick. "I don't know. But whatever it is, I hope it works."

"Me too." Kai said, before bending down and scooping the smaller vixen into his arms and carrying her to the door. "But we've got some spare time till we find out, how about you and me catch a movie?"

Samantha wrapped her arms around the tiger and murred, hugging close as he carried her. "Sounds fun! So long as we set in the back row" She finished with a seductive and playful tone.

Kai grinned and lightly kicked the door open and started walking to his car murring loudly, giving his vixen a kiss between the ears. "Your wish is my command!"