College Years
#4 of College Years
Chapter Four College Years
Blake
The first class began at 7:00 am, and on normal circumstances I'd be totally psyched; but not this time. No, as I made my way down the corridor of the main building towards my first class, all I could think about was Allen.
What I had seen this morning wasn't the same fox that ran me over just yesterday. What I saw was a soul in need of help, a soul who couldn't bear to help himself because of the pain that it caused him. I had witnessed that pain today, and as I made my way through the crowd of furs and into the classroom, I made a vow to myself that I'd help him in anyway I can.
***
Trigonometry went by quickly since Mr. Reynolds was only giving the class a walk-through of the lessons and units that are going to be covered first semester. I hardly payed any attention to his lecture though, my thoughts having been on Allen only. Once the bell rang, I was the first to jump out of my seat and would've been the first one out the door weren't it for an otter who seemed to be just as eager to leave as I was. In fact, he ran right into me and knocked me over.
"Oh! I'm sooo sorry about that! Here let me help you!" He leaned down and offered his brown webbed paw to me with a smile that I couldn't refuse.
Once I took his paw, I was surprised by the strength he exhibited when he pulled me up to my feet without as easily as he would pick up a sack of potatoes. Once I was standing again, the otter surprised me again by gathering up what little things I had been carrying. Again he flashed that adorable smile as he offered me back my binder and papers.
"Here ya go!"
"Um, thank you?" He shook his head as I took my things back.
"Don't thank me, I'm the one who caused this mess in the first place, name's Orlando by the way, but friends call me Or" We shook paws.
"I'm Blake, I..uh, don't really have a nickname"
Orlando smiled. Good lord, if he kept that up I was sure that I'd practically melt inside! Suddenly he held out his paw again.
"Friends?"
"Uhh...sure?" Orlando didn't even wait for me to bring my paw up to meet his, he went straight in for the kill, reaching out to grab my paw and shake it roughly.
"So, to Astro Physics next?"
I raised an eyebrow and eyed him suspiciously. "How did you know?"
Pointing to the white sheet of paper that lay atop my binder, Orlando replied with a small grin.
"Saw your classes as I was picking everything up, ya know you really should try switching one or two of them out"
With a bit of indignation, I said, "Oh really? Which one?"
He smiled again, then gave a brief gesture around the room. "This one. Instead you should try out Sociology, you seem like someone who'd do well in a class like mine!," He checked the time on the clock that was set into the far wall. "We really should be getting to class now, don't you think?" With that he turned and walked out into the hallway.
I followed right behind him. "Hey wait a sec!," He stopped and turned to look at me with a questioning, yet sly look. "You mean to tell me that you're in a completely different class than trig?"
Nodding the otter said, "Yup, I'm in Sociology, as you might've already guessed"
"Then why were you in trig?"
Shrugging nonchalantly, he replied, "Cause I wanted to meet you"
With that he turned and walked off, tail whisking slightly back and forth as he left me standing there. I have to admit, my eyes did go a bit south if you take my meaning. I had been caught completely off guard by his response, and as several other furs grumbled at me for blocking the way, I couldn't help but quote myself from yesterday. This was going to be a long year...
***
Allen
My first class had just gotten over and I was already on my way to English 101 when I saw him. It was Blake, heading my way from the other end of the half empty hallway. Panicking, I quickly ducked into an open doorway and hid.
I wasn't ready to face him, not yet at least. My love for him was unmistakable, yet the pain that I was going through prevented me from ever facing that fact even though it stood right beneath my nose. Thinking back to what he had said this morning, temptation to take him up on his offer arose within me. I need help, and not just any help, I need his help.
Suddenly to my horror, Blake walked in through the doorway, holding a white sheet of paper. After nearly running smack into me, Blake came to a stop and took his eyes off the paper he was holding.
We both froze when we locked eyes, neither one able to speak for a quarter of a minute, through which each second seemed like an eternity. Finally, the silence was broken, though not in a way that I would've preferred it.
"Hey Blake, why'd you stop?-"
A handsome young otter peered out from behind Blake, only to stop and stare at me for a moment. A look of indignation came onto his face.
"Hey, what's a softie like you doing in a freshman classroom?"
I blinked, completely shaken from my reverie.
"What? Wh-What did you just call me?" He stepped out from behind Blake with his arms across his chest.
"You heard me Softie!"
Blake tried saying something to the otter, "Or, just leave him alone, he can be here if he wa-"
At that moment I lunged out, my fist connecting with the otter's jaw. The impact sent the otter stumbling back into Blake. Before he could regain his footing, I was already gone from the classroom and was speed walking my down the hallway. I had let my anger get the better of me. But it felt damn good to actually let some that anger out.
Instead of heading to class, I made my way to Dean Thomas's office. I knew the Dean personally, surely he would understand. Upon reaching the Dean's office, I reached out and knocked loudly on his door.
A deep voice responded from the other side of the wooden door. "Come in"
Opening the door, I strode into the office.
The room was finely decorated, with furniture and curiosities that had been imported from overseas. Along the wall to my right were picture frames of past deans from the first one, to the present one. The wall opposite of that had a large bookcase with several shelves of neatly stacked books, some with gilded binding, some with silver, some with red. Directly in front of me was Dean Thomas's mahogany desk, where the dean was currently filling out some paperwork. Behind him was a large window with a fantastic view of the courtyard.
Dean Thomas didn't even look up as I sat down in one of the leather chairs in front of the desk, the older red fox must've been too busy too notice. Paws folded in my lap, I waited patiently. It was a short wait.
"I don't seem to recall offering you a seat, son"
Fidgeting nervously, I replied in a strained voice. "Y-You never had before father..."
Stopping whatever it was that he was doing, Thomas Foxworth look up at me with his eyes filled with concern and worry.
"Is there something wrong Allen?" I nodded mutely.
Setting down his pen and folding his paws, my father stared intently at me. "Is someone bullying you on your first day? Did one of the teachers say anything about you?"
Shaking my head, I answered in a small voice. "N-No father, I just...I just need to take the rest of the day of from classes....."
His face softened, cause he knew what this was about. He knew nearly everything about me; my feelings, the way I process things, what I'm about to do about something, how I may react to something said or done, scarily enough, he even knew about my sex life. He was cool with it too.
Nodding, my father said in a soft, gentle tone, "Alright son, go ahead and head back to your dorm. I'll clear it with your teachers"
"Thank you father" Getting up, I made my way towards the door. But before I reached it, he stopped me again.
"Son?," I looked back to him. "If you ever want to talk, you know where to find me"
I nodded and gave him my thanks before stepping out of his office and slowly shutting the door...