\n I woke up in my off period. I looked around with fatigue, and yawned, stretching my back a little. Normally I wouldn't feel great for falling asleep in school, but I stayed up late talking with Mom and Dad about Haley. We were discussing a lot of things, a lot of possibilities. They were mostly concerned with not going anywhere near her when she was with her father, which I already knew. I found out that Mom had talked with Dad about the situation and she was the reason that he didn't horrifically disembowel me when I came home. Which is always nice. I mean... your guts are supposed to stay inside you. Then they started asking about Andy and Sophie, so I told them that they were just innocently flirting, leaving out the kissing part, because that's more of a private affair.

\n I came into school this morning, dreading Econ. I hadn't studied for this quiz, and I'm pretty sure I bombed it. Plus Jake... He wasn't here today, which scared me. I mean, sure he can be sick and everything, but as upset as he was... I was worried. I really didn't want to lose my best friend. English was depressing, got back an essay and yet another terrible grade. I was really starting to hate AP... I didn't like feeling stupid. And of course, Chase managed to get a fantastic grade. Little bastard. I know I shouldn't feel bad, I mean, everyone had bad grades and all... but. I just hate doing badly. I see a bad grade and a voice goes off in my mind that says i'm a failure. That's a hard thing to live with...

\n I went to lunch after another boring period and felt really lost without Jake. I mean, he was my one friend that I really had other than Haley and she had a different lunch than me. So I sat alone and moped in the corner of the lunchroom. The only people that came near me were a pair of freshmen, a guy and a girl, who had nowhere else to sit. Not that I minded or anything, I mean a table's a table. I opened my book quietly and opened to the bookmark. I was almost done with it and was trying to get done soon. I had internet forums to troll around and read other people's ideas.

\n "Hey you're reading the new book!" A voice said. I looked over to the Freshmen. They were pointing to the book in my hand. I cleared my throat.

\n "Yeah. Why?"

\n "We just finished it, we're talking about it now." I clamped my hands over my ears tighly.
\n "Don't spoil it!" They laughed.

\n "Relax we're not gonna do that." I sighed with relief.

\n "Good, I hate spoilers."

\n "We kinda figured." These two freshmen were actually really cool which was surprising. The first was a snow leopard named Collin. He was about 15 and seemed to be pretty chill he seemed to be flirting with the girl. The girl was a tabby cat named Mara. I was shocked by her eyes. They were a bright, piercing blue. Her face had a lot of character to it. It was visually striking. Her name was Mara and she was sixteen.

\n "Why are you still a freshman then?"

\n "I'm a Sophomore." Mara said. She wasn't angry at all, like I thought she might have been. Collin and Mara are really nice people, I mean, usually the people at my school are total self-absorbed dicks. But not them. I can't help but notice on feature on Mara. I don't try and stare, but I do. She looks at me, and just sighs a little.
\n "You're wondering about my ear?"

\n "Yeah..." I feel embarrassed about it. I mean, it was rude to stare, but it's almost impossible not to. The shape of her left ear is all wrong. It looks like it's been torn open.

\n "Don't feel bad, I'm used to the stares." That doesn't make me feel better. "A few years ago, before I moved here, I lived on the bad part of my town. I was walking home after school one day, and I don't really know what happened, but next thing I knew these two humans jumped me. I don't remember all of it, but they just attacked me, and left me in an alley."

\n "That's harsh." I grimaced.

\n "You know what, it sucked, I hated it, but I'm good with it now. I mean, it's not like it's gonna ruin my life." She had a great outlook. She wasn't bitter, she wasn't upset, she was just... happy. I really liked it about her. She still didn't like it, didn't like talking about it, but she still had no problem with talking about it. Mara and Collin had to leave so I said goodbye, and was all alone again, but I kept thinking... Those are probably the coolest underclassmen I'll ever meet.

\n *****

\n I wasn't able to talk to Haley at all during math today because of a huge test that I wasn't entirely prepared for. I did the best I could, and I guess all I could do is hope things go my way. I walked out the door slowly, with everyone else. The crowd was talking about the test, things like 'oh that was so hard,' 'I know I failed that,' and then of course Chase has to be the cocky little bastard.

\n "That was so easy." He said to no one in particular. Haley rubbed my back tenderly. She knew how I felt about him.

\n "Calm down." She whispered in my ear.

\n "I'm trying..." When we got out of the crowd, she grabbed my hands and squeezed. I knew that I had problems with anger and everything, but usually I can control it.... But not with a jackass like Chase. Just the level of insecurity that he had, that made him constantly have to talk about how great he was. I know that it's only one side of the story and blah blah blah... but it was still hard.

\n The halls were crowded and wouldn't clear as I slowly, mindless like the others, made my way to my next class. The day was almost over... but it was still the longest part left to tackle.

\n *****

\n I headed off to work, directly from school because I had a shift to cover. I was actually really happy because for the first time, in I don't remember when, it was really crowded. I was going to be busy that night. There was a big party that was going on, and it was really packed. Erica was excited, and happier than I've seen her in a long time. The kitchen staff was just a little overwhelmed, but for they most part they were able to pull everything off nicely. As for me, well, it wasn't my best night, but I was able to still get some good tips and everything.

\n I ran from the kitchen to a table of both humans and skunks. They were discussing something... business related, but I tried not to eavesdrop too much.

\n "Sorry about that, now then what can I get for you?"

\n "We'll have a hawaiian pizza."

\n "Okay." I wrote it down and looked back up.

\n "That it?"

\n "Can we have some water too?" One of the skunks asked.

\n "Sure thing." I walked to the kitchen, dodging another waiter, a goat named Keith. We were balancing each other out nicely enough, though I think I had a few more people, it was nothing I couldn't handle. I stopped quickly by a family who was finishing stuff off.

\n "You guys doing alright?" I asked them. They smiled contently, and the kids were passively slouching, their stomachs exaggerated.

\n "Perfect. Can we get the check please?" The father asked.

\n "Sure thing." I went quickly to the kitchen, giving them the the ticket, and pulling up the receipt for the family. I grabbed some glasses and filled them with ice and water, the job wasn't needlessly complicated, and that was enjoyable, not having to worry about school or anything. I picked up the waters and brought it to the group that was still sitting talking business. They thanked me politely, but it was clear that they stopped whenever I came around. I went about doing my business as usual when I heard the ringing of the door. I walked back to the podium and put on my work smile.

\n "Welcome to Michael-" My voice trailed off as I saw Chase. He and his hockey buddies had come to make my life miserable. They were rowdy, and just as loud as always.

\n "Brent! Amazing to see you here." Chase said, with his mocking tone.

\n "Chase." I was very simple in my words around him. Careful not to let him hear anything that could lead to further talking.

\n "We have five today, you got room for us?"

\n "Right this way." I commanded. I led them to a booth in the back where I wouldn't have to deal with them. I was in no mood to deal with him right now. My jaw felt tight as they took their seats. "Anything you need, just call me." I was formal and everything, like always. Even though it really killed me inside to show anything but disdain for him.

\n I walked away and heard the door ring yet again. I wasn't expecting to see Haley and a few of her friends. I smiled, and tried to act professional, but the wagging tail was pretty much a dead give away.

\n "Hey Brent." Haley said cheerfully. She walked right up to me and gave me a hug.

\n "Hey Haley." I pulled away and whispered. "You could get me in so much trouble. My manager doesn't like to see that sort of thing."

\n "Sorry." She sounded sincere, which was good enough for me in all honesty.

\n "How many in your party?" I asked her.

\n "Four." I grabbed four menus and led them to a table in the middle where I could serve them easily. I placed the menus down as they started sitting down. "Alright well, my name is Brent and I'll be your server today, you need anything, just give me a holler."

\n "Will do." Haley said with a smile, as I walked away, I heard the giggling of her friends, and the excited tones of their voices. I went to Chase's table, and felt that nothing could bring me out of the high Haley put me in.

\n "You guys ready to order?" I asked.

\n "Yup. We'll take the large supreme with breadsticks. A coke, a sprite, a root beer, and... what was it you wanted again?"

\n "Coke." A badger sitting next to Chase said. I nodded slowly and wrote everything down.

\n "That it?"

\n "Yeah that's it for now."

\n "Alright, I'll be right back with your drinks." I walked back and filled their drink orders and gave the ticket to the kitchen. There were a few tables to deal with so I hurried and checked in, played nice, and did everything right, I was good at the job. It was something that just came naturally to me. As I cleaned a table, I looked around, the place wasn't as packed, and the evening was beginning to really take full effect, the sun was nearly gone. I took the dishes to the back and quickly went to Haley's table once more. I took their order and Haley was openly flirting with me, and she looked at me with a look in her eyes, her deep blue eyes, that made my tag wag dangerously fast.

\n As I was bringing their drinks to them, something happened that... Ugh. It wasn't fun to remember. I was rounding the corner to get the drinks to Haley and her friends when Chase's foot shot out and tripped me. The drinks went splashing everywhere, soaking the carpet, and my clothes.

\n "Son of a bitch." I said somewhat loudly.

\n "Nice one Brent." Chase mocked. I kept my calm and cleaned up, apologizing to the girls and went to get them new drinks. I slumped against the wall for a second. Haley had seen that. I made a total fool of myself in front of her. Fuck! After a thorough mental lashing of myself, I filled the orders and went back out to give the girls their drinks. Haley's eyes looked upset, she could tell that I was feeling down just in the way I acted.

\n "There you go." I gave each their respective drinks, and Haley grabbed my hand and pulled me down so she could whisper in my ear.

\n "Don't let him get to you." I smiled weakly and walked off towards the kitchen to check on the Supreme. The night continued slowly, and as I was giving Haley and her friends, who both seemed just a little scared of me, their pizza Chase threw a half eaten crust at me. Repeatedly. I tried as best as I could to ignore it, but it wasn't me who snapped. It was Haley. She stood quickly and rushed over to their table. Her fists slammed down.

\n "Chase. What the hell is wrong with you? What do you think you're doing?'

\n "Try-"

\n "Save it. Where were you raised where doing stuff like that is acceptable?"

\n "I-"

\n "Seriously, I mean you are the saddest wolf I think I've ever seen. You're obnoxious, self centered, insecure, it's clear that you... God! You're so immature!" Chase just narrowed his eyes. He stood and made a move for her. He had a look in his eyes, and I was uncomfortable by it. He barred his teeth and before he could even law a furry hand on her, I ran over and punched him square on the jaw. He went down, and whimpered slightly.

\n "Don't you dare lay a finger on her!" I screamed. Chase just stayed on the floor, as Haley's words sunk in to his psyche. His friends got up and left quickly, leaving a broken Chase to pay the bill. I turned and faced Haley, she still had a fire in her eyes, but there was something else.

\n "Why'd you do that Brent?"

\n "He was gonn-"

\n "I can fight my own battles." She sounded bitter.

\n "I wasn't saying you couldn't... I was just protecting you." She smiled a little.

\n "Thanks." She went back to her friends who were still silent at the scene that had just happened. I felt a little uncomfortable, and more than a little awkward as I helped Chase to his feet.

\n "Pay your bill and get out." I said forcefully. He nodded slowly, I wasn't quite sure if he even knew where he was, let alone what I was saying to him. I went back to the kitchen again and sighed, pressing against the wall, I was exhausted, and just overwhelmed with joy that I didn't have to close that night.

\n *****

\n I walked out of the doors with Haley hanging on my arm. She had waited for me, long after her friends had gone. I was exhausted, and knew that there wouldn't be much action going on with us that night, but it didn't really matter. Having her lean against me was good enough. Haley messed around with my radio for a while until she found something that she deemed acceptable. It was some obscure band from a while ago that no one had heard of. She leaned against me quietly and sighed.

\n "I'm sorry for freaking out back there."

\n "Haley, you didn't freak out-"

\n "I shouldn't have made a scene like that." I put my arm around her and pulled her in closer to me. She smiled contently.

\n "You were fine. You kicked major ass there."

\n "You're the one that decked him."

\n "That was different." I tried to shrug it off.

\n "It was nice to see you defend me like that." I smiled a little.

\n "I'd never let anything happen to you." I said.

\n "Thanks." She hugged me tightly.

\n "When are your parents getting back?"

\n "Not for a little while. Probably about nine." I glanced at the clock on the dash. It read 8:20.

\n "Alright cool." I didn't want to risk getting an ass kicking from her Dad. Truth be told, my ribs still hurt a little from that.

\n "Brent?"

\n "Yeah?"

\n "Does your family know about me?" I swallowed.

\n "Yeah."

\n "Can I meet them?" She asked, which elicited a pause from me. I wouldn't think it'd be that big a deal, but I was just not sure how it would play off. I mean, Sophie would have no problems with it. She'd probably be very excited. Mom would be happy to make a big dinner and entertain. She was all about that. Dad... I wasn't sure. I mean, I think he'd be fine with it, but I was a little nervous. The last thing I wanted was to start and argument.

\n
\n "Yeah, probably sometime."

\n "Sometime?"

\n "Did you have a deadline or something?"

\n "No, but... sometime... sounds so... uncertain."

\n "Everything's uncertain." She hit me at that.

\n "You sound so negative when you talk like that."

\n "But it's true. I mean, we don't know what tomorrow's gonna bring. Today's the only certainty we have right?

\n "Yeah..."

\n "So... I mean, that's just what I think anyways."

\n "Huh... I kinda like that."

\n "Really?" I was a little surprised, I mean, that certainly wasn't the most philosophical I've been before. That was just coming from what I was thinking at the time. I pulled up to her driveway and stopped.

\n "I don't wanna go." She forced her way a little more inside me.

\n "Haley, you kinda have to."

\n "But..."

\n "Haley." She was scratching my ear and my leg was involuntarily kicking a little. "Stop it." I laughed and she tried tickling me, but it didn't work, so I just pulled her face towards mine and kissed her deeply. She tasted vaguely like soda and pizza, and breath mints. I wasn't even sure what I tasted like, but I doubted it was great.

\n "See you tomorrow." She said and got out of the car, swaying her hips seductively. I considered a wolf whistle, but decided against it.

\n *****

\n I walked into the house from the driveway and put my stuff away. I was exhausted and didn't even get a chance to relax at all because I had homework due first thing in the morning. I grabbed a soda from the fridge and listened as Mom was telling me about her day. It's not that I didn't care, but I was just so damn exhausted.

\n "You okay?" She asked.

\n "I'm tired, and I had a not so great day at work, but I have to do homework." Mom grimaced, and rubbed my back a little.

\n "Sorry hun."

\n "'s 'kay, just gotta get this thing done with."

\n "Don't stay up too late." I mumbled something not really paying attention. The stairs creaked as I stepped down them. I was too blind with exhaustion to notice a giggling Sophie hiding near the stairs. She jumped on me and started playing with me. The crazy little ray of sunshine brightened my day enough for me to start tickling her tremendously.

\n After calming down we lay on my bed as she watched me do homework.

\n "How was work," she pestered.

\n "It was weird. For the first time in so long, it was busy."

\n "That's good though right?"

\n "For the business, yeah, but..."

\n "What?"

\n "I dunno, it just completely drained me. I just... I feel tired."

\n "You should go to sleep then."

\n "But I gotta finish this."

\n "Well finish it!"

\n "I'm trying!" I said as nicely as I could while still implying she had to shut up for me to do it. She sat quietly for a while and I was able to get the vocab done. I said goodnight to her and when she left, I took my glasses off and simply went to sleep, too tired to care about anything else.

\n *****

\n I drove quietly to school the next morning, the ride was quiet and peaceful, and it let me wake up a little bit for the irritation the day would bring. The annoying freshman, crowded hallways, psychotic teachers. I sat down in Econ and saw that Jake wasn't there again. Fuck... Jake, you didn't.... No... you wouldn't, you couldn't. I would have heard if you did. I was scared to think that Jake might be gone yet again. I sat nervously in class, not even paying attention. My stomach was in knots with anxiety as I thought of him, potentially dead. I mean, I didn't do anything... did I?

\n My fears were squelched when I got a text from him.

\n Jake: Hey man, we need to talk.

\n I looked around and waited for an opportunity.

\n Me: Sure man, when? And why aren't you here?

\n Jake: After Econ, come to my house.

\n Me: You want me to ditch?

\n Jake: Am I not worth that?

\n Me: No, you're right, sorry.

\n Damn class, end already! I looked around and wondered how I was going to manage to get out of class to see him. The opportunity to leave class never came though, but as soon as he let us out, I went, fighting through the crowd and hid out in the guy's bathroom. The security guards would be patrolling the halls looking for stragglers and other such. I crept past the hall, making my way to the door where I could make a break for the parking lot. I heard footsteps behind me and hurried, trying to be quiet in my shoes. They were squeaking too much though and I swore quietly under my breath.

\n I got to the door and pushed it. It wouldn't open. Dammit, are you freaking kidding me? Open! I tried to think what to do. Stupidly I pushed harder and it gave way, the door opened and I didn't even hesitate. I ran as fast as I could. I really had to talk to Jake. If he wanted me to ditch school for it, it had to be important.

\n *****

\n I knocked on the door and saw a grief-stricken Jake open the door.

\n "Hey." I said.

\n "Hey." His voice quavered, and I could tell he'd been crying.

\n He led me to his room, which was over the garage so got woken up a lot during the night. His parents were still together, but constantly arguing. Only to make it up loudly where Jake could hear it tortuously. His room was a trove of pointless crap, and old clothes. I swear, I don't think he's seen the floor in years. He didn't care though. He was in his house as little as possible, and when he was, he usually spent his time in the basement, playing online with me, or in his room to grab some clothes.

\n I sat on his bed and he sat a little further away, leaning against the wall. Jake was having trouble looking me in the eyes.

\n "So..." I said.

\n "Yeah."

\n "Why haven't you been at school recently?" Jake shrugged.

\n "Just..." He trailed off and looked away; something was on his mind.

\n "Jake, talk to me man." He was silent. "C'mon man. What's been on your mind?"

\n "I've had a personal revelation Brent." He looked at me now.

\n "What's that?"

\n "I know now why I-I... Why I've been so upset about you and Haley.." He said, almost solemnly.

\n "Why's that?" I asked, expecting a joke, or a chauvinist remark. I wasn't expecting what did happen.

\n "This." He sat up quickly and planted his lips on mine.

\n I'm more than a little mean to leave the story off at a cliffhanger like this.
Mara is a good friend of mine who didn't know what furs were until Sunday. She demanded to be put into the story.
The scene with Jake and Brent at the end went through so many rewrites until I got to the point where I felt that it fit with the rest of the story. Oh, and I didn't put the m/m tag because... I wanted it to be a secret. :D Please comment and review!