Music of the Night

Chapter 65

Chapter 65

"W-what?!" Arthur squeaked in disbelief. So that's where his Tasmanian devil friend was. And boy he wasn't going to let Beppi off the hook on this!

"I'm not kidding, Arthur," Mizuchi whispered excitedly, pulling Arthur's wing to make him walk with her. On wobbly feet, Arthur followed his rabbit girlfriend to where the unexpected drama was. He used his clicks to make out the figures of the animals so that he has a clear idea of what they are doing.

"Oh Beppi," Arthur covered his mouth, trying to hide a laugh. "I bet it was Sameer or Daymas that taught him how to flirt."

Mizuchi shook her head at her raccoon friend's direction. She knew that it was about time that she was talking to someone. Only now is to pair up Riley with a male that could compete with her intelligence. When they were twelve, the three of them would make  their pact of having crushes before graduation and Mizuchi suggested that if her idea did not work out once they graduated, she will pay both of them.

"Seems like I am not going to be the only one getting teased for having a girlfriend," Arthur laughed. Mizuchi stared at him in shock at his words. All this time, their relationship has been building up gradually, to the point that they did their first kiss.

His confirmation made the harlequin rabbit's heart ease since she doesn't know how to refer to Arthur without raising any problems between them. Now that's out of the way, Mizuchi wondered if Arthur would ever consider of introducing her to his father and the same with her and her family?

"Yeah," Mizuchi giggled. "Well, I have to get to my final class now. I'll talk to you soon, Arthur."

"Take care," he murmured, receiving a small kiss on the tip of his ear. Arthur stumbled a bit before finding the paw of his Tasmanian devil friend. The sudden gasp from Beppi was enough for Arthur to have a toothed grin.

"What is this I am hearing about you 'wanting' her number, hmm?" Arthur asked in a teasing tone. "Aren't you always the one teasing about me not having someone in my life?"

"H-hey!" Beppi snapped, unable to mask the embarrassment in his tone. "Tanya and I were just talking. She's got a great laugh and has same sense of humour as I do."

"Right but aren't you a little too young?"

"So what if I like older females?" Beppi huffed, Arthur's ears could pick up the Tasmanian devil plucking his fur when he is slightly stressed. He puts his wing on his arm to prevent him. "Tanya's just three years older than me. Hell, your bunny is older than you right, Arthur?"

"She is," Arthur nodded. "And I'm just telling you to be prepared. Tanya, like Mizuchi will be graduating. Who knows where they might go and form newfound relationships. All I'm trying to say is prepare yourself if you lost contact over the years..."

Beppi didn't know what to say. Something about how Arthur phrased his words made him realised that the poor bat is not trusting himself or his partner. Has Sameer not taught him anything?! Beppi noticed that Arthur has a faint scar on his cheek and on his wing membrane.

He figured that Arthur has went through a lot since his enrolment here in Cherryton.

Before any of them could say anything, the bell rung. Arthur knew it was time for most of the competition teams to leave. He knew that he had to say goodbye to his old friends but there was a small ache in his stomach.

His walking was becoming slower on each step so he will have to rely on his clicks to make his way to the entrance of the school.

...

"Well, it was nice while it had lasted. We are not going back yet but we have about another day to explore the city before boarding the plane. I might want to visit the dead forest due to the history behind it. It was nice seeing you again, my friend," Sameer chuckled as he was bidding farewell to some of the females who were talking to him. It was the first time in Cherryton that they have met a snake, a cobra to be exact.

"It is," Arthur agreed, his ears slightly drooping. He could pick up a few conversations from other students. Mostly the female students are gushing over Sameer while he heard Naia and Maccus having a small argument to which none of the students understood what they were saying.

"You know Arthur," he felt Sameer's body shifting. "You are always welcome back in Gryphon Cross. We'll be waiting for you if you do return."

Arthur laughed. "I would but I have my new adventures here. It's dangerous but I'll be okay."

"Mmm, you really have grown Arthur," Sameer commented. "You used to be timid but you have friends here and forming new bonds, yes?"

Arthur could only nod, a small tear dripped down his cheek. He was going to missed his dear old friend very much. Hell, he should at least make a call for his grandmother back home to update her on the latest news. He missed the memories he shared with Sameer, everyone really.

"I'm going to miss you," said Arthur, raising his head to where he would assume Sameer's face would be, just by the sound of his voice. "Gryphon Cross and our time together will be something I will never forget. Also your mother's egg biryani and the bakeries there."

He felt Sameer's body coiling him into a small hug. Arthur wrapped his wings around his childhood friend, who he considered as a family. He heard ragged breathing coming from the Egyptian cobra. All Arthur could do was hold him for a bit.

He didn't care about what others in Cherryton would think of him. Sameer is his childhood friend and this might be one of the times they might feel each other's presence.

"Once you've met someone," Arthur murmured. "You never really forget them. I will always remember our time, Sameer."

"Yes," the cobra hissed embarrassingly. "Keep in touch, yes? I will let Tek and Daymas know how are you. Also, please tell your dad I said hello. Your grandmother is well, just to let you know.  Do you want the contacts to your cousin Luca?"

"No thank you," Arthur pushed his friend away, hearing him chuckle. He wouldn't want anything to do with his cousin for the time being. With that, he heard the sound of the bus and the competitors from different schools were whisked away.

Arthur sighed deeply. A lot was on his mind lately and this time he wanted to distract himself from being too nostalgic about the past. He felt a looming presence behind him before opening his mouth.

"Oh, Legosi!" Arthur squeaked, straightening himself. "You are done with the drama club for today?"

"I am," the grey wolf answered. Arthur detected exhaustion in his tone. "You must really have good time seeing them again. I mean, meeting them!"

"Yeah, I did. Legosi, do you want to finish our homework together at the library? I thought maybe we could finish our work a bit early so that I can go to the gardening club. Don't worry, I have pomegranate tea that can make things a bit easier."

Legosi wanted nothing more than to get closer to Haru. He had some difficulty over the past few days due to the issues he was dealing with. He thought Arthur had experienced something similar but he was really baffled at the Honduran white bat.

How can he managed and went through the same thing as him, yet he continued to enjoy his day as if nothing was ruined?

Just then, Arthur heard a buzzing sound from his phone. He placed it near his ear to listen and he noticed the bat's cloudy blue eyes became wide with excitement. Or it could be a form of him coping to stop himself from becoming scared.

"What is it?"

"Legosi," Arthur began, stumbling onto his words. "Would you like to join me and some others for afternoon tea at my dad's place?"