1. P R E V I O U S L Y : On "ZooPhobia"

CHAPTER XI

Near the outskirts of the Animal District, a small house made of bark and stone sat peacefully in the wee hours of the morning.

That is, until the peace was broken by a loud digital alarm clock unleashing its wake-up call.

Beep-beep. Beep-beep. Beep-beep. Beep-beep.

Addison Chokshi, adopted son of Z.P.A. art teacher Latika Chokshi, let out a moan that was muffled by his sheets and turned over, staring at his alarm clock through half-open eyes. The numbers "5:00" flashed at him repeatedly, bidding him to rise from his slumber.

Two whole minutes passed before Addison eventually willed himself out of bed, remaining draped in his blanket as he deactivated the alarm. Good morning, Safe Haven, he thought groggily.

-

After getting dressed and brushing his hair (and his large, fluffy white fennec fox tail), Addison peeked into the kitchen and called, "Good morning, Mother!"

Latika (a massive naga with long black hair) glanced at Addison, grinding spices in a pot as he told her, "I think I'm going to head to school early with Damian and Sahara!"

"Alright, Addison." Latika put down her pot and turned around, cupping her son's face in her hands. "I will see you in class, then. Have a safe walk to the academy, my gem!"

"I will, Mother!" Addison promised.

Outside the house, Addison was instantly met by his two closest friends in the world: Damian and Sahara. "Eyy, Addi!" Damian greeted him.

"Hey, Addi!" Sahara echoed.

"Morning, Dame! Hey, Sarah Sahara!" Addison fell in step with them and asked Damian,

"Doin' great!" Damian replied enthusiastically. "My parents are finally on board with me comin' up here! So now I'm free as a bird!"

"You did kinda freak us out, Dame," Sahara told him, giving him a sidelong glance.

"Yeah!" Addison agreed. "What was that the other day?"

"No clue! Guess I just got pushed over the edge," Damian answered with a dismissive, shrug. "You guys know how hard it is to get me mad!"

Sahara scoffed. "Yeah. You can't take anything seriously!"

"You're just jellin' 'cuz you aren't this laid-back," Damian teased her. "So jelly, girrrrl—YOW!"

Damian was suddenly jerked backward by the tail in midflight by a small golden-furred paw. At the same time, a cruel voice barked, "Hey, losers!"

Addison and Sahara whirled around (as did Damian—but it wasn't like he had a choice). Oh, great, Addison thought, his face falling.

"What's the hurry to class?" Ruben sneered, flanked by two Aquian shark-shifters named Max and Max. "You nerds excited to learn stuff?" He thumped a fist into his open paw. "Bunch a' teacher's pets, huh?"

"Oh my gosh, Rusty," Addison said, rolling his eyes. "Is that really the genius line you're going with?"

Rusty's face twisted into a scowl. "Whatchya tryna say, ya lil' queer?!" he snapped, stepping toward Addison menacingly.

"Wow. Well, that 'insult' was even better," Addison replied sarcastically, undaunted.

"HEY!"

Rusty jumped, startled.

Standing behind Addison were two other students: a Cervidian (deer-shifter) named Autumn and a Serpian named Daphne.