Hidden Hearts

03 - Know More

Max

As the professor finally wrapped up her lesson, I started to put away my stuff and stretched my body as I felt stiff from just sitting in one place for about an hour and a half. It wasn't a boring lesson but it wasn't an exciting one either.

I slung my bag over my shoulder as I followed the small crowd of students pouring out into the hallway. Different furs of different genders, height and ethnicity could be seen within the group that exited. Soon enough, everyone dispersed into the hallway and went their separate ways. Some going to another class, some to the cafeteria and some just going about doing their own things.

As for me, I decided to just wander around a bit. I look at my phone to check the time to see it was half past noon.

About an hour and a half later, I would be having a track meet. Yeah, I decided to take up track as my extracurricular activity for college. Despite the fact that I am big and may look slow, I trained myself to run everyday back when I was in high school. It was a slight reprieve from the stress of high school and running helped rid myself of any excess energy that I may have before or after school.

The track team is pretty small, mostly consisting of about 8 other students, excluding myself. Our coach is a pretty cool guy and also pretty fit. He's pretty strict during our meets but outside of it, he's like a cool uncle you meet only during the holidays.

Our track meets are only held twice a month so it doesn't interfere too much with our studies. Though, if we do decide to use the track field to practice outside of our meets, the Dean has given us permission to use it only during the day and not at night. But, it's fine since I don't really go out at night, not even for a stroll.

While walking, I seemed to have bumped into that same malamute I had met about a few days ago. We have texted each other for a bit but I think this is the first time I've seen him outside in a while. He seems to be struggling with a piece of paper. Well, since we know each other, I decided to go up to him and help him.

"Hey, what's up?", I say.

"Woah! Oh, it's just you. Sorry."

"It's fine. What have you got there?"

"Oh, this? It's a flyer for the track team. I asked the office if there were any clubs I could join and they suggested the track team as one of them."

"You like running?"

"Yeah! Ever since I was young, I liked running. When I joined high school, I joined the track team there, too. Though, it was only when I was 16."

"Cool. Say, I'm actually a member of the team and we're gonna have a meet in about an hour and ten minutes from now. So, if you want to, I can just bring you there and you can discuss it with the coach."

"That would be great. Is there any requirements for the track team?

"Well, for one, you need some running shorts or leggings. You also need some running shoes since you don't want to feel uncomfortable while running. Other than that, just don't wear tight clothing that'll restrict your body movement."

"Well, that's pretty much a given."

"You don't want to know how many furs have made that mistake."

"Is there anything else?"

"Well, as long as you don't have asthma or any diseases that effects your breathing, then you're fine really."

'Well, I've got everything set for that."

I nodded as soon, it fell silent. It seemed that conversation has ended and now that we don't have anything to fixate on, it became apparent that this silence will turn into an awkward and agonising one. Quickly, I came up with something off the top of my head.

"So, do you want to go grab lunch?", I ask.

He was still silent before he nodded and followed me to the campus cafeteria. The food there isn't extravagant or anything but I'd say it would suffice for the time. Plus, I felt lazy going off campus to eat something then having to come back for track. As we queued up in the long line of students, I decided to pass the time by asking Josh the malamute some questions.

"So, Josh. What are you studying for?"

I see him flinch but not from fear rather that he was caught off guard by my sudden question.

"Oh, I'm studying bioengineering. How about you?"

"I'm studying to become a doctor."

"Oh, then you must be really smart. How do you feel about it?"

"It's a bit stressful but all around, I'm doing well. You?"

"It's a bit difficult to understand sometimes but I think I'm doing fine."

As we start talking a bit more, we soon reach the front of the line and quickly ordered what we wanted before exiting the line. The place was crowded with other students but I could spot a few empty tables here and there within the masses of chatting students. I motion Josh to one in a bit of a secluded area, not wanting to be bothered by anyone else at the current moment.

As we sat, I decided to pick up the conversation.

"So, where are you from?"

"I'm from Nevada."

"Shit, really? Me too. What city?"

"Reno."

"Damn, same city."

We are from the same state and same city yet why don't I know him? He's just so familiar yet I just can't pinpoint why he looks familiar. I don't think I've ever met him before, though. Maybe he's from a different school and I saw him in passing? Maybe that's why he looks familiar?

"Which high school did you go to?"

"Earl Wooster High."

Okay, what the absolute fuck? He's from the same state, same city and has attended the same school yet I don't even remember who he is.

God, I feel fucking bad considering he looked like he recognised me. Then again, I was pretty recognisable at school anyway but still, there's just something to that look that was different than just familiarity.

"Er, well. If you're done, I can show you to where the track team meets", I suggest, trying to divert the attention from the previous topic.

"Sure, you ready to go?"

I nod as I stand up to lead him to the track court. Oh god, this is really gonna eat me from the inside, isn't it?