Zoophobia - A "Safe" Haven: Book 1: JUNE - SEPTEMBER

Chapter Nine: A New Home

KIA

"Where are we supposed to be going?" I asked D'Kala. Having already been given a tour of the city by the vice principal of Zoo Phoenix Academy, we were then led to school where he said that we would be given a tour of the school by a student or a staff member if they were available. Since we were new seniors, everyone told us that we should go to the senior classroom and simply pointed to the furthest door in the hallway.

"Should we go back to ask Zechariah?" DK asked.

"No, we can take care of ourselves. Look! I think we're here."

We headed towards the senior classroom where we found some students holding textbooks moving into another classroom. I looked at DK, confused. One person stopped.

"What are y'all standing there for?" he asked.

"We're new. We were told by Zechariah that we were going to be given a tour of the school."

"Cool beans, I was just about to head to math class anyway, but I can skip it, I won't miss much."

"What about your teacher-?"

"The professor? He adores me! He'll let me pass. Watch." He walked up to a man in either his late twenties or early thirties wearing a brown suit with whitish brown hair. "Professor Thatcher, we have new students that are in serious need of a tour."

"So?"

"Can I do it right now? I'll be back by lunch."

Professor Thatcher looked up at the fox and then at D'Kala. He smiled a little.

"Sure, you can go. Learn more about the school. I hope you enjoy the experience and welcome to Safe Haven."

The fox student rolled his eyes and began to walk away, tail swishing from left to right in clear aggravation. Once we left the classroom, he proceeded to introduce himself.

"The name's Thorax. Thorax Hernandez. I'm the high school treasurer, a student ambassador, and a member of the National Honor Society, so you're looking at a very good role model."

"Oh, I'm Kia Sosoto."

"D'Kala N'Chaba."

"Pleased to meet you. I assure you, this is the best school you'll find. It offers classes from Pre-K through 12th grade, and we have excellent teachers."

"Carrie and Zechariah already took us on a tour through the city. It's beautiful here."

"The school is just as amazing, too. Over here, we have the science lab." He showed us to a brightly lit room where a teacher began giving students a more detailed explanation of erosion involving the materials and particles. Thorax waved to some of the students, but quickly ducked before the teacher was able to see why half the class turned around.

"Then we have our social studies classroom. They're learning about Russia, I think." He waved to a girl with hot pink hair who I assumed to be his friend because she seemed just as excited to see him as he was to see her. Suddenly the teacher, a bright red fox, whom I recognized from the welcoming committee when D'Kala, and I first arrived.

"Excuse me, class," he said, leaving the classroom when he noticed Thorax.

"Dang it," Thorax muttered. "Hi, Dad."

"What are you doing out of class? Don't you have math?"

"Professor Thatcher let me pass, so I could give the newbies, D'Kala and Kia, a tour. Isn't that a good use of my status as student ambassador?"

Fabian smiled when he saw us. "I trust Thorax has been educating you on the school."

"He's been very friendly," I said, not wanting him to get in trouble with his dad.