At Oakwood - Cameron Wilde

1: Me, Myself and Him

"You did it, sweetheart; Oakwood accepted you. Well done, my dear.. However, I must let you know of a few things.. This is highschool, you better open your eyes and wake up." Is what my father would tell me, "You aren't a little girl anymore, sweetheart. Stay focused and go to school with positivity. You don't want to give yourself a bad impression."

By now, I had completed two weeks at my new highschool. In fact, it's Thursday today.
My highschool is called Oakwood.
It's huge here, having it accommodate anthropomorphic animals and humans. It's strange, not many schools have the capability of teaching both the humans and animals together.

There's 360 humans and 360 furries in each Grade, making about 3 600 students altogether in the entire school.

I told you, pretty huge.

There are 24 classes in each Grade. My class is A17, because the A stands for the Grade and the 17 stands for the class. Every time you go up a Grade your letter goes up. Next year I'll be in B17, then C17, and all the way up to E17.

It's extraordinary, how on Orientation Day everyone suddenly seemed to know each other, and I felt like the odd one out. I don't know anyone in the entire school.
It's just me, myself and I. Ever since that day, I've been spending my break times alone.

I didn't understand why no one approached me, was I scary? I certainly didn't make a bad impression, right?

I spent every break alone, watching the animals and humans playing on the court and whatever, until one day, Tuesday actually, a large tom-cat, more than twice my height, approached me. The cat was wearing a formal uniform of dark blue hues. He wore a tailcoat and tophat, with baggy grey shorts. He seemed rather dapper in that suit.

He sat down next to me, promptly opened his lunchbox, and quietly ate his food as he sat by my side.

I was slightly unnerved because I had grown so used to being alone, that I was scared of his presence. After a few minutes, he turned to me and told me his name was Erin, so I told him my name was Cameron. He smiled at me, it was unforgettable; a kind, empathetic smile.

We sat side by side, but I could have sworn he curled his tail around my waist, I was just too anxious to actually check. We talked, well, I talked, he doesn't seem to be chatty himself, but he listened well. 'We' talked until break was over.

Then, he got up, dusted himself down, and left.

I'll actually never forget that day, that large cat made my heart throb, in all honesty. But I know, he was sitting with me once and once only.

I didn't want to go to school, I didn't want to spend another day alone. I couldn't go back either, or my dad would shout at me.. So today, I was going to bunk, but stay at the park or something.

It was raining today. I sat under a tree sheltered by its large green leaves. I sighed impatiently as I waited for the rain to stop. It slowly cleared but a fog hung in the air. I was happy I was going to head home after waiting for like, eight hours outside. But then I saw him.

"Erin." I whispered under my breath.

He was standing motionlessly by an alley, resting his hands on his cane. He looked somewhat like a statue or a gargoyle, staring straight forward.

I took a step forward out from under the shelter of the tree.
His ear twitched and he looks at me, his glassy blue eyes shine daringly. I shuddered, it looked like he was a vampire that had just smelled blood.

He crooks his finger at me, it feels as if I was being pulled forward by some sort of unknown magic. It just felt right yet wrong to be by him. I don't know why, he never seemed sinister before, maybe it was just the rainy backdrop that made him look different.

I stood next to him, not knowing what he would be capable of doing next.
Would he turn and bite down into my neck?
Would he guide me to adventure in his unknown world?
I didn't know.

He smiles, his sharp pearly teeth looked ready to take a chunk out of my small, nervous heart.
What was with all this fear I was feeling? I couldn't seem to shrug it off and say he's just a cat, I know he isn't, there must be more to him than that.

"You're bunking your high school. Aren't you?" His voice was dark, but he didn't seem angry. It was like he approved of this, then saying, "So am I..."

I nodded.
Should I run?
Should I stay?

Erin takes something out of his pocket. A flask.
He holds it up, as if he were examining it before taking a big swig out of the flask. Then handing the flask to me.

I looked at it, disapprovingly. Was Erin suggesting I drink? I look up at him. He does a single nod at me and a chill goes up my spine, tickling my neck.

Who knew he was such a naughty cat, behind that uniform, he's a rebel. Well, in my opinion, I'm sure there's worse out there.

"Go ahead, Cameron. You've been a good girl for too long." Erin said softly.

I gained my confidence and took the flask out of his hands and reply with, "You've been a bad boy for too long..."

Erin chuckles, it made me feel scared but happy. I take a sip from the flask, the taste of alcohol stings my tongue and I tear up slightly.

What in the world is in this and why is it so strong? This isn't your average alcohol, it seemed more like some yucky elixir.

Erin gently took the flask out of my hands, putting it in his pocket while he wipes the tears off my cheeks with his thumbs and looks into my bright magenta eyes with his icy blue ones.

A shiver creeps down my spine and runs up again.

"You're cold." Erin kept his eyes fixed on mine.

"You're hot." I smile. I didn't want to break eye contact with him at such a special moment like this. But I also felt quite stupid for saying that, did I put him off?

For once it was just him and I, alone. Erin always seemed to be so close, yet so far. But now it seemed he was so far, yet so close.

I got lost in his gaze. But he broke it when he started to speak.

"Hey Cameron. What's your cellphone number?" He says in the soft way of his.

I didn't have a phone, my father wouldn't allow me to get one until I moved out. Darn. One time a boy actually wants my number and I still don't have a phone.

"I don't have a phone." I said, looking up at him.

Erin must've reckoned I was playing hard to get, which he seemed to like. But honestly, I don't have a phone. I'd never lie to Erin, if I had my phone number, I would've slipped it in his locker or something ages ago and hoped for him to find it. No hesitation at all!

"Well then..." Erin said and leaned forward his grin widening as he kept his crystal eyes locked on mine, "I hope to see you around..."

He kissed my forehead with his soft, warm, feline lips. Then turning and literally vanishing into the foggy air, leaving me shocked and flustered.

What a day, I guess it was worth it to stand outside in rain for hours..