Eco Love

Attention

It was another bleak day in Suragu City. It may have been sunny but, the city still held its air of bore and coldness. Not much ever changed in that steely city. Not much ever moved or made a sound really, other than the constant construction or the beasts that surrounded the city's outskirts. Suragu was a city that lived off of expansion and improving. New buildings and other structures were being built around every month or so. Expansion was a way of life for the people living in the city as well as the adventurers and travelers who came in and out of the city. As the city expanded, so do the minds of its inhabitants. Science was a strong force within Suragu. The mayor himself was a world renown physicist and the police chief was a geologist. The study of the world around them meant everything to everyone in Suragu. Why, it was the only way to keep up with their ever changing world. Who would want to be left behind? The same went for the arriving adventures who came to Suragu. They wanted to find out more about the lands they traveled. This was indeed the mindset of Jay Venus. He was a student studying at Alder University within Sugaru City, which he left his hometown of Banira Village to study. He was an average looking boy. Dark and messy hair, his eyes a dark brown, and his skin which looked to be a light brown, which often did look a little brighter due to his habit of not moisturizing his skin or caring for him self at all. Not that he didnt like to. He was just often absorbed in his schooling. Jay was a man of science. Sure he had his religious roots and whatnot but science was a huge part of him. His mother was a sociologist and his father...wasnt all that important to him but, all the more reason to study the world. Thats the way he saw it anyway. Jay himself studied biology. Strangely, many thriving eco systems surrounded Suragu. There was a beach to the north, a rocky area to the south, and a forest to the east. And to the west another area had been there long ago but, construction had caused it to be destroyed, much to Jay's dismay. At least he still had the beach which was his favorite to study, especially on Saturdays. The student sat in front of a tide pool as little blue crabs and sea stars scuttled by. There was also another intriguing creature in the pool. A latexus mucusu, or as he had dubbed it, the Balloon Slug. Its body was mostly clear with little blue and purple accents lighting up its sides. Its eyes were midnight black and its sensors were small and stubby, sticking out the side of its head. Jay had jotted down some notes about what it did during the time it was awake, that time being from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. If it wasnt sleeping it was using its gaping maw to snatch up sea stars which were its primary food source. The most interesting thing about it though was its defense mechanism. When ever frightened the slug would inflate its body with sea water to look bigger than it really was. It was normally a foot tall and weighed 32 pounds. When it used its balloon like ability, its size and weight doubled. Jay peeked into the pool to see it do so as an urchin rolled by. He giggled softly as the creature deflated. It turned to him and gave a confused look. It decided to inch closer. Jay guessed that the slug had recognized him from the last saturday he was here. "Memory time: 7 day period." Jay mumbled to himseld as he wrote in his notebook. The slug inched forward cautiously, ready to inflate if need be. Jay ensured the slugs saftey by giving it a soft pat on the head. The slugs worry melted away as it plopped itself down next to Jay. He then noted that the slug was friendly. Jay continued taking notes of the creatures in the tide pool as he heard some footsteps in the sand. He promptly ignored it as he thought that it was a beach goer. The biologist then felt a rough hand slam down on his shoulder and apply some presure. Jay turned around, suprised yet ready to defend himself. Luckily he saw a familliar face. "Wassup bruh?" the person said. "Of course. Who else in the world would produce a sentence like that other than Cortez?" jay said to himself. Cortez was a good friend of Jay's and a practical joker. He was a slim boy with dark hair and even darker skin. His eyes were a light brown and seemed to be darting everywhere all the time. He always had a charming look about him. "Oh its you." Jay mumbled. "Duh, who else gone be out here at this abandoned ass beach?" Cortez responded shrugging. After a quick look around, Jay had relized that the beach was empty. "Well i guess that's why it was so quiet." Jay mentioned as he sat back down on the sand. "So, whatcha doin, some nerd shit?" Cortez quizzed as he sat down on a rock and stared at the tide pool. "Taking some notes on this slug." The scholar replied giving the Baloon Slug another pat on the head, causing it to produce a satisfied sound. The prankster displayed a worried look. "We got a test or something?" he said anxiously. Jay chuckled. "Of course not. Just got bored." Cortez relaxed. "Oh thank God, yo you gotta be the only person i know who likes studying and shit like that". Jay sighed and rolled his eyes. He wondered how Cortez had even managed to make it to college in the first place. Even still, he was happy that he was there with him and at the least passing. The two boys then heard a shout. "Oh, so your just gonna leave me behind Cortez!?" a feminine voice shouted. "Damn i knew i was forgetting something!" Cortez wailed as he sprinted over to the girl. That girl was of course Alicia Davis, another one of Jay's friend. She was usually quiet but, she could be loud and rowdy if need be. She was a small girl with dark hair and light honey colored skin. Her eyes were large brown and often blinking. Jay watched as Alicia scolded Cortex for some mistake he had made. He knew that she wouldnt stay mad at him long. No one could stay mad at Cortez. "That'll teach you to walk ahead of me!" Alicia said angrily as the two returned return to the tide pool. Jay could tell Cortez wanted to argue but, he could tell it was best not to. They quietly sat down on the same rock. "Hello Alicia." Jay said not turning away from his work. Alicia perked up a bit."Hey Jay what're you up to?" Alicia asked. She soon found out as the slug popped its head out of the water. "Oh my god! Its so cute! What is it!?" Alicia squealed as she immediately ran over to pet the marine creature. Cortez scoffed. "Man that thing ugly as hell!" he said turning his head away, obviouly jealous of the attention the slug was getting. Alicia turned to give Cortez a blazing glare. "Oh, shut the fuck up. Its cuter than you'll ever be!" . Jay started to laugh. "Damn. Dont even attempt a rebuttle." Jay managed to say inbetween snickers. The jokester did exactly that. He promptly turned around and wallowed in defeat. Jay then notted that the slug was a playful creature as he watched it inflate itself over and over again for Alicia. After a little while, the three heard the roar of a car on the road. The slug quickly hid himself from the others and inflated to make sure if he was found, he could still spook his attacker. "Wait come back! Damn it! Stupid car!" Alicia exclaimed slapping her hand against the water's surface. The red Corvette pulled up onto the beach, leaving tire tracks on the biege sand. Someone leaned out of the car and yelled, "Oh my car stupid now huh?" The three definetley recognized that voice.Emerging from the now parked vehicle was Xaiver Askew and his girfriend, Daisha Andrews. The couple were never seen apart, and if they ever were it was because of uncontrollable elements. Daisha was around Alicia's height and shared the same skin color as her. She was more heavy set and alot more sociable than others. Daisha lauged often at Cortez's jokes and could invest herself in most conversations she came across. Xaivier was pretty much the same, just alot more rough and loud. He was a tall boy with a stocky build. His skin matched Cortez's and so did his eyes. Xaiver's though, were more still and focused. "What yall got going on down here, Yall swimming or something?" Daisha asked as she walked down to the group with Xaivier. "Nah. Jay over here writin about a slug or somethin." Cortez said standing to dap up Xaivier. "Well, Me and Daisha came down here to swim. Its hotter than a motherfucker out here!" Xaiver replied eyeing the vast ocean that lat ahead. Jay turned to stare ar the ocean as well. He often did come down to the beach but never thought about swimming. "Well, i could join you. It does quite hot during the spring time." Jay said slipping his notebook into a leather bag he had brought with him. "Ill swim too. Its better than watching some ugly ass slug swim around." Cortez said already stripping himself of his shirt. "Leave my little slug alone!" Alicia shouted from the tide pool. As if on cue, the balloon slug returned to Alicia's side. The girl squealed with glee. "Omg you came back!" Alicia said picking up the slug and giving it a hug. After seeing that, Cortez hurried to the water, blushing angrily. Alicia and daishia was taking off there clothes,showing their bathing suit.as they headed down to the beach area where the boys was.everyone started playing in the water.when they got done they headed back to the cliff."this is so relaxing",jay said."shut your lame ass up",cortez said.alicia walked up to cortez,"leave my friend alone with your bean headed ass!",she said.Daishia started to laugh.xavier and daishia was cuddled up.even though alicia yelled at cortez,she cuddled up with him too. " What're you doin?" Cortez asked as Alicia scooted closer to him on the sand. She rolled her eyes as usuall. "Cortez, you and i both know that you wanted this." Alicia responded as she slowly let her head fall onto Cortez's shoulder. He said nothing and simply draped his arm around Alicia. Jay on the other hand, sat by himself, simply staring out into the ocean. He looked at his friends who were all snuggled up and thought, "How does it feel? What is it like to have someone to hug and even love? Would i even need something so trivial? Do i even want it?" The student found that this wasnt his first time asking himself these assorted questions. He never had been in a romantic relationship because he couldn't answer those questions. Out of all the questions that had plauged him his entire life, like the ones about cold fusion or infinite numbers, the questions about love were the toughest to answer. His thoughts were interupted by another person walking onto the beach. Jay turned to see his science professor, Ms. Turner walk onto the beach in the most over sexualized bathing suit he had ever seen. He quickly turned away, blushing fiercly. Ms. Turner waved at Jay. "Oh hello there! Fancy seeing you here!" the teacher exclaimed as she sprinted over to her student. The others turned to see her, in awe of what she was wearing. "What in the hell is she here for?" Jay said as he trekked his way back to his friends, who all turned to see thier teacher approaching. "Goddamn, she still following me?" Cortez said astonished. The others seemed puzzled at what he meant, as well as why Alicia seemed furious at the professor's presence. "C'mon Cortez lets go!" Alicia said as she gathered her clothes. "Go where?" the jokester asked. Alicia turned to him, her face red with rage. "Where she aint at, thats where!" She grumbled. Cotez simply shrugged his shoulders and began to follow her happily off of the beach. Daisha then managed to stop Alicia from leaving as she gripped her arn tightly. "Girl, what is your problem?" Daisha asked with a concerned tone in her voice. Alicia attempted to snatch away. "What problem? There is definitely not a problem!" Alicia still attempted to get Daisha to let go. "There sure is a damn problem! What are you mad for?" Daisha asked once again. Alicia let out a deep sigh, and all of the blush left her face. "Ok, look. Its just that Ms. Turner... She...". The girl was interupted by Ms. Turner making her way over to Cortez, who had been standing nearby, waiting for Alicia. "Oh, hello there Cortez! I sure didnt expect to see you here!" Ms. Turner said as she playfully twirled her blonde locks with her girlish, pixie like fingers. Cortez was clearly annoyed as he responded. "You did expect to see me here. Thats why you're here. What do want?!" Cortez said, trying to keep his voice light hearted as usual. Ms. Turner giggled. "Well, I mean, I just wanted to see my favorite student!" She stepped abit closer to Cortez. Alicia then gestured to Ms. Turner. " That is definetly why i cant stand this bitch!" Daisha nodded. "Oh, I get it. She keep on comin on to Cortez!". Alicia nodded back. "Exactly! And she old as fuck too! Its just wrong!". "Nah. That aint it. Its cause you like Cortez." Daisha replied. Alicia didnt say anything afterwards but, judging by how she had turned away for her, Daisha could tell she was right. Alicia knew that she had feelings for cortez but she always denied it. All if her friends could tell form the way she acted around him. The constant blushing and teasing were huge signs. Cortez was oblivious to it all, as he always was, yet still she tried. She was indeed making progress but Ms. Turner did hinder that progress. "Seriously Ms. Turner, what do you want? I mean like, relating to school and shit like that." Cortez grumbled. "Well I mean, your already passing my class with flying colors so there's nothing you need to worry about. Except for maybe this upcoming project!" Ms. Turner explained as she continued to tip toe closer to Cortez, much to Alicia's dismay. "A project huh? Maybe my squad would wanna here about that?" the boy said gesturing to his friends. He then called them over, thankfull that he was no longer alone with the flirtacious professor. "She got something to tell us about a project." Cortez said nervously gesturing to Ms. Turner. Jay still attempted to avert his eyes from his teacher, as she let out an agrivates sigh. "Well, i was only gonna tell this cutie over here but, i guess sense you're here i can tell you all too" Ms. Turner then went on to explain the project. "This project was actually issued by the dean so its pretty important. The point of the New Horizons project is to have you kids explore the ecosystems around the city and discover a new life form." Xaiver stepped forward, looking puzzled. "So we gotta go and find a new species or some shit? How we gonna do that?!" the brutish boy asked. Ms. Turner shrugged. "They say use anything you can!" the professor said. Jay seemed incredibly intrigued by this project. Finally something that would challenge his mind. "Also you'll be working in groups of 4 for this project. Unfortunetly the class is a little uneven so, Cortez gets to do his work with me!" Ms. Turner said excitedly as she took Cortez's hand. Alicia stepped forward and pryed thier hands apart. "Actually, I think Cortez would work better with us." Alicia said as she did her best not to look angered by what Ms. Turner had done. The blonde woman glared at Alicia, giving her a message of "Dont touch my man!". Alicia fired back her own, giving her the same exact message. Sensing what was gonna happen, Daisha stepped inbetween the two. "Y'know what? Its gettin real late. We should all just go home and get started on the project early, right y'all?" Alicia turned away from the teacher and nodded. As did the others. Ms. Turner sighed and began to walk away. "Alright then, have fun working with your FRIENDS Cortez. Im assigning you all to search the Nothern Caves tommorow. See ya." Ms. Turner then waked all the way off of the beach. "Yeah thats right, keep walking. Before i choke slam yo ass in this sand." Alicia mumbled under her breath. "So...Northern Caves huh?" Jay said as he turned around to see the small mountainous terrain that peeked behind the city. Daisha looked as well. "That's a long ass walk." She commented. Alicia was still steaming from the confrontation with Ms. Turner. "Oh fuck them caves. I'm going home." She turned to gather her things and leave the beach. "Hey wait! It's dark as me out here! Can't walk on ya own!" Cortez said as he stumbled after her. "I guess we better go too then." Xavier mumbled heading to the car. Daisha turned to Jay. "Imma make a group chat or some shit later so we can know when to meet tommorow." Jay chuckled a bit. "Well somebody's taking initiative." The boy said as he watched Daisha follow her boyfriend to their car. "Damn right I am. Gotta be prepared for that long as hike to the caves." The couple then sped off the beach and down the city streets. The scholarly student placed his shirt back onto his thin body, grabbed his notebook and walked home. The night was warm, thankfully. He trudged home quietly as he passed some brightly lit shops. Then... more thoughts came to his mind. He wondered what sort of things he would discover in the Northern Caves tommorow. Mabey a new species of reptile or something. Anything exciting for once. He continued to think as he made it to his dorm on campus. He left cloud nine as he unlocked the door and stepped into his living space. He was definitely hungry but, he was to tired to fix anything for himself, so he promptly flopped onto his bed and fell asleep, dreaming of strange things. In his mind, Jay saw a girl. A red girl. She wore red, her hair was red, even her eyes were a beautiful crimson color. The dream was short and only one thing happened. The red girl simply walked up to him and gave him a strange message. " Find me" is all she said. "Find me"....