C R A V I N G S

Chapter 6

Spit it out Emi, ask the damn question!

After seeing those eyes filled with all of that guilt, all that regret, I couldn't add more guilt, worry, or stress onto him. I just can't do it, not now. Not yet.

"You okay, Emi?" He said with worry in his voice. I've been staring at him this whole time, come up with something quick." Would you maybe want to be friends?"

...what?

He even looked a bit shocked I asked that." I only really have one friend, and that would be Bill. And I feel like every herbivore in the drama club either hates me, or is terrified of me. So, I would really like it if you and I could be friends!" I gave him a large smile, trying my best to hide my teeth.

"Uh, of course." He said unsure. My ears drooped a bit. Maybe he doesn't want to be friends?

"Oh, you seem unsure." I looked down at my uniform." We don't have to be friends, I completely understand if you don't want to be."

"Oh, no I really do!" He said with a bit of a yell. My ears perked up as I gave him another smile." I'm sorry if that did seem unsure, I don't have many friends either. Im not friends with many carnivores believe it or not, but sure I wouldn't mind being friends."

I stood up and brushed off my uniform, before holding my hand out to him." Well it's nice to officially meet you Legosi, I look forward to becoming good friends with you." He hesitantly took my hand into his, and shook it." Well I have to get to my dorm." I said starting to pull away from him and walk away." I hope to see you tomorrow."

"You too, Emi." He said as he watched me walk away.

Oh my god what is wrong with me! Why did I have to me so awkward! I huffed. That was just so stressful, but at least I finally got close to him. In a way. I don't know why I couldn't have just asked him about the other night, I should've been able to just ask him flat out. But the look in his eyes, the look of guilt that was swimming in them. I was honestly going to be really harsh on him about the other night, but he showed empathy, that was good.

Now, what the hell was that feeling from earlier?

-

Today, there was an assembly for the drama club. We were getting an award, for showing great partner ship and showing how great carnivores and herbivores"get along."

Personally, I think it's bullshit. Everyone knows it's bullshit.

After the assembly was over, we had drama practice. I was on the floor folding the costumes for the upcoming play, and making sure that all of the rips and tears were fixed up." What the hell do I care if anyone hears me!" I heard Kai yell out." I'm not as bitter as I was before, though."

"Glad to hear." Legosi replies.

I haven't spoken to Legosi since yesterday, I've been a little nervous to actually speak to him. Yesterday, he seemed unsure of us being friends. He even seemed really nervous to even talk to me, which was..kinda cute..

Besides the point, Emi!

"Emi" I heard a voice behind me. My ears twitched nervously by the sound of the voice. I turned around, and looked up at the tall deer before me." Y-yes?"

"Come with me, we have some things we need to discuss." He said sternly. And with a glare, he turned around. I sat down one of the shirts I was folding, and with a gulp, I turned around and followed. As I trailed behind, I looked over at the acting crew, and caught Bills eye. He looked worried, which made me more nervous.

"Please, shut the door behind you" he said as we entered his office. With a shaky hand, I closed the door quietly. What could he possibly want from me? What could I have done? I walked towards the chair in front of the desk, and dreaded every step." I don't think I've properly introduced myself, I'm Louis. I'm the president of the drama club, as you may already know from the assembly earlier." I nodded my head." It's nice to meet you Louis, my names-"

"Emi, I already know." He narrowed his eyes at me." Ive been keeping a close eye on you since you've since you joined us." Well that's not creepy at all." I couldn't help but notice you, you're the talk around school." That made me uneasy, no ones ever come out and said that to me before. I mean, I knew I was, but I've pressed it so far to the back of my mind I just forgot about it." What species are you? Obviously you're a wolf, but what kind?"

"Oh, I'm an Arctic Wolf. I was told by Bill I was the first of my kind to be here." He nodded his head." Indeed, I've never seen any carnivore here who looked anything like you." There was a long silence between us. What was I supposed to say to that?

"Are you always this quiet? It's actually quite annoying." He said with yet, another glare. What's his problem with me?" What exactly do you want, Louis?" I sat down into the chair and crossed my legs, keeping eye contact with him." I usually try to be as nice as I can be towards everyone I meet, unless otherwise. And right now, I feel pretty mistreated." I gave him a glare back. By the look he gave me, he was pretty taken aback. He stood up, and towered over me. His brown eyes tore into me, it was the same look that made me feel so intimidated the first day I joined the club.

"Carnivores aren't my favorite species, same with most herbivores. And when a carnivore joins my club, I keep a close eye on them as much as possible." He's smart for that..

"When I saw you, I took a special interest in you. One, because of your impeccable perfect white coat. And second, you're a wolf. As you may have heard, wolves don't have the best image here." My..white coat?

"Of course I know that, why do you think I've kept such a low profile?" He walked towards me with his hands folded behind him." Louis, you don't need to be scared of me." In all honesty, I guessed that he was scared of me. He's kept his distance from me for days. Most people who are scared of me, have definitely kept their distance, just like he has. I looked up at the slender deer, who towered over me.

"I'm not scared of you damnit!" He yelled out at me. He grabbed both of my arms, and pulled me up from the chair I sat in." I'm not scared of any carnivore, and I'm especially not scared of you!" I know I shouldn't be intimidated by him, or even scared of him, but he did frighten me. My heart was racing, I've never had a herbivore voluntarily touch me like this. His scent smelt so good, that the small hunger that I've compressed, slowly started seeping out. I looked up into those dark eyes, he didn't look scared, not one bit.

"What have I done, Louis?" I said with a shaky tone." I don't know what I've done to make you hate me, or any damn herbivore to hate me, but I haven't done a single thing to you!" I yelled back at him. I pulled from his grasp, and rubbed away the feeling of his his hands. I brushed at my uniform, and composed myself." If you brought me in here just to complain about me, you might as well keep going. Anything you have to say, I've already heard before."

He was shocked by my words. There was another, long stretch, of silence. I was fighting so hard to keep my tears behind my eyes. I don't want this deer see me vulnerable." Thats not what I brought you in here for, Emi. You're not here to be bullied by me, so collect yourself. I don't want to see you crying."

The tone he gives me makes me so angry, it makes me want to rage out on him. But I did what he said. I took a deep breath, and collected myself." Like I said before, I took an interest in you. And by that, I mean I want to learn more about you." I gave him a questioning look." Learn more about me, but why?"

He gave out a huff." I feel you could be an important individual to the club, and I feel that after a bit of time, we can learn to trust each other. Is that something you would be willing to do?" I looked down at my feet." Can I have the night to think about it?"

He gave me a nod." Now if you feel calm enough, you may leave. Drama club ended twenty minutes ago." I nodded back to him before turning around, and making my way out of the office.

I had shut the door, gave out a sigh, and turned around. When I had turned around, across the room, was Bill. Waiting patiently for me. I looked over to him, and forced out a smile. And by the look on his face, he had heard everything.

"We have some things to talk about" he said with interest in his voice.

-

Published; 5/19/20