Opposites Are Supposed to Attract Right

chapter 2

Clawdeen shut herself in her room as soon as she got home from school the next day. She didn't feel like going out with the rest of the group if all their boyfriends would be there too. Howleen was out with her friends again so Clawdeen was free to cry as much as she wanted. The furry fashionista cried until her eyes were exhausted and her head hurt. Curling up beneath her blanket, Clawdeen drifted into a fitful sleep waking up even more tired than she was before. Dragging herself downstairs, Clawdeen found Draculara sitting on the couch watching TV.

"Where's Clawd?" Clawdeen asked groggily.

"Out getting pizza for dinner." Draculara replied, looking up at her friend. Her smile faded to a concerned frown when she saw how puffy Clawdeen's eyes were. "Dee have you been crying?" Draculara asked softly, flitting over to her friend.

"No." Clawdeen responded, turning her head away from Draculara's probing eyes.

The pink vampire continued staring at her friend in concern but resigned when Clawdeen didn't give in. "Come on, Jaundice LD is on."

"Why do the Jaundice Brothers have to go to Los Demones anyway?" Clawdeen grumbled, taking a seat next to Draculara.

"Because it makes good for publicity, I guess." Draculara replied, lounging back on the sofa.

Clawdeen leaned back as well and sighed, watching as Jack Jaundice sang to some blonde normie chick she didn't recognize while Kyle and Nate performed backup vocals. Clawdeen couldn't help but think how stupid they looked; She never was one for music, preferring fashion shows and art classes. Clawdeen was dozing off by the time Clawd returned with four pizzas in hand.

"Hey ghouls!" he called happily. "Ya hungry?" Clawdeen glanced up and smiled at her older brother. She and Draculara jumped up to help with the pizza and grab plates.

"How was your day, sis?" Clawd asked as he dug into a steak pizza, turning away from Draculara every time he took a bite.

"Pretty uneventful." Clawdeen replied.

"You've been in your room all day," Clawd joked. "Of course nothing's happened to you."

Clawdeen shrugged and continued eating her pizza. Later on, Clawdeen was wandering the streets of the city, too cramped in her house. Nearing the park, Clawdeen smiled slightly and went in, sitting at the edge of the small pond to watch the half-moon sparkle on the water. She looked down to see the fish fast asleep and smiled, knowing she should probably get to sleep too.

Just as she was about to get up, a voice called out to her. "Not gonna cry again, are you?"

Toralei was shocked that Clawdeen had simply let it go. She hadn't responded to Toralei's question but instead had just jumped off the school and walked away. This puzzled the werecat as Clawdeen usually opened up to some people. Then again, Toralei and her gang weren't exactly her friends. Maybe Clawdeen would tell her friends what was going on with her. Then they could fix the problem and the werewolf wouldn't be sulking anymore.

Toralei smiled as she came to her conclusion and decided to go for a nighttime walk before retiring to bed. The night was always her favorite time, it made everything else fade with its cool breezes and dark stillness. Turning into her favorite park where she used to chase butterflies as a kitten, Toralei saw a figure sitting near the small pond.

Moving closer, Toralei could make out a few defining features: pointy ears, an extremely small tail, claws and the glint of fangs in the moonlight. Toralei's eyes narrowed as she moved steadily closer and she was surprised to find Clawdeen looking into the pond and smiling slightly. Toralei wondered what the werewolf could be thinking about that would make her smile, but leave her eyes so sad. Clawdeen sighed and Toralei decided that hiding wasn't the best option this time.

She tried to think of something to say and words just spilled out of her mouth. "Not gonna cry again, are you?"

Clawdeen turned to her with a snarl and jumped to her feet. "What do you want now, Stripe?"

Toralei raised her hands in front of her. "Whoa, Wolf. Lower your hackles, I come in peace."

Clawdeen huffed and turned back to the water. "So, why are you here in the middle of the night?" Toralei asked slowly, staring down into the water to watch the fish sleep.

"My house was cramped with all of the different wolves in it." Clawdeen replied. "Why are you out here?"

"I like the nighttime." Toralei replied. "It makes me feel calmer than the day. The day, you have sunshine which is bright on the eyes and just makes me grumpy, but the night soothes the brightness' pain away and calms me down."

Clawdeen cocked her head at Toralei in wonder for a moment before nodding. "So, have you told your friends about your predicament?"

Clawdeen looked at the orange cat in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"You were crying on the roof of the school, Clawdeen. I knew you wouldn't tell me why, so I figured you'd tell your friends."

Clawdeen shook her head. "They wouldn't understand the problem."

Toralei nodded and sighed. "I feel that way sometimes; like I want to tell Meowlody and Purrsephone, but they might not get what I'm going through and just brush it off, telling me not to worry."

Clawdeen looked up in surprise. "That's exactly it." She breathed. "That's exactly how I'm feeling!"

Toralei shrugged. "I'm sure every person feels that at some point in their lives. Try talking to them about it anyway. If they don't listen, then try telling one of your siblings... or maybe your Mama."

Clawdeen nodded and stood to leave. "We'd better get home. We both have school tomorrow." Toralei nodded and began walking away.

"Toralei?" The orange cat turned back. "Thanks." Toralei nodded with a small smile and continued back home, slipping into bed and smiling as she buried under the blanket. It hadn't been such a bad day at all.