Strange Love

Chapter 5~Lunch

     Eleanor pushed through one of the big doors leading outside. She looked to her left then her right for no particular reason. Her skin felt warmed from the sun's rays as she walked to her dorm. Although, as she approached, she spotted the familiar white rabbit heading towards her, dragging along a mattress? "Haru!" Eleanor yelled. Haru looked up from the ground to see Eleanor wave to her then jog towards her.

     "Hey Eleanor." Haru said and Eleanor pointed to the mattress with a confused face.

     "What's going on here?" Eleanor laughed but Haru sighed.

     "It's nothing." She said, slightly angry. She brushed off Haru's words and picked up the other end of the mattress.

     "I'll give you a hand." Eleanor smiled and Haru said a quiet 'Thanks', not wanting to seem rude, before they began to head into the building then up the stairs to Haru's room. The two girls didn't share the same dorm building but the inside looked the same as hers. When the two got there, they set down the mattress before Haru pulled out a key to unlock the door. They walked in then set the mattress onto the only empty bunk bed. Haru turned around and started talking to her roommate.

     "Sally, you could have stopped them if you were here." Haru said to her with a hand on her hip. Haru's roommate didn't even look up before she spoke.

     "She's really mad right now, you should probably stay away from her." Her roommate explained then looked at Eleanor before looking at Haru. Haru quietly scoffed.

     "Thanks for the warning. Wanna go get dinner?" Haru asked her roommate.

     "Like, with you? I'll pass." She said then looked back at her crossword puzzle she was working on. Rude. The two then left her room. "Wanna eat together?" Haru asked as she locked the door.

     "Sure." Eleanor said and the two walked down the stairs and over to the cafeteria.

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     The two ended up sitting outside by the entrance. The sun was setting as Ellie and Haru sat on the concrete ledge, eating their vegetable soup, Eleanor decided to eat the herbivore meal today. "Does everyone here always say no when asked if someone could sit at their table?" Eleanor asked before taking a bite of soup. She discovered that the cafeteria had different meal options for herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores. Humans were omnivorous so Eleanor guessed she could choose between all the different types of food, which she was happy about.

     "I it just happens to." Haru said, looking at her food.

"Why?" Eleanor asked and Haru shrugged.

     "I'm not sure," Haru lied then changed the subtject. "Because you helped me with my mattress you don't have to help me with the garden anymore. You paid your payment." She said the last sentence as a joke. Eleanor looked at the setting sun for another second then looked at the white rabbit.

     "Were friends now right? I'll still help you if you need it." Ellie smiled and Haru nodded.

     "Yeah, I guess we're friends."

     "It sounds like you don't want to be my friend." Eleanor laughed then stood up and grabbed her tray. "I better get going, I have to meet someone in a few minutes. See you soon Haru." Eleanor started to walk away while turning and waving at Haru. The rabbit waved back before Eleanor quickly walked into the cafeteria and threw away her trash.

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     The door to the drama room opened slowly, once again, by Eleanor's hand. Some students were practicing their lines while others were dancing or stretching. Eleanor looked around and spotted Sheila dancing while the other students watched. Sheila did mention something about a late practice today. Eleanor stood by the door watching Sheila until she turned and saw Eleanor. Sheila said something to the group in front of her before walking over to Eleanor and giving her a quick hug. "Hey, what are you doing here?" Sheila asked and Eleanor shrugged.

     "Well, Louis asked me to meet him here. He says he has some kind of task for me." Eleanor explained.

     "I guess that's what happens when you want to join later than everyone else. You get things piled on you. I know you'll get done with whatever it is quickly." Sheila said then pointed to a door in the room. "He's in there." She said pointing to a wooden door next to a big mirror, before sighing, seeing the dance group now standing at the door trying to listen. Eleanor looked around the room as Sheila walked over to them and forced them to get back to work.

     On the right of the entrance was a brick wall with windows and pictures above them, a tall ladder in the center leading to the lights on the ceiling. On the left from the entrance was a wall with a big mirror on it, a bar going across it for what Eleanor assumed was the dancers. On the left of the mirror was a wooden door, on the right of the mirror was a bigger metal door. Across from the entrance was a stage with stage props leaned against the wall. The wall with the entrance doors had posters, a clock and a ladder leading to a platform. From what Eleanor could see was that the platform had many lights and more props, there was also another door. "What are you looking at!" Eleanor heard someone yell before she heard a door slam shut. Eleanor jumped a little before looking at everyone else who were quickly getting back to work. Eleanor walked up to Sheila with a questioning look.

     "What was that about?" She asked and Sheila shrugged.

     "Not sure but, but I did hear he wanted to be Tem's replacement but didn't get it. Although, I'm not sure why he's so mad." Sheila said, referring to the student who just slammed the door.

     "Well I guess I should go then, see you later." Eleanor said.

     "Oh," Sheila pulled Eleanor back. "Don't forget to knock."

     "Okay?" They both laughed then Eleanor walked up to the door, she looked at Sheila and Sheila nodded. Eleanor smiled in return before she raised her hand then knocked on the wooden door. After a few seconds the door opened revealing the tall frame of Legoshi. Eleanor craned her head back to look at the wolf and smiled. Legoshi stepped out of the way and Eleanor popped her head through the door frame to see Louis.

     "Come in." Louis spoke in a calm tone. Eleanor walked in and Legoshi closed the door behind her. "You're joining the drama club, right?" Louis asked, looking at Eleanor. Eleanor stood with her hands behind her back as she nodded her head. "And, your name is?"

     "It's Eleanor." Eleanor said before she began to look around the room. As she turned her head she could see Legoshi shift from one foot to the other, looking away from Eleanor.

     "I heard you're interested in the clothing department. Is that correct?" Eleanor nodded again. The deer slowly paced back and forth in front of Eleanor. "Our president did say he had a good feeling about you." Eleanor smiled, not sure what to say to that. "Okay," He stopped and stood in front of Eleanor. It was almost uncomfortably close for Eleanor's liking. Although, he seemed to be the only one who had not been weary around Eleanor. His brown eyes looked into Eleanor's green ones. He stared for a moment before stepping back and sitting in the big chair behind him. "I have something for you to do, alright?" Louis explained and Eleanor quickly nodded. "Legoshi," Louis looked behind Eleanor and at the tall wolf. Eleanor stepped out of the way to the left. The small round table in the center of the room caught her eye. A bone mask sat as the centerpiece, a big blue hat sat on top of it. "How are the costumes coming along?" Louis asked.

     "Well," He thought for a second. "There's only a few more that need fixing and-" Legoshi was cut off.

     "Good, I need you to show Eleanor over there and give the costumes to her. She'll fix them." Louis looked back into Eleanor's eyes. She avoided them for a moment but then looked into his.

     "A-All of them?" Legoshi asked.

     "Yes." He said without hesitation. "We have a week so I'm sure you'll get done in time. And when you're finished, come show me." His head nodded towards the door. His antlers seemed to be pointing at it as well. Legoshi nodded and opened the door, holding it for Eleanor. She continued the eye contact with Louis while she smiled at him.

     "Have a good night." She said and walked out of the room. Legoshi followed and closed the door behind him. Eleanor looked at Legoshi. His dark eyes avoided her gaze.

     "They're this way." Legoshi said, walking out the red doors and into the hall.