Flerae: A Lie Untold

Chapter 9: Swimming Isn't a Very Common Hobby

- Ocean -

I wake up the same time as yesterday. Wanting to make a good impression on my fellow classmates, I give myself a good grooming. I also eat a quick breakfast of leftover fish, and I head out. Carp stands in wait for me. "You think I haven't noticed you sneaking off each morning?"

I freeze, fear of him stopping me in my tracks. 

Carp quickly grabs one of my front legs before I can get away. He squeezes it with his claws.

"Ow!" I cry, "let me go!"

After one final squeeze, he lets me go. "That's for running off somewhere without permission," he says. My step-dad walks away, and splashes into the lake, disappearing in the watery depths.

It hurts my leg to much for me to run to school, forcing me to walk. When I reach the building the bell rings, indicating I'm going to be late for class. I walk down the halls, repeating in my head my classes. Seaweed said my first class is... Biology? In room... 57? Right?

I look at every classroom, counting the doors. One... two... three... On and on... Until the hallways branch off, making me wonder which way to go. It takes me a while before I'm able to find my class. I end up looking at every door, searching for the same symbol as the one on my paper. Finally, I find it. I enter a large classroom, filled with students, sitting in chairs in front of the teacher. The cat dragon stands in front of them, pointing at the white board and writing some symbols on it, explaining about the habitats of various types of animals.

"Um..." I say, "is this the biology class? Room 57?"

The teacher stops talking. All eyes turn to me, making me feel like the smallest one there. I shift, feeling awkward. 

"Are you Ocean?" asks the teacher.

In reply, I give a small nod.

The teacher gives a huge welcoming smile. "Welcome, Ocean," he turns my fellow students, "this is Ocean, class. He is a new student here at the school. Please welcome him."

 A couple of the kids say out loud, "welcome Ocean," while others give a small nod.

"Why don't you say something about yourself, Ocean," my teacher says.

"Um... I like... to swim..."

The class mutters at that. I guess swimming isn't a very common hobby among the land cat dragons.