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Messaging Lachlan repeatedly proved fruitless.

I spent part of the night sat on my bed, waiting for him to call or message again, but nothing came.

By the time I fell asleep the morning light was already starting to creep through the curtains. It pierced my face and I groaned, covering my eyes with my paw. My thoughts were scrambled but I thought of all the messages I'd sent Lachlan.

My dear fox, I hope you are okay. Please let me know xx

Babe, I hope you are safe. Let me know what's going on xx

Please let me know what's up? Xx

If it was something happening in his home life I knew there was nothing I could do. At least it offered some explanation as to why he'd gone quiet, but I desperately wanted to hear from him.

I was also troubled by the fact my mother hadn't said much back. She had sent a rather terse I'm fine Malcolm x and nothing else.

I sat up, sighed and ran my paws through the fur between my ears.

Today has to be better. Please let it be better.

I knew things couldn't get any worse. I hoped Lachlan would resolve whatever was going on and contact me again. At least I had his class, of course I couldn't just go up to him in front of everyone and ask what was wrong, but the idea of seeing him in person at least offered some comfort.

Most of my clothes were still dirty from the trip to Italy, but I found an old pair of jeans and a t-shirt that was starting to get a little tight. I pulled them on before grabbing my car keys.

Aunt Ruth and Thomas were sitting at the breakfast table as I hurried downstairs.

"Morning Malcolm!" Aunt Ruth called.

I froze, wondering if my mother had mentioned anything to her.

"Morning," I replied cautiously.

"I've got croissants if you want to join us, and there's coffee in the pot," Aunt Ruth explained.

"Oh," I said, feeling taken aback. I didn't usually have breakfast with them. "Is something up?"

"Nothing much, I don't have to go to work until later and Thomas took the day off to go to, what was it Thomas?"

"Alpha Con."

"Something to do with video games," Aunt Ruth shrugged.

"And memes," Thomas added.

"What time are you leaving?"

"My train is at eleven," Thomas said through a mouthful of toast.

"You'd best get ready soon then, do you need a lift?" Aunt Ruth asked.

"Nah, my friend is taking me."

"Good, and are you joining us Malcolm?"

"I guess I could," I said hesitantly. I took a seat at the table and Aunt Ruth pushed a plate of croissants in my direction. I took one and began nibbling at it even though I was not feeling hungry. "Has my mum called?" I asked, trying to put on a casual tone.

"Not today, were you expecting her to call?"

"Not really," I said, maintaining a casual voice. "I was just wondering."

"I see, well I hope everything is all right?" Aunt Ruth asked, taking a sip of coffee.

"We're fine," I replied, knowing full well we were anything but fine.

We ate the rest of breakfast in silence. I forced myself to eat and tried washing it down with coffee, but I could feel a lump forming in my throat that made it difficult to swallow.

"Thanks for that," I said, getting to my hind-paws and grabbing my plate.

"Leave the dishes, I'll sort them later," Aunt Ruth said before glancing at the clock on the wall. "I'd best get going."

I grabbed my bag and made my way outside. The sun had broken through the clouds and I hoped it would be a good omen for when I saw Lachlan.

Let this be a good day I thought as I slotted the car keys into the ignition. The engine made a weird spluttering sound and stopped.

"Oh no, please start, that's all I need right now," I sighed out loud, turning the key again. The engine spluttered and then coughed into life. "Thank goodness for that," I muttered as I pulled away.

I listened out for any further noises coming from the engine as I drove, but everything seemed fine.

Campus came into view and I pulled into the carpark. Hudson was already standing at the side with his headphones covering his ears. He slid them off as I climbed out and I caught a few lines of I Want to Break Free before he turned the music off.

"Hey," I said, pulling my bag out of the back seat. "How was last night?"

"Amazing dude," Hudson grinned. "Leon took me out for dinner at a fancy place by the river, and then we did go to see When It Happened."

"Cool," I replied. "Was it good?"

"Yeah, pretty damn scary," Hudson chuckled. "So, ready to see Foxybutt?"

"I am, especially as I'm worried something is still going on," I sighed, before wishing I hadn't volunteered that information.

"Oh?"

"He's being quiet," I explained, not wanting to say anymore. "I wonder where Charlotte is at?"

"Did she not message you?" Hudson asked.

"No, why?"

"She sent me a message to say she's not coming in. She's not feeling good."

"Hmm, I hope she's not avoiding me after how cross she was over her grade," I sighed.

"Nope, she did put in her message that it was nothing to do with that. She claimed to me she woke up with a fever and a headache."

"Okay," I said, although the fact Charlotte had messaged just Hudson and not both of us did sting a little.

We began walking to the lecture room and I recognised our classmates making their way through the door. I followed them inside and kept my eyes peeled for Lachlan. The lecture room door was already open and I walked inside with Hudson in tow. Half the class were already sitting down.

"Front or back, oh wait it's Foxybutt, we'll take the front of course," Hudson grinned, giving me an elbow in the ribs.

I rolled my eyes and began walking towards the chairs at the front.

As I sat down I thought I noticed a Rottweiler sitting behind me nudge his Alsatian neighbour, who I recognised as Alex Pryce. They both glanced in what felt like my direction and whispered something before Alex looked surprised and they looked back down. I frowned.

Were they doing that to me?

I glanced around and saw there were several people milling around behind me. They could have been doing that at anyone. I shrugged to myself and sat down beside Hudson who was drawing another heart with an arrow through it. I noticed he had written Leon on the arrow's shaft.

The rest of the class ambled into the room and took their seats. There was a low murmur of chatter as everyone waited for Lachlan to show up. I glanced at my phone. It had just turned ten. The lecture was due to start at any moment.

The chatter grew a little louder as everyone seemed to realise that the lecturer was not in the room. Lachlan was still scribbling away. My heart was starting to beat unpleasantly hard in my chest.

Where is he?

The lecture room door opened and I was about to breathe a sigh of relief when my blood froze.

Dr Godwin was walking into the room.

The chatter around me turned into confused muttering.

"Good morning everyone," Dr Godwin said, clearing his throat. "Now, first of all I'm sure you're all wondering where Dr Ross is at. Unfortunately he's dealing with some personal matters. I'm going to take this class for the next few lectures until further notice. Now don't worry, I've taught this module before so you're in safe paws. As I acted as a second marker on your assignment results I can also be consulted if you have any questions."

I felt like the lump in my throat was growing larger. I turned to face Hudson who looked just as confused as me. The confused chatter died down as everyone pulled their notepads out.

"Well that was unexpected," Hudson whispered.

"So, today we'll be focusing on how warfare became more mechanised and mobile during the First World War," Dr Godwin announced as he pulled a slide show up.

I stopped listening and watched idly as Dr Godwin flicked through the slides without taking in any of what he was saying. I was vaguely aware of Hudson's pen scratching as he kept doodling, but other than that I just wanted to leave the room and call Lachlan.

Dr Godwin was displaying photographs of tanks and bodies in trenches. The images of the dead young soldiers laying in the mud was almost hurting my eyes.

"Is everything all right?"

I glanced up to see everyone was gazing at me. Dr Godwin was fixing me a curious look.

"I did mean to say some of these photos are a tad gory, so if anyone doesn't wish to see them please speak up and I'll warn you when something unpleasant is coming," he continued.

"Oh, I'm all right," I claimed, splaying my ears and feeling embarrassed.

Dr Godwin nodded and continued. I looked down at my notes and tried wishing myself away. Hudson shot me a concerned glance before he went back to doodling.

The lecture continued until Dr Godwin reached the last slide.

"That concludes the lecture, I'll see seminar group one next."

Everyone got to their hind-paws and began gathering their belongings. I picked up my bag and turned around as I slung it over my shoulders. Alex and his friend had already left, but behind them were two female huskies. One looked in my direction before whispering something to her friend. The friend's eyes widened slightly as she looked at me before glancing away.

I felt my face wrinkle into another frown.

"You coming?"

I was shaken from my thoughts and turned to see Hudson gesturing for me to follow him. We followed everyone outside. The sun was shining but the grass looked a little damp to sit on.

Hudson made his way towards the campus cafeteria and I followed. There was a spare table close to the entrance and we sat down.

"You look worried," Hudson observed. "Not that I'm surprised, I wonder what's going on with Foxybutt?"

"It's not just that, I feel like people in class were talking about me," I admitted.

"How do you mean?"

"Alex and his friend were, well I think they were at least, and then two girls behind him," I explained. "It's like they were whispering and looking at me."

"Beats me," Hudson shrugged. "Are you sure it was about you?"

"It felt like it, it was the two female huskies in our class."

"Oh, Lily and Cassandra? Meh, they always seemed a bit ditzy and silly to me," Hudson chuckled. "I doubt they were talking about you, probably some girl gossip shit."

"Perhaps," I reasoned, although in my mind I knew that didn't explain why Alex had been whispering.

I sat in silence as Hudson became engrossed in his phone.

"Leon wants to meet again after class," he said, thumping his tail. "Being in love feelings amazing."

"It does," I replied wistfully.

Inside I felt another flash of irritation. I knew it was because Hudson had a new mate while mine seemed to have vanished, and I was also annoyed by his lack of concern.

I glanced down at my phone but there were no messages from either Lachlan or my mother.

"Time to go," Hudson sighed as he slid his phone away.

I nodded and stood to follow him.

Most of the seminar were already assembled by the door as we walked up to the room. I noticed Ian near the door. He was chatting to a puma who I faintly recognised but I couldn't remember his name. As Hudson and I approached, Ian turned to glance at us. The puma whispered something to him and Ian's jaw fell open. He turned away, as if not wanting to be caught staring at me.

"This is fucking weird," I whispered.

"What's weird?" Hudson asked, glancing up from his phone. "Aww, Leon does drawing and he's done a small sketch of us holding paws. He just sent me a copy of it."

"I swear people are talking about me," I whispered back.

"Who?"

"Ian and that puma over there," I explained.

Hudson rolled his eyes.

"Well, one way to find out," he sighed. He put his phone away and I watched in horror as he walked over to Ian.

"Don't," I hissed, trying to grab hold of his paw, but Hudson had already slipped around someone else in the crowd and was standing in front of Ian.

Ian turned and fixed Hudson a confused look.

"Yo," Hudson said, putting his paws on his hips and fixing Ian a grin.

"Hey," Ian said nervously.

"So, what were you just talking about?" Hudson asked.

"Talking about?" Ian repeated.

"Yeah, I'm interested."

"Oh, uh, nothing," Ian stammered.

"Did it involve my friend Malc by any chance?" Hudson asked, cocking his head.

"No, not at all," Ian claimed. "We were, um, wondering why Lachlan wasn't in today."

"I see dude, very well then," Hudson said before turning to walk back to me. "Hmm, they do seem to be discussing something. He looked very shifty."

"That was embarrassing," I muttered.

Hudson opened his mouth to reply, but Dr Godwin poked his head around the door and gestured for everyone to come in.

I followed Hudson and we took seats closer to the back this time. I thought I saw Alex glance at me but I tried ignoring him.

"Okay, now we're all sat and ready we'll make a start," Dr Godwin announced.

I sat and listened as the Pine Marten began the class discussion.

"You sir, at the back?"

I glanced up to see Dr Godwin was looking at me. Everyone was craning around to look in my direction.

"Sorry?" I said.

"What is your opinion on how tanks changed the course of warfare during the First World War?" Dr Godwin chuckled. "As everyone else is doing the old if I look at the floor he won't ask me and you were looking up."

The phrase reminded me of something Lachlan had said during my first seminar with him and I felt my stomach do an unpleasant backflip. I also knew I'd been too distracted to do the reading for the class.

"Um, they really started to make the war more mobile," I blagged. "Before it had reached a stalemate, but the tanks helped the British to start pushing through and turn the tide."

"An interesting analysis, yes," Dr Godwin replied before turning back to the rest of the class.

Everyone turned to look away from me and I felt my ears splay again as a pang of something between depression and embarrassment coursed through me.

The seminar continued with a class discussion that I dipped in and out of before Dr Godwin wrapped everything up.

"Well done everyone, I'll see you next week."

Hudson and I stood to leave. The jindo was back to glancing at his phone.

"Leon wants to meet me in half an hour, you don't mind if I shoot off dude?"

"No, you do you," I replied. "I still wonder why everyone was staring at me."

"Not everyone," Hudson shrugged. "Perhaps it was 'cuz you seemed kinda spaced out in class."

"But Alex, Ian and the girls were doing that at the start of class," I mumbled.

We walked out of the building and Hudson pulled me into a quick hug.

"Look after yourself, I'll message you," he said before hurrying off.

I felt another flash of mild irritation at how blasé Hudson seemed as I made my way to the carpark. There was still no sign on my phone of any kind of contact from Lachlan. I thumbed the call button above his number.

"Fuck it," I muttered out loud.

I reached my car, climbed into the driver's seat and closed the door. As soon as I felt comfortable no one could hear me, I pressed Call.

The tone rang and rang. I held my breath, but an awful, sickening feeling gushed through me as the tone went straight to voice mail.

Hello, this is Lachlan Ross. I'm sorry I can't take your call right now. Please leave a message after the tone and I'll call you back as soon as I can.

I waited for the bleep and took a deep breath.

"My dear fox, please call me back. I'm scared. I don't know what's going on. I know you said you had some personal issues going on, but please just send me a message or something so I know you're safe and well. I love you."

I hit the end call button and let out what felt like the deepest sigh I had ever released before starting up the engine. The car made another funny coughing sound before the engine roared into life.

It was something I knew I would have to get checked, but I wasn't in the mood to do it after class. I just wanted to get home.

I pulled out of the carpark and drove in the direction of Aunt Ruth's.

Aunt Ruth and Thomas were both out, which was just as well. I didn't feel like putting on a brave face and chatting to either of them.

I ran straight upstairs and threw myself down on the bed.

My phone buzzed and I looked down, my heart racing as I expected to see something from Lachlan.

I admit, I felt rather surprised to see a message from Hudson.

Dude, don't wanna worry ya, but have you seen the Beldover Uni memes page? Meeting with Leon now, can discuss it in a bit

I knew there was a Facebook and Tumblr page in which students at Beldover could submit memes and in-jokes about the university. I found the idea silly, the sort of thing Thomas would enjoy, and had never bothered checking either page out.

I pulled my laptop out of my bag and opened Facebook.

The meme page wasn't hard to find and I scrolled down. The memes were all the usual templates you would find on the internet; funny for a few days before they go out of date.

What could Hudson be referring to?

My blood froze as soon as soon as the thought entered my mind and my mouth fell open.

No, this has to be a coincidence.

The meme was the Distracted Boyfriend one, you know where the guy is glancing at another girl in a red dress while his girlfriend looks on in disbelief (Google it if you want to know what I mean).

Anyway, this meme showed the horrified girlfriend with the words Hot guys on campus, the man had History student while the girl in red had Studly professor written over her.

The meme had been posted anonymously and the comments underneath ranged from Wtf does this mean? to Lol, ouch!

I sat opened mouthed, hoping this had to be some ghastly coincidence, but panic was starting to course through me.

I hit Hudson's number but the tone rang until going to voicemail.

"No, no, no," I wailed out loud. "No, no, no. Please say this isn't happening!"