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I ended up calling a taxi to go to campus.

After having the luxury of having my own car I couldn't make head or tail of the bus route through Beldover. I knew there was a bus to campus from the town centre, but I didn't know where to start from Aunt Ruth's house.

The taxi took a while to turn up and was driven by a surly bulldog who didn't say anything throughout the entire drive. By the time I arrived I had just under five minutes before the lecture was due to start.

I hurried over to the building to find my classmates had already made their way into into the lecture hall.

Everyone was talking as I walked in and I sensed the chatter die down a little, but I ignored it as I glanced around for Hudson. The jindo was sitting towards the back and I made my way towards him. The odd classmate glanced up and back down at their notepads or laptops as I walked by, but I kept my eyes forward.

Hudson shuffled over, allowing me to sit next to him. I noticed Charlotte was sat on the other side. The vixen didn't look well, her vixen fur didn't have its glossy tint and her eyes were red, but she fixed me a smile as I sat down.

I opened my mouth to say hello to both of them, but the lecturer walked into the room. I recognised him as Dr Plunkett, the guy who taught the class I wished I'd taken.

Everyone fell silent and looked up to face the front.

"Well hello everyone, and I'm glad to see that you've all showed up on a Friday for a compulsory class rather than skive off!" Dr Plunkett said.

This was met with a collective chuckle.

"You okay?" Hudson whispered.

I nodded and began doodling on my pad of paper. I was sure Charlotte was glancing at me too, but I kept my eyes down.

Dr Plunkett was rather amusing and eccentric, and I inadvertently found myself laughing out loud a couple of times, but for the rest of the lecture thoughts kept swarming my mind.

I hope Lachlan is okay in his meeting. Pray they don't be rough on him.

_ _ I just had to hope he didn't get fired, the idea of not seeing him again or playing a part in him losing is job would be too much.

Part of me was afraid for the lecture to finish so I didn't have to find out what had happened, but rather than dragging along it finished all too quickly.

"Right, that concludes today," Dr Plunkett announced.

Everyone stood and began gathering their things.

"So, you're alive and safe?" Hudson whispered.

"Yeah," I said flatly. "But I did look at the meme page."

"I checked my phone just now, they've removed those two new posts," Hudson explained. "It seems a lot of people reported them."

"Shall we discuss this outside, where it's more private?" I whispered.

Hudson nodded and we walked outside with Charlotte in tow.

The rain from the previous day had cleared up and the sun was out.

"Anyone want a drink?" Hudson asked.

"Nah I'm good," I replied.

Hudson nodded and led us to a nearby bench that was under a tree. We all sat down, me on one side, Hudson in the middle and a very quiet Charlotte on the other end.

"Are you feeling better?" I asked Charlotte.

"A little," she sniffed. "I decided it was best to come in today though, being in bed all the time gets boring very quickly."

"I see."

"I was worried about you too," she continued. "Hudson said you'd run off somewhere after people found out. A lot of us were worried about you or felt bad."

"Really?" I said, feeling surprised.

"Yes," Charlotte insisted.

"I didn't run off," I sighed. "I just went to his place."

"So," Hudson said, shifting awkwardly. "You said you saw the page?"

"Yeah, I was quite surprised," I admitted. "I mean, I even had Adam of all people being supportive."

"You weren't mad at the memes?" Hudson asked.

"Well, I was at first, but then I saw what people were saying in response and I didn't feel as bad. I mean, I still feel like shit, but not seeing people laughing or baying for my blood was a nice surprise," I reasoned. "The only thing that still bugs me is I still have no idea how this all got out."

Charlotte opened her mouth to speak, but we all turned as someone nearby let out a cough.

I turned to see a skinny blue merle Border Collie in a stripy shirt and skinny jeans standing in front of us.

"Sorry to bother you, are you Malcolm Ritchie?"

"Um, yeah I am," I said, mentally preparing myself for a confrontation or tactless question.

"I'm Curtis, I used to go to the LGBT meets with Hudson during our first week here. I recognised him by his blue fur," the Collie explained with a nervous smile.

"It's what I'm famous more, or infamous depending on who you ask," Hudson chuckled. "How have ya been Curtis?"

"Not too bad," Curtis replied, relaxing a little. "I've started going back to the meets. The new president is better and I'm doing some social media stuff for them."

"Awesome dude," Hudson grinned, thumping his tail.

"Anyway, I saw you all sitting here and assumed you must be Malcolm," Curtis said, turning back to me. "I wanted to say that whatever happened, I support you and so does everyone at the meet."

"Thanks," I replied, feeling a little taken aback.

"What people were saying about you was horrible," Curtis continued. "Please don't think everyone is a monster. If you want to chat or get some advice, feel free to reach out. Hudson has my number, so get him to pass it on and send me a message."

"Thanks," I repeated.

Curtis fixed us all another nervous smile before hurrying off.

"That was nice of him," Hudson said.

"Hmm," I mused, still feeling surprised. "I still don't know what to do next though. I have no idea how Lachlan is faring in his meeting."

"And you want to find out who told on you?" Hudson asked.

"Yeah," I grumbled. "I don't know how much satisfaction it would give me, but a burning part of my mind wants to know."

Charlotte opened her mouth again as if she was about to say something, but she stopped and shrugged.

"Perhaps we'll never know," she sniffled.

"You don't know something we don't?" Hudson asked in a curious tone.

"No," Charlotte insisted. "I don't know anything," she added, fixing Hudson a nervous glance.

"Sorry, I wasn't accusing you of anything," Hudson said, holding his paws up in a peaceful gesture. "I just wondered if you knew anything?"

"I don't," Charlotte sighed. "I wish I did, and then I could tell you, but I have no idea what's going on. Um, Malcolm, you probably don't want me to hug you right now in my icky state, but I am so, so sorry about what has happened."

"I thought you'd give me a sermon on why dating a professor is bad, and were annoyed he'd given me a higher grade," I huffed.

"No!" Charlotte gasped. "I was concerned about your relationship, but being petty about grades is a silly thing, and that was wrong of me."

"It's okay," I sighed. "I just feel lost and unsure of what to do. I don't know what to say, if I should go on a crusade to find out who it was, or take comfort in the fact people like you guys, Curtis, even total strangers online are actually defending me."

"The latter," Hudson said, before he turned and looked up. "Jeez, is this bench a popular meet and greet spot or something?"

I looked up and felt a jolt of alarm.

Adam was standing in front of us.

The jaguar had what I assumed was supposed to be a confident smile on his face, but it looked more like he had a stomach cramp.

"Can we help?" Hudson asked.

"Um, I was wondering if I could speak to Malcolm, in private please?" he asked. The jaguar's smile faltered and I noticed he looked scared.

"Can do," I replied. "Are you two okay with that?"

"It's up to you," Hudson shrugged. "I'll be close in case you need help."

I nodded and got to my hind-paws.

"We don't need to go far, just somewhere quiet," Adam explained.

I followed him away from the tree and towards a quiet space near the grass. Adam paused, took a deep breath and opened his mouth to launch into what I assume was going to be a long speech.

"You posted the meme and spread the talk, didn't you?" I cut in. The jaguar looked shocked, but then he swallowed and nodded. "I never thought of you," I said with a mirthless laugh. "After I went through all my suspects I was starting to think it was Charlotte, and now I feel bad for suspecting a friend and I was a fool by only limiting it to people who knew for certain, not people who possibly knew. How did you guess?"

"I saw you climb out of his car," Adam explained, looking at the ground. "And I thought I recognised him from that photo you showed me, and I remembered you saying how good looking he was. I... I'm sorry," he added with a sob.

"Sorry?"

"Yeah, I didn't think this would happen."

"Didn't think this would happen," I repeated through gritted teeth. "You didn't think that posting that on the internet would have consequences and ruin everything."

"I'm a fucking idiot, I know," Adam sobbed, and I was amazed to see tears forming in the corners of his eyes. "I was drunk when I posted it."

"Like that excuses it," I scoffed.

"It doesn't, please don't think I'm saying all of this as an excuse, please hear me out and if you still hate me I understand," Adam said. "I really liked you, and then when we broke up I was sad but I thought I could move on and stopped caring. Then when I saw you with the fox I got all angry and depressed again. I thought you'd dumped me for him, or you were already seeing him when we were together."

"I wasn't, and these sound like excuses," I sighed.

"No, no. I'm sorry. I was a complete idiot, filled with jealously, and then I made that stupid post and put it online when I wasn't thinking before I took it down. I had no idea people would start making horrible memes and bitching about you, but I was a fool."

"Indeed you were," I glowered.

"And then I realised what I'd done when people started making all those homophobic posts," Adam continued, his sobs had turned into full-blown crying. "When I tried defending you people turned on me and started being abusive. It was karma I suppose, but I realised what a dick move I'd made. I started all of it."

The jaguar's tears made my anger subside a little, but I still felt resentful and awkward standing next to Adam crying in case anyone looked over.

"So, is this an apology?" I asked.

"Yes, I'm so sorry mate, really I am," Adam sniffed.

I stood in silence for a moment, wondering what to say. Part of me wanted to accept it, but the other half was still angry.

"Well, I guess the damage is done now," I eventually settled on. "And I'm glad you realise what you did had negative consequences."

"If you want to hit me I understand," Adam sobbed.

"No," I sighed. "That wouldn't achieve anything."

"Or if you wanna spread stuff about me?"

"No, that would be childish and pointless," I shrugged. "We've both suffered enough with that sort of thing."

Adam sniffed and nodded.

"I don't expect you to forgive me, and I'm not saying this just to flatter you, but you are a nice guy and I'm sorry I put you through all this."

"Thanks," I said softly.

The angry part of me vanished and all I felt was exhaustion. I'd found my suspect, and that was it. No feeling of sweet revenge, just tiredness.

"Is everything okay?"

I turned to see Hudson cautiously making his way over. Adam looked frightened and almost retreated behind me.

"Adam and I were having a discussion, but we're just finishing up," I explained.

"You found your suspect then?" Hudson asked, glancing over at Adam.

"Yes."

"I hope he gave you hell," he growled at Adam, but I stepped in front of Hudson.

"No, as far as I'm concerned the is case closed. I don't want any more fighting," I said, mustering a calm tone although I was sure my voice was shaking a little. "I've had enough. Adam has apologised and I'm not going to dwell further on this. I just want to move on and face whatever happens next."

Hudson looked surprised, but then he nodded.

"Sorry I interrupted," he said sheepishly.

"It's okay, I'd have liked privacy to settle this on my own, but we're done now, no more nastiness. It's finished," I replied. "Isn't it Adam?"

Adam sniffed again before fixing me something close to a nod.

I responded with a nod of acknowledgement before following Hudson.

Charlotte was still sitting on the bench, blowing her nose into a handkerchief.

"Sorry I look so disgusting," she sighed. "I hope that talk went well?"

"No you're fine, and the talk did go well," I replied. "As I said to Hudson, it's case closed. Now I just want to see what happens next."

My words seemed to act as a command as my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out to see a message from Lachlan.

My dear Shep, I had the meeting. I don't want to talk about this in text or over the phone. Is there a neutral space we talk? My place isn't a good idea. Let me know xx

"Hmm," I breathed.

"What is it?" Hudson asked.

"Lachlan had a meeting on campus, he says we need to talk," I explained. "I don't know if that's good or bad."

"Could be either," he reasoned.

"Neutral space, neutral space," I chuntered out loud.

A café or pub would have too many people around, campus is a bad idea, a public space like a park could be awkward if there is drama. Wait, what about? No, that's a terrible idea... okay, maybe not terrible but wait to see if she's home from work first and proceed from there.

"Neutral space?" Hudson repeated. "Are you alright upstairs?"

"Yeah, just thinking out loud. Lachlan wants to meet me in a neutral place," I said. "I can't think of anywhere close by, and this might sound crazy but I want to go to my auntie's."

Hudson thought for a moment.

"That could work if she's out?"

"Except I need to fork out money for a cab back there," I sighed.

"I drove my mum's car to campus today," Charlotte piped up. "I didn't feel like cycling in my current state, I could give you a lift there?"

"Yes please," I said, reaching over to squeeze Charlotte's paw. "That would be great."

"I know you probably don't want us around man, but I wonder if I should ride along too, just in case something happens," Hudson said. "If you don't want us around afterwards, just send us away."

"Okay," I replied. "Let's get going."

We all stood up to leave.

As we walked, I pulled my phone back out and texted Lachlan a response.

My dear fox. I'm going to see if my auntie's place is quiet. If she's out let's try there xx