Sophomore Year: The Outcast
#1 of Sophomore Year
Sophomore Year has begun!! Have you enrolled in Madison High?
Chapter 1
***
Shaun
***
A fresh start. New year, new friends, and new experiences; all things desperately needed in my case. Sophomore year began today, and as devastating as it maybe to end Summer, I felt ready for what awaited. Today was the day school started, and the possibilities were limitless.
I jumped out of bed, hitting my alarm clock, already awake before it went off. The excitement danced through my body, leaving me unable to keep sleep. I showered and got dressed, throwing on a black t-shirt, khaki cargo pants, and a black spiked collar. The outfit suited me, and went well with my pit-bullish frame, and jet black fur.
As I finished throwing on the outfit for that day, I grabbed my back pack and ran out of my room. Right across from my sleeping space was a door I felt drawn to. That door lead to Tyran's room.
Tyran is my adopted lion brother. To be honest, him and I did not get along very well, and I sort of hated his existence. Everyone saw him as the perfect child. Good grades, perfect attitude. The guy could do no wrong, leaving me in his shadow. That was until I exposed his true, disgusting self.
The lion was gay. Last valentines day I caught him and his boyfriend in bed, naked. It was surely a perfect chance to show everyone he was not as flawless as he seemed. I told our foster parents about the filthy things I saw, and how he had a boyfriend, and sure enough the we're furious. They were so mad that Tyran no longer stayed with us. He was shipped off to a military school a week back. With the lion out of my way, I could finally enjoy my life.
I felt no regrets.
I ran down the stairs, yelling out my departure before jetting out of the door. I raced down the driveway, coming to a steady walk as I hit the side walk and made my way to school. I took out my ePod and let music blast into my ears as I progressed. As I prepared for my journey, out the corner of my eye I spotted a fur across the street coming from a house that had recently been bought.
On the opposite sidewalk, a malamute walked copying my actions, headphones in his ears. I felt a strange feeling in my gut as I watched him from a distance. He stood around five foot six, with a body that looked well defined, slim and athletic. On top of the defined frame was a coat of thick, white fur that seemed to sparkle as the sum touched it. He wore a white v-neck which blended in with his fur, and dark blue jeans. His appearance as a whole seemed rather peaceful.
The thought ran through my mind to talk to him, because in reality, I needed new friends. If I wanted this year to be awesome, a set of peers was required. In the end I decided not to bother the guy. For some strange reason I was drawn to him, maybe because we don't see a lot of Malamutes here, usually all in Alakasa, or further north.
Arriving at school, a uneasy feeling was placed in my gut, taking away a little of my excitement. I was nervous, especially since not many people liked me, but that would change. I had changed. Instead of being a jerk this year, I planned on finding a group who enjoyed doing what I do --Smoke.
I walked into the double doors, entering Madison High for the first time in two months. The uneasy feeling was quickly erased once inside, and I felt at home. Furs crowded the halls. Some I knew. Some were strangers. A few new faces were even seen.
I scanned the halls
A few girls were off to the side giggling, putting on makeup, and texting, and that was all simultaneously. Their laughter carried throughout the hall. To the right I could see a skunk and Dalmatian hugging, which brought a smug look to my face, shaking it away to see turn and find Caleb, a hybrid, alone at his locker. I found that weird, considering he was one of the popular kids in our class, and since him and his identical cousin were never seen apart.
O
I continued to take in the view. Everyone seemed to be excited for the first day. After I finished observing everyone, I headed to my class. If I had friends I would be with them, but, sadly, I was in the process of finding a few.
First class of the day was Algebra 2. Lucky me, I hate math. Numbers and alphabet didn't seem to go well together; like pickles and orange juice, they just didn't blend. When I found the classroom, I was surprised to find the Malamute from earlier sitting in a desk with his headphones on. Maybe it was a sign, to make a new friend, even if he did not seem like the type I usually hang with. I sat in the desk next to him and have him a wary smile.
The Malamute looked at me, returned the smile, and removed his headphones.
"Hey cutie," He said, looking me in the eye. I paid no attention to the compliment, because his eyes, they were amazing. Two, icy blue orbs stared at me, occupied by a light grin.
"Umm... Hi, I'm Shaun." I extended a law and he took it, shaking it gently.
"Darius"
"It's nice to meet you, man. New here?"
He turned towards me, wearing a grin. It was something about his expression that showed a confidence I have never seen. He gazed at me with his cool pupils and said softly, yet with bass in his voice, "The pleasure is really, all mine. And yes, Im new here, moved from Alakasa this summer. Dad found a job here, and now here I am."
"Cool," I couldn't keep myself from staring at him. His eyes kept my gaze, and this strange connection seemed to be made. His first remark pushed me back into reality. "Did you call me cute? You're not a fa..."
"Bi," He simply said with a frown, before I could finish. "I like guys and girls... Is that going to be a problem." His tone showed guard, as he withdrew a little, the frown remaining on his face.
A smile spread across my face as I shook my head. "Not at all."
'Not at all.'? Did I really just say that after all I had been through? My brother was sent to military school for being attracted to a guy, and the worse part was that I caused it. Now here I am making friends with a guy who were interested in guys. I must have been desperate for a friend. Or maybe was there something else?
A smiled formed on the Malamute's muzzle. "Good, I don't need any problems, some people like to cause trouble because of people orientation... A LOT!" I shifted nervously. "Sorry if I came on, I can be a flirt."
"No problem, dude."
Darius and I talked more as we waited for class to start. Nothing more was said about his orientation, or how I felt about it. I knew if he asked I would have to lie, so I am lucky he didn't. We talked about normal teenager stuffs: video games and sports. We had a few things in common, but not many. I think that excited me.
Darius was from Alakasa. He was very smart from what I was told, holding a grade point average of a three-seven, and joined a lot of clubs. When he wasn't buried in books or involved in clubs, he swam, saying that he would be trying out for the swim team. All in all, the guy was normal and pure at heart.
Time went on, and class was near it's start. I stood up and stretched to squeeze a restroom break in before class began.
"Hey man, have to run out for a minute before class start." I said in a grunt as I finished stretching.
"Cool."
I turned around to leave, but someone came into the empty classroom, and that someone was Drake, my brothers ex boyfriend. There, in the door way, came the Wolf Tiger Hybrid, followed by a Dragon. It seemed they were together, whispers were going back and forth, but came to an halt when his eyes hit mine. I tried to quickly look away, but couldn't in time. He was headed my way.
I was not scared of Drake, but I did want to avoid him. After telling my parents about him and Tyran, and having Tyran sent away, Drake probably held a huge grudge. I haven't seen the Hybrid since the end of freshmen year, so I did not know how he would react to seeing me.
He walked toward me, not looking in my direction, but straight pass me. The dragon followed close behind as they made their way to their desk.
Drake and I never got along. Since my goal in life was to make Tyran's life a living hell, an untold battle seemed to take place between myself and the hybrid. Not to mention we were in countless fights, losing every single one, to my dismay.
My eyes ran over Drake. He looked like hell. The calm yellow eyes he always wore sagged now, leaving a gloomy look of despair, matching his body that use to be lean and straight, now stiff and arched. As he walked toward me I saw his paws clenched tight. The sight of him amused me. Once a guy who was so popular and content with life, and now a depressed soul. His appearance earned a smirk.
"Somethin' funny, mutt?!" Drake growled as he passed, stopping to glare at me.
"Yeah," I said, shooting daggers into his glare. "You look like shit, dude."
Drake stepped toward me but was stopped. The Dragon placed a law on his shoulder, moving his head side to side.
"Don't do it Drake, save the anger for later... He's not worth it." The Dragon simply said.
Up close, the dragon was huge. He stood nearly six foot three inches, and weighed around 250, packed with muscle under his black scales. It was no way this guy could be a Sophomore. He was bigger than any senior, or adults for that matter.
No matter how big, I had to stand my ground. My nature was to be fearless, never have I ran with my tail tucked.
"Who tha fuck are you?" I said mockingly, pointing in his direction.
The Dragon pulled Drake away. "Someone you really don't want to fuck with man."
I looked at Drake, then at the Dragon. A smile spread, and I began to chuckle, paying no attention to his words. "So you're Drake's new butt buddy?"
In an instant, Drake's paw shot for my neck, roaring out, "YOU BASTARD!" I was expecting a fight, not fully able to prepare myself, but someone stepped in the way. Before Drake's paw made it to me, a white paw grabbed onto the grey one.
"What the hell?" Drake jerked his paw away and faced the Malamute. "Get the fuck out of my way."
Darius did not budge. He stared at Drake, never breaking the gaze, standing his ground. The hybrid dwarfed him in size, but the he stood there, glaring back at my attacker.
The Malamute did not even know me for an hour, and he stepped in to fight for me. Even though these guys were huge, and I mean huge! Darius stood up, in a semi-fighting stance. The feeling I got earlier when I first seen him came back. Something about this kid was messing with my head...
Drake looked as the first to break the eye contact, looking in my direction, then back at Darius, then back at me. He smiled to himself, straightening up his stance. I was confused, especially since a second ago he was ready to rip my throat out. Literally.
"Really?" He asked, but the question was directed toward anyone. "You low life piece of shit... You owe me, so you better watch your fuckin back, because I'm gunnin' for it." The smile faded into a grin. "I'm going to make sure...you...feel...every single bit of pain I felt, trust me."
Those words sent shivers down my spine, remembering said them a few months back. I told him the exact same thing after I found out he was dating Tyran, and I was true to my words... But the question is: is he?
I gulped hard. "Try."
"I will."
We stared at each other a few more seconds then he finally walked away, his dragon friend following close behind. A wave of relieve washed over me. The tough guy routine was just an act, those two were way bigger than myself. I didn't want to jump in a losing fight.
"Look like you have a few enemies..." Darius sat back down, continuing to look in Drake's direction.
My tough exterior, and who-gives-a-fuck attitude was the only reason I had not pissed myself right then and there. It was no secret that Drake could take me out, easily, and his Dragon friend was a little short of being a giant, so of course I was a little nervous.
I say at my desk, glancing over my shoulder, eyes never shying away from Drake. I had to know where he was at all times, because I knew he was after me, and there was no stopping until he seen blood. After the stunt I pulled, sending my foster brother away to separate them, there was no way he wouldn't be mad.
"Yeah... A few..."
***
Caleb
***
Year two? How did that happen? Only yesterday I was walking to a new place, full of new furs, anxious to see if the stories about high school were true. Of course it had lived up to its expectations. There was never a dull moment throughout the halls of Madison High: fights, break ups, rally's, protest. You know how schools are portrayed on TV? That is exactly how Madison High worked.
You would think that all of the excitement would be obsessed over, but not by me. Not this Tiger/Wolf hybrid. I hated all of the things that went on in this school. Maybe it had something to do with weed affecting my moods, or maybe I was seeing the world for what it was -filthy.
Madison High was like every ordinary and extraordinary school, in all aspects. We had sports; football, basketball, wrestling, baseball, soccer, volleyball. Every club that was ever thought of was here in this school. There was an excellent debate team, and our band wasn't that bad either. But like other schools we also had the dirt. Walking alongside the students were gays.
Faggots!
Everywhere you turned a fruit cake would be talking in a high pitched voice, or walking with a limp paw, or even kissing the same gender. It was like a circus, and the freak shows were all here, spreading there disgust.
I sat in Algebra 2, staring off, not looking at anything in particular. My mind was never able to focus these days. Everyone told me its because I smoke to much marijuana, and as true as that may seem, at this point of my life I could not quit. Many things troubled my soul, and being high seemed like a quick and easy way to dodge the problems life threw my way.
Math always came easy to me, so paying attention on the first day was not really important, I think? Maybe it's the drugs. Anyway, class drug on, not that I noticed. Every now and then I would be snapped out of my daze by the teacher, a middle aged female owl, asking the class a question. I was lucky she did not call on me.
When the bell rung, I took my time getting out of my desk. Slowly I put a few objects in my back pack, then took my time walking to the door. I wasn't in any rush. It's ok to be late on the first day, but then again, I really didn't care.
As I exited the classroom, someone entered. The fur who passed me left a sour taste in my muzzle, and brought out a light growl. No more than am inch away was none other than my cousin, Drake.
If there was one person on the planet that I hated more than anyone else, this hybrid would be him. How can you hate someone that is family, with such fire? The answer to that question is easy. When you've lost all respect for someone, and their mere presence makes your blood boil, then there is no love.
The only thing you can ever feel for someone who disgust you is hate..
Drake looked me in the eye as he passed. The same amount of hatred and disgust pouring from his gaze. His top lip came up slightly to show his canines, clenched tight. For a split second, he appeared to be even more upset with my presence than I was with his. This confused me.
"What the fuck is your problem," I said in a low, growl-ish whisper. As I spoke, a large dragon came from behind Drake. He was clearly over six feet, and it seemed like he spent more time in the gym than his own home, because occupying that height was mountains upon mountains of sheer muscle.
The dragon placed a paw on Drake's shoulder, and instantly, he seemed relaxed. "Get your book you left and lets go man, no time for any trouble. Remember what Rock said, no altercations, no bullshit."
Drake sighed, "Whatever." He turned away and left the Dragon and I to be face to face.
I examined the reptilian. This must have been his first year, seeing that I have never seen this giant walking through our halls. Someone as big as himself could not go unnoticed for an entire year, unless he hit a monster-like growth spurt over the summer. Man, what a growth spurt if it was possible, but on the other paw it was not uncommon in Dragons.
The dragon looked intimidating. The muscles, height, and somewhat painful expression on his face made me uncomfortable, but not uncomfortable enough. This guy was Drake's friend, and that made him my enemy.
"And who the hell are you?" I knew it was a rude way of asking, but honestly, I did not give a fuck!
The Dragon looked down at me, his light blue eyes as calming as the sky on a summers day. His eyes almost contradicted the rest of him; with his dark scales, and tough exterior.
"You too really do look just like each other..." Now, he examined me. "Same patterns, muzzle shape. Only difference are the eyes and a very unnoticeable slight difference."
I don't know if it was that he ignored my question, or the fact he compared me to that filth, but I was boiling hot! I guess he noticed this. The dragon pulled back, now gazing at me with a different set of eyes. Instead of the calm blue, they were now green.
"Who. The fuck. Are you?!"
The Dragon chuckled, then he looked to the side; Drake had found his books and was ready to leave.
"You ready dude?" Drake asked? The Dragon nodded. "Cool."
They were both leaving when the dragon turned around and smirked. "It was really nice to meet you Caleb, after all the shit I hear about ya and all." He peered at me, his eyes now a different shade -red now. "And to answer your question, tha name's Necross."
With that they both left the classroom.
Necross, huh? He was definitely a new student. A name like his would definitely stick in your head.
I wondered if the dragon was Drake's new friend, or maybe he was something else. Maybe a little fonder than most would think. The thought of Drake being with another male caused me to growl.
"I knew you were a fuckin' faggot..."
My voice was only a whisper, making sure it was a comment to myself rather than toward someone else. I made my way out of the classroom, angry. The run in with Drake only left me miffed, and when something bothers me I can rely on one thing...
The loud stench of an exotic flower drifted over the area. Clouds formed around, hard to make out anything in front of you, leaving anyone in a dazed state. Serenity mixed in the air, as of the clouds protected anything within them from calamity.
Behind the bleachers, on the far corner of Madison High, I stood, pulling smoke into my lungs. I could feel the stress of the events of my life fade into the earth, leavin me clean and pure. Only good thoughts clouded my judgment, it being a crime within my mind to be anything except peaceful.
See? I told you I was a stoner kid. Life was not entertaining unless you are high, so I stayed in the clouds. I was considered a real hippie. After my fallout with Drake last school year, I plummeted into the dark grips of marijuana, trying to forget everything. But I couldn't run from these problems.
Drake admitting his affection toward Tyran hit hard. It hit hard and fast, then left me with a million pieces to pick up. In an instant I lost grip on reality and I lost my friend; brother; my life! I never understood. It was not like I hated gays. In the past I was far from homophobic. Though, Drake confessing love for a male hit a soft spot. Something inside of me exploded when the words came out of his muzzle.
Two months passed, and the same hatred for my cousin remained. The summer was quite strange not having my wingman around. I didn't party, barely left the house, and most of break was spent consuming large sums of weed.
Of course I had other friends. Max and Brandon, but they seemed to have gone along with Drake. There were no calls or texts inviting me to hangout, so I assumed since Drake and I split, the group did as well. It didn't bother me -nothing in life did.
My girlfriend even dumped me. She said I had become self-absorbed, and showed signs of becoming a world-class bum. I guess to sum it all up, taking care of myself and a relationship was not possible.
One good thing did come from Summer Break. About two weeks in, while hanging with Brandon and Max, a very shocking piece of information landed in my lap. Rumor said, Tyran did something so bad that his foster parents were sending him away. Hearing it sounded horrible and devastating, but once it left the sources lips, my own curled into a grin.
Tyran was the guy who ruined my life. Drake and I were tight, almost closer than two butt cheeks. There was not many things we would do solo, and everyone knew if one came the other was not far behind. In this world you need someone to look out for you; a fur all your trust went into. Drake was that person in my life.
Tyran stole him. The small lion broke up my life, shattering it to pieces, and taking the only other person I cared about away. If I had known letting him in the mix would lead to this I would have put my foot down a long time ago.
Now, Tyran is out of our lives, and everything is broken. Drake won't talk to me, and I definitely will never bring myself to communicate with him. A huge part of my soul won't let him come back into my life, even if I see it going down hill.
I sat there, inhaling the green oxygen, getting even more lifted than earlier. Memories of the past came rushing in; some good and some bad. Just a few months ago Drake and I were hitting up every party, flirting with the girls. The bad part of the past lurked in the shadows. Remembering the disgust and pain I felt when Shuan told me Drake and Tyran were fucking each other.
Time had ran away from me. Class would be starting soon so I needed to go. I gathered my belongings and headed for class, gripping my backpack tightly in my paws.
I gave a brief sigh and looked in the schools direction...
"Guess I gotta move on now.."