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High school went by in a flash. It was almost like I blinked and I was sitting in graduation already. The unprecedented and unwelcome amount of heat made me adjust my collar. Sweat coated every inch of my chestnut fur. Ugh, I wasn't built for this... The fact that I was nearly 7' now, forced into a stuffy auditorium next to my peers didn't help matters. Every time I turned my head, I risked one of my oversized antlers knocking into my giraffe cohort Mathew.

No idea why they'd make us sit together.

Typically I'd be excited around this time. Going to the pool, playing video games all day, and to sweeten the deal I got to do all of it with Jaden. With that realization I sighed and the regret set in. Those memories were relics of the past now. Ever since sophomore year started Jaden drifted from me. I didn't want him to, but at the same time I didn't know how to stop it from happening. He was busy with football as the running back while I was stuck in the bleachers or at a chess meet.

Another regret reared its ugly head immediately. The memory of one of the few times Jaden actively sought me out. He caught me in between classes by the gym and tapped me on the shoulder. Surprised, I nearly jumped. When I turned around and saw those familiar cat eyes I knew that everything was all right. I didn't know why he'd approached me, but no matter the reason it made me happy all the same.

"Hey, Pete. I know this is kinda random, but you busy?" the memory asked.

I shook my head.

"So, I've noticed you're getting kinda--don't take this the wrong way--big." It dawned at me that he was looking up at me. I was at least 5" over him. "Someone like you could really put in work on the football team, you know?"

I declined his offer, but he persisted.

"Listen, uh... We're having tryouts later this week. You should stop by. I already put a good word in for ya with the coach. I know you can tackle and throw just fine."

The rest of the conversation was a blur, but I knew that I never considered going to that meet-up. It wasn't until much later, when I saw Jaden again at the cafeteria did I understand what the point of his question really was. If I'd taken up his offer we would've undoubtedly been around more often. In a way, we'd have a 'reason' to hang out. More of a reason than we did during the week and on the weekends.

Despite the popularity and how far we'd drifted Jaden still tried to bring us back together. He wanted to connect. But it was too late. I realized it too late and I knew I'd never forgive myself for it.

"Peter," muttered the giraffe next to me.

"Huh, what?" I asked absently. Looking around it soon became apparent that everyone in the room was standing except for me. Shit. The embarrassment burnt me up worse than the heat smothering me in the deadly combo of graduation gown, thick fur, and the hundred or so other furs in the room all suffering with me. I stood up and nearly knocked over the giraffe to my right with my antlers. "S-sorry."

It didn't seem like he heard me. The class valedictorian read off his speech, but all I could think about was the pit forming in my stomach. A massive pit that'd taken years to form. For such a long time I stared at the ground when I walked. I was too timid to face someone--meeting someone's eyes meant a conversation. A forced interaction I knew I'd never be ready for. Everyone I'd ever met made me feel like I didn't belong in the world. Like they couldn't understand me--even I didn't understand myself. It was all because of the pit that'd consumed me, a pit reflecting my own self-pity. As much as I hated it, I couldn't do anything about it.

The only person that could make me feel 'OK' was Jaden. Seeing him smile made me smile and he was the only person I knew who could get me to feel warmth. The sort of warmth that made me feel safe as I was walking home from his house in the middle of the cold, winter nights. Just musing on the time we spent together made me think there was hope for me. That I could feel normal. Now that I was older I knew better. I knew I could never be anyone's definition of 'normal'.

As the valedictorian finished his speech and everyone applauded, I started to sit down. Just before I sat my eye caught a glimpse of something. A burly feline with white fur and black stripes, with two massive sabers fangs tied with green braces to assure that the sharp points didn't gauge someone. My heart skipped a beat. It was like I saw a ghost.

I sat down and all the gears in my head clicked. Time to make this right, I decided.

The rest of the ceremony went by without my interest. I took every opportunity I could to peek at Jaden. If this was going to work then I had to make sure to get his attention as soon as possible. Regardless of what I felt I needed to stop wallowing in my despair and do something. I needed my best friend back.

We all threw our graduation caps into the air. I gave a half-hearted cheer compared to my former classmates, but it's unlikely that anyone noticed. Once we were dismissed I handed my diploma off to my parents and promptly excused myself. There were more important matters at hand.

I rushed over to where Jaden was, knocking over a few of the folding chairs in the process. All the ruckus got his attention and, unless my eyes were playing tricks on me, I caught him smirk. "Pete?" he asked, turning around.

"H-hey," I replied, feeling flustered.

"Um, hey," he replied, looking at me with his emerald eyes.

"So, uh... This is pretty crazy, huh...? Already graduating..." Looking at him was enough to make me melt, but his deep, smooth voice made me downright quiver. I felt a familiar sensation running through my antlers.

"Yeah, it's crazy. It's not like I'm gonna be out of school for long though. I got accepted into Northfield on a football scholarship." Jaden already seemed to be easing into the conversation.

I went with it. "Northfield? I thought they were kinda snooty."

"Mm... Maybe, but they're paying for me to go so it's no skin off my back. Actually, uh... I was gonna have a bit of a sendoff tomorrow." He looked away from me, as if he was ashamed.

"A sendoff? You mean, like, a party?"

He nodded. "Yeah, that's right. I was actually gonna talk to you about it sometime this week, but we kept missing each other, I guess." Jaden reached behind to scratch his head.

Eh, he's probably right. Just another mistake. "Sorry about that. Well, I'm not doing anything tomorrow. What time is it?"

"Around nine. You can stop by whenever though."

"Hmm... I just might..."

"And, uh... We could, you know catch up sometime. High school kinda..."

"I know. Me too," I said with a smile rapidly forming.

He smiled back. It didn't matter how hot I was, his warmth was always welcome.

"So, I'll see you then," he said, checking the bleachers behind him. His folks were up top somewhere, talking to the other parents. "Gotta plan stuff for later. Was nice talking again, Pete."

"Same here, Jay." Just before he left I asked, "Hey, still the same number, right?"

"Yeah. Never changed it." With that he headed up to the bleachers and found his folks.

In those last moments I forgot about the distraught I'd endured up until then. I held onto the precious memories of the past for so long I forgot that I could still change things in the future. Seeing Jaden again, talking to him--it changed me. It wasn't going to be the only thing to change either. Everything was going to be different after this party.

I was going to confess. Jaden was going to know who I really was.

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