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"Senior year," said an anthropomorphic bat walking down a crowded high school hall way. "One last stretch, but this is going to be a long year."

Walking along side with the bat was an otter with uniquely sky-blue fur, and he simply nodded in agreement.

"But just think about finally becoming independent," replied Marian, a tall ferret and friend of the other two. "When are you going in for training Rye?"

"Beginning of next year," the otter answered with his eyes still staring ahead, to avoid bumping into someone. The high school hallway was very crowded with students forming dozens of different cliques. "I think I fly out when winter comes."

"That's coming up pretty quickly," Andy, the bat, commented. "Are you excited?"

"Yes and no," Rye responded. "I would much rather just get it over with."

"I understand how that is," said Marian.

"It's just like senior year of high school," Andy joked with a giggle. Both Rye and Marian smiled. "With you gone, the whole city will be otterless."

"Sorry," shrugged Rye, smiling.

The trio continued to walk down the school's hallways, exploring it to find their lockers. Conversations were easy to overhear with the excited students.

"I got accepted at Vulpine Institute!" yelled one of the students in the hallway.

"No, I dumped her last week," another student said. "She was way too needy."

Andy fell back when he found his locker, but Marian and Rye continued to visually scan the numbers on the lockers, searching for their own.

"So what's your first class Marian?" asked Rye, ignoring the loud roar of constant chatter.

The tall ferret double-checked a piece of paper on his folder before he answered, "International Languages."

"Tough class to start out with," Rye snickered. "Oh there's my locker!"

"I'll see you later then Rye," said Marian, while he continued on his treasure hunt.

"See you around," replied Rye who disappeared in the crowd of students. "Excuse me," the otter had to ask one of the other students who was leaning against his locker.

"Sorry bud," the lemur said, and shifted his weight onto his own two paws in order to allow Rye access to his locker. "So did anyone else get acceptance letters yet?"

"I got a rejection letter from Ardell," replied one of the lemur's friends. "I was so mad!"

Attempting to tune out the conversation, Rye focused on his locker combination. His first attempt to open the locker failed. "Darn thing," whispered Rye, reading the combination off his folder for a second time. Re-entering the numbers into the lock, the otter heard a small metallic click and the locker popped open.

"Rye!"

The otter jumped up and nearly fell back into the lemur he just invited to move out of the way. Looking to the right of his locker, there stood a grinning mare.

"Sorry," Rye apologized to the startled lemur. "Don't jump up on me like that Diane."

"You know you like it," Diane replied, peering into Rye's empty locker. Secretly Rye rolled his eyes but maintained his amiable attitude. "What did you do this summer?"

"I was working at the Lagoon most of the time," he replied.

"Was there a lot of hot chicks at Beach Lagoon this year?" she questioned, appearing to be in a playful mood.

"I was working," Rye repeated, closing his locker. "I don't have time to look at the other guests when one of them was drowning."

"But you would have noticed if there was one of your type," Diane persisted, squirming her way between Rye and the locker. "What's your first class, Otter?"

"Lutrachan and Canideran History."

"And after that?"

"Advanced Calculus," answered Rye. From the corner of his eye, Rye caught a glimpse of a white-furred body that drew his attention. Looking down the sea of fur, the otter was unable to see who the white-furred student was, but instead saw a pack of wolves walking down the hallway toward him.

"What is it?" asked Diane also, peeking in the direction of Rye's gaze. "See a hot girl?"

"I'm going to go look for Nate and Ariel," said Rye, ignoring the mare's questions. "I'll see you later."

"Okay, bye," Diane shouted at Rye who eagerly paced away.

Calmly walking down the hallway, Rye casually searched the students he has known and become best of friends with over the years.

"Hi Rye," a student would shout and wave to the otter.

"Hello Marvin," replied the otter without stopping.

Several students waved, nodded or said hello to the otter while he walked down the hall. Being the only otter in the school, Rye was somewhat popular among the students for that status alone, but his extremely friendly and intelligent personality has not only gained favor of students but most of his teachers as well.

"Rye, come on over here," yelled a wolf from one of the classroom doors.

"Hi Nate," Rye yelled back, brushing his way past students to get to the wolf.

"Come in," suggested the wolf, opening the door wider for Rye.

"Thanks," the otter said while he passed through the doorway. Entering the quieter classroom, Rye noticed that nearly a dozen of his friends were sitting on the desks and chatting among one another.

"Look who I found wandering out in the halls," announced Nate to the crowd, sitting on a desk with his tail wagging behind him.

"Rye!" shouted a variety of the students.

Smiling, Rye nodded to them recognizing all of them including Marian and Andy from earlier in the morning. A feline named Ariel sat with her feline boyfriend, and they both waved at Rye when he walked in too. The otter also sat on a desk, adjacent to his wolf and feline friends.

"So how was your summer?" asked Nate when the most of the students continued their own conversations.

"Productive," replied Rye. "I worked at the Lagoon all summer, and I've been working hard lately to prepare for the Amor games."

"That reminds me, Rye," Ariel spoke up. "I need to talk to you about the festivities sometime today."

"Okay, no problem," said Rye. "We'll talk at lunch since we only have a few minutes left until class."

"Go write your schedule on the board, Rye," suggested another one of Rye's friends, Shasta.

Studying the teacher's board, the otter noticed that all of his friends have wrote their schedules on the board, with a few lines connecting who has the same classes.

Rye jumped down from the desk and approached the white board. He grabbed a marker and quickly scribbled down his classes and room numbers.

"We have calculus together," mentioned Nate, watching Rye write the list of his classes. "No cheating off of my paper."

"If anyone would be cheating, it'd be you off of my paper," Rye responded with a chuckle while he wrote his last class on the board.

"Whatever you say buddy. You and Shasta have International Language together, he'll be glad of that since he's practically alone in the rest of his classes."

The otter studied the other schedules on the board and compared them to his own. It was true that the squirrel would be in Rye's Language class but no one else from crowd in the classroom would be. Marian was in his Basic Interstellar Science class. A few other of the friends were in other random classes, so Rye was pleased with the outcome of his and his friends' schedules.

"Rye," said Ariel. "Did you hear that there's a new otter in town?"

"Ariel," shouted Shasta. "I was going to tell him about that."

Ariel grinned at the squirrel in response and waited for the otter to reply.

"No," admitted Rye. "But that's probably just another exaggerated rumor."

"I hear that he's a third-year in this school," Shasta said eagerly. "He also has his own place, like you."

"Just think of it," Ariel said. "There'll be another otter in town for the first time in years to finally defeat Rye in the pool."

"Another otter who also goes to this school?" questioned Rye, gazing at Shasta and Ariel. They both nodded. "What do you have to say about this Nate? It sounds like a bunch of exaggerated gossip."

"I think I saw the other otter," Nate replied smiling at Rye in a suspicious manner. "I didn't get a chance to approach him, but it is exciting to think that someone else can compete against Rye in the matches."

"Keep dreaming. Anyway, we should go find our classes. There's only two minutes until they start."

Rye hopped down from the desk again, with several of the other students deciding to do the same.

"I'll see you all later," Rye said, walking out of the door with Nate and Shasta.

Departing from the crowd, the otter navigated through the student-filled hallways in search of his first class. Shortly after, the school bell rang to signal the students to head to class and quickly the hallways became traffic lanes of students.

"Hello there Rye."

Glancing to his side, Rye saw a rabbit he barely knew and rarely spoke to. "Hi Caitlyn."

"I saw you speaking to Diane," she informed the otter. "Did you ask her out on a date yet?"

"No," replied Rye a little shorter than he meant.

"Okay, so Diane might not be your type," Caitlyn said. "But a few of us girls in the Squad are getting worried that you don't date anyone. I mean, everyone knows you don't date and that's just kind of weird."

"What squad?" he asked.

"Cheerleading, dummy!" Caitlyn replied sarcastically.

"Why are you so curious anyway?" asked Rye, counting down the room numbers to his classroom. "I simply have no desire to date while in high school. There are simply too many obligations and commitments to fulfill after graduation. Anyway here's my class, I'll catch up with you later Caitlyn."

"Okay, I'll talk to you then," replied the rabbit and she continued with the traffic down the hallway.

Entering the classroom, the otter noticed that only about half a dozen of students were in the dark classroom. Poster boards decorated the room's walls and several mobile white boards were in the front of the classroom along with a podium, where the muskrat teacher stood.

"Rye," he exclaimed. "Now what brings you to my class?"

"History," answered Rye sarcastically. He knew the teacher, but not very well. "Believe it or not, I am not in the pool every hour I'm on campus."

A white furred student sitting in a desk against the far wall drew the otter's attention. The conversation with the teacher forgotten in an instant while several thoughts raced through his mind. The short muzzle, the ling whiskers, the short round ears, the long thick tail; another otter was sitting in Rye's first class of the day.

"I've heard otherwise from the coach," said the teacher.

Rye mumbled a response. No other otter had been a resident anywhere near Rye since he moved out of his parents almost four years ago.

He's really cute! thought Rye. His heart rate accelerated with blood rushing to the tips of his ears because the new otter was so attractive.

"Have a seat anywhere," continued the muskrat once it was clear that Rye's attention was elsewhere. The teacher went back to preparing his lessons, somewhat displeased about being ignored by the student.

"Thanks," mumbled Rye, eyes focused on the new otter. He was fighting back a smile, not only learning that there is another otter in town but also that the otter is a very attractive male otter. Luckily the other otter was staring down at his PawPad, reading some document on the screen for the moment.

Without thinking, his body brought Rye over to the desk of the new otter. He must have sensed Rye's presence because he looked up at him with sparkling emerald eyes, nearly taking his breath away.

"Hi," said Rye sheepishly before he managed to recover from his shock. He sat casually next to the new student.

"Hello," the new student said once Rye was seated. "Thank goodness."

"I'm sorry?" Rye questioned, confused by the new otter's statement.

"I thought I was the only otter in this city, and that would have been very sad," said the new student, chuckling.

"Imagine how I've felt for the past four years," admitted Rye with a giggle. "But it's something I've gotten used to."

"Again, thank goodness you're here otherwise I'd have to be forced to adapt to that situation as well," the new student replied.

"Honestly though, it's something I've never fully grew comfortable with, but now I am glad to have another otter in school with me," Rye honestly admitted. "My name is Rye."

"My name is Cloud Waters. I'm new to the Ab Amor."

"You couldn't have chosen a better city to come to." Rye smiled at the formality of the new otter. "My last name is CoHeart."

"That's unique."

"Thanks. Hey, would you like to sit with my friends and me during lunch? Since you're new, I'll be able to introduce you to a lot of students here at Ab Amor High School."

"I wouldn't mind," Cloud claimed. "Thank you."

"So what brings you to Ab Amor?" asked Rye.

Before Cloud could answer, the final school bell rang the teacher immediately called for the chatter to quiet down.

"Good morning students," the teacher announced immediately. "I'm Mr. Mane. If you are not supposed to be in History of the sister planets Lutracha and Canidera, then you're in the wrong class." One of the whiteboards started to glow while a screen full of text appeared. "This is the curriculum of what you'll be studying this semester. The first several weeks, we will be discussing the history of Lutracha and how it came to be the superpower. This discussion will include the first communication and alliance between Lutracha and this planet, Canidera. At the end of the semester, you should be able to tell me what key events led up to Lutracha's downfall."

The class went over rather standard, with their textbooks being downloaded to each student's individual PawPad and homework being assigned. Mr. Mane was a serious teacher, to the disappointment of many of the students, but when the lectures were over he allowed them to continue working or socialize if they wish to.

"I guess we already have homework then," commented Rye, glancing over at Cloud. Surprisingly, Cloud was already filling out the assignment that was just downloaded to his PawPad, with all the other information required for the class. Everything he'd need was in that small device.

"I think I'll be able to have it finished by lunch," said Cloud, saving his assignment and filing it away. "I'm on number six now."

"You don't like to waste time," Rye responded, standing and stretching his legs.

"I don't want to make a mistake and not have time to fix it."

"Nice philosophy," admitted Rye, leaning against his claimed desk. "Do you double check your work all the time?"

"Nope." Cloud also stood, stretched and then half sat on his own desk.

"So where did you move from?"

"Small city half a planet away. I moved here myself over the summer."

Rye nodded, deciding not to pursue the topic any further. "What class do you have next?"

"Psychology 3.0," answered Cloud. "What's your class?"

"Advanced Calculus. It'll be a tough class to have this early in the morning."

"I can imagine," said Cloud, standing again. Only a moment later the school bell rang. "I guess I'll see you at lunch."

"My friends and I sit at the big table near the west entrance of the cafeteria," Rye mentioned to Cloud, while they both were walking out of the classroom. "I'll meet you at that entrance."

"Okay, I'll see you later," said Cloud. Both otters stared and smiled at each other, before they departed. After they went separate ways, Rye sighed and was unable to prevent himself from grinning ridiculously.

We really seem to be getting along, he thought. Again joining the student traffic lanes, Rye travelled to his next class and pondered over his thoughts. I might have been the first one to talk to him, a new student. And oh my gosh, he is so cute.

Within a few minutes, Rye was seated in his calculus class but he had to wait for the remaining students to arrive and for the class to start. When Rye's wolf friend entered, he waved and allowed Nate to settle in an adjacent desk.

"Ready for Calculus?" asked Nate, fiddling with his binder.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Rye answered. "You were right though, there is a new otter in town."

"Really?" Nate questioned, focusing his full attention on Rye. "Did you meet him? He so has to come to the Amor games."

"Yes, he's in my first class," said Rye with excitement. "He's really-" the otter stuttered and fought an overwhelming urge to express how attractive the new student was to him. "-really, uh, an otter. I invited him to sit with us at lunch."

"Great," replied Nate, failing to notice, or ignoring Rye's stutter. "We'll ask him to come to the Amor games then."

"I was planning on it," said Rye excitedly, eager to talk about Cloud. "It'd be a lot of fun to have him there."

"I'll be on his team so I can get a few more free shots at you," boasted Nate.

"He'd be better on my team," Rye claimed, smiling at the fantasy of the white otter playing a game of laser tag with him.

"Yes but two otters on the same team would be too powerful," Nate warned. "I can beat you enough but against two otters, even I would be helpless."

Rye chuckled. "In the tournaments we'd all be on the same team."

Before they could continue their conversation, the bell rang again and the teacher immediately called for the class's attention like the previous class. Calculus class operated similar to the otter's history class and seemed to end rather quickly even though the bell had to cut the lesson short. Both Rye and Nate bade farewell before they separated to walk to their next class of the day.

Optimism blossomed in the otter while lunched steadily approached, and he quickly grew accustomed to be assigned homework in every class for the first day back to school. With a heavy binder, Rye exited his third class of the day after the lunch bell rang and nearly trotted toward the cafeteria. Being caught in the crowd heading toward lunch, the otter was slowed down to a painful pace.

Although the otter arrived a few minutes after the bell, Rye failed to catch a glimpse of the new student. Resisting against the mass wave of fur headed into the cafeteria, the otter leaned against the wall and waited at the cafeteria entrance.

"Rye?" shrieked a voice that caused Rye's spine to shiver. "Are you not eating?"

Glancing toward the source of the voice, there Diane emerged from the sea of fur.

"Yes I'll be eating in a moment," answered Rye while avoiding eye contact. "I'm waiting for one of my friends first."

"I hope it's not that Ariel girl again," Diane attempted to joke, moving uncomfortably close to the otter. "You know she has a boyfriend now and she's neverbeen interested in you. Hey! I have an idea, I'm going out for lunch. You should come with me."

"No thanks," the otter responded as politely as he could, while also holding back an irritated scuff. "I'm waiting for the new otter, I'm going to show him around."

"Let him find his own friends," Diane remarked. "Come on, we'll go to a place of your choice. It'll be fun!"

"No Diane," said Rye with his irritation leaking through his tone, finally glancing at her.

"Don't be such a queer. Fine, it's your loss."

"Queer?" Rye exasperated under his breath after the mare walked away and disappeared into the crowd. Frustrated, the otter attempted to calm himself and checked the time again. Five minutes have gone by since the bell last rang.

His anger quickly turned into worry when another five minutes went by as the otter began to fear that he had been forgotten or avoided by the new otter. The crowds had thinned out, and there was still no sign of the white-furred otter. Two more minutes went by and Rye also began worrying if he unintentionally looked at the new otter a wrong way to upset him. Diminishing with his hope, was his appetite and Rye no longer felt hungry after the fourteenth minute went by.

However, only a minute after that, Rye caught a glimpse of the otter walking in his direction from the same hallway that he originally came from.

"Hey," Cloud greeted him. "Sorry, I'm late. I got lost. I had no idea this cafeteria has so many doors."

"It's okay," said Rye, with all his worries forgotten. "The campus can be a little difficult to learn. It's shaped like a labyrinth. Come on, let's get some food."

"Again, sorry," repeated the new otter, walking along side with Rye toward the food counters.

"Don't worry about it," Rye said. "What are you getting for lunch?"

"Simple sandwich will do," Cloud answered, grabbing one of the pre-packed lunch bags.

Rye also grabbed a meal and they both went back toward the seating area after paying. Guiding the new student to a large and crowded table, Rye's friends made room for them both.

"Hey Rye," a few of his friends greeted him.

Sitting next to one of the friends that were in the classroom before school, Rye offered the adjacent seat to Cloud. With Rye to his right, Nate happened to be sitting on Cloud's left.

"Hi," said Nate, turning his attention to the two otters. "So you're the new otter that everyone's talking about. I'm Nate, leader of this poor excuse of a pack."

"You wish Nate," remarked Rye, taking a bite of his sandwich.

"I'm Cloud Waters," responded Cloud with a friendly smile. He quickly dug into his lunch bag and pulled out his sandwich and the fruit and cookies that came with it.

"You're new to this school, right?" Nate asked. His own paper bag was crumpled up next to him.

"Yeah," Cloud answered, unwrapping the sandwich and taking a bite. "I moved here over the summer."

"So how long has Rye been staring at you today?" asked Nate, snickering.

"What!?" shouted Rye choking on his food. With his mind racing, Rye grew paranoid and worried over what Nate could have possibly meant by that.

"I didn't notice any staring," answered Cloud shyly. "Why would he?"

"Because he has to be checking out the competition," Nate said still snickering. "Another otter would naturally threaten Rye. He is very insecure after all."

"Oh shut up Nate," snapped Rye, relaxing now that he knew Nate was just joking around. "I'm not threatened by you, Cloud. He's more than welcome here since I no longer will go insane seeing every species but another otter. Nate will be threatened because he always loses at underwater laser tag against me."

Cloud giggled and continued eating.

"Sure, whatever," the wolf said sarcastically. "You caught me."

"Where's Ariel?" asked Rye, looking around the table. "She'd want to meet you, Cloud. She's really obnoxious but fun."

"I think she went out for lunch with Patrick," Nate answered.

"Aw, you'll meet her some other time," said Rye. "So do you live on your own as well?"

"I do," Cloud answered. "I live in the apartments on Tropical Street. Amor Springs Apartments."

"Really?" Rye asked astonished. "I live in the apartments just across the street. You should come over sometime."

"I don't see why not."

"You never invite me over," whined Andy from across the table.

"That's because you never came over when I did invite you," responded Rye with a smirk. "Oh, Cloud this is Andy. Andy, Cloud."

With a few additional introductions and casual chatter, lunch quickly passed. But the otter's casually became acquainted with each other, and a friendship was quickly seeded between the two. A majority of the students around the table departed to go participate in other activities, while Rye, Cloud and Nate remained behind with a few others to chat.

"Sure, I took those classes last year," said Rye, answering one of Cloud's questions. "Whenever you have an assignment you're struggling with, just come on over and I'll try my best to help you with it."

"Sounds like a plan," replied Cloud. "So what's your next class?"

"Physical education," Rye answered, standing from the cafeteria table.

"Me too," said Cloud enthusiastically. "With Coach Kirkland?"

"Yes indeed," confirmed Rye, unable to help but grin. He did have another class with the cute new otter in town.

"I'll see you guys later then," said Nate, walking out of the cafeteria.

"Mind showing me where the gym is?" Cloud asked innocently. Both otters also exited the cafeteria with Rye leading.

"Follow me, sir," responded Rye. Leading Cloud through the lesser-crowded hallways, they both soon exited the school building and walked among the paths in the landscaping. Within a couple minutes, the otters entered the noisy locker room.

"I've been assigned to locker three-twelve for this class," Cloud mentioned, reading over his schedule and passing by other students.

"I have," Rye began, reading his own schedule, "four-zero-one." Both the otters searched the locker room for their lockers, and Rye was quickly able to find his. "Here's mine."

"Mine's right here too," said Cloud when he scanned the lockers opposite of where Rye's was located. Both otters would be in the same row to change in.

"I left my clothes in my car but we don't need them for today anyway," Rye commented while he tested his second locker combination. This one opened without a hinge, and Rye was able to store his binder and folders in it with plenty of room remaining.

"I didn't bring mine at all," replied Cloud while he also stored away his other school gear.

After both otters stored their binders in their lockers, Rye led the new student out to the field. At first walking out into the air, the otters felt a little chilled but once the bright sun rayed down on them for a moment, the cool breeze soon became welcomed. Walking across the green grassy field, the otters joined up with several students in their class that had already arrived and were talking among themselves.

The bright afternoon sun made the cold breeze that brushed through the students' fur welcome. One of the bodies among the masses was taller and older looking. The coach has appeared on the field and immediately commanded for the students to gather around him.

"I'm Coach Kirkland," he began in a rough barking voice. "Welcome to my gym class, kids. Now I've been requested to be light on the lot of you today by the other teachers and just introduce you to my course but I have other things planned."

A crooked smile spread across Rye's muzzle, familiar with the tough talk.

"Now since none of you brought any gym clothes to wear, then you're going to be hot, sweaty and smelly for the rest of the day," Kirkland continued, while the remaining students gathered around. "You know what you need to bring to my class, and if you don't then let me inform you. Bring gym shorts, sweats, and any t-shirt you want by the next time I see you. Now to get you aquatinted with your classmates, we're going to begin stretches and then go for a little run. And the real fun will begin tomorrow."

"What does he mean by that?" Cloud asked in a hushed voice to the native otter.

"He always talks tough but he's not that bad," he answered, following the Coach's stretching examples. "The Coach always tries to make his students get in shape which can be a bit tough for some but he's not overly rude. Instead he's more motivating than anything."

"I hope you're right," muttered the white otter, beginning the warm-up stretches as well.

While the Coach enforced his authority over the new batch of students he had for the semester, Rye was separated from Cloud occasionally and was even placed on opposing teams when gym class began playing a couple of different sports.

Side-by-side, the exhausted otters stumbled into the locker room and went over to their lockers to relax and gather their things for their next class.

Cloud looked nervously at a few of the students headed toward the shower. "Are students required to shower?"

"No," Rye answered. "A few do because they have heavier fur, but even I don't shower after gym when it's after lunch. There are only two classes remaining so I can shower when I get home."

"That makes sense," Cloud agreed with Rye's philosophy. "I guess we don't smell too bad."

"Well, we're just used to it so we probably will still stink up the whole school," said Rye, chuckling to himself. "So how're you getting home today?"

"By this ancient technique called 'walking'" Cloud answered sarcastically and giggled.

"What's that supposed to mean, Cloud?" challenged Rye, taking a stance in front of Cloud.

"Nothing," he responded innocently.

"Anyway," said Rye with a smile while he sat back on the bench. "Walking can be tough when it's this hot outside. The apartments aren't far but that much time in the heat can be damaging."

"I'll stay hydrated."

"I'll give you a ride home," suggested Rye, standing up with books in paw.

"No thanks," Cloud said and smiles at Rye. "It really isn't that much trouble."

"You're right, it isn't that much trouble," Rye agreed returning the smile. "Please allow me to give you a ride. If the new otter to the school died from heat exhaustion, I'll be all alone again."

Cloud laughed. "Well, when you put it that way..."

"It's agreed then. What's your next class?"

"International Health."

"Damn, it would be nice if we had more classes together. Anyway, I must go. My next class is a little far off."

"Alright, see you after school."

"Meet me by the main entrance after school, so I can give you a ride."

"Okay. See you around."

"See you later."

Upon departing from the locker room, and heading toward his next class, Rye reflected on his own actions when around Cloud. Paranoid thoughts about scaring Cloud off entered his mind several times, but Rye always reassured himself that Cloud was being just as friendly as he was.

Interstellar Sciences dragged on while Rye sat in his chair and listened to the lab teacher present her speech on lab safety and the semester's curriculum. The otter's paranoid thoughts did disappear however and were replaced of daydreaming about spending time with his new friend.

These daydream fantasies followed Rye into his next class, Government Practices. What seemed to have taken the twice as long as the first half of the day, Rye managed to get out of the last two classes of the day and he quickly joined the crowded hallways. The students all talked excitedly, many talking about a festival of games and the roar of chatter was almost deafening to Rye.

Quickly, he exited the building and walked onto the campus' lawn where he waited for Cloud. A constant stream of students followed Rye out of the building and dissipated out among the parking lot. Several minutes went by, and Rye continued sifting the crowd with his eyes in search of his new friend.

Before he could spot the white otter, another one of Rye's friends ran up to him shouting his name.

"Rye!" shouted Ariel, waving her paw in the air to get his attention. Running up to him, she was accompanied by two of her other friends. "Sorry I stood you up at lunch."

"You didn't 'stand me up' Ariel," he replied sarcastically. "You simply abandoned a friend."

"Oh come on," whined Ariel playfully. "That's not fair. Anyway, what did you need to talk to me about?"

"I wanted to confirm the date of the Ab Amor games-" Rye started.

"Last day of the week, with Beach Lagoon from after school to night fall," finished Ariel enthusiastically. "And my place after that."

"What time do you want people to start leaving?" he asked, leaning back against the school's walls.

"Midnight would be fine, but we'll have lodging for anyone who can't make it home after then, like the end of the year Games. Oh and for the Winter Games, my parents are thinking of adding more festive touches."

Both the otter and the feline continued to discuss details of the Ab Amor Games, which not only them but the entire school body was very excited for. Rye constantly scanned over Ariel in search of the new otter. When he didn't see Cloud, Rye felt a little more depressed and his paranoid thoughts returned to that Cloud somehow forgot about his offer, or simply skipped out on it.

"Don't worry the pool will be ready," Rye stated.

"Good," responded Ariel. "I can't wait. Oh, I heard more about this supposedly new otter in town. Rumor has it that he's albino."

"He's not albino," replied Rye, chuckling. Being reminded of the topic, again Rye scanned the crowd of students that seem to be hanging around the campus. When his paranoid thoughts began to creep back in his mind, he spotted a white furred body standing out among the multicolored student bodies. "There he is, he's waiting for me. I'm giving him a ride today so I'll have to catch up with you again later."

"Now you're abandoning me."

"Sorry," said Rye sharing a laugh with Ariel.

"I'll catch up with you tomorrow," Ariel said and turned toward her own vehicle in the parking lot.

"Cloud," announced Rye as he maneuvered around the other students and approached the white otter. "Sorry I made you wait. Are you ready to go?"

"Mhmm," Cloud nodded. "There's no need to apologize."

"Still" Rye said with a giggle. "Shall we?"

Leading his new friend to his car, Rye had to dodge some of the cars that were slowly moving toward the exits of the parking lot. When he pulled out his keys for the Cheetah BX-C, Cloud laughed nervously again.

"You're kidding right?" Cloud asked with his eyes wide and staring at the car. "This is your car?"

"What?" asked Rye modestly while he seated himself in the driver's seat. "Do you not want to ride in my car?"

"I'm just not sure that this is your car," admitted Cloud, cautiously sitting in the passenger seat. "This is a veryexpensive car. How'd you afford to get one?"

"Gift that was mostly paid for" replied Rye and shrugged. Turning on the radio, but not the engine, Rye shifts through his music player for a favored song. "I hope you don't mind but I don't like idling in that line waiting to get out."

"No problem," Cloud said. "I've never sat in a BX-C before."

"Don't act like it'll be the last time," Rye said smiling. After deciding on a song, he sets the music player down and then glanced up at the sky. "It's really hot today, aren't you glad you didn't have to walk?"

Cloud giggled. "It is pretty warm today. I'll stay inside and just do my homework for today."

With an idea popping into his head, Rye exclaimed, "You should come over today so we can work on our homework together then."

Cloud glanced at Rye with a smile. "I don't want to be a bother and intrude your home."

"It's really not a problem at all. I live alone so I'm more than open to the idea of having you keep me company for most of the day."

"If you insist, but no cheating off of my papers. I just need to stop by my place and get something to eat first."

Laughing, Rye nodded while he started the engine of his car. Without much more delay, Rye joins the traffic on the main road and drove toward the apartment buildings. Not even five minutes elapsed before he turned his car into the gated entrance of the apartment buildings that Cloud lived in.

"My apartment number is 449, which is in the back of the property. Park there." Directing the driver to a vacant designated parking spot, Rye wondered where Cloud's car was, or if he even had one.

"Do you not have a car?" Rye asked.

"No, I can't afford one right now," Cloud answered, trying to be humorous about it. "I can barely afford the apartment, which I can only do because I do slave work on the property every so often."

"And what about food? Recreation?"

Cloud chuckled. "I don't need to be worrying about having fun right now. I'm using the money that I've been saving up for food and other necessities. I don't eat a lot or use a lot of things anyway."

"Okay, wait," Rye said firmly. "You're coming over to my place and you can eat there."

"I can't eat your food," remarked Cloud.

"Are you saying I'm a bad cook?" replies the otter with a playfully saddened tone. "No wonder why you're so skinny, because you're malnourished so I'm going to feed you."

"You're quite persistent. I still don't feel right eating your food."

"If you want then you can cook for me instead."

Both of the otters shared a laugh, while Cloud re-buckled his safety belt. Waiting patiently, he watched Rye back the car up and drive off the property before simply crossing the street to his own apartment building. In less than two minutes, the engine was shut off and Cloud removed his safety belt and stepped out of the car with Rye. In a different environment, the white otters seemingly stepped directly in the paw prints of Rye while he was led toward the apartment door of number one hundred.

"Here we are," said Rye, opening the door and allowing Cloud to enter.

Passing the sofa that faced the large screen entertainment system; Rye threw his books on the dining table and motioned for Cloud to do the same. A rug lay on the floor, with a sofa parallel to the wall where the television was located. Between the two was a coffee table, with sand and shells in glass bowls rested on top. A "love" seat was on the opposite end of the room. To the right was a low counter, separating the kitchen from the living room that stretched halfway across both rooms and stopped at the dining room where the table was found.

"So what am I cooking you today?" Cloud asked Rye.

"Nothing," he answered. "I have left over fish that I'm just going to warm up."

"Hey, you tricked me!" exclaimed Cloud.

Fetching the fish from the refrigerator, Rye only giggled. A few seconds later, the fish was sizzling on a skillet. "Make yourself comfortable," he said. "So what classes do you have homework for?"

"Let me see," replied the white otter as he sat down at the dining table and sifted through his files on his PawPad. "History, Economics and Astronomy."

"You got into Astronomy? Lucky, that class is always full."

With the fish aroma filling the air, the two otters grew hungrier and Rye prematurely decided that the fish was warm enough. Pulling a chair up next to Cloud, he sat and offered the food to the otter along with a fork.

"I hope you don't mind too much if we eat off the same plate," Rye questioned.

"I don't mind," replied Cloud, taking a bite of the fish. "What homework do you have?"

"History, International Languages and Calculus," answered Rye. "Let's work on history first."

"Sounds good to me."

For the better part of two hours, the otters worked on their homework until it was complete. The homework was simple enough but time consuming. Neither otter seemed to mind however, since they could enjoy each other's company for longer.

"That one is the Black Line," exclaimed Rye, answering one of Cloud's questions.

"I know," he replied. "But I still want to look it up in the text to see if there's anything else we're supposed to know." Reading the text, the white otter finally wrote the answer in and put the assignment away.

"Now with that done, I'm going to make sure I have gym clothes for tomorrow," Rye suggested. "Do you have any at your place?"

"I have an old pair of gym shorts and a few extra shirts lying around that I can use," answered Cloud.

"That won't do," said Rye, walking off beyond the living room and disappearing into the bedroom. Returning shortly, Rye held a pair of gym shorts and a white shirt in his paws and he tossed them over to Cloud. "Those should fit you."

"What are these?" he asked, confused.

"Clothes," replied Rye teasingly. "My mom got them for me but they're a bit too small so I figure you can have them. I needed to get rid of them somehow. Now try them on and see if they fit you better than they do me."

"You're feeding me and clothing me? I feel like a child," remarked Cloud, walking toward the bedroom.

"Well, stop acting like a child and just go try them on," Rye insisted.

"Yes, sir!" he replied mockingly.

Unwilling to admit, Rye knew he enjoyed Cloud's company too much and that he was beginning to become worried that he wouldn't have any reason for Cloud to stick around his place much longer. He was pleased that Cloud was willing to accept his clothes as a gift, and that he modeled them for Rye. He continued to come up with activities to keep Cloud around, such as watching television and rechecking their homework but eventually the white otter had to go home because it was growing late.

"I had a lot of fun, thank you for having me over," he said.

"You can come over any time you want, you don't even have to call ahead," stated Rye, standing at the doorway with Cloud.

"Thank you," replied Cloud with a grin. "I will see you tomorrow at class then."

"I'll see you then... otter," Rye said, smiling.

They exchanged one last glance of friendly smiles before Cloud turned and started to walk back to his apartment, despite Rye's pleas to drive him. He wanted to offer to walk him back to his place but he felt that would have come off too strong.

Slowly shutting the door, the otter felt depressed and he slowly walked into his room. Turning off the lights, he lay down on his bed without even bothering to undress. Lying on his side, Rye's thoughts were filled of the time he spent with the new otter. Eventually, he pulled a pillow to his chest, hugged it and imagined it to be his new otter friend, Cloud.