Westfurd University| Chapter 2
Day: 1 - Thursday (Evening)
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The day went by quite quickly and I'm done with school for today. It's time to put plan B in practice.
I take a quick route to the main exit and wait hoping to get a second chance at striking conversation with the wolf~girl.
After a short wait I see her leaving a classroom and heading down the hall to where I am. I pretend to fiddle with my phone and headphones while she's on her way to the door. Why am I nervous ? I can only think to myself "Don't mess this up, don't mess this up".
I look back up to see her getting closer now. My heartbeat is louder than a drum kick! "It's now or never, just speak up" I think to myself.
Zarblu - Hey! I heard you're new here, I'm Zarblu. The drool guy from earlier ...
She giggles.
Ari - Hi. I'm Ari. I thought that silly puppy face you pulled was quite adorable actually. You know... not many people spoke with me today... Thanks
She says with a smile.
I blush at the puppy face comment and she can't help but giggle a little more.
Ari - Look, I'm sorry. It's nice talking to you and all but I have to cut it short. I still have to find a decent place to eat at before heading back to my apartment
Zarblu - The apartment complex on Rose Street ?
Ari - Yes, how do you- ?
Zarblu - It's where a big part of Westfurd students stay. There's a really nice place for us to eat at close to it. I can take you there if you want.
Ari - For US to eat ?
She replies raising an eyebrow.
At this point my face feels on fire. You could probably see me blushing from a mile away.
Zarblu - Erhm... Sorry. I mean... If you want to, of course...
Ari giggles to herself, grabs my hand and pulls me outside.
*Ari * - Sure. Let's go, I'm starving!
The outside air feels so refreshing on my face and I can feel myself calm down a little.
We exit the school gates and I notice she is still holding my hand. Unfortunately she does so too and stops immediately. I see her blushing for the first time, even though it's practically unnoticeable.
It's a short trip until we arrive at the place I told her about. I have never really eaten here and I told her it was good. I hope I don't regret it...
The place has a big sign above the door which says in a very slick font "West Petal Cafe".
I go in first, open the door for her and gesture with my other arm for her to enter in a very silly gentleman fashion. She giggles,bows playfully and goes in. I follow right behind.
The place has quite the nice atmosphere to it. There's a big counter with a bunch of stools, and there are tables lined up against a glass wall on the same side the door is. I let her pick a table and we sit down. There are a lot of faces I recognize from college, this cafe seems to be most frequented by the students at Westfurd.
The waitress comes take our order. We both go for something simple and just pick the daily meal.
While we wait for the meal I decide to speak with Ari to break the awkward silence that had settled.
Zarblu - You've got some pretty awesome piercings, you know?
Ari - Thank you. I noticed. I chose them myself. They didn't just appear there one day, you know?.
I give off a stare saying "Seriously?"
Ari - There goes the puppy face again ... I was just messing with you. Yours are pretty cool too.
I lightly laugh.
Zarblu - Thanks. That's not a compliment I'm used to getting.
Ari - Me neither actually...
I can see a frown creep across their face.
Zarblu - Hmm? What's wrong ?
Ari - It's just that reminded me of my parents... They never understood the look I chose for myself. In fact, they were disgusted by it and were always judging me. They always cared more for my sister Umi. She's that perfect type of girl that everyone loves. I've only been away from home for a week but, in a way I miss them... I... I'm sorry to bother you with this kind of shit. Just pretend I never told you anything.
Our food arrives at that moment.
Zarblu - It's fine, my parents never really approved it too. I know what you're going through. Everyone needs to have some sort of issue with their parents at some point in their lives. Some unlucky few even find a way to have more than just one issue...
Ari - And are you one of those ?...
Zarblu - Well... I guess you could say so... I never got to know my actual parents ...
I can see her eyes widen and her jaw drop.
Ari - I-I'm SO SORRY!
I can feel her urge to get up and leave.
Zarblu - No no no!
I put a hand on her shoulder.
Zarblu - It's fine. Don't worry about it. It was a long time ago... I wasn't even a year old when it happen... I've dealt with that truth already.
Ari looks at me with her eyes glimmering with tears.
I say jokingly.
Zarblu - Look at you. Now you're the one with the adorable puppy face.
I manage to snag a smile from her and she readjusts her chair. That urge to leave seemed to dissipate.
I stand there with a dumb smile stamped on my face waiting for her to recompose and hopefully give it back.
When she turns her head up she's the same Ari that pulled me here with that unique and intoxicating smile of hers.
We wolf down on the food without really speaking much more. It was quite an enjoyable meal.
We get out on the streets, say our goodbyes and she holds my hand for a moment
Ari - Thank you.
She gets close, gives me a kiss on the cheek, turns away and quickly heads in her apartment's direction.
I have never blushed this much before and my tail is wagging a bit uncontrollably.
I go to take my jacket off to cool down a bit and notice that I have a paper in my hand. It's a phone number.
When did she ?
Zarblu - You sneaky ... - I yell out. But she had already gone past the corner of the building and probably didn't hear it.
It's dark and late now, I should probably get some sleep. I head to my own resting place. The school dorms.
I'm tired.
I enter and immediately crash on the bed.