FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

I wake up to the sun beaming in my eyes. My body wants to stay in bed, but my mind says, “It's time to get up, lazy." I stretch and yawn in response to my body agreeing to fully awaken. In the main room of the dorm, I hear someone clapping and cheering. I get up out of bed and walk towards the door to see a very familiar yellow and brown-furred person. It was, of course, Dex sitting in his chair looking at his phone, probably watching a game.

I go back to my room discovering nothing to worry about until I notice what time it is.

“Dammit! I have to go to the library today," I say aloud. My voice bellows out enough for Dex and any other of our neighbors to possibly hear. Thankfully, this doesn't bring any unwarranted attention.

I take haste and get ready, so I can reach my scheduled time at the library. I grab my clothes for the day and head to the shower though I am interrupted from a completely relaxed Dex.

“Whoa, James, what's the rush?"

“I am running late for something. I can't talk now," I tell him as I close the bathroom door.

After I take a quick five-minute shower, I do my hygiene routine, put my clothes on, and prepare to leave. I forgot about one thing, however: my hair. I quickly grab my brush and wave my hair back towards the nape of my neck. After I am content with what I look like, I walk out of the door heading back to my bedroom, so I can retrieve my computer and book bag. I then head back to the main room of the dorm.

Dex looks up from his phone.

“Hey James." I stop. “Where are you going this time of the day?" he asks, with a tone of a protective parent. I decide to play along with his little game but only for the moment.

“Dad, I'm going to the Library; it's not like I'm going to do drugs."

“Okay then have fun."

Before I could leave out the door, he speaks again, this time consenting.

“Thanks for last night, James. You really helped me when I needed it, like usual." He folds his legs like a typical father would on a Sunday morning. The stereotypical father would, of course, have a newspaper, but instead, Dex uses his phone. I smirk at the small act we performed. If I say so myself, I like how he acted through his normal self is always welcome. Anyway, I leave the room and make my way outside to the sidewalk.

Today is a very scenic and beauteous day, perfect for a picnic. I see various people jogging around or on bicycles riding down the sidewalk or in bike lanes. They were probably running late, or possibly trying to get some exercise. It makes sense since it's still early in the morning for a little exercise. Maybe someday, Dex and I can go for a jog.

Speaking of Dex, I can't believe Kev said that last night, even if he was drunk. He sounded as though he knew already. I'm sure it was just a coincidence, and it's some usual football teammate banter. What if it's not? Kev needs to apologize for either way.

After my scrambling thoughts about last night were finished, I return to the reality of where I was going. Not noticing a blind spot, I bump into someone on accident.

She looks back, noticing that I caught her from falling and meeting the hard cold concrete.

“Oh, thank you, James." The look on her face was a blend of relief and thankfulness. I recognize her as Jena.

I pull her up to the sidewalk, and she picks up the things she dropped. This is very awkward but nice that I was able to help her. I fail to hear her ask me her question, but the second time I was listening.

“James? I was asking where you were going?"

“Oh." My face gets warm. “I was heading to the library to study."

She looks at me with a sad smile. “Oh well, I just came from there, and it won't be open today. Pest problem."

“Hey, probably from all of that food we had at the party. We certainly went wild, right?" I joke.

She laughs at my joke, a very cute chuckle at that.

“Oh, okay, it wasn't that funny. It's a little depressing to hear that news; I was hoping to do some extra studying in there. I guess I could go back to my dorm room," I say as I got ready to leave and walk back to my dorm room.

“Wait, James." She grabs my shoulder. “Would you like to…go to the park?" She asks me, hesitating at the end of her question. This is one of the rare times a girl that wasn't Gloria invites me to spend time with them. I am nervous and rather timorous about my answer. I want to go with her, yet I don't feel very persuaded with the idea of advancing towards a relationship.

“James just stop!" Dex's voice shouts in my head. “Just be friends. Stop overthinking this."

I tell Jena my answer: “Yeah, sure it would be nice."

She grinned from ear to ear, showing great gratitude. We both walk to the park together, the want of holding hands so acute.

At the park we saw quite a lot of people there, some in pairs and others alone. Many people go to the park usually to have lunch there and converse. Typically some people bring a football or frisbee and toss it around for awhile. I find us both a bench to sit on and I guess “hang out". It's a good seat near a tree providing us both shade and a nice scenery of oblong shadows on the ground. We sit there staring at the small meadow in front of us. We both see some people passing by and several or more figures playing catch in the distance behind them. Today is still a nice day to be outside so taking advantage of it is to be expected. I start talking small to Jena as I open up my Physics book and read its contents. Though the conversation grew a little boring at first with snippets of contemplating the weather and homework problems, I try to spice it up.

“So Jena, how did you meet Kev? You look like you two know each other."

“I met him through my roommate, Chloe. She's his girlfriend; they've been dating for about two years now. Kev started talking to me when he figured out that my degree is in computer software development, meaning that I could help him with his math and science courses. I only helped because he was my friend's boyfriend. Honestly, I think he's a douche sometimes. The way he talks with such sickening bravado, the personal questions he asks, and worst of all, his drinking habits. Just a big, furry douche."

“Yeah I can preach to the drinking, especially from last night." I flip a couple pages.

“You actually hang out with him?" She asks.

“No, not on a regular basis, but Dex said he wanted to see me yesterday. It was weird, but I had a modestly good time."

She had a confused look on her face. “That is a little queer of him."

I silently cringed at that fateful word.

“Regardless, I understand what you mean about him. I mean, you would think he was a fox more than an actual wolf right?"

She laughs a bit. “Yeah, give him a bandana and put it around his eyes. Call him a raccoon."

I then join in her laughing and bantering about Kev looking like different animals.

The day at the park is warm and relaxing, but I need to do more than just sit. My limbs need to breathe, need to be active, limber even. I almost never feel this way. Usually, I would want to do something inactive and by myself. Jena's presence and my commitment as an outdoorsman are shocking enough for me to do something I would never suggest to do, actually get out of my comfort zone.

“James," she grabs my attention. “Would you like to go to the mall today? Well, more precisely right now?"

I had to think about this thoroughly before I could make a decision. It's already enough she asked me to go to the park. I'm out of my box already; what will she want with taking me out even further? Regardless, I can't turn down this request; I may never have this opportunity again.

“Sure, Jena. If you don't mind me asking: why at this moment specifically?"

She sits there in silence, letting the wind play with her hair, moving it in all directions the breeze carried it. I can hear a little mutter from her, but I can't make it out.

“Well," she speaks up, “I was going to get something for Chloe, and it would be nice if I had some company. You know your real opinion on what to get."

“Wouldn't you want to go with Kev?" I make an excuse.

“That would make sense. He would know that sort of thing. Then again, I want to know you more, and I feel as though the mall is a better place to talk."

She does have a point, but that is very odd that should ask me for the sake of Chloe instead of Kevin.

“Well since you really want me to go. Sure, let's go then."

She seems a little enthused, evident in the change of a straight face to a nice smile. I will ask her why she is being very clingy to me, a guy she has only met three times in under two days. She is hiding something, and I don't feel comfortable with her acting as though nothing is wrong.

Regardless of the thoughts in my head, she grabs my hand and helps me stand. As my hand is being held, I feel as though my whole world was just nuked into oblivion and recreated à la the Big Bang. Except for these waves of emotion, we're bringing waves of warmth instead of nuclear composition.

“Come on. Let's go." She leads me towards the existing path of the park.

“Wait, what about my belongings? Can I at least drop those off at my dorm room?"

“Sure. I..." she calms down a great bit and gains her original composure. “This is the first time a guy heard me out and wanted to go with me somewhere."

“Hey, it's fine Jena. I will be right back. Anywhere specific you want to meet?"

“Well how about at the South parking lot? We can meet there at my car. It's a black Sedan, second row from the left."

I nod and walk off back to my dorm room. I can't explain to her how I really feel about this situation. Some part of me is concerned, the other enthralled. Usually, people don't jump at the chance to hang out with the person they just met. There's usually a time period or level of propinquity required for this. Then again, if there really is something wrong, then I should help her as best as I could help her.

This walk to the dorm room is very different. When I would go back to my temporary home after a similar situation arose, I would ask myself why I don't try to help, but this time it's different. I want to know what's going on with her. Completely ignoring everyone around me on the labyrinth of sidewalks, my encounter with Jena and what she said is what my brain focuses on. The breeze is not felt, and the afternoon sun is not blinding me, for my mindset is centered on that rendezvous with Jena after I finish putting my study materials back.

When I walk up the stairs to the dorm room, I try my best to think about other things than just Jena. I walk up to the room, key in hand, and unlock the door.

“Hey, you there, Dex?" I ask hearing my own soft reverb.

It took a while to realize that he was most likely out doing some errands given that the door was locked. This was one of our free days to do important things, such as get food for our room and etc.

I take no time to waste and put my backpack on my laptop and books in my room.

“Wait," I say mentally. “I can't go out like this. I need something extra; maybe some new clothes to walk out in instead of what I'm wearing."

I toss off my shirt and throw on a “new" one. The same shirt I wore when we first officially met. I slide in my brown Sperry's and grab the coat I wore that day. I scrounge around my tiny drawer that I bought for myself, trying to find any type of cologne or body spray. Without thinking, I grab something that feels like a body spray shape and sprays it on. It was “Wild Forest", one of Dex's body sprays he used for practice. I slap my forehead making a very audible almost cartoonish sound. I used an anthro product instead of one of mine.

“Well, the bright side is, I smell like a damn forest." Sarcasm was very figuratively bleeding with my words. Hopefully, Jena is used to this smell, unlike me. I despise the scent very much; it almost makes me gag.

I grab my pocketed items and leave the room, locking the door behind me.

I walk towards the South parking lot after finishing “freshening up", and I happen to notice several things that were quite off. Several canine anthros are looking my way. Their faces are a mix of confusion, upset, and strangely amused. As for the humans, I passed by, they didn't react at all to my aroma of a forest that you'd probably find in a car air freshener, except maybe a few that came a little close.

“What? You have a date with one of us?" a male husky asks me while walking past.

I was given either something tame and indifferent like a sigh or small giggle, or such humiliating gestures like the quick thrust or the “finger on the knot" from other varying anthros. The majority are canines although I did see a few felines and even a mustelid.

Showing up at the parking lot, I see Jena standing by herself on the phone. I can't tell from the distance, but it looks like she is a little sad, given how she seems to hide her face from the screen. I will ask her about that when we are on the road. She looks up from the gleaming display to notice me walking towards her. As I approach, she puts her phone up in her back pocket.

“You look very...preppy for just going to the mall, James."

“Oh, well I kept thinking repetitively over what I should wear, so I chose this," I say nervously. “I'm an over-thinker at times, sorry."

She giggles. “No need to apologize; I can understand what you go through."

I laugh shyly at my own problem being mentioned. I go to the driver's side to open the door for her and let her climb in. She gives me thanks, and I walk to the passenger seat. The good ol' gentleman's treatment.

On the road, we are both silent. The sounds of other cars zooming by and the white noise of the wind against the car are all we hear for the majority of the trip. I really am curious about why she asks me to go to the mall and what she was doing on her phone when I showed up. I break our very awkward silence and ask her.

“Hey Jena, if you don't mind me asking: what were you doing on your phone when I showed up at the parking lot to meet with you?"

“I was looking at some, um, discounts at the stores and realized they have now ended, but I'm sure they will be back for Halloween."

Her answer is calm and very convincing, sounds like she is completely sincere, but I doubt that is the case. The rest of the drive is just as silent as before until we pull into the mall parking lot. Today seems moderately busy. Cars' parking slots are filled all the way to the half intersection of the parking lot with the main roadway in lining the building. I would have guessed a store was having a huge sale on something. That or some people are still buying layaway presents for Christmas or some other ridiculous reason. That always amused me as to why people shop for Christmas almost four months after Christmas. Jena and I exit her car and walk to the entrance of a clothing store named DM's Clothes. The store is pretty big for just a simple clothing store in a college town. Then again, it is probably a retailer selling more than what the name says.

Inside of the store, the warm air stretches our faces. The warmth is welcoming and not too uncomfortable, the perfect transition from the outside cold. Inside there are people conversing, kids shouting, and cashiers tapping the infrared sensors, hovering every customer's purchase over it.

It takes me only a moment to realize that Jena is already walking ahead of me. She waves her arm trying to get my attention to follow, and I do so. We walk to the escalator in the middle of the store. We take it to the second level of the building and head straight for the women's section of clothing on the second floor. Now, this really feels like a relationship hangout. If she is going to try and make me pay for any of this, I am going to have to tell her straight and say, “Hell no". I have money to save, and this is for her friend. However, that's not what's initially happening. She brought her purse with her, so I am assuming that, hopefully, she plans on paying for whatever she gets.

She investigates a circular clothes rack nearby, looking at pairs of sweaters and pants. Typical, so very normal hanging out with a male and wanting to get clothes. I see something off about this, however. She appears stale, no, depressed. Not even half interested, as if someone is telling her to do look through all of the articles. Just 6 minutes ago she seemed happy, and now all of a sudden she giving this un-enjoyment on her face. Her problems are being a massive gadfly to us growing a friendship. Usually, a guy would leave women like this but I am not like usual men.

The whole time spent at the store was just aimless window shopping. I wouldn't say I had any fun at all, but it was mostly boring just watching Jena try on clothes. I am going to make this outing more interesting.

“Jena, can we go to another store? Something we can both enjoy." I ask her as she stops grabbing clothes.

“Oh um. Sure." She answered putting the clothes back

We exit the clothing store and explore the rest of the mall. Every store we've seen was great, whether it be from a game store to a mini arcade, to a multi-retail store. This mall is much better than I remembered it being. During our personal tour around the mall, Jena and I were talking about multiple terms and steps in next classes test. Multiple times I would talk to her about the multiple steps of software coding and how the bar numbers and serial numbers on a computer label can determine the actual products coding. Learned that trick from my old computer concepts teacher. She was definitely more interesting when we were talking about that. She even told me several things I didn't know about, and I thought I was the strongest in the class in that field of knowledge

We head to probably the best store in the whole place, Tech Country. I have never been here but the fact that this was a computer store gained my interest even more. The store had a very well taken care of sign on the top, it glowed intensely like a city light. Probably not smart for it to be that bright, but it did bring great attention.

“Hey let's go in there, Jena." I point out. After a nod of approval, we enter the store

Inside of the store was just like most tech stores. The traditional device on the wired charger with a lock system to prevent thievery. Laptop computers rested on marble tables while the desktops were on high shelves near the back wall. Many small racks surround in almost a circle with the opening for people to walk in and out. On those racks hung various charges, gift cards, and SD with varying storage space.

“Wow, this store is amazing!" I say with ecstasy.

“You think this part of the store is good to wait until you get to the back."

She grabs my hand and brings me to the back of the store where I see different computer parts and chips alike. Most of these you could only order online. This store is definitely my favorite place in the mall, that, of course, the food court because I'm starting to get a little hungry. In fact, I don't think I ate all day today. Pretty girls do that to you sometime.

A worker comes by and asks us if we needed any assistance. She is an older white human she sounded awfully nice and caring, I can tell she likes helping people.

“Hello, do you two need any assistance with anything?" The worker asks

“No thanks, Mrs..." I take a good look at her name tag and the name as Laura printed on it. “Mrs. Laura, but thank you"

She gives us both a nod and walks to tend another customer

For the whole time spent there Jena and I was heading over to the tech and computer services there. Sharing thoughts about the next generation's software and programming capabilities. We make a good coterie, especially with our surplus of knowledge about all of the products and parts sold here. While in mid-conversation about the new idea of enhancing GPU in a computer's hardware, both of our stomachs rumble as a sign that we are famished.

“Hey, you know of a good place here Jena?"

“Yeah I do, It's a pizza restaurant. Their pizza is the best, I swear. You have to try it!"

Usually, I wouldn't prefer to eat a bunch of fattening foods but for this case, I guess I could have some just this once. I'll make today my cheat day.

“Okay lead the way."

She gives waves at me to follow her from the side.

The time was 7:15. Pm, dinner time. The food court was an exceptional size for this mall, though I think it should be bigger. There are several restaurants here, one of them being named Kraven's Oven. I am sure this is the restaurant Jena was speaking of.

“Everything looks good here Jena, and that Kraven's looks very tempting."

“Definitely Kraven's is the best here. The other food is good, but nothing can compare to their pizza." She says a “mhm" at the end, emphasizing that it tasted good.

We both get in line and wait our turn to order. I've already decided what I wanted to eat. When it was our time to order, we tell them our respective orders. The total price was $19.56 with two added fountain drinks. Jena told the cashier to split the check but I insisted on paying, besides she drove me here. I have to pay her back somehow. I paid in cash and was handed my receipt. At the bottom of the receipt was a number that said: “Return receipt to pick up to receive order". So they also do tally pick up, just like the cafe at Grovesworth.

I look around to find us somewhere to sit while we waited for our food. I spot a small table for two people and guide Jena there. After she was familiar of where we sat she left to get her drink. When she was gone I was on my phone checking for any new messages or notifications. One of the notifications were from the University about my fighting incident some days ago. They said that is my first warning of offense and my second one could result in expulsion or blacklisting. I give a huge sigh of relief knowing that I was going to be fine, as long as I don't pull off fighting on campus again. Another message was from Dex asking about if I used his body spray.

“Hey, James did u use my b-spray?"

“Yes I did and thankfully the person I'm with didn't react to it." I send him back.

Not too long after I sent the message Jena was coming back to the table with her drink in her hand.

“Hey just wanted to let you know that the DC cola isn't working." She informs me.

“It's fine, I prefer tea anyway."

“Oh really? Sweet or unsweetened?"

“Usually I drink herbal or hot pot tea. My favorite is Forli's brand tea, as for your question, I prefer unsweetened tea." I give her an extraneous answer.

“Oh that's nice, sometimes I like to drink warm tea as well. It helps calm my brain down and focus."

“Same here." I agree with her.

This is a good time to start asking her about her sudden interest in me. I was getting ready to ask, but I am rudely interrupted when she tells me the food number on the screen up front was ours. Dammit, well I will ask her when I come back. After I acknowledged her update I go to the pickup counter of the restaurant and show them my receipt. The black jaguar looks at it for extra confirmation and hands me my order of food.

“Thank you, sir, come again," He says with a smile

“I Appreciate it"

I go to the fountain drinks section and go to the unsweetened tea. I fill my cup up about 2 inches from the brink. After I was satisfied with my drink I return to Jena with our food.

“Thank you, James." She tells me when I set her pizza on her side of the table.

“No problem Jena," I reply back.

After that, we ate our pizza.

When Jena said this place had good pizza, she wasn't lying (for once). This pizza was amazing! I'm not even saying that just from the grease of the food, but the crust and cheese taste great, almost like a chef made this pizza.

“Mmmm, this pizza is really good Jena," I say in delight after swallowing my food.

“I told you so" she reminds me.

Wait... I almost forgot my motive of coming with her. To figure out what was wrong with her.

“Hey, Jena I want to ask you something." I put my pizza back on my plate

“Yeah what's up?"

“Why have you been lying to me?" I ask

For a glimpse, she looked frightened, but her expression changed quickly to an “I have no idea what you're talking about face."

“What do you mean James? I haven't lied to you." Her last sentence losing confidence.

“I know when someone is lying (Except for Dex because he's good at it). Your voice lacks confidence, you start to look away or at other parts of my body, and the clearest one is when you don't mean what you say."

“Oh." She speaks softly looking down at her lap.

We sat there in silence, the only noise in our ears was the distorted and non-authenticated voices of the people around us. It felt like time around us slowed, just so it could give us more time to talk without feeling rushed. Her face was quickly saddening and I could hear some sniffling from her.

“The truth is James. I-I don't like coming here often, especially when I'm alone." she breaks out a bit. There were no tears but I could feel the dampness in her eye gland getting ready to leak.

“Hey, no need for that." I try to calm her, but that didn't help much.

“You have Chloe right? You two are great friends?"

“We are, but, she almost never wants to talk to me ever since she and Kev started dating. I feel as though I'm no longer important enough to her to have a decent conversation with."

Well, I feel dumbfounded. She wanted me to go to the mall because she was tired of being so lonely and wanted company. That still doesn't answer why she wanted me to be here.

“If that's true why did you want me to go with you?"

“James, It's because. You're a nice guy, and you are very polite to me. I feel as though you would want to ask me to hangout first but, I couldn't stand spending another evening by myself."

She calms down a bit from her tear fest. Her makeup on her face wasn't exactly ruined, just some places were starting to show instead of what they covered. Regardless she still looked very pretty.

“Jena, thank you, but what you did there was dangerous. What if I wasn't so nice and wanted to take advantage of you?"

“James. Please, I'm not going to let you do anything to me that I don't want." She says as if I would be no problem to take care of. I really like that about her now that I know it.

“Well…" I stop trying to question her seeing that she has answered my questions. “Okay, Jena. I'm sorry for bothering you about something I shouldn't know about."

“It's fine James. It feels better talking about my problems to someone who would listen instead of someone talking about their boyfriend all of the time."

“Now Jena, that's enough about Chloe. I'm sure you two will work things out. As for now, I think we should be back in the dorm rooms. I have a feeling my roommate is asking up and down about where I am." I joke about Dex

“Yeah, I could use some relaxing time now." She agrees with me

After she finishes her food and I grab a plastic bag to have later, we leave out of the mall through the food court exit. We had to walk back to her car from where we came, except we were outside, meaning it would take longer to get there. We both didn't mind the extra walk at all. I enjoyed looking at the sun setting at the distance, even though some trees were in the way ruining the moment slightly. The thought of leaving at this time made the natural world look wonderful. This coming from a guy who prefers air conditioning.

We return to her car and leave the mall for the evening. I really did enjoy today and I think Jena did as well. She had the chance to let out what her problems, and I helped her come out of it. My phone buzzed while on the road. Dex was replied from my previous message.

“Uh-huh sure "

I write back “Whatever."

“So where are you now?" He asks

“Heading back to the University just went with Jena to the mall."

“Finally! James. You finally are back in the game "

I type in all caps “WE ARE JUST FRIENDS!"

“Well friends eventually become more than that James "

I put my phone up after he sent his last message and enjoyed the rest of the ride with Jena.

When we arrived back at the student parking lot where we met, Jena and I said our goodbyes for the night and I started to leave, until…

*Smooch*

I felt something soft and warm reach my cheek when I turned around. I knew it was Jena but my brain wasn't processing at the moment. This isn't my first time getting a kiss from a girl but this is the first time I was surprised by it.

“Thanks for the evening James, goodnight," She says and walks away in the opposite direction.

I stand there, my brain failing to catch up to what happened. When my mind regained consciousness I head to my dorm room. I felt like dancing the whole way there, and I almost did.