Over the last few days did the group of teens get busier and busier. Krystal, Miyu, and now Fara were all busy with last minute preparations and perfections to put on for their performance in the talent show that would grant one of them the winner of the prize they had all been chasing for years now: The love of Fox McCloud. Krystal was already done with perfecting what she was going to give the audience, all that remained was rehearsing her dancing moves and choosing out the right outfit for this competition. Miyu had gotten together some friends from drama class and had put together a very last minute stage performance as she would sing and act out a scene at the same time. It was going to be challenging both on time crunch, energy levels, and perfect timing. But she was driven to achieve and come out on top.

Fara was not in the same kind of comfort level as the two other girls. Just now realizing what she felt or Fox has backed her into a corner. She had no time left nor the resources to put on any spectacular show, and to make matters worse she was the last of the three ladies to perform. It was that much crucial that her performance had to blow everyone, and especially Fox out of their seats. Yet nothing had come to her. She finally decided that the only thing she could do was sing, sing her heart out, sing to her hearts content. It was a gutsy and risky call, but it was one she was going to take. For she had no real options last. The fennec had finally picked out her song, but it was going to require a lot of practice in this last day and a half left till the big show. She had to sing, to let it all out. The odds were against her, but she wasn't going to back down because things looked bleak. Fara put all of her doubt behind her, and stepped forward singing to the heavens.

X

These last few days had been quiet for the vulpine they were all competing for. Fox McCloud had no homework to tend to nor work shifts to take care of either. These last few days Fox was left kind of just floating around by his lonesome. Fara had not came back to the apartment for the last several days, little did he know was she actually spending time with Vixy trying to prepare. Fara never said she she needed Vixy's help with the talent show...only telling it was very important to her. Vixy was about all the help Fara had, but she was more then happy enough to lend whatever aid she could to the young fennec.

Jamie had also been in grandma and granpa's care these past few days. James knew that these last few days would be hectic for Fox and his friends, and wanted to give the young vulpine time to clear his mind and thoughts from anything and everything he may have needed to take care of. These were Fox's last few days as a high school student, and he wanted his son to enjoy them in any way he saw fit. But surprisingly enough, at least to Fox: No one wanted to be with him in these last few days of being a young and stupid teenager.

They all knew they weren't going to spend this last big high school moment together, as the huge group was going to be split the day of the prom. Fox had it in his mind that he wanted to spend time with everyone before school would end, yet no one shared that ideal with him to his surprise. They all had their own reasons whether they wished to share them with the vulpine or not.

Fara, Krystal, and Miyu simply just didn't want to be around one another, especially after their last conversation on the stage. They all believed they simply had better, more important things to do with their time then waste it spending it with Fox still having to share him in thirds. It would only entice their thinning friendship even further and push them out of the way for the room of their performances. Fox found it a bit strange, almost suspicious as every girl he tried to talk to about the idea simply shot it down with an annoyed tone. Yet none would answer as to why. He felt as though he was being left out of the loop about something...Though getting the answer out of those three wasn't going to happen, and it seemed as though no one else knew what was going on between the three anyway. It's as if all three had pushed this talent show contest much farther then it ever was intended to be. If only he knew the simple yet emotionally complicated truth.

Bill and Fay saw what was coming, they weren't as dense or just down right stupid as Fox was. It was about to get ugly, and after all the years of drama and fighting they've had within this tight-knit group of friends they had finally had enough of everyone's utter high school bull crap yet again. Though they never let anyone else know their personal feelings on the matter. It was what the girls were going to do after all, and Fox unfortunately was going to be caught right in the middle of it.

Luna also knew what was about to unfold, and simply made up reasons and excuses as to why she couldn't be around. Also as the competition was starting to get more heated, especially on Fara's side she didn't want to spend to much time around Fox and give everyone the idea that maybe she was into the vulpine again, especially her fennec friend she was rooting for.

Slippy and Amanda simply had their hands full with extra work from harder classes and already even started taking college level material courses to try and beef up their school records for more prestigious colleges for the future that was coming quick. They simply felt as though they would see everyone looking good and ready to get hot and sweaty at prom.

Falco caught himself busy as well but not with either school or having a job, his hands were completely full with his newly somewhat acquainted girl: Darcy. She simply ate up all his time and it seemed as though as more time would go by he got more and more distant. It was nothing personal, that's how it always started when you end up dating someone new. Though they hadn't started dating officially, Darcy didn't care whether they ever became official or not. She simply wanted to have fun while it lasted, because it was high school after all. Very few relations ever lasted past that time frame in our lives, might as well enjoy it while it was around. Falco knew it wasn't where he wanted to be deep down, even if he never admitted it to anyone. He still had feelings for his previous pink feeling girl, though if they would ever more again would be left to see.

Katt however was on the very opposite polar of her previous avian lover. She was still hurt yet refused to show any more emotion after the display in the hallway a few days back where it was a three way chase. She was never one to show emotion, and even less to show sympathy for those she felt as though deserved to be called out. She simply just kept her distance, nothing personal to the rest of her friends. But being around Falco wasn't what she wanted and even her friends weren't enough to make her stay around that avian asshole.

X

Fox saw that it was getting late as he had been just laying around the house the past few hours. He was never really one to be lazy and just sit there for endless hours, but he had to admit every now and then it was kind of nice. The vulpine stretched from his rested position and let out a mighty yawn. His attention turned toward the door as he had a visitor. The vulpine wondered who it could have been as it was nearly ten at night the day before prom, surely everyone was going to bed early to get some much needed rest for the big day tomorrow. Fox walked over an opened the door to see a lone pink feline standing in his door step, catching the vulpine off guard.

What was even more strange as that she only looked at him for a brief moment then looked toward the ground. Katt Monroe stood there in a dark tank top and white sweat pants. Without a single word Katt simply walked right past Fox into his home leaving him dumbstruck. After watching her for a moment did she notice she was heading toward his kitchen. Fox closed the door behind him as he slowly approached watching her. Katt looked and pilfered through his fridge looking for nothing in particular, just something to snack on or so. She dug into his freezer as he had a pint of mint ice cream about half full still, as she grabbed it without a moments hesitation. Katt dug through his cabinets and drawers quickly grabbing a small spoon to eat it with as she passed by him yet again laying on his couch as Katt kicked up the recliner and leaned back into the chair, still haven't even said one word to the vulpine just watching her.

"So Katt." Fox finally said a few moments after he let her have a few bites of his favorite ice cream, a little annoyed she was taking it all for herself though she must have been in a really strange mood. "How are you?"

"Hey." She gave back quietly, not really looking at him only the small spoonfuls of ice cream she would eat a second later. "I'm okay."

"Is there any reason why you're here?" Fox asked a little bit on the concerned side, not just for her but also his ice cream. He had never seen the feline act like this before. He took a seat on the opposite side of the room in the love seat couch.

"I just...needed to be somewhere quiet." She finally looked back up to him for the first time in minutes. "I figured you had the room." Fox let out a small chuckle as he stood back up and headed for the kitchen, watching Katt eat all that was left of his precious ice cream started to make him hungry. Though he was going to get something else as he didn't want to be rude, something was surely troubling his feline friend.

"I sure do." He paused to look back to her as they met eye contact. "Do you want something else while I'm up?"

"Fox." She replied almost in an angered, annoyed kind of tone. "You don't have to do everything for everyone ya know. People can do shit for themselves."

"I know that." Fox poured himself a small cup of juice as he answered her back. He then grabbed himself some crackers and put it all on a tray with peanut butter and chocolate spreading to put on. He looked back to her. "So are you sure you don't need anything else?"

"Water please." She answered back with her still frail voice. As Fox got another glass for Katt did he wonder what was up with her, this was definitely something he had never seen before. He knew Katt rarely ever showed emotion, maybe this was how she cooped with problems. However Fox wished maybe next time she would give him, or anyone else she normally does with this a warming.

The vulpine sat back down in his original spot as he put the tray in the center of his coffee table. They both took their respective items as Fox gave her a few moments of quiet to think to herself. She must have been getting ready to sleep as Katt never wore such loose clothing during the day. Though something must have been on her mind, probably Falco again.

"You know Fox." Katt started slowly, whipping away the ice cream left overs around her mouth as she went in for another spoonful. "If you hadn't slept with all our friends, I probably would be all over you as well." Fox was a bit shocked though didn't know how to respond because all in all...Katt was right. As he thought about the last couple of years he saw a very particular pattern of Fox getting...close with his friends. All of them in some way, shape, or form. He had literally slept with all of the girls, even if it didn't go as far as sex, the lingered guilt still stuck around. He looked back up to her with a solemn expression as she met his with her own grim look. "You're a nice guy."

"Thanks." Was all he gave back to her.

"I know Fay wanted you to at one point." Fox gave her a questioned look as she continued. "Though it was probably a good idea that she never tried anything."

"How do you know that?"

"Fox I used to be a bad kid when I was in middle school." Katt answered her friend as she shared some of her past years of wisdom...or trouble making however you saw fit. "Sex, drinking, parties, drugs. I was into all of that, I cleaned up my act just before the end of my freshman year."

"I see." Fox said nothing else as he continued on with his snack. Fox always had an idea, a suspicion of what Katt was like before they all met up together sophomore year of high school. She always seemed to know...a lot of what was going on, and how people would react and respond in situations that involved the heart.

"I got with Falco pretty quick when I first got here. Though I did notice how sexy you looked when I first saw you too." Katt's words may have held a certain fiery intake, her tone was probably the biggest buzz killer you could come across to hear someone say that.

"And why are you telling me all of this Katt exactly?"

"I don't know." Katt admitted as she had already made most of her way toward the bottom of the pint. "I just need someone to talk to. Can you please just listen?"

"Okay." Fox meant no offense to his feline friend when he asked, "Sorry."

"And don't apologize for everything either." Fox didn't know what to take from this discussion with Katt that was just bouncing back and forth between random things and her fiery temper. "Not everything is your fault, your need to apologize for."

"Okay." Fox listened and stayed quiet as they both finished up their snacks. They sat there several moments in silence as Katt shifted her position on the couch and closed her eyes. "Are you going to stay the night?"

"I don't know." Katt gave back with her eyes still closed. "Probably." After another moment Fox was about to get up and start making preparations for Katt's stay, though when stood up the feline got his attention as he just watched her. Katt slowly walked over toward the vulpine as she sat by his side. Another moment later she cuddled up against the vulpine's strong body and closed her eyes. Fox sat there for several moments letting her get comfortable, wrapping his arm around her slender waist.

"I just need a man right now." Katt said quietly, a moment later did she stare down the vulpine with a harsh glare and pointed her finger. "Not in that kind of way mind you."

"Understood." Was all the vulpine gave back sheepishly as Katt snuggled back into him. She breathed easy for another few moments.

"Thanks for listening. Now just shut up and hold me." Fox let out a small, sheepish kind of laugh as he did what he was told. Katt was resting in complete silence as he could tell she's had a rough couple of days. Though hopefully Falco would never find out what was going on between the two. It was nothing sexual, or even mushy at that matter. Katt simply needed somebody to be with her, as we all have those basic wants and needs to have a belonging in this world. Fox understood that too, and so he was more then happy to share his body heat with the abrasive yet gentle feline that needed him the most, more then she would ever admit to.

Hours later Fox was fast asleep in his bed. Katt slid in through his doorway as she closed the door behind her. She slowly walked over to the opposite end of his bed, only dressed in her essentials of top and bottom as she slid inside the cool sheets scooting closer to the slumbering vulpine. He awoke still groggy when he felt the shift in motion and body weight in his bed. Fox turned to see the feline looking over toward him, as his cheeks flushed a little bit seeing her nearly naked. It's a good thing as it was dark and hard to see, because Katt had a very slender, very curvacious body. She just looked at him for another moment as he turned his body to face her. Katt scooted closer and planted a soft one onto his cheek. She turned her back on the vulpine as she scooted as close as she could to him to the point where their nearly naked bodies touched.

Katt simply grabbed his arm and slung it over her body as she closed her eyes and breathed easy. Fox didn't complain nor try and pull away from her, he knew what she was going through. Luna was there for Fox when he felt as though he had lost all his friends for a second time, now he had to be here for Katt when she needed someone the most; though couldn't find anybody to stand by the feline in her time of need. She would never admit it, but she was afraid, afraid to fall and crumble to her emotions and feelings. Fox looked down on her as he saw small tears streaming down her eyes, he never realized just how hurt she was from Falco's actions. The gentle vulpine just planted one on her cheek to return the favor as he snuggled up behind her, holding the feline tightly.

Part of Katt wanted to pounce on the vulpine now, to just cave into her desires and probably give him the best sex of his young life, and possibly even her's. But that's not really what she wanted, she just wanted emotional and physical comfort. Going any farther would only complicate things between the two, and she wasn't' so dumb to know something wasn't up with the other three girls who desperately wanted Fox's attention, even if he was clueless. She knew it was probably going to be worth all the negative consequences later on, and she knew Fox most likely wouldn't have turned her down; he was much to nice after all. To nice to be hurt the way she had been. But Katt merely lifted his arm to kiss it gently, and then placed it back in it's original spot. Neither said a word between the two as the darkness took them, words weren't needed to explain she just needed someone to be with her in this time of crisis.

Katt laid there still and comforted as she fell fast asleep, feeling better then she had in days just by the simple comfort that all beings crave and need.