Chapter 7

The bighorn ram glanced to his left towards the passenger seat where Rob was sitting.

"Are you sure you're comfortable enough, boy?" Dean asked. "You can still push the seat back if you need more legroom."

"...I-It's okay, really," said Rob, whose legs were a bit scrunched up in the small space. "I'm used t-to it. A-and I doubt it would m-make that big of a dif-difference."

"If you say so. It'll take another twenty minutes or so before we reach school, so don't hesitate to speak up."

It had been about three days since Rob was questioned at the police station. Thanks to a lack of evidence linking him to Tem's murder—including the reports from detective Rudy's own investigation—the young lion was cleared of any suspicions of predation.

The bighorn couple were elated at the news and assumed that everything will return to normal soon. Unfortunately, thanks to old wounds reopening in the young lion, Rob and Sandra observed he had become more withdrawn and lethargic than usual. He would not even leave his room save he was called for meals.

It took several nights of discussion between the husband and wife, but it was eventually decided that Rob needed to go back to school to return some normalcy into his routine, in the hopes that he will recover more quickly.

Normally, Dean would welcome a quiet car ride, but Rob's utter silence made it quite uncomfortable for the ram this time around.

"...Well, at least they returned your I.D and phone," commented Dean as he attempted to keep a conversation going. "Too bad they had to keep the uniform for evidence, so they say."

"I… have some extra sets at the dorm, s-so it's no trouble."

"Hm. So, you… mentioned that your club is performing later this week? Sandra and I could always swing by one of the showings to support you, you know."

"Umm…I w-will be mostly backstage moving set p-pieces and stuff, so…"

"...R-right."

After about a dozen more minutes of awkward conversation starters, they finally reached the Cherryton school gate.

"Got everything?" the ram asked as the young lion stepped out of the vehicle.

"...Y-yeah."

"I've made sure to ask Joe and Sandra to keep an eye on you in case you start feeling overwhelmed, so be sure to rely on them if you need support."

"I will."

"Remember to take things slow when you go back to the gym. It has been a week and a half, you know."

"O-okay."

"Don't forget to set up a time to video chat with the therapist, alright?"

"Yes, s-sir."

"Oh, and your prescription. Do you still have enough? If you need to refill, I can always—"

"Um… Uncle?" Rob motioned towards the school, alluding that he needed to get going.

"*ahem* Right," Dean said, straightening himself in his seat. "Anyway, if you need anything, don't hesitate to call us. And…also…"

"...Y-yes?"

Dean paused for a second as he furrowed his brow. "Just… take care of yourself. Alright, boy?"

"I-I will. Thanks…" Rob nodded.

The bighorn watched the young lion as he walked slowly towards the main campus, right up until he completely disappeared from view. He then sighed as his forehead laid on the top of the wheel.

"Thirteen years… and I still can't have a simple conversation with him. You always made it look so easy…"

Dean had always been a very stoic, no-nonsense kind of animal, so expressing his emotion and making small talk is a constant struggle for him. Nothing like the boy's father, who always wore his heart on his sleeve and never knew when to shut up.

It was so much simpler when he was satisfied with a simple head pat or quietly nuzzling next to m—

The bighorn suddenly shook his heavy head as he turned red. "Get a hold of yourself! Rob's practically an adult now—he's not a small child anymore."

He then hurriedly pulled the gearshift of his car, pulling away from the curb. Dean somehow succeeded in pushing the embarrassing thoughts out, but the dogged feeling of yearning for days spent with the young cub persisted as he drove on.

Most of the student body were in the middle of eating breakfast in the cafeteria, which was a relief for the young carnivore. He was hopeful his roommate would have left the dorm by now, as he wasn't in the mood to be bombarded with questions about his absence. Frankly, he wasn't in the mood to do anything at the moment. The young lion had only returned to school because of his aunt and uncle's insistence.

Well... No use complaining about it now. I just wish I didn't have worry about make-up work, he sighed inwardly.

Glancing at a passing clock mounted on the wall, he began quickening his steps, turning the corner as he passed by the main office.

"Um, sir! Pardon me! Is there something that you need help with?"

Rob stopped and turned around to see a middle-aged, bespectacled Bengal tiger—with small scars over his left eye—emerging out of the office door.

"Ah. H-hi, Principle Gon."

The tiger adjusted his glasses as he squinted. Then, his eyes grew wide with alarm as he took a half-step back.

"Oh my—I-it's you! How di—! I mean—! Why—!" he sputtered.

Rob tilted his head as his ears turned forward, not fully understanding what was getting the adult carnivore so flustered. Afterwards, the principle straightened himself out, adjusting his sports coat while clearing his throat. "S-sorry about that, young man! I didn't recognize you. R-Rob, correct?"

"Oh… Yes, s-sir. That's right," Rob replied, his fingers grabbing strands of fur from the side of his mane.

"I-I was informed that you were at the hospital recently. Is everything alright?"

"Hm, yeah… Just a f-few bumps and s-scratches. Nothi—nothing major."

"Well, that's wonderful to hear! I'm happy you've made a full recovery." Principle Gon continued to smile nervously as small beads of sweat began to appear on his forehead.

"Uh, i-if you don't mind, sir, I would l-like to get back to my d-dorm room before class s-starts." Rob mumbled nervously.

"Y-yes, of course! Don't let me keep you! Well, then…Carry on! " The middle-aged tiger gave a quick nod as he briskly went back to his office, leaving the young lion standing with his head drooping somewhat.

"Do I… r-really look that different?" he wondered sadly.

After finally changing into his school uniform—which consisted of a white dress shirt, tie, suspenders, a navy-blue vest, and vertical-striped gray khakis—Rob checked himself in front of the mirror and frowned.

The apricot shade of his fur has started returning, but his mane remained quite blanched with only scant streaks of it's light-brown color. Turning his head, Rob inspected the claw marks on the left side of his muzzle. While almost healed, they were still more prominent than he would've liked.

The young lion exhaled, deciding there was no use agonizing over his appearance, and grabbed his schoolbag while heading out the door.

The first bell rang as many students began trickling out into the hallway. Immediately, animals began staring and whispering amongst themselves as Rob trudged by. Some of the students—especially herbivores— would scurry away in different directions to avoid crossing paths with the young lion. This caused him to feel even more self-conscious, and he began wishing mightily to change into a mouse that can easily be ignored.

"Oh. My gosh. Rob, is that you?"

His body suddenly became rigid with his tail shooting up almost diagonally from the female's voice coming from behind. Rob squeezed his eyelids in dismay, really not wanting to speak with her. Unfortunately, he knew there was no other option for him.

"H-hey…S-Sara," he greeted with an uneasy smile. The animal making the young carnivore so anxious was a hazel-eyed lioness with beautiful golden fur who was looking at him in astonishment.

"What happened to you?" Sara asked.

"I—U-um…i-it's—" Rob stumbled profusely while wringing his hands. "W-well, I-I was c-caught up in an a-accident recently. So, my fur—m-my fur kinda ended up… like this."

"Is that right? Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that," she said sympathetically.

"It's o-okay. I know it l-looks bad, but it s-should go back to normal be-before long…"

"Aw, don't worry, sweetie. It's not as horrible as you think." Rob looked up as she smiled pleasantly. "It's actually a pretty nice look for you!"

"Y-you think s-so?"

"Mmm-hmm. The streaked, white mane reminds me of my father. He's very handsome for someone hitting his late fifties."

"Oh. Well, th-thanks, I guess," said somewhat bashfully, rubbing the back of his neck. "So, uh… H-how've you been doing?"

"Very well! Thanks for asking," she exclaimed. "I'm having a wonderful time with my boyfriend. I'm sure you two would get along great."

"Oh. So, you f-found a new boyfriend a-already?"

"Mmm-hmm! He treats me so well." Sara then began to blush, holding her cheek in her hand as she looked down from Rob's eyes. "And I recently found out how... manly he is, when he wants to be."

"Huh. Well, I-I, um… I'm happy f-for you," Rob smiled as the feelings in his chest became somewhat tangled.

"Aw, thank you… Well, we better start getting to class soon." Sara adjusted her bag on her shoulder and then patted Rob on the arm. "Good luck with everything, Robbie. Hope that horrible scar gets better soon."

The young lioness trotted down the hallway as she waved goodbye. Rob awkwardly mirrored her hand gesture and then proceeded to heave a deep sigh.

"Wow. What a witch."

"Huh?" The young lion looked down to his side to find a shorter, brown boar with small tusks standing with his hands behind his head.

"B-Baako."

"Hey, bud. How's it good? It's been a minute," the boar hailed cheerfully.

"Yeah… W-wait. Why'd y-you Sara a w-witch?"

"Can't call her the other word with those girls around." Baako pointed his thumb at a small group of female wolves chatting several feet away.

"Wha— isn't th-that going a little f-far?" Rob contended.

"Ugggghhh, dude… C'mon, read between the lines! What was she really saying?"

The carnivore looked quizzically at his best friend, but thought back on the previous exchange with the lioness for a few moments. His ears then became completely erect as he eyes grew wide, dumbfounded from realization.

"Wait! W-was Sara trying t-to—Did s-she just c-call me a—a—" Rob stammered while pointing to himself.

"—an ugly old man who's a few sizes too 'small'?" Baako finished. "That, my friend, is called being passive-aggressive. And you made it way too easy for her."

The young lion stood with shoulders slumped and his mouth agape. He didn't realize a girl can be so… mean.

"Eh, don't listen to her," the boar consoled, patting the lower back of his crestfallen friend. "She's just being salty about the break-up. Besides, we both know you're pretty well-endowed for a lion. *sigh* Really makes a guy jealous…"

"Urk! Th-that—that's hardly th-the issue!" Rob snapped, concealing his lower area with his claws while Baako chortled.

"Oop, the bell's about to ring. I'll see ya at lunch, Rob!" The boar raced down the corridor as he waved behind him.

After watching him turn the corner, Rob groaned as he covered his face. Even though he hadn't transformed into a mouse like he had wished, he most certainly feels as small as one…


Author's Note

I can't believe it's been 7 chapters already! Just hope I can keep improving my writing during each one.

Rob's path will definitely cross with the original cast and I personally can't wait for that!

As for the new girl, I just had to look back on middle and high school and BOOM, instant "mean girl" ex. Ha ha!