King-Size Coyote

Prologue

Cherryton Academy, Boy's Dorm

Room #701

Friday, 10:15 PM

Durham stood erect in front of the room's door; his arms confidently planted on his hips and an enthusiastic smile on his face. Directly across from him was Legosi, who held a similar posture, but with his trademark sullen expression. Both were barefoot and dressed only in long blue boxers. Off to the side were the other 701 boys: Collot was seated on his bunk with Voss laying on top of his head, while Jack and Miguno were standing in between Legosi and Durham. Jack spoke with his usual enthusiasm, "Alright, you guys ready to rumble?"

The two combatants prepared their stances, squatting slightly and positioning their arms into a bear-hug pose. Durham maintained eye contact with Legosi, but the towering gray wolf did not seem to reciprocate the coyote's confrontational energy. Looking down at his opponent with mild concern, Legosi said, "I'm game. But are you sure this is a good idea?" Durham scoffed, "Don't you worry about me. Now, bring it!" Jack shrugged, "Works for me." Jack raised his hand, "On my count, 1…2…3!" He threw his arm down and leapt out from between the two contenders.

Legosi and Durham rushed at each other. They met at the room's center, grabbing each other's forearms to try and disrupt their opponent's balance. Durham pushed with all his might, contorting from the effort he was expending. Despite this, Legosi quickly knocked the coyote off his feet. Durham landed flat on his butt and then onto his back, with both impacts making embarrassing thuds. Through it all, Legosi had not changed his expression, even as Collot, Voss and Jack came over and began congratulating him.

Durham remained on the floor, crossing his arms, and wearing his disappointment on his face. Suddenly, Miguno appeared over him, planting his feet on each side of Durham's torso. Shaking his head as he leaned forward, the hyena spoke, "You must really love this sport if you're willing to lose all the time." Durham pouted slightly, "I don't lose ALL the time." Miguno rolled his beady eyes, "What about last week with Collot? Or the week before with Legosi? Or the week before…" Durham raised his eyebrow, "You're not helping, you know." Miguno smirked as he stepped back and extended his hand towards Durham. The coyote accepted his assistance and was soon back on his feet.

After Durham found his balance again, he was caught off guard by Miguno's arm wrapping around his shoulders. The hyena pulled Durham close to his side. Durham squirmed slightly, "Could you please give me a warning before you do stuff like that?" Miguno grinned mischievously. "Ok, heads up!" and planted a wet kiss on the coyote's cheek. Durham wanted to make a snappy comeback but could only smile and blush as his tail wagged excitedly. Miguno nodded in approval, "Alright, I think it's time for bed." Miguno spun Durham around and gently nudged him in the direction of his bunk. Before the coyote could walk away, Miguno seized the opportunity and firmly but playfully slapped Durham's bottom.

Durham reflexively yipped at the smack on his backside but quickly collected himself, calmly striding towards his bed. Durham crouched slightly, slipping through his bunk's wooden frame and onto the mattress within. The other boys were doing the same. From the bunk parallel to Durham's, Jack called out, "You ok, Dude?" Durham rolled onto his side to make eye contact with the Labrador, "Oh, I'm fine. Believe me, I've taken worse falls than that." Jack smiled and gave Durham a thumbs up before closing his bunk's curtain.

Miguno had walked over to the light switch, flicking it off upon seeing that the other boys were in their respective beds. The hyena then marched over to Durham's bunk, which was still illuminated by a small lamp inside the compartment. Durham was lying on his side, propping up his head with his right arm. The coyote wasn't smiling anymore, instead looking more thoughtful and distracted. Miguno crouched down to his boyfriend's eye level. Wanting to lighten the mood, Miguno joked, "You're improving, you lasted a whole 15 seconds this time."

Durham didn't change his expression, "The sad part is, that's literally the truth." Miguno wryly snickered, "You deserve points for perseverance, if nothing else." Durham sighed, "Why couldn't I be big and strong like those two?" he said, gesturing towards Collot and Legosi's bunks. Miguno rolled his eyes before kissing the preoccupied Durham on his forehead. "Nighty night, tough guy." Miguno said as he climbed the little ladder up to his own bunk.

Durham pulled the curtain shut, turned out the lamp and slid under his covers. He lay flat on his back; his hands tucked underneath his pillow. His face remained pensive, but he also yawned, and his eyelids were growing heavy. Durham quickly drifted off to sleep, a single thought stewing in his mind: "I wish I were big."