Chapter Four

Durham felt a sense of deja vu. Collot was standing across the room facing him, just as Legosi had been the night before. The other boys were again off to the side. Miguno stood closest to the action, a look of anticipation on his face. The spectators were still in their school uniforms, but the two competitors were back in their blue boxers. "So you really think you can win this time, big boy?" Collot said, his usual breezy tone back in full swing. That remark sparked a feeling that the chunky coyote had not felt all day long: self-confidence.

Durham crouched into a sumo pose, "I've never been more sure in my life, string bean." The other boys chuckled at the retort…except for Collot. The sheepdog wore a cocky yet nonchalant grin as he mirrored Durham's posture, "All right, you asked for it, Jumbo!" The coyote was too hungry for action to even be offended by that crack. Channeling all his energy into his legs, Durham raced towards his opponent. Collot did likewise, his face still rife with calm self-assurance.

The contenders' slammed into each other at the room's midpoint. Durham reached his meaty arms around Collot's shoulders and clasped his hands together. The sheepdog maintained a solid defensive stance despite the coyote's grip. Collot wasn't able to return the favor, but managed to grab onto Durham's tubby love handles. Pressing his head against the coyote's paunchy stomach, Collot pushed with all the power his arms and legs could muster.

Durham could feel the effort that his roommate was exerting. The pressure against his chest and squeezing on his hips was just enough to make him wince. He nervously took two steps back, and the all-too-familiar feeling of defeat lurked in his mind. Durham's expression dampened. He expected to be flat on his back in just a moment…yet again. That moment didn't come.

Instead, the coyote could feel his leg muscles intuitively tightening in response to Collot's attack. Durham opened his eyes. The sheepdog was gritting his teeth and straining against Durham's great girth. The coyote felt a flood of courage rush into his head. Then, for the first time he could remember, he went on the offensive. Lifting up onto the balls of his feet, Durham leaned forward and pressed his significant weight against Collot.

The two wrestlers inched back and forth for several minutes, grasping at each other the whole time. Finally, there was a breakthrough. Durham grunted as he grabbed Collot's shoulders and pushed with all the strength he could muster. The sheepdog's resistance soon proved futile. Losing his balance, he flew backwards and landed on his butt with a thunderous thud. Miguno and the other boys could only watch in astonishment.

Durham promptly regained his footing and looked down at his fallen foe. Collot's habitual coolness was gone. He stood back up and rubbed his undoubtedly sore bottom, grumbling the whole time. The other boys snapped out of their stupor and rushed over and circled the exasperated sheepdog. They comforted him with a parade of consoling remarks:

"Are you all right, dude?", asked Jack as he patted Collot on the back.

"That was some tumble," said Legosi as he rubbed Collot's head.

"He felled you like a lumberjack, you ok?" Voss said from below Collot's knee.

Collot stifled a laugh at the fennec fox's comparison, "That he did, little guy." The surrounding boys' concern became amusement; their consoling pats turned into a barrage of playful punches and noogies. As the others messed around, Miguno was busy looking over at Durham.

The amply-proportioned coyote had not moved at all. A nonplussed look was plastered on his flabby face. Miguno tentatively approached his victorious boyfriend, "For a first-time champion, you're being awfully quiet." Durham's bemusement gave way to wide-eyed delight, "I don't believe it. I actually WON!" Overcome with joy, Durham seized Miguno and squeezed him into a bear hug. Lifting the hyena off the floor, the coyote began twirling. Miguno could only look flummoxed as his delirious beau spun him around like a carousel.

The euphoric pirouette continued for several moments. "Ok, ok, I know you're happy but please put me down now," said Miguno as he struggled to breathe. Durham's ears perked up and his cheeks turned red. He placed the hyena down and released his grip. As Miguno huffed and puffed, he patted the coyote's shoulder. Durham could only smile and shrug sheepishly. "Despite the oxygen deprivation, I am definitely happy for you," said the breathless hyena.

Having regained his respiration, Miguno gave Durham a good-natured fist to the stomach and a puckish smirk then turned back towards the others. As the hyena walked away, the coyote's attention was drawn to his slender build and firm bottom. Underneath Durham's sense of pride in his accomplishment was another feeling. Looking down, the coyote placed his hands onto his gargantuan stomach. At that moment, Durham could only feel unworthy. On top of it all, only now did he realize…he couldn't even see his feet anymore.