Raymond's POV

It was a Friday morning here in Los Angeles. About 8:42 am. I had been going through my phone a minute ago when I saw someone named Dolphin in my contacts. I didn't recognize them at first, but when I opened the message history, I realized who it was. The last message I had sent was on 8/24/2020 when I had said, "Good luck on your move Delphox. I'll text you tomorrow crisp." That name, Delphox.. It had been my friend back in middle school and elementary. I decided to text her back, since she would've been 18 by now. I was just so caught up in fame that I suppose I forgot how good of friends we were, and by all the simps blowing up my phone. I texted her "Heya Dolphin. It's been a while." before putting my phone down and getting dressed since I had just woken up. Almost immediately I got a reply. It said, "Hey RayRay, what's up?" I seemed shocked that she remembered the nickname she gave me, but I just acted casual. "Heyyy, how are ya?" I replied. It took her a second of typing, but she replied, "Surprised you're texting me but alright. What about you?" I replied, "I'm okay, you want to maybe meet up? I can fly up to Bozeman!" She had a bubble, then it went away. But about a minute later it popped up again saying, "Sure. Meet me at the Target in town. There's only one by the way." Immediately, I was excited, as I had never been to Bozeman before, and I wanted to see where my friend and childhood crush had been living ever since we stopped talking. I immediately packed my bags and headed to the airport. I would've got on my private jet, but I didn't feel like it. After a 3 hour flight, I landed. Since I only had my backpack, I just brought it with me instead of getting a hotel room. I took an Uber to Target, and I looked around. I didn't see much at first, but then, in the gray mostly empty parking lot, I saw her. She was facing away from me, so I was looking at her back. Her fur was pristine, glistening in the sun, her red and yellow fur was vibrant, and she looked so majestic overall. She was chewing gum on her phone, so she was pretty distracted. Getting the courage, I walked up behind her and tapped her shoulder.

Delphox's POV

I had prepared myself for me and Raymond's meeting. I dressed up fancy, making sure my fur was sparkly and vibrant, and I wore my Japanese Kimono, which I never really wear. As I was on my phone, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see nobody, but then I looked down and saw him. It was Raymond. He was pretty short, probably about half my height. "My goodness you're tall!" He said shocked. "Yeah, I'm like, 8 feet I think?" I said. "Jesus! Last time I saw you, you were 4' 11!" He said. "But anyway, HI DOLPHIN!" "HI RAYRAYY" I said, picking him up and hugging him. "IT'S BEEN SO LONG" "YEAH!" He exclaimed before we calmed ourselves and I put him down. "So, how's life in Los Angeles?" I asked. "Boring. I mean, living the lavish life and being a movie director is cool and all, but it just gets repetitive after a while. How's life here?" He asked. "It's almost everything I could ever ask for. I live with my girlfriend whom I love oh so very much, I have some of my greatest friends, and it's such a nice atmosphere here! I do hate the school's final project this year though…" I replied. "I see, also you have a girlfriend?" He asked, clearly curious. "Yeah, I'm a lesbian. If I'm being honest though, if you hadn't gone big and still talked with me, I think I would've dated you." I explained. His facial expression stayed the same, but I could see right through him. He was clearly devastated he had lost out on me. I knew he had a big crush on me back then, but the fame and money probably drew him away from his chance. "Interesting. But anyway, how much does it cost to live here?" He asked, now curious. "Cost me like, I dunno, 154 thousand for my two story house. It has 3 bathrooms and 2 bedrooms if that's good or something." I said. He was appalled. He didn't even know what to say. "Do you have any area recommendations?"

3 hours later..

Some time later, Raymond was back off to Los Angeles, with plans to move to my small little city. I was excited to live with him again honestly, and I was tempted to tell Shiver and Kara. Speaking of them though, I had headed back home to check on Shiver, as she was still asleep when I left. I got home and was greeted by her. She had a cast on her leg and was using a crutch, which I was surprised by as I didn't think my bite could've done that much. "Hey sweetie.." I said shakily. "Hiya sweetheart." Shiver said, pretty carefree. "I'm.. sorry… for that bit-" "It's okay." She said, cutting me off. "I know it wasn't your fault." "R-really?" I said. "Yup." She said smiling. "I'm just glad that I don't have rabies or something." She looked at me, and could see I was clearly offended by the fact she might've assumed I had rabies. "Sorry.." She apologized, bowing. "It's okay, I'm used to being treated badly after something.." I said, putting my tail down and sighing. "Used to..? What do you mean..?" Shiver asked worriedly. "I.. I don't talk about it much.." I said. "But I guess I can tell you.." "I'll listen.. Maybe Kara should too? He's a half doctor you know." She said. "Okay, get him." I said. Shiver went up and called Kara downstairs. They both sat at the table with me as I started to speak. "It all started when I was 14.."

2018 - Braixen's POV

I was out at night, heading home after a long school event. My mom trusted me enough to walk home alone, after a long year of me trying to convince her. As I was walking, I saw a few Zeraora's all in hoods, they glanced at me before getting in their car. As I kept walking, I noticed the car trailing behind me. I didn't try to think too much of it, so I kept going. Near my house though, the car stopped. The cats jumped out and ambushed me into an alleyway. They beat me severely, to the point where I could barely breathe properly. They called me names while doing it too, such as "Rabies Holder" and "Frisky Fox '' which had a meaning I don't want to get into. Before they could use my damaged state to their advantage however, I managed to breathe out fire, burning them. They ran off, as I hurt them pretty badly. I drank a potion I had, which healed my injuries, and I came home like nothing ever happened. I never told my mom, but I can never forget that moment.

The present.

"Oh.." Shiver said. Kara couldn't even mouth words. "It's okay, you guys don't have to pity me. I don't want you guys looking at me any different." I said. "Are you sur-" "Yes." I interrupted Kara. "I'm just going to.. Go to sleep.." I said running upstairs and sleeping. I put in my ear plugs as well, to not hear Shiver or Kara's sobs behind the door.