Release me! Release meeee! Release meeeeee-! It wasn't working.

I licked my upper teeth, mouth closed. Nothing I tried thus far sped up the clock on the wall. Dividing the hour into tens and twenties had the opposite effect, pretending to ignore it was partially my fault, and passing notes to Juno was nigh impossible with Ms. Hajime watching our every move. Who knew a zebra could be as sharp as a Yamotese knife?

The last two hours of the day, the last two of the whole week! Just as I remembered, Saturday and Sunday were the weekend. No school! And free meals! They were probably shittier than the weekdays since most of the staff also had homes but still, food was food. Except for bugs, bugs were diabolical.

Through trial and error, I passed an hour, leaving the other before the shackles I placed myself would break. Correction; fifty five minutes remained. Some students were still neck-deep crunching variables, fractions and relatively simple geometry.

That's right; there was a test in the first week of school. It wasn't a surprise, Miss Hajime did warn us of a quiz. But was a three page quiz, a quiz?

And it wasn't easy. There was a trick with the triangle; the proportions on the paper didn't match the answer. Fooling the students who used a ruler to estimate, I realized that after trying said method. I hoped I got the right answer the intended way, it made some sense. And then there was that stupid fraction function but I digress.

Since no phones were allowed, I humbled myself to doodling at the end of the notebook. I could always get another one. Glancing up, the clock had a while to go, so I forgot it. Picking a medium pencil, I tapped the dulled tip on the paper, the square grid hindering my imagination.

Squares. Squares everywhere. Thus, I drew a square. Crude, unaligned and a rectangle. Then, I divided into two. Then, I divided the half into quarters and so on and so forth. I kept dividing the square until I reached a point, the thickness of a line drawn by the pencil. That was a finite series- no, an infinitely decreasing series with a finite sum.

And speaking of infinites, I drew a toppled eight. An eight moon orbiting an unseen planet, a moon orbiting the moon that orbited another moon! A tiny eight shooting out a jet stream as it sailed around the eighth world! I had enough of the eights, how about something different? Math solidified the theme, so I stuck with it.

A tree made of ones. But the leaves were threes and fives, the fruits were zeros. Really ugly zeros; fat, beaten, and zeros. A tiny fly zooming around a fruit. And one of the fruits actually disguised as a venus flytrap! An active trap that snapped its jaws on a family of flies that were quickly dissolved and- too much to draw.

What of the tree? It was floating in a white squared void. So, I added ground. A hill. But the hill was actually a third of the planet! Now, the eight planet was orbiting a traditional planet. But how would the tree photosynthesize without a sun? So, I added a sun, at the top right corner. Donning a carefree smile and sunglasses, smoking a number one joint. Smoke worked in my space because I said so.

What else… what else…

The flies were eating the fruits and vice versa, what about people? A stick figure. And a little wee wee. Hehehe, Adam. Literally Adam pre-apple sin. But Adam was alone, and sad. He needed a friend. So, I gave him a friend! Another stick figure, though the other one had two cute ears, a tail and a blush. I gave Adam a spear because spears were fucking awesome and a bow to the female, yet how could I tell without a skirt? That was the next edition; a triangle over the legs, the middle of the shape intersecting the meeting point of the legs and back.

While spears were awesome…

I added a pistol in Adam's free hand before adding text above the two. Adam said, "Ooga booga!" His best female friend replied, "Real." All that was missing was an oscar, so I added one in the tree. But how would Adam reach his second most prized possession? Third, nay, fourth. With a ladder! A ladder that extended all the way to the furthest moon! And since time passed so fast, I started on a plane.

The design was abysmally nonsensical. I thought of the First World War but realized it couldn't fly in space, adding jet boosters under the wings while the propellor remained at the nose, a closed cockpit, machine guns on top of the wings, an radio device resting on the left wing with a curved M for special delivery when the pilot was hungry for junk goodie foodie. Space junk food! Even more junk than regular junk. Was there space junk around Earth after so long?

I came to a full stop, the pencil slipping between my fingers and rolling off the notebook. It was stopped by the pencil's portable fortress. If the international space station was no longer in low orbit, the likelihood of more evidence was low. But it was huge! Typical space junk wasn't, spotting it with a telescope was a waste of time.

What happened to the astronauts? I wondered, a bitter aftertaste on the back of my tongue. I already knew the answer. It must've been horrific. To watch the whole world get microwaved. Although, they could have received the same treatment for all I knew.

But I didn't know. I'd never know. Only god knew. And he wasn't with us. I excused spaids this time. It wasn't funny anymore.

Grabbing the pencil between my fingers, I deposited it into the case followed by the rest of my supplies. A ruler, an angle finder, two erasers, a pen, and a calculator. What would I do without Miya?

Miya…"

How was she doing? I called her the previous day, she was ecstatic. I told her about my day, how rusty my musical sense was, the small project we were assigned regarding classical works. Luckily, I had an endless supply of dead artists and shit I made up on the spot. The great Brodvick of Qing, inventor of the two-row piano. He also had four arms after visiting Chernobyl.

However, she didn't tell me about her day. I tried to pry into her but she was an expert at diverting the topic. Perhaps she was in a public setting and didn't want strangers to listen on private matters. If someone discovered she was involved with me…

I zipped the case close, putting away all my stuff into the bag. Most students, the last two finishing their own tests, were done. Once I cleared my table, I looked to the clock. The minute hand was almost at the twelve hour mark.

Damn," how time flew by. I should doodle more often.

"One minute before the quiz ends," Ms. Hajime announced, drumming a hand over her table. A mug was beside said hand, her tone dryer than a granny's va-jay-jay.

I smiled. It seemed the students weren't the only ones desperate to jump straight into the weekend. Being a teacher had to be tough, especially when the system cracked down on corruption. Or was it the other way around?

I didn't get to continue, the bell rang.

Leaving her chair, Ms. Hajime moved to collect the last two tests. One student had either managed to finish in time or gave up, the other didn't put down his pen. For once, the dismissive bell didn't work in their favor.

As she made her way to the technical cheater, the rest of the class got their things and dipped. The closest to the door bolted off their seats while the ones in the back took their sweet time. I stayed to watch Ms. Hajime scold the poor guy for using a minute more than he was allowed. It was just a minute! But the principle was what mattered. She ended with a warning, that if he did that on the next quiz, she'd have to take off a few points. That got to me as well, boldly noted.

But I didn't stay just for the show, "Johnny! Are you coming?" Juno stood next to her seat, the sunlight reflecting her navy eyes just right.

"I was waiting for you," I replied, flipping my chair onto the table before slinging my backpack over the right shoulder.

"You were staring off into the wall," she giggled, "did you space out again?"

I looked away, rubbing the back of my neck, "Mmmmm- yeeeeah…"

She shook her head with a grin, "You said you'd work on that."

"I am!" Maneuvering around the last table, we b-lined towards the door.

"I don't see any results~"

"It's not something that happens overnight," I countered, the door held open for me, "thanks."

"No problem~" She followed, quickly catching up. The path outside was sketched into my mental map, her tail idly swinging from side to side.

"How was the 'quiz?'" I asked, lazily waving at a familiar face, definitely of the music club.

"You call that a quiz?!" She snorted. "She definitely lied to see who was studious."

"I know, right?!" I laughed, glad to have a fellow intellectual by my side, "Like, a quiz is supposed to be easy! What's with the trick questions? Did you answer those?"

She went quiet, uttering, "Trick questions?"

"Oh noooo…" I tried and failed to suppress a devious grin, "you don't know?"

She sighed, "I had a feeling something was off about the cyclist..."

"Why? What did you get?"

"Forty."

I hissed, "I got twenty. Unless he went downhill, I don't think that's physically possible."

"I hope I get at least seventy," she shrugged, her tail lightly slapping my left buttock, "it's only the first 'quiz,' I'll just study harder."

"You're not that stupid," I assured her, "you'll probably get eighty."
"Ye- wait, what did you say?"

We turned a corner, the exit still ways away.

"Uh- nothing."

"No, tell me, I might be going deaf," she stepped closer, never breaking her stride.

Sucking in my lips, I looked away, humming something. Then, a force hit my rib cage.

"O-ow!" Though it didn't hurt, "I didn't mean it like that!"

"Say you're sorry."

"But I didn't-"

"Or I won't let you copy my notes anymore~" She threatened, holding her muzzle high.

With a sigh, I folded under no pressure, "I'm so very sorry your majesty, you are not stupid, even if that's the truth- h-hey!" She tickled the injured ribs with one hand, "s-stop it!" I was about to retaliate when she suddenly obliged, a random student passing by.

Once the NPC was gone, Juno muttered, "I'm not stupid…"

"Oh come ooon, don't be like that, I meant to say you're smart," I patted her back, to no effect.

"I'll forgive you…"

I perked up.

"...if you hug me."

That was it? All it took to "fix" our relationship was a hug? Ha! If only romance was this easy.

"I shall, my queen," I started to bow only to be stopped by her.

"Don't call me that!" She hissed rather loudly, a hint of red appearing beneath the fur.

"As you wish, my-"

"Don't." She glared, the corners of her lips involuntarily rising.

I decided enough fun for today was had, "Okaaaay."

"Thank you."

We arrived at the main entrance, the remaining students trickling out like droplets through earth. We weren't in a major hurry and there was, somehow, a jam.

"They should make those doors bigger," I commented.

"Yup."

"Hey, unrelated question," she turned to me, tilting her head, so freaking cute, "do you play video games?"

"No, not really," I was saddened, "just mobile stuff, does that count?"

"Depends."

"One is a farming game and the other is… um…" she thought harder, "I can't remember the name but it's about a human running away from a female wolf cop on train tracks."

"You're pretty much a gamer- what about running?" Did I hear that right? A human in a video game?

"Oh!" She snapped, "I remember! It's called State Surfers and there are also stages that change the longer you run."

"Wait, what did you say before that?"

"You run on train tracks?"

"No, before that."

One ear folded, "The other farm game?"

I groaned," Never mind, let's go," I nodded to the vacant entry.

Exiting the main building at the same time, the group that had gotten stuck split and were either returning to the dorms or the main gate at the other side of the dirt trail. The sun warmed my exposed skin, the pants absorbing more heat than the shirt. Without the dozen students spread across the grounds, it would've been much more cinematic.

"Do you have plans for the weekend?" Juno asked, going down the trail with me in tow.

"Nah, just homework and browsing the web, and I have two projects."

"Already?"

"It's not too bad, they're small, I can get them done tonight, it's not like there's school tomorrow," I then added, "What about you? You surely have something from the drama club."

"I have to practice a character. If I prove myself, I'll get to be in the acting team!" She beamed, her tail flapping like a windy flag. "And we're going tomorrow on a picnic, my aunt's pup will turn three!"

"That's… nice," we were two thirds from the gate, so I wished her, "Have fun, then. I need to go to my room."

She slowed, confused, "Aren't you leaving too?"

"No," I grit my teeth, "I don't have anything to do out there."

And even if I wanted to leave, I wasn't exactly a faceless pawn. I stood out like a cactus in the tundra, and I knew for a fact some animals were willing to go all in to achieve their wicked goals. The government could make all the promises in the world, it didn't change the real possibility of a crackhead catching me.

"Do you want to go with me?" She offered, "My cousin loves hu-"

"I can't, Juno," I stopped, my gaze downtrodden, "you know I can't."

"But… that's not fair!" She stood before me, "So, what? You'll just stay in the academy until you graduate?"

Holding my right arm against the opposite side, I shrugged, "Yeah. I'll see you next week, have fu- oof…"

A pair of arms wrapped around me, a furry muzzle resting on my head, "I'll save you some cake, okay?"

I couldn't help but crack a smile, "Don't waste food. It'll spoil by Monday."

Letting me go, she sighed, "Fine, but don't say I didn't offer."

"I think I'll manage, it's bad for the teeth anyway."

Suddenly, I heard a buzz from below. Juno perked, pulling out her phone before answering, "Hey Mom… good, you…? Already?! Okay, I'm coming!" Hanging up, she said, "I have to go, my mom is here to pick me up!"

I waved at her as she ran to the gates, her parting words jumbled and incoherent, but it got the message across.

"Bye…"

From afar, she zoomed past the unknown animals, a nice car arriving to pick her up. Pocketing my hands, I coughed, staring off as the vehicle drove out of view.

Realizing the peculiar sight I made of myself, I turned ninety degrees and went. What kind of car was that? A…

I had made a connection. If the apps and brands were some form of parody, what became of the automobile industry? Pearus? Kskswagen? I… couldn't think of more. I had other things on my mind, such as reaching my room peacefully.

Entering the dormitory, I absently waved to the housemother, paying no attention to the lounge. While I was fishing for the key, I heard a dull thud behind me.

„Huh?"

Stopping at my door, I turned to the source, finding… nothing. Was the stress getting to me? Nah, it was likely from one of the rooms.

Inserting the key into the hole, I unlocked the door. Once inside, I rearmed my last defense before moving to the table by the permanently shut curtains. I then dropped the bag on the floor, flopping onto the chair with an exhausted huff.

What a fuckin' day…"

Wiping the side of my neck, I was irked by the slight wetness. The weather cast, per usual, lied. I should take a shower.

Now, came the fun part; what to do first? A cleanse of the body and soul had to be last, more movement equals more sweat. I had the bag at the table, so I started with that.

Unloading the contents, I wasn't looking forward to the homework, club projects included. As I'd said, I could definitely get them down by tonight but it'd require effort. I considered splitting the work into Saturday but fuck it. If I wanted the full weekend experience, I had to toughen up lest I be a buttercup.

Organizing the space on the table, I threw the emptied bag to the corner, I'd need it when I'd need it. I could start right now, in fact. There was nothing preventing me from sitting my ass down, opening page forty seven and writing a report on who was some lousy horse general in their great war. The dude was like a watered down Bismarck, to my disappointment. They also didn't have a Hit-

Suddenly, my phone rang. Sliding the little guy out, I swiped to accept.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Johnny!"

I smiled, "Miya! Good evening, how are you?"

"I'm on my way to Cherryton!"

Silence on my end. Silence on her end. Awkward.

"What?"

"Didn't you hear me? I'll be in your school in… thirty minutes. I just got off work and the traffic is atrocious- HEY!" She squawked in shock, swearing under her breath. "You don't want to know what's going on here, I swear, some animals shouldn't drive."

I was beyond baffled. What was she talking about? I didn't get in trouble after the incident, did that red deer snitch? If he did that- no, she sounded happy. Overjoyed. It couldn't be negative. It had to be something that she wanted to do, it- oooooooooh.

"H-half an hour?" I asked for verification, eyeing the bathroom.

"Ugh, I hope so. An idiot got spooked by a horn and crashed into a stop sign, I'll be there, forty minutes max, gotta go, bye."

"Wai-"

And she hung up.

Putting the phone down, glass facing wood, I removed my shoes, kicking them to the bag's corner. I could do this, I had enough time. Homework could wait for tomorrow, she was infinitely more important. The list had changed; get clean, clean the dorm, clean the mind. The first step was easy, I could do it in ten minutes!

Unfortunately, I couldn't do it in ten minutes, twenty was still good, right?

Shit shit shit!" I hopped out of the bathroom, lightly soaked and steaming. Rubbing my hair dry, I rolled the towel and threw it into fuckall nowhere. Onto the floor. The laundry bin was in the bathroom; I had moved it cause it stank!

Okay, okay, Johnny, don't panic," it was just a friendly visit, after all. It wasn't like I completely forgot and fantasized a crazy outcome in the shower which might have resulted in a slower process and me standing in the room butt naked doing nothing.

Taking a deep breath, I locked in.

First step; get dressed. Boxers, sweat pants, socks, t-shirt. Done. Second step; clean up. The tower went into the bin with the rest of the dirty fit. The closet received a quick visit before I went to get more milk. Just by emptying my mind like the innards of a vacuum cleaner, I had only the main room to focus on.

The table was a bit off-centered so I fixed that. The window was staying shut. Chair, don't leave your big bro lonely. The bed was left in a state of despair since morning. I had to stop doing that. Fluffing the pillow, I grabbed two ends of the blanket and threw it into the air. Then, I did it again. By the third strike, it was as straight as a liberal cowboy, just had to smooth out the folds and-

My phone rang, vibrating against the cut tree like a woodpecker.

"Miya?" I answered.

"I'm here~" My heart dropped. Inspecting the screen, time had indeed bled into the late afternoon, half an hour more. "What's the number of your room?"

"E-eight," my eyes darted around for imperfections.

"Alright! I have a little surprise for you~" Before I could get a reply out, she ended the quick call.

I supposed traffic wasn't as bad as she made me believe. Committing to a last rundown, I ticked off every minute flaw with an excuse. I had done all I could, ventilation took care of natural odors, I was icy dripped. Everything was perfectly fine.

Why was I so worried? She was Miya, the one and only birb! My personal doctor, a helper assigned by the state, a good friend. She'd seen me at my lowest, I still cringe at those memories, so what's a little dust on the shelf?

I relaxed, approaching the door. Not even a full week and I gaslit myself over nothing. Perhaps that was the reason; I feared her impression. She did fight beak and claw so I could enroll, I just wanted to meet her nonexistent expectations. Yes, it'll be just fine. And she said-

"Heeey!" The door opened, the harpy eagle waltzing in, a suitcase in hand.

I couldn't resist a smile, "Hey, long time no see-"

Propping the suitcase against the door, she teleported onto me, crushing me with a hug in an instant. Although her business suit covered a soft, luxurious plumage, I enjoyed the contact no less, returning the friendly gesture.

Under normal circumstances, a greeting like that was seen as highly inappropriate in their culture. To that I say nothing as my face was buried in feathers, maybe a middle finger if I felt feisty.

Unfortunately, it had to end, "Miya… can't… breathe…" I wheezed, gently tapping her back.

"Sorry," she released me, embarrassed, "I just- I really missed you."

"S-same," I wobbled, swiftly regaining my footing, "I don't have any food or water, but you can sit on my bed if you want."

She accepted my offer, planting herself on the crumpled sheets. Ha, she didn't care one bit. "That's a good mattress," she hummed, patting the spot next to her.

"I prefer the chair, I want to sit face to face," picking up the wooden seat by the back support, I placed it in front of her. Sitting down put me two heads lower than her, the scene akin to a parent and a child.

Barely containing her enthusiasm, she asked, "So, how was your day?"

"Good, good. Actually, I want to hear about your day."

"Oh!" She seemed surprised but didn't reject the switch of the roles. "You won't believe what happened today at work…"

And so, she went on to tell me all about her side. From her rude awakening caused by an avian that shouldn't have had a flying license in the first place to workplace politics. I knew she was a doctor and all but… some of the things she shared with me were unusual.

Such were her patients; unusual. While she was a qualified analyst of the psyche, predation was out of her expertise. Today's batch of crackpots was interesting to say the least. One was a canid hyper fixated on Catch, the game. She claimed every other thought they had was of chasing a ball and bringing it back to the thrower. The issue likely stemmed deeper, but to express it like that was… funny. As twisted and inappropriate as it was to find humor in others' plight, it was as odd as those piss drinkers I saw on TV long ago.

Then, there were the real lunatics. There was a reason the doctor's chair was near the exit. She didn't go into too much detail about the incident, just that the perpetrator had been detained without excess conflict.

"That… must suck," I sympathized, holding my hands together, "do you think he's beyond saving?"

"I don't know," she admitted, "and frankly, after what he tried? I don't… care to know."

"What if he's just crazy? Or on… meth, or something?"

"He agreed to therapy. He could've walked out any moment, but I believe his intentions weren't…" Shaking her head to clear it, she diverted. "Have you made any friends?"

"Yeah!" I smiled, "A bunch, actually. Most of them from the clubs I attend."

"That's good, how do they treat you?" She inquired further, unblinking.

"Like anyone else. I feel… at home."

I stared at my sheets. Miya sighed, "Do you? Truly?"

She saw right through me. Of course she would. She knew me all too well.

"I…" Biting my tongue, I admitted, "I don't know. I… I'm glad to be here."

Once again a student, advancing in life, learning, laughing, crying. Living. I was back in my high school, tagging alongside my friends, cracking dark jokes. Light banter, a hurtful remark, a comrade's jab. A mournful teacher, a forgiving janitor, an invitation to a party that never…

"Johnny…" Miya gasped, "are… what's wrong?" She asked, deeply worried about the onions.

There were always onions around me, them ninjas loved tormenting me, cutting those antagonistic vegetables right under my nose.

"I-I…" stuttering, I forced down a whimper, ashamed of how overwhelmed I was, "I'm sorry… memories…"

Patting the spot next to her, I didn't hesitate to take it, the vacant chair rapidly losing my body heat. My breathing was shallow, quiet. I couldn't look her in the eye, infuriated at how I ruined her visit with my bitchery. What had passed, passed. There was no way to change it. I could only move forward, march down the tunnel of time.

"Miya…" I swallowed my sorrow, gathering enough courage, "why…" I clenched my eyes shut, "I wanna go home…"

Knowing what was to come, I received an embrace, burying my face in her shirt. I felt so weak, bordering on a starved leach. I was doing so good the entire week, too. Juno was the sole student with an inkling to the internal turmoil I battled every day, but I couldn't do it to her.

The same way I couldn't do it to Miya? A voice bitterly spat, mocking the facade I maintained in the eyes of the many. I didn't call her often, compromising on texting without even trying. I didn't share my true feelings regarding the fight in the cafeteria, acting all badass. I would've beaten him with a stick, that wasn't the issue.

It was those feelings. Unfamiliar, curious, childish, yet bothersome, burning, aching. Feelings I didn't have the experience or prior knowledge to process and nurture. Instead of heeding Miya's advice, I… constrained myself, a contrite lock partnered by a stubborn key.

Squeezing my eyes, I held my breath, refusing to let out a sound. Until she rubbed my back, soothing that pain. It wasn't enough to fix everything, far from it.

But when a dam overflowed, a single crack in the wall was all it took.

A sob. Then, the tears. I stained her ironed suit, even more regretful I opened up. I didn't want to burden her, I owed her so much, I always reminded myself when thinking of her. And how could I pay her back? Call her my mother?

A giggle slipped between my dreadful whimpers, my vocal cords refusing cooperation. Yet, she didn't pull away. She didn't loosen her grip or grimace at the filth on her clothes. She simply sat there, embracing me, comforting me.

Once I stopped crying, I wiped my nose against my sleeve, "M-miya, I…"

"You don't have to say," her beak tenderly made contact with my head, smooth keratin against skinned bone, "it's okay… I understand…"

Swallowing, I asked, "Why me?"

"I don't know," she replied with honesty, "but… I'm glad you're here."

I didn't know what to think of that, but it didn't feel… wrong.

"O-okay," I sniffed, "that's enough… thank you, Miya."

"Do not be ashamed of your feelings," she stated, "I will never think any less of you for them."

Kissing my forehead, we finally parted. I chuckled, "Even my mom didn't hold me this much… after I grew up."

"Are you feeling better now?"

"Yeah, definitely," I replied without a shred of humiliation.

She smiled, "I still have a surprise for you."

"You told me over the phone," I recalled, "what is it? Another kiss?" I dared a tease, butterflies beating against my stomach.

"No," she laughed it off, getting off the bed to retrieve her suitcase, "mmmm… kissing…~"

Returning to the bed with the case in hands, she sat down, nearly sending me into the air. She then placed the case in my lap, gesturing for me to open it.

Wiggling my fingers in anticipation, I popped the bottom from its socket, unlocking the main compartment of the leathery shell. Sneaking my hand in, I blindly grabbed a hard plastic edge, pulling out…

A flat, black rectangle. Turning it over, I noticed how heavy it was for its size, its surface area equal to my torso. Vents for dispelling heat, ports of all kinds, a foldable monitor.

I gasped, "Miya!" Carefully putting the device aside, I was the one to launch a hug, overjoyed my wish came true.

"It's the latest edition, the seller said it can handle those video games we used to play."

"Wait," I momentarily separated, "you didn't pay for it out of your pocket?"

Grinning like the birb of prey she was, I sighed, never tiring of the embrace, "Oh, Miya… I love you…"

"Me too…

Johnny-kun~"