As the morning sun shone through the window Vega woke with a yawn, stretching as he sat up. Sitting there for a moment, thoughts began to flow through his head about his date with Sheila later in the day. 'Grab a bite from the cafeteria, seriously? I mean that's the best I could think of? I mean I could have thought of "Hey, let's go somewhere in town" or something. Still, I doubt she'd be in for something where there might be a risk of us missing a way back to school." He thought. "Hmm...how can I spice up the dinner…Oh!' He thought as an idea popped in his head. 'Could definitely work, might seem a little...cliché, but not as much the way I'll do it.'
"Hey, you getting out a bed? You know you got that date with Sheila today right, or are you actually just as nervous about girls as Shin is and plan on hiding all day?" Jax asked with a grin as he stuck his maw through the bed curtains.
Vega just glanced at Jax. "I'm getting up, though if you don't want to fall flat on your ass I suggest you let me use the ladder."
Jax chuckled as he hopped down. "Alright alright. So, do we need to prepare for two empty beds now?"
Vega chuckled as he got down. "Trying to get rid of me so you can erase my high scores?"
"Maybe." Jax grinned.
"Yeah, not happening." Vega said with a smirk, heading to the restroom to get ready. As he finished, Vega looked in the mirror. 'You got this, just don't...screw it up. Things went well yesterday, just don't be an idiot.' he thought to himself before going to get changed.
"You sure you're not nervous?" Sebastian asked as he looked at Vega.
"Me? Nah..." Vega said dismissively before looking at Sebastian's quite skeptical face. "OK...maybe a LITTLE, but only a little."
"Thought so, but don't worry, it is only normal to be nervous on a first date after all. I'm sure you'll do fine."
"Yeah, nothing to be ashamed of, you can bet the rest of us will be nervous when we get dates." Hassan commented.
A smile formed on the jaguar's mouth. "Thanks guys, but just because your being so supportive doesn't mean you'll be spared from me enjoying it when it's your turn." He said with a devilish smirk.
The two just shook their heads as they finished getting ready and the group headed off. As the group stepped out of the boys dorm they went their separate ways to their own classes with Vega going to meet up with Anya and Shinoku.
"How's the lovebirds?" Vega grinned.
"Doing well, thanks, you excited for your date today?" Anya asked with a smile.
"Yeah." Vega replied. "Oh, and thanks again for getting that going. Even though I said I was going to get around to it." He added.
"And I said that if you didn't soon she might get asked out by someone else." Anya shot back.
"Is she always this stubborn?" Vega asked as he looked at Shinoku.
"I could answer that, but I refuse to on the grounds of not wanting to be hit." Shinoku said, clearly not wanting to say anything on the matter.
"Smart man." Anya grinned.
Vega laughed. "Got him well trained I see."
"You know it." Anya giggled.
Shinoku rolled his eyes. "You know you might very well be in for the same thing with Sheila."
"Maybe, but I might as well enjoy this while I can just in case." Vega grinned.
Shinoku just sighed as he shook his head, much to Vega and Anya's amusement. "Anya, would you mind going ahead? I'll ketch up, just need to talk to Vega a minute."
Anya blinked as she looked at Shinoku. "Sure." She said before walking ahead of them as the two stopped.
"What is it Shin?" Vega asked.
"Might be nothing and a bit of paranoia, but after me and Anya went to the carnivore gathering and we got to the girl's dorm I got the feeling I was being watched." Shinoku explained.
Vega's demeanor changed, eyes narrowing. "You sure?"
"I mean...maybe?" Shinoku responded. "I didn't see anyone and as soon as I started to look the feeling went away. As I said, it might be nothing." Shinoku remarked. "It's why I didn't mention it to Anya or want to say it in front of her."
"Do you think it was Otis?" Vega inquired.
"I didn't smell the bastard, so it's likely just paranoia." Shinoku replied. "Maybe worrying about him coming back to harm her is getting to me. I almost snapped when I briefly saw one of the doberman students at the gathering."
Vega sighed. "I know you're on high alert man, but if you're almost jumping at students, maybe you need to relax a little."
"Yeah…" Shinoku agreed.
Vega smiled. "Now, come on, don't want to keep Anya waiting."
"Yeah." Shinoku agreed as he and Vega started heading to meet up with Anya.
"So, what did you need to talk about?" Anya asked Shin when he and Vega met up with her.
"Oh, just a thing the rest of the guys were planning on doing during winter break since it'll be here soon." Shinoku lied.
"Yeah, Jax was thinking about hunting for that rumored six eyed ghost thing, Shin just wanted to know if we were actually going to do it." Vega said, trying to back up Shinoku's lie.
Anya arched a brow. "And you had to ask him in private?"
Shinoku rubbed the back of his head. "Well...I wasn't sure if you'd think it was stupid or not." He remarked. "Plus, kind of a...as Jax would put it, personal eight o' eight matter."
Anya looked at Shinoku before shrugging. "Fair enough. You plan on going with them?"
"I did say I would…" Shinoku commented. "As thanks for helping with so much. But I'm not completely onboard with it."
"Well you don't have to if you aren't up for it Shin, especially if you and Anya think of plans." Vega mentioned, "I'm sure Jax won't care."
"I'll think about it…" Shinoku said.
When the three of them got to class Shin and Anya went to their seats, Vega sitting down at his. As class went by, the jaguar found it a bit difficult to keep focused on the lesson. Today was going to be his first date with Sheila, hell it was going to be his first date since he tried back in middle school. Despite that though he managed to keep up with the lesson, sighing in relief when class was over. Things didn't get any easier afterward, in fact they got more stressful. With each class, each hour that drew their date closer, time seemed to drag on and Vega got more anxious about how long it seemed to be taking for the date to happen. Of course he didn't show it, especially around Shinoku and the others at lunch, playing it off with his usual cool cheeky demeanor. When the last class of the day finally ended Vega sighed with relief, 'Thank god that's over...seriously did time just look at me and say screw this one guy in particular?' he thought to himself as he sighed, 'Well, just got club and then it's the big moment...' his thoughts trailed off as he walked across the school to his own club.
Sheila let out a slight sigh as she entered the girl's changing room, it had been a rather long day for her. Not for any reason pertaining to the classes, but rather the anxious feeling that had built up inside her since yesterday. 'Me...cute? I'm nothing special…just another cheetah. We're all built similar so what makes him think I'm any different from the others?' she thought, 'I mean, I acted calm and everything, but only because I didn't really have time to process when Anya got me into that situation. AAARGH, why did I kiss his cheek?! Sure I wanted to prove he couldn't predict me but still...I could've done something else! I just hope I don't blow it...he seems nice, at worst one of us will have to be let down...'
"Hey Sheila, you alright? You look a little…tense." Ellen asked as she approached the cheetah.
"Hmm? Oh, I'm fine…" Sheila said as she smiled.
the zebra slightly tilted her head. "You sure?"
"Well...I might be a little…anxious." Anya admitted. "I got a date after club."
Ellen blinked. "Really, with who?"
"A jaguar named Vega, he's a friend of Shinoku's." Sheila replied. "Anya kinda got us together. He's actually pretty nice, I'm just nervous is all."
"Do you want to go on a date with him, or did you feel you had to say yes?" inquired Yuna, the flamingo.
Anya's ears drooped as she heard Yuna's question when she walked in. "Did you feel forced to say yes? I didn't mean to force you into anything..."
"Oh, no, it's nothing like that!" Sheila said in a slight worry as she put up her hands. "I actually liked talking to him. He was nice and considerate, not to mention seemed fun to be around...I really didn't mind at all saying yes to a date with him. I'm just a bit nervous is all, I haven't actually been on a date before and I just...don't want to disappoint or make a bad impression."
"Are you sure?" Anya asked.
"Yes, I'm sure." Sheila assured. "So please, don't feel like you made me feel like I had to say yes by having me talk to him."
"Alright." Anya said as her ears perked back up a bit.
"Well best of luck then, hopefully it goes well." Yuna spoke up.
"Yeah, hope it goes well for you." Ellen added.
"Thanks...so do I." Sheila said with a slight smile. Sheila's nerves seemed to settle as club started, focusing more on going through helping the dancers team with their choreography and dancing. It never ceased to amuse her how when Anya had the chance she'd have Shin practice with her. It was cute how they seemed to be inseparable, the feelings they had for one another clear to her unlike some of the others. She had to admit, even if her own dating experience wasn't all that much, if any to be truthful.
Sure, she'd get glances every now and then, even back in middle school, but no one really approached her. The comments didn't help either, "She's totally hot.", "She must do photo shoots.", "Why can't I be that pretty?", it all made her feel a little self conscious. In her mind there was nothing special about her, and yet all the guys seemed too nervous to ask her out or assumed she was already with someone. So it was nice when Vega had treated her like she was any other girl. Sure he had said she was cute, beautiful even, but the way he did was seemingly more sincerely meant than what she had heard before. In fact, that very fact is what made her willing to say yes to the date and made her anxious about it going right. Still, if things did go well, she wondered and slightly worried about how he might react when he learned what she used to do as a job.
As club came to an end she let out a nervous sigh as she finished changing, the anxiousness of the date once more starting to creep in. She didn't let it show though, smiling and saying goodbye to the girls as they left. She had lagged behind a bit, gathering some courage, before walking out of the changing room and out of the building. She had wondered where she and Vega were going to meet until she saw him standing outside by the drama club. "Oh, Vega, hello," she said as she smiled.
"Hey Sheila, sorry for not exactly saying where we'd meet up. I thought we could walk together to get dinner and then eat it on the roof if that's alright."
Sheila smiled. "Sure, I don't mind."
"Great!" Vega smiled.
With that, the two walked towards the cafeteria to get their dinner, making their way to the roof of the main building afterward. When they got there, Sheila spied a bass case by the edge. "Is that yours?" She asked curiously.
"Yeah, I'll be honest, I felt kind of bad for not being more...creative with our date. I mean I should have asked you out to somewhere in town or something. So, to kind of make up for it, I figured I'd play my bass for you." Vega said as he rubbed the back of his head.
Sheila just smiled. "It's alright, sometimes simple is just as good. Besides, the fact you're going to play something for me is just as sweet as taking me somewhere in town."
"You sure, it's not too...cliché or cheesy?" Vega asked.
The cheetah giggled. "I'm sure."
Vega smiled. "alright." He said as sat down with Sheila so they could eat. "So...and forgive me for being not great at conversation, but how have things gone for you so far today?"
"They went alright." Sheila said after swallowing a bite. "Though if I'm being completely honest, I got more anxious as our date got closer." She admitted.
Vega felt a wave of relief course through him. "You too huh?" He asked. "It felt like time decided to just torture me by moving at a snails pace to give me enough time to worry about what I might do or have done wrong, I could barely focus on my classes, I was really about to just try and kick the clock's ass."
Sheila couldn't help but giggle slightly. "It seems we were both worried about how the date would go, not wanting to disappoint the other."
"Seems that way." Vega chuckled.
"So you play a bass?" Sheila asked.
"Yeah, I'm in the music club actually." Vega replied. "I hope you don't mind." He added. "If you're more for something more...classical sounding then you'd want to go to Shinoku, he plays the violin."
"Oh, I don't mind at all." Sheila said as she smiled. "I didn't know Shinoku was so talented."
"Well, it's more of a hobby for him than anything." Vega commented. "That, and he says it helps work out his upper body and with his posture."
Sheila blinked. "Really, Is that true?" She asked.
"Surprisingly yeah." Vega answered. "I didn't believe it at first but then I asked the head of the music club and he confirmed it. Though she was surprised that someone in the boxing club was actually playing one as a means to help his workout routine."
"Huh...well that's interesting." Sheila remarked. Though you said it was more of a hobby for him, you planning to make a career out of music?"
Vega chuckled, "If I'm good enough, yeah. Though that doesn't mean I'm not going to college. I've seen what can happen to musicians, I don't really want to risk doing what I love turning into something I hate. So, I might see about getting a nice paying job with a musical side gig." he smirked.
Sheila giggled slightly. "You know, I don't think office worker is the impression I get from you."
"Heh...you're not the first to say that." "Vega chuckled.
"So what, respectable worker by day, rebel rock star by night?" Sheila smirked.
"More weekend rebel." He chuckled once again. "But that's all depending on what feels right."
"That's understandable, we just got to do what seems best." Sheila mused.
"So, how about you?" Vega asked. "If you don't mind me asking..."
"Well, I definitely know I'm going to college. From there...I'm not sure." Sheila replied. "I mean I like being the choreographer of the drama club and dancing so I might make it a career. Then again, I might just find a nice stable job or something." She added. "Honestly, I'd prefer to see what college holds first."
"That's absolutely fair, no need to be one hundred percent on what you're going to do right?" Vega remarked. "Nothing like a good back up to fall on."
Sheila nodded slightly. "Exactly."
As they finished eating Vega moved to where his bass case was, opening it and removing his bass. "Ready for some musical entertainment to compliment your meal?" He grinned as he sat on the raised of the building edge with the bass ready.
Sheila smiled as she looked at Vega, her tail flicking idly with interest. "By all means." She replied.
Vega smiled as he took a quick breath before he started to play, eyes closing for a moment. What proceeded from the bass was a melody that wasn't exactly intense like bass guitars were normally capable of. In fact, it was somewhat subdued. The melody itself was something that Sheila found herself quite enjoying, especially as it felt rather...romantic, likely due to the sun setting as well. As Vega finished playing he looked at Sheila. "Did you like it?"
"Yeah, it was really good." Sheila replied as she smiled.
"Heh...thanks." Vega smiled. "Glad you liked it."
"Well I can certainly see you becoming a musician." Sheila commented as she continued to smile.
"I'm just glad I could entertain you." Vega said as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Say...mind if I ask you something about Shinoku?" Sheila asked.
"Shoot." Vega said as he looked at her.
"He seems genuinely nice and rather friendly, if a bit awkward, why has he-" Sheila started to ask.
"Never tried to improve how others see him and get rid of the rumors?" Vega finished for her. "Trust me, we've asked that several times." He replied. "He's just an awkward mess that got so used to it he didn't see any point of anything changing. Which, is ironic for someone with aspirations of becoming the beastar."
Sheila blinked. "He wants t be the beastar?" She asked.
Vega nodded in confirmation. "Yeah, Shin's real big on the whole coexistence and cohabitation. It's part of the reason he keeps stepping in on fights and such." He replied. "I personally think the other part is just built up anger and frustration in regards to bullying and prejudice, the guy really dislikes those that abuse their strength or look down on others."
"Is he going to try though?" Sheila inquired. "He seems like someone who could be a strong possibility for beastar, well, if not for Louis."
Vega shrugged. "He said he's thinking about it, just wants the right opportunity to present itself. Well, I say think about it, more like he's intending to considering he's already declared war with Louis."
Sheila's eyes widened. "What?!"
"Well, he wasn't planning on it really. But the when Louis judged the kind of carnivore he was and looked down on him Shin wasn't going to just take it and just essentially gave Louis as good as he got while saying he'd be the beastar." Vega explained.
Sheila let out a sigh sighed as she placed her hand on her head. "Well that explains not only the looks Louis has been giving Shinoku but why he kept him longer than Bill when they caused a scene."
"Yeah." Vega confirmed.
"Well, at least he's not provoking Louis openly…" Sheila remarked.
"Not his style." Vega said simply as he idly adjusted his bass. "Plus he already feels at a massive disadvantage against Louis, which is why he's waiting for the right opportunity to change how the rest of the students see him." He added.
"I'm sure Bill has already tried to get the other carnivores to support him." Sheila mused.
"He mentioned getting Bill not to yet." Vega commented.
Sheila looked at Vega curiously. "Why?" She asked.
Vega rubbed the back of his head. "Shin's got some...personal matters he wants to deal with first."
"Ah." Sheila remarked. "Must be pretty important." She mused.
"You could say that." Vega said that slightly knowingly. "Anyway, it's getting pretty late, shall I escort you to the girl's dorm?" The jaguar asked as he put up his bass.
"Sure." Sheila smiled as she stood up.
Vega walked over to Sheila after he slung the bass case over his shoulder, "If it's not being too bold or forward...want to hold hands?" he grinned as he offered her a hand.
Sheila giggled ever so slightly. "It's not." She said as she took his hand.
The two proceeded to head down form the roof, taking their time as they did so. Sheila had to admit she rather liked being close to Vega, the jaguar was definitely nice and enjoyable to be around, not to mention rather up front about things. A soft smile formed on her lips as she just enjoyed the moment of them walking through the school grounds.
"Well, here we are, I hoe you you liked the date." Vega said as they got to the female carnivore's dorm.
"I did, thank you." Sheila smiled. "I must admit that I wasn't expecting the bass by sunset, it was rather romantic."
Vega grinned. "I try. It was really the least I could do so that a beautiful girl like you could have a good date."
Sheila blushed profusely. "Th-thanks...though I'm really nothing that special, just another cheetah."
Vega blinked as he looked at her. "I don't think you're just another cheetah, you really are beautiful to me, and your personality makes you even more so."
The blush on Sheila's face got brighter. "You...you really mean that?" She asked.
"Well...yeah, I'm not about to lie about something like that." He said as he gently took her hand gently, something that made Sheila blushed more. "You might see yourself as just another cheetah, but I see someone who's...for the lack of something less cheesey to say…more than that. And., well, a really cute girl." He smiled.
Sheila smiled back as she leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Thank you. For that, and the date."
Vega blushed as he grinned. "No problem...So, would I be allowed to ask you on another?" He asked.
Sheila giggled a bit as she looked at him, tail flicking. "Sure, I'd like that."
"Great!" Vega beamed. "I'll let you know when I have something in mind. Maybe next time we can go somewhere in town." He suggested. "Also, Anya mentioned maybe doing a double date sometime. We don't have to do it for our next date, just something we could do later on if you'd like to." The jaguar added.
Sheila smiled. "Both sound nice, I'll leave it up to you though. Just make sure you you keep up being a good date." She teased with a grin.
"Oh, I will." Vega chuckled. "Well, see you around. Unless, you'd allow me to return the kiss."
Sheila tried to smirk, though a blush hindered the playful look. "Bold to ask, though it would only be right to allow a goodbye kiss."
Vega grinned before leaning in and kissing Sheila on the cheek, he could almost swear he heard a faint purr coming from her when he kissed her. "Well, till next time, have a good night."
"You too." Sheila said as she waved to Vega as he started to leave before turning and heading into the girl's dorm.
As he walked to the boy's dorm, Vega had a huge smile on his face, he felt absolutely ecstatic as well as relieved that the date went so well. He even was going to have a second date with her, he could hardly believe it. Though despite how happy he was, the situation Shin and Anya were in were not far from his mind. He was grateful to Anya for setting this in motion, but he wasn't going to slack in helping them with Otis. If anything, this just made him all the more determined to help them out however he could. But for now, he was going to enjoy the moment and the fact that he had what looked to hopefully be a pretty good chance with Sheila, a light hum coming from his throat as he reached the boy's dorm and eventually his dorm room on the eighth floor.
"Hey guys, I'm back." Vega said as he entered the room.
"Awe man, and here I was thinking I could have my choice of beds." Jax joked. "So, how'd it go? And no making us wait thinking it went bad."
"Yeah, how'd it go?" Hassan asked.
"Surprisingly well. In fact, well enough that she's open for a second date." Vega said with a big smile.
"Awesome! I see you wooed her with your bass skills." Jax grinned.
"Eh, somewhat, it was more me just doing what I could to make sure she had a good time." Vega replied.
"I knew you had nothing to worry about." Sebastian chimed in as he looked up from a book. "So, when's the next date?"
"Not sure, soon-ish maybe, thinking about what would be a good second date." Vega responded as he looked at Sebastian. "That, and for at least the time being, I want to make sure Shin and Anya have nothing to worry about." He added. "Shinoku had told me he felt like he was being watched last night but he didn't smell Otis."
Sebastian's expression, along with the others, turned a bit more serious. "Does he think it was Otis?" the lion asked.
"He's not willing to say, especially sense he mentioned he almost snapped at a doberman student the other night at the carnivore gathering." Vega elaborated. "So he's chocking it up to nerves."
"Maybe...I just hope he's right about it just being him on edge." Hassan mused.
"Yeah...me to." Vega agreed.