When Billy Comes To Town
a fanfic by:
The Shadow

Prologue
*bzzt* *bzzt* *bzzt*
Alarm clock. 
A webbed paw lazily reaches up from underneath the covers to hit the snooze button.
*beep*
Ok, alarm's off. What time is it?  A furry head just as lazily pokes up from it's pillow to check the time on the alarm clock.  8 A.M!?!?
The young cub jumps out of bed and starts to get dressed.
Gotta skip the shower today.  Can't believe I woke up late.  Then again, I don't think I'll ever get used to being up in the morning than at night.
As soon as he is clothed, the furry kid pushes his duck-like feet through his bedroom door and down the hallway to the dinning room.  When he arrives, he notices that his father already has books out on the table, and one is open.  The kid sits down to see which one is open.
Ugh, it's math... 
The young child sighs, depressed about having to start the day of with the subject he likes least.  The dad looks at his son.
"You okay Billy?  You slept in today.  I thought you were going to miss school."
"Nah," Billy replies.  "Just a rough night in bed."
"What happened?  Did you have a nightmare, sweetie?" asks his mother from in the kitchen.
"No mom.  Just not used to sleeping when the moon is out."
"But it's been two weeks son.  Surely you should be used to it by now?" his concerned father asks.
"Dad, it may be easy for you to get used to it.  You need to, you have to work.  Mom and I shouldn't be so able to get used to it.  I mean, she cleans and cooks all day while I'm hitting the books.  That's something we should be able to do at night."
Just then, Billy's mother takes a look into the dinning room to see if everything's alright.
"I think we should tell him, Stephen."
"I agree, Mary."
"Tell me what?" Billy questions his parents, intrigued by this recent secret.  "Did I do something wrong?"
"No son," Stephen replies.  "We've been here in Pouncefield for 2 weeks now, and you haven't even gone outside to play with the other cubs.  Now, I know leaving all your friends behind in Melbourne was hard, but I'm sure you'll make new friends here that can be just as close as your old ones were to you."
"Dad, do you realize what you're saying?" Billy says sceptically.  "We're platypi!  It was easy for me to make friends back home in Australia.  We lived in a platypi community!  We all looked the same.  This isn't a community where everybody looks the same.  I've looked out the window; I've seen them.  There's tigers and lions and bears, and that's not mentioning the foxes, the rabbits, the..."
"Ok Billy, I get the point, there's a big gene pool here," Stephen says, cutting Billy off.  "What's your point?"
"Dad, have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately?"
"Yes, son, I have."
"What other creature on the planet has the face and paws of a duck, but has a body that looks like a beaver?" Billy cries.
"So your unique.  Honey, I'm sure the other kids'll like you for who you are, no matter what you look like," Mary says caringly.
"Mom, kids in your day may have been accepting.  However, kids today will make fun of you until there's no tomorrow if you're slightly different.  I don't want to go through that kind of horror."
"Well, son, you really don't have a choice," replies Stephen.  "We know that if you don't get out of this house, you're going to grow up mean and bitter.  And trust me, once the kids get to know you, they really won't care what you look like."
"But daaaad..." Billy groans.
"No more discussion.  You start at a school called 'St. Lovejoys' tomorrow.  Today, we finish your last day of homeschooling.  We've delayed long enough.  Time to hit your math book."
Billy groans some more.
Great. I don't know which is worse... having to do math or having to go to school with other kids. This day's just getting better and better by the minute. God, what did I do to you to do this to me?
"Answer?"
"Huh?" blurts a startled Billy.
"Son, I know that this is a bit of a shock to you, but you'll be alright.  Trust me.  And you'll see what I'm talking about tomorrow," Stephen states in a calm, soothing tone.
"I hope you're right dad. I hope you're right."
Stephen then looks at his watch.
"Well, that's it for me teaching you, son.  I have to get off to work.  Your mother will pick up where we left off when she's done with your breakfast.  Have a good day," Stephen says.  He then goes into the kitchen to grab his jacket and a kiss from his wife.  "Love you, dear."
"Love you too, honey."
After the "I love you"s, Stephen rushes out the door.  Billy hears the car doors open and close, and engine rev up, some screeching, and then nothing.
I really do hope your right, dad.  I have a feeling that it's going to be worse than you think.  But, you're right, we won't know until tomorrow.
And with that, Billy puts his head back in his math book and starts studying again.

*****

Chapter 1

"No! Just leave me alone! Stay away from me!"

Screams can be heard through-out the halls of St. Loveyjoys. Billy, the young male platypus, is standing in the middle of a circle of kids.

"Come on, just leave me alone! Haven't you guys had enough for one day?!?"

"No, we haven't, freak!" screams a young lion cub.

"What made you think you could walk in here and just try to be normal, duck-bill!" a tiger yells.

"Go crawl back under the rock you crawled from underneath of and leave us normal kids alone," a few of the others in the circle shout.

"I didn't do anything to you guys! Just please..." Billy says, starting to cry. "Just please leave me alone."

"Oh look, we made him cry! And that was just from our words," a rabbit child says mockingly, starting to laugh at Billy's breakdown.

"Just... words? Wait, NO!"

And with those screams, the kids take turns punching and kicking poor Billy. One cub lands a hard blow across Billy's bill. Another gets a swift kick into Billy's gut. The final blow is a cub from behind, nailing Billy in the back of his head with both fists. Billy goes down for the count.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

Billy soon awoke from his slumber, only to realize it was just a nightmare.

What time is it?

Billy, nearly in tears from his dream, looks at his clock.

Only midnight. I'm not going to get to sleep tonight.

Just then, his parents come in, both scared to death that their son may be in trouble.

"Not another one?" they both ask in unison.

"Yes, another one. I told you that me going to a school with other kids was a bad idea."

"But you haven't even started yet. Trust me, tomorrow, everything will turn out fine. You'll see," Stephen says, trying to comfort his startled son.

"At any rate, dear, you need to try and get some rest. Don't worry so much about what will happen tomorrow. Just take it as it gets here," Mary adds.

"I guess you're right, mom, dad. I love you both. Good night."

"Good night, son," they both say, again in unison.
Maybe everything will turn out ok tomorrow. 
Billy thinks that to himself many times before falling asleep for the night.
*****
*bzzt* *bzzt* *bzzt*

Alarm clock's going off. Must be 5:29.

Billy springs out of bed, hits the alarm clock, and dashes off for his bathroom to brush his teeth and take a shower.  The warm water relaxes Billy as it hits him and cascades down his brown fur.

First day of school.  Maybe if I just keep my head down, everything'll turn out alright.  This water does feel nice though.  Have to take another one when I'm done with my laps.

Billy soon finishes up, turns the water off, gets dressed in swimming trunks, and heads out his back-door.  In his backyard, there are 2 pools, one Olympic sized and one recreational sized, a garden where Mary grows all sorts of vegetables to go with their dinners, and a shed, where Stephen keeps his tools. Billy walks toward the bigger of the two pools.

10 laps might be enough to calm me down before I head off to school.

And as the though finishes, Billy jumps into the pool and starts swimming the distance back and forth.  After his laps, Billy hops out of the pool and heads back into his house, only to be greeted by an upset look on his mother's face.

"How many times do I have to remind you to take a towel with you when you do your laps?"

Billy sighs.  "Sorry mom. With everything that's been going on in the past 24 hours, I really didn't think about it this morning. And the swim wasn't even to practice, like normal. I was in the pool to try and calm down."

"Well, please head back outside while I find you a towel to dry off with.  I don't want you dripping all over the carpets."

Billy sighs again. "Ok mom."

Billy heads back outside.  He stands there, staring at the sky, looking at the moon as it starts to disappear behind the horizon.

I miss my friends back in Melbourne.  They're all probably enjoying the night's sky right now, and I have to be up with the sun.

Billy, now depressed, hears his mother open the door.

"Here's that towel.  Now, dry off, get ready for school, and come have some breakfast with us.  And tomorrow, try not to wake up so early.  School doesn't start for about another hour and a half."

Billy just frowns as he takes the towel and starts to dry his fur.  He heads back inside and goes toward his room.  Behind a shut door, Billy takes his time changing out of his swim trunks and into his school uniform.

Well, at least my clothes won't be one of the reasons I get picked on today.

There's a knock on Billy's door as he's thinking this thought.  "Son, are you dressed yet?  Your mother said you were up and getting dressed in your new school outfit."

"Yes, dad. I'm dressed.  I gotta say, this uniform's quite nice.  It breathes, plus the tie kinda takes a bit of attention away from my bill, although I'm not fond of wearing a tie to school."

Stephen just sighs outside Billy's door.  "What is with your obsession thinking that everybody is going to hate you when they first meet you?  You're a good kid.  If they don't like you for who you are, then forget about them."

"Easy for you to say, dad.  You're an adult, you don't have to worry about what other adults think of you."

"And you don't have to worry about what other kids think about you.  Now, hurry up and come have breakfast.  We're having steak and eggs for breakfast."

"Is this one of those last meal type deals, dad?" asks Billy.  "It's not usual for us to have anything other than eggs or pancakes or something like that."

"Well," Stephen replies, "this IS your first day at a new school.  What better way to send you off than with a nice breakfast?"

"I'll be out in 2 minutes."

"We'll save you a plate-full then," Stephen says and he heads of toward the kitchen laughing.

Maybe I should just think of this like my folks do. I don't know what those kids are going to be like. Maybe they will like me for who I am.

Five minutes later, Billy shows up to his seat at the kitchen table.  His parents are already digging in.  Billy grabs himself a plate and starts to eat.  The next fifteen minutes go by in silence, apart from the munching and the complimentative "mmm"s from Stephen and Billy . After everybody finishes, Billy grabs all the dishes and puts them in the sink for his mother to wash.  He then sits down on the couch in the living room.  Turning on the tv, he looks for something to watch. An hour seems to fly when Mary yells in to Billy.

"Son, you need to get going. Your going to miss the bus."

"Do I have to take a bus on my first day?" groaned Billy, who's obviously not too comfortable with a fifteen minute bus ride with other kids before even getting to school.

"No, but you'll be late if you don't take it. You need to meet some of the kids. Trust me, you'll be fine."

"Ok."

With that, Billy grabs a paper bag, cuts some holes in it so he can see, puts it on his head, and starts to head for the door.  This, of course, is immediately caught by Stephen, who grabs the paper bag off his son's head.

"No antics today, son.  I know you don't want people to see your face, but going to school with a bag on your head will make you look retarded.  We don't want that."

Billy just rolls his eyes as he heads out the front door and down the street to the bus stop.  A block away, he stops in his tracks.  He sees a pair of foxes waiting by the bus stop.  He gulps, and starts to take baby steps toward the pair.

Well, moment of truth.  The taller one seems cool, but that smaller one has an evil look in her eye.  Or maybe that's just my imagination.

He walks up to the bus stop and the pair of foxes.  The smaller fox notices him instantly.

"Hi there. You must be new. I haven't seen you around before."

"Yeah, my family just moved in from Australia a few weeks ago.  Been home-schooled until today.  My folks are making me go to a school called 'St. Lovejoys'."

"Cool, we go there too. My name's Edna Fox. This is my brother, Edward."

Edward just waves a hand, not really paying attention to whats going on.

"My name's Billy. Billy Plats. Nice to meet you, Edna."

"So, I gotta ask, Billy..." Edna starts. "Are you a beaver or something?"

"No, I'm a platypus."

"A plat-i-what?"

"Platypus."

"Oh, I've heard of them," Edward chimes in. "They're Australian mammals.  They look like beavers, but they have the bills and paws of ducks.  Often called "Duck-Bills".  Although, from what I've read, there's only one type of platypus, so the name doesn't really mean anything."

"Wow. I'm impressed. You must be quite the grade-grubber or something," Billy says, surprised at Ed's knowledge.

"Nah, I just try to learn new stuff when I can.  Glad I did too.  Never would've though I'd actually meet a platypus, let alone one that goes to our school."

"Well, if you two are done setting up a date for tonight, our bus is here," Edna quickly cuts in.

Billy and Edward both quickly sigh and roll their eyes as the bus pulls up to the curb.  Ed and Edna quickly get on, leaving Billy behind.  The young platypus gulps one last time.

Well, those two were nice. Here's where I find out whether they're just always nice, or if kids here really don't care.

He then puts his first foot on the step up onto the bus, anxious to see what's going to happen to him on his first day of school. 
*****
Billy steps up onto the bus, worried about the other kids.  His worry causes him to not even hear what Carlos, the bus driver, says.  Billy just walks toward the back of the bus, passing many kinds of cubs on the way.  He passes a lion and bunny sitting together, and also a cat and a squirrel.  He also passes Ed and Edna, who just smile comfortingly.  Every group he passes has one cub staring at the platypus in disbelief, and the other cub is whispering to the first cub.  Billy manages to overhear some of the chatter.

"Is he a beaver?"

"Is that supposed to be a bird of some sort?"

"I think that dude's an alien."

"What kind of freak did they let on this bus?"

Billy sighs as he finds a seat in the very back of the bus. He stares up to the front of the bus, noticing everybody apart from the two foxes he met staring at him.

I knew this would happen. Those fox cubs must just be nice to everybody.

The bus ride to school was the longest and quietest fifteen minutes of anybody's life ever.  Everybody started piling off the bus, with Billy being the last to get off. This time, he hears what Carlos has to say as he takes his last step off.

"Good luck kid. You're going to need it."

The bus doors close behind Billy, and he feels a deeper depression than when he was looking up at the moon this morning. He truly knows in his heart that surviving today will be no easy feat, and it's only his first day.  Bells begin to ring before Billy even takes one step toward the school doors.  He enters the building and is quickly snagged by Edna.

"So, what's up? How you like it so far?"

"I really don't," replies Billy.  "I think the kids hate me."

"Nah, they don't. They just need to get to know you first. You think Ed and I were loved the first time we came to school?"

"Yes."

"Well, um... got your schedule yet?" Edna quickly changes the subject, knowing what Billy said to be true.

"No, I don't even know where to go in this school.  I wish I were home right now."

"Don't be so blue, dude.  Here, I'll help you to the office.  There, you can pick up a map of the school and your schedule."

Edna grabs Billy's hand and guides him to the Principal's office.  "Well, I gotta go to class.  I'll try and catch you in lunch."

"Ok, and thanks for showing me the way here."

"Not a problem." With that, the young fox skips off towards her first class.  Billy walks up to the receptionist.

"Um, excuse me ma'am... I'm new here, and I was wondering if I can get my schedule and a map of the school."

The receptionist looks at the child.  "Oh, you're the platypus from Australia that just enrolled here from homeschooling, aren't you? Give me a second to find your schedule."

Billy just stares at the receptionist as she clicks on the keys of a keyboard.

Aside from those foxes, she's the first not to say anything about my appearance. Maybe I'm just losing my mind and I imagined all those conversations.

"Ah, Mr. Plats? I have your schedule right here. I'll print it out for you and you can be on your way."

"What about a map?" asks Billy.

"Behind you on that table there," the receptionist states as she hits another key on her keyboard.  The printer beside the monitor starts printing a piece of paper.  Once it's finished, she hands the paper to Billy and smiles.

"Enjoy your first day here.  And don't pay attention to the other kids.  Just give them a little time."  With that, she turns back to the keyboard and sends the young platypus on his way.

Well, that confirms it.  I'm going to be made fun of today, if not beat up.  What the hell were my parents thinking?

He heads off for his first class.  When he gets there, he's greeted by the teacher.  The kids in the room start to stare as Billy walks up in front of the class.

"Children, may I have your attention please? Today we have a new student in our class. His name is Billy Plats. Mr. Plats, could you please tell us a little bit about yourself?"

"Yes ma'am," starts Billy.  "I'm a platypus.  I moved here two weeks ago from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with my mother and father.  I'm 12 years old and I enjoy swimming."

"Yeah, with a nose like that, you should enjoy breathing too," one of the kids quickly says.  With that, the room starts busting out in laughter.

"Children, children.  Settle down.  There's no room in this class for that kind of behavior.  Young man, you just bought yourself detention today."

"Aw man..." sighs the child.

"Alright Billy, you may take your seat. Everyone, please get your math books out. Today's lesson is multiplication."

Billy heads down the aisle of desks and chairs, looking at each kid staring at him.  He hears the same chatter he does on the bus.  When he reaches his desk, he pulls out his math book, opens it up, lays his head down, and sighs.

Well, this is just great. I really do hope that this is the worst of it for the day. I can't imagine how things can get any worse. 
*****
Chapter 2
After the bell rings, ending his first period class, Billy takes his leave of the room.  The thought he had at the beginning of class is still buzzing around inside his head.

I really do hope that this is the worst of it for the day.  I can't imagine how things can get any worse.

With this thought still swimming in his head, Billy runs into a tall crocodile.  The croc turns angrily and starts yelling.

"Who the hell you think you are?  Nobody runs into Rodriguez without apologizing for it."

"I'm sorry, Rod," Billy starts.  "I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. I've got a lot on my mind."

"And your face.  What the hell's up with you, freak?  You some kinda mutated beaver or something?"

"Platypus, and please don't call me a freak."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't think of how that would make you feel."

"Thanks for apologizing," Billy says with a half-smile.  With that, Rodriguez busts out with laughter.

"Ha ha ha haaa... you... think... I would... actually APOLOGIZE to somebody who looks and acts like you do?  Wow, it's a shame you didn't get good looks, because your brain's not really sparking.  Your just a mess.  Now, normally, I'd take pity upon complete wastes of life like yourself, no brains, no looks.  But since it's your first day here, I feel I have to teach you some respect, duck-boy."

With that said, Rodriguez immediately picks the platypus up with one hand.  Students start to gather in the halls to watch the fight.  Tears start to form in Billy's eyes.

"What's that?  You gonna cry?  I haven't even hit you yet. Man up."

Fists start flying as Rodriguez pounds Billy without mercy.  Students start to look away as the beating is too bad to watch.  Many blows to the face, some to the kid's gut, a few to the back of his neck.  Rodriguez winds up for the final blow when a bloody Billy lifts his right leg up and crashes it down heel-first into Rod's left shoulder.  This causes the giant croc to drop the messy cub.  Billy looks up at his attacker.  He notices a red sore around the wound where he made contact.

This isn't good. 

Rod starts to scratch his shoulder.

"What the hell? Did you just give me some sort of rash?"

"Worse, I'm afraid," Billy says in a sorrow-filled tone.

"Worse? How... graagh..."

With that, the croc falls down from excruciating pain.  His entire left arm has gone numb, and Rod's in too much pain to do anything else to Billy.

"Somebody run and get the nurse or call 911 or something," cries the blood-covered platypus.

A few children run off in different directions.  One gets the nurse, another heads off for the Principal's office, while a third heads off away from the fight, hoping not to get caught watching the fight.  The nurse and the principal arrive at the same time to the scene.

"What happened here?" demands the principal.

"Rod and I got into a fight.  He needs help.  He's been poisoned."

"Poisoned?" gasps the nurse.  "How can he be poisoned from a fight?"

"I'm a male platypus coming of age.  I have barbs on the back of my heels, and I had my shoes custom made to allow them to stick out.  It was uncomfortable to wear tight shoes with my barbs.  Anyway, the venom in my crural glads must be starting to develop.  When I hit him with my barb, I must've poisoned him.  It's underdeveloped enough to the point that it's non-lethal, but you should get an ambulance for him."

"Going to have to," the nurse says.  "Children, do a few of you mind helping me carry Rodriguez back to my office?"

A few reluctant hands go up into the air.  With that, everybody, aside from the principal and Billy, leave the scene of the fight.

"What to do with you, young man.  So far as I know, your the only mammal in this school that has venom stored in glands in it's body.  This kind of stuff isn't covered anywhere.  I'm going to have to send you back to class.  But from now on, you must wear something over the barbs on your feet so you don't poison anybody else.  You're dismissed."

"I'm sorry about what happened.  I didn't mean to poison him, just stun him a little with the pain of my barb digging into his shoulder.  I hope Rod gets better soon," Billy says, wiping blood from his bill and eyes.

"We all do. Are you ok enough to get up?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Thanks."  Billy staggers to his feet and heads off toward his second period class.

Jeez, what a great start.  First, I get picked on without mercy, then I get into a fight with a guy twice my size, and then I wound up putting him in the hospital in one shot because my venom's developing and I hadn't realized it.  Now the children will be too scared to make fun of me, but then they won't be willing to be my friends now.  Why did I have to come to a school with other children? 
*****
Lunch couldn't get here any slower today.  I know I SAID my venom wasn't lethal yet, but it's hard to tell how much actually got into that poor kid.

Billy's mind still races from all the events of the day.  He walks the halls, looking at his map, trying to figure out how to get into the cafeteria.  Without looking up from the map, he stumbles into Edna.  He knocks her down, quickly puts his map away, and helps her up.

"Is that any way to treat a lady?" yells Edna playfully.

"I'm sorry Edna, I've got a lot on my mind."

"Like what?"

"Well," Billy starts, "for starters, I've already been made fun of more times than Michael Jackson, I got the shit kicked outta me by a croc twice my size, and when I went to stop the fight, I accidentally poisoned him, sending him to the hospital."

"You're the one who put Rod in the hospital?  The kids have been saying some alien did it."

"Um, in case you haven't noticed, I'm the one everybody's been calling 'alien' and 'freak'.  I just wish these kids were more like you, Edna."

"Trust me," Edna says, reassuringly.  "In time, they'll love you for you, not for what you look like."

"You know, you sound just like my parents.  Anywho, I'm trying to find the cafeteria.  Hopefully eating lunch will get my mind off of things."

Enda just smiles a little and chuckles on the inside.

"Oh, I've got something better to help you get your mind off things."

"What, you guys got a pool here?"

"Oh, I have something better planed," Edna says with a devilish look in her eyes.

Oh, that's just great.  There's that look I saw this morning.  What does she have planed?

Before Billy can say anything, Edna grabs his hand and heads off for the gym.

"Where are you taking me?"

"The gym," Enda replies.

"Why the gym?"

"You'll see."  Edna's look dominates her face at this point.

A few moments later, the couple enter the doors of the gym and quickly dash behind a set of bleachers.

"What are we..."

Before Billy can finish his question, Edna's got her hands unbuttoning his pants.

"Edna, stop it!"

"Why?  You said you wanted to get your mind off things?  What better way than yiffing?"

Edna starts sliding one of her hands down Billy's boxers.  Billy jumps back at this, pulling Edna's exploring hands away before they get a feel for anything.

"What are you doing?  Just enjoy this."

"No!  How old are you?  Eight?  Nine?  And we're in school.  Even if I did want to, this isn't the place to be doing something like that."

"Oh, buddy boy," Edna says, "you're in for quite the awakening.  There's not one cub in this school at our ages that isn't yiffing during school hours.  It's only a matter of finding a spot to do it at."

"You're kidding?"

"No, I'm not.  Ask anybody."

"I gotta get outta here.  See you around, Edna."  With that, Billy buttons his pants back up and dashes out of the gym.  Billy just runs around the school, looking for a place to lay low from Edna for a short while.  When he enters the boys' restroom, he can hear moaning sounds coming from the stalls, and two pairs of feet in each stall.

What kind of crazy school is this?

Billy rushes out of the restroom and just runs down a hall for a little while.  He finally arrives at the cafeteria at the end of the hall.  Some of the kids weren't eating, and Billy starts to imagine why that is.

Even at lunch! Edna was right!

As disturbed as Billy is, he gets in line to grab a tray of food.  After paying for it, he finds the only empty table in the room, which is near the center, and takes a seat there.  Needless to say, tables in the immediate area of Billy empty out toward outter tables.  There is a 2 foot radius around Billy where there is not one child sitting.  Billy looks around the room and sighs.

Well, at least they aren't making fun of me.

Billy couldn't have been more wrong.  Around his seat, children start to gossip.

"That's the alien that killed Rod."

"Hey, the freak's here!  He'll poison you by looking at you!"

"Don't go near him.  If you even make eye contact, he'll try to kill you with his poison feet!"

Billy, unaware of these conversations, goes about his business and starts to eat his lunch.  Half-way through his meal, Billy notices Edward coming in his direction.  Ed grabs a seat at Billy's table.

"Aren't you scared?" asks Billy.

"Of what?"

"Of the poisonous alien freak."

"We have that around here?" Ed asks.

Billy just gives Ed a stare.

"I'm talking about me.  You haven't heard about what happened to Rod yet, have you?"

"Yeah, I heard some kid laid him out in one blow.  That was you?  How'd you get so strong?" Ed asks excitedly.

"It wasn't my strength.  It was my poison."

Billy lifts up his right foot and places it sideways on the table.  The other children start screaming and running.

"Take a look at the end of my heel there.  See the barb sticking out the back of the shoe?  That allows me to poison somebody with my venom."

"Wow, a venomous mammal.  I didn't even discover that in my readings."

"Please, after the way we platypi look, we need something to give us some 'street cred'," Billy says, laughing.

"Yeah, I guess you're right.  And hey, don't let any of this get you down.  Just think of it this way, the day's half over.  One more half and you can go home."

"That's a nice way to think of it. Thanks."

"No problem," Ed says.  "Now, I better go, it's not like the gang to not have lunch with me.  I should find them and see what's up."

"Ok take care, Ed."

With that, Ed takes his leave of Billy, leaving him alone to drown in his thoughts.

Yeah, the day's only half over.  This first half, I've been abused endlessly, nearly killed a dude, and found out everybody in this school is yiff-crazed.  I can't imagine it getting any worse than this.  It probably will though. 
*****
*bbrrriiiinnggg*

The bell ending school rings. Children start scampering around, finding their friends to hang out with for the rest of the day. Billy just walks as everybody runs past him. No one is even paying attention to the young platypus.

Nobody's even willing to look at me. What a day this turned out to be. Sure, I won't be getting made fun of any more, but the kids are too scared of me to get to know me now.

"Hey, Billy, over here!" Ed yells, waving for Billy to join him. Billy, reluctantly, does go over to where Ed and his sister are standing. Edna and Billy share awkward glances at each other as thoughts enter Billy's head.

I can't believe how yiff-crazed she is, especially for someone her age. I wonder if Ed knows. I wonder if Ed and Edna... Oh, no way, that's just sick. I doubt Ed would do anything like that to her.

Enda's thoughts are a bit different.

Either this guy's gay, or he's a real challenge. I'm hoping he's a challenge. I'd kinda like to see if he's hiding a duck cock or a beaver cock in his drawers. I'm willing to bet duck since he wasn't so willing to have some fun with me.

"Hey Ed, Edna. Who's this kid?" a lion cub asked, approaching the trio.

"Oh, hey Poke, this is the new kid, Billy."

"This is Billy? Hey, I recognize him! He was on the bus this morning. Well howdy there, stranger. Name's Pokeinfo. Most just call me Poke for short."

"Like Ed said, my name's Billy."

"Why didn't you introduce yourself earlier?"

"Well," Billy starts replying, "it's kind of hard to introduce yourself in front of a bus full of gawking children who have no clue who you are. And man, was that a mistake for me to do. I've garnered one hell of a reputation today. 'Come one, come all! Come see the alien half-duck, half-beaver freak that can kill you in one blow!' Man, that's going to be tough to get rid of.'" With that, Billy sighs.

"Hey, could be worse, you could be getting pummeled all day," Poke says with a laugh.

"I did get beat up once today. Which is how I got that rep. I was fighting a dude name Rodriguez. That's gotta be the angriest dude I've ever seen. Anyway, he picked me up with one hand and just wailed into me with the other. I tried to stun him a little by sticking him with the barb on the back of my heel, but I accidentally poisoned him instead. From what I hear, he's going to be in the hospital for a couple of weeks."

"A couple of weeks without Rod, huh? Man, you should be given a medal or something for doing something so totally awesome!" Poke replies with a chuckle. "Man, I've only known you for two minutes, but you're ok in my book. Great guy, great personality... you need to work on your self-image a little more... but I already enjoy hanging out with you."

"That's only because I put Rod in the hospital."

"No way," Ed cuts in. "If he tells you that he thinks you're an ok guy, listen to it. He doesn't tell people things they want to hear just because they did something he enjoys."

"Jeez, Poke, you think you can wait for me next time. I understand you want to hang with Ed and Edna for a little bit today, but leaving me to hoof it here by myself is not cool."

A rabbit cub approaches the group. Billy recognizes her as the rabbit sitting with Poke on the bus this morning.

"Hi guys. Who's the beaver?"

"I'm a platypus, thank you very much."

"My bad. My name's Cynthia."

"Billy."

"Hey, Billy, don't get any thoughts. I see the look in your eyes. She's mine," Poke cuts in laughing.

A small blush can be seen above Billy's bill if you look close enough. Edna sees it, but nobody else does.

That confirms it. He's a challenge. God, trying to sack him might be as much fun as teasing Ed around the house.

"Is this the 'gang' you were talking about at lunch today, Ed?"

"There's a few more coming. Just hold your little webbed feet."

"Ha ha... making fun of my feet. How could you? I thought we were friends," Billy says in a playful way.

"Who did you think was your friend," asks a squirrel who managed to sneak up behind Billy.

"Woah! Where did you come from? And who are you?"

"I'm Laura, Ed's girlfriend. Nice to meet you... uh... what did you say your name was again?"

"I didn't, but it's Billy. Nice to meet you too. This everybody?"

"Jeez, you're one antsy bloke. What's your rush? Got somewhere you gotta be. Anyway, name's Paige. Nice to meet you. This ol' dingo's finally got another Aussie to talk to."

"My name's Billy. And I'm glad to run into another kid from Australia. I was beginning to think I was the only one here. Hey, who's that hiding behind you?"

Paige steps aside to reveal a black cat-girl standing behind him. She tries to take cover behind Paige again, only to be stopped by him.

"This is Jenny. Don't worry about her, she's shy. But once she gets to know you, she'll talk your ear off."

"Hey, that's not funny," Jenny says, with a bright blush covering her face. 

The other kids start laughing.

"Don't worry about it, Jenny. Name's Billy, nice to meet you."

"..." Jenny doesn't respond.

"Wow, she is shy. Oh well, gotta have all types. So, is this it?"

"Yeah, this is the 'gang'. Now that we have final introductions down, let's catch the bus," Ed says.

"Can't, got cheerleading practice," replies Laura.

"And we both have soccer practice," Poke and Cynthia chime in.

"And we kinda made plans today to go hang out. Nothing personal, mate." Paige adds.

"Ok, well, you all take care. Edna and I are going to hang with Billy a little more," Ed replies, waving to his friends as they leave.

"You two wanna hang out with me?" asks Billy sceptically.

"Of course we do, silly," Edna replies, poking Billy in his ribs. "Why wouldn't we?"

"Ok, well, mind coming over to my place? I've got to practice my laps. Maybe you guys could enjoy it too."

"Running? Eh, I think I'll pass," Edna says with a little disgust.

"No, not running, swimming. I've got a couple of pools. One's for recreation, the other is Olympic sized for me to practice my swimming in."

"Cool, count us in. We should try having a pool party this weekend then," Ed states.

"Yeah, sounds cool. Well, let's get going," Billy says, walking down the hall.

Billy, for the first time since moving to Pouncefield, has a new sense of happiness.

I've managed to make friends, I've driven off a potential bully, I hope, and I've made an impression on the school. It's not one I like, but it's better than what I though would happen. Plus, now I'm hosting a party for kids who actually like me for who I am. And this is only day one. I think I'm going to enjoy it here.
*****
"Whoa, nice place ya got here, Billy," Ed says.

"You should've seen the place I had back in Melbourne. This is only half as good."

"Well, point us in the direction of the pool," Edna says, anxious to get wet.

"First things first, do you guys have swimming gear on underneath your school uniforms?"

"No," the two foxes reply in unison.

"Do you have some with you?"

"Yes," the foxes say in unison.

"Well, let's get changed. Edna, you can use my parents' bedroom. Ed, you can use my room... I'll use the bathroom to change."

Off the three cubs go to get changed. Edna and Ed are taken to the rooms Billy has asked them to change in, while Billy enters the bathroom. Five minutes later, everybody meets out by the recreational pool.

"Wow, this pool is big!" Ed says in disbelief.

"How big is it?" Edna asks.

"It's about four foot deep, and about 18 foot in diameter. Basic recreational pool. I practice my laps in the bigger pool. It's Olympic sized, like what you would find at a public pool, but it's in my backyard, so I can practice without stopping. You guys can join me if you want, or you can swim in the small pool."

With that, Billy heads for the big pool.

"You do have a towel with you, right?" Mary calls out to her son.

"Hi mom, didn't know you were home. No, I don't have a towel. Could you bring me three?"

"Why three, hon?"

"One for me and one for each of my friends."

With that, Mary steps out into the backyard.

"Well, are you going to introduce me?"

"These are..."

"Hi, I'm Edward," Ed says, cutting Billy off.

"I'm Edna, Ed's kid sister. We live a few blocks away from here."

"You do?" asks Billy and Mary in unison.

"Yuppers," Edna replies with a beaming smile on her face.

"Well, now, you see dear. Not only did you make friends in school today, you managed to find ones that live nearby."

"Ok mom, could you bring me the towels now?"

"Sure thing. Have fun kids."

Mary enters the house to find some towels. Billy, instead of waiting for his mother to return with the towels, hops into the pool and starts swimming. He gets some laps done before his mother returns with the towels. Billy catches this out of the corner of his eye and finishes the lap he's on.

"How many laps did you just do?" asks Mary.

"Only five."

"Dear, you need to stop slacking if you want to be as good a swimmer as your father. In the minute I was gone, he would've had 10 done."

"Mom, I've got company."

"Ok, well, enjoy your swim, kids."

Mary goes back inside the house. Ed and Edna just stand there with a dead stare at Billy.

"What? Is my fur a mess?"

"You did five laps in only a minute?!?!?" cried both foxes in unison.

"Yeah, and that's a tad slow. Normally I can get seven done in a minute. I'm relaxing with my practice today."

"SLOW!?!?"

Edna puts her hand on the back of her head, unable to believe what Billy just said.

"Man, you should try to become an Olympic swimmer or something when you get older," Ed says jokingly.

"Nah, most the gold medalists are platypi from Australia. I don't want to be another one. I'd rather hold down something a little close to home. Something in an office or something like that."

"Well, you should at least join the swim team," Edna tells Billy.

"You guys have a swim team? No, I can't do that. Kids already think I'm a freak. Last thing I need is to show them up in the water."

"You really do have self-worth issues, don't you? I thought Ed was bad," Edna responds.

"Hey, I'm just a little shy is all," Ed replies, a little upset.

"Guys, no sibling feuds near my pools. These pools are meant to have fun. If you're going to fight, I'm going to have to send you two to your corners," Billy cuts in, sticking his tongue out and laughing.

With that, the young cubs start laughing. They all enter the small pool and start horsing around. Playing games like "Marco Polo" and taking turns tossing each other across the pool. Time flies when Mary comes out.

"Billy, it's time for your friends to go home."

"Awwww," all three moaned.

They climb out of the pool and dry off. Ed and Edna say goodbye as they walk in the house. Mary shows them out the front door and they walk off down the street towards their home. Mary then enters the backyard again where Billy's still drying off.

"You giving any thoughts to that swim team?"

"You heard that, mom?"

"Yes, and I think it would be a good idea to do it. You can make some more friends in the process. It's your decision though. At any rate, you should get dressed, your father'll be home in a half hour and we'll be eating dinner. We're having meatloaf tonight."

"Ok mom."

Mary enters the house for the last time this evening. Billy looks at the sun, which is slowly starting to make it's decent into the horizon.

Deja-vu. Well, I might have to join, but we'll see.
*****
Chapter 3

"MMmmm... hmm?"

Billy wakes up from his sleep. He checks his clock to see what time it is.

Only 6:15. I told my mom I'd be up at 6.30, so breakfast probably won't be ready for fifteen minutes. Good, got time to grab a shower and get dressed. Gotta remember to not have company over today. Gotta buy new shoes today. Let's see... 3 sizes too large should give my barbs enough space to be comfortable, and they shouldn't slip off my feet.

Billy hits the off button on his alarm clock to keep it from going off. He goes through his morning routine of a shower, brushing his teeth, and putting on his school uniform.

The Principal's still going to be upset that my barbs stick out of the back, but I'll just have to make sure not to get into a fight today. Should be easy after what happened yesterday.

A small rap is heard on Billy's door.

"Honey, you up yet? It's 6.35."

"Yes, mom, I'm up. Dad hasn't eaten everything yet, has he?"

"Now, he doesn't have THAT big an appetite," Mary replies, laughing. "But you might want to hurry before you have to eat table scraps."

"I'm on my way! Save me some food please!"

"Ok, but you're going to have to be quick. Bus arrives in ten minutes."

With that, the door opens. Billy looks his mother in the face.

"Cool, can't wait to get to school!"

"Now, who are you and what have you done with our real son?" Mary asks jokingly.

"He's gone. I've met quite a few kids I'm willing to call my friends. They like me for who I am, just like you and dad said. And they're all types. There's a lion, a bunny, a squirrel, a dingo, and a cat. You already know the Foxes. But, yeah, did I mention a dingo?!? It's awesome that I'm not the only Aussie in this school."

"Well, I'm glad to hear your day went well yesterday, honey."

"Well, not so well. There's something I need to tell you and dad when we get to the kitchen."

"Well," Mary responds, "let's hurry so you can tell us what you need to say and so you can eat before getting to school."

Mary and Billy walk down the hall. Billy has a half-smile on his face, happy to know his folks were right, but worried about what they'll say to him putting a kid in the hospital from his venom. Mary has a smile on her face, happy that her son has found peace at school. They shortly arrive in the kitchen, to be greeted by Stephen, Ed, and Edna.

"Hey Billy," the two fox siblings greet the young platypus.

"Hi son. Good night I take it? I see a smile on your face."

"Good night, but rough morning. Mom, you're going to want to sit down. I have something serious to tell you guys."

Mary takes her seat at the table.

"Son, what happened? Did something bad happen yesterday at school?" Stephen asks.

"Yes," Billy admits. "I got into a fight yesterday."

"Oh, how awful! I'm glad to see your ok."

"Yes mom, I'm ok. The kid I fought yesterday isn't though. I... I... uh... how do I put this?"

"Just tell us son," Stephen says assuringly.

"I poisoned him and he's in the hospital for two weeks."
Both Mary's and Stephen's jaws drop as their son admits he's poisoned somebody.

"But how?!? You're only 12, son. Your crural glands shouldn't even be developed enough to contain a drop of venom, let enough to poison a kid so badly."

"Well, they are, and I feel awful about it, dad. The last thing I wanted to do was to hurt anybody."

"Well, son, eat your breakfast and we'll talk more about this when you get home from school," Stephen replies. There's no sense of anger, disappointment, or any sort of negative emotion in his voice and he tries to comfort his son.

"Um, you're going to have to grab something for on the way. It's 6:40. We're going to be late for the bus if we don't get going," Ed cuts in, trying to keep the situation from getting tense.

"Yeah, you can sulk at school," Edna adds playfully.

"You guys are right. Ok, bye mom. Bye dad. Love you both," Billy says as he rushes out the door with Ed and Edna.

"Love you too, son," Mary and Stephen say in unison as they watch their son leave.

"And he didn't even think of using that stupid bag trick today," Stephen tells Mary with a laugh.

"Go easy on him with this talk, Stephen. He's finally happy with his situation here. Don't crush him."

"Oh, don't worry, Mary. It's just the 'birds and bees' talk every kid coming of age gets. But this will be different because he can kill along with get frisky."

"Well, don't frighten him."

With that, they give each other a hug and a kiss as they both walk into the living room to watch some television.
*****
The bus pulls up to the stop, and Billy is the first one to board.

"Hey kid. Glad to see you weren't run out of town yesterday," Carlos says with a snicker.

"No, sir. And I don't expect to be any time soon."

With that, Billy walks toward the back of the bus, shortly followed by Ed and Edna. Billy overhears some of the chatter that he missed yesterday in the cafeteria, but isn't bothered by it. Billy finds an empty seat behind Laura and Jenny and sits down.

"Hey Laura, hey Jenny. How you two doing today?"

"Obviously not as well as you," Laura replies with a smile. "Glad to see you found some self-confidence between yesterday and today. Yesterday morning, you got on the bus and took your seat as if you were zombified or something, not saying one word to anybody. Now, you're starting conversations. What's next? Jenny walks up to a random guy and compliments him on his looks?"

Jenny blushes. "That's not funny, Laura." Billy and Laura both laugh at Jenny.

"Aw, come on, Jenny. Lighten up. She's joshing with you."

"..." More silence from Jenny toward Billy.

"Just give her some time, Billy. Once she gets to know you, she'll be a real chatter-box."

"Yeah, I hope. That'd be a real boring conversation if she doesn't."

Jenny blushes even brighter and just looks out her window. Billy just smiles and laughs on the inside. He leans over to the other side of the bus to listen in on Poke and Ed talking.

"Are you serious? Two pools? And he's throwing a party for us this weekend?" Poke asks excitedly.

"I really don't know, I only made the suggestion. I hope he follows through with it. It'd be a good way to have some fun and be a big ice-breaker. Sure, he met you all, but nothing breaks ice like a pool party," Ed replies.

Oh, I've got my own idea of "fun" for that platypus in mind. Edna's thoughts are, of course, on other activities. This pool party'll probably be my best chance to get some alone time with him. And I'll be the only available girl there. Gotta hand it to Ed for coming up with something that fits perfectly in with my plans.

A smile grows on Edna's face as her thoughts race. Poke and Ed see this and just shrug it off, thinking she's happy to be going to school.

"So, is it a party for everybody, or just the eight of us?" Cynthia asks, poking her head up over the back of the seat with a tiny bit of drool dripping out the side of her mouth.

"It's for... Wait, eight? I count seven," Ed retorts.

"Did you count yourself?"

"I guess I didn't, Cyn. Well, yeah, I only suggested that the party be for his friends only."

"Oh, yesterday, none of you would give me the time of day, but now I'm your friend?" Billy cuts in, laughing.

"Hardy har har, bill-boy. You know, it was partially your fault too," Cynthia starts. "You shouldn't've been so shy. I don't care what you look like, true friends can see past looks and into your personality. Look at Ed! He's the ugliest guy on the planet and yet we still hang out with him."

"Did you just call me 'bill-boy'?" Billy asks through bits of laughter. At the same time, Ed responds, "Har har har. You're lucky I'm not the kind of guy to take things personally, or you'd be in trouble."

Everybody, aside from Edna, who's daydreaming, starts laughing. The bus ride seems so short with all the friendly chatter the group was having. Their laughter is interrupted by the stopping of the bus.

"Ok, we're here. Time to get off," Carlos tells the kids.

Everybody piles off the bus and heads for the school doors. Billy, Ed, and the rest are standing in a group as the bus closes its doors and pulls away.

"Well, I guess it's time for school. Catch you guys at lunch," Billy says, waving to his friends.

"Yeah, catch you at lunch," Ed replies as they head for the doors.

Billy stands there with a smile on his face, actually looking forward to the day. Just then, he feels a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey mate. Not getting second thoughts, are you?" Paige asks.

"Nah, just getting ready to go inside. Hey, wait, I didn't see you on the bus."

"Man, you should open your eyes more. I was sitting in the seat behind you. Anyway, just wanted to let you know one thing. If anybody gives you a problem, just come see me and I'll straighten them out."

"Thanks, Paige, but I think I'll be alright. Remember, I'm the freak who poisons. I doubt anybody's going to mess with me for a while."

"You know, you really are a cool bloke. And don't worry about the other kids. They'll get to know you soon enough," Paige tells Billy.

The two laugh about the conversation as they enter the building and head off in different directions.
*****
"BILLY PLATS!!! GET YOUR WEBBED FEET IN THIS DOOR THIS INSTANT!!!"

Gee, that's great. I can't even sneak by the principal to get to my first period class.

Billy stops in front of the door to the Principal's office.

"Yes?"

"I thought I told you to get shoes that cover those barbs on your feet?"

"You did, and I'm going to be getting them after school today."

"Well, if I see those things tomorrow, you're in trouble. That's it for now. Dismissed."

"Hey, wait, how do I go about joining the swimming team?" Billy manages to get in before the principal closes the door.

"Talk to Jennifer Tigre. She's the captain. Gotta warn you, there's only a few kids on the team. It's not a very popular sport here in Pouncefield. Good luck."

With that, the principal closes the door, leaving Billy to try and find the swim captain by himself.

Jen Tigre, huh? Tigre, that doesn't sound familiar. Well, if anybody knows who she is, it's gotta be Laura, Poke, or Cynthia, seeing as they're all on sports teams too.

Billy walks down the hall to his first period class.

"Nice to see you, Mr. Plats. For a moment, I though you wouldn't be joining us. Please take your seat," the teacher greets Billy when he gets there.

Billy down the aisle of chairs and desks to the back, where his desk and seat are. The kids stare at him, and whisper to each other, but nobody is whispering anything loud enough for Billy to hear.

Yeah, they're afraid of me. At least they aren't openly mocking me.

Time flies, and, before Billy realizes it, the morning classes are over. He heads to the cafeteria, lost in his thoughts, to try and catch up with Pokeinfo when he bumps into a young female tiger cub.

"Oh, I'm sorry about that. I wasn't watching where I was going," Billy apologizes.

"It's ok, I was just kinda standing here in the way. I really shouldn't have been though," the tigress replies.

"Well, it was nice to meet you, uh..."

"Jen. But everybody calls me 'Stripes'."

"Cool, my name's Billy. I'll catch you around sometime Jen."

With that, the two young cubs part ways.

Hm... I hope to see him around the school some more. Seems like a cool guy.

Billy sighs as he walks to the cafeteria.
Wow, she was kind of cute. Bagh, who am I kidding? She'll never go for a guy like me.

When he gets to his destination, he sits down at the table Ed, Poke, and Cynthia are sitting at.

"Hey guys. What, not everybody eating today?"

"Nah, Billy. We don't always eat lunch together. But we never eat lunch alone," Ed replies.

"Oh, Poke, Cynthia, there's something I gotta ask you both."

"Shoot..." Poke answers.

"Ok, I wanna join the swim team..." Billy starts.

"Jen Tigre," Cyn says, cutting Billy off.

"Yeah, I know. I just don't know who she is and was wondering if either of you two know her."

"Oh, Jen. Yeah, she's not too hard to miss, if you know her," Poke answers. "She's gotta be the only cat that should've been born a fish. I swear, she spends more time in the water than on dry land. Which is why she's captain of the swim team."

"She's a cat?" Billy asks.

"A tiger, to be more specific," Cynthia adds.

"Well, how do I find her?"

"Well, she's a tiger. They aren't that hard to find. But she answers to 'Stripes'. It's a pet name that she got in kindergarten. You can probably tell why," Cynthia continues.

At this point, Billy stops paying attention to what Cynthia and Pokeinfo are saying.

Oh, what irony. The person I have to find is the same one I bumped into before getting here. I should've asked for a last name. Would've saved me from having to ask about her.

"Um, hey, do you guys know where she goes at the end of the day?"

"That's silly," Ed says. "She goes to the pool. The swim team practices everyday, just like any other sports team."

"Oh, duh," Billy replies with a chuckle. The other three cubs start to laugh at this point. The bell ending the lunch period rings, and Billy takes his leave of his friends.

Well, it looks like shopping will have to wait for later this evening. I've got a cat to find at the pool today.
*****
Five minutes to go. Calm down, it's only the swim team. Then again, it's also the cutest girl I've met since coming to Pouncefield. Again, crazy thoughts. Even if we got together, it would never work. She's a cat, and I'm a freak.

Billy sighs as the bell ending school rings. Before anybody stands up, Billy is already up and out the door. He pushes his webbed feet as fast as they can toward the school pool.

Gotta get there.

And without warning, he turns a corner and runs smack dab into Edna.

"Oh, sorry about that. Hey, tell Ed I said hi."

With that, Billy's up and off again.

Where the hell is he going in such a hurry? Oh well, I'll have him to myself in three more days.

Edna walks away from the crash. By this point, Billy's reached the pool, where the swim team is just getting out of the locker rooms.

"Ok team, we really need to start practicing. We're the worst team in the state. I know it's only the three of us, but we can do better," Jen tells her team.

"Come on, Stripes. That's never going to happen. If you haven't noticed, swimming's not a big thing here in Pouncefield," a male beaver replies.

"Not yet, but after today, it will be," Billy chimes in.

"Who the hell are you, freak?" the beaver asks angrily.

"Billy Plats, the answer to your problems. Unless you think you can do better than me, don't call me a freak again, buck-tooth."

"Grrr... nobody calls me buck-tooth!" yells the beaver.

"Geoff, don't! Don't waste your energy," Jen steps in.

She then walks over to Billy. "Don't mind Geoff, he's just... whoa..." Jen says, with a blush starting to form, nearly invisible. "You know, you're kinda cute now that you're not knocking me down."

"Har har har. I get it, I look weird. Now that that's out of the way, I'm here to join the swim team," Billy says with disgust.

"No, I mean it. You're actually kind of cute. Nice and cuddly." With that, a blush forms over Billy's bill. This goes unnoticed, and Billy manages to regain his senses.

"Yeah, anyway, like I said, I'm here to join the swim team. It looks like you could use the help. I mean, no wonder you guys are in last place. You got an arrogant, annoying beaver, a tiger, and a squirrel as a team."

"Hey, my skills aren't that bad," Jen replies. "And Jerry and Geoff aren't half bad either."

"Yeah, and I'm ready to prove that, freak," Geoff taunts Billy.

"Let's do it then, buck-tooth," Billy retorts.

"GRAAAGGHH!!! NOBODY CALLS ME BUCK-TOOTH. Get on your block," Geoff yells.

Billy strips down to his boxers.

"Don't want to get my uniform wet," Billy comments.

The two similar looking cubs take their positions. Geoff's making faces at Billy, who's face is cold as stone. Jen grabs her whistle.

"Ok, the first one to do three laps wins. And Billy, if you win, consider yourself on the team."

With that, Jen blows her whistle. Both cubs jump from their blocks and into the water. Billy halts where he surfaces as Geoff swims away. Geoff gets a lap done before Billy starts to swim. Within 15 seconds, Billy catches up to where Geoff is, a lap and a half into the race. Billy finishes the lap and starts to just tread water.

"What's wrong, Geoff? I thought you were good at this!"

Upon hearing this, Geoff pumps his paws and finishes his second lap. Billy and Geoff both then start on their third lap. Billy goes at Geoff's speed until halfway through the lap, where Billy stops taunting Geoff and finishes the race. Jen blows her whistle as Geoff swims to her and climbs out near her. Billy climbs out of the pool where he's treading.

"Well, looks like we got a new teammate. Nice race Geoff," Jen says.

"Hmph... this isn't finished. I will be practicing, and one day I will beat you," Geoff grunts.

"Well, we'll have to get you a pair of trunks in our school's colors. We can't have you swimming in your boxers. Although I kinda like it," Jen says with a chuckle.

Billy's clueless until he realizes his boxers are skin tight due to the water. He blushes as he quickly grabs a towel and covers up.

"Well, if your skills in the water don't impress people, that might."

Geoff and Jerry just shake their heads.

"Put it away, Stripes," Jerry sighs.

"Kill joy," Jen says to Jerry with her tongue sticking out.

"Well, it was nice to meet you all, but I gotta go. I'll see you tomorrow," Billy says, walking to his clothes.

He then gets dressed, wet boxers and all, and leaves the pool area. Halfway down the block, he's stopped by Jen.

"Hey, Billy. You know, I was thinking. How about we go out on a date?"

"Seriously? You do know that I'm the 'poisonous alien freak' everybody's been gossiping at school about, right?"

"You're not a freak. Why do you care so much about what others think?"

"Well," Billy starts, "I came from a place where everybody looked alike. Nobody looks alike here unless they're siblings. And with the way kids have been treating me, it's no wonder I'm kinda cautious about what people say."

"You just haven't found ones that will treat you right. Trust me, let's hang out together tomorrow. You'll have a good time," Jen replies reassuringly.

"Ok. I guess that'll work. Tomorrow after swim practice, ok?"

"Sounds good to me," Jen answers with a smile, walking back toward the pool.

Billy then continues to walk toward his house. No bigger smile has ever been recorded in the world than the one that Billy wore the rest of the way home. 
*****
"So, how big you planning on going?" Stephen asks.

"Three sizes big. Did you really need to come into the shoe store with me while I picked out a pair of shoes?"

"Yes son. First off, I need to pay for these. Secondly, I need to make sure they stay within the uniform code of the school. And third, we need to have a talk."

"A talk?" Billy asks.

"Yes, son, a talk."

"About what?"

"Well, what you said this morning got me thinking. Son, you're coming to an age where..."

"DAAAAAAAAAAAD," Billy groaned. "If this is that 'bird and bees' talk, please don't. I already know."

"Firstly, don't cut me off again, son. That's disrespectful," Stephen reprimands his son in a stern tone. "And second, these 'birds and bees' are more dangerous for you than kids your own age."

"I don't see how," Billy rolls his eyes.

"Don't roll your eyes at me," Stephen retorts, starting to get upset. "Listen, you're coming to an age where new things are happening. I know you studied this in your biology class back home, but you're now at an age where your crural glands, which is where we male platypi store our venom, are developing. You said you put a kid in the hospital for two weeks, right?"

"Right."

"How big was he?"

"I dunno," Billy starts trying to recall Rod's size. "I'd say he was about 200 pounds, about 6 foot tall."

"Just how much venom has developed in you, son? It would take A LOT of venom to do that much damage to a kid that size. If he were any smaller, you could've killed him!"

"KILLED HIM?!?!" Billy gasps.

"Yes. Our venom's not powerful enough to hurt large creatures, but if we inject into a small one, it's lethal. It makes up for our lack of fighting skills."

"Oh man, I hadn't realized that it was lethal. They never taught us that," Billy sighs, discouraged.

"Well, it's ok son. That's why I'm here. To teach you things you don't know. So, your mother tells me you also have a date tomorrow."

"It's not really a date. I'm just hanging out with the captain of the new swim team I'm on, and she just happens to be a girl."

"You made the swim team, huh? Way to go, son," Stephen praises Billy. 

"But, this girl, what kind is she?"

"Kind?"

Stephen stares a little at Billy.

"Oh... she's a tiger. Her name's Jen Tigre."

"Well, just remember, if you guys plan on getting frisky, have some protection. And watch them barbs."

"DAAAAD!" Billy groans again. "Can we please get off this subject? I'm starting to get weirded out."

"Ok, so, your mother tells me your planning on having a pool party. You should invite your new friends on the team."

"Well, not all of them are my friends. One of them doesn't talk much, and the other's a bit of a dick."

"BILLY! Watch your tongue when your in a store," Stephen scolds his son.

"Sorry, I forgot we're not at home. But, yeah, he's not really somebody I'll ever consider my friend. He's obnoxious."

"Ok, so just invite this Jen girl."

"Was planning on it."

The silence there-after is comforting to Billy.

Man, I can't believe my dad gave me "The Talk" in public. How embarrassing.

They grab a pair of shoes, three sizes large, and pay for them. The rest of the night goes as smooth as silk. The family watches some TV before young Billy goes to bed.
*****
Chapter 4

Another routine morning for young Billy. Shower, get dressed, eat breakfast, walk to the bus stop. When he gets there, he says hi to Ed and Edna.

"Man, hump day," Ed says with a sigh.

"Hump day?" Billy asks.

"Yeah, hump day. Tradition here in Pouncefield. Everybody yiffs all day," Edna says with her tongue sticking out.

"Pay her no attention. I dunno where she gets her energy at in the morning sometimes. But, hump day, middle of the week. Half-way done. Comes from the saying 'Over the hump'," Ed replies.

Oh, believe me, Ed. "Hump day" has a new meaning now. And only two more days until another "Hump day". Edna thinks to herself.

The bus pulls up as Edna's thoughts cease. The three climb on board and take their usual seats. Billy sits behind Jenny and Laura, and Ed and Edna sit behind Poke and Cynthia.

"Hey, Laura, Jenny, I'm throwing a shin-dig at my place on Saturday. Pool party. You guys are welcome to come if you want."

"That sounds like fun. Count us in," Laura replies.

"Us?" Jenny whispers to Laura.

"Yes, 'us'. Come on, Jenny, you gotta get to know some other people. Billy's not going to hurt you."

"I know he's not. I just... I dunno, I just get nervous around new people."

"Well, come to the party. It will be fun," Laura whispers assuringly.

"Ok, I'll come, only if it keeps you from nagging me about it," Jenny whispers back, now staring out her window.

"Like I said," Laura says to Billy, "count us in."

"Awesome," Billy says as he turns around to Paige. "And you?"

"What?"

"Wanna come to my pool party too?"

Paige looks up ahead a seat to look at Jenny.

"Jenny going?"

"According to Laura, she agreed to come."

"Then I might have to. Keep her from leaving the party." The two start laughing. "But, yeah, count me in."

"Cool."

Billy then leans to the other side of the bus.

"You all coming to my pool party?"

"Sure, we'll come," Poke says, speaking for Cynthia as well.

"Cool, it's on Saturday."

Billy sits back in his seat. Edna's furious now.

SATURDAY!!! That's one extra day I gotta wait. But I can't. I gotta know what that guy's hiding "down under". Why couldn't it be on Friday. Gotta try and snag him today.

The bus pulls to a stop. Once the doors open, everybody gets off and enters the building. Billy walks past the Principal's office toward his first class.

"Nice to not see those barbs today, Mr. Plats."

Billy ignores it an heads for his first class, unaware of what this day truly holds in store for him. School goes just as fast as it did the day before for Billy. It's now time for lunch. Billy heads for the lunch-room, but is quickly intercepted by Edna.

"Billy, you gotta come with me, quick!"

"What's wrong, Edna?"

"It's Ed! He's fallen down and he needs helped up. You're the first one I ran into. I can't lift him by myself."

"Lead the way."

Edna grabs Billy's hand and leads him down some hallways. They reach the back of the school when Edna stops.

"What's wrong? Don't tell me you forgot where he fell..."

"Nope, he didn't fall. This is where you fall... under my spell."

With that, Edna pushes Billy on his back in the middle of the hall.
"Ouch, that hurt! What're you doing?"

"I gotta know what you're hiding. It's been driving me crazy since your first day here."

Before Billy can move, Edna's got his pants unbuttoned, unzipped, and moved down around his ankles.

"Edna, stop! Not here! Not with you! Please no!"

"You know, saying no only shows you want it more," Edna says with a smile.

Billy tries to get up, but Edna pins him down and sits on his chest with her back to his face. She slides his boxers down.

"Whoa, now why would you hide something like this from me? You know, the only parts of you that are duck-like are your paws and your bill."

Edna grabs Billy's limp cock and starts to massage it gently. Before she can get it to stand at attention, Billy forces Edna up and off him. Billy quickly rises to his feet, pulling up his boxers and pants.

"Edna, I said stop. You're too young for this."

"But I gotta have what I saw."

Billy zips his pants up and rebuttons them.

"I gotta go."

With that, Billy runs off, away from where he was nearly seduced.

I'm starting to break him. I will have him by week's end.

Edna, pleased with herself, just sits there and smiles.
*****
The end of the school day couldn't get here any quicker for poor Billy. Billy's thoughts race as he heads for the pool.

What's up with that crazy kid? You know, if the guys found out I've been forcing myself not to give in to Edna, I'd be ragged until the cows come home. I just can't bring myself to yiff her, though. She's so young. But she doesn't act like it sometimes. God, a good swim is exactly what I need.

Billy's thoughts cease when he gets to the pool. Jen's sitting there on a bench, in her swimsuit, waiting for Billy.

"I thought our star swimmer was going to be a no show."

"I come from the other side of the school. Besides, I've got a lot going on in my mind right now."

"Oh?" asks an intrigued Jen. "Like what?"

"I'd rather not go into it. So, hey, you got my new swim uniform?"

"Not yet, comes in tomorrow. But, with your skills, you really don't need to practice today."

Geoff and Jerry come out of the dressing room in their swimsuits. Geoff is not happy to see Billy after their encounter yesterday.

"Great, you're back. I was kinda hoping you were joking about joining," Geoff says to Billy with a frown on his face.

"Don't be upset just because I beat you."

"Whatever. What's wrong, too good to practice with us?"

"No," Billy replies. "Jen says my swimsuit won't be here until tomorrow. So she's letting me sit today out."

"Is this true, Stripes?"

"Yeah," Jen answers. "It's true. Why have him swim without a suit? You want him to show you up again, Geoff?"

Jen, Billy, and Jerry all laugh. Geoff just frowns.

"Whatever. Like I said, one day, I will beat him."

"Not today though. Now, let's practice."
Billy takes a seat on the bench Jen gets up from. Jen, Geoff, and Jerry all dive into the pool and start practicing laps.

Wow, Jen really should've been born a fish. Look at her. She's so fast, so graceful, so cute.

Billy, unknowingly, pitches a tent watching Jen work her magic in the water. Jen manages to catch it out of the corner of her eye, but decides to just keep practicing. Each teammate manages to get 20 laps in before Jen calls an end to practice. The three cubs climb out of the water and head for their changing rooms. 15 minutes go by before all three cubs are changed and out of the locker room, and Billy has lost his erection by now. Geoff and Jerry go sit near Billy and start talking to him as they wait for Jen.

"So, Billy, what do you think?" Jerry asks his new teammate.

"Not bad. Jen definitely is the fastest out of you three, with you coming in at a close second. You two have real potential. Geoff, if he wasn't so full of himself, could see he needs some work."

"Hmph, shows how much you know," Geoff grumbles. Jen approaches the trio.

"Hey, guess what, Stripes. Billy here thinks that I'm close to being as good as you," Jerry says excitedly.

"Oh, did he? Well, that shows your improving. Well, that's all for practice. You guys are dismissed."

Geoff and Jerry head off, away from the pool, in separate directions. Billy and Jen just sit on that bench.

"So, where to now?" Jen asks.

"How about we stay here? Something about the pool always puts me in a good place."

"As I noticed. I saw that bulge in your pants when you were watching me," Jen says with a smile and a chuckle.

"Say what?"

A blush forms over Billy's face. Jen sees it and laughs.

"It's quite ok. You don't need to be ashamed."

"But I am. It's not gentleman-like for something like that to happen."

"Nor is it gentleman-like to tease a girl with such a toy like you did yesterday."

The blush grows brighter and larger. Jen just smiles.

"It's ok."

Before anything else is said, Jen's already sliding down her panties from underneath her school skirt.

"What're you..." Billy starts, but doesn't get to finish.

Jen's got Billy's pants unbuttoned by the time he gets those two words out. She smiles as she unzips them and slides them down.

"Jen... wait!"

"What's wrong, don't want to do this?" Jen looks into Billy's eyes.

"Not really."

"Then I've gotta change your mind."

Jen then slips a paw inside Billy's boxers and pulls out his cock. This action alone caused it to go stiff.

"Well, it looks like part of your mind already has been changed," Jen says with a smile.

"Jen, please. Stop."

"Just trust me on this. You'll feel good."

With that, she starts to lick the length of Billy's stiff rod. This sends shivers up the young platypus's spine. Seeing the joy in his eyes, Jen starts to massage her clit as she licks and strokes Billy's dick. It doesn't take long for Jen to get herself wet. Jen can feel Billy tense up in her hand, so she stops.

"Hey, wait, what? Aw come on, don't stop."

"I'm not. Just changing the situation a little before you blow. So much for not wanting to yiff."

Jen then stands up and straddles Billy, slowly lowering herself onto his lap and around his member. Billy lets out a soft groan. This new sensation sends chills up his spine. New feelings, new pleasures. The new feeling of his rock hard cock rubbing against the soft, wet walls of Jen's pussy. Billy leans his head back a little and smiles. Jen smiles a little, placing Billy's hands on her ass. Jen then starts to slide up and down Billy's rock hard, thick shaft. Both cubs start moaning in ecstasy. Billy leans up and locks his lips into place with Jen's. Billy starts to slide Jen up and down faster. This causes the kiss to break as both cubs moan louder.

"Oh, Billy, you're so good..."

"Oh Jen... that's... you feel so great."

The sliding gets faster, as both cubs are close to climaxing.

"BIILLLLLLYYYY!!!"
"JJEEEEENNNNN!!!"

Both cubs cum hard, and Jen feels Billy fill her up. The sliding stops as Jen and Billy kiss each other passionately. A few moments later Jen climbs up off of Billy and sits next to him on the bench, placing her head along his shoulder.

"Oh shit..."

"What's wrong, Billy?" Jen asks, looking at the worried platypus.

"I just came inside you without protection. Aren't you worried about pregnancy?"

"Nah, my mom got me some of them rings on my thirteenth birthday about a month ago. No worries. I gotta say, you felt so good up inside of me. Nobody's been that deep in me before."

"I've..." Billy starts, blushing. "How do I say this... I've never... really..."

"It's ok. Now you have. And there's more where that came from."

"Does this mean what I think it means?" Billy asks.

"It sure does. So make sure you treat me nice."

Billy looks at Jen and smiles. He then kisses his new girlfriend again as they sit there, enjoying the moment
*****
A half-hour passes as the couple just sits there, cuddling and kissing. Billy finally breaks the silence of the moment.

"Hey, Jen, I'm holding a pool party Saturday. I was wondering if you'd like to come."

"Of course! I'd love to come."

"Cool, I'll have to walk you to my house tonight then, so I can show you where I live."

"And tomorrow I can show you where I live."

"Sounds good," Billy says as he starts his next train of thought. "Hey, Jen. I was wondering..."

"Why I'm called Stripes?"

"No, Cynthia told me about that. Your last name doesn't sound like it's from around here."

"That's because it's not," Jen starts her story. "It's Spanish. It means 'tiger'. My great, great grandfather grew up in Madrid, Spain. He grew up to become a tailor. Not being a big success in Spain, my great, great grandfather came here to try and start over. He was a big success, despite not being able to speak English. He quickly learned, though. You can't really tell that I've got some Spanish heritage in me. My great grandfather, grandfather, and father all were born and grew up here in this country. I was also born here, and I plan to grow up here. Although, it would be nice to one day travel to where my great, great grandfather grew up and see where I come from."

"That sounds nice. Thanks for sharing your story."

"Thanks for listening."

Billy and Jen just smile at each other. Billy turns his head and catches a glace at a clock hanging in the distance at a bank.

"Oh shit, it's 5.30! I need to get going. Here, walk with me. I'll show you where I live."

"Sounds nice."

The two cubs scramble to make sure their uniforms are complete. Jen puts her panties back on, and Billy pulls up his boxers , then his pants, after which buttoning and zipping them up. The two cubs then leave the pool area and start walking toward Billy's home, paw in paw, cheek by cheek. They arrive at Billy's house at 6.

"Well, this is it."

"Really? Cool! I live about five blocks away from here."

"Really?" Billy asks excitedly. "Maybe tomorrow we can catch the bus. I catch a bus about a block that way." Billy points down the street.

"Sure, see you tomorrow."

The two kiss softly. Jen then heads off down the street, heading for her home. Billy enters his house with a smile upon his face.

What a day. I think I'm going to enjoy the swim team even more now.

Billy then goes to the living room, where his parents are watching tv.

"Hi, Billy. Swim practice go ok?" Mary asks.

"Forget the practice, son. I want to know how your date went. Nothing happened, did it?" Stephen cuts in.

"DAAAAAD!!!" Billy drops his head, shaking it while sighing.

"Well, just make sure nothing does happen. We don't want any surprises coming from this new girlfriend of yours."

"How'd you know she was my girlfriend?" Billy asks. "We just agreed to it ourselves today."

"Son, your mother and I were young once too. Usually, if a date goes well, that couple tends to see more and more of each other. I kinda figured the same thing happened to you. Anyway, there's some food left for you on the table. After that, you should probably do your homework."

"Ok dad," Billy says.

Billy grabs a plate of food and takes it to his room, where he finishes his evening. He eats the food, does his homework, grabs a shower, watches tv for a little bit, and calls it a night at 9 PM. He puts his head on his pillow and falls asleep with this thought in his head.

I can't wait to see Jen at the bus stop tomorrow. 
*****
Billy gets up in the morning at 6.30. He goes through his routine, and is out the door without breakfast. He arrives at the bus stop where Ed and Edna are waiting.

Well, there's Ed and Edna, but no Jen.

"Hey man. Oh, what happened? Rough night?" Ed asks his friend.

"Yeah, kinda restless. I was hoping to meet somebody here."

"Aw, how cute. Billy was looking forward to seeing me today, and it kept him up all night," Edna replies playfully.

"No, not you Edna. My girlfriend was supposed to meet me here this morning."

"You have a girlfriend?" both fox children ask in unison.

"Yeah."

Why me? Damn! Wait, I still have a shot at this. Nothing stops somebody from yiffing just because they're in a relationship. This is perfect. I'll let this mystery girl work his log, and on Saturday, I get a broken down Billy. He'll be unable to resist me. 

"Hi Billy. Who're your friends?"

Edna's train of thought is interrupted by this new voice. A female tiger approaches the trio.

"Jen, this is Ed and Edna. Ed and Edna, this is my girlfriend, Jen."

"Jen, as in 'Stripes' Jen, the swim captain?" Ed asks.

"Bingo," Jen replies with a smile.

Uh-oh. That may be a problem. How do I compete with somebody who's a better swimmer than I am? Wait, remember, she works the log, Billy can't resist. It's just a matter of patience. Billy WILL be mine.

"So, how long you two been going out? Since you first met a couple of days ago?" Edna asks the tigress.

"Not even 24 hours. We had a date yesterday after swim practice, and we decided to make it a little more steady."

"Get in his pants yet?" Edna asks, chuckling.

"EDNA!!!" Billy yells with a blush.

Jeez, not even 24 hours and he's already getting worked. I may not have to wait until Saturday at this point. "Well, good for you two," Edna says with a smile.

"Ed, do you mind if I kill your sister?" Billy asks playfully.

"I kinda do. She's a pain in the ass, but she's my pain in the ass."

Edna crosses her arms and pouts. The others start laughing as the bus pulls up to the stop. The doors open. Billy gets on, followed by Jen, then Edna, and Ed bringing up the rear.

"Jeez, kid, how do you keep getting people to hang out with you?" Carlos asks, shocked to see a young tiger among the company now.

"I just be me."

Billy walks and takes his usual seat behind Jenny and Laura. Jen sits with Billy, and the fox siblings sit behind Poke and Cynthia.

"Wow, somethings wrong today," Edna says to Cynthia, who's got her head laid back on the seat and her eyes shut.

"Huh... what's that?"

"Poke's getting you off today?"

"Yeah, he owed me after how he made me hoof it alone to meet Billy."

Just then, Cynthia lets out a gasping moan, followed by heavy breathing. Poke sits upright in his seat.

"Jeez, can't you two go five minutes without having to get each other off?" Ed asks the lion.

"Hey, if you and Laura sat together, you'd be getting off every chance you could too."

"I guess you're right, but she enjoys sitting with Jenny. I'm not going to stop that."

"Boy, you are whipped, but big time," Poke says with a laugh, making whipping sounds.

"Very funny. That's why Cynthia got off this morning and not you."

"..."

"Ha, and you call me whipped."

The two start laughing.

"So, Billly, since when did you and Stripes start hanging out?" Laura asks the young platypus.

"Since yesterday."

"You two an item yet?"

"As of yesterday," Jen replies.

"Seal the deal?"

"I don't think that's any of your business," Billy says with a blush. Laura just laughs.

"It's cool. At least you two seem happy."

"That we are, Laura. That we are," Jen says, snuggling up to her boyfriend.

"Hey, cut that out! You're making us sick over here," Poke yells across the bus at the two cubs. As if scripted, Cynthia slaps him in the head for saying that. "Ow, hey, I was joking with them."

"You owe me another now. You're such an embarrassment sometimes."

Everybody starts laughing. The bus pulls up to the school and everybody gets off. Billy and Jen are the last two off, and they stand there where they get off for a few moments, holding paws. They soon enter the building, still joined.

"Well, this sucks. Just a shame we won't see each other until Lunch."

"You don't go to recess?"

"Not yet, still trying to learn the school. Every recess, I have a teacher show me the school. I'm learning my way quickly. I should know the school, inside and out, by the end of the week."

"Aw... you should skip that and spend it with me today," Jen says.

"I might just do that. You take care of yourself until recess," Billy says, letting go of Jen's paw. The two cubs kiss and part ways, and Billy walks off to his first class. 
*****
Chapter 5 
A bell rings. It's now time for recess. Billy starts to make his way to the playground, only to be stopped by Edna in the middle of a hallway.

"Where you going, Billy?" The young fox asks.

"To recess. Jen's waiting for me. And I don't want any hassles from you today. I don't know what gets into you sometimes... One day, you seem so innocent. The next, you turn into this super slut that can't get enough. I never know which it is with you. I swear, you're bipolar or something."

Edna crosses her arms and frowns, hurt by what Billy said.

"I'm sorry I'm young enough to be innocent but old enough to know what I enjoy. Is that such a crime? You're not much older than me, and yet it seems ok for you to hook up with Jen."

"I'm 12. I know what's going on."

"And I do to, despite only being 8."

"See, you're not even in double digits yet. There's no way you can know what's going on with your body, let alone other people's bodies."

"But I do. And now I'm hurt. First you call me a slut, then psycho, and now you're calling me stupid. Some friend you turned out to be."

Edna runs off crying. Billy chases after her.

Damn! Smooth, Billy, smooth. You hurt one of the first two friends you made here in this town. I need to apologize to her right away.

Edna continues to run and cry. She finds her way to the playground, where she runs off to a corner and continues to cry. Billy follows her to the corner.

"Listen, Edna. I'm sorry about what I said. I'm just shocked that somebody your age does half the stuff you do."

"That's no excuse for what you said though."

"I know. Is... is there any way I can make it up to you?"

"Well, you could always hang out with me after practice today."

"Edna..." Billy sighs.

"No, not like that. Just hang out with me. I can show you I can have fun in more than one way. Unless you got something planned with Jen?"

Edna stares at Billy with puppy-dog eyes.

That's a cheap shot, Edna. "Nah, I got nothing going on today. I can hang with you. 4 PM sound good?"

"Gotta be at least 4.30. My practice doesn't let out until then."

"What do you practice?"

"I'm on the soccer team," Edna says, beaming. "I'm the new goalie."

"I didn't know you played a sport. Well, ok. 4.30 it is then."

"See you at 4.30, by the soccer field."

Billy then leaves Edna alone and heads over to Jen. "Jen, sorry, I gotta bail after practice today."

"Why?" the tigress asks her boyfriend.

"Well, to make a long story short, I hurt Edna's feelings today, and I'm going to make it up to her by hanging out with her today. I was probably going to take her to get some ice cream or something."

"Ok. I hope you manage to fix everything between you two. You, Edna, and Ed seem pretty close."

"Yeah, but not as close as you and I are," Billy says, giving his girlfriend a kiss on her cheek. Billy and Jen just smile and hold each other for the rest of the period. Edna watches this from her corner.

Bingo, "Operation: Platypussy" is working like a charm. Well, seems like my acting's getting better. You will be mine, Billy. You will be mine.
*****
A bell rings, ending recess and starting lunch. Billy walks from the playground to the lunch-room, paw in paw, with Jen. When they get to the cafeteria, Billy tells Jen find a table for them to sit at as Billy gets both her and himself a tray of food. He shortly arrives at the table Jen picked out.

"Now, come on Billy. I said treat me right, not spoil me. You didn't have to buy me lunch," Jen says with a smile.

"Well, this is my first real act as your boyfriend, so I figured I'd make it a good one."

"Well, your first act could've been something better, but I understand why you're not going to hang out with me today. I just hope Edna's ok. It's a shame to see such a nice girl hurt."

"Oh, that's just the way to throw some salt into the wound there, Jen," Billy says with a sigh. The two cubs start laughing. They are quickly joined at the table by Ed, Pokeinfo, Cynthia, and Laura.

"Hey guys," Billy and Jen greet their company.

"Hey," everybody returns the greeting to Billy and Jen.

"So... hey Ed... what kind of things does Edna like doing?" Billy asks.

"Why?" Ed asks as he and the rest of the cubs take their seats.

"Well, I hurt her feelings today by accident, and I was going to make it up to her by taking her out today. I just don't know what she's into, and I don't want to hurt her any more..."

"Well, she likes ice cream, movies, and yiffing." Ed replies blankly. Billy quickly shakes his head, unable to believe what he just heard.

"Say what? You know she's yiff-crazed?" Billy asks, shocked at what he heard.

"We all do," Laura cuts in.

"Wait, you're going to be hanging out with a yiff-crazed girl instead of me today?" Jen asks.

"Nothing's going to happen, Jen. I'm going to show her a good time that DOESN'T involve clothes being removed. I've been able to resist her before, it should be 20 times easier now that I got a cute girlfriend to spend my time with."

"Just promise nothing will happen," Jen says.

"Nothing will. I promise."

"Wow, the cute couple's first fight. NO ACION FOR BILLY TONIGHT!!!" Poke cuts in, laughing. His laughter is cut short by a dead stare from the rest of the gang.

"Ouch, sorry. I gotta learn to keep my mouth closed sometimes," Poke says, putting a paw on the back of his head.

"Well, tomorrow it won't be. I'm calling in that favor you owe me tomorrow," Cynthia tells her lion.

"Wow, and I thought I was bad with that in the morning," Pokeinfo laughs. The rest of the cubs join in on the laughter.

"So, Billy, you said you could resist Edna, right? You gotta tell me how many times she's tried to get you, and how you did it being single!" Poke asks Billy.

"Well, it wasn't easy, and it happened twice. The first time was after I got into that fight with Rod and put him in the hospital..."

"Yeah, which was a good move, by the way," Poke cuts in.

"Don't cut in," Ed scolds the lion.

"Ok, can I finish?" Billy asks, starting to sound upset.

"Sorry," Ed and Poke reply in unison.

"Anyway, it was after that fight. I ran into her on my way to lunch. She took me to the gym where she said 'she was going to help me get my mind off things'. Well, let me tell you, she tried her hardest to get her hands down my pants. But I was so freaked by what happened to me that day, I just quickly got outta there before anything what-so-ever happened. The second time was yesterday, the day after I joined the swim team..."

"The day of our date?" Jen asks.

"Yeah, it was during school hours though. She told me Ed was sick somewhere and she needed help lifting him up and getting him to the nurse's office. So I went with her, but she led me to an empty part of the school, threw me on my back, and tried to seduce me yet again. I tell you what, that little fox is strong when she wants something. Anyway, she managed to get a hold of me for a few seconds before I was able to get her off me and out of that situation. But trust me, I'm on guard for her sneaky tactics today. I'm hoping that if I go somewhere public with her, she'll behave."

"No she won't. She'll actually try harder in public," Ed says, sighing.

"Hey, how do you know so much about this, anyway?" Billy asks.

"I'd rather not talk about it." Ed sighs some more, putting his head down.

"Oh, dude, that's just wrong. You're own sister..." Billy starts.

"No, it's nothing like that. It's something I'd rather not go into though."

"My bad. I'll drop it," Billy replies, feeling guilty.

Just then, the bell ending lunch rings, and the children disperse. Jen and Billy start walking down a hall together. They stop at an intersection where they get ready to part ways.

"You know, I'm going to trust you with Edna. Don't betray me," Jen tells Billy.

"Don't worry about it. You think I would ruin us just to have a piece of Edna pie?" Billy replies, laughing. Jen doesn't even so much as grin. "Sorry. Trust me, nothing will happen."

"Ok. Like I said, I'll trust you. Well, I gotta get to class. See you at practice."

The two kiss and part ways.
*****
"Man, blue is not my color. It makes my bill look big," Billy says with a chuckle, showing his new team swimsuit to Edna.

"Those are cool. So, what did you have in mind for us to do today?" Edna asks her platypus friend. The two of them are sitting in the bleachers of the soccer field.

"I dunno. I was thinking movies or ice cream or something," Billy tells the young fox, putting his speedo in his backpack, slung over his shoulder.

"Nah, how about we go hang out in the park."

"Why the park?"

"I'd rather be somewhere that looks nice and where we can be alone and talk without worrying about who's listening in on us."

"And to try and yiff my brains out," Billy says, defensively.

"I told you, nothing like that, Billy. I'm not all yiff and fuck around here all the time," Edna responds, pouting.

"Well, your brother seems to know otherwise," Billy replies.

"What, he told you about my escapades around him?"

"He didn't mention anything. He only said he knows how you can get."

"It's nothing like that. I wish it was, but it's not. To be honest, and don't tell anybody else this, I love my brother."

"Well, that's not unusual. I love my parents."

"No," Edna says, staring at Billy. "I love my brother."

"Huh? Oh... ooooohhhh. How long?"

"A couple of years now. I try everything I can to get him to love me back, but nothing works. I taunt him with my body. I tease his own body, and instead he runs off with Laura."

"Have you tried just being up front with him?" Billy asks.

"I try, but everytime I attempt to, I get nervous and my wild side kicks in, scaring him away. That's why I try to find comfort in other boys. I just want to know my brother's love for me is as much as mine is for him." Tears start to form in Edna's eyes. "Maybe he will never love me like I love him." Edna breaks down and starts crying.

Wow, I had no idea. "Well, maybe his love isn't as strong as yours for him is NOW, but give it some time. You keep working him, he'll crack." What am I doing? What she wants is immoral! And yet I'm saying it's ok! "Trust me, if things don't work out with him, there are other guys out there."

"I know. You know, you really are a true friend," Edna says, wiping the tears from her eyes. Billy gives her a comforting hug. At that time, Jen walks by, crossing the field to go home. She looks into the bleachers and sees the sight of her platypus boyfriend and the yiff-crazed fox hugging.

"How could you?" Jen shouts at the two cubs.

"How could we what?" Billy asks.

"I'm not blind. I should've known I couldn't trust you. "

"What, this? This is nothing!"

"Oh, nothing? You have more planned?" Jen asks hysterically.

"No, of course..." Billy gets in before being interrupted.

"Just spare me the bullshit. We're through. And to think I loved you." Jen runs off crying.

"Jen, wait!" Billy shouts. But his words fall upon deaf ears. Jeez, what just happened? Wait, did she just use the "L-word"? Billy just slumps down and sighs.

"Billy, you ok?"

"I really don't know. I mean, I shouldn't care that we're already broken up after one day of going out, but I do."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Edna asks, ready to pounce on the depressed platypus.

"Um, if you wouldn't mind, I'd actually like to be alone now. Thank you for sharing your story with me." Billy says as he stands up and walks away, depressed about his current situation. Edna just sits there for a few moments as Billy disappears from view.

Wow, I didn't think telling that to Billy would get me so emotional. But what happened here? I only wanted a chance to yiff Billy. Instead, he got hurt! That's not what I wanted. I gotta figure out a way to fix this. Wait, get a hold of yourself, Edna. He's broken down. After a couple of days without the yiff, and without a girl, he'll be begging you for some. Just bide your time. He'll be better tomorrow, and that's your chance to attack. I think I can wait.
*****
Billy stands at the bus stop quietly the next morning. He's lost in thought.

What am I going to do? How am I going to get her back? Do I want her back? God, what a bombshell.

Edna's thoughts are, as usual, about her future conquest.

I can see it in his eyes. He's ready to break. And when he does, I'll be ready. But I can't stand to see him like this. What to do?

Ed's thoughts are unrelated to either Billy or Edna.

These two are awfully quiet. I wonder if they made up yesterday. Well, at least it's Friday. End of the school week, and Billy's party is tomorrow.

The bus pulls up to the stop, and Carlos opens the doors. Billy is the first one on with a sigh, and the fox siblings bring up the rear.

"What's wrong? Lost your friend already?" Carlos asks with a twisted laugh. Billy ignores it as he walks to the back of the bus. Before Edna or Ed manage to take their usual seats, Billy sits behind Pokeinfo and Cynthia.

"Hey, that's our seat, Billy," Edna demands.

"Edna, would you mind sitting elsewhere today? I gotta talk to Ed and Poke before school."

"About what?" Edna asks, starting to get upset.

"I just need to talk to them. Please?"

"Edna, maybe it's for the best. It's not like Billy to demand something," Ed says, putting things into perspective for his dear sister. Edna sighs and takes Billy's usual seat behind Laura and Jenny. They immediately turn around.

"What's up, Edna? Why aren't you sitting with Edward today?" Laura asks.

"Billy's called a pow-wow with him and Poke."

"About what?" Jenny questions the fox.

"Billy and Jen broke up yesterday."

"Why would they break up? They seemed so good together," Laura comments.

I want to tell the truth, that a friendly hug was the cause, but I can't. Because then word'll get around that there is nothing between Billy and me, and Jen'll take him back. "I have no clue."

"That's a shame. Oh well, Billy'll find somebody new," Laura says.

Over on the other side of the bus, Billy's meeting is on the same topic.

"You're kidding? She automatically assumed that you were going to do something with Edna, and she dumped you just like that?" Ed asks.

"Yeah. It's what I get for trying to make friends with people. I get hurt."

"Don't talk like that, dude," Pokeinfo tries to cheer his friend up. "Just try to explain to her what happened."

"I haven't seen her since the incident. She probably doesn't want to hear from me anyway."

"I'll say something to her," Cynthia chimes in. "If a girl's going to listen to anybody, it's going to be another girl. I'll even talk to Edna about it. She'll probably come with me and help vouche for you."

"I dunno if that's a good idea," Billy sighs.

"Trust me," the young bunny replies. "Once Edna and I tell Jen what really happened, she'll forgive you."

"I don't think it's that simple. She used the 'L-word' when she dumped me yesterday."

"Lesbian?" Poke asks playfully. Billy just gives a dead stare at the lion. 
"Sorry, just trying to be funny."

"I'm not in the mood. No, she said she 'loved' me."

"Oooooh..." the other three cubs groaned.

"Yeah, I know. Tell me about it. How do you make it up to a girl who's heart was broken."

"Well, first thing you gotta do is to get in good with her again. Once Edna and Cyn talk to Jen for you, take her out on a few dates, and get her to realize it was all just a huge mistake. And make sure you tell her you love her too," Edward advises his platypus friend.

"I can't do that. I don't really know if I love her or not. I don't know if I know that feeling."

"How do you feel about her then?" Cynthia asks.

"Well, I enjoy being around her, even if we aren't doing anything. And I felt my heart sink to my feet yesterday when she dumped me, and now I want nothing but to get her back."

"Sounds like love to me," the bunny replies with a smile. "Trust me, you love her, and so you shouldn't have any problems telling her so. Like I said, I'll get Edna to help me explain what's going on."

"Thanks, Cynthia. You really are a true friend," Billy says with a smile, his mood lightening.

The bus pulls to a stop and the children get off and rush for the doors. Cynthia waits by the doors for Edna. The young fox quickly reaches the waiting cub.

"Hey, Edna. Wanna help me get Jen and Billy back together?"

"Why, did he ask you to?"

"No, I'm doing this because I want to. Come on, let's go find Jen."

Cynthia turns toward the doors of the school. However, before she can take one step, Edna quickly grabs her.

"Please don't talk to Jen."

"Why not?"

"Well... I kinda want a shot at Billy."

"You broke them up?" Cynthia asks with an upset tone in her voice.

"Not intentionally. It was an accident. But now that they're apart, I would kinda like to try and hook up with Billy." Cynthia just sighs and frowns upon hearing this.

"Ok, but you owe me. I'll keep quiet. But if Billy doesn't seem 100% happy by the time his pool party is over tomorrow, I'm getting him and Jen back together. And you WILL help me."

Oh, he'll be 100% happier by the end of his party, I guarantee. "Agreed. Thank you, Cynthia."

"Whatever. Come on, we got class."

The two then enter the school and go toward their classrooms. 
*****
Time flies as the school day is over and the swim team is meeting at the pool. Geoff, Jerry, and Billy are all sitting on the bench while waiting for Jen to finish changing. She finally comes out of the locker room, takes one look at Billy, and just walks past the trio. The look in her eyes is enough to kill a herd of adult rhinos, if looks could kill that is.

"Ouch, man. Whatever you did, you sure did it big time," Geoff says with a laugh.

"Not one word today, buck-tooth. I'm not really in the mood. You know what, hold that thought."

Billy gets up off the bench and walks to Jen, who's standing at the edge of the pool. Meanwhile, back on the bench, Jerry manages to keep Geoff under control.

"Geoff, don't. Let him be."

"But nobody calls me 'buck-tooth'. I'll kill that kid."

"Just let it go. He's upset right now."

Geoff just sighs and sits there, not in the best of moods. Meanwhile, back at the edge of the pool, Billy starts talking with Jen.

"So... Jen... how you doing?"

"Fine. Thanks. Get in the pool."

"Now hold up, did Cynthia talk to you yet?"

"Why would she talk to me?"

A look of shock crosses Billy's face. "She didn't talk to you about what happened between me and Edna yesterday?"

"Oh, so now you're bragging? And face-to-face. Well, I hope she's that good. You know what, get out of my sight. You're not practicing today."

"You can't do that."

"I can. I'm the captain. You're lucky you're still on the team. And you can forget about me coming to your party tomorrow."

"Fine, I didn't want you there anyway. And for your information, nothing happened between Edna and me. She was upset, so I hugged her like someone would their brother or sister. But I guess that's enough to make you wanna dump somebody. I'm outta here."

Billy storms off for the locker room. Within minutes, he's changed, out of the changing room, and walking home. Practice goes as usual for the rest of the team, except for Jen, who's mind is distracted. Geoff's performance is better than hers is with the state of mind she's in. She ends the practice a half-hour early. Geoff and Jerry get changed and head on their way. Jen just sits there, after they leave, soaked and sitting on the bench, thinking about what was said.

"I hugged her like someone would their brother or sister". Yeah right. Does he really expect me to believe that. I know what I saw. But I can't shake the feeling that some part of what he said, if not all of it, was true. Maybe I should go to his party tomorrow to appologize.

Jen sighs as she sits there, trying to decide what's real and what's not. Meanwhile, back at Billy's home, Billy is in his pool. He's been swimming for the past half-hour, and continues to do so.

I'm glad to know she's the jealous type. Then again, I guess I would be jealous if she were hugging a yiff-crazed dude. I feel bad that I yelled at her, but she just made me so mad when she wouldn't listen to what I was saying. I hope she shows up to my party tomorrow. I'd like to appologize to her. God, I know I'm a mess when swimming doesn't help clear my mind. I'm going to need a good night's sleep if I'm going to be able to host this party tomorrow without losing it.

Just then, Mary comes out from inside the house.

"Billy? Phone call for you."

Billy stops swimming and climbs out of the pool.

"Who is it?"

"It's Edna. Dry off and come get it."

"Ok mom."

Billy grabs a towel he'd thrown on the ground at the side of the pool and dries off with it. After he's dry, he wraps it around his neck and enters his house. He walks to the living room, sits on the couch, and picks up the phone from where Mary left it sitting.

"Hi Edna," Billy says with a sigh.

"Hi Billy. Hey, how you holding up?"

"I feel worse than I did on day one. Cynthia betrayed me."

"What? How?"

"She said she was going to talk to Jen about what happened between you and me yesterday, but she never did. Now Jen hates me even more."

Oh jeez. Everything I do backfires. Billy's upset, now he hates Cynthia. Cynthia's not really ok with me keeping Billy and Jen apart to try and make Billy and me work... Maybe I should call it quits. "Maybe Cynthia didn't run into Jen at all today."

"I hope that's the case, Edna. So, how you holding up?"

"I'm feeling better today, but I'm bummed to hear you and Jen are having problems. Well, hey, I gotta get off the phone. Dinner's done. I'll see you tomorrow. What time?"

"It's going to start at noon. Make sure to grab Poke and the rest, since you and Ed are the only ones who know where I live."

"Ok. Well, good night, Billy."

Billy hangs the phone up.

That was nice of Edna to check up on me. She's not such a bad kid. I'll have to thank her tomorrow.

Billy finishes his night with dinner, a little tv, and preparing towels for tomorrows party. He turns in at 10.

I'm so nervous. Tomorrow's going to be big, I can feel it.

These are Billy's last thoughts as he drifts off to sleep. 
*****
Chapter 6

Billy gets everything ready for his party, but has a heart full of sorrow. Billy sets up tables for his guests to eat at when they get hungry, sets towels on a rack out near the pools so his guests can dry off, and a CD Player for some music while having fun in the pool. The young platypus also inflates a few balls and tosses them onto the water. Everything's all set up when the gate to the backyard opens. Shortly there-after, Edna and the rest of the cubs, all changed in their swimsuits, make their way into the backyard. Jen is not among the company.

"Hey, Billy. Thanks for throwing this party for us," Pokeinfo greets his host.

"Yeah, it was a nice thing to do," Cynthia adds. Her light mood is quickly heavies a bit with the look she receives from Billy. What's his problem?

"Just make sure not to leave those two alone. They'll clog your pool's filter system up," Paige says, laughing as he enters the backyard.

"I don't think you need to worry about those two as much as you do this dog and his cat," Edna cuts in, slapping Paige playfully on the back.
Billy looks at Jenny, who just blushes and turns away from Billy. Billy shrugs it off and walks to Ed and Laura, who're cuddling as they sit by the pool.

"So, what's up guys?" Billy asks the couple.

"Not much. You got a nice house, Billy," Laura replies to the platypus. "And Eddy wasn't joking about you have two pools."

"Eddy?"

Edward blushes. "Yeah, Laura calls me that once in a while. You know how girlfriends can be, they'll give you pet names."

"No, I don't, Ed. Remember, mine dumped me."

"Oh yeah, hey man, sorry."

"Nah," Billy starts, giving a false grin. "It's cool. She made it quite clear yesterday that she doesn't want anything to do with me anymore, so I'm going to see what other girls are here in this school."

Edna can't help but to overhear that particular part of the conversation. A big smile grows on her face, but she can't help but feel sad for Billy. She goes about her business of swimming.

"Yeah, don't get so hung up on one," Laura says, trying to comfort her host.

"Yeah, she's not right for you anyway. If Cynthia talking to her didn't straighten her out, nothing will," Edward adds.

"Actually, she never did. I was going to confront her about it today, but I decided against it. It's a party, a time for us to have fun and get along, not start a fight. I'll ask her about it in school on Monday. But, yeah, anyway. Welcome. There's chips and pizza for you guys to eat, I've got some music playing. The small pool's for horsing around and just having a good time, big pool's for actual swimming only. Enjoy yourselves."

With that, Billy takes his leave of the fox and squirrel. He then walks to the splashing cubs swimming in the small pool. Billy just stands there, watching for about a minute, when Edna finally says something to the dry cub.

"What're you doing? Get your platypus butt in this pool right now," Edna shouts, sticking her tongue out.

"Are you sure you want that? For this cub to show you all up in the water?" Billy replies with a half-hearted chuckle, still depressed over what has happened between him and Jen.

"Shame on you, Billy. Are you really going to deny this sweet girl what she wants?" Poke yells out from the pool.

"No, I guess I can't."

With that, Billy climbs into the pool.

"Hey, so I gotta ask, where are your parents?" Edna asks Billy.

"They're out for the day. They figured that I'm old enough to have some friends over without supervision."

"Silly thing for them to do, right?" Poke whispers Cynthia's ear. Without another word, Billy splashes the lion.

"No jizz in the pool!" Billy scolds Pokeinfo, laughing.

"How did you hear what I said?"

"I didn't. But usually when you, you horny lion you, whisper something in Cynthia's ear, it's about getting off. Again, no jizz in the pool!"

"Ok, ok! No jizz in the pool, but I can't make any guarantees for no jizz period," Poke retorts, sticking his tongue out and laughing. Billy splashes him again. "Jeez, I was joking!"

"I know, I just enjoy splashing you."

With that, the cubs start splashing each other, laughing and having a good time. Edna manages to get a few cheap shots in on Edward and Laura, who're now sitting at the table.

"Ha ha, sis. Very funny..."

Edna just sticks her tongue out as she turns her attention to the cubs in the pool. Everybody's having a good time.
*****
Two blocks away from the Plats residence, Jen stops walking to think for a few moments.

Oh crud, I hope he's home. The party may not be until tonight. Wait, what kind of lame-brain holds a pool party at night. Well, then again, he was dumb enough to get caught in the arms of another girl, especially one as yiff-crazed as everybody says Edna is. And then he tells me it was nothing. I must be losing my mind. I caught him in the arms of another girl, and yet I feel like he's telling the truth.
Jen starts to pace a little.

Maybe it's me just hoping he's right so that I know he's not a two-timing jerk. Maybe it's me just hoping he was just trying to comfort her so I can go back out with him.

Jerry, who's out for a jog, stumbles upon a pacing Jen.

"Hey Stripes. What're you doing in this neck of the woods?"

"Oh, hi Jerry. I was debating on whether or not to go to Billy's party. Wait, what're you doing around here? That where you going?"

"Nah, I'm jogging. I jog all over town every once in a while to keep my stamina up. I wasn't invited to Billy's party."

"What? Why not?"

"Because I think he wanted it just for you and him to spend some time together, not him and the team to spend together."

"Well, he's got some of his other friends over."

"And how many of them are paired up?"

"I don't know. I'm only going to guess that there's only one couple at the party."

"Stripes, you're gullible if you believe that, especially in this school. Look, he invited you, and you alone, from the team. He probably wanted to be with you. Well, that was of course until you two started fighting. Why is that?"

"Well," Jen says, getting ready to explain what happened to her chipmunk teammate, "I caught him in the arms of another girl."

"What girl?"

"Edna Fox."

"Ouch, that's the wrong set of arms to be... did you say arms?"

"Yeah, they were hugging."

"Only hugging?"

"Yeah, only hugging."

"Wow, are you ever misguided, Stripes," Jerry tells the young tigress. "If Edna was only HUGGING somebody, it wasn't to try and yiff them. Nah, if she wanted Billy, she would've been sitting on his lap or something. If they were only hugging, then you jumped ahead to a conclusion that was never going to happen."

"Oh no, you really think so?"

"Trust me. I know from experience," Jerry says with a blush. "Edna's not the kind of girl to be slow with something she wants. I hate to say it like this, Stripes, but you fucked up. You need to apologize to that poor platypus. Or, and I can't believe I'm telling you this, you can do MORE to show how sorry you are."

"Yeah, gonna have to. You take care, Jerry."

With that, Jen dashes off down the block toward Billy's house. Jerry takes off jogging in the other direction.

Well, I guess I've got a lot of making up to do. Poor Billy. I wish I'd listened to him
*****
Inside the Plats household, seven hungry cubs are dried off and grabbing pizza and chips to eat. Billy's standing off to the side watching everybody. He, while everybody's grabbing some food, then pulls Cynthia aside.

"Hey, I wasn't going to do this today, but it's been bugging me all day."

"What is?" Cynthia asked Billy.

"I thought you were going to talk to Jen for me."

So that's what that look was about. "Yeah, I didn't get a chance to talk to her yesterday. I don't really know her schedule, and she wasn't there for lunch. You would've known that if you showed up, but neither of you did."

"So you really didn't see her at all yesterday?" Billy asks.

"No, not at all."

"Ok, thanks. I thought you betrayed me for a second."

"Billy, I'm hurt. Honestly. You think I would steer you wrong? Billy, you're my friend. I would never do anything I thought would hurt you."

"I'm sorry, Cyn. Forgive me?"

"Yeah, I can. Just try to trust me. I'll talk to her when I get a chance."

With that, Cynthia returns to the table to grab some food. Edna, who was watching the conversation, unable to hear what it was about, decides to question the bunny about it.

Edna approaches Cynthia. "So, what was that about?"

"What?"

"I saw you talk to Billy. What was it about?"

"Oh, he wanted to know why I didn't talk to Jen yet."

"Well," Edna starts to ask, starting to panic, "what did you tell him?"

"That I didn't run into her yet. Remember our deal. If he's not feeling better by the end of this party, I'm talking to Jen. I know you're not the patient type, and the fact that you haven't pounced on him yet shows you really do like him, but I can't stand seeing him hurt. If you're going to make your move, do it now."

Oh, trust me Cynthia. Despite popular belief, I can be real patient for something I want. "Will do. And thanks for still giving me this shot."

Edna smiles as she leaves the bunny's side to go talk to Billy. Within moments, she's standing next to Billy.

"What's wrong? Not hungry?"

"Nah, Edna, not really. This thing with Jen's got my head on wrong. I can't stop thinking about it. I know she said she didn't want anything to do with me anymore, but I can't help but to still want to try and make it work out."

"It's still fresh for you. Once you've gotten some other girls, you'll soon forget about Jen."

"Yeah, Edna, I guess you're right."
Edna then places her lips close to Billy's ear. "You know, I could help you forget," she softly whispers to him.

Billy turns his head to Edna and just gives her a dead stare. "Edna... how long are you going to pester me about this?"

"As long as it takes to get you on top of me, underneath of me, behind me, whatever you prefer."

Billy just sighs. Well, she does have a good point. This would help me get my mind off things, but I don't want to screw up any chances of me and Jen getting back together, if there are any chance. After yesterday, I'm not quite sure. Oh, I don't know what to do.

"You've got five minutes. I'll be waiting in your room. If you don't show, I'll take it you passed on the offer."

Edna gives Billy a quick pat on his backside as she walks out of the kitchen and down a hallway. Billy sighs as he looks where Edna left the kitchen, thinking to himself.

Ok Billy. You've got five minutes to decide which is more important. Trying to fix things with Jen, who obviously doesn't want to fix things with you; or getting your mind cleared. What to do, what to do?
*****
Finally, Billy's house.

Jen pushes her paws the last few houses on the block until she reaches Billy's house. She stops to catch her breath for only a moment. Jen then walks up onto Billy's porch. The tigress then knocks on the front door. No answer. She then rings the doorbell. No answer. As a last ditch effort, she shouts "hello", hoping somebody would hear her. No answer. Jen just sighs as she walks off the porch and down the street.

I guess he doesn't really want me here after all.

Before Jen can get half of the block away from Billy's house, she hears someone scream for her.

"Hey, Stripes. Where you going? The party's here."

Jen turns around to see a lion cub waving for her to come toward him.

"Hey Pokeinfo. I think I'm going to go. Billy doesn't want me here."

"Doesn't want you here? He's been pretty useless without you today," Poke tells the young tiger.

Jen beams upon hearing this. He misses me. Jen then walks up to Pokeinfo, and he shows her to the party. Jen just stands in amazement of the backyard as Poke closes the gate behind her.

"Wow. It's amazing."

"And this is just the outside. You should see the inside. It's nice."

"Maybe you can give me the tour. I don't seem to see Billy around here."

"Oh, well, he's in the bathroom at the moment," Pokeinfo tells the tiger. "Hang out here with us until he gets back. I see you're ready for a dip."

"Yeah, I figured to come changed, in case Billy forgave me."

Poke and Jen join the others back in the pool, where they're playing a friendly game of Dodgeball in the pool. Ten minutes pass as Jen starts to wonder where Billy is.

"Hey, Ed, I don't see your sister here, and I haven't seen Billy. What's up?"

"Oh, Jen, um... I honestly don't know where Edna is. Billy's around here somewhere."

Jen hops out of the pool and quickly enters the house through the back door. She runs down a few hallways until she arrives at an open door. She looks in and is shocked by what she sees.
Twelve minutes earlier, in the kitchen, Billy finally decides what he wants to do.

"Hey, guys, I'm going to use the bathroom real quick. No swimming for 30 minutes after you're all done."

"That's an old wives tale, mate. You can go swimming right after eating," Paige informs the platypus.

"Ok, well, just don't kill yourselves."

Billy leaves the kitchen, and his guests, and walks down a hall. Meanwhile, back in the kitchen, the cubs finish their snacks.

"So, Paige, were you serious? You don't have to wait after eating to swim?" Poke asks the dingo.

"Nope, not at all. My dad often lets me go for a swim in our own pool after eating. Like I said, old wives tale."

"That's cool," Ed cuts in. "Well, why don't we get in another swim?"

"Sounds good," Laura says.

"How about a game of Dodgeball while we're at it?" Cynthia suggests.

"But how's that gonna work? All you gotta do is duck down into the water to dodge," Ed informs Cynthia.

"Ok, we'll make a rule that if you duck underwater to dodge, you're out."

"Agreed," the other 5 cubs say in unison.

"Well, let's get going," Pokeinfo says.

With that, the cubs leave the kitchen and go into the backyard. Pokeinfo, being the last one out the back door, closes it. At the exact moment he closes the door, somebody knocks on the front door. It goes unheard.

"So, let's pick teams," Cynthia tells the cubs.

"HEEEELLLLLLOOOOO?!?!?"

"Huh, who's that?" Jenny asks.

The cubs just sit there, waiting to see if the mystery voice will say something else, but only silence.

"Ok, ok... let's not all check it out at once," Pokeinfo says with a sigh as he walks to the back gate. He opens it up and takes a step outside to see Jen, walking away from the house.

"Hey, Stripes. Where you going? The party's here," the lion shouts out toward the tigress, starting to wave to her.

Meanwhile, back inside the house, Billy stands outside a closed door.

I shouldn't've lied about needing to use the bathroom, but it's none of their business what I do in my own house.

Billy opens the door. On the other side, he sees Edna, sitting on his bed, waiting for him. She looks at him and stands up. Billy enters the room, leaving the door open.

"Wow, leaving the door open even. You've changed since losing Jen."
Edna then gets out of her swimsuit and walks over to Billy, who's just standing there.

"Edna..."

"Sshhh... let's just both enjoy this."

Edna then loosens up Billy's trunks and slides them down around his ankles. Needless to say, something greets Edna, face to face, as she finishes pulling down his suit.

"Wow, you really have changed. Our last encounter, I even touched it and I didn't get this response."

"Edna, listen..."

"Sshhh... follow me. I'll take care of it for you."

Edna then grabs Billy's hands and leads him to his bed. She then lays down on his bed and spreads her legs, showing her puss to the young cub.

"Come on. Come and get some of this."

Billy ignores the sight and just sits down on the corner of his bed, his back turned to Edna.

"Oh, I see, you like a sitting position better. Ok, I can do that."

Edna gets up off the bed and walks in front of Billy. She tries to straddle him, but he keeps her from getting down onto his stiff cock.

"Come on, don't be shy. Somebody obviously wants to play."

"That's just what I've been trying to say, Edna. I don't want to. You've been cutting me off before I could get a chance to tell you."

"Wait, what?"

"Yeah, I figured that making you wait five minutes to find out I wasn't coming was heartless, so I came to tell you nothing's going to happen."

Edna, in a state of shock, stops trying to straddle Billy. She then takes a seat next to him.

"You still love Jen, don't you?"

"Yes. I actually do still love Jen, even though parts of me say I shouldn't."

"Yeah, that's kinda obvious from the greeting I got a few seconds ago."

"Edna, no jokes please. I know you want me, but I just can't bring myself to ruin any chances of getting back together with Jen," Billy says, looking at the young fox.

"I understand."

Edna drops her head beneath her shoulders and sighs.

"Don't worry. If Jen and I don't work things out, I'll be coming for you," Billy says, trying to cheer the little fox up.

Edna smiles just a little upon hearing this. Billy then gets a sudden tingle in his bill. He then looks from Edna to the door. He sees Jen looking in, soaking wet.

"Jen! This isn't what it looks like!"

Billy gets up to walk to Jen.

"Just stop there." Billy stops in his tracks. "Ok, I'll tell you what this looks like. We've got a yiff-crazed fox, naked, in the room of a boy, a boy I came to apologize to and try to get back together with, and that same boy's as hard as a rock, and also naked. Now, tell me, what's going on? Because the evidence is stacked high against you."

"He came to tell me nothing was going to happen between me and him, Jen," Edna starts to tell the tiger. "I kept cutting him off, I stripped both of us of our clothes, I even laid down for him to plunge into me, but all he did was sit down and tell me nothing was going to happen."

"You're telling me he's that stiff and he didn't even try anything with you?"

"No, I didn't. I told her the same thing I'm going to tell you. I love you Jen. When you broke up with me, my heart felt like it sank to my feet. I didn't want to hear from nothing or nobody. And then that fight happened yesterday, and I just could seem to get myself together after that. I want you to believe that nothing happened between us."

"I do, Billy. I do. I love you so much, too."

The two go in for a hug, only to be stopped by a stiff platypus rod.

"Maybe we'll save the hug and kiss for AFTER a cold shower."

Billy looks down and blushes a little. "Maybe you're right."

The two cubs laugh as Jen leaves the area, walking back down the hall to return to the party. Billy turns to Edna, who's sitting on his bed, depressed.

"Look, I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?

Edna just looks at the platypus. "Hand me my swimsuit, for starters."

Billy reaches down and grabs Edna's suit. He picks it up off the floor and tosses it to her. He also grabs his own suit.

"I'd appreciate it if you stayed, Edna. You're one of my best friends here. If it weren't for you and Ed, but especially you, I wouldn't have any friends, and definitely no Jen. You're the one who opened the doors to me here."

"Oh, trust me, I'm staying. I need to make sure your 'no jizz in the pool' rule is enforced, even to you."

The two laugh as Billy leaves the room.

Well, it's not because of me, but he is happy. Oh well, I'll just have to try harder. But not today. I'll let Billy enjoy his girl
*****
Thirty minutes later, everybody's dressed and out of the house. Paige, Jenny, Edna, Pokeinfo, and Cynthia all start a game of "Marco Polo" in the recreational pool. Ed, Laura, Billy, and Jen all sit at the table near-by.

"So, you two are together again?" Laura asks the platypus and tigress.

"Yeah. Billy and I worked everything out. It was Jerry that helped though."

"Jerry?" Ed asks.

"He's a dude on the team. Squirrel. He's not a bad swimmer. He doesn't seem to talk a lot," Billy comments.

"Trust me, he loves to talk. And everything he says seems borderline genius. He told me about how Edna is, and the fact that her only hugging is a sign that she's not planning to yiff," Jen says. "I can't believe I let my imagination run wild."

"Hey, don't blame yourself. I know that if I found Ed here in the arms of a yiff-crazed girl, I'd probably flip out too," Laura says, trying to reassure Jen.

"And I know I would've done the same if I found you in the arms of a yiff-crazed dude, Jen," Billy tells his girlfriend. "By the way, never let me see you in the arms of Pokeinfo."

The four cubs start laughing.

"So, Billy, why you got two pools anyway?" Jen asks.

"Well, one's for recreation, as you can see. The other one is for practicing my laps."

"Boy, you really do love to swim, don't you, Billy?"

"Hey, it's about the only thing we platypi are good at."

"Not anymore," Jen says with a wink. Billy blushes at this. "So, wanna race?" Jen asks.

"Are you sure you wanna get beat by me?"

"Oh, somebody's cocky," Laura chimes in.

"You better believe it. His dad can do 10 laps in under a minute. Billy's got 'world-class swimmer' bred into him," Edward adds to the conversation.

"Then I can't wait to see the look on his face when I beat him," Jen says, sticking her tongue out at Billy.

"Oh, you're on, little kitty."

The four cubs laugh some more as they get up from the table and go to the big pool. Billy and Jen stand beside each other at one end of the pool. Laura and Ed stand away from the pool, getting ready to watch a good race.

"Ok, first to five wins?"

"Agreed."

"Hey, Ed, heads up." With that, Jen tosses Ed a whistle she kept in her swimsuit.

"You always keep a whistle with you?" Ed asks.

"Only when I plan on racing."

"Ok, well, get ready. Get set."

Ed then blows on the whistle as Billy and Jen dive into the pool. The first three laps are pretty even, Billy and Jen staying neck and neck. As both cubs finish their third lap, Jen starts to gain momentum and pulls away from Billy.

"Oh boooo!" Laura heckles Billy playfully. "Stop letting her win!"

Jen finishes her fourth lap. Billy's one quarter of a lap behind at this point. Billy finishes his fourth lap, and Jen's halfway through hers now. Billy gives it a last-ditch effort, and pumps his arms and legs as fast as they can go. He quickly makes up the lost ground, but it's too little too late. As Billy gets ready to finish the fifth lap, Jenny beats him to it, one second ahead of him. Ed blows the whistle, bringing an end to the race. Both cubs climb out of the pool and sit on the edge.

"You... let me... win, didn't... you?" Jen says between heavy breaths.

"Actually... no... I didn't. I've... been in... a... funk the... past few... days. It's... thrown... my game... off. Good... race," Billy replies.

"Liar," Jen says with a chuckle as she pushes Billy back into the pool.

Ed, Laura and Jen start laughing. Shortly there-after, Billy surfaces and looks at the laughing cubs. He quickly splashes all three of them and climbs out of the pool. Once he's out all four start laughing. They rejoin the others for a short while. Time flies for the young cubs, and what was noon has turned into 5 PM. The cubs start climbing out of the pool to dry off. As everybody dries, they enter the house to eat a little more. Mary and Stephen arrive home from their day out as the kids are sitting down to eat. Mary and Stephen poke their heads into the kitchen to check on the cubs.

"Everybody having a good time?" Mary asks the children. Each cub nods their head. "That's good." Mary smiles and walks down the hall, past the kitchen, to the living room.

"Hey, son, I hate to do this to you, but you're party's gotta end soon. It's getting late, and you've got a lot of cleaning to do," Stephen says in. The cubs all "aw" Billy's father. "I'm sorry, kids. But Billy agreed to clean everything up from the party if he was allowed to have it." Stephen then goes and joins his wife in the living room.

"That sucks, Billy. I can't believe you agreed to that," Poke says.

"Dude, it's cool. I don't mind cleaning up a few dishes and taking out a few trash bags to have my friends over for a day filled with fun," Billy tells the lion.

"Well, we'll have to do this more often. We should get together and do something tomorrow," Ed suggests.

"You guys can, but I can't join you. Sunday's now my 'relax day'. Now that I'm not being home-schooled, I don't have to worry about any work on Sunday, so I can sit back, relax, and cool off from the week."

"Sounds lame," Poke says with a chuckle. A piece of pepperoni is thrown across the table from Billy and it smacks the lion jester in the face. "Not cool!" The other children laugh.

"Don't make fun of my Sunday, then," Billy says with a chuckle. "Nah, it's cool. But, yeah, it allows me to unwind and to bond with my parents."

"Sounds nice," Paige reassures the platypus. "Yeah, you always need time to relax and to bond with the ones you love, mate." He then puts an arm around Jenny, who's sitting next to him. Jenny slightly blushes as Billy sees this.

The kids laugh at this and go back to eating. After everybody's dinner is finished, all the cubs, except for Jen, say good-bye to Billy, thank his parents for having them over, and head out the front door, walking to their homes. Jen's still sitting at the table as everybody leaves.

"Man, what a crazy day," Jen says to her platypus companion.

"Crazy day? Been a crazy week for me."

"How so?"

"Well, let's see. I've been mocked relentlessly, I've had the shit kicked outta me by an angry dude, I nearly killed said attacker, I've had Edna all over me, I get my first rival, I get my first yiff, you and I hook up, you and I break up, we get back together... it's been a roller-coaster week for me."

"Well, the week's over now. Next week should be better for you."

"Yeah, I hope. Hey, while you're still here, I'd kinda like to introduce you to my folks."

"Ok."

The two cubs get up from the table, walk from the kitchen to the living room, and stand before Mary and Stephen.

"Mom, dad, this is Jen, the swim captain I told you guys about. Jen, this is my mom and dad."

"Nice to meet you, Jen" both Mary and Stephen greet the tigress.

"Nice to meet you too, Mr. and Mrs. Plats," Jen replies. Jen then looks at Billy. "Hey, Billy, I gotta go. I just realized I never told my mom where I was going. If I don't get home soon, she'll flip."

"Oh, ok."

Billy then walks Jen to the front door. He opens it for her, and they kiss right before she steps outside.

"I'll see you at the bus stop on Monday, Billy."

"See you."

They smile as Billy closes the door. Stephen walks up behind Billy.

"So, that's the girl, huh? She's cute. Like I said, make sure to use protection."

"DAAAAAAAAAAADDDD!" Billy blushes as Stephen laughs.

Billy finishes his night by cleaning up his party aftermath followed by watching TV with his folks until 9 PM. He then goes to bed. The last thought he thinks before drifting off is one of joy.

What an awesome week. I can't wait for Monday.
*****
Chapter 7

Monday rolls around, and Billy is happy to be in school. Kids during class aren't gossiping so much anymore since Billy found himself a cute girlfriend, and some have even talked to the young platypus. During recess, he and Jen spend the entire play time holding paws and kissing each other. Edna sits in a corner, watching the young couple, wishing it was her. Lunch rolls around, and Billy and Jen eat together, and a few kids from other tables sit with the couple, trying to get to know Billy. Everybody's happy for Billy and Jen, except for one fur, Geoff, who wants nothing more than to publicly humiliate the young platypus much like Billy humiliated him on their first encounter. The day ends, and it's right before swim practice starts that Geoff talks with Jerry about Jen and Billy.

"I thought those two were splitsville?" Geoff asks his squirrel teammate.
"Nah, they worked things out. I guess she listened to what I said," Jerry responds.

"You talked to Stripes and got her and Billy back together?" Geoff asks in an upset tone.

"What's your problem with Billy, anyway? He's a cool dude. So he showed you up in the water. You and I both know you were the worst swimmer on the team before Billy."

"It's the way he beat me. He toyed with me. He gave me a head start only to take it away as quickly as he gave it. And then he taunted me about it. And then he got Stripes. You know how long I've been trying to get her to notice me as more than just a teammate, Jerry."

"Well, you know, you don't do yourself any favors there," Jerry tells the upset beaver. "You are arrogant, and you love to try and show-off. Not too many girls are into a guy who's always boasting about himself."

"But I did it for her. He comes in, wins one race, and she thinks he's the best thing ever. It's just not fair."

"Yeah, well, you had a chance to strike. It was when they were fighting over a misunderstanding between Stripes, Billy, and Edna," Jerry says.

"Edna? As in Edna Fox, SLJ's number one pole rider?"

"None other than. Yeah, Billy gave her a hug to comfort her, and Stripes flipped out at that..." Jerry starts. Geoff stops paying attention at this point.

Edna Fox, huh? That's got some possibility behind it.

Jen and Billy leave the changing room, holding hands. Jerry gives Jen a small nod of approval, and Geoff just frowns and turns away.

"Ok guys, let's get ready to start practice. Our swimming's been improving, but we need to improve on our entries and turns. We're not getting into the water smooth enough, and we seem to be taking too long getting our bodies turned fast enough to start another lap. If we're going to win our next meet, that's where we gotta improve."

Jen then blows her whistle, and everybody takes their places to work on entry into the pool. The hour flies as practice comes to a close. The cubs climb out of the pool and get dried off. Geoff approaches Billy before he finishes drying to go to change.

"Yo, Billy!" Geoff calls to the platypus.

"What do you want, Geoff?"

"Just to say congratulations on working things out with Stripes." Geoff then extends his paw, awaiting a shake from Billy. Billy just looks at Geoff sceptically.

"What's this about? Last week, you hated my guts. Today, you're telling me that you're happy that I got together with Jen? What's the catch?"

"Dude, I don't hate you. I was just a bit bitter that you were better than me. But I've come to terms with it. Now, don't get me wrong, I still am trying my hardest to beat you, but I'm not going to hold a grudge or anything like that."

Upon hearing this, Billy smiles and shakes Geoff's paw. Billy then heads to the changing room to change. Geoff just stands there alone.

Hook, line, and sucker! Now that his guard's down, it's time to execute Stage Two of my plan.
Geoff just laughs to himself as he enters the changing room. 
*****
Tuesday morning rolls around, and things keep getting better for Billy. Kids have all but stopped talking about Billy in a negative tone, and Jen and Edna are starting to get along. Recess rolls around, and the children are at play, all except for three cubs. Jen and Billy are, as usual, holding paws and kissing each other. Edna, as usual, is watching, wishing she could feel Billy's swollen member up inside her wet snatch. She starts to daydream about that encounter when something pokes her in the head. She snaps to reality and looks around to see what poked her, only to find a paper airplane with the words "Open Me" written on the wings. Edna listens to what is written and unfolds the paper airplane. Words are written on the inside. Edna reads the note.

Edna Fox, this is for your eyes only. I have a business proposition I would like to ask you, but I would like to do it face to face at a place where we can be alone. Meet me in front of the front doors to the school at 4:45 PM. Come alone, and bring this note so that I know you read it. Show this note to nobody. If I find out you have, our proposition is off. I look forward to seeing you this afternoon.

Edna folds the note and tucks it away in a pocket in her skirt.

A mystery person wishes to meet me? He wants me to meet him alone? Jeez, sounds like somebody's shy about getting off. Hopefully he's cute. Oh well, I won't know until this afternoon.

Later in the day, at 4:45, Edna stands outside the front doors to the school, the note crumpled in her hand. She hears a voice, but doesn't know where it's coming from.

"Did you bring the note?"

"Yes, I did! It's here in my hand," Edna tells the voice.

"Did you tell anybody about this meeting?"

"No, I didn't. And I'm alone."

"Good."

A male beaver comes around the corner of the school and walks to the young fox. When he reaches her, he simply puts his paw out.

"Name's Geoff."

"Edna."

The two shake paws.

"I know who you are, and that's why I sent you the note."

"Did I really need to bring it?"

"Yes, yes you did. I had you bring it so that I knew you didn't just stumble upon this spot."

"So, what's the deal? Why did you ask me here?" Edna asks Geoff.

"I have a proposition for you. Tell me, what's the one thing you want more than anything right now?"

"I don't feel that I want to tell you what I want most right now," Edna tells the beaver, thinking about getting with her brother.

"Ok." Geoff sighs. "What's the second thing you want the most right now then?"

"Why am I even talking to you?" Edna asks.

"What would you say if I said I could get some alone time between you and Billy?"

"I don't want that anymore. He's got Jen now."

"You let me handle that detail. Billy will be coming to you tomorrow, and he'll ask if you talked to Jen about a plan. All you have to do is say 'yes', and you can have Billy to yourself."

"What do you have planned?" Edna asks the beaver sceptically.

"I want to show Billy that I'm his friend. And what better way than getting him free pussy? Trust me on this."
"I'm not always that kind of girl. Ok, you're an ass. This conversation is over," Edna angrily says with a huff.
"Wait, wait. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. Will you please do it?"

"Wait, what about Jen and Billy?"

"Jen and I will work something out so that it's ok with her about you two."

"Ok. Well, it was nice to meet you Geoff. Tell Billy I said 'hi'."

With that, the young fox skips off.

Perfect, she's gullible. Let's just hope Billy's just as gullible. Time for Stage Three. Geoff starts to laugh. 
Forty-five minutes earlier, at the pool, swimming practice comes to a close. The team all gets changed and each cub goes their normal route. Billy holds Jen's paw as they walk to Jen's house. Geoff heads off in another direction to his house, and Jerry follows behind until he has to make a turn in another direction down the same street Geoff goes down. Except, today is different. Instead of going his normal route, Geoff heads back toward the school. Jerry notices this, and decides to investigate. He follows the beaver back to the school grounds, where Geoff stands at one of the corners. Jerry hides behind a bush, but keeps an eye on Geoff to see what he's doing. Forty-five minutes pass, and Geoff still stands at that corner. Jerry starts to wonder what's going on.

That's odd. It's not like him to hang out at the school. What's he doing here?

Geoff says something out loud, but to nobody.

"Did you bring the note?"

Now he's talking to himself.

"Yes, I did! It's here in my hand," a voice replies from around the corner.

He's meeting somebody here? Who's he meeting, and why?

Jerry watches Geoff for a few more seconds, and Geoff starts to move. Geoff rounds the corner to meet his mystery guest. Jerry gets out from behind the bush and quickly runs up to where Geoff was standing. He peeks around the corner to see Geoff talking to a young female fox.

That's Edna! Why would Geoff be meeting Edna in a place like this at a time like this? What is Geoff planning? Oh no, Billy!

Jerry tries his hardest to ruin the meeting, but can't bring himself to do it. He has no evidence yet that Geoff's meeting is about Billy, or that he has something bad planned for the young platypus. Jerry stays put, looking around the corner, trying to catch parts of the conversation.

"You let me handle that. Billy will be coming to you tomorrow, and he'll ask if you talked to Jen about a plan. All you have to do is say 'yes', and you can have Billy to yourself."

Ok, now it's about Billy. But Geoff doesn't like Billy. Why would he be talking about him? I don't like where this is going.

Jerry continues to look on, but the meeting shortly ends, with Edna skipping off away from Geoff and away from Jerry. Geoff then begins to laugh. As much as it pains him to do so, Jerry lets his friend walk away from the meeting without conflict. He wants nothing more than to confront Geoff about the meeting, but he's still unsure of what the meeting was about. Jerry decides to let things stand the way they are, and wait until tomorrow to make any sort of action. He then walks home, hoping that Geoff's meeting was innocent. 
*****
Wednesday morning rolls around, and the week has been going good for Billy. His new-found respect has made him happy with his new school. His girlfriend and he have been spending a lot of time together, enjoying each others' company. Jen and Edna have even become good friends. Billy stands at the bus stop with Jen, Ed, and Edna, waiting for Carlos to show up.

"Hump day," Ed sighs.

"Dude, don't even do that!" Billy snaps at Ed.

"What did I do?"

"Last time you said that in my presence, all hell broke loose! I don't want something like that to happen again. Things are finally getting good for me. No 'hump day', ok?"

"Jeez, calm down. You don't need to spas on me," Ed says, somewhat upset.

"Sorry. It's just that I'm finally happy with the way my life's going. I don't want something like that ruined just yet."

"Aw... Billy's so cute when he's worried," Jen and Edna comment in unison. The two giggle as Billy blushes.

"It's amazing how a few days can straighten out even the oddest couple," Billy says with a sigh.

Carlos pulls up in the bus at that time. He opens the doors as the four cubs get on. They make their way to the back, when Billy notices Geoff in the front seat of the bus. Geoff signals for Billy to sit with him. Billy stops Jen, who's just a few steps ahead.

"Hey, Jen, I'm going to sit with Geoff today. It looks like he's got something he wants to talk about."

"Ok, but don't blame me if you gotta paw off in the bathroom today."

"Ha ha... very funny. I'll catch you at recess."

With that, Jen goes and takes her usual seat behind Jenny and Laura. The three start to gossip. Meanwhile, back in the front of the bus, Billy sits down next to Geoff.

"So Geoff, what's up? Wait, I didn't know you rode the bus."

"Yeah, I normally don't. I don't live far from the school. I made sure to catch it today, though, because I wanted to talk to you about something serious."

"What's wrong? Having problems?"

"No," the beaver starts. "It's not me with the problems. It's you."

"What do you mean 'me'? Everything's going great. The school's starting to accept me, I've got friends who, I feel, I can trust with my life, and Jen and I love each other."

"That's the problem," Geoff says with a look of sorrow in his eyes. "Stripes really doesn't know if she can trust you yet. It's only been about a week since your mishap. She doesn't really know if you're over Edna."

"But I haven't really been attracted to Edna."

"She doesn't know that. Listen, I've been talking with her. She really wants to trust you, but she first has to know you're over Edna. She thinks that if you and Edna hook up, you'll be completely over her. She thinks part of you still wishes you yiffed Edna."

"Yeah, like I'm going to listen to that. Jen and I love each other. If she had any worries, I'd be the first to know. I doubt she'd also agree to me yiffing another girl to trust me."

"That's just it, she loves you too much to let you know she's worried about your relationship. You think she wants you to know that she's afraid that you not getting with Edna may have you second guess your relationship sooner or later?"

"Why would she tell you though?" Billy asks sceptically.

"Stripes and I were good friends before you and her started going out. You know a girl tells her best of friends everything. But if you don't believe me, ask Edna. She and Stripes have already talked it over, and it's cool with both of them."

"Really? I'll have to ask Jen about it then."

"No!" Geoff urges the platypus. "No, don't do that. If you talk to Stripes about it, then she'll know I told you, and she'll be upset with me. Just trust me on this. I'm trying to be your friend along with hers here. If you have to ask, go ask Edna. She IS your friend too, isn't she?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right. She is my friend, but I still should at least say something to Jen."

"Billy, if you love Jen, then trust me. Just go talk to Edna."

"Ok, I'll talk Edna. But if she doesn't have a clue what you're talking about, I'm going to be coming back to talk with you."

"Ok," Geoff says as he smiles at the unsuspecting platypus. Good thing I had the meeting with Edna BEFORE this then. Now it's just a matter of following them. Time for Stage Four. Now or never.
*****
Later in the day, during recess, the children are all at play, except for four cubs. Jen and Billy hold each other, Edna watches Jen and Billy, wishing she could feel Billy inside her, and Geoff, who is acting like he's playing, is not far from Edna, hoping Billy will talk to Edna about "the plan". Billy breaks his hold on Jen, and Jen is shocked by this.

"Why'd you let go of me? You're not turning gay, are you?" Jen asks jokingly.

"Nah, I gotta go talk to Edna."

"About what?"

"She lost a bet, and I think it's time she paid up."

"Oh, ok. Make sure you split it with me," Jen says with a chuckle.

Billy chuckles upon hearing his. He then kisses his tigress and he walks away. As soon as he's out of Jen's hearing range, he lets out a deep sigh. He then walks up to Edna.

"Hey, Edna, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Huh?" Edna snaps out of her daydream. "Oh, hi Billy! Yeah, what did you want to talk about?"

"About you and Jen."

Geoff perks his ears to catch the conversation.

"What about us?" Edna asks the platypus.

"I was talking to Geoff. He told me you and Jen made a plan about how to get Jen to trust that I'm over you."

Yes! He took the bait. Now, Edna, do as you were told and say "yes". Geoff starts to laugh on the inside.

"Oh, yeah. Jen and I agreed on that."

"Really?" Billy asks sceptically.

"Really."

"Wow. I didn't think Jen would agree to us yiffing."

"Well, Geoff said that he and Jen talked about it, and it seems the best thing in both our interests," Edna replies.

"How's this best in your interest?" Edna just stares at Billy. "Oh yeah, that."

"Yeah, that," Edna responds. "So, anyway, where you wanna do this at?"

"Well, my place is a 'no-go'. My parents are home."

"And Ed doesn't really do too much outside of school, so our house isn't good either."

"I'm sorry to be nosey, but I couldn't help but overhear your discussion. I've got a solution to your problem," Geoff tells the pair of cubs as he approaches them. "My dad works until 6 PM every night, and my mom's out of town on a business trip. My place will be empty."

"Are you sure?" Billy asks the eager beaver.

"I'm sure, I'm sure. Just make sure to wash anything and everything you two use. I don't want that musky smell of yiff on my sheets or on my couch. I'll show you two to my house from the front doors at about 4:45."

"Thanks, Geoff. I owe you one," Billy says excitedly. "Now I'll be able to get Jen to forget about the mishap."

"Well, I gotta run. You two take care."

Geoff then takes his leave of the two cubs. Oh my god, this is a little too easy! Billy's just as easy to play as Edna is. Wait, why am I complaining. Everything's going according to plan. Time to ruin Billy. Geoff laughs out loud upon thinking this. The bell soon rings there-after, bringing recess to an end. 
*****
Chapter 8
"Wow, Geoff, you say it's just you, your mom, and your dad in this place?" Billy asks his beaver friend. He, Edna, and Geoff are all standing in the living room of Geoff's apartment. Geoff has just finished giving the two a tour. The kitchen and living room are separated by a change of tile. There are five separate doors in the living room. Three lead into three different bedrooms, one goes to a bathroom, and the fifth is the door going outside.

"Yeah, just the three of us. Dad's been thinking of moving into a bigger place, but I'm actually quite cozy here. Anyway, he's going to be at work for the next hour. I'll be heading over to Jerry's place, about two blocks from here. We're going to be shooting a video for one of our classes. Oh, and thanks for leaving your shoes and socks by the front door. My dad doesn't want any kind of dirt from socks or shoes on the carpet."
With that, Geoff leaves his house, video recorder in hand.

"Wow, I can't believe how cool he is once he's not trying to be a dick," Billy says to Edna.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, the dude's always giving me crap during swim practice."

"He's probably just competitive. I mean, would he go through all of this if he didn't want to be friends with you?"

"No," Billy replies. "I guess he wouldn't. You know, part of me wishes I could see that video."

"Why? It's just for a class."

"But he's working on it with Jerry," Billy says. "Jerry seems to be a bit of a genius. That would be a good video."

"Well, maybe we can get Geoff to show it to us later. Right now, there's something else I'd rather be working on."

Edna looks deeply into Billy's eyes. She leans in to kiss him, only to have Billy stop her.

"What's wrong?"

Billy just looks at Edna. In his heart, he really doesn't want to do this. He knows, however, that he needs to in order to get Jen to forget about the hug.

"Nothing's wrong. I just don't think we should be doing this in the living room. Let's at least go into a bedroom, where we both can be a little more comfortable."

Edna nods, and the two open a door to one of the bedrooms. Billy lets Edna enter first, soon following. He closes the door and locks it behind him. Billy then gets a strange tingle in his bill.

"I don't think I want to do this here."

"Why not?" Edna asks, sitting down on the bed in the room.

"I just got a tingle in my bill."

"So?"

"Well, my bill tingles when somebody is nearby," Billy informs the young fox.

"Yeah, I'm nearby, silly," Edna says with a chuckle.

"No, somebody I don't know about is nearby. I know you're here, so I can tune that tingle out. But there's another person nearby. I don't know who or where, but I can feel him or her."

"That's probably just your nerves. It's just us, alone, in a bedroom. The only other person who knows we're here is Geoff, and he went to Jerry's place."

"I guess you're right," Billy says with a sigh.

Meanwhile, outside Geoff's apartment, Geoff hides below the window to avoid being seen.

God, talk about gullible. Come on! It's a shame Billy's too in love with Stripes to see past his own bill.

Geoff chuckles a little. He pokes his head up to look inside the window. He watches as Billy and Edna enter the bedroom he was camped outside of. He ducks down to avoid getting seen, but presses his ear against the wall to try and catch the conversation. He can't understand much of what is said, but one thing comes through clear as crystal.

"Well, my bill tingles when somebody is nearby."

Geoff pulls his ear away from the wall, starting to panic that he blew his shot at ruining Billy.

Oh shit! He saw me, or he saw through my rouse, or something. He knows what I have planned, and he's not going to fall for it.

Geoff then puts his ear against the wall, hoping that his plan is still ok.

"That's probably just your nerves. It's just us, alone, in a bedroom. The only other person who knows we're here is Geoff, and he went to Jerry's place."

"I guess you're right."

Geoff pulls his ear away again, almost ready to jump for joy. He readies his recorder.

THANK YOU EDNA!!!! You just saved the day. Well, saved the day for me, that is. Now, time to make a video.

Geoff laughs as he pokes his head and paws up. The red light on his recorder is on, and he is ready to tape the action going on inside the house. 
*****
"I guess you're right," Billy says with a sigh.

The two cubs, Edna and Billy, then lock gazes. Billy stares into Edna's caring eyes as Edna stares into Billy's passionate eyes. Without saying a word, Edna starts to remove her shirt.

"Don't..."

"Second thoughts again, Billy?"

"No. I should be the one doing that."

"Then get your fine ass over here and do it."

The two chuckle as Billy approaches the young vixen fox. A sudden chill runs up Edna's spine. She's been with a lot of boys since moving to Pouncefield, but she's never had to work as hard for them as she did Billy. Billy stands before Edna, who's sitting on the bed, and touches her on the shoulder ever so gently. Thoughts of triumph run through the young fox's mind as she pulls him down onto the bed with her. The two cubs lock bodies together as they passionately kiss each other for a while. The kiss is broken when Billy decides to kiss the young fox's neck ever so gently. She returns the favor by rubbing his chest and arms, all the while untying his tie. She throws it into a corner of the room, and slowly removes Billy's shirt. Billy breaks his kiss and lifts his arms, allowing the young cub to get the shirt off. She tosses it aside, and goes back to work rubbing Billy's chest and shoulder. She sticks her tongue out and starts to lick Billy's nipples. This feeling sends a shiver up the young platypus's spine, and he jumps ever so slightly.

"I see somebody enjoyed that."

"You better believe it."

Billy then unbuttons Edna's shirt. She lifts her arms so that Billy can get it off her. He lifts it up over her head and tosses it aside. He turns his attention back to Edna, who's topless beauty has Billy dazzled. His semi-erect cock catches Edna's eye at this point.

"Wow, I didn't realize I was THAT pretty," Edna jokes. "Let me help you with that."

Edna unbuttons Billy's pants with her paws, but uses her teeth to pull the zipper down. Billy's boxers couldn't contain the erection this sensual act finished, and Edna is met face to face with this erection.

"Well, looks like somebody's ready."

"You're complaining?" Billy asks his foxy partner.

"No, not at all."

With that, Edna slides Billy's pants down around his ankles and pulls them off him, tossing them aside. She then starts rubbing his legs, starting at his calves and working her way, slowly, up to his thighs. She then starts to rub the inside of his thighs, and the young platypus shivers at the new erotic joy he is feeling from this. Edna smiles as she sees this shiver. She then grabs the bottom of Billy's boxers and tugs them, ever so slowly, down the boy's legs.

"Oh, wow, Edna."

"What, don't like this?"

"Nah, I just never expected somebody like you to be passionate about yiffing. I figured you were the kind of girl that would just move her panties aside and just hop on."

"Not all the time. I do like to enjoy foreplay from time to time," Edna says as she finishes pulling off Billy's boxers, tossing them aside. Billy sits up on the bed, and then stands up from the bed. "You done already?"

"No. You want foreplay, I'll show you something that'll send shivers up your spine."

With that, Billy pats the bed, motioning for Edna to come closer. She does, and Billy turns her so that her body's facing him. He then slides her skirt and panties both down to her ankles in one fluid motion, taking them off when they get there. Billy then pulls Edna forward, ever so gently, until her snatch is even with the end of the bed. He spreads her legs a little, and places her feet on the floor.

"Now, try not to squish me."

"Oh, I won't. I know this feels good."

"Oh, trust me, my young fox. You've never felt THIS before. This is something new and kinky that Jen and I have been working on. She seems to enjoy it."

With that, Billy turns his back to Edna, who gets a curious look upon her face. Billy then backs up a little, until the very tip of his tail is barely touching his partner's clit. This sends a wave of shivers up the young fox's spine.

"Whoa-ho-ho!!! Oh yeah... that's nice..."

Edna starts to moan as Billy wags his tail up and down, side to side, and in circular motions. This new sense of somebody using their tail to stimulate her is driving Edna wild. Billy hears the moaning and decides to speed it up, driving the poor young fox even wilder. He starts to hear a panting in with the moaning, and quickly stops his tail.

"Oh... Billy... come on! Don't do that to me," Edna says, almost in tears, both from the joy of what she just felt and the frustration of nearly cumming, but being denied.

"Nope, sorry. That may feel good, but I've got more in store for you."

Billy then gently slides his companion back onto the bed and lays next to her. He pulls her on top of him, with her face meeting his stiff rod and her wet box meeting his face. Billy can smell the juices that have built up, and it's driving him nuts, so he starts to lick Edna's nub. Upon this, Edna crashes her mouth around Billy's rock-hard member, sucking and stroking. Moans of joy and ecstasy come from both cubs as they enjoy the taste and feeling of each other. Edna can feel Billy stiffen and tense up in her mouth, so she stops. She climbs off of Billy.

"Aw, come on! I was enjoying that," Billy cries out. Tears form in his eyes from the joy and the frustration, much like Edna.

"Yeah, but you'll enjoy this a little more," Edna says as she lays down on the bed, pulling Billy on top of her. Billy excitedly thrusts his cock into her wet snatch, but hard. Edna winces a little.

"Oh, I'm sorry, you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Not too many boys go so rough their first time with me. A lot still think of me as a virgin..." Edna tells the platypus with a blush.

"Trust me, that day in the gym, I knew you weren't a virgin. But, I'll try to be a little softer with you."

With that, Billy starts to slide his hard pole in and out of Edna. Edna's moans and cries of joy are pleasing to Billy's ears.

"Oh... GOD BILLY! No wonder... I tried so HARD... to get this in me... you feel so... just so GOOD!"

"Oh, man, Edna... Why did I resist you? Oh yeah..."

Billy and Edna start moaning together as Billy continues to slide his shaft in and out of his young vixen fox. Edna closes her eyes and leans her head back, the ecstasy of the moment overwhelming her. She lets out a loud moan.

"Oh GOD!!! Oh... Billy... give it to me!"

Billy starts to pump faster, Edna's walls starting to contract around him until he can barely fit. Billy starts throbbing, and before anything goes off, Edna flips them over.

"Uh-uh-uuuhhh... can't have you cumming like that. I want to ride your cock until you can no longer stand it."

Edna waits a few moments until she feels his throbbing stop. When he finally stops, Edna starts to slide up and down along his stiff cock. She starts to moan as his shaft rubs against the walls of her wet pussy. Billy starts to moan a little as well. Billy leans his head back, closes his eyes, and smiles. It's not Jen, but he's happy to be with somebody right now. Edna leans her head back and smiles too, happy that's she's had this chance with Billy. She starts to ride faster as she squeezes Billy with her snatch. This causes the young platypus cock to start throbbing. Edna's close to climaxing as well.

"Oh, Billy! Cum with me!"
"Oh Edna!"
"BIILLLLYY!"
"EDDNNAA!"

Edna throws her head and body back as Billy's gut thrusts him forward. Both cubs, moaning and screaming each others' names, cum fiercely at the same time. Edna collapses onto the boy she just rode. She smiles, panting, and kisses him. She then rolls off of him and cuddles with him, laying one arm across his chest and her leg around his. Billy places an arm around Edna and holds her close. The two doze off. Meanwhile, outside, a red light goes off. Geoff ducks his sweating head down.

Got it all! Now time to make some magic. God, that was hot though. I wish I had a girl like Edna.
*****
Thirty five minutes pass before Billy wakes up from his nap. He rolls over to see an empty space next to him in the bed.

Great. Go figure Edna would sneak out on me while I was asleep.

"It's about time you woke up, sleepy head."

Billy turns over to his other side to see Edna standing in front of him, fully clothed.

"Well, sorry if that wore me out more than it did you."
The two cubs laugh. Edna sits on the bed beside him.

"So, now you go back to Jen, right?"

"Yeah, I go back to Jen. This was nice, but I love Jen."

Edna sighs and frowns a little. "I wish I was Jen."

"Why, so you could have me to yourself?" Billy asks with a chuckle.

"No. So I could know the one I love loves me."

"Oh, Ed. Listen, don't let him get you down. Remember, there are other guys out there. I know your first love is the hardest to ignore, but it is possible."

Edna smiles as she hears this. "So, I got a question... do you really use your tail like that on Jen, or was I some sort of guinea pig?"

"I use that on Jen. She really does seem to enjoy that. I'd kinda like to know why though. Doesn't seem like something that would be pleasurable."

Edna's smile grows as she rolls Billy back onto his back and spreads his legs a little. She sits between his knees and starts gently thrashing her tail against his genitals. The action quickly gets a rise out of Billy.

"Whoa... no wonder Jen likes that. That's really kinky."
Edna turns around to Billy. "Looks like you could go for a second round."

"Nah, I'll probably just hit the bathroom real quick and spank it or something." Edna frowns upon hearing this. "Hey, I think you've done more than enough for one day."

The two chuckle as Billy sits up and gets off the bed. He picks up his various articles of clothing scattered across the floor and gets dressed. He goes flaccid getting dressed. Billy grabs Edna's hand and pulls her up off the bed. Just then the two cubs heard a door open and close.

"Hello? Geoff? Are you home?"

"Oh shit, it's Geoff's dad. What're we going to do?" Edna frantically gets out.

"Here, you climb out his window. I'll go out and tell him that Geoff invited me over, but had to run somewhere real quick."

Billy and Edna dash to the window. They open it up, and Billy helps Edna out the window. As she's climbing out, her feet touch nothing but the ground. Geoff has, in the time that Billy and Edna were sleeping, moved from his hiding spot. Edna quickly dashes off. Billy closes the window and leaves the bedroom. He's quickly spotted by Geoff's father.

"Who are you? What're you doing in my house?" Geoff's father asks in a stern tone.

"Hi sir. I'm Billy. I'm a friend of Geoff's. He invited me over, but he had to run and get something from Jerry. He said he was going to be back shortly, so I sat here and waited. It's probably been a half hour since then. I should probably get going."

"Ok, well, no need to hide in the bedroom. If you're a guest of my son, you're welcome in the living room."

"I'll keep that in mind. It was nice to meet you, sir."

With that, Billy picks up his socks and shoes along with Edna's socks and shoes. He then slips his shoes on and heads out the front door. He walks down the street about two blocks, where he runs back into Edna. He hands the young fox her socks and shoes.

"Thanks, I forgot these."

"No problem."

The two cubs start walking down the street, heading for their homes. A block down the road, they run into Geoff.

"Hey Geoff, how'd the film go?" Billy asks his beaver friend.

"Oh, it went great. It'll be a big hit. I'm going to show it here at my place tomorrow. I'll be handing out fliers with directions and everything. I'd appreciate it if you two came to see it."

"Sure thing," Edna says with a smile.

"Cool. Oh, Billy, make sure you bring Jen too. She's going to want to see this."

"I'll do you one better. I'll bring Jen, and I'll help you pass those fliers out myself."

"That'd be super, Billy. You know, you are a real good friend. Tomorrow, my video will have the WHOLE school talking. And it's all thanks to you, Billy."

Geoff smiles as he walks off toward his home. Billy and Edna continue to walk to their homes. A block from Billy's house, he and Edna part ways so that Edna can go to her own home.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, at the bus stop," Edna replies with a smile as she skips off toward her house alone.

Billy continues to walk to his own house, alone, lost in thought.

Man, Geoff must be confident in his video if he thinks the whole school will talk about it. He and Jerry must have done some nice work on it. I can't wait to see it. 
*****
The next day, at recess, everything goes as normal. Children play, Billy and Jen hold each other, and Edna watches. Billy and Jen are interrupted when Geoff approaches them.

"Hey guys," Geoff greets his friends and teammates with a smile.

"Hi Geoff," Billy and Jen return the greeting in unison.

"Hey, Billy, mind if I pull you away for two seconds?"

"Um, sure Geoff."

Billy lets go of Jen and walks away from her with Geoff.

"So, Billy, how you doing?" Geoff asks as soon as they're away from Jen.

"Not bad. Got some fliers for me?"

"Sure do, pal. They're not with me though. Here, let's walk and get them."

The two cubs enter the building and walk down some halls.

"So, how are you and Stripes working out?"

"I dunno. You know, I followed Jen's crazy advice, but she doesn't seem any different. I wish I could just talk to her about it."

"Well, please don't, Billy. Like I said, I'm being her friend along with yours. If you try to talk to her about it, she'll know I told you. I don't want her upset with me."

"Don't worry. You've been more than a friend to try and help me with my problems. I was wrong about you. You're not such a bad dude."

"Thanks Billy. You're not so bad either."

The two smile as they continue to walk. Billy's smiling because he's gained a new friend. Geoff is smiling because his plan is working flawlessly. The two cubs reach their destination, which is Geoff's locker. Geoff opens it up, pulls out a stack of papers, and hands them to Billy.

"You sure you wanna do this for me?"

"Hey, what kind of friend would I be if I didn't?"

"Good point. Well, hey, lunch is about to start. I'll catch you later."

"Yeah, see you around," Billy tells his friend with a smile. The two part ways.

A bell rings, bringing recess to an end and lunch to a start. Billy heads to the lunchroom with fliers in hand. He hands them all out to the students eating lunch before grabbing himself some food. He sits down at his usual table, and, before he can start eating, Jen arrives in the room and sits with him.

"So, what did you and Geoff talk about?"

"Oh, nothing. I told him I'd help him pass out fliers for a movie he's showing at his house today."

"Cool. What kind of movie?" Jen asks her platypus boyfriend.

"You know, I'm not really sure. All I know is that Geoff thinks it's going to be great. He says he's sure the whole school will be talking about this movie. Let's go catch it today."

"Ok. Yeah, I think I can cancel practice today to see this thing," Jen replies. "I can't wait to see this thing. I hope it's good as he says."
"Me too," Billy says.

"You two hope what is as good as who says?"

Ed, Laura, Paige, and Jenny sit down at the table.

"Oh, hi guys. We hope this movie that Geoff is showing is as good as he says," Jen tells her new company.

"A film, huh? What kind? Is it romantic?" Laura asks.

"We really don't know," Billy informs the group. "None of us know except for Geoff."

"Ok, who's the 'Geoff' bloke you keep mentioning?" Paige asks.

"Oh, he's a beaver who's on the team with us. He's showing this thing at his house. Jen and I were planning on going. You all should come too! Make sure to tell Edna, Cynthia, and Poke."

"Ok, can do," Edward replies with a smile.

With that, everybody aside from Billy gets up to get some food. When everybody has their food, they sit down to eat. Moments after everybody's done eating, the bell rings. Jen and Billy walk away from the cafeteria, paw in paw, cheek by cheek. 
*****
Chapter 9
The school day ends, and cubs scramble out the front doors and in different directions. A lot of cubs between the ages of ten and fourteen are heading for Geoff's place. Younger cubs are going home or going to a friend's house to play. Older cubs are just going wherever they feel like. Billy waits by the front door for his friends to show up. Everybody arrives shortly, except for Jen.

"Ok, everybody's here, let's get this over with," Pokeinfo starts the conversation off.

"Not everybody's here, Poke. Jen's not here. I'm not going without her," Billy informs his lion friend.

"Oh come on! I don't really want to see this thing," Poke moans.

"Then don't go. We'll have a good time without you," Ed says with a chuckle. Moments later, Jen shows up with Jerry.

"Hey Jen. Ah, so that's what kept you... You went and got Jerry," Billy states. "So, Jerry, any info you want to share about this movie?"

"What movie? The one we're about to see at Geoff's?" asks Jerry, who is confused by Billy's question.

"Yeah. I mean, you did help make it after all."

"No I didn't," Jerry informs his misguided friend.

"Of course you did. Geoff said he worked on it with you last night."

"Nah, the only thing we worked on together was our history report. We taped a reenactment of the Titanic sinking in the ocean."

"Hmmm... well, then this should be interesting," Billy says with a laugh.

"You think he'd show that to all these people?" Jerry asks sceptically.

"It's gotta be what he's showing. It's the only thing he's taped recently."

"I guess you're right."

"Ugh, can we talk and move? We're going to miss it if we don't get going," Edna urges the cubs.

"Yeah, Edna's right. Let's get going," Jen adds.

With that, everybody walks to Geoff's place. All the couples are holding paws, and Edna just skips alongside them. They shortly arrive at Geoff's place and knock on his door. Geoff opens it up and greets his company.

"Welcome, welcome. Please, come on in. I saved you guys front row seats. It's packed. This is a great turn-out. Thanks for passing out the fliers, Billy."

"Ah, it's no problem," Billy says with a smile. "That's what friends are for, right?"

"Yes indeed, Billy. That's what friends are for. Oh, by the way, remember to take of your socks and shoes before stepping on the carpet."

Everybody does as Geoff asks as they enter his apartment and take their seats. Geoff walks to the front of the living room and turns on a tv.

That's what friends are for indeed, Billy. Geoff almost breaks out in laughter from his thoughts as he looks at Billy, Jen, and Edna, who are all sitting beside each other. Well, "friend"... It's time we get this underway. Time to humiliate you much like you humiliated me in front of Jen. "May I have your attention please? This video is a shining achievement in documentary films everywhere. Nowhere else will you see this kind of raw, unlimited potential. And it's all thanks to me."

"Hey, we worked on this together!" Jerry shouts.

"No, this isn't that history tape. This is something that I did alone. Watch and enjoy."
Geoff pushes play on the VCR. The viewing cubs are shocked at what they see. On the tv, Geoff's home movie is showing. Edna is on top of Billy, riding him into submission. Immediately, Jen gets up and storms out. Billy and Edna soon follow after. Outside, the action is about to get as hot as the action inside on the TV.

"How could you? I thought you loved me," Jen says, breaking down into tears.

"I do! I did this for us!"

"Yeah, I can see you really did this for me. God, Billy... I... I just... I don't know what to say. How could you go behind my back and sleep with Edna?"

"Geoff said he talked to you about it," both Edna and Billy reply.

"Geoff never said anything to me. Tell me, Billy, was she worth it? You know what, don't answer that. I'm going in and getting Jerry. I need a shoulder to cry on right now, and yours seems too busy locked with Edna's right now."

"But Jen..."

Jen ignores him as she enters the building again. A few moments later, Jerry and Jen come out and walk away. Billy turns to Edna furiously.

"How could you? You set me up!" Billy yells at Edna.

"Billy," Edna starts, breaking down into tears, "I... I had no idea! Geoff told me he and Jen talked it over and she gave me permission to have some alone time with you."

"Yeah, like I believe that one. You were in on it with Geoff the whole time, weren't you? You planned for this to happen, didn't you? You couldn't stand the fact that Jen and I were happy, so you created a plan with the one guy who hated me as much as you hated Jen to break us up. You're sick. I don't want to speak to you right now. Get outta my sight."

Edna breaks down and starts crying. "I... I didn't..."

"Get outta my sight!"

Edna runs off, crying. Billy just stands there, beside the door to Geoff's place, waiting for Geoff to poke his head out. Ten minutes go by before anybody leaves the building. Edward happens to be the first one out.

"Dude, are you ok?"

"Ed, no offense, but I'd rather not talk to you right now."

"Why not?"

"Because you remind me of your sister, and I don't really want that right now. Just please give me some time alone."

"Ok, but if you ever need somebody to talk to, know that I'm here for you."

"Cool. Now, if you wouldn't mind, could I have some alone time now?"

"Sure."

Ed walks away from the upset platypus. Five more minutes go by, an cubs start to leave Geoff's apartment. The last ones to leave are Paige, Jenny, and a fox with silver fur. They all pass Billy, but Jenny stops not long after doing so.

"Um... Paige..."

"Yeah, Jenny?"

"You go on ahead. I want to talk to Billy."

"You want me around for some courage or something?"

"Nah, I think I'll be ok."

"Ok. Good luck. Oh, make sure to tell him I said 'everything will be ok' for me, ok?"

Paige kisses Jenny and walks off. Jenny approaches Billy.

"..."

"Hey Jenny. What do you want?"

"Um... hi..."

"Not right now, Jenny. I appreciate what you're trying to do, but I'm not in the mood right now."

Jenny takes a big gulp and swallows her nerves. "I know I'm not the most outgoing girl in school, but I know when somebody needs somebody to talk to. You're that somebody right now..."

"Jenny, nothing against you, but I'd rather not talk to anybody right now."

"Well, let me talk then. I can only imagine what your feeling right now. I know I'd be pretty embarrassed for something like that to happen to me," Jenny says, blushing at the thought of getting caught on tape.

"I'm not embarrassed. I'm pissed off. I've just been betrayed by Edna and Geoff, two people I thought were my friends."

"Edna is your friend."

"Yeah, some friend..." Billy says with an angry sigh.

"She IS your friend. Trust me on this. She wouldn't ever do anything to intentionally hurt people, especially people she cares about. And trust me," Jenny's blush grows a little larger and brighter, "that video shows that she REALLY cares for you. Talk to her, try and figure out what happened. I know you're upset with her, but it's not for the right reasons. Trust her. She IS your friend. Well, hey, I need to go. Paige is probably waiting for me down the street. Listen, everything will work out. I'll see you on the bus tomorrow."

Jenny leaves the young platypus to soak in her words as she heads back to her boyfriend.

Maybe Jenny's right. You know, she is innocent, so maybe Geoff used that against her to make her unknowingly betray me. But she's smart, she would've figured out what he was up to. Then again, I'm no slouch in the brains department either, and I fell for this. If only I hadn't been so blinded by love, I could've figured out what was going on. Now Jen hates me and Edna's upset. Why does my continued existence here in Pouncefield always seem to hurt the ones I care for?
Billy's thoughts are interrupted by a hand on his shoulder. He turns to see a silver fox standing next to him.

"I thought you walked by?"

"I did, but I saw that look in your eyes. It was one of pain, of hurt. I figured I'd come back and try to cheer you up."

"Who are you anyway?"

"Name's Alex."

"Billy."

"I know who you are, Billy. You're the talk of the school right now."

"Yeah, and after this, it'll be the talk of Pouncefield. My life sucks right now."

Billy sighs as he slumps his head down.

"Your life only sucks because you're only focusing on the negativity in your life. If you focused on the good in your life, your life wouldn't seem so bad. You've got friends who care for you, you have a girl who loves you..."

"Loved me, not anymore," Billy says, cutting Alex off.

"Loves you. Trust me on this. Where was I?"

"I have a girl who loves me..." Billy tells the fox, reminding him of where he was at.

"Oh yeah, you have a girl who loves you, and you've got a good spirit."

"Spirit?"

"Yes, spirit. You know, if you weren't so good, people wouldn't be trying to ruin your life. You're better than what you give yourself credit for. Trust me, everything will work itself out. First things first, though. you're going to have to talk to four different cubs to get your life back in order from this. Those cubs are Jerry, Jen, Edna, and Geoff, in that order."

"Why would I want to talk to Geoff, especially after this?"

"Forgiveness is the greatest quality one can have. Trust me, if you forgive him, you will be at peace with yourself."

"But I really hate his guts. How can I forgive him?"

"Give it time. It WILL work itself out. Now, remember, make sure to talk to Jerry, then Jen, then Edna, then Geoff. In that order only! If you do it like that, everything WILL work out," Alex tells the young platypus with a smile.

"Oh yeah? What makes you so sure? And how do you know everybody's names?" Billy asks Alex sceptically.

"Let's just say I saw it all in a dream."

With that, Alex walks away.

Saw it in a dream? That guy seems a bit off to me. Maybe he's nuts? But he's right, I do need to talk to Jen and Edna. Jerry probably can help me vent my anger, but I can't bring myself to talk to Geoff. I just hope everything does work out.
*****
While Billy is talking to assorted cubs, Jen and Jerry are walking down the street and are having their own conversation.

"I can't believe he would do this to me. You know, I was right to suspect him. I shouldn't have listened to you about that hug, Jerry."

"No, you should've, and you did. That was good, but there's more to this tape that what meets the eye."

"Oh yeah, like what? I don't know about you, but I thought I saw Edna and Billy on that tv getting it on worse than two bunny cubs in heat."

"Yeah, that's what you saw, but it wasn't for him to cheat on you," Jerry tells his tigress companion.

"Really? That video sure fooled me then."

"It was Geoff."

Jen stops in her tracks. Jerry walks past her a few steps, but stops when he sees that she's stopped.

"What did you say?"

"It was Geoff. He set the whole thing up."

"How so?"

"Well, on Tuesday, he had a meeting with Edna. I didn't hear it all, but I heard that he was going to give her something she wanted if she said yes to Billy when he asked if you and her had a plan about something. And then Wednesday rolled around. Geoff actually caught the bus that morning. He sat down in the seat in front of me, and he didn't even notice. Then you, the Foxes, and Billy got on. You all sat behind me, but Billy sat with Geoff. I was able to overhear everything. Geoff said that you told him that you were still kinda nervous about trusting Billy with Edna. He told Billy that you said that the only way to gain your trust was to yiff Edna. He also made sure Billy wouldn't ask you about it by telling the poor soul that if he asked you, you would get mad at Geoff and that you would deny ever making a suggestion."

"Wow... Geoff really thought this through, didn't he?"

"Yeah. He has."

"Now I don't know who to be madder at... Billy for not coming to me and doing this instead, or Geoff for planning all of this."

"Not Billy, that's for sure. Billy did what he did because he loves you. He was blinded by his passion for you to ask you and possibly hurt your relationship with him. You'll have to talk with him about that. As for Geoff, he hasn't really been able to get over that humiliating defeat at the hands of Billy. He even told me so himself. I'm probably the only friend that poor guy has."

"Now you are. Before this, I was his friend, but I don't think I can be now."

"Don't give up on him. He's a good guy. He just obsesses over being the best, which causes him to alienate himself from others. I wouldn't blame you for being upset with him, but don't decide not to be his friend while you're still angry at him. Give it a few days, and if you still feel you can't be his friend, then fine. No good choices are ever made when somebody's angry. Oh boy, that reminds me, I'm going to have to go tell Billy and Edna both the same thing I told you. Will you be ok by yourself from here?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. I'm going to have to talk to Billy tomorrow. Right now, everything's just kind of fresh, and I'm exhausted from everything that's happened. I'm going to go home and just sleep it off."

"That's probably for the best. See you at practice tomorrow."

"Yeah, definitely. Got a match Saturday, we need to practice twice as hard tomorrow to make up for the lack of practice today. Expect to stay late."

"Ok, take care."

Jerry then dashes off back the way he and Jen game. Ten minutes later, he runs into Billy, who's just finishing his chat with a silver-furred fox, and tells him the story.

"So Edna really had no clue?" Billy asks Jerry.

"None what-so-ever."

"That's just great... I did it again," Billy mumbles with a sigh.

"What did you do again?"

"Hurt Edna. I yelled at her, accused her of planning all this with Geoff. She'll probably never forgive me for this."

"Well, if you talk to her, and soon, she'll probably forgive you. But if you let a few days pass without talking to her, she probably won't."

"Well, I can't talk to her just yet."

"Why not? You exhausted from all this too?" Jerry asks Billy.

"No. Some weird fox told me that if I talk to certain people in a certain order, everything would work out. He said that if I talked to you, then to Jen, Edna third, and finally Geoff, everything will work out for the best situation possible. It sounds crazy, but I'm going to follow that advice."

"Well, may your endeavors work out for the best. You and Stripes are a good couple. It would be a shame for that to end. Anyway, I should get going. I need to talk to Edna about this before I have to get home. Do you know where she lives?"

"Yeah, I'll take you there. It's only a couple of blocks away from me."
The two cubs start to walk. 45 minutes later, they pass Billy's house, still heading for the Fox household. Another 15 minutes later, they reach their destination.

"Well, here it is. The home of Edna and Edward fox. I should get going. I'll see you at practice tomorrow."

"Yeah, see you there. Hey wait, Stripes warned me that practice is going to be twice as long tomorrow to make up for the lack of practice today. Expect to stay past 5."

"Ok, Jerry. Thanks for the heads up, and thanks for being such a friend. I don't know what I'd do without you to help me patch things up."

"Good night, Billy," Jerry says, smiling at the platypus as he rings the bell to the door. Billy walks away and heads for his house.

Busy day tomorrow. Gotta talk to Jen, Edna, and Geoff, along with have a double-practice. That's not even including enduring the ridicule from the other students about seeing me and Edna going to town on each other. Tomorrow's going to be hectic...
*****
Friday morning rolled around. Billy walks up to the bus stop, where only Edward and Edna are waiting.

"Hi Billy," Ed greets Billy as he gets to the stop.

"Hey Ed."

Edna and Billy exchange glances. Edna puts her head down and looks away from her former friend. Billy sighs.

I want to talk to her so much right now, but I can't. That Alex dude said that if I talk to Jen before I talk to her, things will work out. Wait, why am I following the advice of some loopy fox?

"Hi guys."

Billy's thoughts are interrupted by a familiar voice. Billy turns to the voice and sees Jen approaching the three cubs.

"Hi Jen," Edward and Billy greet Jen. Edna and Jen exchange glances. Edna turns from Jen much like she turned from Billy.

"So, hey, Billy, can I get a moment alone with you?"

"Sure. Hey, Ed, make sure Carlos doesn't pull off without us."

"Ok Billy."

Jen grabs Billy's arm and pulls him a distance away from the Fox siblings.

"I was talking to Jerry..." Jen starts to say, low enough so Edward and Edna can't hear her.

"Yeah, I caught up with him too. Listen, about what happened..." Billy interrupts Jen, also low enough to not be heard.

"Shush! This is my time to speak. Listen, Jerry told me everything about how Geoff set you up. I can't even begin to understand why you'd believe that I had doubts about us."

"I believed him because I wanted us to work so badly. My heart couldn't stand the fact of you doubting any part of the relationship, so I followed Geoff's plan blindly."

"That's just it, though. If you thought I had doubts, you should've come to me. There is never anything I won't be willing to talk to you about, especially when it comes to our relationship," Jen tells Billy.

"'When it COMES'? Don't you mean 'when it USED to come'?" Billy asks.

"No, when it COMES to our relationship. I got to thinking... There's no sense breaking up with you over this mishap. I know you did what you did because you love me, and because you were set up to do it. Granted, I will have my doubts for a little while, but I think I'd like to make this work. Just try not to be so blinded by love from now on. Know that you can talk to me about ANYTHING."

"I'll keep that in mind. I'm so sorry, and I do love you," Billy tells Jen.

"I love you too Billy."

The two kiss each other softly.

"You know, Jen, we should probably get back to the others. They'll probably think you killed me if we don't get back soon," Billy says with a chuckle

The two walk back to the bus stop. Edna looks at them, seeing a pair of smiles. She's tempted to ask Billy what happened, but she decides against it, not wanting to upset him any more. She drops her head and looks away from them.

"Work everything out?" Edward asks Billy and Jen.

"Yeah, we did. Hey, Edna..."

Edna picks her head up and looks at Billy.

"I'm... I'm sorry. I jumped to conclusions. It took a lot of people talking to me, but they all said the same thing. You're too innocent to plan something so evil against somebody. I'm sorry I didn't believe that, and I'm sorry I accused you of it. I'm also sorry that I yelled at you and hurt you. Can you ever forgive me?"

"You and Jen aren't mad at me?" Edna asks Billy.

"No, we're not," Jen answers for Billy. "We know, just like Billy said, that you were used in an evil plan much like Billy was. Let's just all forget this happened."

Edna smiles and nods her head. Carlos pulls up shortly there-after, and the four cubs climb onto the bus, Billy being last to board. His thoughts right before stepping on are, of course, about yesterday.

Well, this is it. It's back to square one with me. Everybody will be talking about me, not wanting to talk to me, and just making fun of me. Part of me wishes I walked now. Oh well, here goes nothing.

*****
Billy steps onto the bus, and stands right next to Carlos. The bus immediately fills with various noises. Some kids are applauding, some are whistling, and others are cheering. Not one negative noise comes from anybody.

"Jeez kid, how do you always get so popular? It seems like every time I pick you up, you seem to get more and more popular among the students."

"I'd rather not talk about it," Billy says with a blush.

"Well, take your seat, Mr. Popular," Carlos tells Billy.

Billy listens and walks down the aisle of the bus, passing cheering cubs along the way. This causes Billy to blush even brighter. He finally reaches his usual seat, beside Jen, behind Jenny and Laura, and sits down. As he sits, the cheering and applauding dies down. Jenny and Laura turn around.

"You got popular overnight," Jenny starts the conversation off. Laura is in a state of awe after hearing what Jenny said.

"Wait, wait wait wait! Who are you and what have you done with the real Jenny?" Laura asks playfully.

"What're you talking about?"

"A few days ago, you wouldn't give his poor kid the time of day. Now that he's a star, you're going to talk to him?"

"No, it's not because he's a star. I finally swallowed my nerves yesterday and had a chat with him about what happened."

"Yeah, and it's her words that got me listening to other people," Billy tells Laura.

"This is too odd. People are treating Billy like a star, Jenny's starting conversations... what's next? Eddy goes and streaks around the school."

Jenny, Laura, Billy, and Jen all laugh at that. The rest of the ride goes with trivial chit-chat about how everybody's been doing, plans for the weekend, and how the week's been going for everybody. The bus slows down and stops in front of the school. Billy gets off and enters the school. He's lost in thought.

Ok, the order was Jerry, Jen, Edna, Geoff. Three down, one to go. I don't know how I'm going to forgive that beaver. He nearly broke me and Jen up, he nearly ruined my friendship with Edna, and now, instead of flying under the radar, I'm the biggest blip on the screen. The last thing I ever wanted was to be famous among the cubs. Calm down, remember what Alex said... "Forgive Geoff, and you'll be at peace with yourself". That loopy fox was right, though. I talked to everybody in the right order, and things have been going good so far. Maybe this final talk will bring everything to a close.

Billy walks down the halls to his first class. As soon as he enters, the children start applauding and cheering, much like on the bus.

"Settle down class. I know we're all happy to see Mr. Plats show up to class on time, but that's no reason to carry on like this. Mr. Plats, please take your seat."

With that, Billy walks down the aisle of desks and chairs. Each cub he passes gives him a pat on his shoulder or on his back and whisper "Way to go!" to him. He reaches his desk at the end of the row, sits down at it, and puts his head down, embarrassed by his new fame. The rest of his morning classes go just like his first morning class went. Cheering, pats, and embarrassment. Recess rolls around, and Billy tries to keep an eye out for Geoff while paying attention to Jen.

"Jeez, this school is nuts. A couple of kids get caught on tape, and they're treated like celebrities or something," Billy says with a sigh.

"Welcome to St. Lovejoys," Jen replies with a giggle.

"Yeah, well..." Billy trails off as he catches a glimpse of Geoff in the distance. "Hey, Jen, hold on for a sec. I need to go see a beaver about a film."

"Don't do anything drastic," Jen scolds Billy.

"Nothing like that. Just going to go talk to him."

With that, Billy leaves Jen's side and approaches Geoff, who has his back turned to the approaching platypus. Billy taps Geoff on his shoulder. Geoff turns to see who it is, and once he does, tries to run from Billy. Before Geoff can get any distance, Billy grabs Geoff's arm tightly, making sure he doesn't slip out of Billy's webbed paws.

"Hold on Geoff. I'm not here to fight."

"Let go of me. I'm not falling for that."

"Geoff, calm down. I'm only here to talk."

Geoff stops trying to get away.

"Ok, I'm done. Mind letting go?"

"No, but if you try to run again, I'll grab you again, and I won't let go."
Billy lets go of Goeff's arm. Once released, Geoff just stands there.

"Ok, let's have it. Let's have your best shot, but make it good. If it don't put me down, I will be knocking you out."

"I'm not here to fight you, Geoff," Billy tells Geoff. "I'm here to talk."

"Ok, so what do you have to say then?"

"What can I say that your actions haven't already said? You're a dick for what you did. You turned a couple against each other, you exploited a poor young girl's innocence against her, and you did this all in front of the school."

"Yeah, well, what can I say? It was sickening how you humiliated me in front of Jen. I wanted nothing more than for you to share in my humiliation. But it didn't work," Geoff admits with a sigh. "You and Jen are closer than ever, Jen hates me, and now you're more popular than when you put Rodriguez in the hospital. I'm starting to wish I hadn't done it. Truce?"

Geoff extends a paw. Billy reaches out and shakes it.

"Truce. See you at practice."

"Yeah, see you at practice. Just don't think that this means that I'm done trying to beat you in the water," Geoff says as he walks away.

Such a strange dude. If he wasn't such a dick all the time, he could be friends with everybody in this school. Oh well, he enjoys his way of life, and I'm not about to change that. Wow, wait a second... Jerry, Jen, Edna, Geoff... that's all four. I'm done talking to everybody and in the right order. I feel good, I have Jen, Edna and I are friends again, and everything is right for the first time in my life since my first date with Jen. That crazy fox was right. I'll have to hunt him down and thank him.
*****
Chapter 10
Lunch and the afternoon classes go much like the morning classes for poor Billy. Everywhere he goes, he's greeted with applause and cheer. The day ends, but not quick enough for Billy. Even as he walks from his last class to the pool for practice, the kids all cheer as he walks by.

I'm glad the weekend is here. It'll now give these kids a chance to forget that stupid video.

Billy finally reaches the pool, where his teammates are all changed and ready to practice.

"Well guys, it looks like our star finally decided to show up," Jen says jokingly.

"Ha ha, Jen. It's a frenzy out there. That stupid video has made me some sort of celebrity. I hate it. I was hoping to get through the first few weeks unnoticed. But between Rodriguez and Geoff, that's no longer possible."

"Hey, at least they aren't making fun of you," Jerry informs Billy, trying to cheer him up.

"I actually think I liked it better when they were making fun of me," Billy says with a sigh.

"You always find some way to make everything sound bad, don't you, freak?" Geoff says.

"Hey, I'm not a lime-light hog like you, buck-tooth," Billy says with a laugh.

Geoff just frowns at this. "You know, I'm going to let that one go because you're famous. If you weren't, I'd be laying you out right now."

"Whatever, come on, we got a meet tomorrow, and we've been slacking off a bit the past couple of days," Billy says, walking to the changing room.

"He's right. We'll get started. He'll join in after he's changed," Jen tells the team. Jen, Geoff, and Jerry dive into the pool.

Two hours later, after practice is over, everybody gets changed and meets on the bench for one last team meeting.

"Ok, now, tomorrow we're going up against the Pawstin Cherries. This is our first time going against a public school. They could be better, they could be worse, we don't know. They do have three times as many kids on their team as we do, so we're going to have to be in top shape. Everybody rest up. Tomorrow, we have the Medley Relay, Billy'll be running a 1000, Jerry'll be running a 200, I'll be doing the 500, and Geoff'll be doing a 100. We each have 2 races, and we'll need every ounce of strength we can get to do our own races along with the Medley. Geoff, you'll be our starter, then Jerry, I'll follow third, and Billy'll be our anchor. Ok, now everybody go home and get some rest. Hands in team. 1, 2, 3, GO SAINTS!"

Geoff and Jerry take off. Billy and Jen walk side by side away from the pool.

"What a funny sort of week, huh?"

"Don't even start that, Jen. My life here in school's been crazy. It's almost like I'm living in some sick demented dream where bad things are destined to happen to me."

Jen and Billy laugh at that idea.

"Wow, things can't be that bad here for you, can they?"

"Let's see..." Billy starts.

"Rhetorical. So, you really think you can do the 1000 and then immediately participate in the medley?"

"Hey, you have me last in the relay. That's more than enough time to recover from a 1000 yard swim," Billy says with confidence.

"Man, there are only two things you're really confident about, huh?" Jen asks Billy.

"Two? I only count one... swimming. And yes, I'm quite confident with my swimming abilities," Billy replies.

"No, two. Swimming, and you and I both know the other one," Jen says with a chuckle. Billy blushes a little.

"Is that all you ever seem to think about?"

"Nah. Sometimes I do, but other times I just mention it to see that cute little blush of yours," Jen tells her boyfriend. This causes Billy to blush just a little brighter and larger. "See, like that. It's cute."

"Not as cute as you though," Billy responds, giving Jen a kiss on her cheek.

The two continue to walk to Jen's house, paw in paw. Time flies, and before either cub knows it, they've reached Jen's house.

"Well, here we are," Billy says.

"Yup. I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow. Love you."

"I love you too."

The two kiss each other goodnight as Jen enters her house and Billy walks toward his own. He walks alone, lost in thought.

Tomorrow's going to be great. So long as Geoff doesn't blow the 100, we should come away with wins in each race. Can't wait for tomorrow.
*****
Saturday afternoon rolls around. Billy, Jen, Geoff, and Jerry are all at the school pool. They are changed and ready for competition.

"Well, team. It's finally here. First meet of the season. Don't push yourselves too hard during your races. Remember, we each have to do a race before our medley," Jen reminds her team.

"Well said, Miss Tigre."

An adult approaches the team.

"Oh, that's right. Guys, I'd like to introduce our new coach to you," Jen informs her team.

"DAD?!?!?" Billy cries. Jerry and Geoff shake their heads quickly, shocked by what they just heard.

"Yes, son. I'm the new swim coach. The school board was hiring a coach to replace the old one, and I figured it was easy cash," Stephen says.

"What about your job? You can't coach us from 3 to 4 and be at work at the same time."

"Don't worry about that, son. Jen's the captain of the team. She's been doing a fine time running the team without a coach. Things will remain that way. Every Sunday, I'll give her a workout schedule, and she'll make sure that's enforced over the week. Then, on Saturdays, we'll have one last practice to see how Jen has done. But not today. Our competition, the Pawstin Cherries, will be here any second. You guys go sit on the bench and rest for the next 15 minutes while Pawstin gets changed and the introductions are done."

"Yes sir," the team responds. They go and sit on one bench.

15 minutes later, the Pawstin swim team is at the pool, changed, and sitting on their team bench. Fans are sitting in bleachers, ready to cheer the cubs on. There's an ambulance truck sitting not far from the pool in case of injury. The national anthem has just finished playing. A man comes on over the PA system.

"The first event of the day is the 100 Yard Freestyle. Swimmers, take your marks."

Geoff and his opponent, a male pitbull, take their spots on their platforms.

"Get set."

Both Geoff and the pitbull duck down, ready to dive in. At that moment, the ref shoots a gun into the air, signalling the start of the race. Both kids dive in and swim at equal speed for 25 yards. Geoff starts to find a rhythm and picks up speed and distance on the pitbull. 50 yards in, Geoff manages to get a one yard lead on his competitor, and starts to pick up the pace. By 75, he has a two yard lead on the pitbull. Seeing the danger of losing, the young pitbull decides to give it his all. 95 yards in, and the pitbull manages to regain the lost ground. Two more meters pass in the race, and the pitbull gains a yard on Geoff. Geoff starts to push harder, and two more yards go by before he can regain his lost ground. The final yard is upon the two racers, and they are neck and neck. Geoff starts to give it everything he has, along with his pitbull competitor. With one quarter of a yard to go, Geoff gets a small lead and manages to maintain it through to the finish.

"Saints win the race!"

Crowds start to cheer as both kids pull themselves up out of the water. Both cubs' teammate rush over to them. Geoff gets praised by his team. Both teams then sit on their benches. The announcer comes back on over the PA system.

"Next up is the 200 Yard Freestyle. Swimmers, please take your marks."

Jerry and his competition, a female chipmunk, get on their platforms, much like Geoff and his pitbull opponent did before them.

"Get set."

Jerry and the chipmunk get ready. The ref then shoots his gun into the air, starting this next race. Jerry outclasses his opponent. Within 100 yards, he has a five yard lead on his opponent. 50 yards more go by, and the lead is extended one more yard. By the time 195 yards go by, both swimmers just start pacing themselves, Jerry realizing he's got a huge seven yard lead, the chipmunk realizing she can't make up the lost ground to win. The race shortly ends there-after, with the Saints winning yet another. Much like Geoff and the pitbull, these two racers climb out and go to their benches.

"Next race will be the 500 Yard Freestyle. Swimmers, on your marks."

Jen gets up from the bench and takes her mark on her platform. She's racing a young male chimp.

"Get set!"

A pistol is then fired. Jen and the chimp dive in. The race is pretty even for 150 yards. As the two start on yard 151, the chimp starts to swim faster. Jen notices his increase in speed and swims faster herself. She's able to keep this up until she reaches the end of yard153. She finishes the yard, swims to a side, and climbs out.

"Cherries win! Saints forfeit the race."

The crowds cheer as Billy and Stephen race over to Jen, who's laying on the side of the pool in pain.

"Jen, you ok? What's wrong?" Billy asks when he and his father get there.

"Uhhnn... my arm... it hurts..." Jen says in intense pain.

"Can we get a doctor, ref?" Stephen shouts to the referee. The ref runs off. "Jen, where exactly does it hurt?"

"Oooh... my shoulder..."

The ref returns with a doctor. The doctor examines Jen's shoulder. After a few moments, the doctor figures out what the problem is.

"Dislocated shoulder. I can pop it back into place, and she'll be fine. However, she'll have to sit the rest of the competition out to prevent further aggravation. I'll signal the ref and let him know you'll be forfeiting the Medley Race."

"No, we're not," Billy nearly yells.

"Billy, what do you mean no? There's no way we can do the Medley without Jen. We only have three kids now."

"I'll run her lap for her."

"I can't allow it, son," Stephen tells Billy. "I can't allow for you to run a 1000, then run two laps in a Medley."

"Dad, please. Just trust me," Billy begs. Stephen and Billy stare at each other.

"I... trust him.... AGGGHHNNN!!!" Jen says as her shoulder is popped back into place by the doctor.

"Ok, your shoulder should be fine. Like I said, this young lady must be benched. Good luck with your races."

The doctor heads back off to sit in the awaiting ambulance truck. Jen stands up and walks back to the bench. Stephen watches Jen walk to the bench, the looks back to his son.

"Are you sure you can do this? You're going to be putting your body through more than usual. I don't want you getting hurt."

"Trust me, Dad."

"Your attention please. Would the Saints' next swimmer please take his or her mark? If a swimmer does not step up to the platform, the Saints will forfeit the 1000 Yard Freestyle."

"Alright son, I'll trust you," Stephen says, assuring his son.

With that, Billy rushes and takes his spot on his platform. He looks over to his opponent, and nearly falls into the water out of shock.

"EDNA?!?!??!?!"
*****
"Um, excuse me, what did you call me?"

Billy shakes his head, unable to believe what he sees. He's racing Edna. He blinks a few times. However, after blinking his eyes, Edna disappears, leaving a young snow-white fox behind in her tracks.

"I'm sorry. You reminded me of somebody I knew. Good luck," Billy tells his competitor.

"Thanks. Good luck to you."

"Ok, swimmers, get set!"

A pistol goes off, and the fox and platypus dive into the water. Billy pushes himself his hardest and leaves his poor fox opponent behind. Before she can get 50 yards done, Billy has 100 yards done. This of course discourages the young fox, and she slows down to conserve her energy. The fox only gets another 10 yards in by the time Billy gets another 100 in, and this trend continues for the next 795 yards. With five yards left to go for Billy, and 870.5 yards left to go for the fox, Billy pumps as fast as he can and finishes the race. The two kids climb out of the water. The young fox slumps her head down as she walks to the bench. Billy sees this, and does the same. He shortly reaches the bench.

"What's wrong, son? You just won the 1000 in a landslide. Not too many people can say they did that," Stephen congratulates his son.

"Not too many people can run the 1000 like I can. I shouldn't be on the team," Billy sighs.

"Of course you should," Jerry says, trying to cheer his comrade up. "You can't help that you're naturally better."

"You're right. I guess I just need to learn to not give it my all. I think I hurt that poor fox."

"Your attention please. We are taking a five minute break. Up next is the Medley Relay Race."

"Well why don't you go say something while we have some down time?" Jerry suggests.

"Ok, I will."

With that, Billy walks over to the Cherries' bench. He approaches the fox he just races.

"Hi," Billy says.

"Hi there," the fox replies with a sigh.

"Hey, I just wanted to say sorry about what happened with that race."

"Oh, that. Hey, don't worry about it..."

"But I am worried about it," Billy confesses. "I forgot that there are other kids here, not just me. I'm used to giving it my all against my teammates. They enjoy the challenge. I forgot that I was racing against kids from other schools. I'm sorry."

"It's ok," the fox replies with a smile. "Just glad to know you aren't such a dick. Well, it was nice to meet you. You should get back to your team so you guys can plan the Medley."

"Ok. You take care."

Billy walks away with a smile. He sits down on his own bench. Four minutes pass, and there's an announcement.

"Would the swimmers for the Saints and Cherries please take their marks?"
Stephen looks at his team.

"Ok team. It's the Medley. Jen tells me the order is going to be Geoff, Jerry, Billy in place of Jen, then Billy again, right?"

"Yes sir, Mr. Plats," Jen answers.

"Ok. Good luck team."

Geoff, Jerry, and Billy get set up in their positions.

"Um, excuse me, where's your fourth?" the ref asks the team.

"She's hurt. I'm swimming in her place," Billy informs the ref.

"I'm sorry, but that's not allowed. Do you have another swimmer?"

"No, we don't," Billy says with a sigh.

"Then I'm sorry, kid, but the Saints are disqualified."

The ref then walks away. A few moments later, an announcement is made over the PA system.

"Your attention please. Due to an insufficient amount of swimmers on the Saints' team, the Saints are disqualified from the Medley Relay. Pawstin wins the race."

Geoff, Jerry, and Billy drop their heads down. The kids from Pawstin start cheering. A half-hour later, everybody, aside from the St. Lovejoys swim team, has left the school pool. The Saints are all changed out of their swimsuits and into street clothes.

"This sucks. I can't believe we lost because we were disqualified," Geoff grumbles.

"Yeah. Who knew that a swimmer can't run two legs of the Medley in one race? Oh well, it'll just make the next Medley that much better when we win," Billy says with a smile on his face.

"Whatever. Well, I gotta go. See you all Monday," Geoff replies as he walks away.

"Yeah, we should all get going. See you guys Monday," Jerry adds as he walks away from the pool too.

"Jen, would you like a ride home?" Stephen asks the hurt tigress.

"If you wouldn't mind. I'd appreciate it."

Billy, Stephen, and Jen leave the pool area and enter the parking lot. They get in a black Honda Civic 2007. Stephen drives away from the lot. 15 minutes later, they arrive in front of Jen's house.

"Well, thanks for the ride Mr. Plats. See you Billy."

Jen gets out and goes inside her house. Stephen then drives off. They get to their own home, park the car, get out, and go inside. Mary greets the two men returning home.

"Hi. How'd the meet go?" Mary asks.

"Don't wanna talk about it," Billy says as he goes to the living room.

"We lost our biggest race, a Medley Relay, by disqualification," Stephen tells Mary.

"Oh. Well, there's always next meet," Mary replies.

"Of course there is, dear."

The Plats's finish their day enjoying each others' company, having dinner, watching TV, then bed. The next day, Sunday, has much of the same. The second week of Billy's life has come to a close. Week three is right around the corner.
*****
Chapter 11

Monday morning rolls around, and Billy was wrong about his schoolmates. They haven't forgotten about the tape. When he arrives in his first class Monday, the students start to cheer for him again. Much like the Friday before the weekend, his morning classes all start like that. He is cheered as he takes his seat in each class. Recess rolls around, and it couldn't get here fast enough for the young platypus. He walks out onto the playground, and much like before, is applauded for his work. Billy walks over to Jen, who's sitting on a bench, and sits next to her.

"God, I hate this. This fame's driving me nuts," Billy tells his girlfriend with a sigh.

"Get used to it. Geoff's made you a superstar with that film. Everybody's going to be treating you as such for a while to come, and that's if the tape hasn't been copied and is in the hands of most of the students here."

Billy laughs at this statement. Jen doesn't join in. Billy's laughter ceases shortly there-after.

"Are you serious? Kids could have a hold of that tape?"

"HELLO! Have you forgotten where you go to school? I'd be surprised if that tape hasn't circulated around the school yet."

"How can you be so calm about it?" Billy asks frantically.

"Because you're with me, and we love each other. Now, let's stop this chatter and get down to what we usually do," Jen says with a smile.

"Not while I'm around, you're not," Pokeinfo tells the cubs as he walks toward them. He's followed by the rest of the usual circle of Cynthia, Jenny, Paige, Edward, Laura, and Edna.

"Hey guys," Billy greets his company.

"Hey mate. So, how you two working out?" Paige asks.

"We've worked everything out. But Billy's not too happy with his new fame," Jen tells the curious dingo.

"I wouldn't be either if I was famous for what he is famous for," Jenny says.

"Nah, it's cool, Jenny. I just wish the kids would forget," Billy says with a sigh.

"Welcome to Pouncefield. You need to start remembering where we live," Cynthia says with a laugh.

"Yeah, you're right. So, hey, Rodriguez is getting out of the hospital today," Billy tells his companions.

"Oh, that's just great. Oh well, it was a nice two weeks without him," Edward says with a sigh.

"So, um..." Billy trails off.

"Yeah?" all the other cubs around him ask.

"Would any of you like to go see Rodriguez with me?"

Nobody responds. The jaws of everybody except for Billy drop upon hearing this. Nothing is said for a few moments. Eyes do not blink, mouths do not close. It is as if the world had been paused. Billy breaks this silence.

"What's everybody acting like that for? What do you guys say? Wanna come to the hospital with me?"

"Are you crazy?" Laura asks the young platypus.

"No. I want to go up and see if he's ok."

"Dude, trust me, don't. He won't want to see you for a while," Ed informs Billy.

"So none of you want to come see him with me?" Billy asks.

"None of us, including you, are going to see him," Edna tells Billy. "I don't care if I have to tie you down somewhere, you're not going to go see him."

"You'd do that too, wouldn't you?" Billy asks, jokingly.

"You better believe it," everybody but Jen and Billy reply.

With that, the kids start to laugh as recess draws to an end. The bell rings, ending recess and beginning lunch. Billy and Jen sit at their usual table after grabbing some food. They are joined by Edna, Edward, and Pokeinfo.

"Wow, you guys aren't eating with your girls today?" Billy asks.

"We don't always spend time with our girlfriends," Poke tells Billy.

"Besides, they decided to hang out with some of their other friends at lunch today," Edward says with a sigh.

"Boy, you guys are all whipped I tell you," Edna says.

"ARE NOT!" Ed and Poke yell at Edna. Billy, Jen, and Edna start laughing.

"So, were you actually serious about seeing Rodriguez today?" Jen asks, stopping her laughter.

"I was, but I don't think I am any more," Billy replies.

"Good idea," Poke, Ed, and Edna tell the young platypus.

The cubs go about eating. The lunch period ends, and the five cubs go off in different directions.

God, I want to make sure Rod's ok, but maybe everybody's right. The dude DID kick the shit outta me last time we met. Yeah, everybody's right. I should just avoid him for a while. Billy thinks as he enters his first afternoon class. 
*****
The day ends quickly for Billy. His thoughts about Rodriguez has made the day shorter. Even his walk from the end of the school to the school pool has been made shorter from his thinking.

I know the dude's a prick, but it's not right for me to not make sure he's ok. I DID nearly kill the dude. Just because somebody's mean doesn't mean that it's ok to hurt them and not feel bad about it. Then again, I have to look at it like I'm Rod. Here's a dude I tried to kick the shit out of. He laid me out in one blow, nearly killing me from it. I know part of me would want to avoid that dude for a while, but also part of me would want to get revenge. I don't know how Rodriguez would react to me. He'd probably go for option two, get revenge. From the way everybody talks, that is the dude's way of life. I think I should just avoid him for the time being.

"Billy, EARTH TO BILLY! Wake up!"

Billy is shaken from his thoughts by these words, but a little late. He knocks down the speaking person. He shakes himself back to reality to find that he has run into Jen and has knocked the both of them to the ground.

"Oh, Jen, I'm sorry. You ok?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. What's up? Why were you lost in space?"
Billy gets up and then helps Jen up. He looks around and notices he's at the school pool.

"Sorry, I was thinking about Rodriguez," Billy admits.

"Not again. Trust me, get your mind off Rodriguez," Jen says, frustrated.

"I can't get my mind off him though. I nearly killed him, and I haven't even made sure he was ok since I put him in the hospital."

"Oh, Billy. Trust me, one way or another you will get your mind off of Rod," Jen says with a seductive smile.

She then puts a hand on his crotch. He quickly moves it away.

"What about practice?"

"Canceled today. My shoulder's not cleared until tomorrow to swim. And your dad thought it would be best to give the team the day off as a reward for such excellent work Saturday. Now, enough about swimming. Put my hand back where it was."

"No Jen. I'm not in the mood today."

"But we haven't done anything like this since the incident. You don't still have something for Edna, do you?" Jen asks.

"No, of course I don't. Still worried about that?"

"Yes, of course I am. Ok then, tell me who you think of when you paw off," Jen demands.

"You, but I haven't done that in a while. But you said there's no practice? Wanna walk home with me?" Billy asks.

"Sure..." Jen says with a sigh.

The two grab each others paws and walk away from the school pool, and the school itself, and walk down the street to head toward Jen's house. Three blocks away from Jen's house, a dark green Hummer H2 drives down the road. A window is rolled down in the back. Billy and Jen look into the car. They see a fur looking out at them.

"I'll get you tomorrow, freak!" the fur shouts as he is being driven away.

Billy and Jen look at each other.

"Yeah, Rodriguez still hates me," Billy admits.

"Told you. Don't worry about it. Just avoid him the rest of the week and you should be fine," Jen tells her platypus boyfriend, trying to cheer him up.

"You're right. Come on, let's get going."

The two finish walking to Jen's house. When they arrive, Billy gives his tigress a kiss goodnight and watches her enter her front door. After it's closed, he walks to his house. He's greeted by his parents when he gets home.

"How was your day, sweetie?" Mary asks her son.

"Not bad, but I don't think I want to go to school tomorrow."

"Why not, son? Bad day today?" Stephen asks.

"No, but do you remember that kid I put in the hospital?"

"Yes," both Mary and Stephen reply.

"He comes back tomorrow. I want to avoid him, and the best way I know how is to stay home tomorrow."

"Son, you're going to school tomorrow. Worrying about another kid is no reason miss any school. Now, go on to your room and do you're homework. We'll call when dinner's ready," Stephen tells his son.

Billy then heads to his room. His night is finished with him doing his homework, eating his dinner, and watching tv before going to sleep. Even as he dozes off, Billy's thoughts are on Rodriguez and the day tomorrow.
*****
All day during school the next morning, everybody was talking about the return of Rodriguez. Some where sad to see him back, others were starting to roam the halls in fear. Billy is the only one that was both sad and fearful. Billy knows now that Rodriguez wants his revenge, and Billy would rather that not happen. Billy's walking to his second period class, not really paying attention, when he runs into a familiar face.

"Ow, hey, watch where you're going!"

"Sorry," Billy says with a sigh. He then looks at the person he just ran into. "Oh, Rodriguez... um... hi?"

"Oh, it's you freak! Well, that makes this beating all the more enjoyable. Don't think I'd forgotten what you did to me. I've been thinking about it since you put me in that hospital a couple of weeks ago."

"Listen, about that. I'm sorry, I didn't know I could poison you..." Billy tries to explain to the enraged croc, but to no avail. Rodriguez grabs Billy tightly around the throat and lifts him three feet off the ground. "Ach... you're... choking... me!"

"Good, more pain. Time to beat those two weeks outta you, freak!"

With that, Rodriguez punches Billy right across his bill. The punch is hard enough to knock a heavyweight boxer out. Billy almost falls unconscious, but Rodriguez makes sure he doesn't by giving him a swift punch to his gut. Billy starts screaming in pain, and kids start to gather. They look on as Billy receives a worse beating than his first one from Rod. Rodriguez punches Billy a few more times in the gut, a couple of times in the chest, and another time across the bill, each one harder than the last. Billy starts to cough up blood. Rodriguez then focuses his might into a blow below the belt. Billy screams out in intense pain.

"Freaks like you shouldn't reproduce. Time to finish this."

Rodriguez then throws Billy across the hall. Billy lands hard on his back and falls unconscious from the beating and the landing. Rodriguez then walks toward the fallen platypus, ready to stomp him into submission, when somebody tackles him from behind. The mystery assailant then starts rapidly punching Rod in the face.

"Pick on somebody who can fight back."

Just then, a teacher walking by comes in and breaks everything up. He sends a few kids off to fetch the principal and the nurse. The teacher's able to hold Rodriguez and his opponent away from each other until the principal and nurse arrive. The nurse grabs Billy and takes him to her office. Rodriguez and the mystery fighter are sent to the Principal's office. An hour passes before Billy wakes up. He opens his eyes to see two foxes and a tiger standing over him.

"Jen... Edna... Alex... where am I?"

"Nurses office," Jen informs the beaten platypus.

"What... what happened? Last thing I remember was running into Rodriguez..."

"Yeah, he did a number on you," Edna replies. "God, we were so worried. Thank god you're ok."

"Dude, why didn't you fight back?" Alex asks.

"The only... ouch... ow... oh man... I'm hurting all over. Anyway, the only fighting I know how to do is to defend with my barbs. I couldn't do that this time, though, because I didn't want to hurt him again. Last time nearly killed him, could've been worse this time," Billy admits.

"Yeah, but you wound up taking the beating," Jen says.

"Some things are worth the lives of others, even if they don't do well to others themselves," Billy tells his company.

"You're right, Billy. But you don't know how to fight?" Alex asks.

"No. Oh, man... what's the report? How much damage did I take?" Billy questions his friends.

"Well, the nurse thinks you've got a couple of cracked ribs. She phoned your mom, and she's on her way to take you to the emergency room. You're lucky I showed up when I did, or else Rod would've made sure you spent longer than two weeks in the hospital," Alex says.

"You saved me? Why?" Billy asks sceptically.

"Well, I feel like we're friends. What, I'm not your friend?"

"You were my friend since that moment you put out your hand to help guide me through that incident with Geoff. This just solidifies it a little more," Billy says, chuckling a little before wincing in pain.

"Don't do that, Billy. Take it easy," says a worried Edna.

"So, tell me, how bad was the beating? Where all did he hit me? I feel like I was hit by a semi."

"Well," Alex starts, "he got in a few powerful blows across your bill and in your gut. He also took a cheap shot and punched you in your junk before throwing you across the hall. He came up and was about to start kicking you, but, like I said, I jumped in and stopped him," Alex informs his hurt friend.

"That bastard took a cheap-shot and hit in my nuts?" Billy asks, getting upset.

"Please watch your language, Mr. Plats," the nurse hollers at Billy.

"Sorry. But, he did that? What a cheap son of a... gun," Billy says, upset.

Just then, Mary enters the nurses office. She signs a form and carries Billy out to her car. The kids they pass look away from the defeated platypus. Mary then drives Billy up to the hospital. He's taken into a room for an examination. Mary sits out in the waiting room, waiting for news on her son. An hour and a half goes by in silence. 
*****
"Mrs. Plats?" a doctor calls out as he enters the waiting room from his office.

"Yes? How's my boy, is he ok?" Mary asks nervously,

"Yes, yes, he's fine. He has a mild concussion and three broken ribs. He's ok to go back to school, but he can't do anything intensive for about two months."

"That means swimming, huh?" Mary asks the doctor.

"Yes, it does. Also, under his uniform, he's going to have to wear some padding to protect his ribs while they heal. I'll be back with him. Please wait here."

The doctor then takes his leave of Mary and heads back into his office. Two minutes pass before Billy exits the office and enters the waiting room. Mary walks over to her son.

"How are you feeling, sweetie?"

"Could be better. Gotta wear some sorta padding and I can't swim for a few months," Billy says with a depressed sigh.

"It's ok, dear. At least it wasn't anything to stop you from being able to be with your friends," Mary says with a reassuring smile. Billy sees the smile and grins a little.

"I guess you're right, mom. Come on, let's go home."

Mary and Billy leave the hospital, get in their car, and drive home. Billy's silent the whole way home, thinking about the day's events.

A concussion and three broken ribs. I'm surprised my nuts are ok. Damn that Rodriguez. Thank god Alex was there, or else I'd probably be in a body cast right now. I'll have to call him when I get home and thank him. Wait, I can't. I don't know the dude's number. There's always the phone book. Wait, that won't work either. I don't know the dude's last name. He's only introduced himself as Alex. I'll have to hunt him down tomorrow during school.

The car pulls into the driveway. The sudden stop breaks Billy's train of thought. He and Mary get out of the car, lock the doors, and enter their house. Billy immediately goes into the living room. He checks the answering machine, which has eight messages on it. Billy pushes play. The first message gets to Billy.

"Hey, freak! How'd you like that beating? Don't even come back to school tomorrow, because there's more of that in store for ya. BWAAAA HAAA HAA HA HAHAHAHAHAHA HA HAAAA!"

Damn that Rodriguez. What the hell is his problem?

*beep*

"Hello," the second message says. "This is Edna and Edward. We were calling to see how Billy's doing. We hope to see him on the bus tomorrow. Good bye."

*beep*

The messages there-after are from Paige, Jenny, Jen, Pokeinfo, Cynthia, and Laura, all calling to see how Billy is and if he's ok. Billy is about to erase the messages when the phone rings. He picks it up.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Billy? It's me, Alex. Glad I caught you."

"Hey Alex," Billy says with a sigh, relieved that he managed to catch Alex's call. "How you holding up? You didn't get in trouble for saving me, did you?"

"A couple of detentions, nothing major. I don't know why that principal of ours is so light when it comes to fights with Rodriguez. Maybe there's some morbid pleasure that comes from watching Rodriguez get beat up?"

"I dunno. Hey, thanks again for saving me. I really owe you one. Actually, I have a favor to ask, which would make me owe you two," Billy tells Alex.

"What is it? What do you want? A bodyguard?"

"No. Teach me how to fight, please."

"Oh... ho... boy... that's a good one," Alex says, laughing. "You... wanting to fight?"

"I'm serious."

"Wait, you are? Why do you want to know how to fight? Don't let Rodriguez destroy who you are. Your pacifism is what makes you such a good guy."

"But if I don't knock Rod out without using my poison, he'll never leave me alone. Please teach me to fight."

"As much as I hate the idea of you fighting, you do have a point. Rodriguez'll never leave you alone if he thinks you're weaker than him. But let me ask you something first. How hurt are you? Answer honestly, because I'll know if you're lying."

"Concussion and three broken ribs."

"It would probably just be better for you to duck Rodriguez right now. You don't want to wind up worse, do you?"

"No, of course not. I guess you're right," Billy says with a sigh.

"Trust me on this. Avoid Rodriguez. And as far as fighting goes, there's nothing to it. Just make a fist and swing it. Or use your foot and kick. Now, of course, there are place to hit somebody to really make them feel it, but we can't get into that kind of stuff until your healed. Like I said, for the time being, just duck Rodriguez. Hey, I gotta go. Sonia's got Charlie chasing her around. He's going to need mine and Destiny's help."

"Sonia? Charlie? Destiny? Who are they?" Billy asks.

"Sonia's my sister, Charlie's my brother, and Destiny is my girlfriend. Remind me to introduce you to them one day. Not today though. Take care Billy."

"You too, my friend," Billy says as he hangs the phone up.

Alex is right. I should just try to avoid Rodriguez for the next month. Probably easier said than done
*****
Chapter 12

Wednesday morning rolls around, and Billy shows up at the bus stop. Jen, Edna, and Edward are all excited to see him when they get there. Jen quickly hugs him tight, but this causes Billy to wince in pain, so she lets go.

"Oh, sorry. So, what's the damage? Are you going to be alright?" Jen asks.

"Yeah, concussion and three broken ribs. I'm going to be sore for a while, but, so long as I don't get into too many fights, I'll be fine. Oh, Jen, I'm not really allowed to swim for about a month or so. Doctor's orders."

"Which is for the best. Don't want you further injuring yourself, now do we? We've been trying to get some new members anyway. What happened Saturday made us realize that we can't have just a four person swim team. But enough about that. Did the doctor say you couldn't do anything else?" Jen says with a grin. Billy looks from her to Edna.

"You know, you two need to stop hanging out. She's getting just as bad as you are, Edna," Billy says with a chuckle. The chuckle is short-lived as his chest hurts from the action.

"What do you mean 'as bad as me?'" Edna asks in a slightly upset tone.

"I am not as bad as she is!" Jen yells.

"Ok, ok! Sorry for making a joke," Billy responds with a sigh. The cubs then start to laugh. A few moments later, Carlos pulls up and opens the doors to the bus. Jen and Edna are the first ones on. Edward starts to step onto the bus when he's stopped by Billy.

"Hey, come on Billy. We need to get on."

"But you're forgetting something," Billy tells the young fox.

"What could I be missing?" Ed asks sceptically.

"Hump day."

"I thought you hated me saying that because it brought you bad luck?" Edward questions his platypus friend.

"Please, after what happened to me yesterday, there's no possible way this week can get any worse for me," Billy says with a chuckle.
The two cubs then get onto the bus. Edward heads back for his seat. Billy starts to walk back to where Jen is sitting, only to be stopped by Carlos.

"Hey, what happened to you? You look like you were hit by a car."

"Hit by Rodriguez is more like it."

"Oh. Well, hope you get better soon. Take your seat."

Carlos then lets Billy go along his way. Billy walks down the aisle, and as he passes the first set of seats, everybody starts to applaud.

Oh, for fuck's sake! I just got the shit kicked outta me, and all these furs can think about is that damn sex tape of me and Edna!?!? Well, at least Carlos was cool to me today.

Billy walks down the aisle, passing applauding and whistling kids. He quickly finds his way to his seat, next to Jen, behind Jenny and Laura, in front of Paige. Paige quickly leans up in his seat.

"Hey, I heard about that fight. If you need any help with him, let me know," Paige tells Billy.

"Nah, I'll be alright, but thanks for your concern," Billy says to Paige.

"No problem, mate." Paige leans back in his seat. Billy turns to Jenny and Laura.

"Man, I can't believe these kids are still hooked on that tape," Billy mentions with a sigh.

"What? What're you talking about?" Laura asks.

"Didn't you hear that applause? I just got the shit kicked outta me and they're still treating me like a damn star."

"That's because you are," Jenny chimes in. "The tape made you popular, but surviving that beating that Rodriguez gave you made you famous. Not too many kids could walk away from that unscathed."

"I have a concussion and three broken ribs from that fight," Billy informs Jenny.

"Yeah, and most kids would be thankful to have that. Trust me, you really got lucky with that beating. It could've been a lot worse," Laura tells Billy.

The rest of the ride seemed to go quick. Cubs were having trivial chit-chats about random topics. Billy just enjoyed the ride in silence, snuggling with Jen. The bus pulls to a stop about ten minutes later, and everybody gets off the bus. Billy gets off last and enters the school immediately, hoping to avoid Rodriguez. He heads for his first period class when he bumps into somebody. Billy looks to see who he bumped into.

My luck sucks right now.

Billy sees that he bumped into Rodriguez.
*****
Rodriguez turns around to see who bumped into him.

"Well well well. If it isn't the freak of the week. What, come back for some more punishment?"

"Sorry Rod. No, I haven't come back for more punishment. I was on my way to my first period class."

Rodriguez then picks Billy up by his shirt.

"Well, freak. You may have not come looking for me, but you found me, so that means I gotta rough you up."

"RODRIGUEZ! Put that young platypus down this instant!"

Rodriguez looks to see who said that. He looks over his right shoulder to notice he's in front of the Principal's office, and the door is open. Rodriguez then puts Billy down back on the floor.

"This isn't over, freak. I will hunt you down today."

Rodriguez then walks away, leaving Billy to soak in his thoughts as he starts to walk to his first period class.

Ugh... so much for ducking Rodriguez until I'm healed. I've got two options now. I can either let Rod beat me up, or I can use my poison to put him down again. I'd rather not do the latter, but if it comes to it, I might have to.

The morning classes seem to drag from that point on. Billy's walking the halls from his second period class to his third, trying not to run into Rodriguez again.

Jeez, who knew fear could make time go so slow!

Billy is shaken from his thoughts when a hand touches his shoulder from behind. He screams, jumps, and turns around to see who's touching him.

"Jeez, what's with you? I'm not going to hurt you."

"I know, Jen, I know. It's just... I ran into Rodriguez again," Billy tells his girlfriend.

"Oh. Lucky you didn't get hurt again."

"I know. I've been trying to avoid him since then, but it's left me so afraid. I just can't stand it anymore. I'm tired of cowering, hiding, running away," Billy informs Jen, starting to get upset with himself.

"Well, it's for the best, Billy. You're hurt and Rod doesn't show mercy. It's best to just hide," Jen reassures Billy.

"Yeah, but I wouldn't have to hide if I just laid him out again," Billy says with a sigh.

"But you can't fight Rod! He'll put you in a body cast! There's not much you can do while you're in a body cast! Eat and sleep, that's about it! I don't want that to happen to you."

"I don't want it to happen to me either, but I'll never get Rod off my back unless I lay him out. You know what, from this point on, I'm no longer afraid of running into him. If I do, it'll be good," Billy says, fired up at the idea of fighting Rodriguez.

"You're insane! You can't fight Rod! He'll kill you!" Jen cries, tears forming in her eyes.

"Well, to kill me, he's gotta be willing to die himself. I will show Rodriguez who's boss next time we fight."

"I can't condone this. Don't expect me to visit if you wind up in the hospital, unable to move for months."

Jen then runs away from her platypus boyfriend crying. Billy has thoughts of stopping her to comfort her, but he instead heads off for his third period class, hoping to run into Rodriguez along the way. The day starts to fly from that point on. His third and fourth period classes end quickly, and it's time for recess. Billy heads out to the playground, where his friends are all gathered and waiting for him. He heads over to where they are gathered.

"Hey guys, what's up?"

"You're really serious about fighting Rodriguez?" Pokeinfo asks.

"I see Jen told you guys the story," Billy says as he looks at Jen.

"Yeah, you're nuts! He'll kill you! Don't do it!" Edna pleads with Billy.

"I'll tell you all what I told Jen. I'm sick of having to worry about whether or not Rod's around the next corner. The way I see it, until I fight him, I'll always have to worry about that. I'm sick of feeling so helpless, so afraid. It's been tearing me apart on the inside, making me sick to my stomach. I can't have that fear in my life. I know none of you are for this idea, but it's something I have to do," Billy informs his friends.

"Actually, I agree with you," Edward tells Billy. Everybody gasps at what they hear.

"Are you bonkers or something, Ed? Don't tell me Laura's gone and actually yiffed your brains out?" Paige asks.

"No, I know what I'm saying. I was in the same boat Billy's in now. Then Rod and I got into a fight one day. I knocked him out, and I haven't been afraid of the dude since. This is something Billy has to do."

"But Eddy! That was different. Rodriguez wasn't looking for revenge on you! He probably WANTS to kill Billy. We can't allow him to have that chance," Laura begs.

"I'm sorry guys, this is something I have to do. I'm glad at least Ed understands my plight. I understand you all are looking out for my well being, but it's just something I have to do. Wish me luck," Billy says. Everybody stays silent. Billy then sighs and walks away. Nobody says anything, but everybody is thinking the same thing.

Good luck Billy. 
*****
A lonely lunch is spent eating as Billy eats alone, away from his friends and girlfriend, to spend some time with his thoughts.

I know they're only trying to look out for me, but this IS something that I have to do, like Ed said. Maybe it's just because they've been around him so long that they don't fear him, but I'm sick of being afraid. Maybe I should just calm down. Everything's still fresh for me. I went from being scared to ready to fight in one second. Gotta remember what Alex said. "Don't let Rodriguez change who you are". You know, he's right. I shouldn't go charging into battle just because I'm sick of being afraid. If I run into him again, I'll probably have to fight. But until that time comes, calm down, don't go publicly challenging the dude, and try not to act so tough. You're a platypus for fuck's sake!

Billy's thoughts are interrupted as three young girl cubs sit down at the table with him.

"Hi Billy," all three greeted Billy.

"Hi girls," Billy replies. "I don't recall ever running into you three."

The girls giggle at this.

"That's because you haven't yet. I'm Jessica."

"I'm Belle."

"I'm Linda."

"Nice to meet you Billy," all three say in unison.

"Jessica, Belle, and Linda huh? A pink ferret and raccoon twins, huh?"

"Yeah, that's us," Jessica says for all three.

"Cool. Well, it was nice to meet you three..." Billy starts.

"Hey, so we heard you're fighting Rodriguez today. Is that true?" Belle and Linda ask in unison.

"I see rumors travel fast around here. No, I'm not fighting Rodriguez."

"Are you sure? Because if you did, you could have all three of us at once," Jessica informs the platypus as she slides a hand under the table and onto Billy's crotch. Billy then jumps out of his seat and away from the table.

"Ok, that's enough girls. I love Jen, and I'm not fighting! Just leave me alone."

Billy walks away from the three, not in the best moods now. He walks down a few halls, waiting for the bell ending lunch to ring, when he sees a familiar face hanging out with a not so familiar face. He walks up to the couple.

"Hey Alex."

Alex turns around.

"Oh, hey Billy. How's it going? Oh, wait, where are my manners. Billy, this here is Destiny. She's my girlfriend."

"Hi Billy," the young cat replies.

"Hi Destiny. Hey, Alex, can I talk to you in private please?"

"About what?" Alex questions Billy.

"Not around Destiny please."

"Come on, unless it's about your yiff life, you can talk about anything in front of Destiny."

"Nah, it's ok, Alex. I'll let you two have your chat. I'll see you later," Destiny tells Alex. She kisses him then walks away.

"Dude, this better be good. I enjoy spending time with Destiny," Alex says, slightly upset.

"It's about Rodriguez."

"Again? I told you, avoid the guy until you're healed."

"I've been trying, but it's been making me sick to my stomach of having to cower from him. And now the whole school's buzzing about me challenging Rodriguez, which I really haven't done. It'll only be a matter of time before Rod hears the rumors and comes looking for me."

"Well," Alex starts, "I've got your back. If you want, I can help you fight Rod."

"Thanks. I appreciate the offer, but that won't do any good. I need to fight him alone if I'm to fight him. Like we said, he'll only leave me alone if I, and I alone, can prove I'm stronger than him by beating him at his own game."

"Well, the offer's always open," Alex tells Billy.

"Thanks. Like I said, I appreciate the offer."

The two smile, but it's quickly interrupted. A roar is heard from behind Billy. The two turn to see what, or who, roared. Rodriguez stands about ten feet away with an angry look on his face.
"So, freak, you're looking to fight me? Not the brightest of ideas. Then again, you never were really bright," Rodriguez yells as he approaches Billy. Before Rod can get too close, Alex gets between him and his platypus prey and stops him.

"Come on, Rod. Aren't you sick and tired of picking on guys weaker than you?"

"Stay outta this!" both Billy and Rodriguez yell at Alex, who then steps aside and lets the angry croc go.

"Rod, listen. I didn't challenge you, but I'm not going to fear you anymore either. If you want me, come get me," Billy tells his giant enemy.

"With pleasure," Rodriguez says as he stops two feet away from Billy.

Before Rod can reach out to grab Billy, Billy ducks down and headbutts Rod in his crotch. Rod drops down to one knee from this action.

"That's payback! Don't you ever hit me in my balls again!" Billy shouts.

His victory is short lived as Rod starts to get back up. Billy forms fists with both his paws and starts to swing them across Rodriguez's head, but they seem to have no effect on the now pissed off crocodile.

"YOU'RE GOING TO DIE FOR THAT!"

Rodriguez picks Billy up by his throat. Rod then throws Billy as hard as he can into the nearest wall. The wall cracks and dents behind Billy, who's now in extreme pain. While Rodriguez walks to make up the ground he lost from his long pitch, Billy unties his right shoe and takes it of, exposing his foot. Rod quickly arrives at Billy's fallen location and picks the platypus up for a second throw. Before he can wind up, Billy jabs his right heel into Rod's ribs and pulls his foot away just as quickly.

"Nap... time... Rod..." Billy manages to get out.

Rod, in a fit of rage, manages to toss Billy again before the poison starts to hurt him. The throw isn't as hard as his first and Billy only lands six feet away. While Rod goes down to his knees from the pain, Billy manages to stagger to his feet. Rod looks up from the floor to see Billy inch his way to the hurt croc.

"You... you... freak! I'll... get you... for this!"

Billy slowly makes his way to Rodriguez, who's trying to get up from his knees.

"Hey, Billy! How come last time, your venom took him completely out, but this time it's not having the same effect?" Alex questions the moving platypus.

"Because.... Alex, I didn't leave... my barb in for as long this time. Less time equals less venom, which equals less effect," Billy informs his silver-furred friend as he is now in front of Rodriguez, who's still down on his knees in pain.

Billy then forms fists with both his paws and starts wailing into Rod's face and head. A right to the side of the head, a left to his left temple, a right to his nose, a left uppercut to the jaw, and a finishing right to the the back of Rod's head. Rod goes down from the onslaught. Billy then mounts his downed opponent and continues to wail on him without mercy. Not much time passes before Alex realizes Billy has snapped. He rushes over to the attacking platypus and pulls him off of Rodriguez.

"Let go of me, Alex!" Billy shouts at his silver-furred friend, trying to escape his friend's grasp.

"No! I can't. You've done enough. Rod's hurt. You don't want to put him in the hospital again, right?"

"Of course I do! Let me go!"

"No, don't destroy who you are for this punk!" Alex commands Billy.
With those words, Billy manages to regain control of his emotions and calms down.

"You're right. I'm sorry. I just snapped. Once he threw me, my mind just went blank. All I could think of was hurting Rod."

Alex releases Billy, who walks to where he took his shoe off. He picks it up and puts it on. Alex walks over to the fallen crocodile, who's writhing in pain now. Alex offers to help him up, but he climbs shakily to his feet.

"I won't forget this. You two are dead," Rod tells the two cubs as he staggers away. Alex and Billy shrug it off as the bell ending lunch rings. The two head off in seperate directions toward their classes.
*****
Billy heads down the halls of St. Lovejoys, heading for his first afternoon class. He doesn't get very far before the adrenaline wears off and Billy feels the fight on his body. His chest starts hurting as though somebody stabbed him, and he has a shortness of breath. He tries to stagger to his next class, but collapses. He passes out from the pain. Thirty minutes later, he wakes up in the nurse's office. Billy tries to sit up, but the pain in his chest is too much for him, so he decides to remain still.

"Uh... where am I?" Billy asks out loud, expecting nobody to answer.

"You're in my office. You gave me quite a scare. It's a good thing one of the students found you and brought you to me. I've called your mother. She'll be here to take you to the hospital," the nurse informs Billy.

Billy doesn't respond. He just lays there and starts to drift in his thoughts.

That's just great. Two hospital visits in one week, within a day's time. Mom's not going to be happy to hear I got into another fight.

As Billy finishes his last thought, Mary comes into the room and walks over to her son.

"I can't believe you need to go to the hospital again. Are you ok to walk this time?"

"Yeah... I should be fine," Billy says, getting up from the cot he was laying on. He winces as he gets up, but he's able to stand on his feet.

"Good. Well, let's go."

The two leave the nurse's office and head for their car. Two hours later, after Billy has left the school, gone to the hospital, been examined, and sent home, Billy and Mary pull up in the driveway. They get out, lock their car's doors, and close them. Mary starts to head for the front door when Billy asks her something.

"Hey, Mom, mind if I head over to Jen's house? I really would like to see her right now."

"Ok. But be careful. Remember that the doctor said nothing intense, yet again," Mary reminds her son.

"MOOOMMM! I'm only going over to talk..." Billy says with a blush and a sigh.

"Ok, honey. Have fun then," Mary says to her hurt son as she enters the front door of their house.

Billy then turns around and starts walking down a street, heading for Jen's house. He quickly reaches his destination and walks up to the front door of the Tigre house. He knocks on the door, only to find a burly male tiger answer it.

"Yes? What do you want? You selling cookies?" the tiger asks Billy.

"Um... no sir. Jen wouldn't happen to be around, would she?"

"Who are you? A friend from school?"

"Yes," Billy replies shakily. "I'm a friend from school."

"Just one sec. JENNIFER! YOU HAVE A VISITOR!"

The tiger then walks away from the door as Jen approaches it. She is changed out of her school uniform and into a T-shirt and some tight jeans.

"Hi Billy," Jen greets Billy with a smile.

"Hi Jen," Billy returns the greeting.

Jen then turns from the door. "Dad, I'm going out for a little while. I'll be back later."

"No later than 7, Jennifer. You have school tomorrow, and you haven't done your homework yet."

"Ok Dad. Love you."

Jen then exits the house and closes the door behind her. Billy and Jen start walking.

"So, where we heading?" Billy asks.

"A spot I like to hang out at nobody in this town knows about," Jen answers Billy.

The two walk down a few streets until they reach a dirt path off to the side of one of the streets. Jen heads down the path, with Billy following. About half a mile down the path, they come across a small creek. Jen sits down on the bank, next to the water. Billy sits down beside her.

"So, that was your dad, huh? Kinda scary."

"Not when you get to know him and he gets to know you," Jen says. "So, what did you want to see me for?"

"Just to see how you were. I got into another fight with Rod today. Broke another rib. It was worth it though, I beat him," Bill informs Jen.

"My champion," Jen says with a smile.

The two sit there and look at each other and smile at each other, lost in the beauty of the moment. An hour passes by as the two cubs gaze into each others' eyes, enjoying the moment of being together alone. The moment is short-lived as a cub comes down the path and stumbles upon them.

"Um... hi guys." Billy and Jen look to see who is talking. They look right into the eyes of Jessica. "I didn't know anybody else knew about this spot," Jessica says,

"Yeah, I was just shown this spot. Oh, Jessica, this is my girlfriend, Jen," Billy tells the pink ferret.

"You're his girlfriend, Stripes?"

"Yeah. I love my little platypus," Jen says with a beaming smile. "Hey, Jessica, you got the time?"

"Um... yeah... it's... 7 o' clock."

"Oh, holy hell. Billy I need to get going. I'm late," Jen states in a panic.

"Well, let me walk you home," Billy says.

"Probably not a good idea. I've been out for an hour with a guy from school. If I show up back home with the same guy, my dad's not going to be too happy. It's best I go home alone. Bye Billy. Love you."

With that, Jen gives Billy a kiss on his cheek and then starts off down the dirt trail. Billy shouts out to her.

"I love you too, Jen."

A few moments pass as Jen vanishes from view. Billy starts to head off down the dirt path, but is stopped by Jessica.

"Hold on, where do you think you're going? You haven't gotten your victory celebration from me yet," Jessica informs Billy.

"Victory celebration?"

"Yeah, for beating up Rodriguez again."

"Ok, who told you about that?" Billy demands.

"Nobody. He showed up to his classes this afternoon hurt, and the school was already buzzing with the rumors of you challenging Rod to a fight. Everybody put two and two together to get four. The whole school knows you beat up Rod now."

Billy drops his head and sighs.

Just my luck. First the tape, then surviving that first beating, now everybody knows I beat Rod up. And in this school, that's going to lead to a lot of cubs trying to get their hands on me. Hell, probably more than just their hands. "Well, thanks for the heads up, Jessica. I'll have to try and avoid the crowds tomorrow. I should probably get going..."

"You're not going anywhere, Billy. You still need your victory celebration from me," Jessica says with a smile.

Billy sighs again. "Hello! Remember Jen? Stripes? She's my girlfriend!"

"Didn't stop you from yiffing Edna, did it?"

"You saw that?" Billy asks with a blush.

"Saw it? I have a copy of that tape. Most everybody in school does." Jessica informs Billy.

Billy sighs once more.

That's just great. Now that stupid tape's all over the school. And Jessica won't let me go until we yiff. "That was in the past. Everything between Jen and I are great now. We love each other, and I'm not about to jeopardize that for anything. Sorry."

"I see. Well then, you have a good night. I'll try to catch you at school tomorrow," Jessica says with a depressed sigh as she walks away.

Billy shakes his head as he starts heading in the opposite direction from Jessica.

When will the universe stop finding ways to mess with me? Sex tapes, Rod, horny cubs. It's all too much for one platypus to handle sometimes. And now I gotta deal with it all while pretty much being treated like a king tomorrow. I hope I can just avoid the attention tomorrow. Time will only tell.
*****
Chapter 13
The next morning, everything goes as Billy thought it would. Guys are congratulating Billy on his victory, while girls are trying to congratulate Billy in other ways. Every girl he passes tries to pull him off for some alone time, much like Jessica did. Billy is now heading for recess to be with Jen, trying that she'll be able to help him get his mind of things. On his way there, he runs into another girl.

"Hey Billy."

"Um... hi!"

"Name's Lucy. Glad I ran into you. I wanted to talk to you."

"I hope this isn't about Rodriguez, like every other girl in this school?" Billy asks.

"It is. I just wanted to let you know something..."

A moment of silence passes.

"Which is?" Billy questions Lucy.

"Don't get too full of yourself. You may be a big-shot now, but not for long. Once I get a hold of you, you'll be another two-bit cub," Lucy informs the platypus.

"What are you talking about?"

"You now have Gym on your schedule. You know that empty spot you have in your second period class in which you were sent to the school library to study? It's been filled now. The school didn't want to put you in a physical class with the other students for a week, but after the Rodriguez incident two weeks ago, they weren't sure they were going to put you in gym at all."

"Why did they change their minds all of a sudden?"

"Let's just say one upset chipmunk went to the school board about it," Lucy tells Billy with a smile.

"You got me put in Gym class? Well, hate to tell you this, but I can't participate in gym for a couple of months. Four cracked ribs. Doctor's orders. No intense physical activities."

"You getting smart with me?" Lucy demands.

"No, just informing you of what's going on. Hey, it was nice to meet you, Lucy. I need to get to the playground. Jen's waiting for me," Billy says.

He then side-steps around Lucy and walks away from her. Billy finds his way out to the playground. He finds Destiny and Alex on a bench making out, and Jen is off talking with Edna. Billy decides to go talk with Alex and Destiny. He walks up to the couple.

"Um, sorry to interrupt, but Jen's kinda busy right now..."

Alex releases his lock on Destiny and turns his head to Billy.

"Not at all. Take a seat."

Billy takes a seat next to Alex.

"So, what's on your mind?" Destiny asks the young platypus.

"The girls of this school. You're one of two that I've run into today that HASN'T wanted to yiff me because of my fight with Rodriguez," Billy admits with a sigh.

"You won? Congratulations. I..." Destiny starts to say.

"OH BROTHER!" A mysterious voice calls out from somewhere on the playground.

A few short moments after the call dies, a yellow-furred fox runs up to the trio of cubs.

"What do you want, Sonia?" Alex asks.

"Well I..." Sonia starts to say. She then catches a glimpse of Billy and blushes just a little. "Um... hi..." she addresses Billy.

"Hi. Name's Billy. I'm guessing you're Alex's sister," Billy states.

"How... how did you know?" Sonia asks in a state of shock.

"You called him brother," Billy says with a chuckle. Alex and Destiny laugh a little bit as well.

"Well... um... nice to meet you Billy. I've gotta get going. See you guys around," Sonia says. She then walks away from the trio.

"I think she likes you, Billy. She never blushes like that around a guy," Alex says jokingly. Billy blushes as Destiny and Alex laugh.
*****
Meanwhile, Jen and Edna are talking across the playground from Billy and his company.

"Really? Every girl in the school?" Jen asks.

"Every girl. Everybody knows about the beating Billy took. The fact that he returned the favor is just the reason for girls to get a taste of what's below his belt," Edna informs Jen.

"Oh jeez. You know, this is the last thing I need right now. Ever since you two got caught on tape, he's been kind of distancing himself from me more and more. I don't know if it's the fact that he's now a star because of it or if it's he's no longer in love with me or what it is," Jen says as she sighs.

"It can't be the last one, Jen. Look at what he's done for you."

"Yeah, but time after time he's shown how he loves me, and time after time I doubt him. And now he's got all this pussy just waiting for him all over this school."

"Then you need to do what you feel is right for the both of you," Edna tells Jen.

"You're right Edna," Jen says with a depressed sigh.

The bell rings and all the children make they're way inside. Billy finds his way to the lunch room, joined shortly there-after by Jen. The two sit alone today.

"Billy, we need to talk..." Jen starts.

"About what?"

"About your situation..."

"My situation?" Billy questions Jen.

"Yeah, your situation. With the girls here."

"Oh, you know what they've been planning? I'm sorry, I had no intention of this happening," Billy says with a sigh.

"I know you didn't, but it still did. Now, it's not really fair for me to say you can't have fun, but it's not really fair of you to expect to have your fun while being with me."

"Jen, I don't want fun. I want you," Billy informs his tigress.

"I want you to have fun. You've been acting really distant from me in recent weeks. This is just the icing on the cake."

"I've had a lot of things on my mind in recent weeks, Jen."

"Well, I'm giving you a chance to clear your head. I'm going to be taking a trial separation from you. You go have your fun for the weekend, and we'll pick it back up on Monday."

"But Jen..." Billy starts.

"I don't want to hear it, Billy," Jen cuts Billy off. "If you love me, you'll do this for me."

"Fine, I'll do it, but I'm not happy with it."

"That works for me. See you at practice," Jen says as she gets up and walks away.

Billy just sits there, lost in his thoughts.

What brought this on all of a sudden? What about last night? I thought she was happy with me. Don't tell me Jessica and the others got underneath her skin. Why does this always happen to me?
*****
Billy walks the halls of school depressed, lost in his thoughts, unable to cope with reality.

What would make her think that I need any other girl? And I'm being distant? It's hard to tell what goes on in that girl's head sometimes. Maybe this is for the best. Nothing tests love like separation.

The classes fly by as Billy's depression only sinks lower through each one. By the end of the day, Billy's not really even caring if he even gets back with Jen. He walks out the front doors and starts to walk home when a paw touches his shoulder.

"Something wrong, Billy?"

"Yeah, Edna... something is wrong. Jen dumped me," Billy informs Edna without even looking back at her.

"Billy, Jen feels that you need this. Almost every girl in the school wants in your pants after your fight with Rodriguez. You beating him up was the perfect excuse for these girls to try to experiment with you after seeing that tape."

"But I don't care about the other girls."

"Hey, what about your swim practice?" Edna asks.

"I'm not gonna watch it today. I'm in not in the mood. I'm just going to go home, go to my room, and stare at the walls of my room for the next six hours."

"Billy, don't take it so hard. It's depressing to see you like this."

"Edna, tell that to the universe, not me. For once, everything was going right in my life. Rod'll start leaving me alone now, I had a girl, I had friends, the school actually liked me... But NOOOOO! The universe couldn't stand me being happy so it took Jen from me."

"Billy, there are other girls out there. Jen's not the only single girl in this school."

Billy just sighs as he starts to walk.

"Billy! Where you goin'?" Edna asks.

"Home, I don't want to hear the 'other fish in the sea' talk right now. I appreciate what you're trying to do Edna. But please, for my sake, just let me be, ok?"

"Ok. Hope you'll feel better tomorrow," Edna says.

Billy then leaves the fox behind. He walks down the roads of town to his house. Thirty minutes later, he's walking in the front door of his house. He does as he told Edna and walks to his room. He crashes down onto the bed and just stares at the ceiling for the next six hours until he drifts off to sleep. While sleeping, he gets a dream. He's out in space. He's standing, not floating, on some sort of invisible platform. He calls out to see if anybody can hear him, but nothing comes out.

"I'm the only one here with you, Billy. I don't need to hear you talk. I can hear what you think," a mysterious voice tells Billy from behind him. Billy turns around to find that he's staring at himself. "Yes, I am you. Call me William," the dream Billy says.

William?

"Yes, William. It is your official name. Plus it sounds more defined than 'Billy'," William informs Billy.

Where am I? Why am I here? What's going on?

"Calm down Billy. You've just gone through a rough time, and not even a close friend was able to help you. I'm here to make sure you get back to normal before tomorrow."

How can I calm down? Jen broke up with me over something stupid.

"Jen isn't the only girl out there, you know. There are other..." William starts.

Please don't start with the fish thing. I nearly got it from Edna, I don't really want it from you.

"It is rude to cut others off, Billy. Jen is doing what she is doing because she feels she has to. If you go the weekend without seeing at least one other girl, she will think you do not love her."

But that's crazy! Why would she want me to go out with other girls just to prove I love her?

"The heart needs comfort. If the heart believes something is amiss, it will try to find a way to fix it. Jen's heart believes that you are becoming untrue to her. You have grown distant from her since Geoff's tape. I know a lot has been on your mind, but that is no excuse to push away the people you love. You have been doing that, so Jen believes you do not love her."

Could you please stop with the wise-man way of talking and the fortune cookie bullshit? It's starting to get annoying.

"As are you, Billy. You refuse to listen to one who is trying to show you what is going on around you. Jen needs reassurance that your love for her is pure. It may sting, but you must go with Jen's plan. Only then will everything work out in your life. You also need to stop obsessing with the idea of the universe not wanting you to be happy. The universe wants all her children to be happy. Your happiness is just requiring more time than others."

You think so?

"I know so. Now, it is time for you to wake up. Go forth through your next few days in faith that you will be happy again. Farewell, Billy."

See ya, William.
*****
Chapter 14
Billy wakes up the next morning completely refreshed. He is happy, he isn't tired, and he's looking forward to the weekend. His alarm clock then starts going off. Billy quickly turns it off and goes about his morning routine. He shows up to the bus stop at the usual time. Edna, Edward, and Jen are all waiting for him.

"Hi guys," Billy says with a smile.

"Hi Billy," Edna and Edward respond.

"What happened to you yesterday, Billy? We had practice and you skipped it," Jen yells at Billy.

"I wasn't in the mood for practice yesterday, so I skipped. I went straight home and just stayed in my room the rest of the day."

"You actually did that, Billy? I thought you were joking," Edna says with shock.

"Yeah, I told you I was going to, and I did. But I'm feeling better today after a one-on-one I had with myself last night," Billy admits.
Edna and Edward smile as Jen gives a false grin, trying to conceal her worry.

He's not bummed I broke up with him? Maybe that's just the fact he knows I'm going to take him back getting to him. Or maybe he really WAS distant and doesn't want to see me any more.

Jen's thoughts are interrupted as Carlos shows up in his bus. He opens the doors and the four cubs scramble to their usual seats, except Jen sits with Jerry today instead of Billy. Billy takes his usual seat behind Laura and Jenny. They're too busy gossiping to notice Jen never sits beside him. Billy just enjoys his ride in silence as he looks out the window. The bus pulls up to the school some time later, and Billy makes his way off the bus and into the school. He makes his way to his first period class when he runs into Rodriguez. Billy taps Rod on his shoulder.

"Huh, wassat? Who touched me?" Rod nearly yells as he turns around. "Oh, it's the freak. Come back for another beating?"

"No, came to be the bigger man and call an end to our feud," Billy says as he extends a paw to Rod. Rod snarls as he slaps the paw away from him.

"Who says I want it to be over?" Rod yells as he grabs Billy and pins him against a wall. Billy winces a little from the force of the slam, but maintains his composure.

"Calm down, Rod. It's not worth you getting hurt again," Billy says as he points to his shoes. Rod sees Billy point down, so he decides to take a look. He quickly realizes what Billy is talking about and lets go of Billy.

"Grrr... you're lucky I, uh, gotta be in class. Otherwise I'd hurt you big time, freak!" Rod yells as he walks away from Billy. Billy just chuckles and shakes his head.

Jeez, what a prideful guy. Reminds me of Geoff, except a lot dumber and more physical. At least he got my hint. Well, the weekend's off to a good start. Just gotta get through the school day, and I can enjoy myself. Here goes nothing. Billy thinks to himself with a smile as he walks to his first period class. 
*****
At recess, everybody is at play. Billy wanders the playground, though, bored and looking for something to do or someone to talk to. Most of his friends are with their boyfriends or girlfriends right now. He starts to head to the doors that lead back into the school when he sees Jerry. Billy goes over to him.

"Hey Jerry," Billy says as he approaches the squirrel.

"Oh, hi Billy," Jerry responds.

"So, what's up? I don't normally run into you before swim practice."

"Well," Jerry starts. "I'm looking for my brother, Jared. I wanted to wish him luck today at his game against St. Rutherford. Hey, wanna come to the game tonight?"

"Nah, Jerry, I'm not a big soccer fan. Besides, with everything that's been happening around me this week, I really would like some 'R and R' this weekend. You said St. Rutherford? Don't we have a swim meet against them next week?"

"Yeah, Billy. We do. It's going to be a challenge, though. St. Rutherford always excels in sports for some reason. Must be something in the water there that makes their cubs stronger and faster."

"Yeah, and the water around here makes cubs yiff-crazy," Billy replies.
The two cubs start to laugh.

"Well, wish your brother luck for me, Jerry," Billy says with a smile. He then walks away and heads into the school.

The rest of the day goes pretty smooth for Billy. Lunch and classes are boring, but some of the girls are still trying to congratulate Billy. The bell ending the day rings as Billy starts to head for the pool. He arrives there to see everybody already in the pool, but just floating.

"So much for waiting for my opinion before starting practice," Billy chuckles.

"Not really a practice today. More of an initiation," Jen replies.

"Initiation? You found a fifth teammate?"

"Yeah, just moved here from Pawstin. You should know her. You raced her in our meet against them."

"That white fox? Should be good to see what she's capable of now that I'm not showing her up. Still feel a little bad I did that," Billy says with a sigh.

"Oh, get off your high horse, freak," Geoff snaps. "Just because you're the best out of all of us and Pawstin doesn't mean some cub somewhere else can't do better."

"No, you're right, buck-tooth. There is somebody out there better than me," Billy replies.

Geoff lowly growls. "What have I told you about calling me buck-tooth?"

"Aw, come on Geoff. Good rivals have to have demeaning names for each other. You call me freak, so I call you buck-tooth," Billy tells Geoff with a laugh.

"I really don't like you sometimes, Billy," Geoff grumbles as he starts to swim.

A few moments later, a white fox comes out of the girl's changing room. She walks to the side of the pool.

"Hi, my name is Amber," the fox introduces herself with a smile.

"Hi Amber," everybody around her responds.

"Thank you for letting me join the team."

"Not a problem. We were looking, and you showed interest. Thank you for joining, Amber," Jen says with a smile.

Amber then runs and dives into the pool. The team starts to just swim around.

"So, this is practice? Just swimming around?" Amber asks.

"Nah, taking it easy today. No meet tomorrow, so no need to push ourselves hard," Jerry answers.

"Why isn't your platypus friend joining us?"

"Because he's injured. Doctor's orders are he can't swim until he's healed," Jen replies.

"Oh, ok," Amber says.

The practice ends later, and everybody gets dressed. Jen, Jerry, and Geoff have already taken off for home. Billy waits there, just enjoying the view of the water.

God, I could use a dip right now. Nothing relaxes you better than a nice swim.

A few seconds after thinking this, Amber comes out from the changing room. She walks up to Billy.

"Hi there. We meet again," Amber says with a giggle.

"I guess we do, Amber. Oh, by the way, my name's Billy," Billy says, extending his paw.

Amber takes his paw and shakes it.

"Well, now we have officially met. Well, I should get going. My parents are still unpacking. Hope to see you around the school sometime," Amber says with a smile as she walks away.

Nice girl. She'll be a nice addition to the team.
*****
The next morning, Billy sits around the house. He does a few chores for his mother, watches a bit of TV, and gets his homework done for the weekend. At roughly 3 PM, the phone rings. Billy picks it up.

"Hello?"

"Hey mate, it's Paige. I'm throwing a get-together. Dad's out of town and figured a party is just what the doctor ordered."

"A party? I dunno. I'm not really in the partying mood."

"Come on, Billy. Come have some fun."

"Ok Paige. I'll come, but only 'cause you're twisting my arm so much," Billy says with a laugh. The two cubs hang up as Billy gets ready to head to the party.

Billy walks outside and starts heading for the party. About two blocks from Paige's place, Billy runs into Jerry.

"Hey Jerry."

"Hey Billy. Where you going?"

"Paige called me and is having a party. Wanna come?"

"Actually," Jerry starts, "that's exactly where I was going. I don't know how Paige got a hold of my number, but a party is definitely in order. We beat St. Rutherford last night."

"Really? Cool."

Billy and Jerry walk the rest of the way in silence. They arrive at Paige's place a short while after. Billy and Jerry knock on the door. Nobody answers.

"Maybe nobody's here yet..." Billy says.

Billy knocks on the door a second and third time. No answer. Billy knocks a fourth time and finally Paige answers the door with a smile.

"Sorry. Busy setting up. Didn't hear you guys knocking. Come on in. Not too many people have shown up yet."

Billy and Jerry enter Paige's house. Paige and Jerry go off talking as Billy walks over to a couch and sits there.

Great. First ones to the party. I was hoping we'd be fashionably late...

A few hours later, everybody has shown up and the party is in full swing. Billy walks around the cubs, just trying not to get noticed.

Not too many cubs here I recognize.

"Hey, guys! I just got a call from my brother at the news station. He says they're gonna do a story about the steroid thing..." a cub shouts as she runs past Billy.

Steroids?

Billy shakes away the thought as he follows the cub to see what's up. He heads into the living room and watches what everybody else is watching.

"Thanks, Jim. I'm here live at the police headquarters, where five coaches of St. Rutherford's school are behind bars tonight for supplying at least two dozen students with illegal steroids. This was discovered when a St. Lovejoy's soccer team member found the illegal substance on a Rutherford player during the Rutherford-Lovejoy soccer game. After further investigation, the DEA has arrested several other coaches. We spoke to the Pouncefield Cheif of Police Mike Panther earlier today. 'It's just a shame that our school coaches are providing young cubs today with illegal substances...' he said. All athletic events for St. Rutherford's has been canceled until further notice as the DEA is continuing to investigate the scandal, and we will keep you posted. Now, back to you in Pouncefield, Jim."

With that said, every cub in the house starts to applaud or whistle or cheer in a loud uproar.

Gosh, it's not that big a deal. Billy thinks to himself. He goes back to meandering through the cubs. Suddenly, he walks near a familiar face.

"Hi Sonia." 
*****
"Huh?" Sonia turns around to see she's looking Billy in the eyes. "Oh, hi Billy."

"Hey. So, did everybody get invited to this party?"

"I think so Billy. My brothers passed on it because they wanted to spend time with their girlfriends. Not me. I hear there's a party and I can't wait to go," Sonia informs Billy with a smile.

"Party animal, huh?" Billy asks with a laugh.

"One of the biggest ones in Pouncefield," Sonia replies.

"Well, hey, I'm going to continue to walk around, see if I run into anybody else I recognize. You enjoy the party."

"Will do, Billy. Take care."

With that, Billy takes his leave of Sonia and continues to walk around the party.

God, this place is packed. Just wish Jen was here.

Billy starts to make his way back to the living room where Paige and a few others were hanging out. As Billy gets close, he hears somebody yell something.

"OK. HEY! EVERYONE! THE PARTY IS OVER! GO HOME!"

Billy gets caught in a crowd of cubs who all make their way out the front door. He's shoved by the crowd out the front door as well.

That was a short lived party...

Billy then makes his way home, thinking about his life.

That Sonia girl seems nice. Plus there's Amber too. But I don't know that I'm ready to give up on Jen just yet...

Billy continues to think as he finally arrives home a short time later. He walks in the front door and heads into the living room where his dad is watching tv.

"Hey dad."

"Hello son. Where did you go today?"

"I went to a party my friend was holding."

"Have a good time, son?" Stephen asks.

"I did until the party got cut short not too long ago."

"That's good, son. Hey, your mother wanted to talk to you about something. She's in the kitchen preparing dinner."

"Ok dad."

Billy walks from the living room into the kitchen.

"Hi mom."

"Hi dear. Have a good time out?"

"Yeah, I did. Did you need something?"

"Yeah, I need you to go to the mall tomorrow."

"Oh mom, can it wait? I like to rest on Sundays now that I don't have homeschooling."

"It's for your father's birthday gift."

"Oh, ok. If that's the case, then I'll go."

"Very well. I'll tell you more about it tomorrow."

Billy smiles as he goes back into the living room. He finishes his night with dinner, tv, and then going to bed at 9 PM. Billy's last thoughts are about the mall and how hectic this third week of school was for him as he can't wait for week 4 to start.
*****
Chapter 15

The alarm clock wakes Billy up the next morning. He yawns and stretches a bit before climbing out of bed. He hits the bathroom for his daily shower and brushing. A short while later, he walks out of the bathroom, nice and clean, and looks for clothes to wear.

I can't believe my mom wants me to run an errand on a Sunday. This is cruel!

Billy finds himself a black t-shirt and some brown khakis and throws them on. He then leaves his bedroom and quickly runs down the hall to the kitchen and is greeted by his parents and a nice smelling breakfast.

"Hi mom. Hi dad. Mmm.... something smells good. What's for breakfast?"

"Morning Billy," both Stephen and Mary return the greeting. "We're having blueberry pancakes with syrup, bacon, and sausage for breakfast," Mary informs Billy.

"Smells good. Can't wait."

"You're going to have to, son. Go watch tv for a little bit. We'll call you in when it's ready."

"Ok mom," Billy says as he walks from the kitchen into the living room. He turns on the tv, sits down on the couch, and starts to watch some cartoons. Fifteen minutes go by before Mary calls in to him.

"Breakfast is done, sweetie."

"Ok mom," Billy replies as he gets up from the couch, turns off the tv, and walks into the kitchen.
He takes his place at the table as his breakfast is served to him.

"Enjoy dear."

Mary then sets a plate at her seat and at Stephen's seat. Mary sits down and everybody begins to eat. Fifteen minutes later, everybody finishes.

"Mmm... that was good, mom."

"Yeah, honey, that was good."

"Glad you two liked it," Mary says with a smile.

Stephen then gets up from the table. "Well, it's time I get going. Don't want to be late," he says as he walks out of the kitchen. A few moments later, the car can be heard driving away from the house.

"Ok, Billy, you remember what I wanted you to do today?" Mary asks Billy.

"Billy, yes mom. I remember. Go to the mall and pick up a birthday gift for dad."

"Not just any gift, Billy. Your father's been talking about getting a Titleist X80 Carry Bag. He wants the red one, and the Dicks at the local mall carries them. That's the gift I'm sending you out for."

"A golf bag? Ok mom. I'll remember."

"Ok, honey. Here's the money for it," Mary says as she hands $75 to Billy. "After you get the bag, take the change and enjoy yourself a little. It's my way of saying 'Thanks for doing this for me, sweetie'."

"Ok mom," Billy says as he walks out of the kitchen and out the front door. He walks down the street, heading for the local mall.

Titleist X80 Carry Bag. Doesn't sound too hard to remember. Go to the mall, grab the bag, pay for it, get home. Easy day. No hassles.

Billy's thoughts are interrupted when he turns a blind corner and runs right into Sonia, knocking them both down. 
*****
"Ow, hey watch where you're going you big jerk!" Sonia yells at the cub that knocked her down without looking to see who it is.

"Ow, sorry. Wasn't... hey, don't call me a jerk!" Billy yells back. He then looks to see who he's knocked down. "Oh, Sonia, I'm so sorry!"

Sonia looks. "Billy? Oh, jeez. Sorry I called you a jerk," she says with a blush and a frown, embarrassed that she's just called one of the nicest cubs in cool a jerk.

"No, that's my fault. I wasn't watching where I was going. My mind is on getting to the mall and back."

"Really? You're going to the mall too? That's where I'm going," Sonia informs Billy.

"Really? Wow, what are the odds?" Billy rhetorically asks with a chuckle.

"I dunno. Hey, mind helping a lady up?" Sonia asks.

"Sure."

Billy gets up and dusts himself off. He then extends a paw out to Sonia, who grabs it. Billy then lifts Sonia up to her feet. She dusts herself off too.

"So, you're going to the mall? What for?" Sonia asks.

"A birthday gift for my dad. He turns 41 tomorrow."

"Oh really? What are you getting him?"

"A red golf bag. It's a... uh... oh, I forgot which bag I'm supposed to be getting him.," Billy says with a sigh.

"It'll come to you. Well, since we're both going to the mall, do you want to go together?" Sonia asks.

"Sure, why not? I could use the company," Billy says with a smile. Sonia and Billy start walking for the mall.

"So, what are you going for?"

"Just some personal shopping."

"I see. Sorry about running into you again," Billy tells Sonia.

"It's not a problem. I could've run into a lot worse. You could've been Rodriguez."

"You have problems with that jerk?"

"Everybody has problems with that jerk. I don't know what crawled up his ass, but he needs to stop being so mean to everybody. I think he's lacking some strength downstairs," Sonia says with a giggle.

"Seems like it, doesn't it? That may be why he's so cruel. Hey I don't think we've been properly introduced. Name's Billy Plats," Billy says with a chuckle.

"Alex introduced you to me, remember?" Sonia asks.

"He introduced me, but he failed to introduce you."

"Sonia Sosserone. Pleasure to meet you, Billy," Sonia says with a smile.

"Pleasure's all mine."

They continue to walk in silence. A short while later, they reach the mall. Billy walks up to the front doors and holds them open for Sonia.

"Ladies first."

"Then you need to go first, Billy," Sonia says with a giggle.

"Oh, that's harsh, Sonia," Billy says with a laugh. Sonia then passes him and enters the mall. Billy follows her in shortly after. "So, where first?"

"I dunno, you wanna pick up your gift first?" Sonia asks.

"Nah, ladies first, remember? Let's hit one of your stops first."

"Ok, to the panty store then!" she shouts as she grabs Billy's arm and starts to drag him behind her.

Panty store? Billy thinks with a sigh. 
*****
Sonia drags Billy to the nearest lingerie store. She lets go of Billy.

"Here we are," Sonia says with a smile. Billy stands there at the doorway as Sonia enters. A few seconds later, Sonia notices Billy isn't following her in, so she rushes back out to him. "What's wrong?"

"I'll let you do this by yourself. I'll stand out here and wait for you," Billy tells Sonia.

"Oh, come on Billy. I need your opinion on what ones you think look good on me," Sonia says with a smile as she grabs Billy's arm and drags him into the store with her.

The two start to walk around the store for a bit. Then Sonia sees a rack out of the corner of her eye that she wants to check. She drags Billy over to it. Billy turns his back to Sonia as soon as she starts browsing. She grabs a pair a few seconds later.

"How do you think these would look on me?" Sonia asks, showing them to Billy.

"Pretty good," Billy says without turning around to look at them or Sonia.
Sonia puts them back and frowns a little. She then pulls another pair up and shows them to Billy.

"How about these?"

"Yeah, fine," Billy says again without turning around.
Sonia pouts a little. "Fine, I'll go try them on."

Sonia and Billy then walk to the changing rooms. Sonia picks a stall and enters. Billy stands outside the stall, waiting for Sonia.

"Let me know when you're finished, ok?"

"Ok," Sonia replies.
A short while passes as Billy stands outside of Sonia's changing room.

Jeez, what's taking her so long? I don't really feel comfortable being in this store.

Billy's thoughts are interrupted when he hears a noise. Coming from one of the changing rooms.

Huh, what was that?

The sound grows a little larger. The sound is of somebody moaning. Billy decides to check on Sonia. He knocks on her door.

"Hey, Sonia, you ok in there?"

"Huh? Oh... oh yeah... oh, I'm fine," Sonia replies.

"Ok."

Billy turns his back and places it against the wall. That's when he hears some panting and moaning. He turns back around and knocks again.

"Hey, are you sure everything's ok in there?"

"Yeah... oh god... yeah, I'm sure."

Billy turns the knob of the door. "You don't sound sure."

"I'm... I'm sure."

Billy finishes turning the knob and opens the door. 
*****
Chapter 16
Billy opens the door, blushes, and quickly shuts it again.

"Ah, um... Sorry... Sonia. Didn't... didn't mean to... to walk in on you..." Billy says shakily.

"Don't worry... oh..." Sonia says while she continues to pleasure herself.

"I... I think..." Billy says and gulps. "I think I... should go wait outside for you."

"No you don't!" Sonia screams at him. "You stay right there... oh my god..."

Hearing Sonia's screams and moans of pleasure makes things hard for Billy. He wants to walk in and help her out, but he's too nervous to even move.

"Oh... OH! OH GOD!" Sonia screams out as, behind the door of her changing room, she reaches her final climax.

A few moments of silence pass before Billy starts to wonder what's going on.

"Um... are... are you done in there, Sonia?"

"Huh? Yeah... I'm... I'm done in here. I'm changed... if you want to... come in," Sonia says, panting.

Billy reopens the door to see Sonia laying against a wall of the room, naked and dripping. Billy turns his back to her and blushes some more.

"I... I thought... you said you were done?"

"I was done pleasing myself. I need help to clean up though."

"I... I'm sure... I'm sure you can do that yourself."

"I would, but my tongue's not long enough. Mind if I borrow yours?" Sonia says with a giggle.

Billy's eyes go wide upon hearing this. "Say what!?!?!?!?"

"I would clean myself up, but I can't reach down there with my tongue. Which is why I need help."

Billy starts to shake a little. "Um... wo-would you... believe me if...I said no?"

"I would, but I could really use the help. I'm so wet, and I'm only going to get wetter because I'm horny again," Sonia says as she starts to rub herself again.

Billy refuses to turn around.

Oh my god! This is so wrong!

Billy's thoughts are interrupted when Sonia lets out a small moan. Billy turns around and sees Sonia rubbing herself. His eyes widen, his jaw drops, and his pants bulge up well. Sonia sees this.

"I see you like what you see," Sonia says with a giggle as she points at Billy's downstairs.

This causes Billy to greatly blush as he covers himself up.

"Oh, jeez. I... I think I should go..."

"Oh really? I think you should help me with this."

"Say what?!?!?"

"You help me with my problem and I'll help you with your problem, ok?" Sonia says as she continues to rub herself. She then starts to slide a couple fingers in and out of her to lure Billy in.

"O... Ok... deal!" Billy says. 
*****
"O... Ok... deal!"

"Well then... be a big boy and come help me," Sonia says to Billy.

He listens as he walks into the room and shuts the door. He then helps Sonia to her feet and sits her down on the bench. She then adjusts herself so Billy has a clear shot at her wet puss. Billy sticks out his tongue and lightly rubs it against her clit.

"Oh, that's a good pet," Sonia says with a moan and a giggle.

Billy pulls away for a second. "What's my treat for being such a good boy?"

"I'll think of something. Now be a good boy and go back to work."

"Yes ma'am," Billy says with a slight chuckle as he goes back to massaging Sonia's nub with his tongue. 

He licks it up and down, side to side, and in small circles. This causes Sonia to moan out.

"Oh, that's good."

If she likes that, she'll go NUTS for this!

Billy then stops licking her button. Before anything is said, Billy then takes his tongue and inserts it into her dripping snatch and starts to lick the walls a little. This causes Sonia to start trembling.

"Oh... god BILLY! That's... that's so good..." Sonia lets out with a moan.

Upon hearing Sonia moan, Billy starts to lick her insides even faster. He also takes two of his fingers and starts to massage her clit with them.

"Oh BILLY! I'm... I'm gonna cum!"

And before anything else can be done or said, Sonia splashes Billy's tongue and billy with her juices. He licks them up and pulls away from her.

"Mmm... delicious," Billy says as he licks the edges of his bill.

"Oh... oh god Billy... that... was so good..." Sonia says, moaning, panting, and sweating a little. Billy smiles upon hearing this.

"So, what about my treat?"

"What do... you want... Billy?"

"Hm... how about you suck me off a little, and after a little down time for recovery, we go about it and yiff," Billy says to Sonia as he undresses himself quickly.

"Mmm... sounds nice," Sonia says as she climbs off the bench.

She gives Billy a thumb up to tell him to stand. He gets the hint and stands. She then crawls to him on all fours, wagging her tail behind her. When she gets to him, she sits up on her knees.

"Time to lick your lollipop."

As soon as she says this, she grabs a hold of his boys with one paw and starts to lick the tip of the head of his pole with her tongue. In her hand she gently massages him. This sends shivers up Billy's spine.

"Oh... that's great..."

Sonia smiles as she begins to lick around the whole head. Before long, the licking stops. She then takes her new toy and slowly her mouth down it. When she gets it all in her mouth, she starts to bob her head back and forth, slowly sucking on Billy's meat. When she reaches the tip of his shaft, she licks the head a little before going back down.

"Oh... oh god... that's great... how'd you get so good?" Billy asks between moans.

Hearing Billy enjoy it, Sonia starts to bob her head faster as she continues her technique. With every moan Billy lets out, she gets a little faster. Before long, Sonia can feel him tense up a little in her mouth.

"Oh... Sonia... I'm... gonna... OH GOD!"

Billy soon there-after unloads his jizz into Sonia's mouth, who happily drinks it down. She then slowly removes Billy's member from her mouth, making sure to lick up the rest of his goo from the tip of his head.

"That was tasty!"

"Glad you enjoyed it," Billy says with a smile as he collapses down onto the bench.

"Like you didn't?" Sonia giggles.

"Good point," Billy replies with a chuckle. 
*****
Sonia gets up off her knees and sits down on the bench next to Billy. She then snuggles up to him.

"So, big boy, I guess you need some recovery time?"

"Yeah, unfortunately. Man can't wait to continue. Gonna feel nice riding you."

"Yeah, will probably be a great eight seconds," Sonia says with a giggle.

"Oh, that's harsh, Sonia," Billy replies with a chuckle.
The two sit there and cuddle with each other. The smell of yiff in the room is strong.

"Wow, that's a nice smell," Billy says with a chuckle as he sniffs the air.

"Yeah, sorry, I'm in heat. Hope this doesn't change anything between us," Sonia replies as she looks away from Billy, ashamed.

"Nothing's going to change. Just makes our friendship more interesting."

"But I feel bad now. This is our first date, and within thirty minutes, we're already yiffing. Makes me feel like a bit of a slut."

"Hey now, come on Sonia," Billy starts. "You can't help when you're in heat. If anybody's to blame, it's me. I shouldn't have walked in. Well, do you want to finish what we started or do you want to just end it here and go about the rest of the day?"

"I'd like to continue..." Sonia says, ashamed of herself.

Billy then places his paw along Sonia's chin and turns Sonia's head to look at him. He then gives her a gentle kiss. Sonia's eyes widen a little before she closes them. Before long, between the smell of yiff in the room and the passionate kiss, both cubs are ready to continue their alone time. Sonia breaks the kiss.

"Ok, let's do this," Sonia say as she lays out on the bench, spreading her legs to give Billy a nice view of her puss. 

Billy blushes and nods as he positions himself over Sonia. He then inches himself closer to her. Billy, instead of inserting himself into Sonia, takes the head of his rod and rubs it lightly against her clit. Sonia lets out a mixed moan from this. It's pleasurable, but it's frustrating that he's teasing her.

"Oh, stop being such an ass, Billy," Sonia giggles.

"The tell me you want it and I might provide," Billy chuckles.

"Making me beg. That's so mean, but so kinky. Please give it to me."

"Ok, but only because you said please."

With that, Billy thrusts himself into Sonia's womanhood. He pushes himself in as deep as he can get and just sits there for a second before sliding himself along her at a slow pace.

"Oh, you tease! Please pick up the pace! I need this too bad for a slow yiff!"

"Yes ma'am," Billy says as he picks up the pace of his pumping.

Sonia lets out a loud moan as Billy speeds things up. She then wraps her arms around him and arches her back up a little. Billy speeds up his thrusting more, and this causes Sonia to contract on him.

"Whoa, getting tight... feels good..."

"So do you..." Sonia says between pants.

Billy starts to go as fast as he can, taking long strokes. He feels his gut tighten.

"Oh, Sonia... I'm about... to..."

"Me too, Billy..."

Sonia then begins to squeeze Billy. This causes him to go nuts as he starts to unleash his cream upon the insides of Sonia's puss.

"OH SONIA! I'M CUMMING!"

Sonia begins to unleash her own orgasm as she feels Billy fill her up.

"ME TOO, BILLY!"

Both cubs continue to climax. A few moments later, Billy has finished pouring his goo into Sonia. He then pulls himself out of her and collapses on the floor, exhausted, panting, and sweating. Sonia remains on the bench, also exhausted, panting and sweating.
*****
Billy and Sonia shortly recover from their yiff.

"Well, we should probably get dressed before somebody comes looking in here..." Billy says with a chuckle.

"Yeah... I guess you're right..." Sonia says with a sigh.

"Something wrong?"

"It's nothing..."

"Tell me what's up, please."

"I told you, it's nothing."

Billy just rolls his eyes and stands up to get dressed. Sonia does the same. A few minutes later, Sonia and Billy leave the dressing room. Sonia puts the panties back and they leave the store. They start walking around the mall.

"So, remember what you're getting your dad yet, Billy?" Sonia says with another sigh.

"Not yet, and what's up?"

"Nothing..."

"Stop giving me that. What's up?"

"You'd think I was crazy if I told you..."

Billy rolls his eyes. "Just tell me, please."

"Billy, I think I love you."

Billy gets a sudden blush on his face and a wide-eyed stare. "Say... say what?"

"I love you, Billy."

"Oh... wow... I... I think I love you too, Sonia..."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I mean, it's been a short while, but I have a good time with you. I think we'd make a great couple," Billy says.

"Yeah, but you're probably taken."

"Not true. My girlfriend broke up with me Thursday. I'm free if you want to give us a shot."

"I'm game," Sonia says with a smile.

Sonia then grabs Billy's paw and continues to walk around the mall. The pass many stores, but none remind Billy of what he's there for. They finally pass the Dick's store.

"Oh, hey, Dick's! You know, Billy, I really love Dick's," Sonia says with a giggle, and Billy starts laughing shortly after.

"Oh, wait... that's it! I need a golf bag for my dad."

"Let's go get it then."

Billy and Sonia enter the store and head for the golf section. Billy lets go of Sonia's paw and rushes over to a package of golf balls.

"Hey, Sonia, I bet you wanna suck on these balls," Billy says with a chuckle as he shows her the golf balls.

"Nope, rather suck on yours," Sonia replies with a purr.

Billy blushes as he puts the golf balls back and looks for the golf bag.

Let's see... I need a Titleist X80 Carry Bag, red. Here it is!

Billy grabs the bag and quickly pays for it. He then returns to Sonia with his gift. He then gives her a kiss.

"I'm done here. Any other stops?"

"Nah, I really only came here because I was bored."

"Glad you were bored then," Billy says with a chuckle.

"Who was bored?" a voice asks the two cubs. Billy and Sonia turn to see Jen walking up to them. 
*****
Chapter 17

"Who was bored?" Jen asks again.

"Oh, I was," Sonia says with a smile.

"Um... I'm sorry, I don't think I've seen you before. Who are you?"

"Jen, this is Sonia. Sonia, this is Jen," Billy says with a smile.
Jen and Sonia shake paws.

"So, Billy, what brings you to the mall today? I thought you hated doing stuff on Sundays," Jen questions the young platypus.

"I do, but my mom wanted me to pick something up for my dad for his birthday for her. Red golf-bag. I don't know why he wants this, though, when we have a couple of perfectly good pools in our backyard..."

"Billy, not everybody can enjoy swimming all the time," Jen says with a laugh.

"No, I guess you're right. So, what brings you to Dick's today?"

"I'm actually here to get a new heavy bag for my dad. His old one can no longer take the abuse."

"Your dad boxes?" Billy asks.

"No, he's not much for fighting. But he likes to lift weights and hit boxing bags to release his stress from the day."

"Physical exertion usually is the best way to get rid of stress," Billy replies with a smile.

"That's what he says. Anyway, I should go back to finding him a good one. Nice to meet you Sonia. You two take care," Jen replies with a smile and walks away. She seems nice. I hope there's nothing serious between those two. Jen thinks to herself as she walks away.

"Wow, she seemed nice. You two friends?"

"Yeah. We WERE a couple, but she called it off after my fight with Rodriguez," Billy says with a sigh.

"So you're available?" Sonia asks with a smile.

"Very much so. Wish to make that not so?" Billy replies with a chuckle.

"Actually, I would..." Sonia says with a blush as she turns her head.

"Very well," Billy says with a smile as he turns Sonia's head back to him. He then gives her a gentle kiss. "First kiss of our relationship," Billy says with another smile as he grabs Sonia's paw and they leave the store. 
"So, what now?" Billy asks.

"I really don't know. How about we just walk around for a while."

"Not a bad idea. But I should probably get this gift home first."

"Oh... ok..." Sonia says with a sigh.

"Something wrong?"

"Not really. I'm just not comfortable with meeting your parents."

"Aw, they're not that bad. Why would you be uncomfortable?"

"I dunno, just nervous they may not like me."

"Well, you're my girlfriend and I love you. If they don't like you, tough nuts on them."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Well, while we're there, you wanna watch a video or something?"

"Yeah, I got a nice selection."

Billy and Sonia start to walk through the mall to the exit, paw in paw and cheek by cheek.

"So, what kind of movie do you wanna watch when we get there?"

"I'll think of something."

Billy and Sonia walk to the exit and leave the mall. They start to walk to Billy's house.

"So, it's funny how we've run into each other a lot this weekend," Billy says with a chuckle.

"Why?"

"I dunno. It's kinda like fate or some other force wanted us to be together so badly."

"If you believe in fate. I don't. One different action in the past, present, or future can change the outcome of people's lives. My brother taught me that."

"You're brother's a fortune cookie," Billy says with a laugh.

"He can be, but he's extremely wise."

"He is."

"I love him so much. And Charlie too. I love them both."

"I can imagine. I'm an only child, so I don't know what it's like to have a brother or sister to have fun with, hang out with, and to look up to or take care of."

"Well, you got me to take care of now," Sonia says with a giggle.

"Yeah, that's true," Billy says with a smile.

The rest of the walk to Billy's house is spent in silence, each other enjoying the moment of walking together. When they get to Billy's house, Billy opens the door for Sonia and lets her in first. He follows her in and shuts the door behind him.

"MOM? DAD? I'M HOME!"

"No answer... try again..."

"MOM? DAD? Hmm... guess mom and dad went out for the day. What time is it?"

"It's about 2."

"Yeah, probably went out to celebrate his birthday alone. Come on, let me show you to the living room."

Billy shows Sonia into his living room. He shows her his tape case with his family's VHS and DVDs.

"Nice selection, Billy... but I'm in the mood for something a little more... Adult..."

"What?" Billy asks in shock, eyes widened.
*****
"You know, a porno."

"Sorry, don't have any."

"What kind of guy doesn't have any kind of porn? You mean to tell me you don't even own a copy of your yiff tape?" Sonia questions the platypus.

"No..." Billy says with a blush as he goes over to the tape stand and looks for a movie. He picks out "A Knight's Tale" and puts it in his DVD player.

"You do have it, don't you?"

"I told you I don't..."

"You're such a bad liar, Billy," Sonia says with a laugh.

"Oh, shut up. Let's just watch this movie."

"Fine with me," Sonia says as she sits down on the couch.

Billy sits down beside her and grabs the remote. He then pushes the play button and the movie starts.

"Have you seen this movie before?"

"I don't think I have," Sonia says.

"Oh, it's great. A story about a peasant changing his status in life."

"Sounds like a nice tale."

"It is," Billy says with a smile as he and Sonia watch the movie.

The time flies and before long, the movie is over.

"Wow, I tell ya, that fur that plays that William character's kinda hot," Sonia says with a giggle.

"If you say so," Billy says as he gets up and takes the DVD out of the player.

He puts the DVD back in the case and puts it away. At that time, the front door can be heard opening and closing.

"BILLY? ARE YOU HOME, SWEETIE?"

"It's my Mom. Perfect. Come, let's go introduce you to her."

"Uh, that's ok, I gotta get home anyway..." Sonia says nervously.

"Oh, come on, she doesn't bite."

"Whatever."

Sonia gets up off the couch and Billy takes her into the kitchen where Mary's putting grocery bags on the table.

"Hi Mom. Go grocery shopping?"

"Yeah, needed some things for tonight's dinner."

"Cool. Hey, Mom... I'd like you to meet somebody."

Mary turns around and sees Sonia.

"Why, hello there dear."

"Hi."

"Sonia, this is my mother, Mary. Mom, this is my girlfriend, Sonia."

"Oh, girlfriend you said? She's really cute."

Sonia blushes and looks away. "Thanks."

"So, you two intimate yet?"

"MOOOOM!" Billy cries out with a beet-red blush. "Sorry about that, Sonia."

"It's ok. Well, it was nice to meet you Mrs. Plats, but I have to get going."

"You sure, honey? You can stay for dinner if you want."

"Nah, I have to get home. My family's probably wondering where I am. Nice to have met you, Mrs. Plats. I hope to see you again sometime."

"Me too, Sonia."

"Bye Billy," Sonia says as she kisses Billy.

"Bye Sonia."

Sonia then leaves the kitchen and then Billy's house.

"She's really cute. You should try to hold on to her."

"I plan on it, Mom. I plan on it." 
*****
After Billy gets a good night's rest from his festive day yesterday at the mall, he awakens the next day and gets himself ready for school. He starts off with his shower and then gets dressed.

Man, what an odd day yesterday. But with great results. I just gotta wonder what's in store for me this week.

Billy leaves his room upon getting dressed and heads downstairs. The kitchen is empty.

"Mom? Dad?" Billy loudly asks so anybody in the house can hear him. He receives no response.

That's odd. I wonder where they went. Oh well. I'll just grab some breakfast at school.

Billy leaves his kitchen and walks out his front door. He heads down the street to the bus stop where Edward and Edna are already waiting.

"Man, I can't believe it's Monday already. These weekends just fly too fast," Edward says to Billy with a sigh.

"Tell me about it. I had the best one of my life, and now it's over and I'm back to reality."

"Really? What was so great about it that it was 'the best one of your life'?" Edna asks curiously.

"Besides that party on Saturday? Had a great day at the mall yesterday," Billy replies.

"Really? What was so great about the mall?" Edna again asks.

"Stuff."

"What kind of stuff?"

"Good stuff."

"You're not gonna tell, are you?" Edna defeatedly asks in frustration.

"Nope. That's for me to know and you to never find out," Billy tells the young fox with a laugh. Edna pouts a little and Edward joins in on the laughter.

"Aw, come on sis. You don't need to know everything, do you?"

"No, I don't. But I do like to know things. Especially things like how you feel inside me, brother," Edna says with a grin.

Edna's statement cause both Edward and Billy to stand there, hesitant to do or say anything.

"Well, uh... this is... kinda awkward now..." Billy shakily says.

"You're telling me..." Edward adds.

Edna opens her mouth to say something else, but she is quickly cut off by Jen.

"Hey guys. Hey Edna. What's up?"

"Besides Edna making everything tense around here, not much," Billy responds.

"That's ok. I need to pull you aside anyway."

"For what?" Billy questions the tigress.

"For stuff. It'll give you a chance to step away from the tension."

"That sounds good right now. Ok."

Jen grabs Billy by his paw and pulls him a few feet from Edward and Edna. 
"Ok, what's up?" Billy asks as soon as Jen has pulled him away from his fox friends.

"Well, the separation."

"What about it?"

"I think you've sweated long enough. We're an item again."

"Uh... you're too late," Billy informs Jen.

"What do you mean 'too late'? I'm your girlfriend, you ninny!"

"Not anymore. I found somebody else yesterday."

"What!?!? You started seeing somebody else!!?!??" Jen asks hysterically.

"Of course! You DID dump me, you know."

"Oh... you truly are one brain-dead platypus, aren't you? I said TEMPORARY separation, meaning I was gonna take you back after a few days!"

"Well, if you wanted to keep me, you shouldn't have even suggested a separation. Like I said, I found somebody else."

"Who, that fox?" Jen questions Billy.
"Very observant."

"I still... I gotta go..." Jen walks away from Billy, away from the bus stop. She gets a few feet from Billy before she let the tears she was holding back flow from her eyes.
*****
Billy heads back to the bus stop where Edna and Edward are waiting.

"Hey guys," Billy says to Edward and Edna.

"Hey Billy," the two foxes respond.

"Bus isn't here yet?"

"Nah. It'll probably be here soon though. So, what happened with you and Jen?" Edward asks.

"I'd rather not talk about it."

"Fair enough."

A few awkward, silent moments later, the bus pulls up to the three cubs. Edna and Edward are first to board, soon followed by Billy. As soon as Billy is up the steps and on the bus, his new girlfriend pounces on him like a hunter pounces its prey.

"BILLY!!!!"

"Oomph... ow... uh... Hi... Sonia... ow..."

"I missed you," Sonia says with a big smile.

"I missed you too, but... was that really necessary?" Billy asks with a chuckle.

"Sorry, guess I was a little excited to see you. Don't worry, I'll make it up to you."

"You can start by letting me get off this floor. God knows how much cum has soaked it..." Billy says with a hearty laugh.

"You're probably right," Sonia giggles as she gets up off of the platypus.

Billy then stands up and brushes himself off. He straightens his uniform and then heads down the aisle to find a seat. He heads to the back and takes his usual seat behind Jenny and Laura. Sonia soon joins him. Jenny and Laura turn around, as usual, to talk to their platypus friend.

"Jeez... it's only been three days and you got yourself a new girl?" Jenny asks Billy.

"Hey, I bounce back easily."

"She's a looker," Laura adds, causing Sonia to blush a little.

"I'm not really anything special..." Sonia replies.

"What do you mean 'nothing special'? You're my precious little flower, Sonia. One that I will love and cherish and take care of for ages to come," Billy tells his foxy girlfriend, causing her to blush even more.

"Jeez, she's blushing worse than Jenny when somebody mentions yiff," Laura says with a giggle.

"I... um... hey, we're at school," Jenny points out, changing the subject.

"Damn, that was fast. See you during lunch, honey?" Billy asks Sonia.

"Definitely," Sonia replies with a smile.

Soon, all the cubs climb off the bus. Billy is the last one off and looks at the school which has been a personal hell to him the past three weeks. He no longer sees hell, but now a regular school.

This week is going to be great. I can tell.
*****
Chapter 18

Did I say great? This sucks!

Billy is lost in endless thought as he tries to bare yet another morning in his first period class, math.

Just grin and bare it, Billy. Just grin and bare it.

"Mr. Plats! Are you paying attention?"

"Yeah..."

"Good. Now, to continue..." the teacher continues on, with Billy losing focus again.

Maybe I should apologize or something to Jen. She seemed really hurt. Then again, she DID dump me. She should've known that I would find somebody else. Half the damn school is ready to get with the platypus porn star. Well, I got a good one now. Sonia has yet to test me in any way, plus it shows that she misses me and loves me. A little rough, especially with my ribs still healing, but it's nice to be missed. I don't see how this is going to work though. The minute we're going to be seen together, people are going to think it's a warped reality on the classic fairy tale "The Beauty and The Beast".

The bell ending his first period class rings, shaking Billy from his thoughts.

"That is all for today. Enjoy the rest of your day," the teacher dismisses the class.

Billy gets up from his desk and leaves the room. He starts walking down the hallway when he hears an announcement over the PA system.

"You're attention please! William Plats, please report to the nurse's office. Again, William Plats, please report to the nurse's office. That is all."

Nurses office? They probably need to know the damage from my last fight.

Billy wanders the halls of St. Lovejoy, making his way to the nurse's office. He passes the usual crowd of gawkers and whisperers, all still talking about his fights, the tape, or his looks.

I guess I'll never quite fit in. I'll be famous, but I'll never just fit in. But that's ok. It lets me know who my true friends are. Speaking of which, I wonder how Jerry's doing. And I haven't seen Amber around since her first day here. Amber, now there's a fox that caught my eye. If I weren't with Sonia, that's one girl I wouldn't mind taking a chance with. Oh well, them's the breaks. I got Sonia, and I'm finally happy.

Billy snaps out of his train of thought when he reaches the nurse's office. He knocks and then enters.

"Uh... you needed to see me?"

"Not really. As you know, right now, you'd be having gym. But we got a note from your doctor that you're not allowed to participate until he clears you. So the principal and I thought it would be a good idea to just have you spend the period in here with me."

"What about study hall?"

"Well, you're not allowed to go to study hall anymore. They would see you and just tell you go to class."

"Do I really have to stay here?"

"Why are you complaining? We're giving you a chance to rest and take it easy for one period in your day, and you're rejecting?"

"Sorry... it's just that I get bored really easily, especially around medical supplies. I see it, and I think of waiting rooms, and I just get really bored," Billy says, his mind starting to wander.

"Well, we'll just have to fix that for you, won't we?"

"Uh... how?" Billy asks.

"Well, your doctor gave me a list of exercises that we COULD have you do to see how you're healing. Me, I'd rather you just lay on a cot and sleep for 40 minutes. But it's your choice."

"Oh... uh... ok. I'll lay down and rest."

"Very good. I'll wake you up before the bell rings."

With that, Billy walks over to a dim-lit section of the office where a few cots lay. He lays down on one and closes his eyes. He slowly drifts off into his dream world. 
*****
Billy soon found himself in a familiar place. In space, standing on an invisible platform.

Ok William... what now?

"Ah, so you recognize my home environment."

Yeah yeah... cut to the chase. What's up?

"How should I know, Billy?"

Why did you bring me here, you mother...

"Watch your tongue, Billy," William snaps at Billy.

Sorry. But why did you bring me here if you don't know what's going on?

"I did not bring you here. You came to me."

No I didn't! Did I?

"You did, Billy. Something must be troubling your heart."

Well... now that you mention it... there is one thing...

"I am all ears, Billy."

It's Jen...

"What about Miss Tigre?"

Well, she broke up with me, and then I found a new girl.

"Ah, yes. Miss Sonia Sosserone."

Yeah. Anyway, this morning, Jen pulled me aside and told me "she was taking me back". And then when I told her I found somebody else, she got mad like I did something wrong!

"Ah, yes. You did do something wrong."

What? You too! What the hell did I do wrong then?

"You failed to take into consideration whether or not the young tigress still cared for you."

But she fucking dumped me!

"Yes, but it was only a TRIAL separation. She had intent on taking you back. She just did not want you running around with other girls while you two were still technically a couple."

But I wouldn't have!

"She had no way of knowing that. Besides, I thought you were happy?"

I am. Sonia is the best! But I can't stand to see Jen so upset. I was kinda hoping we could've still been friends.

"Then give it a little time. Time heals all wounds."

Oh god no... not the fortune cookie bullshit...

"You really quite bothersome. If you do not like the advice I have to give, then go see Alex Sosserone. But I can guarantee that his answer are the same as my own."

Sorry...

"That is quite alright. As I was saying, however, you just need to give her a little time. She will be upset at first, but after a little time to let her get her emotions in check, she will be willing to talk and hear you out."

You think so?

"I know so. Now, it is time to wake up. The school bell is about to ring. Remember, you can come see me any time you wish."

I'll keep that in mind. Thank you William.
*****
I can't believe the nerve of that guy. He must think the world revolves around him or something. And I can't wait to meet this "new girl" of his. Probably a slut. It must be that yellow fox from the mall yesterday! I thought I smelled yiff on them. I knew it! He IS dating a slut...

Jen is lost in thought as she hurries through the front doors of St. Lovejoy. She runs toward her first class, hoping to beat the tardy bell.

God, I thought Billy was different too. Guess not. Guess all guys are the same. Only looking for one thing. Oh well, live and learn I guess. Still can't believe he chose to date that slut though. God, she better hope I don't ever see her.

Jen's thoughts are stolen from her as the bell snaps her from her trance. She has made it to her first class, just barely beating the bell. She enters and takes her seat.

I should've figured though. I still can't believe I let myself be fooled into thinking he was a nice guy. Just a show to get what he wants from a girl. I should've listened to my heart when I saw him hugging Edna on that soccer field a couple of weeks ago. If I didn't interrupt it, he probably would've done more with her than just HUG her. Hell, that tape shows what he wanted. He probably payed Geoff to record it for them. Can't believe I got mad at Geoff. I feel bad about that now. Oh well, there are other guys out there. Can't let one jerk get me down.

Jen remains lost in her thoughts until the bell ending this class rings. She gets up and leaves the room, heading for her second class. Along the way, she runs into a familiar fox.

"There you are..." Jen growls as she sees Sonia talking to one of her friends.

"Huh?" Sonia turns around. "Oh... Jen was it? Hi. How're you doing?" Sonia asks the angry tigress with a smile.

"Better now that I found you..." Jen says as she approaches her enemy.

And before anybody knows it, Jen slaps her right across the face, putting some claw into it to leave marks. Sonia backs away after the slap and places her paw to her face. She feels the blood that Jen drew and gets upset.

"What the hell is your problem?"

"You are, slut! You used that filthy cunt of yours to lure Billy away from his love. I don't see how you can sleep at night. I guess a whore's gotta do what a whore's gotta do though."

"Don't call me those things! I am not a slut!" Sonia yells, getting furious at her attacker.

"Oh no... you're not. You only slept with Billy 30 minutes after meeting him. I guess that's not a slut..." Jen says sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"You take that back, bitch," Sonia growls, ready to swing at Jen.

"Make me!" Jen challenges the angry fox.

"You got it!" Sonia barks, and with that, tackles Jen to the ground.

The two start attacking each other furiously. No slaps here, this fight is now going on pure hatred. Sonia throws fists as Jen tries to kick her off her. Sonia gets a few hits in across Jen's face before Jen leans up and sinks her teeth into Sonia's thigh, making her yell out and jump off. Jen then gets up and tackles Sonia to the ground and starts to pummel the fox like she did to her. A couple of students gather around. Some are chanting "fight fight fight" while others are yelling "CAT FIGHT". Sonia manages to get her leg between Jen's thighs and lifts her off with ease, catapulting her into a nearby locker.

"What the hell is your problem, bitch?" Sonia yells while panting to catch her breath.

Jen ignores the question and scrambles back to her feet. She snarls a little and then charges Sonia again. Sonia ducks her charging assaulter and flips her over her shoulder. Jen lands hard onto the floor behind Sonia. And before either one can move to attack again, Geoff, Jerry, and Alex show up and see the carnage.

"Oh god..." Jerry says as he and Geoff rush to hold Jen back. Alex does the same for his sister.

"What's going on here? Why are you two fighting?" Alex asks, trying to calm the situation down.

"Why don't you ask Miss Fucks-a-lot there?" Jen growls.

"FUCK YOU BITCH!!! YOU'RE JUST JEALOUS THAT BILLY FOUND A BETTER GIRL!!! ONE THAT TRULY LOVES HIM!!!" Sonia yells at Jen.

And with that, all of Jen's hatred turns to sorrow. The words penetrate deep into her heart.

"Whatever... I'm going to class..." Jen says with a frown as she slumps out of Jerry and Geoff's grasps and heads away from the fight.

"Maybe we should follow her and see if she's ok?" Geoff asks, truly worried about Jen.

"Nah, let her go. She'll talk when she's ready. Probably at lunch. We need to get to class though before we're late," Jerry tells his beaver friend.

With that, Jerry and Geoff leave the battleground, heading for their respective classes. Alex then looks to his sister and lets her go.

"Will you be alright to head to class?"

"I should be fine. Fucking bitch..."

"Hey, it's over now," Alex informs his sister. "Go to the nurses office. Looks like you took a fair share of abuse."

"I'm fine. I'll just go to class."

"Ok then. See you at lunch?"

"Guaranteed," Sonia says with a smile as she too walks away from the scene of the fight, heading for her next class. Alex soon does the same, and the crowd disperses, leaving the scene devoid of any furs.

*****
Jen quickly walks toward the nurse's office, fearing she's been hurt by her recent encounter.

Fucking bitch... fucking slut... what the fuck does she know? "One that truly loves him"...

Jen's thoughts are now a mixture of hate and sorrow as Sonia's words still ring clear in her head.

I did love him, with all my heart... I guess he didn't feel the same...

A bell snaps Jen out of her thoughts as she reaches the door to the nurse's office. She knocks and enters.

"Hello?" Jen calls out as she walks up to the desk. The room is empty.

I'll just grab a cot.

Jen walks over to the resting area. She notices a curtain has been pulled across the cots. She pulls it aside to see Billy, who's just now waking up from his nap.

"Mmm... god... hopefully William's right..."

"William? Isn't that you?" Jen asks.

Billy jumps up on the cot and looks around to see who asked the questions.

"Oh, Jen... uh... yeah. That's me. Oh, hey... you look terrible. Did you get into a fight?"

"Yeah, some bitch attacked me for no reason. Was able to get her off me before she hurt me too bad. I then came here."

"You ok?"

"I will be once the nurse checks me out. What are you in here for? Get into another scrap with Rodriguez?"

"Nah, I was told to come here over the PA system by the principal. You didn't hear it?"

"Guess not. Probably happened during my fight," Jen tells Billy with a sigh.

"Oh, well... yeah... until my ribs heal, I have to come here every day and rest. The school doesn't want me going to gym class and hurting myself more."

"Jeez, you're lucky! The first few weeks, the school was afraid you would get hurt or you would hurt somebody in gym, so they didn't schedule it for you. Now that you have it scheduled, you're not allowed to go due to broken ribs. Must be nice to not have to deal with Drill Sergeant Lucy," Jen says with a giggle.

"I don't think she's all that bad."

"Uh... Billy... are you feeling ok?" Jen asks skeptically.

"I'm fine. I don't think she's all that bad. You know, the people who push others away most are the ones who are in need of a shoulder to cry on the most. I think she's just being as mean as you guys make her out to be because she doesn't want anybody to get close to knowing she needs a friend."

"Jeez... Billy... you can't read into that one too much. I know you're usually right about people, but I think you've hit a foul ball here."

"That may be, but I'm not convinced that she's as mean as she makes herself out to be when she's alone," Billy informs his tigress ex-girlfriend.

"Billy, you really do think to kindly about some people."

"Well, maybe you're right," Billy says with a chuckle. "I just like to try and see the good in people."

"Superman couldn't see the good in Lucy," Jen replies with a laugh.

"Maybe."

"So, you gonna head to class?"

"Gotta. It's now 3rd period. My free-loafing time is now over."

"Oh... ok. I'll be here, getting checked out by the nurse."

"Have fun."

"Meh..."

Billy and Jen both then laugh as Billy gets off his cot. He then waves "bye" to his ex and leaves the nurse's office.

Jeez, she's taking this well. Looks like we can be friends after all.

Billy then smiles as he heads to his 3rd period class. 
*****
Chapter 19 
Jen leaves the nurses office after a couple of periods of examination.

No serious damage. That's good. But now I'll have this black eye the rest of the day. I hate her...

Jen heads for the cafeteria after remembering she now has lunch.

At least the Meatloaf Surprise will cheer me up.

Jen sighs a little as she passes some other furs who start to whisper to each other.

That's just great. I'm probably talk of the school now. I'm the girl who got dumped by Pouncefield's Most Infamous and then attacked his new girl.

Jen quickly shakes those thoughts from her head.

Why should I care? It's not like I'm a bad person, right?

Jen then shakes those thoughts from her head. She then sees Jerry in line for lunch. The upset tigress walks up to him.

"Hey Jerry," Jen greets the squirrel with a sigh.

"Huh? Oh, Jen. Hi. You ok?"

"Not really. I'm probably the talk of the school now, huh?"

"Not really. Nobody really cares," Jerry informs her.

"Well, Billy will when he gets word of it."

"Then talk to him about it."

"I tried to, but then I started lying to him, trying to make it sound like it wasn't my fault. I just don't want to lose him as a friend..."

"Then go tell him the truth," Jerry says to the distraught tigress.

"But he'll get mad and then we won't be friends... and I still love him... I don't want to completely lose him..." Jen replies, shedding a few tears.

Jerry then brushes through Jen's fur, trying to comfort her.

"Everything will be alright. I know it will," Jerry tells Jen with a smile.

"I guess... I just don't know what to do though..."

"Like I said, talk to him and tell him the truth. Sure, he'll be upset for a while, but he'll cool down."

"I really hope so," Jen says with a sigh.

"Just have faith," Jerry smiles as he grabs a tray of food.

"I'll try. Thanks Jerry. You're a true friend. Always there when I need you," Jen smiles at Jerry as she also grabs a tray of food.

"Any time, Jen. That's what friends are for."
*****
Billy walks down the halls, glad that it's finally lunch time.

Man... what a day. I get into an argument with Jen, and then she winds up getting beat up. It's a good thing we made up in the nurse's office. She probably couldn't survive the week if she didn't have me to talk to about it. Well, that's what friends are for, right?
Billy ceases his train of thought when he sees Sonia walking down the hall, slightly marked up from her fight with Jen. He rushes to her.

"Sonia! What happened?" Billy asks when he reaches his girlfriend.

"Grr... your... psycho... ex-girlfriend attacked me for no reason today after first period."

"Wait, Jen attacked you? She told me that she was attacked!"

"Well, she's lying. You can ask almost anybody in this school. Plenty of people saw it. She just walked up to me and slapped me. She even put some claw into it," Sonia informs Billy as she points to the claw marks on her cheek.

"She did THAT?!?"

"Yeah. I don't know why she did it either. I did nothing but be nice to the girl, and she goes and does this."

Probably bitter that I hooked up with Sonia after she dumped me. Still, she should've known this would've happened.

"Anyway, I don't want to badmouth her. It happened and there's no changing that now. All we can do is move on and deal with it when the time comes, right?"

"Uh... yeah... right."

"Something wrong?"

"I just... I can't believe she would attack you and lie to me about it. I'm gonna have to chew her out at swim practice today."

"You're going to practice? I thought your ribs were still hurt?" Sonia asks her platypus boyfriend.

"Yeah, I'm still broken up, but I have to go to practice to stay on the team. Besides, they could use me for moral support, especially since I skipped practice a few days ago."

"Yeah, it's always nice to have friends nearby when you're working hard," Sonia says with a smile.

"Yeah, it is. Hey, we better get going to lunch before all the good food is taken and we're left with 'Meatloaf Surprise'," Billy says with a slight shudder and then a chuckle.

"God knows what the 'surprise' in that dish is. Probably rat brains or something," Sonia replies with a giggle.

"As long as I don't know what they use for the 'secret sauce', I'm all good." Billy laughs some more.

"I could go for some 'secret sauce' right now," Sonia replies with a grin.

"What, now?!?"

"Yeah! Come on... I could use it after the fight."

"Can I give you a rain-check?"

"Aw... why?"

"Because I'm hungry and want to eat some lunch."

"Jeez... you're probably the only guy in Pouncefield who can turn down yiff," Sonia says with a giggle.

"Hey, you should be glad I'm thinking with the right head!" Billy replies with his own chuckle.

"It's nice, but the other one is nice too. You should let that one think for you sometimes."

"Like I said, maybe later."

"Aw... okay..." Sonia says with a slight pout. She then giggles and smiles.

"I knew you'd understand," Billy says with a smile and a kiss on his fox's cheek.

He then grabs her paw and then continues to head for the lunch room, both of them happy to be with one another.
*****
Jen and Jerry both finish their lunches as they see Billy and Sonia enter the cafeteria.

"Now would be a good time to go talk to him," Jerry suggests to the tigress.

"I don't know... he's with Sonia. Things will just spiral out of control. I think I better wait until he's alone so that Sonia and I don't start fighting," Jen says to Jerry.

"Don't worry. I'll be there for support if you need it."

"Really? Thanks. Well... here goes nothing."

With that, Jen and Jerry both get up from their table and head for Billy and Sonia.

"Hey Jerry. Hey Jen. What's up?" Billy asks them as they approach.

"Oh... uh... nothing..." Jen replies hesitantly.

"That's good, I guess."

"So... uh... Billy..."

"Yes?"

"I don't know how to say this..."

"You're really an alien that has come here to take over the world? I already knew that," Billy says with a hearty laugh.

"No... I... remember that fight I got into?"

"Oh, the one you started with Sonia?"

"Oh... you know?" Jen asks as she lowers her head and looks to the ground.

"Yeah, Sonia told me everything. I just want to know is why? I thought you'd be happy. You should be."

"I just can't be happy. She took my boyfriend from me, and you run off with her. You didn't even think once about me."

"You broke up with me! What else was I supposed to do? Just sit there and hope you take me back?"

"I said trial separation! You don't listen to anything I say, do you? I still loved you. I just figured you'd want a break so you can have some fun."

"You should know me better than that by now."

"Well, we all make mistakes. I just... I never thought you were going to find somebody that fast... and actually not listen to me say 'trial'," Jen says with a depressed sigh.

"Like I said, I thought we were done for good. What else was I supposed to do? And you should be happy I found Sonia. We love each other. Plus she's very sweet."

"I just can't be happy for the two of you. Especially since I still want you back, Billy. I should be happy I lost you?"

"Doesn't look like it hurts too much. You already found somebody else," Billy says as he looks to Jerry.

"Whoa Billy... no... we're just friends..." Jerry replies with a slight tremble in his voice.

"Well, I'm sorry... but I'm with Sonia now, and she makes me happy. I hope you two can learn to like each other," Billy says as he takes Sonia's paw and walks past them.

Tears then flow from Jen's eyes to the bottom of her cheeks. Jerry quickly grabs her and helps her to the girls restroom to let it all out.
*****
Ten minutes pass before Jen finally comes out of the restroom.

"You ok?" Jerry asks the distraught tigress.

"I'll be fine. It just... it hurts to know he doesn't love me anymore when I still love him so much..."

"I... I'm sorry... I know I usually have the answer to help you with your problems... but I just don't this time. I wish there was something I could do to help."

"You can't... it's not like you can wave a magic wand and make everything better," Jen says with a sigh.

"Trust me. If I could, I would. All I can do is to tell you to stay strong. These things usually work themselves out," the optimistic squirrel says with a smile.

"Yeah, I guess you're right..."

"Well, hey, we should get going. The bell's about to ring. What's your next class? I'll walk you there."

"I've got Math in room 201."

"Ok. Let's go."

And with that, Jerry wraps his arm around Jen and walks alongside her toward her next class. Meanwhile, in the cafeteria, the new fox and platypus couple talk while eating their lunches.

"You know, I feel sorry for Jen. I mean, yeah... she's been a total bitch about you and me... but... I can understand why she's been one. I know if I lost you, I'd be upset like she is too," Sonia tells her boyfriend.

"Yeah... but she should be happy. I found somebody who loves me as much as I love, who trusts me, and is very kind."

"Ok... stop right there. You need to see this from her point of view. Would you be happy if I left you for some other guy?"

"I guess not. I guess I'd be pretty torn up too," Billy admits with a sigh. "I'm just glad I don't have to worry about that. But yeah... now that I think about it... I guess losing the love of your life would be pretty devastating."

"Which is why I feel sorry for her. She's going through a rough time... and it's probably killing her to see you happy with me. I mean, I don't feel bad we're together. I love you with all my heart. But I do feel bad that she's going through so much pain right now."

"So... what? I should stop being happy with you to make her happy?"

"I never said that. I'm just saying that I feel bad."

"I don't," Billy informs his fox lover. "She took a separation from me, trial or otherwise, because she thought I would be untrue! She obviously never trusted me, which means she never really loved me..."

"Love is different for everybody. What one person considers love, another may not. Sure, she didn't trust you... but that's probably because she was afraid of losing you. She probably never wanted to. And if you don't consider not wanting to lose somebody you're with love, I don't know what is," Sonia replies.

"Yeah, I never looked at it like that. But she should've known better than that. She should've known that I would never leave her, and she should've trusted me."

"Did you ever tell her that?"

"I... I guess not..." Billy admits with a sigh.

"So there you go... it's miscommunication. She didn't tell you that she was afraid of losing you, and you never told her she didn't have to worry."

"I feel bad now... I wish there was something I could do to make her feel better or to say 'I'm sorry'."

"Give it time. It'll come to you. For now, just give her her space. She needs it. She needs to figure things out for herself first before she can heal."

"I guess you're right."

"I am right. Now, hurry up and finish your lunch. The bell's about to ring."

"Yes mom," Billy says with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.

Sonia giggles at Billy's joke, and they finish the rest of their lunches. They put their dirty trays on a conveyor belt that takes them to be washed, and they leave the cafeteria. They walk to the lockers before parting ways with a kiss. As they go on their separate ways, the bell ending lunch rings.

I've gotta make it up to her somehow... but how?
*****
Chapter 20 
Billy walks the halls of SLJ, wondering how he's going to make it up to Jen for hurting her.

Hmm... maybe if I find her a new guy? No... that won't work. Maybe some gifts? Nah... I don't want to buy her forgiveness. Oh! I know! I'll try to spend more time with her as a friend. Show her I have no hard feelings toward her and didn't want to hurt her.

Billy's thoughts are cut short when he bumps into a fur in the hall. He looks upon who he brushed against and sees a familiar face.

"Well, haven't seen you in a while," Billy tells the fur.

"Hmph... what do you want? Another beating?"

"No Rod... just thinking about stuff."

"About what it's like to be a freak?" Rod asks with a hearty laugh.

"You know... you call me a freak, but I gotta say... I don't see too many 6 foot tall kids around school. Are you sure you're not just projecting on me?"

"Pro-what-ing?"

"Projecting. When you take your feelings and try to place them on somebody else to make them look or feel bad."

"Hmph... what do you know?"

"I know that you and I are outcasts. Let's face it, you and I... we don't exactly fit in."

"Yeah... you can tell that to these snot-nosed whelps when they used to call me names like 'The Mean Green Giant' and 'Godzilla' when we were younger..." Rodriguez says with a snarl.

"I know how that feels. You think I don't get names because of this bill and these webbed paws? You gotta learn to let it go."

"What do you know? You don't know how it hurt to be picked on by cubs I THOUGHT were my friends when I hit a sudden growth spurt..."

"No, but I know what it's like to be picked on for how you look. Look at me! I'm pretty much a walking punchline when it comes to jokes about how one looks."

"Yeah, you're right there."

"But I don't let it get to me because it's just words. If they can't see me for who I really am, then fuck them. They don't deserve my friendship."

"Friends are overrated. I look out for numero uno, and I do just fine," Rod replies while flexing his muscles a little.

"You're telling me you don't ever get tired of not being able to hang out with friends because you don't have any?"

"I have friends..."

"How many?"

"Lots!"

"HOW MANY!?!?"

"Alright! Jeez... I only have one friend..."

"See... and you're telling me that doesn't get lonely?"

"Not at all. I don't need them."

"Everybody needs a friend," Billy informs the croc. "Friends are great. They give you company, help you out in a jam, help pass the time, are willing to listen when you need to talk..."

"Ok Dr. Phil... get off my case..."

"How about this..."

Billy then extends his paw to Rodriguez.

"Let's start over. You and I didn't really start on good terms, and I can see there IS some good in you. It's just buried by a lot of pain. What do you say? Friends?"

"Hmm... alright... if it'll get you off my back any quicker, sure..." Rodriguez says with a snarl.

"That's a start. Put 'er there..."

Rodriguez then grabs Billy's paw and squeezes it tight while he shakes it, trying to break the bones.

"See, that's not so bad," Billy says as the two stop shaking paws. He shakes his in the air a few times to work out the slight pain that Rodriguez gave him. "You know... with your strength, you should try out for a competitive sport, like football or wrestling."

"Hmm... you know... that's not a bad idea. I get to beat people up, and I don't get in trouble because it's a sport... you know... that's the first good thing I've heard from you in a while, freak."

Billy sighs at being called a freak by the crocodile. "Yeah. I'm full of them. If you and me hang out more, you might hear more of them. Hell, with you hanging out with me, you might even get laid more because of that stupid tape."

"Yeah, I love that tape!"

"You watched it?"

"Watched it? Hell... you're looking at half the reason it's as popular as it is. I'm responsible for getting that thing on the playground. Had to knock a pesky beaver around to get my hands on it, but it was worth it. That tape made me rich!"

"Kids actually bought that off you?" Billy asks sceptically.

"Hell no! I don't want nothing to do with these assholes. I had my friend, the one I told you about, set up shop. I gave him half the profits for it."

"See, you're not so bad with plans yourself. Just wish you had come to me first... that tape's given me a nasty reputation now..."

"Hell, like I gave a shit. I was making money. That's all that mattered."

"I can see I have a lot of work on my hands," Billy says with a sigh.

"Yeah, so give up now!"

"Nah, I like a challenge," Billy says with a chuckle, making Rodriguez snarl and growl a little.

"You little..."

Before he can finish his sentence, the bell starting the next class rings.

"Shit... you're lucky. Saved by the bell," Rod says as he walks away from the platypus in a hurry.

Great... I'm late to class. Oh well, at least I managed to do some good. Speaking of doing good... I still need to figure out what to do for Jen. I still think spending time with her would be best...

Billy, like his new "friend", heads off for his next class.
*****
The rest of the school day drags on for Billy as his thoughts race back to Jen any time he has a second to think.

Jeez... how am I gonna make it up to her? I can't believe I hurt her. I hope she's doing alright.

The final bell rings, bringing Billy's long school day to a close. He walks to his locker, opens it up, and puts his books and other school accessories inside, making sure to grab is book-bag and any homework that needs to be done by tomorrow. He closes the door and walks through the crowd of anxious cubs, all of which are in a rush to get out the front doors and on their way home. Billy, however, is not headed home. He is heading for the one place he knows his striped ex-girlfriend will be.

Well... I still haven't figured out what I'm gonna do to make it up to her...

Billy walks through the doors to the school swimming pool. He is greeted immediately by Geoff.

"Hey Geoff..."

"Fuck you!"

"Nice," Billy says with a sigh.

"You hurt Jen! You should be ashamed of yourself! She should never be hurt by anybody, including the likes of you! Where the hell do you get off? What, she wasn't good enough for you? Or are you just that big a prick?"

"You know what, that's really a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Wasn't it you that tried to break her and I up? Don't you think that hurt her, to have to watch that? I'm surprised she's forgiven you for that yet."

"Well... she hasn't... but she will!"

"And why should she?" Billy asks the beaver. "Why should she forgive you for trying to ruin her life? Why should she forgive you for setting me up to take a fall? Why should she forgive you using two innocent people to fulfill your own selfish agendas? Why?"

"Alright, get off my fucking back, freak. I'll admit I'm no saint, but at least I don't try to be something I'm not! I know I'm not the most popular guy in school, or the most liked, but I don't pull shit or bullshit. But you..."

"Yeah? What about me?"

"You fight while claiming not to enjoy it, you eagerly cheated on a girl who loved you to death, and then you broke her heart when she wanted you to simply have a little fun and get it out of your system! I may be no saint, but at least I don't try to act like one and then stab everybody in the back when they're not looking!"

"I haven't stabbed anybody in the back! She said she wanted a separation! How was I to know she was gonna take me back?"

"It's called love, freak. If you loved her, you shouldn't have run off with the first slut that came your way!"

"You take that back about Sonia!"

"No! I won't!"

"YOU TAKE THAT BACK NOW! SHE'S NOT LIKE THAT!!!"

"She must be if she'll fuck a guy like you the first time she meets you!"

"NO SHE'S NOT! TAKE IT BACK NOW!" Billy yells in an angry rage at his beaver enemy.

"No! She's a fucking slut!"

With no more words said, Billy charges Geoff and tackles him into the pool. Geoff surfaces shortly after he breaks free of Billy. Billy, meanwhile, starts to swim down near the bottom of the pool, ready to strike Geoff with all his might. Billy stops swimming right below Geoff, down under him ten feet. Billy starts to twist and turn his body, spinning it under water. The movement causes his body to slowly start to rise through the water. Geoff looks around for any trace of the enraged platypus, but doesn't think to check under the water. Billy spins his body faster and faster, starting to rise through the water quicker and quicker. Before long, Billy gets his body spinning fast enough to cut through the water as if he were flying through the air. Geoff decides to look in the water to try and find Billy. His eyes meet Billy's for a split second before Billy's momentum forces his head up into Geoff's head. Billy flies up out of the water two feet before gravity pulls him back down. Geoff flies back a foot and starts to float on the water on his back, having lost consciousness from the attack. Billy slowly edges his way toward the defenseless beaver when Jen, Amber, and Jerry rush out, shaken from the noise of yelling and splashing. Amber and Jerry run and dive into the pool and quickly swim up to Billy, holding him back from his target. Jen, however, remains frozen in horror, wondering both if Geoff is ok and how Billy could do something so horrid. Jerry and Amber manage to pull the angry platypus to the edge of the pool, where they try to calm him down and get him back to his senses.

"Billy! Come on! Don't do this!"

"Yeah! Come on! You're better than this!"

Before long, his friends' voices cut through the hate and rage. He shakes his head and comes back to his senses.

"Huh... Jerry? Amber? Where am I?"

"You're at the pool," Jerry starts to explain to him now calm friend. "I don't know what happened. We heard shouting and splashing! And when we got out here, Geoff is like that," the squirrel says as he points to his fallen teammate, "and you were getting ready to strike him! Now, Geoff IS a big time dick... but enough is enough!"

"I just... he started to insult Sonia... and then... all I wanted was to shut him up. He was wrong... and he had no right to talk about her like that..."

"You should've just let it go," Amber chimes in. "He's a dick, and we all know it. He probably was saying whatever it took to get you angry, and it worked. He made you sink to a level you should have never gone to," the snow white fox says with a sigh.

"I know... I just... I couldn't help it..."

"Amber, go check on him. JEN?"

"Uh... yeah?" the terrified tigress replies.

"Go get the nurse! I have a feeling Geoff's hurt bad."

"Right."

With that, the once frozen Jen quickly runs from her position, heading for the nurse's office. Amber swims to Geoff and pulls him to the side of the pool before he drowns.

"Look, I don't know what happened, but it's probably best if you're not here if he wakes up or when the nurse gets here. You've been getting into a lot of fights since you moved here, and this one may be the straw that broke the camel's back. If anybody asks, we'll say Geoff bumped his head off a diving board."

"Thanks. I just... I'm sorry..." Billy replies with a sigh.

"We know you are! Now go!"

With that, Jerry releases the platypus, who quickly gets out of the pool and leaves the building, quickly dashing for his house. Only one thought races through his mind as he races home.

Jen'll never forgive me now.
*****
Billy wakes up the next morning at his routine time. All day yesterday he couldn't stop replaying the incident at the pool in his head over and over. It is also the first thing he thinks of as he wakes up.

God, Jerry and Amber are right. He's a dick, but I did go a little extreme on him. I know that I at least had to have given him a concussion, which means he's out the rest of the season, if not for good. I know I was speeding through that water like a bullet when I hit him. I'm surprised I didn't feel any side effects of that impact. That was skull versus skull. Maybe I should visit the nurse today and check myself out. Nah, then the nurse'll put two and two together and figure out Geoff and I got into a fight. And I've already gotten into enough fights as it is. I don't know what to do. All I know is that Jen'll never forgive me now.

Billy gets dressed in the St. Lovejoy uniform and rushes out the front door. He runs down the street to the bus stop where Edward and Edna are, as always, waiting. Jen's presence is missing from the location.

"Hey Edward... hey Edna... how're you guys?" Billy says while huffing and puffing for air, trying to catch his breath.

"Not bad. Jeez, what did you do, run here?" Edward replies to the platypus's greeting.

"Yeah. I need... to be... with friends right now..."

"Why? Something wrong?" Edna asks as she joins the conversation.

Billy takes a few moments to catch his breath before he continues.

"I got into a fight with Geoff yesterday."

"Are you ok?" the elder fox cub asks Billy.

"Yeah, I'm ok. But Geoff isn't. It was pretty much a two hit fight. I hit him and he hit the ground, if we were actually fighting on ground."

"Um... what?" Edna asks, confused by Billy's words.

"Ok, I went to the pool yesterday to try and make up with Jen..."

"Ok," both fox cubs reply, listening to Billy's tale.

"Well, when I got there, the first fur to greet me was Geoff. He started yelling at me for hurting Jen, and then he insulted Sonia by calling her a slut! As soon as he did, all I saw was red. I asked him a few times not to call her that and to take it back, but he was angry with me because I hurt the girl he has a crush on, so he wanted to hurt me. He did, and all I felt was rage, so I wanted to hurt him back. And I did big time."

"So what, you cleaned his clock with your barbs?" Edward asks Billy.

"Let me finish my story. No, my barbs weren't involved in this fight. I tackled him and we both fell into the pool..."

"That's not the place to be fighting a guy who can swim thousands of meters in a matter of seconds," Edna says, cutting Billy off.

"Well, no. Anyway, he and I found ourselves in the pool. He swam to the surface, where as I kept swimming down on the bottom of the pool, looking for my chance to strike. I wound up underneath him at one point, and that's where I put my aqua-dynamic knowledge to use. I started spinning my body around in the water, trying to turn myself into a bullet, so to speak."

"Sounds reasonable. The spinning causes an aqua-dynamic field around the object," Edward chimes in.

"Exactly. All it was was a matter of spinning fast enough. I got to that point, and he looked down at me. At that moment, I let go, and I sped through the water and practically through his head. We made contact, I sent him flying, and I didn't feel a thing."

"Adrenaline. Your anger on top of being very athletically involved in that water produced a lot of adrenaline and sent it to your brain. And we all know adrenaline has some nice effects. It makes you stronger, it takes pain away, it gives you energy..." Edward begins.

"Ok Poindexter. Now's not the time for a science lecture. Anyway, I knock him out, and the next thing I know, Jerry and Amber are holding me back, and Jen just stands to the side terrified. I can't really remember much of what happened next, all I remember was Jerry told me to go home, so I got outta there. But I'm afraid I just killed the swim season for the team. Geoff HAD to suffer a concussion from that blow, which'll take him out of the season, if not ruin his swimming career."

"Ouch. Remind me never to fight you," Edward replies to the platypus's finished tale. "Every time you fight somebody, you seriously hurt them. First, you put Rod in the hospital for a week with your venom, now it's Geoff with a concussion... what's next? You gonna strangle Lucy with gym supplies?" Edward says with a laugh.

"It's not funny! You think I like hurting people? You think I like ruining lives or even possibly ending them?"

"Well... uh... no..." Edward replies, feeling bad about his joke.

"You better believe I don't! I don't like hurting people, I don't like getting into fights..."

"Well, you sure do have a strange way of showing that," a voice remarks to Billy.

Billy turns around to see who the voice is.

"Oh, hey Jen..." Billy says, greeting the voice. "How's Geoff doing?"

"He's in bad shape. You gave him a very serious concussion. You're lucky Jerry is a good friend to you. The nurse kept trying to find out what happened to him, and Jerry refused to tell her you did it. As far as she's concerned, it was an accident."

"I'm sorry about..." Billy starts to reply.

"Zip it! You know, you've been apologizing a lot recently, but I don't really think you mean it."

"Of course I do!"

"If you did, then you'd stop putting yourself in situations where you'd have to keep apologizing."

"You know life doesn't work that way!" Billy defends himself.

"Yes it does. If you're sorry, you'd stop doing things that you'd have to BE sorry for. Like you're sorry for running off on me with the first girl that spreads her legs to you, right?"

"Don't talk about Sonia that way..." Billy warns the tigress in an upset tone.

"You're sorry, right!?!?"

"Yeah, I am. I didn't..."

"So how do you show you're sorry? You cost me, Jerry, Amber, and Geoff a shot at championships by taking Geoff out of action?!?" Jen replies, cutting Billy off.

"Hey, he started..."

"I don't care who started that fight! You made sure to end it, didn't you? And ended it you did. Which begs to question... what if it had been me that was yelling at you? Would you have done the same to me?"

"Of course not!"

"You say that now, but how can I trust that you really wouldn't? Geoff was just an innocent bystander in our fight, and look what you did to him."

"He's anything but innocent," Billy quickly replies to Jen.

"He still wasn't a part of our fight. Sure, he took my beliefs, but he was still an innocent bystander. And what did you do to him? You give him a concussion. So, like I was saying, what if it had been me? I'm not sure what you would've done!"

"I wouldn't have..."

"Don't you dare say that! I can't trust you! I don't know who you are anymore! You're not the sweet caring guy I fell in love with anymore. You're starting fights, you're hurting furs, you're sleeping around! I don't know who you are anymore! And I don't know if I want to know the new you. So just stay away from me, ok? Edward, Edna, I'll see you two at school. I'm gonna walk today."

"But Jen...!" Billy tries to plea with the upset tigress, to no avail.

As soon as Jen finishes talking to Billy, she turns in the direction of the school and walks away. Billy stands at the bus stop at a loss of words. There is only one thing he can manage to even think while he's standing there.

What if... what if she's right about me?
*****
The bus pulls up to the stop, and the fox siblings get on first as usual. Billy remains frozen in his place however, still shaken from her words.

"I don't know who you are anymore! Starting fights, hurting furs, sleeping around! I don't know if I want to know the new you. Just stay away from me." I just... she's right... Geoff was right... I'm not the same guy that came into this school.

Billy's thoughts are cut short when Carlos honks the bus's horn.

"Hey, you getting on or what? We need to go!"

"Oh, uh... yeah. Sorry."

Billy then manages to make his way onto the bus. It's not long afterwards that he is pounced by his girlfriend, Sonia.

"Oomph... oh, hi Sonia," Billy says once he makes contact with the floor.

"Hey honey! I missed you!" Sonia says back excitedly, her tail swishing around behind her.

"I missed you too, but you gotta go easy on me," Billy tells the yellow-furred fox with a half smile. "I'm still hurt."

"Oh, I'm sorry! I forgot. I was just so excited to see you..." Sonia replies as she gets off her platypus boyfriend.

"Don't worry about it. I'll be ok," Billy says as he gets up and dusts himself off.

He then smiles as he takes her paw in his and walks to the back of the bus with her. Billy lets go of Sonia's paw when they get to their desired seat and she slides in first.

"Oh, such a gentleman," Sonia says with a giggle.

"I try to be," Billy replies with a smile.

Billy then slides in next to her and leans his head back onto the back of the seat. He closes his eyes and starts to think a little more.

How am I gonna fix this mess? Jen thinks I'm a monster, Geoff's hurt, and...

Billy's thoughts are once again cut, but not by a sound this time. He shakes his head and opens his eyes. When he opens them, he finds that his girlfriend has unzipped his pants and taken his manhood into her paw and is starting to stroke and lick it.

"Um... Sonia..."

"Hmmm?" Sonia asks as she continues to play with her boyfriend.

"Um... could you please not do that right now?"

"Hmm? Why not?"

"I got a lot on my mind, and I'm really not in the mood to..."

"Well, don't worry. After a little attention, you'll be in the mood," Sonia says as she cuts Billy off with a grin.

"Sonia, I'm serious. I really don't want to right now."

Sonia frowns and lets go of her boyfriend's member.

"Oh, alright... we just haven't done anything since the other day at the mall..."

"Don't worry, dear. I'll make it up to you. I'll swing by your place after school and we can have all the fun you want."

"Really?"

"Really."

"You're gonna regret that promise then," Sonia informs Billy with a giggle.

"Oh, I don't know... there's all kinds of benefits from being milked dry."

"Like what?"

"Dying happy," Billy replies with a laugh.

"Oh, trust me, you won't be dying. But you WILL be seeing heaven," Sonia says with a wink.

"I'm already there. Got an angel right next to me," Billy responds with a smile, causing Sonia to blush.

"Aww... you're too sweet."

"I try to be for you. I love you so much."

"And I love you too," Sonia says with a smile as she closes her eyes and starts to rub her cheek against his.

Billy blushes a small bit as she does this, but is comfortable. He closes his eyes and rubs back, wrapping an arm around her and holding her close.

"Hey! Check out the love birds!" Pokeinfo yells from a few seats in front of them.

"We're not birds. I'm a platypus, and she's a fox. But you are right. We are in love," Billy yells back at his lion friend with a chuckle.

"Yeah, well, don't get to cozy. The school's around the corner."

"You'll do anything to try and ruin our moment, huh Poke?" Billy asks in an upset tone.

"Sorry," Poke says with a sigh.

"It's alright. You can't help it. It's what you do best. We could start calling you 'Captain Cock-block' now though," Billy responds with a laugh.

"Hey, you can't be a cock-block if the guy doesn't want to get laid," Poke replies with his own hearty laugh.

"Yes you can. Because you see Cynthia? She doesn't look to happy right now. I think you wound up cock-blocking yourself."

"Oh, trust me, he's used to it by now," Cynthia tells the platypus.

The entire bus starts laughing aside from the now embarrassed lion.

"Yeah yeah... alright, so I guess I am a bit of a cock-block. I'll work on that. But seriously, we're here at school now... so..."

The students on the bus start to groan as they pile off the bus and head into the building. Billy and Sonia are the last ones off. They stand still for a moment once off the bus, still outside the building.

"Well, we won't see each other until lunch, huh?" Billy says to his fox lover.

"Probably not. Oh well, at least we'll have lunch and recess together," Sonia replies with a smile.

"And then the whole day after school."

"What about your swim practice?"

"Gonna skip it. One day without me as a cheerleader won't kill them."

"Cool. I'll meet you after school and we can walk to my place."

"Sounds like a plan. Well, have a good day."

"You too," Sonia replies with a smile.

"I love you so much, with all my heart."

"And I love you too, with everything I am."

The two lovers then kiss each other, their lips pressed against one another. They wrap their arms around one another and close their eyes, both of them not caring what's going on around them. For that moment, all there is is the two of them being with one another. The moment is cut short when a teacher's paw is placed on Billy's shoulder.

"Come on you two. Get to class," the teacher says as he then enters the building.

Billy and Sonia sigh happily and let go of each other. They enter the building and then go on their seperate ways. 
*****
Chapter 21
Billy heads for his first period class after parting ways with his girlfriend, when an announcement can be heard over the P.A. system.

"You're attention please! Billy Plats, please report to the office. Billy plats, to the office please. Thank you."

Great, what now?

Billy turns around and walks down the halls, heading back to the office. He passes a few cubs who just grin at him.

"Oooh, somebody's in trouble!" one cub says.

Great, they must've found out I was the one who hurt Geoff.

After a few moments of silent walking, Billy finds himself in front of the door to the main office. He enters and approaches the secretary.

"I'm here," Billy says nervously.

"Oh, Mr. Plats. Your schedule's been changed. We wanted to give you your new one."

"Huh?"

"Well, apparently, somebody made a call to your doctor and asked if you were cleared for gym class. You're not cleared for too much in the way of contact athletics, but your doctor cleared you for non-contact things like running. As of today, you'll be reporting to gym class during your third period."

"Why period three though? My gym class is during period two."

"Well, that's a mistake on my part. I never actually thought you'd be taking gym this year, so I just put you in period two. But in the time that it took the school to put you in gym and for you to be cleared by your doctor, we filled the last spots in the period two gym class. You'll still report to math class first, but instead of going to gym in your second period and English in your third, you'll now be going to English in your second period and gym in your third."

"Oh, ok. Anything else?"

"That's all, Mr. Plats. You may return to class."

Billy then takes a print-out of his new schedule from the secretary and leaves the office, where he bumps into Pokeinfo.

"Hey Billy," the lion cub greets the platypus.

"Hey Poke. What're you doing here?"

"I practically live here. I'm always getting in trouble for one of the pranks I play. Today, it was worms in the teachers desk. And I mean a whole mess of them."

"Bet that scared the hell outta him," Billy says with a hearty laugh as he and Poke start walking away from the office.

"Oh it did. He was screaming bloody murder!" Poke replies with his own laugh. "So, what brings you to the office? Did you get in trouble for knocking Rod out again?"

"Actually, I'm trying to make a friend of Rodriguez. He's a tough nut to crack, but I got him to open up a little the other day."

"You? Friends with Rodriguez? Man, I wish you a lot of luck. He's not gonna be easy. But if you can make a friend of him, that's gonna make school all that much easier."

"That's what I'm hoping. Besides, he's not that bad a guy. Just misunderstood."

"If you say so," Poke says skeptically. "So, what ARE you here for then?"

"I was told I have to go to gym class now, and I no longer have it during period two."

"Gym, huh? You met the gym teacher or her aide?"

"I met Lucy once. She's an interesting character."

"She's a bitch..."

"Nah, I'd like to think of her as misunderstood as well," Billy informs Pokeinfo.

"You think everybody is misunderstood, don't you?"

"No, but Rod and Lucy both seem like tortured souls. They're both lonely or hurt, and they don't know how to deal with it aside from just being nasty to others."

"Jeez... you just try to find the best in everybody, don't you?"

"It's a flaw of mine, I know," Billy says with a chuckle.

"Well, Lucy's just the icing on the cake. Your main problem is Mrs. Trousers."

"The teacher? What's wrong with her?"

"She does a lot of things that make a lot of us uncomfortable. She's chaos incarnate."

"She can't be that bad. She's just a teacher."

"Oh, trust me, she is."

"How so?"

"Well, she..."

The bell then rings, cutting Pokeinfo off.

"Shit... gotta go to gym. Well, take care..."

"See ya later."

Billy and Poke then part ways as Billy heads to his second class. English flies by for him as he continues to think and worry about Pokeinfo's warning.

There's no way she can be that bad. She's a teacher.

Billy then heads for his third period class. As he enters, he sees the teacher and the teacher's aide. The teacher looks to Billy and grins.

So, this is the infamous Billy Plats I've heard so much about. Time to have a little fun with him.

So, this is the infamous Mrs. Trousers I've heard so much about. She doesn't look that bad.

Billy ignores the two for now as he heads into the dressing room. He doesn't recognize anybody aside from one fur.

"Hey Jerry. Didn't know you were in this class."

"I wish I wasn't man. Gym SHOULD be fun... but it's a nightmare."

"That's what Pokeinfo was saying. I don't see how it can be that bad."

Just then, Lucy walked in and walked up to Billy.

"Hmhm... looks like you've finally made it, Plats. Your ass is mine today."

"Why do you want my ass so badly?" Billy says with a chuckle.

Just then, everybody's jaws drop as Lucy's face turns a shade of red.

"You'll regret that, Plats!" the upset chipmunk yells at Billy.

"Looking forward to it babe," Billy says with another chuckle.

Lucy's eyes grow wide as a snarl forms on her face. Instead of retorting to the platypus, she storms out of the room. Everybody's attention turns from Lucy to Billy.

"What?"

"Dude, you just signed your death warrant," Jerry warns Billy.

"I'm looking forward to it."

"Why are you looking forward to it? Are you alright in the head?"

"Nah, I just know it's not gonna be as bad as everybody keeps making it out to be."

"Don't say I didn't warn you..."

Billy opens a locker and grabs a shirt and some shorts. He changes out of his uniform and into the gym clothes, and walks out to the gym. He then walks up to Mrs. Trousers and Lucy.

"Billy Plats, reporting for gym class."

Mrs. Trousers looks him over.

"So you're Billy Plats? Lucy's told me about you. She says you're a wise-ass."

"I'm not that wise, ma'am," Billy says with a chuckle.

"You'll hold your tongue around me," Mrs. Trousers reprimands the young platypus.

"Sorry ma'am."

"That's better. Did Lucy tell you about the rule I have though about new kids in class?"

"Um, no ma'am."

"You gotta go the entire class without your shirt on."

Billy shrugs and takes off his shirt.

"You fall in line awfully easy, don't you?"

"Despite what you may have heard, I'm not one to start trouble, especially with teachers."

"Fine then. Also, if you don't give your all the first half of the class, you'll have to do the second half naked."

Billy shrugs and takes off his shorts and his underwear. He hands all his clothes to Mrs. Trousers, who stands there with her jaw agape and eyes widened.

"Just... what... what are you doing?" Mrs. Trousers manages to stammer out.

"You said if I don't give my all during the first half, I have to do the second half naked, right? Well, now I don't have to worry about pushing myself. I can just relax and enjoy the class."

Lucy and Mrs. Trousers look at each other and back to Billy, still in shock.

"So, do some laps?" Billy asks.

"Uh... yeah... that's fine..."

With that, Billy starts to jog at an easy pace around the gym.

"That was so unexpected... usually that ploy gets them to push themselves because of embarrassment... but he..."

"He's a freak, what do you expect?" Lucy says to Mrs. Trousers.

"Well, I know this... he really is one of a kind. You know... I think I may just like this Plats kid."

"Oh come on! You don't find it weird that he willingly is running around the gym naked?"

"A little, but it makes my job easier today. He's accepted his fate, and now he's one less cub I have to worry about."

"Grr... I'll get him..." Lucy mumbles to herself.
*****
Mrs. Trousers and her chipmunk aide watch as Billy jogs around the gym in his birthday suit in front of the other students without a care in the world.

"Jeez, he really isn't bothered by being naked, is he?" Mrs. Trousers rhetorically asks Lucy.

"Well, he's probably used to it by now. We both saw that tape of him and that Edna," Lucy replies.

"Was rhetorical. But I think I like this Plats kid."

"Well, I know a way you can still get under his fur," Lucy replies with an evil grin on her face.

"What's that?"

"Give him a physical."

"Hmmm... you know... that's not a bad idea. That should surely get a reaction out of him," Mrs. Trousers replies with her own grin forming.

Meanwhile, a fur runs up beside Billy and jogs along with him.

"So, why you naked?"

"Because, Jerry, Mrs. Trousers said if I didn't give it my all during the first half, this half I'd be naked. I figured why push myself and still wind up naked? Just do it all naked and enjoy the class."

"You're not bothered by this at all?" Jerry asks the naked platypus.

"A little. I'm not fond of all these girls staring at my package, or running around in the nude, but it's a small price to pay to have an easy day."

"Whatever man. Enjoy your jog."

With that, the squirrel runs ahead of Billy, leaving him to run. Billy's jog is cut when Mrs. Trousers blows a whistle.

"Alright, everybody hit the showers. Billy, you shower up and then meet me in my office."

Great, what now?

All the cubs head for their respective locker rooms and hit the showers. Billy quickly gets himself showered and out of the showers before any other guy gets in. He changes into his uniform and heads for Mrs. Trousers's office. He knocks on her door thrice and then enters when told to.

"You wanted to see me?"

"Yes. You're new to my class, and I need to make sure that you're physically well."

"I'm on the swim team, ma'am. I think I'm in good form."

"I didn't mean your entire body."

"Um... what?"

"Strip down, Plats," Mrs. Trousers commands the platypus.

Billy shrugs and scampers out of his uniform and puts them up on her desk.

"Jeez, you do follow orders well, do you?"

"What am I gonna do? Say no to a teacher?"

"More students need your point of view," Mrs. Trousers says as she grabs a rubber glove and puts it on her right paw.

"So... you gonna check my heartbeat and stuff?"

"Nah... gonna check you for cancer and see if you have a hernia. We'll start with the hernia."

Mrs. Trousers then cups her paw and places it on Billy's gonads. He jumps a little, but settles down by reminding himself she is a professional and that she's just making sure he's healthy. Mrs. Trousers then prods her pinky into a soft spot in Billy's groin, causing him a little discomfort, but not too much.

"Alright, please turn your head and cough for me."

Billy turns his head away from her face and coughs.

"Alright, once more."

Billy coughs again.

"Ok... you're good. Now... let's check for..." Mrs. Trousers begins.

Billy tries his best to contain himself, but Mrs. Trousers paw on his most private of areas, along with her being beautiful, causes a stiff reaction from him.

"Well, it seems you're in full working order in that department."

Billy blushes.

"I... I'm sorry... I tried... I tried not to..."

"That's nature taking course."

The adult ferret then takes her paw off Billy.

"Rub it out and then we'll continue."

"What, in front of you?"

"What, you want me to turn my back or something? I have to finish giving you the exam, and you got a boner to take care of."

"I think I'd prefer it if you turned around."

"Then I'm gonna watch," Mrs. Trousers replies with a grin.

"Do you have to?"

"Well, it will let me know if you're perfectly healthy. If you have an orgasm, I'll know you're perfectly fine. If you don't, I may have to check your prostate."

At that time, the door opens and Mrs. Trousers's chipmunk aide enters the room.

"Did I miss the physical?" Lucy asks.

"Actually, we're right in the middle. But Billy got an erection, so he's gonna take care of it."

"He actually popped a boner?!? Most kids are in too much shock and disbelief to let their bodies respond like that!" Lucy says in bewilderment.

"What can I tell you? I told you Plats was one of a kind." Mrs. Trousers then turns to Billy. "Well, go ahead. Take care of your problem."

"What?!? In front of you AND Lucy?"

"Would you rather me just check your prostate?"

Billy sighs and shakes his head.

Man, this is one messed up situation I'm in.

Billy then places his right paw on his stiffened manhood and starts to stroke it up and down.

"Hey, free show. Maybe I should video tape this," Lucy says with a laugh.

"Come on... this is already embarrassing enough..."

"See what happens when your a perverted horn-dog?"

"I'm not perverted..."

"Could've fooled me. You popped a boner during a physical examination."

"I couldn't help it..."

"That's what they all say."

"Lucy, be quiet and let him do his business," Mrs. Trousers reprimands her young aide.

"Oh, alright..." Lucy says and then pouts a little.

Billy continues to rub himself, sliding his paw up and down on himself at a nice pace. A blush forms on his face from the pleasure his paw is providing him.

Man... I hate that they're just watching me... but it just feels so good right now...

Billy then lets out a low moan and starts to massage himself faster, the intense pleasure building and building.

"Hey, I think somebody likes it," Lucy says with a giggle.

"Shut up... Lucy..." Billy manages to stammer out between moans of pleasure.

"I knew it."

Billy shakes his head and continues to stroke himself, rubbing even raster than before, the pleasure building up in his body. Soon a tingle runs from the tip of his shaft all the way through his body as Billy can feel his climax approaching. He lets out a loud moan as his body's muscles start to contract and prepare for the release.

"I think he's gonna blow!" Lucy giggles some more.

Almost as if on cue, as soon as Lucy says that, Billy starts to shoot out streams of his white sticky seed. It covers his paw and drips onto the floor. After a few spurts, Billy takes his paw off himself and lets out a happy sigh and one last moan.

"Oh... that felt... good..."

Mrs. Trousers then tosses Billy a towel.

"Clean yourself up, clean my floor, and then prepare to finish this physical."

Billy nods and wipes his paw and his crotch off with the towel. He then bends down to the floor and wipes up the white liquid that has pooled. After every drop has been absorbed into the fabric, Billy puts the towel in a sink and turns to face the ferret teacher again. She cups her paw and places it on Billy's scrotum. She massages her fingers around and prods inside the flesh to feel for any lumps.

"Hmmm.... hmmm... nope. Ok... you're cancer and hernia free. And there's no need to check your prostate. You're perfectly healthy."

"That's good... can I go?"

"Yes you can."

With that, Billy quickly scrambles into his uniform and dashes out of the office.

Oh god... that sucked big time! I should've listened! She IS chaos incarnate.

Meanwhile, back in Trousers's office, the ferret and her chipmunk aide start laughing.

"Nice idea, Lucy. It looks like Plats has a weakness after all. We'll have to try and set this up again."

"No doubt! That was funny watching him squirm."
*****
The rest of Billy's morning classes fly as none of them are as bad for him as what he went through during his third period class. The lunch bell rings and hungry furs of all shapes and sizes storm the cafeteria, ready to chow down and continue their day. Billy skulks into line, still shaken from what happened in Trousers's office. He grabs a tray of food and pays for it. Then, all of a sudden, he hears a familiar giggle. Billy turns to the origin of the giggle and heads for that table.

"Hello Lucy..." Billy greets her and her table-mate when he gets there.

"Plats..."

"Who's this?" Billy asks Lucy as he looks over the Siamese cat.

"This is..." Lucy starts.

"Name's Mako Grey. And you... hey... wait! I recognize you. You're Billy Plats, from that Edna video, aren't you?"

"Yeah..." Billy says with a blush. "You saw that?"

"Only a couple of times. Nice to meet you."

The male Siamese cat then stands up and extends his paw. Billy grabs his paw and they shake.

"So, Lucy's told me a bit about you."

"Like what?"

"That you're a wise-ass at times."

"Hey, we all have a wise side to us. I just like to express mine more than others," Billy chuckles.

"Just don't cause any problems for my girl, got it?"

"Your gi... you two are going out?!?" Billy asks in shock.

"You got a problem with that, Plats?" Lucy replies to the awe-struck platypus.

"No, no problem... I just... I didn't think you would ever have a boyfriend."

"And just what's that supposed to mean, Billy-boy?" Lucy asks in an upset tone and a snarl forming on her face.

"I just figured most cubs would give up trying to crack that tough outer shell around the pearl inside."

"Say what?" Lucy asks skeptically.

"I knew you weren't so bad. And Mako proves it."

"Shows how much you know. I just think Mako is better than the rest of the scum in this school, and he makes me happy, if you must know."

Billy then grins and laughs.

"What... what're you laughing for?" Lucy asks, getting even more frustrated at the platypus.

"Oh, nothing. You can fool yourself if you want, but you ain't fooling me."

"Whatever..." Lucy retorts at Billy.

"Calm down, Lucy," Mako says caringly as he wraps his arm around her.

"Well, it was nice to meet you, Mako. I have to go find a friend."

"Nice to meet you too, Billy. Just remember, don't cause problems for Lucy, ok?"

"Gotcha. See ya."

Billy then leaves the feline and his chipmunk companion alone. He walks through the cafeteria, looking for a certain fur. He walks around until he finally catches the silver fur of the guy he was looking for. He approaches the fur and sits down at the table with him.

"Hey Alex."

"Sup bro?"

"Hey, I need your help with something..."

"You ain't coming out of the closet to me are you? Why do they always come out to me?" Alex replies with a laugh.

"No, nothing like that..."

"I know, bro. Easy, was a joke. So, what did you need?"

"Jen's pissed because I hurt Geoff for insulting your sister. I screwed up by hurting her, and now I'm afraid I screwed everything up."

"Time heals all wounds."

"Oh god... fortune cookie crap..."

"Hey, wisdom usually comes as such. Just let her be, let her calm down, and talk to her in a few days."

"I can't wait a few days though!" Billy frantically shouts.

"If you're going to ignore my advice, then the next best thing would be a mediator."

"Say what?"

"A mediator. A neutral party to help keep things calm and to explain things to both sides so that both can try to work everything out."

"That might work."

"But you really should just give Jen some space and some time," Alex warns Billy. "I know you're not the patient type, but time does eventually fix things."

"Easy for you to say. You're not the one who's in a big mess," Billy replies to the silver-furred fox.

"Hey, you asked for my advice, and there it is. Whether you listen or not is up to you."

"I think I'm gonna go with the mediator."

"If that is your decision, then so be it. I wish you the best of luck with that."

"How would you like to be the mediator?"

"No thank you Billy."

"Why not?"

"I don't want dragged into this more than I already have. You should find somebody who knows the whole story and who you both know. That's the only way you can work this out if you're not gonna just let her be."

"But I don't know anybody... wait... Jerry!"

"Now, can I please finish my lunch? I'm starving! I haven't eaten since breakfast!" Alex pleads to Billy with a laugh.

"Alright. Want mine too?"

"You're not eating?"

"Nah, I'd really rather not."

"Jen really has you that worried?"

"It's not that... I just... I don't feel like eating after what happened a few classes ago."

"What happened?" Alex questions the disturbed platypus.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Come on, you can tell me. We're bros, remember?"

"Alright... Mrs. Trousers was giving me a physical..."

"Oh jeez... I hate her classes. So awkward."

"Yeah... well... listen to this... I got a boner while she was giving me my physical."

"Say what?!?! Seriously? Did she rub it out for you or something?" Alex chuckles.

"No, she made me do that in front of her and Lucy. If I didn't, she threatened to check my prostate."

"Ouch, no winning there. But yeah, no wonder you're freaked out. I would be too if I were you."

"Yeah..."

"So you don't want to eat because of it?"

"Not really, I don't have an appetite."

"Then hand the food here," Alex says with a chuckle.

"Here you go."

Billy hands Alex the tray off food and gets up.

"Alright, I'm gonna go outside and get some fresh air," Billy says as he stands and stretches.

"Alright man. Salam ali kum."

"Huh?"

"Peace be with you."

"Oh yeah... salami al kumi to you too."

Billy then leaves the cafeteria and heads out onto the playground.
*****
Billy sits on one of the few benches in the playground behind the school, looking at the ground and sighing a little. He is, as usual, lost in his train of thought about the events going on in his life.
I dunno... maybe I should back off and give her a few days. But I want to get this fixed. Oh, I'm so confused...

"What's wrong?"

Billy's train of thought is cut short when a familiar fur speaks to him. He looks up to the fur and smiles.

"Haven't seen you in a short while."

"Well, mate, you really should try to visit your friends more often. Not just try to see them during school."

"I guess you're right, Paige. It just seems there's always something going on in my life that prevents me from being able to get out and enjoy life a little."

"You shouldn't let your life weigh you down," the dingo replies to his distraught friend. "Sure, the bad are usually pretty bad, but there's always good to life, and you will ALWAYS have time to enjoy them."

"Even when you've got an ex fighting with you because she dumped you but didn't really dump you and then you found a new girl?"

"Whoa! Slow down! You lost me."

"Jen dumped me, but it was a "trial separation". Well, I didn't know that, and I found a new girlfriend. Now Jen's giving me shit about having this new girl. Plus I wound up beating up that trouble-causing beaver, and now she hates me even more."

"Ouch... that IS pretty heavy. But you shouldn't let that get ya down, mate. Just try to keep marching on. It'll work itself out. Just relax and enjoy life while you have it."

"I wish it were that simple..." Billy says with a sigh.

"It is. Listen, you're a good bloke. Good things happen to good furs. Just believe in it," Paige replies with a smile.

"You think?"

"Hey, if it doesn't, you can always come yell at me," Paige tells his platypus friend with a laugh.

"You don't want that. I can yell a lot," Billy replies with his own laugh.

"Well, hey, I'm gonna go and spend time with my kitten. You stay out of trouble, ok? Try not to be a stranger."

"Alright. See ya 'round."

With the goodbyes said, the dingo takes his leave of Billy. Billy smiles and begins to think good thoughts of his situation.

You know, he's right. This WILL work out, I just know it!

Just then, Jen walks by, talking to Jerry. Billy gets up from his bench and approaches the two gossiping furs.

"Hey Jerry, hey Jen!" Billy says as he catches up to them.

The two turn around and see Billy.

"Hmph..."

"Hey Billy! What's up?"

"Not much, Jerry. Just wanted to come say hi," Billy replies.

"Well, you said hi. Now could you please leave?" Jen says back to the platypus.

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you."

"Well, I don't want to talk to you, so good day!"

With that, Jen walks away from the two. Billy and Jerry watch as she walks away and then turn to each other.

"Jeez... it's gonna take a lot of work to fix this... huh?"

"What do you expect? You killed our chance at the championships this year."

"So why aren't you mad?"

"Well, you didn't kill Geoff, and we're friends," Jerry replies with a smile. "Besides, I know you're a good guy. We all have our limits, and Geoff pushed you past yours. He got what he deserved. A little overdone, but he'll learn not to aggravate you from now on."

"I feel bad about that though. I shouldn't have let him get to me like that..."

"Hey, we're not robots. We can't be perfect."

"I wish Jen could see that."

"She does. She's just dealing with a broken heart at the moment."

"Well, I'm trying to fix it, but it's not as easy as I thought it was gonna be," Billy says with a sigh.

"Just give her some time and space. She'll eventually come around. I tell you what, I'm having a cook-out this weekend. I've invited the team. Why don't you swing by and bring your new girlfriend with you? Maybe then we can settle things."

"Sounds good. If nothing else, I'll at least get some good eats," Billy says with a hearty chuckle.

"Hell yeah! My parents make EXCELLENT barbecue ribs."

"Looking forward to it. Well, I should probably get going. Recess is about to end, and I wanna find Sonia and tell her about the invitation."

"Alright. Well, take care of yourself. Stay outta trouble."

"Will do."

The two smile at each other and shake paws before parting ways. Billy combs the playground looking for his yellow-furred fox girlfriend before the bell rings, but to no avail. Billy gives up and sighs as he heads back into the building.

Oh well. I'll see her after school.
*****
Chapter 22
The rest of the day seems to fly by as Billy starts to look forward to his after-school rendezvous with his beloved girlfriend. He walks down the halls of the school after his last period class has let out, trying his best not to run down them as he heads for the yellow-furred fox who loves him so much and whom he loves just as much.

Man, some QT with Sonia is gonna be just what the doctor ordered. Do our homework, watch some TV, meet her family... oh god... I forgot... I'm gonna be meeting her family...

With this sudden train of thought, Billy's joy turns to dismay. He lets out a very loud sigh out of depression and continues to walk down the halls, slouching a little.

My god... I forgot about that. They're gonna take one look at me and freak out. Why a beautiful girl like her is dating somebody like me...

Billy stops thinking altogether, trying to keep himself from sending himself in a further downward spiral of depression. He makes his way to the lockers, where he sees Sonia standing and waiting for him with a smile on her face. Billy stands up straight and wears a small smile as he walks up to her.

"Hey honey."

"Nnngh... hey sweetie."

"Something wrong?"

"Well, I gotta admit... it's hard to fight pouncing you," Sonia informs her platypus boyfriend with a giggle.

"You really miss me that much, huh?" Billy chuckles in return.

"Of course, silly. I love you so much."

"And I love you too," Billy says with a smile as he gives Sonia a peck on her lips.

The two smile at each other. Billy takes her paw within his and they walk to his locker. He turns the numbered knob a few times and pulls up on the latch, swinging the door open. He reaches inside and grabs a few books and his backpack. He stuffs the books inside his bag and closes the door. He turns to Sonia and smiles, grabbing her paw with a smile. The two head for the exit of the building, both smiling and happy to be with each other. They pass Rodriguez on their way out.

"Watch out! Beauty and the Beast are coming through!" the tall alligator exclaims with a hearty laugh.

Sonia turns to him with an angry glare.

"Fuck you!"

"When and where honey buns?" Rodriguez laughs some more.

"Sorry, I don't do guys with small dicks," Sonia replies with a grin.

"Why you..." Rodriguez snarls in response.

"Watch it Rod. Just go home," Billy warns the angry alligator.

"Grrr..."

With that, Rodriguez takes his leave of the platypus and fox, mumbling to himself under his breath.

"He was right... I'm gonna have a hard time making a friend outta him," Billy says with a chuckle.

"You're trying to befriend him?"

"Yeah... I don't know why... but I see a good soul deep down inside."

"You know, now that you mention it, I kinda do too. VERY deep down inside."

"Yeah, I know... but I do see it. I'm hoping I can bring it out of him."

"Well, I wish you luck with that, honey," Sonia tells her boyfriend and gives him a kiss.

"Thank you. So, is your place far from here?"

"Not really. We live just up the street from Pokeinfo."

"I bet your house gets egged a lot, huh?" Billy asks jokingly.

"Not since that day that Alex made him kiss Carlos," Sonia replies with a giggle.

"You're kidding?!?!?" Billy asks in disbelief.

"No. He even has it on tape if you want to see it."

"Yes please. I just can't believe that Alex would be able to make Pokeinfo kiss a guy, let alone Carlos."

"Sure thing."

Sonia smiles at Billy as the two of them start to walk back toward the exit of the school. They watch as students run past them to get out of the school in brief escape from responsibility to face an afternoon and evening of snack food, television, video games, and other various activities. Billy silently chuckles to himself as they all rush past him and Sonia, the two of them walking out the front doors and finding their bus. The door opens up for them and they climb up on and find their seats. They sit down toward the back of the bus and just smile at each other as the bus pulls away, leaving the school far behind it. The road moves underneath the bus as it rolls down the way, trees and houses being left behind as it goes along. The bus makes its first stop, and Sonia smiles as she stands up. Billy stands up with her as they walk to the front of the bus. They walk down the built-in stairs and exit the bus, almost directly in front of Sonia's castle-like house. Billy looks at it in awe.

"Wow... you live here...?"

"Yeap."

"I thought a movie-star lived here..."

"Nope, just me an my family."

"Wow... you guys must be rich..."

"Yeah, we are. I don't really like bragging about it though."

"It's understandable. Most people are shallow now-a-days and only care about monetary status."

"Yeah... well... you gonna come in?" Sonia asks with a smile.

"Of course."

Billy grabs her paw with his and walks up the walkway of the house. They stop in front of the front porch, Billy staring at the front door.

"Something wrong?"

"Of course not," Billy says with a false smile on his face.

Her family's gonna hate me...

Billy takes a gulp to swallow his nerves, and then walks up to the front door with her. She opens the door and steps inside with him.
*****
"HELLO?!? ANYBODY HOME?!?" Sonia calls out to anybody who may be inside, her voice echoing down the halls of her home.

They wait a few moments for an answer, but one doesn't come.

"Hmm... nobody home..." Sonia says with a shrug.

She steps inside, takes her shoes off at the door, and heads for the living room. Billy follows her lead, taking his shoes off at the door. He then follows her into the spacious room and sits down on a couch.

"Nice place you got."

"Thank you," Sonia replies with a smile.

"So... what to do first? Homework?"

"Do we have to...?"

"Uh... yeah... we need to do our homework or we won't pass," Billy reminds the yellow-furred fox with a chuckle.

"Oh yeah... ugh... I hate homework..."

"We all do, but it needs done. How much you got?"

"Just math and history."

"I got some history homework as well."

"Can you help me with my math then? It's not really one of my best subjects..."

"Sure," Billy tells her with a smile. "But in return, you have to help me with my history. I suck at history more than a free hooker in an all-boys school."

Sonia starts laughing. "Oh, that's pretty bad then. Alright, I'll help you."

They take their book-bags off and set them down, each unzipping their own and pulling out some books and paper. Sonia opens her math book and starts to do the assigned work, as Billy oversees and helps whenever she needs it.

"And thus X equals three."

"Oooh... ok... you know... you should go to school to be a number-cruncher... you're pretty good at this."

"Meh..." Billy says lowly and grumbles to himself a tad.

"Something wrong, honey?"

"My dad's an accountant. And he's been trying to make me an accountant to..."

"You don't like it?"

"Not really... math kinda bores me from time to time. Besides, I don't really want to be an accountant. My dad rarely spends time at home because he's stuck at the office or with a client. Hell, we even had to leave Australia because he took a job here."

"Miss it?"

"Not really. It's just not easy for me to say goodbye to my friends because my dad wants a job on another continent. I even had a girlfriend back home. Barbara Walsh."

"Was she cute?" Sonia asks with a giggle.

"I thought so. But we were great together. We loved to swim together, hang out together, go hiking together... We did a lot of stuff together."

"Even yiff?"

"No. We enjoyed the relationship we had too much to have yiff ruin it. But then one day my dad tells me we were moving... I didn't even get to say good-bye to her..."

"Why not?"

"I refused to say it... I kept hoping and praying that if I didn't say it, my dad wouldn't move and I wouldn't have to be away from her... but I was wrong..." Billy says with a sigh. "I'd give anything just to see her one last time and say good-bye..."

"Maybe one day."

"Meh..."

"Well, can we change the subject?" Sonia asks, sensing Billy's pain.

"Please..."

"Alright... time for history," Sonia says with a giggle as she closes her math book and puts it away.

They both open up their history books as Sonia tries to explain all the important facts of their respectful assignments.

"I just don't get why it's so important... it happened and never will again..."

"You never know that! History has a way of repeating itself. Besides, it's great to take a look back to see where we been and how much we've done since then. It also helps us to see where we're going."

"Meh... if you say so... just bores the hell outta me..." Billy informs Sonia with a chuckle.

"It's that kind of attitude that allows history to repeat itself!" Sonia says back to Billy with a giggle.

"Meh... whatever... we done yet?"

"Yeah."

They close their books and put everything away, sliding their book-bags out of the way.

"So, what do you normally do after homework?"

"Just hang out..."

"Wanna hang out then?"

"Sure. Can we go up to my room though? I wanna change out of this uniform."

"You wouldn't happen to have any clothes up there that I could wear, would you?"

"Want to wear a skirt, huh?" Sonia playfully asks with a giggle.

"Nah, just want to do the same... get out of this uniform."

"We can probably get you something from Alex's room."

"Nah, I don't feel right going into somebody's room without asking... or even wearing their clothes... with or without permission."

"Then it's either birthday suit or school uniform for you, mister," Sonia tells Billy with a giggle.

"Well, let's go..." Billy says with a sigh and rolls his eyes.

He stands up and holds his paw out for Sonia. She takes his paw and helps herself up. The two smile at each other and leave the room and head for the stairway, walking up the stairs when they get there. Sonia then guides him down the hall to her room. She opens the door when they arrive and shows Billy inside. 
*****
"Here it is... my room."

Billy takes a look around the room, soaking up all the images.

"Alright, who's there?"

"Uh... Billy...?"

"My bill is tingling. Somebody's nearby."

A chuckle is heard outside the room, and a silver-furred fox enters.

"You gotta hate defense mechanisms sometimes. Was hoping to sneak up on you guys," Alex says, still chuckling.

"Sorry to burst your bubble there," Billy replies with his own chuckle.

"So you can tell when somebody's around, even with many walls between you?" Sonia asks.

"Well, yeah. It all has to do with electrical fields somebody's body puts out when they move their muscles and what-not. It's hard to pick it up out of water, but I been working on it a couple weeks before I went to school at Lovejoy. Didn't want a surprise ambush to occur. I can do it A LOT easier in the water."

"Wow... that's cool! What else?" Sonia excitedly questions her platypus boyfriend.

"Well, I have good sight, smell, and hearing as well as my sixth sense."

"So you pretty much got the powers of Wolverine, just no healing, huh?" Alex asks.

"Wolverine?"

"He's an X-Man."

"X-Man?"

"Dude, you don't read comics?"

"Not really. I try to watch how much I rot my mind. I watch TV only in the late evening, and movies every so often. No video games or comics though."

Both foxes' eyes widen as Billy tells them this.

"What?"

"How can you not play video games or read comics?" Alex skeptically asks in bewilderment.

"I spend a lot of time swimming and doing homework after school."

"Jeez... you need to lighten up man... enjoy life..."

"I do enjoy life!" Billy quickly responds sharply, defending his lifestyle.

"Whatever man..."

Billy just rolls his eyes and mumbles a little as Alex's last comment.

"Hey... Alex... I was wondering... think you can do the ritual for me and Billy?"

"Ritual?" Billy asks.

"Are you sure about this Sonia? Didn't you two just meet?"

"Well... yeah... but I never been so sure about this..."

"Ritual?"

"Oh," Sonia says and turns to Billy. "It's a love ritual that the Native Americans developed. Doing this is a way showing of love between you and the person you do it with."

"And you want to do this why?"

"To tell you I love you."

"I know you love me, and I love you too," Billy tells her with a smile.

"Just please?"

"Alright."

"Are you sure though, Sonia?" Alex questions his sister.

"Never been more sure."

"Alright. How about after dinner then? I wanna relax and eat before I preform this for you two."

"Alright Alex. Thanks."

Sonia then smiles and hugs her brother.

"No problem. Well, stay out of trouble until then," Alex says as he lets go of Sonia.

"Don't worry. Will do."

"Alright. Later you two."

Alex bows to the two of them. He stands up straight and chuckles before leaving the room. Billy and Sonia look to each other and smile.

"So... Billy... I got something I want to ask you..."

"Yeah?"

"I want to make a tape with you."

"A tape about what?"

"Us."

"Huh?"

"Like you and Edna..."

Billy blushes and coughs a little.

"Um... uh... why?"

"I just want to be in one with you. I love you and want to be able to show that."

"You don't need a tape of that to prove it though..."

"Please?"

"I'm sorry... I'm not really fond of you making a tape of us and showing it to everybody..."

"I won't show it to anybody if you don't want me to... but I do want to make one please," Sonia begs Billy.

"You promise not to show it to anybody?"

"Alright... I promise."

"Alright."

"Thank you!" Sonia excitedly says with a smile growing on her face.

Sonia then rushes to her closet and opens the door. She digs inside for a few seconds before pulling out a video recorder.

"What, right now?" Billy asks nervously.

"Why not?"

"Because your parents are home."

"Huh? No they're not. They took Charlie to the doctor today. He hasn't been feeling well."

"Charlie? Anyway, they're home."

"But..."

Suddenly, a set of car doors can be heard closing outside.

"How did..." Sonia asks, confused about how Billy knew her family was home.

"I told you. I got good hearing. I heard the car pull up and some slight chatter. I couldn't make out what they said though. So who's Charlie?"

"Huh? Oh! He's my brother. Come on! I'll introduce you!"

Sonia then grabs Billy's paw and rushes out of the room, dragging her platypus boyfriend behind her.

Oh... that's just great... I get to die NOW instead of LATER... 
*****
Sonia and Billy rush downstairs and too the front door, where two adult foxes and one younger fox are standing.

"Mom, Dad, Charlie... this is Billy. Billy, this is Mom, Dad, and Charlie," Sonia says with a smile.

"..."

Billy opens his mouth, but can't find any words to speak with. His mind is frozen in terror for two reasons. First reason being that he's a platypus dating this family's only daughter. Second reason being that he and Sonia have already shared more than just a simple kiss and hug.

"Is he a mute or something?" Charlie asks jokingly.

"Uh... uh..." Billy manages to stammer out.

"Well 'Uh', it's nice to meet you," Charlie replies with a chuckle and a smile.

"Uh... h-hi?"

"He speaks! Oh my god!" Charlie says with a hearty laugh.

"That's enough Charlie," Sonia reprimands her brother. "He's just a little nervous is all."

"No need to be. We're not gonna eat you. I'm Henry, by the way," the male adult fox says to the nervous platypus.

"H-hi Mr. Sosserone..."

"Please, just call me Henry."

"I'll try, Mr. Sosserone."

"My, isn't he the respectful little thing. I'm Jessica," the woman says to Billy.

"Hi Mrs. Sosserone."

"Like with Henry, please... just call me by my first name."

"I'll try, Mrs. Sosserone."

"All we can ask of you," Jessica replies with a smile.

"So, Charlie, how'd it go?" Sonia questions her brother.

"Just some migraines."

"They gonna go away?"

"In a day or so. Maybe even tonight."

"That sucks..."

"Tell me about it. Jasmine's been tyring her hardest to wait patiently for me to get better..."

"Why, so you two can yiff?" Sonia playfully asks her brother with a giggle.

Charlie blushes at the question as Sonia giggles some more.

"What her and I do isn't any of your business, Sonia..."

"It's half my business," Sonia replies with a grin.

"Huh?"

"Nothing," Sonia says as she quickly puts on an innocent smile.

"Sonia... not right now... don't need your shenanigans on top of my migraines."

"Aww... ok..." Sonia replies with a slight pout.

"Honey, you should be more worried about your company than your brother," Jessica chimes in.

"Oh yeah, that's true."

"So is this gentleman a friend or more?" Henry asks Sonia.

"He's my boyfriend."

Billy looks to the ground at this point, closing his eyes and clenching his teeth together.

Why couldn't she just keep that quiet. Well, been nice living...

"That's nice. He treating you right?" Henry replies.

"Uh-huh. Very well. In fact, I was thinking of doing the ritual with him."

"Ritual? Wait... THAT ritual? Are you sure, Sonia?" Henry asks with concern in his voice.

"I never been more sure of this, dad."

"Very well. Well, I'm beat, so I'm gonna go into the living room to relax."

"I'm gonna head up to my room... I feel a headache coming on..." Charlie groans.

"And I'm gonna go start dinner. Was gonna make steak, but I think tonight I'll make Mexican Chicken instead," Jessica adds.

"Why MY favorite instead of Alex's?"

"Well, I figured you'd like it in celebration of your relationship," Jessica answers with a smile.

"Yeah, that would be nice," Sonia says with a smile. "Thank you."

"No problem. Now, you two run along and do something. Just stay out of trouble, ok?"

"Will do mom."

Sonia then leads Billy back upstairs to her room.

"Your family seems nice..." Billy finally manages to say once way from her parents and brother.

"They are nice! What happened to you though? You kinda froze up..."

"I was just so nervous... I was expecting your family to hate me..."

"Why? I love you, so they're gonna love you."

"I didn't think of that... I just figured they'd take one look and think 'why is our beautiful daughter seeing this ugly freak'..."

"You know, you need to have more confidence in yourself. Just because you're a platypus doesn't mean you're ugly. I think you're EXTREMELY handsome."

"Well... most people just see the bill and the fur and think 'Freak! Run!'..."

"Well, you're with me. All that matters is what I think. And I think you're handsome. Alright honey?"

"Alright. Yeah, you know... you're right. I'm with you, and your opinion is the only one that matters," Billy says with a smile.

"That's the spirit. So... wanna make that tape?" Sonia mentions with a giggle.

"Remember, please don't show it to anybody."

"Don't worry. I won't."

"Very well then. Let's shoot a home video," Billy says with a chuckle.
*****
Billy sits on the bed and waits as Sonia finds her angle. She smiles when she finds the perfect spot for the camera. She sets it on a chair in her room. She then walks to the door.

"ALEX?!?" Sonia yells down the hall.

"WHAT?!?"

"RITUAL TIME!!!"

"NOW?!? WHY NOT LATER?!?!?"

"I WANT IT NOW!!!"

"ALRIGHT..."

A few moments later, Alex steps into the room.

"So, why now and not later?" Alex asks his sister.

"Well, Billy and I are getting ready to yiff... and..."

Billy cringes as she tells her brother their plans.

Oh great... way to go Sonia... now HE'S gonna kill me...

"Ah, I see. And you'd rather have the yiff celebrate your relationship, huh?"

"Yeap."

"Alright. We'll do it now," Alex tells Sonia with a smile.

"Thank you!"

"Now, I need you to sit on the ground, across from each other, legs crossed."

Billy gets up from the bed. He and Sonia sit down Indian style across from each other.

"Alright, now Billy, grab her right paw with yours and both of you place your left paws over your hearts. Don't forget to close your eyes and keep them closed."

Billy smiles as he grabs Sonia's right paw with his, stroking the back of it with his thumb. They both then do as Alex says and place their left paws on their hearts. After they do this, they both close their eyes, smiling at each other as they do so.

"Alright. Spirits of Eternal Love, I beckon you to oversee this ritual."

Huh? What's he talking about? Billy ponders Alex's words.

Alex smiles.

"Alright, the spirits are watching this ritual. Sonia,do you promise to love Billy with everything that you are for all of eternity?"

"I promise to love him with everything I am and all of my heart for all eternity and much longer than that," Sonia answers the silver fox.

"Ok. Billy, do you promise to love Sonia with everything you are for all of eternity?"

"I... uh... um... yes, I do so promise. I promise to love her and to keep her happy and healthy."

"Very well. Oh, Spirits of Eternal Love, I beckon that you bless these two with your graces. Keep them happy and in love with each other for all time, and bless their relationship."

Who is he talking to?

"You two have been blessed by the spirits. The ritual is complete. You two may open your eyes."

Billy and Sonia both open their eyes and smile at each other.

"Congratulations you two. I hope you two share a happy relationship with one another. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go meditate until dinner."

"Thank you Alex," Sonia says with a smile as her brother gets up and leaves the room.

Billy smiles at Sonia some more and chuckles.

"Something funny, Billy?"

"Nah... it's just that Alex kinda sounded like he was marrying us. Just found it a tad funny."

"Yeah, I guess so," Sonia says with a giggle.

Sonia then lets go of Billy and they both stand up. Billy walks back to the bed and sits down on it, watching Sonia. Sonia, however, walks back to the recorder that she set down and presses the record button on it before walking into the shot.

"Are you really sure you want to do this though?" Billy nervously asks.

"Couldn't be more sure," Sonia answers with a smile. "Not getting cold paws on me, are you?"

"N-no... not really..."

"You don't have to do this you know."

"I kinda do, but kinda don't. I'm still trying to cope with the first one..."

"That's in the past, honey. You gotta look to the future. And this tape is just gonna stay to ourselves."

"Alright."

Sonia smiles and lifts up her shirt, exposing her developing breasts and already hardened nipples. She pulls the shirt over her head and pulls it off her body, dropping it to the ground. Billy blushes and stares at the topless fox for a few moments before quickly shaking his head.

"No training bra?"

"Nah, not today. Gets a little uncomfortable sometimes."

"Cool..."

"Like what you see?"

Billy nods his head, his eyes never leaving her chest. Sonia giggles and pulls her skirt down to her ankles and steps out of them, revealing a pair of pink lace panties.

"Those look good on you..." Billy stammers out, his primal urges starting to kick in and take control of his mind.

"Like them? Want to see me without them?"

Billy nods his head.

"Let me see some of you first," Sonia says with a giggle.

"O-ok..."

Billy loosens his tie and takes it off his neck, tossing it to the side of the bed. He unbuttons the top two buttons of the white shirt that the school makes him wear as part of the uniform before pulling it up over his head and tossing it next to his tie. Sonia lets out the best purr she can manage.

"Mmm... hot body," Sonia giggles.

Billy's blush grows a little brighter and a little larger. He takes a gulp to swallow his nerves before he stands up off the bed. He unbuttons his pants and unzips them before sliding them down to his ankles and stepping out of them.

"Aw... was hoping you were free-balling today," Sonia giggles.

"You'll probably never catch me doing that," Billy hesitantly replies.

"Aw, come on... lighten up Billy... you're acting like this is your first time... don't be so nervous."

"Sorry, I'll try to loosen up a bit. Just still kinda nervous," Billy says with a sigh.

"Well, just relax honey," Sonia reassures her nervous boyfriend.

Billy nods.

"So, you want to see the rest?" Billy asks Sonia.

"Let me guess... off with the panties?" Sonia replies with a giggle.

"Please answer my question. Do you want to see the rest?"

"Of course."

Billy nods again before placing his paws on the waistband to his boxers. He grabs the clothed elastic and pulls them down to his ankles, exposing his platypus package to the yellow-furred vixen. He also quickly takes his socks off and tosses it all into his pile of clothes, standing up straight after he's done, his entire body slightly shaking from nerves and shyness. Sonia looks at the naked platypus and smiles.

"Mmm... very nice."

"Glad you like it," Billy says with a smile. "So, you gonna show me the rest of what you're hiding?"

"Oh, you want to see the rest of me, huh?" Sonia asks with a grin forming on her face.

Billy nods his head. "Uh-huh."

Sonia's grin grows bigger as she turns around and bends over in front of Billy. She slowly slides her panties down her legs, revealing her tight backside and the outside of her precious womanhood to him. Billy's body twitches slightly as he stares at the strip-tease in front of him, his limp manhood turning hard from the erotic actions and view.

"Oooh... t-that's nice..."

"You like it, huh?" Sonia playfully questions the platypus and giggles.

She then playfully shakes her rump back and forth, teasing her aroused boyfriend. His body twitches and shakes as he fights every urge that runs through him to pounce the teasing vixen and penetrate her womanhood with his thick shaft. Sonia giggles one last time as she finishes pulling her panties down to her ankles and steps out of them, turning to face Billy with a smile. Billy smiles back at the young vixen.

"So... shall we?" Billy asks Sonia.

"Let's," Sonia replies with a smile.

Sonia then walks over to the bed and lays down on it stomach first, her tail swishing behind her as she lays with her back and backside showing to her aroused boyfriend. She turns her head to look over her shoulder back at Billy with a grin and a giggle.

"Oh... that's such a tease..."

"Oh really? What about if I did this...?"

Sonia then rolls over onto her back. She lifts her knees up, keeping her paws on the bed, spreading her thighs, showing off her slit to Billy. She looks down her chest and stomach, through her legs, at him. The vixen then gives Billy a wink and hangs her tongue out lustfully.

"Come get me big boy."

Billy climbs up on the bed. He crawls up toward her, but stops when his head is between her open legs.

"Before Lil' Billy gets a taste, Big Billy wants first dibs."

Billy chuckles and then sticks his tongue out of his bill. He presses it gently against the pink folds of her outer womanhood and teasingly licks up and down them a few times. Shivers run up Sonia's spine as Billy licks her.

"Oooh... such a tease."

"Oh really? What about if I did this?" Billy asks with a chuckle.

He then slides his tongue into her wettening slit, pushing the folds open. He slides his tongue in as deep as he can go before swirling it around, lapping at her walls and making sure to keep focus on licking her innermost sensitive spot. Sonia's back arches up quickly as new sensations of pleasure surge through her young body. She grabs a paw-full of bed-sheet with each paw as her lover licks her insides clean.

"Oooh... that's so good... oh god... don't stop..."

Billy reaches his paws up past his head to her belly, where he gently rubs her. Her soft fur tickles the undersides of his paws very gently as he brushes his fingers through it, rubbing her skin and fur in adoration. A blush forms on Sonia's face as the pleasure builds in her body, her heart starting to race from excitement and love. Billy then feels Sonia's slit start to warm up a lot more and dampen greatly as she's getting more and more aroused by his flicking and swirling tongue. He slowly stops his tongue and slides it out of her, licking the edges of his bill when he's completely out.

"Mmmm... so tasty."

"Oh... no fair... don't stop..." Sonia gasps out.

"Don't you want a taste of me?"

"Oh yeah... I guess I do..."

Billy smiles as he leans back against the opposite end of the bed where Sonia is laying, his back resting against the footrest. Sonia sits up and crawls over to her boyfriend and smiles. She kisses his chest gently, getting a taste for his soft fur. She continues to smile as she keeps kissing him, each kiss lower than the last, kissing her way down his chest and stomach to his lower area. She giggles when she finally gets to his waist.

"Oh, what's this? A lollipop?"

"Uh-huh."

"All for me?"

"Yeap. All for you to enjoy."

"I love lollipops!"

Sonia then giggles as she kisses his girth, moving her lips up and down his shaft with ever new kiss. A tingle runs through Billy's body as she plays with him, this tease turning him on more than it already has. Sonia giggles and then licks his member up and down a few times.

"Mmm... it's very tasty. Can I suck on the lollipop now?"

"Uh-huh..." Billy stammers out, the erotic actions making it hard for him to speak clearly.

Sonia smiles as she grabs hold of him with her paw and kisses the sensitive head of his manhood, giving it a few teasing licks after each kiss. On the final kiss, she slides it into her muzzle, his thickness separating her ruby red lips. She slides her head down his shaft and wraps her tongue around it. Sonia looks up at Billy and smiles one last time before starting to bob her head up and down along his cock, her warm muzzle and warm wet tongue sliding against every inch of his member. She doesn't take her eyes off Billy's as she enjoys her candy. Billy looks at her and smiles quickly before leaning his head back, closing his eyes and letting his tongue hang out, letting out a loud moan of pleasure.

"Oooh... god... Sonia... you're good at that."

You ain't seen nothing yet, Billy. Sonia thinks to herself as she pleases her lover.

She takes her free paw and cups it gently against his jewels, fondling them between her fingers and massaging the skin as she sucks on him, trying her best to please him in every way like he did for her a few moments ago. Billy cannot help but to arch his back away from the footrest he's leaning against, the pleasure surging through his body. He lets out another loud moan, making Sonia smile to herself, knowing she's doing a good job with her lover. She fondles him and sucks on him a few more extra moments before letting go of him. She licks her lips and giggles when she sits up.

"Mmm... tasty."

"Oh god... so good..."

"That wasn't anything, Billy. Ready for the main course?"

"What's that?" Billy asks with a grin.

Sonia grins back at him and lays back down on her bed, reassuming the position she held to tease Billy earlier. Billy stares into Sonia's now slightly dripping slit, his urges kicking up in full force. He crawls toward the laying vixen, climbing over top of her when he reaches her. He looks down at her and smiles, Sonia smiling back. Billy leans down and kisses his girlfriend deeply, both of them closing their eyes and smiling.

"Ready?"

Sonia nods with a slight blush on her face. Billy kisses her one more time before pushing his hips closer to hers, causing him to edge his manhood closer to her womanhood. Sonia lets out a gasp when the tip of Billy's shaft presses into her pink flesh momentarily before it pushes itself inside, parting her flesh. Her warm wet walls quickly mold to take the shape of Billy's girth, wettening his member, allowing him to slide easier inside him and please them both. Billy lets out a small moan as her warm slit presses against him. He then starts to rock his hips away from hers and then back again, sliding himself in and out of her in long, short strokes, her walls pressing and rubbing against his shaft and head, which in turn rub against her inner sensitive spot. Sonia wraps her arms around Billy and holds him close as they start to make love with one another.

"Billy...'

"Yes, Sonia..."

"I love you... so very much..."

"I love you too, Sonia,"

"Please... make love to me..."

"Will do, my love."

Sonia leans up and kisses him on his neck before laying her head back down on the pillow. She leans her head back and closes her eyes, the friction from her private are rubbing against Billy's sending wave after wave of pleasure through her body. Billy leans his head down next to Sonia's and licks her earlobe very gently.

"I love you," Billy whispers to the vixen one last time.

The two cubs let out loud moans of pleasure as Billy starts to rock his hips faster and harder, sliding himself in and out of his lover harder, faster, and deeper. Blushes form on both faces from pleasure and love for one another. Sonia lifts her legs up and wraps them around Billy's waist, allowing him to penetrate her deeper. The yiffing platypus places his paws on Sonia's sides, gently rubbing her body all over, trying to enjoy as much of her body as he can. Her yellow and white fur feels so soft and warm under his paws, and the skin under the fur soft as well. He licks her earlobe a few more times before kissing her cheek and then her neck, sucking on it for a while when he gets there. Sonia lets out a gasp in surprise as the pleasure swells inside her quicker. She begins to pant and moan more and louder, a sweat building on both her fur and Billy's as they continue to make their passionate love on tape. Billy starts to kiss Sonia all over, or as much of her as possible, the pleasure starting to reach it's limit in his body as he feels a tingle in his shaft. Sonia's body also begins reaching its limit as she feels her muscles tightening ever so slightly.

"Oh... Billy... I think... I'm gonna..."

"Me too... Sonia..."

The two cubs pant and moan, continuing to love one another. Billy's rocking changes as his strokes don't slide out as far, but he makes up for it with faster and harder pumps into his lover. They both moan out once more.

"Billy..."

"Sonia..."

"I'M CUMMING!" both cubs yell out.

With his cry intertwining with Sonia's, Billy's cock begins to throb as it starts to spray jets of his white sticky fluid into Sonia's contracting slit, her walls contracting around him and squeezing him, soaking him with her own juices. Billy thrusts one last time, trying to get his spurting manhood deeper into Sonia, trying his best to fill her up as much as possible, showing her just how much she has pleased him. Sonia clenches her teeth as she soaks him with her juices, cumming hard, just like her platypus lover. They both scream out each other's names in pure ecstasy as they climax with each other, filling Sonia with a mixture of liquid from both bodies. Billy begins to kiss Sonia deeply, sliding his tongue into her muzzle and massaging hers, each of them enjoying this wonderful moment of entwined bodies and shared orgasms. Billy and Sonia continue to passionately make out with each other as their climaxes die down, the kissing ending after a short while. Billy pulls himself out of Sonia and crawls off her, laying to her side and holding her close, the both of them cuddling with each other after their session. They both continue to pant and moan, still sweaty from their erotic actions.

"Mmm... that was... so nice... Billy..."

"Oh yeah... so very... very nice... Sonia..."

"I love you Billy... so very much..."

"I love you... too Sonia... so very very much..."

The two exhausted cubs yawn and close their eyes, resting from their wonderful activity.
*****
After only what seems like seconds, a sound pounding can be heard on Sonia's door, followed by a voice.

"Sonia, Billy, it's time for dinner!"

Sonia and Billy wake up to the ruckus and yawn.

"Sonia? Billy? You ok?"

"Yes Daddy... we're fine," Sonia answers the voice.

"Well, come on down. It's time for dinner."

"Ok, we'll be down in a few."

Henry then walks away from the door.

"Mmm... I don't wanna get up..." Sonia says with a giggle and pouts.

"Neither do I. But I am kinda hungry."

"Well, we should get dressed."

"Gah... back into that uniform..." Billy mumbles to himself with a sigh.

"You could go in your birthday suit," Sonia replies with a giggle.

"In front of your family? Pass!"

"Aw... no fun," Sonia giggles some more.

"Sorry," Billy says with a chuckle.

Sonia and Billy both stretch and sit up in bed. Sonia stands up off the bed and walks to one of her dressers while Billy stands up and grabs his uniform from the crumpled pile of clothes next to the bed. He quickly climbs into his clothes as Sonia puts on a tight pair of blue jeans and a purple spaghetti-strap tank-top. She turns to Billy and smiles.

"How do I look?"

"Very beautiful."

Sonia smiles and walks to the door, signalling for Billy to join her. Billy walks to the door and grabs her paw with a smile. The two cubs leave the room and walk downstairs into the kitchen, where delicious smells fill the room. Jessica turns from the stove to the two cubs that are entering the room.

"Just in time. I was afraid if you two didn't show before it finished cooking, Alex and Charlie would eat both your helpings," Jessica says with a giggle.

"You mean we don't get any extras?" Alex and Charlie both ask while moaning.

"You two should know by now that I make enough for you each to have 3 helpings while making sure everybody else gets fed. Don't be silly boys."

"Yay! Mom's the best!" Alex says with a chuckle.

"So... Mom... Dad... Charlie... Billy and I did the ritual already."

"Really?" Henry asks his yellow-furred daughter. "Congratulations you two. May you two be very happy."

"Thanks," Sonia replies with a smile.

"Well, why don't you two take a seat? Dinner's almost done."

With that, Billy and Sonia find a pair of seats next to each other at the table and sit down. Jessica prepares the food and puts it onto separate plates and brings them over to the table, where the family of foxes and their platypus company begin to eat, enjoying the many delicious flavors in each dish that was prepared.

"Mmm... this is good! What did you say this was?"

"Mexican Chicken, Billy."

"Mmm... oh god... so very good."

"What do you expect, Billy? Our mom's one of the best cooks in town," Charlie informs Billy.

"I can see why."

"Well, try not to fill up on my dinner, Billy. There's still desert."

"Hey, daddy... do you mind if Billy stays the night?" Sonia asks her father.

"As long as he gets permission from his parents."

"I'll call them after dinner."

The rest of the dinner is spent making idle chit-chat about each member's day, what they did, what they didn't like about the day, and what their plans were for the rest of the night. The meal consists of fried chicken with special spices and seasoning, a salad and some rolls to go with the chicken, and a side of rice for each serving. The desert that follows the delectable supper is a quadruple chocolate cake, where it's a Devil's Food cake with chocolate chips baked into it. The cake is iced with chocolate icing and has chocolate flavored sprinkles on top of it. Every member eats a slice of it and lets the taste of it send their taste-buds into paradise.

"Mmm... this cake is SOOO GOOD!" Billy practically moans out.

"It's mom's famous Chocolate Paradise," Alex tells the moaning platypus.

"I can see why it's called that."

"Why, thank you Billy," Jessical says with a smile.

"No... thank YOU, Mrs. Sosserone."

"Please... just call me Jessica, dear," she giggles.

"Sorry. But yeah, thank YOU for this. This is so good!"

"Glad you enjoy it."

After everybody finishes their desert, each one gets up from the table and places their dirty dishes in the sink.

"Want some help with the dishes, Mrs. Sosserone?"

"I got it. Thank you for the offer though Billy."

"Come on, come call your parents!" Sonia pleads with Billy as she starts to tug on his arm.

"Alright, alright! Just leave my arm in its socket please," Billy tells the anxious fox with a chuckle.

Sonia leads Billy into the living room and to the nearest phone. Billy picks the receiver up and starts to dial some numbers. He holds the phone up to his ear and listens for the ring and then eventually to somebody pick up on the other line.

"Hello. Plats residence. Stephen speaking."

"Dad? It's me, Billy."

"Hey Billy! Where are you? You never showed up after school. We were kinda worried about you."

"Oh, I went to my new girlfriend's house."

"Meet her parents did you?" Stephen questions his son with a chuckle.

"Yeah. They actually accept me."

"That's very good son. That means that they care about their daughter and aren't swayed by things like looks, only personality."

"Yeah. They invited me to stay the night with them as long as it's ok with you."

"As long as you have a uniform with you and make sure you go to school tomorrow, I have no problem with it."

"Oh, thanks dad!"

"No problem, son."

"Hey, can you put mom on? I wanna say good night to her."

"Sure thing son. Good night. Pleasant dreams."

"Good night dad."

"Mary? Hey, Mary! Billy's on the phone! He wants to talk to you!" Stephen is heard calling for his wife.

"Billy?"

"Hi mom."

"Hi honey. Where are you?"

"My girlfriend's place."

"That's nice. Your father tells me you're spending the night?"

"That's right mom."

"Well, have fun."

"Oh, I will," Billy says with a smile.

"Good night dear. Sweet dreams. Don't let the bed bugs bite."

"Good night mom. Love you. Tell dad I said I love him too."

"Will do dear. Good night."

Billy then hears a click in the phone he's on and realizes that his mother hung up. He hangs the phone up himself and sets it down. The platypus then looks to Sonia and smiles.

"I'm staying."

"Cool! You'll be sleeping in my room!"

"I don't think that's such a good idea..."

"Why not?"

"What if we get frisky?"

"My dad's cool with us yiffing in the house. Hell, sometimes we can all hear Alex with Destiny... I mean Heaven. I keep forgetting about that switch."

"Huh?"

"Nevermind. But I'm kinda wore out from school and that incredible yiff earlier. I don't think I'll be in the mood for another one tonight."

"Alright," Billy says with a smile. "Speaking of which? Did you ever turn that recorder off?"

"When I got up to get dressed."

"Alright. So... what do you want to do for the rest of the night?"

"Hang out."

Sonia and Billy spend the rest of the night with one another, playing board games and video games with her family. They also watch a little TV and Billy goes for a five minute jog around the house for exercise during the night's activities. Sonia even shows Billy the tape of Pokeinfo kissing Carlos, which Billy can't help but to laugh hysterically at. At nine o'clock, Billy and Sonia head upstairs and start preparing for bed, Billy getting showered up first and saving some hot water for Sonia who climbs in after him. Sonia changes into a purple nightgown and lays down in her bed. Billy sighs and strips down to his boxers and climbs in beside her.

"Sorry, no PJs."

"It's ok," Sonia replies with a smile.

"Good night honey," Billy says to Sonia as he kisses her.

"Good night." Sonia says back.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"Sweet dreams."

"You too."

Billy and Sonia then hold each other as they close their eyes and let their bodies drift off to sleep, each of them drifting off to their own dream land to wander freely and escape the world for a breif time. 
*****
Chapter 23
The sun rises on the sleeping town of Pouncefield the very next morning, waking the birds to sing their happy songs and to chase away the crickets who chirp the night's lullaby. The warmth of the new light blankets the city as its inhabitants begin to stir awake for various reasons. Many adults are waking up to prepare breakfast for their families or to head off to their jobs, while the cubs all awaken to get ready for school. Two such cubs happen to be Billy and Sonia, being awaken by a buzzing alarm clock, moments before the morning light engulfs the room. Sonia reaches up with a smile and hits the snooze button, silencing the cause of their disturbed sleep. Sonia sits up with a smile and yawns as she stretches in bed. She puts her paws on the ground and looks at her carpet for a few moments as she tries to gather the energy to leave her sanctuary of slumber. She looks over her shoulder to her still sleeping bed-partner and boyfriend. She giggles quietly to herself as she places a paw gently on his shoulder and begins to nudge him, trying to shake him awake. Billy lets out a small moan as his slumber is broken by his girlfriend's gentle nudge. He slowly opens his eyes and looks up to Sonia with a small smile. He yawns and sits up in bed, stretching out his arms. He, like Sonia did, then turns his body to place his feet on the carpet underneath the bed. The two stand up off the bed. They then walk around the warm piece of furniture to each other, where they greet each other with a hug and a kiss.

"Morning honey."

"Morning dear."

"Sleep well?"

"Until the alarm clock woke me up, yeah," Sonia says with a giggle.

"So you had to take it out on me by waking me up?" Billy playfully asks with a chuckle.

"Sorry babe. Got school."

"School? Oh yeah... that's right..." Billy says with a depressed sigh.

"I know, school sucks, but we gotta go. Get an education, make something of ourselves."

"Yeah yeah... I know. At least it's hump day..."

"Hump day?"

"Something Edward taught me. The middle of the week. He calls it hump day."

"Sounds like a day where everybody just yiffs," Sonia says with a giggle.

"Like the cubs of SLJ don't do that everyday anyway?"

"Too true."

"Man, last night was just... incredible. Thank you for inviting me over."

"Thank you for coming."

The two lovers kiss and smile at each other before letting go of one another. Billy grabs his crumpled school clothes from the side of the bed and walks into the bathroom attached to Sonia's bedroom.

"I'm gonna take a quick shower, ok?"

"If you need some help, let me know," Sonia answers Billy with a wink, a grin, and a giggle.

"Thanks, but I think I'll be alright. We don't need to get all yiffed-up before school," Billy replies with a chuckle of his own.

Billy shuts the door behind him and walks to the shower. Billy quickly pulls his boxers down and steps out of them before pulling the curtains aside and stepping in, reaching down and turning a knob to let water flow. The water starts to sprinkle forth from the shower head, engulfing Billy's body with renewal. Billy jumps back as the water hits him.

"Brrr... cold... let it warm up first."

The platypus stands outside the water for a few moments so that it can warm up. He sticks his paw into the water to judge the temperature, and he smiles as he steps back in once it's warm enough for him. The water continues to flow out of the shower head and hit Billy, the water cascading down his body as it wets his fur and skin. Billy picks up a nearby bottle and squeezes a peach colored gel into his paws. He rubs them together and lathers the soap up before rubbing against himself, the soap starting to clean his brown fur. Once his body's all lathered up, he steps under the water and rinses himself off. After he's clean, Billy turns the water off and steps out of the shower, grabbing a towel and rubbing it against himself to dry off. Billy then grabs his clothes and quickly gets dressed before leaving the room. Once outside, he's greeted by his foxy lover with a smile.

"Nice and clean now?"

"Yeap!"

"My turn."

Sonia walks into the bathroom, leaving Billy out in the bedroom. He sits down on the bed as he hears water starting to flow from the room. He lays back onto the bed, looking up at the ceiling, and smiles.

This is gonna be a fantastic day! I can just feel it!

Billy sits up on the bed and looks to the bathroom door. The sound of running water stops from within. Moments later, Sonia emerges with a towel wrapped around her body, covering up her chest and her waist.

"Aw, no free show?"

"I dunno... maybe. Why? You want one?" Sonia teases the platypus with a grin.

"Of course."

Sonia giggles quietly to herself as she removes the towel from her body, her yellow and white fur being exposed for the world, and Billy, to see. Billy looks the naked fox over and smiles.

"Beautiful as always."

"Thank you," Sonia replies with a giggle.

She walks to a dresser and digs through. She pulls out a blue pair of panties and a clean uniform. She climbs into the clothes and looks to Billy.

"Well, shall we get going?"

"Of course. Just let me grab a pop-tart or something for breakfast."

"Silly platy... my mom's cooked breakfast."

"We have time to eat?"

"Of course. Why else would I set my alarm so early?" Sonia says with a giggle.

"I didn't think of that. Well, any idea what she made?"

"Question is what she DIDN'T make."

"Huh?"

"My mom loves to cook, and with Alex and Charlie having such huge appetites, she always has to cook enough to feed an army. So breakfast usually consists of pancakes with a syrup of your choice, waffles, french toast, eggs, sausage, bacon, muffins, milk, orange juice, and coffee for the adults."

"Your mom cooks all of that for breakfast?!?" Billy asks in shock and awe.

"Yup."

"Jeez... she must have to get up early to do all that..."

"Not always. Sometimes I help her."

"Oh really? You'll have to cook for me some time," Billy says with a chuckle.

"Really?"

"Of course! I'd love to taste your cooking."

"I'm not so good at it as my mom is..."

"Don't worry. I'm sure it'd be delicious," Billy tells his nervous fox girlfriend with a smile.

"You know, you're right. Well, let's go!"

Sonia grabs Billy's paw and quickly dashes out of her room, shutting the door behind the two of them. They rush down into the kitchen where, as Sonia already said, Jessica has a wide arrangement of breakfast foods cooked and sitting on the table. Alex and Charlie are already sitting at the table with three plates full of food each.

"Where do they put it all?!?"

"We honestly have no idea," Sonia answers with a giggle.

"Sheesh... I'd be fat if I ate all that in one sitting."

"Well, they have fast metabolisms, and they get LOTS of exercise. We have a gym in this house, and when they aren't yiffing, going to school, or doing homework, they're usually down there lifting weights and sparing."

"Oh, they're fighters?"

"Yeap. Strong ones too."

"They study martial arts?"

"We've got a few books with some different arts, but Alex and Charlie are more freestyle fighters. They adapt to the situation and change their fighting tactics based on that."

"They do any tournaments or anything?"

"Oh yeah. Alex usually wins them," Sonia proudly informs Billy.

"Sheesh... and all this time I was struggling with Rodriguez, he could've just put him down for me..." Billy says with a chuckle.

"He doesn't try to fight those who are weaker than him. He doesn't like hurting people."

"Was a joke."

"I know, but I figured you should know that before you rely on him in a fight," Sonia answers with a giggle.

"Alright, well, let's grab some flap-jacks before they eat them all."

Sonia nods as the two sit at the table and grab a plate of pancakes each. Billy pours maple syrup on his as Sonia uses strawberry flavored syrup. The four cubs at the table enjoy the bountiful breakfast that Jessica has presented them, Billy and Sonia quitting after one plate while Alex and Charlie each eat four plates of food.

"Mm... that was good..." Billy says with a content smile.

"Oh yeah. Can't beat mom's cooking!" Alex replies.

"Glad you kids enjoyed it. Now, the bus should be here shortly," Jessica informs the cubs.

"Alright. Thank you, Mrs. Sosserone. See you later."

The four cubs get up and leave the table, the kitchen, and then the house. They walk down to the bus stop, where the bus is already waiting. They quickly climb aboard and take their seats, Billy sitting behind Laura and Jenny as always, and Sonia sitting next to him. The bus pulls off and continues along its course, making many stops to pick up awaiting cubs all heading for the same place, the school. After twenty minutes, the bus pulls up in front of the school and Carlos opens the doors, letting everybody off. Billy and Sonia hug each other once they step off.

"I won't see you until lunch, huh?"

"Nope. Don't worry. The day should fly," Sonia tells Billy.

"I hope so. Well, see you at lunch..."

"Alright. See you at lunch. Love you lots, Billy."

"I love you too, Sonia."

The two share a quick kiss before parting ways, Sonia heading into one part of the school while Billy goes to a different one. As Sonia predicted, the morning classes seem to fly faster than usual for the bored platypus. His first two mundane classes seem to take no time at all to complete. Billy heads to the gym after his second period class, preparing for gym with Mrs. Trousers. When he gets there, he sees her and Lucy talking in the middle of the gym. Lucy grins when she sees Billy and calls out to him.

"Hey Plats! Wasn't expecting you back after what happened yesterday!"

"Are you kidding? I'm looking forward to another session of that," Billy says with a grin as he heads into the locker room.

The two females look to each other blankly.

"Did he just say what I think he did?" Lucy asks in shock.

"He did. Hmhmhm... I really like this Plats kid now."

"He's nuts..."

"Maybe, but he's also the first one to tease back at us. They're usually too scared after I pull my shenanigans on them, but not him."

"He's a freak..."

"Like I said, maybe... but I like it."

Billy returns to the gym dressed and begins to run around the gym, much like the day before. After only what seems to be seconds, Mrs. Trousers calls for everybody to change and get ready for the next class. Billy does as told, changing back into his school uniform, and leaves the gym. Upon leaving, he runs into a mysterious pair of rabbits, one white and one black, the black one holding a tape.

"Um... hi?" Billy calls to the two.

The white rabbit turns around and looks at Billy with a smile, while the black one turns and just kinda glares at him with a scowl on her face.

"Hello! Oh... wait! You're Billy Plats! Right?"

"Yeah... how'd you know?"

"This tape..." the black rabbit says as she waves the tape she holds in her paw.

"Oh... that Edna tape... I see Rod's still selling them..."

"Not Edna. It's you with some fox..."

"What?!?!?"

"Oh, yeah. It's a new tape! Our brother already showed us the first one you did. Nice work," the white rabbit says with a giggle.

Sonia... you promised...

"So... you guys wanted the second one?"

"Nah... just a gift for our horny brother..."

"You two share the same brother?"

"Yeah... what's it matter to you?"

"Well, you're black... and she's white..."

"So? Fur color doesn't matter..."

"I know it doesn't," Billy says to the black bunny girl. "It just didn't dawn on me that you two could be sisters because of it."

"You need to be more open minded then..."

"Well, open my mind then. Open it with your names."

"I'm Salt," the white bunny happily greets Billy.

"Pepper..." the black rabbit bluntly tells the platypus.

"And your brother?"

"Pokeinfo Lion," Salt informs Billy.

"But... he's..." Billy starts to ask.

"Our adopted brother..." Pepper cuts Billy off.

"Oh, adopted, huh? Can you tell me who gave you that tape?"

"Sorry. Secret. If you want it, you gotta get your own," Pepper tells Billy.

Suddenly, Pepper feels a paw on her shoulder. She turns to see a pink ferret and a pair of raccoon girls behind them.

"Talking to the porn star, huh?" the pink ferret asks Pepper with a giggle.

"Not now, Jessica... I'm in a bit of a crisis here. I don't need you, Belle, and Linda trying to get in my pants..." Billy says with a sigh.

"Oh, you're no fun," Jessica replies with another giggle.

Billy opens his mouth to say something, but the bell cuts him off.

"Looks like we need to get going. See you guys around," Jessica says as she, Belle, and Linda all walk away from the group.

"Yeah, we need to get to class too. Nice to meet you Billy. Hopefully we'll see you around," Salt says.

She waves to the platypus as she and her sister leave his company. Billy stands there and looks at the floor.

She promised she wouldn't share it or show it... why would she lie to me?

Billy snaps out of his thought and decides to walk the halls to search for his girlfriend instead of going to class. He wanders the waxed halls, dodging teachers and hall monitors as he searches for the yellow-furred fox. Another bell rings before Billy sees any sign of Sonia. He sighs and heads for the lunchroom, not being able to find her. He makes his way to the cafeteria, when he sees Sonia leave a classroom, her head down and sighing. Billy rushes up to her.

"How could you?!?!?" Billy hysterically yells at Sonia.

"What did I do? And please don't yell at me Billy... I'm having a bad day..."

"You're having a bad day? What about me? I was just starting to live that first tape down when you go and show that second one! You promised you wouldn't!!!"

"I didn't!"

"Then how'd it get out?!?" Billy continues to yell at Sonia.

"It got stolen from me. I put it in my locker at first period, when I came back at second, it was gone and my locker was wide open."

"What was it even doing here? Why'd you even bring it?"

"I wanted to edit it. I was gonna put a fancy title screen on it and a nice label," Sonia says before breaking down in tears.

Billy wraps his arms around her and holds her close.

"I'm sorry... I didn't know..."

"I promised you... what would make you think I'd go back on it?"

"I'm sorry... I was angry... I wasn't thinking..."

"Please think from now on..."

Billy brushes her hair with his paw and rubs the back of her head.

"I'm sorry... but it's gonna be ok..."

"How? The tape's gone... our keepsake... gone... and everybody has a copy of it, which you didn't want..."

"Don't worry. I can live with them having it... but I can get the tape back."

"How?"

"I know who has it..."

"Who?"

"Rodriguez..."
*****
"You think Rodriguez is behind all this?" Sonia asks Billy.

"I know so. He was responsible for the first tape of me being sold to all the kids here, and he's the only one we know who would break into random lockers. He stole your copy, probably spent the whole morning in the AV room making copies, and started selling them when he got a decent number."

"He better pray he doesn't run into me any time soon. If he does, I'm gonna castrate him! Not that he uses it anyway, but still..."

"Don't worry honey. I'll sort him out," Billy informs Sonia with a grin on his face.

"Just don't kill him," Sonia replies with a giggle.

"Don't worry, I won't."

Billy then lets go of his foxy girlfriend and gives her a kiss before turning away from her and walking down the halls.

Hmm... if I were Rod... where would I be right now? Selling tapes... trying to make money... PLAYGROUND!

With his destination in mind, Billy begins to run down the halls of the school, heading for the back doors which lead out to the playground.
I just need to figure out how I'm gonna go about this...

As Billy runs down the halls, he thinks up many scenarios about how to get his tape back and deal with Rodriguez in the process. As soon as Billy finds his solution, he realizes he's at the back doors to the school. He opens the one door and heads out into the playground, where many cubs are playing. Some are swinging on the swing set, others are climbing on the jungle-gym, and a few are throwing balls at each other, playing catch. Billy scours the playground looking for his giant scaly adversary, hoping to find him quick before he sells too many more tapes. A young black panther cub bumps into Billy as he's standing there.

"Oh, sorry about that. Didn't see you there," the panther cub says to Billy.

"It's alright. Playing catch?"

"Nah."

"What're you running for then?"

"Trying to get in line quickly! Rod has a new tape to sell! Last one was awesome!"

"Oh really? You're heading there now?"

"Yeap! Follow me if you want to buy a copy!"

With that, the panther runs off away from Billy, toward a corner of the playground. Billy follows him to a line with twenty cubs standing. The panther takes his position at the back of the line as Billy walks up to the front.

"Hey! No cutsies!"

"Wait your turn like everybody else!"

"GET TO THE BACK!"

Billy ignores the random complaints from the cubs in line as he walks to the table and around it.

"What do you want, Plats?" Rodriguez asks the platypus.

"Sorry folks. This stand is closed," Billy tells the cubs as he turns to them.

The group of furs all say "Aww" in unison before dispersing and beginning to find their own activities to do. Rodriguez growls and stands up, turning to Billy and grabbing a hold of his shirt.

"You freak! Why'd you chase away my business for? I oughta pound the money I just lost outta you!"

"You could do that, or you could let me go."

"Why the hell would I let you go?"

"Because you're looking at time in juvenile prison if you don't."

"Yeah right..." Rodriguez replies to Billy's threat. "You're bluffing."

"Am I? I've got enough grounds to have a cop arrest you. You steal from others, you assault them for no reason, I've heard rumors of you raping a couple..."

"Alright alright!"

Rodriguez lets go of the platypus.

"Are those rape rumors true?" Billy asks Rodriguez.

"Yeah, but I only did it a couple of times... but if you tell anybody that..."

"Don't worry. Friends, remember?"

"Says you..."

"You stopped doing that?"

"Kinda had to. You're not the only one standing up to me now. You got that silver fox friend of yours standing up to me, that nerd Edward standing up to me, and a lot of guys are coming up to me and ready to attack me if a girl even says I raped her, even if I didn't."

"It's your own fault," Billy informs the alligator. "It's your own karma coming back to haunt you. If you weren't such a jerk..."

"Maybe you can tell that to the cubs that picked on me!"

"You know, you can keep crying about that, or you can move on. Forgive and forget."

"It's pretty easy for you to say. You're not the one having to do it."

"Oh, but I am. I'm forgiving you for the few times you senselessly beat me up. I could hold a grudge like you are, but I'm better than that. And I can tell you are too."

"Hmph... I'm fine by myself! And stop with this preaching shit! If I were unhappy and wanted to change my life, I'd come to you!"

"But you are unhappy and want to change. You're just too proud to admit it."

"Whatever... so why did you come here and shut me down?" Rodriguez quickly asks, trying to change the subject.

"Sonia's tape. I want you to return it to her, track down everybody you sold a copy to, return their money, get their tapes off them, and destroy every copy you made!"

"You expect me to do all that work?!?"

"Yes I do."

"You're out of your fucking mind, freak!"

"No I'm not. You know, you don't have to do it..."

"Damn right I don't! And I won't!"

"Just know that if you don't, I'll be going to the cops about your actions here."

"You fucking wouldn't!!!"

"Want to try me? I'd rather you just get the tapes back, but I don't mind having a cop put you behind bars either..." Billy threatens the alligator.

"Grr... alright! Fine! I'll do it!"

"I want evidence you did it..."

Billy looks around the playground.

"Hey... you!" Billy calls to a cub.

The panther cub he met earlier turns to him and points to himself.

"Yeah, you! Come here!"

The cub then runs up to Billy.

"You wanted to see me?"

"Yeah, how would you like to make some money?"

"I dunno... what do I have to do?"

"Just get a video camera from the AV room and follow Rodriguez around with it. Grab a few blank tapes."

"How much?"

"I'll pay you fifty dollars for it."

"Really!?!?"

"Really," Billy tells the excited cub with a smile. He then turns to Rodriguez. "You have until the end of the day tomorrow."

"Grr.."

"Thanks mister!"

"What's your name, anyway?" Billy asks the panther.

"Carl Panther. You?"

"Billy Plats. Have fun earning your money," Billy says to the panther with a smile.

"Will do! And thank you!"

"You're welcome. Now... Rod... like I said, end of the day tomorrow. And trust me, I'll be watching everything taped. If you touch Carl, don't get every tape, and don't return every cent you earned off this tape back... you know what will happen."

"Fuck you, Plats!" Rodriguez growls at the platypus.

"No thanks. Not into guys. Now, where's the original?"

"I destroyed it!"

"For your sake you better not have. Unless you like prison that is..."

"Alright alright... it's in my locker."

"Take us there."

Rodriguez snarls at the platypus and panther before leading them into the building and to the locker area. They stop outside his locker and watch as he opens it. The inside is decorated with pictures of random cubs with bulls-eyes drawn over them, hateful words written on the metal, and very disorganized papers and books thrown about. Rodriguez digs through the assorted mess and pulls out a tape with a purple label.

"Here..."

Billy takes the tape from Rodriguez as he shuts his locker.

"Very good. Now, have fun getting all the copies back."

"I hate you, Plats..."

"Aw... why? I thought we were friends?" Billy playfully asks with a chuckle.

"Grr..."

With that remark, Rodriguez stomps away from the platypus, with Carl chasing after him. Billy looks down at the tape and smiles.

I got it back, honey.
*****
Billy was walking through the school from the playground with a large smile on his face.

Man, this couldn't have been any better. I got the tape back, I put Rod in his place, and I didn't have to get violent. I just wish that dude would change his ways...

Billy continues to walk, happy about how the recent events have turned out, until he feels the tape snatched from his paw. He turns around to confront the thief, when he sees a black wolf with grey highlights in his fur.

"Hey! Give that back!"

"Oooh! What do we have here? A new tape? Don't mind if I do."

"I do mind! Give it back!"

"Aw, but why? I LOVED your performance in the last one. You're such a good actor, and big to boot," the wolf tells Billy with a grin.

"That may be, but that tape is my property! Give it back!"

"Alright, I'll give it back... if you and I yiff," the wolf says with his grin getting bigger.

"No, you'll give it back regardless!"

"Hmmm... nah, I think I'll keep it then."

"Look, whatever your name is..."

"Xerxes. Xerxes Wolf."

"Well, look Xerxes, that is my property. Stealing it and keeping a hold of it is not a very good thing."

"Aw, you wouldn't turn me in, would you cutie?"

"If it means getting my tape back."

"Aw... can we still at least yiff?"

"I'm not gay."

"Bummer..."

Billy holds out his paw.

"My tape please?"

Xerxes sighs and returns the tape to Billy.

"Alright..."

Billy pulls the tape back to his body and extends his other paw.

"No hard feelings?"

Xerxes looks at Billy's paw and grins. He then wraps his arms around the platypus and pulls him in for a close and tight hug.

"None at all, cutie. I'll see you around."

Xerxes grins and gives Billy a kiss on his cheek before letting go and walking away from him.

"And I thought I'd seen all there is to see at this school..." Billy says to himself, bewildered and awestruck by his latest confrontation. He then looks down to the tape. "Well, at least I got the tape back. That guy was a bit... weird. Wait, who am I to talk? I'm a platypus, and I'm talking to myself now!!!"

Billy shakes his head and laughs.

Alright alright. Well, that's that for that. Time to get the tape back to Sonia.

Billy lets out a small sigh as he continues on his way to the cafeteria, in a hurry to not only see his yellow-furred fox, but to get their precious tape back to her.

Well, that was good news at least. It shows that this tape hasn't really sold much, so nobody really had a chance to see it yet. Things are definitely going my way for once. I wonder what's up with that? The universe seemed so intent on making me so miserable...

Do you not listen, child? I told you the universe wants to see all her children happy.

Billy stops and shakes his head.

"William?"

Yes child. It is me. I see you're still worried about your life.

"Of course! Jen still hates me, this tape got out, and half the school, both guys and girls, want nothing more than to get into my pants!"

Maybe you should let them have it. Why are you so intent on not adapting to this new environment?

"What? You're actually asking me that? Look around! This isn't right! Kids shouldn't be doing this!"

They are just having fun and blowing off some steam. You need to do the same, young William.

"I told you, call me Billy."

"Who are you talking to?" a voice asks as it disrupts the conversation.

You have company. I shall talk to you later.

Billy turns to see the voice, and sees the black wolf with the grey highlights again.

"I told you, Xerxes..."

"Xerxes? I'm not Xerxes."

"Oh, you're not?" Billy questions the wolf skeptically as he raises his left eyebrow curiously.

"No, I'm not. Name's Ethan."

"Ethan, huh?"

"Yup. Ethan Lupis."

"Ethan Lupis, huh?"

"Yeah."

"Hmm... alright, I believe you. You aren't acting like that Xerxes dude."

"Oh, so you ran into him huh?"

"You know him?" Billy asks Ethan.

"Yeah. It's not easy having a gay doppelganger."

"I can imagine. My god, you two look IDENTICAL!"

"That's what a doppelganger is."

"I never used to believe that it happened."

"Well, it does happen, although the odds of it happening are very slim."

"Boy, you sure lucked out on your doppelganger then..." Billy tells Ethan sarcastically and begins to laugh.

"That's not funny!" Ethan replies, starting to laugh as well.

"Sorry, I know it's not. It just was for a brief second."

"Yeah, it was. So, what's your name?"

"Plats, Billy Plats. I'm a secret agent with the codename of double oh eleventy," Billy answers Ethan sternly before laughing again.

"Double oh eleventy, huh?" Ethan questions the platypus before laughing again.

"Yuppers!"

"Alright. So, who were you talking to earlier?"

"Oh, that... I was having a one-on-one with myself..."

"That's cool."

"You don't find it weird that I was talking to myself?" Billy asks the wolf skeptically.

"Not at all. I do it all the time. Hell, I even fight with myself sometimes."

"You don't lose those fights, do you?" Billy playfully asks with a chuckle.

"Nope, never. My opponent isn't ever smart enough to win," Ethan informs Billy with a chuckle of his own.

I heard that Puddles!

"That's good," Billy replies with a smile.

"Well, I got to take off. You take care, ok?" Ethan asks as he extends his paw.

"Sure thing, friend."

Billy smiles and takes the wolf's paw in his own and shakes it.

Hey! I want to meet Billy!

Maybe next time. We gotta get to class!

Damn it. Alright, next time.

Billy and Ethan let go of each others' paws and smile at each other before walking away from each other, Ethan heading toward the locker area and Billy toward the cafeteria.

I really do feel sorry for him. Having a gay wolf that looks like him running around this school CAN'T be easy. But I have a feeling he and I will be good friends.

Billy lets out a happy sigh as he finishes his journey, seeing the cafeteria and all the hungry cubs eating their nutrition inside. He looks around for Sonia, walking from table to table and looking over the many furs sitting around each one. He nearly gives up hope when he finds Sonia sitting at a table in the far back corner, furthest away from the entrance. The happy platypus then walks to the table, placing the tape in front of the eating fox, giving her a kiss as he sits down.

"I got it back honey!"

Sonia swallows the food she had in her mouth and then smiles.

"I knew you would. I'm sorry it got out..."

"Don't worry about it. You had no intention of it."

"So how hurt is Rod? I heard every time you and he fight, you two get badly hurt."

"No fighting," Billy informs his foxy girlfriend. "I just took a page out of his book. Blackmail. It didn't feel too good, but at least it beats having to fight him. Plus maybe he'll see the error of his ways."

"Doubtful. That guy's got a thicker skull than the Great Wall of China," Sonia replies with a giggle.

"Well, one can dream, can't he?" Billy playfully asks with a chuckle of his own.

"Yeah, doesn't hurt to have dreams."

"Nope. So what ya eating?"

"Spaghetti."

"Mmm. Sounds good. Too bad it's too late for lunch."

"Don't worry. You can have lots to eat after school today," Sonia tells Billy with a wink, a grin, and a giggle.
*****
My god, this wolf needs to leave me alone, seriously...

Billy and his new wolf "friend" head for Billy's third afternoon class.

This guy has been following me most of the afternoon. It's starting to creep me out.

Billy sighs and turns around to confront his stalker.

"Ok, seriously... what's up with you? Why are you following me?"

"Sorry, can't help it. I can't easily let go of things I want," Xerxes replies with a giggle.

"Well, please... stop stalking me. I told you we'd be friends, but I don't know if I can with somebody who follows me like a lost puppy."

"Sorry. Alright, I guess I'll see you later..."

With that said, Xerxes slumps away.

I know he meant well, but enough is enough. Billy then spies Rodriguez and Carl heading his way. Speaking of enough...

Rodriguez walks up to the platypus and drops a box of tapes at his feet, growling at his smaller adversary.

"There you go, every tape. Can I go?"

"That was fast," Billy says to the croc skeptically.

"I didn't have much time to sell them."

"And how can I trust that that is every last one?"

"Let's see, you're threatening me with cops. I don't think I'm gonna chance that just to screw you over, freak."

"Alright." Billy then looks to the panther holding the school camera and taping the conversation. "Hey Carl, thanks for doing this for me. Why don't you swing by my place later and we'll edit those tapes? That way I can also pay you."

Carl nods his head.

"Where do you live?" the panther asks the platypus.

"I'll find you after-school and lead you there, ok? Until then, keep the camera and tape or tapes with you, ok?"

"Alright. See you after school."

The black panther then takes his leave of his two acquaintances, taking the school equipment with him. Billy looks down at the tapes and smiles.

"Alright Rod. Help me destroy these."

"Grr... how?"

"You're strong. Smash them."

"Grr..."

Rodriguez opens the box and picks up a tape, bending it in half. The tape snaps once Rod bends it hard enough, pieces of plastic and tape falling to the ground.

"Not right now, Rod!" Billy exclaims.

"But..."

"After school, when we have time."

"Grr... let me guess, you'll call the cops if I don't show?"

"Nope. Want to know a secret?"

"What?" Rodriguez asks with a growl.

"That was just a bluff. I was never gonna do that, but it was the only way I could get you to get these back."

Rodriguez's eyes widen as he looks at the platypus. He then begins to laugh.

"Oh wow..."

"What?" Billy questions the laughing croc.

"You know, I think you were right. I think you and I can be great friends. It looks like I'm starting to rub off on you."

"No you're not..."

"You just blackmailed me to get what you wanted," the giant reptile informs Billy.

"One time only."

"Whatever, I think I'm turning you into me," Rodriguez says with a chuckle.

"I'm not turning into you..."

"We shall see, but I know this... I'm gonna try to hang around you more often to try and complete the transformation," the croc tells the platypus with a grin.

Is this his way of saying "let's be friends"? It really sucks...

"So, after school, right Plats?"

"Plats?"

"Yeah, Plats. I need to call you something other than freak."

"Uh... ok..."

"So, like I asked, after school, right?"

"Uh... sure."

"Alright. Later Plats."

Rodriguez waves quickly to the platypus before walking away, leaving him to think about what just happened with a box full of tapes of him and his girlfriend yiffing at his feet. The distraught platypus looks down at the tapes.

I'm not becoming him, am I?

Billy shrugs this thought off and picks up the box, heading for his locker.

I hope I'm not becoming him... I DID blackmail him, but that was to keep things from turning violent...

Billy shakes his head when his locker catches his eye. He walks to it, turns the knob, and lifts the handle, opening the door. He sets the box inside and closes the door, sighing as the mechanism locks the door up. The platypus then walks away and heads for his last class of the day. The class flies by fast for him and the bell rings to release the cubs from their "prison" to head home to have fun and do homework. Billy walks back to his locker and grabs the box of "adult" videos and waits for his panther and crocodile acquaintances. A silver-furred fox walks up to Billy first however.

"Hey Billy. Stopping by today?"

"Nah Alex, not today. I got a few things to do today after school."

"Like destroy them tapes?"

"You knew?"

"Yeah, the school was buzzing about it for a few periods until Rodriguez took back all the tapes and gave all the money back."

"Then it looks like he did get them all."

Just then, a lion walks past, overhearing the conversation.

"You guys talking about them tapes? Was a shame. My cousin bought a copy for me. Was looking forward to seeing it."

"Yeah, it sucks..." Billy says to the lion, playing along with the idea of the tapes not being available to the public being a bad thing.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think we've met," the lion says happily to Alex and Billy. "I'm Cid Leon."

"Billy. Billy Plats."

"Alex Sosserone."

"Awesome, nice to meet you guys. Hopefully we can hang out some day?"

"Sounds like a plan, Cid," Billy tells the lion. "But not today. I got some stuff to do."

"Alright. Well, I'm staying not far from my cousin's place. I'll give you both directions one day."

"Sounds great," Billy says with a smile. He then sees Rodriguez and Carl coming in the distance. "Well, Cid, I'll see you around."

Billy then walks away from the lion and fox and heads for the croc and panther.

"Hey Rod, hey Carl."

"Hey Plats. Hey, do me a favor... tell this punk that I'm not his friend."

"Come on, we got along while you were collecting those tapes..."

"No we didn't you freak. I was being tortured, and you were watching it!"

"Aw, you know you had fun."

"Um... can we just go? I don't feel too secure standing here with a box full of yiff tapes in my paws that everybody wants," Billy interjects.

"Wait, we're both coming?" Carl questions the nervous platypus.

"Yeah. You're gonna help me edit and collect your payment, and Rod's gonna help me destroy these tapes."

"Sounds like a plan, Stan. Or, in this case, Billy," Carl says with a chuckle.

Rodriguez rolls his eyes and sighs.

This kid's gonna get on my nerves.

"Well, let's go guys," Billy summons them as he walks away.

Rodriguez and Carl walk and catch up to Billy as they head for the buses. The sight of Rodriguez walking with two "friends" causes the cubs they pass to start whispering to one another. The gossiping causes Billy to wonder and worry about what is being said between one fur to another.

I hope they're thinking Rod's turning over a new leaf and not Carl and I. Last thing I need is for cubs to start fearing me again. I'm actually comfortable with the way things are now. Sure, I could deal without girls wanting to yiff me because of the tapes, but I like fitting in. I don't want to go back to "the poisonous alien freak". I guess only time will tell...

Yes, my child. Time will tell, and I will too.

Billy stops in his tracks.

"William?" Billy asks aloud.

"You talking to yourself, Plats?"

Billy looks to Carl and Rodriguez and shakes his head.

"Nah, sorry, thought I saw somebody I recognized, so I called out his name. Wasn't him though."

"Whatever man."

The trio of cubs begin to walk along again.

Sorry to startle you, young William. But I figured your heart would be at ease if I told you I am going to help you solve your dilemma with Miss Tigre.

You are? Awesome!

In due time. As for now, I just have one piece of advice for you. Worry not about what other cubs think of you. Worry only about what your friends think, including the two at your sides.

Yeah... but...

Trust me.

Alright. I will.

Very well. I shall speak to you at a later time. For now, enjoy the rest of the week.

The internal conversation ends as William's last words echo through Billy's mind.

Enjoy the rest of the week, huh? I'll try. You know, yeah... that works. I WILL enjoy the rest of the week.

"I hope that's 'all you can eat' you're talking about," Billy says as he winks back with a chuckle.

"Yup. All you can eat."

"Looking forward to that buffet then."

Suddenly, a bell rings and interrupts the conversation.

"Well, looks like we gotta get to class."

"Yeah, you better go. I need to finish my lunch. I'll get a pass from the lunch ladies."

"Alright. I'll see you later, love."

Billy leans over and gives Sonia a gentle kiss before standing up and leaving the cafeteria, headed for his next class.
*****
The trio of cubs make their way out of the building, onto the awaiting bus, and to the back. The bus then pulls away from the school, picking up speed and make its way down the road, making turns to drop cubs wanting to get home off at their stops.

"Why are we sitting all the way back here?" Carl asks the other two.

"Ask Billy, he lead. I'm guessing it's cause he doesn't want to be seen with me."

"I figured YOU, Rod, didn't want to be seen with US," Billy responds.

"Maybe not the pussy cat."

"What's that mean?" Carl questions the croc, slightly upset at Rodriguez's wording.

"Kittens belong in strollers, not hanging around furs like me."

"Hey, I'm 11, thank you very much!" Carl replies proudly.

"Your point is?" Rodriguez bluntly asks the proud panther.

"I'm not a kitten anymore!"

"Yeah you are. So you're in the double digits in age, big deal. Age doesn't mean anything if you're soft. I can tell just by being around you this one day that you're too nice," the crocodile informs Carl.

"What's wrong with being nice? Huh?"

"Well, for starters, furs will walk all over you. To get ahead, you have to look out for number one and take a big number two on everybody else!"

"No wonder everybody hates you..." Carl mumbles to himself as he looks out the window, watching the pavement roll under the bus. "You know," the panther says louder to Rodriguez. "I may be too nice, but at least furs will do things for me if I ever ask. Being mean is a good way to alienate yourself from society."

"Like I need anybody in this world..."

"I'm sorry to interrupt this conversation, but we're almost there," Billy interjects.

The two cubs look at each other, Rodriguez frowning and Carl indifferent. The panther then shrugs off the crocodile's words and smiles, looking back out the window again. He watches as the rolling pavement begins to slow, and then eventually stop. The three get up out of their seats and quickly climb off the bus. Once off, Billy turns and leads the other two down the sidewalk, guiding them to his home. Rodriguez just follows Billy while Carl takes in the sights as he follows the leading platypus. Billy guides his acquaintances down the sidewalk a very short while before stopping in front of a one-story house. Billy turns to look at it and smiles. Rodriguez and Carl turn to look as well.

"Kinda small..." Rodriguez mumbles.

"Hey, it may be small, but it's cozy. I got a couple of pools, and my own room. Even got a guest room. We don't need a big house."

Billy shakes off the crocodile's words and leads them to the front door, walking down the sidewalk, guiding the way to the entry. Once he gets there with his two guests, Billy opens the door and allows the two to enter first. Billy follows them inside, closing the door behind him and taking off his shoes and backpack, leaving them by the door. Afterwards he walks into the kitchen, where his mother is washing dishes. The young platypus walks up to her and gives her a hug.

"Hi mom. I'm home."

"Hi honey, how was school?" Mary asks her son.

"Not bad. Eventful. Hey, do you mind if I have a few friends over?"

"Not at all, dear. Are they staying for dinner?"

"Um... maybe. I don't know."

"Alright, I'll make extra just in case. If it doesn't get eaten, we'll have leftovers for you to take for lunch to school tomorrow."

"What's for dinner tonight anyway?"

"You'll see," Mary tells the young platypus with a wink. "Now why don't you run along and play with your friends?"

"Alright."

Billy gives his mother a kiss before leaving her company and heading into the living room with Rodriguez and Carl. Rodriguez, upon entering the room, immediately sits down in one of two reclining chairs in the living room. Carl takes a seat on a three seat couch, less than a yard away from Rodriguez.

"Hey, I'll be right back," Billy tells his company before leaving the room.

The panther and crocodile sit there in silence, the panther looking around taking the sights in and the crocodile just sitting there with his eyes closed. A few moments pass before Rodriguez's tension rises high, being bothered by both being left alone with Carl and the dead silence.

"What's taking him so long?"

"Nothing, I'm back..." Billy tells the crocodile as he enters the room with a check-book in his paw.

He then takes a seat on the couch between Carl and Rodriguez.

"Oh yeah... you're gonna pay the kitten, that's right."

"I'm not a kitten!" Carl quickly blurts out in self-defense.

"Whatever."

Billy grabs the pen he rests inside the book, flips open the book, and begins to write.

"I said $50, right?" Billy asks Carl rhetorically.

"Yeah."

Billy nods his head and continues to write, quickly making the check out and tearing it off. He then hands it to the panther.

"Alright, here you go. But I need the tape."

"There's no way that check is real," Rodriguez says to the two.

"It is," Billy tells the skeptical crocodile.

"Bullshit, there's no way you have that kind of money to just give away $50 as you wish."

"But I do. I have over $2400 in the bank. $2461.68 to be exact. Well, now $2411.68."

"Bullshit!" Rodriguez blurts. "There's no way you have that kind of money. Not unless you're rich!"

"Well, my dad, being an accountant, does make a nice salary, but that money I have is my allowance. I've been saving for three years now. $25 a week. But when I moved here, I had to have it all converted, and now my dad gives me the same amount, but converted into US dollars, which is a little over $15 a week. Man, those conversion rates can suck sometimes..."

"You seriously have that kind of money?!? Who in their right mind would save their money for that long!?!?" Rodriguez asks hysterically.

"Hey, the way I see it is this... Sure, I can enjoy a comic book or something with $15 a week, but by saving, I can buy myself a TV or a computer or something."

"I guess that's true..."

"Anyway," Billy says before turning his attention to Carl. "Remember, I need the tape."

"Oh, right!"

Carl then pulls his backpack off his back, unzips the top zipper, reaches his paw inside, and quickly pulls out the tape. He then hands the tape to Billy.

"Thanks Carl," Billy says with a smile.

"No problem. So when do we edit this thing?"

"Never. I don't have any editing equipment, and I really never planned on editing it. I just said we would so that you could come to my place and get your payment. I don't ever carry more than $10 with me at a time. Never know when you could get robbed."

"Good idea. So no editing then, huh? Gotcha."

"But you can still stay to hang out and eat dinner and stuff if you want," Billy says invitingly.

"Nah, I'll pass. I got a new video game yesterday, and I been aching to play it. Thanks for the invite though."

"That's understandable."

Carl quickly zips his book-bag up and stands up.

"Really though, thanks. I'll accept next time. I'll see you around," Carl says with a smile before leaving the living room and, a quick moment later, the house.

Rodriguez watches the panther leave and lets out a sigh of relief.

"Man, that guy really gets on my nerves."

"What's so bad about him?"

"He's just too nice. Creeps me out!"

"I'm nice too, but I don't creep you out," Billy tells Rodriguez.

"You're nice, but you don't let others walk over you. He'll let others walk over him just so they'll like him. It's that kind of attitude that creeps me out."

"I guess," Billy mumbles.

The platypus then looks to the tape in his paw, then to Rodriguez, and then back to the tape. He smiles as he passes the tape to Rodriguez. Rodriguez looks to the tape and then back to Billy.

"Alright Plats, what's the catch?"

"None. Just consider this a sign of friendship, ok?"

Rodriguez looks back down to the tape and smiles. "Wow, thanks. You know, you really are alright."

"Thanks. You're not so bad yourself. Takes a while to penetrate that thick skin, but it's worth it."

"Thanks, but this doesn't mean I'm going easy on you in school or anything. I have a reputation to uphold. I don't need everybody thinking I'm going soft if I start to relax with ANYBODY."

"Why don't you just get rid of that reputation then?"

"I told you, it's easier for me this way. I don't get hurt by anybody. Like I said, I look out for number one and take a big number two on everybody else."

"That's no way to look at life, especially with good furs around you."

"If you say so..."

"I do. But I won't try to make you change. You are who you are. Just like I am who I am."

"Whatever."

Billy chuckles at Rodriguez's reply. "Alright. Well, you gonna stay or go home too?"

"I'll stay, but you have to let me at your video game collection."

"I don't have any video games."

"What?!? You HAVE to have video games!!!"

"Nope," Billy tells the crocodile.

"Jeez, you really ARE a freak. Got movies at least?"

"Of course!"

"Alright, you gotta let me at your movie collection then!"

"Alright. Hmm... how about Popeye?"

"Um... pass. How about something with more action?"

"Crank?"

"That works!"

Billy nods as he rises from the couch. He walks over to his movie collection, resting next to the family television. He looks through the DVDs until he pulls the movie he's looking for. He walks to the TV with the case in paw, turning on the TV and DVD player once getting there. He opens the case, pops the disc out, opens the DVD tray, sets the disc in, closes the tray and case, and returns to his seat. Billy grabs the DVD remote and pushes play, allowing the movie to start. Two hours later, the movie comes to an end and Billy turns off the DVD player and the TV.

"Now THAT'S a movie," Rodriguez says aloud.

"Yeah. Plus it killed enough time. My dad should be home any minute now and dinner ready shortly after."

"Hey, is your family the talking type during dinner?"

"Sometimes. Depends on the night."

"I'm probably gonna eat quick and then bail if that's alright with you."

"Um... sure... but why do you have to..." Billy begins before cutting himself off. "Oh, my dad's home!"

"Huh? He didn't come in..."

"He's pulling into the driveway," Billy informs the curious croc.

"If you say so."

A few moments later, the two hear a car door open and slam shut before the front door opens.

"I'm home!" Stephen calls throughout the house. He closes the door behind him and walks into the living room, noticing Billy's company. "Hi son. How was your day?"

"Not bad. Yours?"

"Not bad. I see you have company. I won't disturb you. Dinner should be done very shortly, so go wash up and join us at the table."

"Alright dad. Come on Rod."

Billy gets up off the couch with a smile, with Rodriguez sighing to himself as he gets up and follows Billy. He leads his guest to the bathroom, showing him inside as the two of them begin to wash their paws.

"Yeah, they definitely seem like bonders," Rodriguez mentions to the platypus.

"Huh?"

"The kind that will talk during dinner to get to know their son's friends."

"Oh. I told you that."

"Well, that's why I'm gonna rush."

"I understand. You got your reputation," Billy chuckles.

"That, and bonding moments make me sick to my stomach. You should spend a day in my house. It's every croc for his or her self. If you want to do something, be the first to do it. If you want to eat, be the first at the table. No bonding, no family unity, just the way I like it."

"Jeez..."

"Alright. I'm clean enough. Now, time to get this over with and dash," Rodriguez says to himself as he leaves the bathroom.

Jeez, meant to be alone straight from the day he was born.

Billy shakes the thoughts from his head as he finishes washing up and joins the other three at the dinner table in the kitchen. He sits down in his chair, noticing a plate of food has been prepared for him. A slice of meatloaf, a scoop of mashed potatoes, a scoop of corn and green beans, a roll, and in the center of the table rests a boat full with brown gravy. Every plate at the table is set up the same, except for Rodriguez's plate, which has twice as much food. Billy grabs the gravy and pours it on his food as he notices Rodriguez shoveling the food into his mouth as if he had never eaten before. The adult platypi watch as the crocodile eats, amazed at how fast he is eating.

"So... hungry?" Stephen asks with Rodriguez ignoring the question.

"Do you want seconds?" Mary asks the eating croc.

"No, I'm good."

Within mere moments of sitting down at the table, Rodriguez has polished his plate clean. He sits back for a second, lets out a loud belch, stands up from the table.

"Alright. Later Platses."

He then leaves the kitchen. He grabs his belongings from the living room, tape of him returning the tapes and getting the money back included, and he dashes out the front door. The family of platypi all look at one another in disbelief of what they just witnessed.

"My... what an... interesting... young man..." Mary stammers out.

"Needs to learn some manners or something..." Stephen adds.

"That's Rod for ya..." Billy says as he finishes the conversation about the crocodile.

The three then turn their attention to their own plates, sitting and eating, talking and enjoying each others' company. Billy finishes his supper first, with his father finishing second and mother third. Mary collects the dirty dishes and places them in the kitchen sink.

"I'll clean these up," Mary happily offers.

"Thank you," the two male platypi say in return.

They then stand up and leave the kitchen, walking into the living room. Stephen turns and looks at Billy.

"Aright, son. You should go do your homework now. Then, depending on what time it is, you can play for a little bit before taking a shower and finally going to bed."

"Yes dad."

"Alright. If I don't see you before the end of the night, I love you and good night," Stephen tells his son with a smile.

"I love you too dad."

Billy leaves his father's company and heads for the front door to collect his book-bag. Once collected, he takes his nap-sack and takes it to his room, plopping it on the floor in front of his door. He walks to his bed and collapses on it, resting his head on the pillow and allowing his body to relax.

Thank goodness I did all my homework in school. I can take some time to relax and catch up on some sleep. Haven't slept well the past few days.

Billy closes his eyes and lets his mind wander, his entire body being engulfed in relaxation. It doesn't take long for the young platypus to find sanctuary from the real world inside his dream world. He finds himself in a familiar scene, space and invisible platforms.

Alright William. I know you're here.

William appears in front of Billy, coming to existence out of non-existence.

"Yes I am. I made a promise and I shall keep it."

Yeah, help with Jen. But first, I gotta ask... what's up with the space theme?

"I shall answer your question with one of my own. Do you know where we are?"

Yeah, space.

"No. We are in your mind, or the visual representation of it."

Really... wow... Hey! Wait! Are you saying I'm empty minded or something?!?

"Not at all. While most furs only use 10% of their brain ever, that is not the reason your mind looks like this."

Alright, explain.

"Alright. The reason your mind's representation looks like this is because you are a dreamer, and dreamers are often influenced by the universe. Many seek the stars, but some dreamers look for planets or other lifeforms. You are one of the dreamers influenced by the stars."

Dreamer?

"Yes. Dreamer. A dreamer often dreams of goals that most furs would declare impossible. Like your quest to become normal when every part of you is unique, or your quest to make a friend out of someone who can be arguably called the biggest menace to society ever. You dream to touch the stars, to fix what cannot be repaired, and to walk on the clouds. Fortunately for you, you have the skills to make any and all of your dreams come true with a little work. That is why you try so hard to fix your broken relationship with Jen."

Alright, fortune cookie. Just tell me how to settle things with Jen!

"I shall, but I shall not do it in the way you think I shall. I shall not give you the answer, nor shall I give you a hint to the answer. Your life's biggest problems must be faced alone. I shall, however, give you peace of mind to think clearly."

Oh yeah, how?

"By telling you your future. You see, all along you have been so obsessed with the idea that the universe does not want to see you happy that you have not seen that happiness has been around all along. You have friends that care for you, a new girlfriend who loves you, a family to take care of you, and the adoration of most of the cubs in your school. You focus too much on the negatives, young William."

For the last time, call me Billy. And if my happiness is here, how come I feel so miserable?

"Because you focus too much on the negatives. However trust in yourself and trust in me, for your life will have no more negatives for a while after you attempt to remain friends with Miss Tigre."

Really, that sounds great!

"It is. However, do not worry."

Worry? Why would I worry?

"After tonight, you shall hear from me and see of me no more."

What!?!? Why?!?

"Do you know who I am?"

Yeah. Me!

"Yes, to an extent. I am your subconscious, the part of you that sees the truth when you are too emotional or unwilling to see it yourself. The part of you that you can only see in a dream world like this to learn the truth. After tonight, you will no longer have a need to look for me. Your answer will be clear, and you will have your friends and your girlfriend to support you when your next negative comes."

Wait, next negative?

"Yes, next negative. Your life, much like every life, will always be full of positives and negatives, full of peace and controversy. It is how the individual handles them that determines what kind of fur he or she will become. You will become great, William. Have no worries."

But what will I do without you? I don't think any of this would've been possible without you...

"Fear not. You are young, and you shall be able to find your own answers alone in due time. However my time's end is nigh. Just remember, you will be great. You just have to be sure of it."

William smiles at Billy for one final time before his being dissolves into nothingness, leaving Billy alone. Billy looks around and sighs.

Great, now what?

Suddenly, the emptiness of space melts away as a new scene develops. Billy finds himself in school, with all of his classmates walking around him, talking to one another, smiling and laughing. Billy takes a look around and smiles, William's words still ringing in his head.

"You are young", huh? I think I know how to solve this now. Thank you William. And good-bye. 
*****
Chapter 24
As a new day dawns in Pouncefield, Billy lays awake, watching as the night's raven sky slowly turns crimson with the rising sun. He stares at the brightly lit pale moon, basking in the fading moonlight, and can't help but think that his life is finally returning to normal, to the way it was before he moved to Pouncefield over a month ago. All the friends he has made, the challenges he has had, and his troubles with the opposite sex in this particular school. And now with the disappearance of William, his inner guide, Billy is more certain than ever that his life is finally calming down and all the pieces are finally in place to his jig-saw puzzle called life.

Well, all but one piece. And it's the biggest piece in the puzzle. Jen. I think I know how to get her to calm down and us to be friends, but it's gonna take some work to get that giant shield of hers lowered. I know Jerry and Amber will help me with that, but I don't think that's gonna be enough. I'm gonna have to go to Geoff.

The young platypus finishes his thoughts just in time as the buzzer to his alarm clock starts to sound. Billy looks at it and turns it off, letting out a sigh.

Time for school already, huh? Gonna be weird going and not having to worry about anything aside from talking to Geoff. No tapes, no bullies, no yiff-crazed cubs chasing me... Man, this is going to be a boring day. I can tell. Wait, on second thought, it won't be. The talk with Geoff will be more than enough excitement for the day. The guy does hate me with a passion ever since I showed him up in the pool a few weeks ago, and now that I gave him a concussion, he's not going to be eager to sit down to TALK to me. Better prepare for a shouting match...

Billy sighs once more as he climbs out of his bed and walks over to his dresser. He pulls out a drawer and digs around inside, grabbing a shirt, pair of pants, and a tie. Billy looks at the uniform and sighs for a third time in a few brief moments.

You know, I don't think I'll EVER get used to wearing the tie. I'm surprised I've done a good job of it so far though. Dressing up makes me itchy.

Billy sighs one last time before taking of his nightwear and putting on the uniform. The young platypus closes the drawer and tosses his nightwear on his bed before leaving his room, heading for the kitchen. He enters when he arrives, only to find that it's empty. Billy shrugs it off, wondering for only a moment why his mother and father weren't up. The platypus grabs a piece of fruit from the fridge and heads for the front door where his shoes lay waiting for him, socks included inside. He grabs the socks from inside the shoes and puts them on before putting his school shoes on last. Billy takes one last look into his house before exiting out the front door and walking to the bus stop, where he's sure Edward and Edna will already be waiting for him. His mind falls asleep as his body walks toward his destination. He only stops walking when two familiar voices wake his mind awake again.

"Hellllloooooo??? Anybody home?"

"Hey! You're about to walk past the bus stop!"

Billy shakes his head and looks to his two fox friends with a smile.

"Sorry about that. Guess I kinda fell asleep without realising it. I didn't get much sleep last night."

"Why are you apologizing to us for?" Edward asks his friend.

"Um... you know... I really have no idea..."

With that, all three cubs started laughing. The laughter is cut short and taken over by a couple of groans as Carlos pulls up with the bus. The fox siblings and platypus all climb on board and head for their seats. Billy finds something amiss when a certain young fox doesn't pounce on him and tackle him to the floor like she always does.

Sonia's not here? Hm... I hope she's not sick. I'll have to swing by and see her.

Billy takes his usual seat, leans his head against the window, and decides to close his eyes for a quick nap. It feels like only a second or two passes before Jenny is shaking him awake from the seat in front of him.

"Hey, we're at school."

Billy lets out a big yawn and blinks his eyes a few times.

"Oh really? Thanks for the wake up call."

"Not a problem," Jenny says with a smile.

Billy smiles back and watches as the shy feline leaves her seat and gets off the bus. The young platypus then stands up, stretches for a moment, before doing like-wise, heading into the building once finally off the bus. The morning classes there-after don't go so well for Billy as he garners a couple of detentions for falling asleep too many times. And in gym he even winds up on the bad side of Lucy and Mrs. Trousers as he falls asleep mid-jog, falling down and tripping up a few cubs as he goes down. As Billy leaves the gym, he lets out a sigh of despair.

Man, maybe I shouldn't have stayed up all night thinking. Now I've gotta serve detention today and tomorrow, and on top of that Trousers has already said she's gonna work me twice as hard tomorrow to make up for today. Oh well, it's lunch time. If I'm gonna talk to Geoff alone, this is gonna be the perfect time.

Billy rushes toward the cafeteria, hopeful to catch Geoff alone. He makes good time, arriving very quickly, and skips the line to grab lunch. The young platypus looks around the filling cafeteria, trying to catch a glimpse of his beaver rival. He starts to lose hope when he notices a table with only one fur in the furthest corner of the room.

Bingo.

Billy walks toward the lonely fur and sits down at his table.

"What the hell do you want?" the fur asks angrily.

"To talk."

"To talk? Or to give me another concussion?"

"To talk."

"Well?"

"Alright," Billy says with a happy sigh. "Listen, first off, I'm sorry for what happened. I lost my cool when you insulted Sonia."

"Oh, so that excuses what you did?" Geoff quickly retorts with a dead-on glare at Billy.

"No, I'm not saying it does. But I do need to know why you insulted an innocent girl you don't know."

"What's it matter to you? You know, I actually thought you were different than the other guys around here, but you're not."

"Ok, explain that one please."

"I actually used to think you were a good guy, actually cared about others, especially the girl you were with. But I was wrong. You're just like all the other guys around here, only caring about your dick. I was right to not like you from the start. I don't know why I started to at all."

"Hey, I'm not like that. And you know as well as I do that Jen broke up with me."

"A TRIAL separation, you dumbass!" Geoff nearly shouts.

"She should've said that then," Billy calmly replies to the temperamental beaver.

"She did! At least she told me she did."

"You and her are speaking again, huh?"

"Of course. You know, I may not get along with everybody, but I do make sure to be nice to the ones I feel worthy of my friendship. That would be Jen, Jerry, and Amber. It ALMOST was you at one point, until you showed your true colors."

"Come on... you're still not mad about that race we had weeks ago too, are you?"

"Of course! You made me look like a damn fool in front of Jen!"

"Hey, you're the one who had the big mouth that day."

"I was just trying to impress Jen and Jerry. I figured they'd give me more respect as a swimmer if I could beat the new guy. But no, you had to come in with your cocky attitude, toy with me during our race, and then sweep Jen off her feet! And what happened a couple of weeks later? You dropped her to the ground and ran after the next girl you wanted to get some off of."

"I told you, it she broke up with me. And why are you so upset that she went out with me anyway? As her friend, you should've been happy."

Geoff, starting to feel the sting in his heart from the conversation, stays silent to Billy's question. He stands up and tries to walk away, but his platypus nemesis grabs him and holds him.

"Hey, let go!!!"

"Not until you answer me."

"You don't deserve the answer. Now let go!!!"

"Tell me."

"It's because I love her, alright!?!?!?" Geoff yells at the top of his lungs, drawing the attention of every fur in the cafeteria. Geoff looks around, noticing all the attention is on him. He blushes and sits back down. "Sorry guys!"

"So that's the meat of it, huh? You never liked me because I got to Jen first, huh? And that's why you attacked Sonia when Jen got upset about me finding her when she broke up with me?"

"Trial separation, and yes, if you MUST know..."

"Why didn't you ever act on that?"

"You see how slow I am in the pool. It's embarrassing. I'm a beaver, a natural born swimmer, and a cat and a squirrel both swim faster than me..." Geoff shamefully admits.

"What about Amber?"

"I'm talking the original members. But yeah, I thought she wouldn't even give me a chance if I couldn't garner some sort of respect from her as a swimmer."

"You know, relationships aren't based on who's the fastest, strongest, biggest, or richest. It's all about personality and if sparks fly between the two in the relationship."

"Well, I think I killed any of those when I made that tape..."

"I can tell you she's definitely forgiven you for that. She was really upset with me and happy with you when you fought for her honor and I beat you up. Sorry."

"She did? Well, at least we're friends again. Say, how DO you move so fast in the water?"

"Natural talent," Billy tells his beaver companion.

"Bullshit. I got 'natural talent' too, and I'm slow as hell in the water."

"I tell you what, you help me get Jen to listen to me, and I'll help you get faster, deal?"

"Jen listen to you? For what?"

"You think I wanted to hurt Jen? Even though it was an accident, I still feel very bad about hurting her. I just want to make amends. I don't want to lose her as a friend."

"Hmm... looks like I WAS wrong about you..."

"Geoff..." Billy says with a disgusted sigh, rolling his eyes.

"No, I WAS wrong. You ARE a nice guy. Alright, you got a deal. I'll help you win Jen's friendship back, but only if you help me get faster in the pool. Give me a lesson before the barbecue that Jerry is having and you've got your help. Ok?"

"You got a deal."

"Good. Now, would you kindly leave me to my lunch please? I like having my privacy when I eat..."

"Alright."

Billy stands up and starts to walk away, but turns when he hears Geoff's voice one last time.

"Oh, and Billy... this doesn't mean I'm done trying to beat you. I won't rest until I get faster than you and can beat you in a race."

"Whatever floats your boat, Geoff," Billy says with a chuckle.

The young platypus then leaves the cafeteria with a big smile stretched across his face.

That went better than expected. I think Geoff and I may finally be friends, and he'll help me with Jen. I just hope he's ready for non-stop swimming. Now, it's time to get that last piece to fit. Jen. I can't wait for Saturday! 
*****
As Billy walks away from the cafeteria, feeling nigh indestructible, as a small rumbling noise quickly shoots through the nearby area. Billy looks down at his body and chuckles quietly to himself.

I was in such a hurry to talk to Geoff that I forgot to get lunch. I don't think it's too late to go back and grab a sandwich.

However, as soon as Billy thinks those words to himself, the overhead bell rings, signaling the end of the period.

Oh, that's just great. I guess it IS too late to get a sandwich now. And I even have to serve detention today... note to self, never stay up all night thinking again. Either that, or start investing in energy drinks.

Billy defeatedly sighs as he stumbles along the halls, walking toward the playground where happy cubs are at play, running, tossing balls to each other, and just enjoying what little free time they have during the school day to be kids again. Billy, when he finally reaches the doors letting out to the playground, exits the prison he calls school and enters onto the green grass of the playground, where he immediately walks over to a bench and lays down, stretching out completely. He closes his heavy eyelids and decides to try and get a quick nap to try and keep him awake through the afternoon classes. However, the forces of fate seem intent on keeping Billy from getting his much needed rest, because Pokeinfo quickly walks up to him and nails him in the head with a ball, knocking Billy off the bench.

"Come on! Wake up! You're supposed to be playing, not sleeping!"

Billy quickly rises to his feet and sits back down on the bench with a very upset look on his face.

"What the hell was that for?!?!" Billy yells at the playful lion with a menacing glare.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you or anything. Just think you should be playing instead of sleeping."

"I didn't get any sleep last night, for your information."

"Busy with Sonia, huh?" Pokeinfo playfully asks with a grin and a quiet chuckle.

"Not that it's any of your business, but no, I wasn't. I was up thinking."

"About Sonia?" the lion asks with another quiet chuckle.

"Poke... there are more things in this life than getting laid. I was up all night thinking about my life."

"You're way too serious ya know. You need to slow down and smell the flowers and yiff the girls while you're young and we don't have anything to worry about man."

"I know. This thing with Jen just has me a little high strung right now."

"Try not to worry about it. It'll work out in the end."

"I think hell has frozen over, because Pokeinfo is being insightful," Billy replies to the lion with a laugh.

"Yeah yeah. Anyway, need an energy drink to help keep you up?"

"If you got it."

Pokeinfo reaches into his pocket and pulls out a silver can with red lining and tosses it to Billy. Billy looks at it and sees an outline of a chicken on the front of the can.

"It's called Cock Punch. It's pretty good."

"Cock Punch?"

"Yeah, punch flavored energy drink."

"Why the 'Cock' part?"

"Who knows? I find it funny though. But try it. It's good. Anyway, I'll let you take your nap now if you want."

With those words said, the playful young lion grabs the ball he threw at Billy and takes his leave of his platypus friend. Billy lays back down on the bench and closes his eyes once again.

Cock Punch, huh? Weird name, but if it'll help me stay awake through the afternoon classes, it's worth a OOMPH!

Billy's eyes shoot open as he feels something crash down on him. He quickly darts his body up to see what it is.

"Oh, hey Sonia. You really need to give a guy warning before you do that. Plus you're lucky I got thick padding on my body, or else I'd be in real trouble," Billy says with a chuckle.

"Oh yeah, your ribs, I'm sorry. I keep forgetting. I just keep getting so happy to see you I just..." Sonia tells her platypus boyfriend.

"Yeah, speaking of which, what happened on the bus today? You weren't there."

"Oh, my dad gave us a ride to school today. We all kinda slept in."

"Slept in? Didn't you set your alarm clocks?"

"Actually, no, we forgot."

"Well, as long as you're well and good, that's all that matters. I thought you got sick or something," Billy replies with a smile.

"Nope, perfectly healthy," Sonia says with her own smile.

"Was gonna stop by your place today to see if you were ok."

"You can still do that you know, even though you know I'm ok."

"Sorry, can't. At least not right away. I got detention today."

"You? Got detention? Now who'd you poison?" Sonia questions her boyfriend with a giggle.

"Nobody. Fell asleep in class," Billy answers his playful fox girlfriend with a chuckle.

"That's not like you. Rough night last night?"

"Not rough. I was up all night thinking."

"About my body? Furvert," Sonia quickly answers the platypus, sticking out her tongue and giggling.

"Yeah, because I don't get enough of it during the day that I need to think about it at night," Billy says with another chuckle. "Nah, I was thinking about my life."

"Jen still?"

"Yeah. I mean, I want to be friends with her so bad, but I'm at my breaking point. My mind feels like one of them 'This is your brain... this is your brain on drugs' commercials with the egg and the frying pan, but my egg gets scrambled before going in."

"Jeez honey, you really need to loosen up and unwind."

"I know, Pokeinfo came by and told me the same thing."

"Is that where you got that can?" Sonia asks the young platypus as she looks at the silver can in his paw.

"Yeah, it's an energy drink. Cock Punch."

"Cock Punch?"

"Yeah, Cock Punch. Poke says it's punch flavored energy drink."

"Why the 'Cock' part though?"

"Whoa, déja vù!" Billy says with a chuckle. "I asked him the same thing, and he didn't have an answer."

"Go figure Pokeinfo would have something called 'Cock Punch' though."

"Hey, if it helps me keep awake, I'll try it."

"Yeah, we don't need you getting more and more detention."

"Yeah. So hey, are you busy Saturday?"

"Not really, why?"

"I wanted to bring you to a cook-out Jerry is having. It's for the swim team, but Jerry said I could bring you if you wanted to come."

"Think that's a good idea? Having Jen and me in the same place? I can't tell you I've completely forgiven her for attacking me the other day..."

"It'll be fine. Jerry, Amber, and Geoff are gonna try to talk to her a little for me and help her ease up a bit so I can talk to her and try to get her friendship back."

"Geoff's gonna talk to her? How do you know this?"

"I asked him, and he said yes."

"Ok, I don't think that's such a good idea. Remember the tape?"

"We're past that. Geoff and I are friends now."

"Ok, hell's frozen over!" Sonia says with a giggle.

"I know, weird huh?" Billy replies with his own chuckle.

"Yeah. Anyway, I'm gonna go find Alex and tease him a bit. Try to get some rest, ok?" Sonia tells her platypus boyfriend as she gives him a soft, warm kiss on his cheek.

"Will do. You have fun, ok?"

"Oh, you know I will," Sonia answers with a smile and another giggle.

"I know you will too," Billy says with another chuckle.

Sonia smiles as she gets up off her tired boyfriend and walks away. She takes five steps away from him before she looks back at him, over her shoulder, and blows him a kiss. The yellow-furred fox then turns her head back around and walks away from the bench and the platypus laying down on it. Billy looks up into the sky with a smile once all present company is gone and smiles before his heavy eyelids quickly drag across his eyes, blotting out the sky with the darkness of the insides of his eyelids, his mind wandering miles away from that bench, school, and city, and his body falling into a state of complete relaxation.
*****
Billy's short nap on the school's playground bench is quickly interrupted when a chiming bell shoots through his slumbering body and shakes his mind awake. He quickly jumps up off the bench in shock and rubs his eyes a couple of times.

Man, time for more classes already? Well, time to see if this energy drink pays off.

As the young platypus walks back into the building, he opens the silver can in his paw and lifts it to his bill, drinking it's contents in large sips, trying to drink it all before getting to his next class.

Mmm, this stuff is good! I should get Poke to get me more.

Billy finishes the contents of the silver can off just as he reaches the door to his next class. He enters the room and is immediately scolded by the teacher.

"You're late Mr. Plats!"

"I'm sorry sir," Billy says as he looks to the ground.

"I'll let you off with a warning this once since you've never been late in the past month that you've been attending classes. But if it becomes a steady habit, I will have to give you detention for it. Understood?"

"Yes sir."

"Alright then, take your seat."

Billy walks to the back of the classroom where his seat rests. He sits down in the chair and focuses on the teacher and his lesson. After a few minutes pass, the young platypus realizes that his eyelids are no longer heavy and he's having no problem keeping his head up and focused on the teacher.

The drink must be setting in. Alright! No more detention today! I'll have to thank Poke for the drink and DEFINITELY get him to get me more.

"And that is all for today's lesson. Your assignments are to read lessons 15 and 16, and do this worksheet when you're done."

The teacher then grabs a stack of papers and starts to pass them around the room, each cub taking one sheet of the top before the stack moves on to the next child waiting. Billy receives his worksheet and looks at it.

Well, at least I have something to do in detention now.

"Alright, the rest of the period is yours to work on the worksheet if you wish. If not, you may work on other assignments from other classes, but you must remain silent and awake."

Billy folds the paper he was just given in half and sticks it in his pocket, deciding to save the work for detention. He opens up his book and pretends that he is reading it until the end of class.

Well, one down, only a few more to go. And then detention. I wonder who will be there?

Billy's thoughts are quickly cut when the bell ending the period rings throughout the school. The young platypus quickly closes his book, picks it up, leaves the room, and heads for his next class. Billy finds that his afternoon classes are going much smoother than his morning ones due to one simple fact: he's not tired and falling asleep. The bell ending the final period rings and Billy leaves his current classroom and heads for the detention room with a few homework assignments to work on while he's there. Billy goes to his locker first to collect his things and drop off any unnecessary weight that isn't needed to complete his assignments before heading to the room where his punishment is being held. When he gets there, the young platypus enters to find Ethan, Rodriguez, and Pokeinfo all in detention with him. Billy grabs a seat next to Poke and sits down.

"So, what are you guys in for?" Billy asks his fellow cubs and friends.

"You should know that one, Billy. Practical jokes on the teachers and students," his playful lion friend Pokeinfo says in answer to Billy's question.

"Not that it's any of your business, Plats, but vandalism. You punch in a locker instead of punching in a student's face and you're a vandal. Hell, it's nothing a hammer can't fix."

"You punched a locker instead of the guy who pissed you off? Wow, hell DEFINITELY has frozen over," the young platypus says with a hearty laugh.

"Shut up! You know how much trouble I'd get in for punching a teacher's kid? Normal fights just get me sent here or home for a few days. If I beat up a teacher's kid, that's expulsion! If I go home and tell my dad I been expelled from school, he'll kick the shit outta me. So I punched in the locker. You'd think that they'd be happy I chose the locker instead of that little brat..."

"Well, I think you made the right choice, Rod," Billy reassuringly tells his crocodile friend.

"Yeah, me too!" Pokeinfo adds.

"And who the hell asked you two? You know, I won't get expelled for beating the two of you up, so shut up before I do it."

Billy chuckles to himself briefly before responding to Rodriguez's threat. "Alright, will do."

"Actually, that's good advice for ALL of you, Rodriguez included," their black wolf companion adds to the conversation.

"So, Nate, what are you in for?" Billy asks.

"I'm not in for anything, and I said be quiet. This is detention."

"If you're not in for anything, why are you here?" the young platypus questions the black wolf.

"I said be quiet! And I'm here as the teacher watching over you."

"You're a teacher here?!? I thought you were a student!" Billy says in disbelief.

"I am a student. I'm a teacher's assistant here, but I'm also a student, much like Lucy. And one job of teacher assistants here is to be part of the detention watch rotation. This week is my week. Next week is Mrs. Trousers."

"I'm glad I didn't get detention next week then," Billy says with a chuckle.

"Billy, for the last time, be quiet. I don't want to have to kick you out of detention."

"Alright, sorry."

"It's alright Billy. Now, find something to do."

Billy nods and all three cubs pull out class books, Pokeinfo and Rodriguez pretending to read theirs while Billy actually reads his and does the worksheet that goes along with it.

Jeez Ethan, don't you think you're being a little rough on Billy? After all, it is his first offense, and it's only for sleeping in class. Nothing I haven't done before.

I have to be rough on him. It doesn't matter why or how many times he's been in here, the rules are the rules. And as much as I don't like being so rough on him, I have to be. It's my responsibility as a teacher's aide.

You need to lighten up a bit man.

I'll take that into consideration. Now if you don't mind, I have three cubs to watch to make sure they do work and receive their punishment.

I still can't believe you're making me miss soccer practice all week for this...

Sorry Nate, it's part of my duty here. Don't worry, the coach understands, and you'll be back at practice next week.

I better be.

Billy puts down his pencil and folds the worksheet he was working on up. He places the folded paper in the book and closes it before setting it aside to make room on the desk he's at for his next assignment. The young platypus quietly works on his homework while Ethan looks on.

Man, I wasn't expecting him to be a teacher's aid like Lucy. I hope he's not as rough-edged as she is, or I'm gonna have my paws full with him tomorrow. Wait, what am I saying? I met him just yesterday, and he seemed to be a pretty cool guy! It must just be the fact that he's gotta be here watching us as a teacher instead of at home and relaxing like a cub that's making him so uptight. I don't know if I could do it like he is, giving up my afternoon and sitting in detention when I really don't have to be. Well, I guess that comes with the territory he's chosen.

Billy finishes his train of thought on that note and starts to diligently focus on completing the current assignment that he is working on. Billy's focus helps him to finish all of his homework quickly, with a few minutes of detention to spare. He puts all his homework away and pulls out a book he brought from home and starts to read it until detention is let out. The young platypus starts to really get into the part of the novel that he is reading when a voice cuts through his concentration and alerts him and his two "jail-mates".

"Alright, that's it. You all are free to go. I hope not to see any of you in here tomorrow," Ethan tells the three. "But I know I probably will," Ethan finishes with a chuckle.

The three cubs all get up from their desks and leave the room, quickly splitting up and parting ways just outside the door. Billy looks back into the room at Ethan one more time before heading for the exit.
*****
Chapter 25
The next day goes much smoother than the one just past, especially since Billy was sure to give himself a good night's rest. In the morning, he makes sure to pay attention in all the classes, and even does the extra work assigned to him by Mrs. Trousers. The work wasn't too challenging, as Billy only had to run faster than normal because of the events of yesterday. Mrs. Trousers wishes she could push the young platypus harder, but she knows she can't because of his ribs and a doctor's order preventing him from strenuous abdominal exercise. At lunch, Billy grabs a tray and sits at a table with his favorite yellow-furred fox and eats with her. At one point, Geoff walks up to Billy and Sonia.

"Hey there, Billy," the young beaver says as he approaches the two cubs.

"Hey Geoff," Billy greets his new friend.

"Hi."

"Well, I talked to Jen for you. I told her that you were worth listening to. She agreed, but not for you. She agreed for me," Geoff informs the young platypus.

"Oh really? For you, huh? So, something sparking between you two?" Billy excitedly asks.

"I wish. Nah, I think something's going on between her and Jerry. They've been spending a lot of time together this week."

"He's her friend. He's there for support. He told me so himself," Billy reassuringly tells Geoff.

"He told me that too, but I still think they're up to something."

"Did you ask Jen?" Sonia quickly asks.

"No, I wanted to, but I didn't."

"Well, you should ask her."

"I know..."

"Don't worry," Billy says to the distraught beaver. "Everything will work itself out in the end."

"I know. Well, I better eat lunch while I got time. See ya."

With those last parting words, Geoff takes his leave of Sonia and Billy, who finish their lunches in silence. The meal is finished in silence only because they both wanted to finish their lunches before the bell rings, and it does ring right as they both finish their last morsels of food. At recess, Billy sits on the bench and watches the other cubs play while Sonia runs off to find and tease her older brother. All of the periods after recess go as smooth as the morning classes, and the day finally ends for most cubs. Only two cubs remain in the school once the final bell tolls; Billy and his new wolf friend Ethan. They both walk together toward the room where Ethan will be watching Billy for detention.

Hey, I was thinking... why don't I watch Billy today?

No! I know what will happen. You'll let him skip out on punishment. He's in detention for a reason.

For sleeping in class. Come on, it's only Billy in detention today, it's Friday, and I know you've gotta be tired of watching cubs in detention. I promise I won't do anything against the school's rules as far as being the "teacher" for detention goes.

"Hey, Ethan?" Billy calls to his wolf friend.

I guess I could use a break. Alright, I'll let you do it, but if I find out that you two got up to no good...

Don't worry, trust me!

And it's those words that make me NOT trust you...

"Ethan?"

Oh fuck you...

"ETHAN!?!? HELLO!!! EARTH TO ETHAN!!!"

Excuse me, I'm being called.

The grey wolf quickly shakes his head. "Sorry, my mind was elsewhere."

"I noticed. You almost ran into a wall."

"That would've been embarrassing," the wolf replies with a chuckle.

"Not really. It would've been embarrassing had their been hot chicks around," Billy replies with his own chuckle.

There were hot chicks around and you didn't tell me?

No, there weren't. If you'd actually listen to the whole conversation instead of the parts your dick wants to listen to...

Billy quickly grabs the wolf and pulls him closer to him.

"You almost hit another. You know, you space out a lot," Billy says as he lets go of his wolf friend.

"Huh? Yeah, that'll happen from time to time," Ethan replies.

"Yeah, time to time, but it happens almost all the time with you. Are you ok? Do your parents have you on some kind of bullshit pill like Ritalin or something for ADD or ADHD?"

"Oh, no. No no no. I'm not on any meds for anything."

"Then why all the spacing?"

"My mind just wanders from time to time. I got a lot on my mind between soccer practice, going to school, being a teacher's aide, and having a gay doppelganger," the wolf answers.

"Well, we're here..." Billy says to Ethan as they approach the door to the room where Billy's punishment is to be held.

"Uh-huh."

Ethan takes a key from his pocket, puts it in the keyhole, turns it, and unlocks the door. The black wolf then opens the door and turns the lights on before entering with his platypus companion.

"Alright, take a seat and get to work."

Hey, I thought I was gonna be in charge?

Sorry, change of plans. Hope you understand.

Actually, I don't. Fill me in.

I figured that you wouldn't want to waste your time with boring detention. So I figured I'd stay in charge. Alright?

You knew I wasn't gonna make Billy do any work, didn't you?

Yup. I'm not as stupid as you think, Nate. Nor am I as stupid as you.

I never said I thought you were stupid. I just... HEY!

Gotcha! Anyway, I'm sorry, but I have to change the plans.

Alright then. I'm gonna take a nap. Detention does bore me something fierce.

Billy pulls out his novel from yesterday and begins to read it as Ethan sits at the desk reading a book of his own. Time passes for the two cubs as they get enveloped by their stories. Ethan looks at the clock after a long while and realizes it's time for the two cubs to go home.

"Alright Billy, go ahead and pack up. Time to go home."

The young platypus does as told and packs his book into his backpack and slings it over his shoulder.

"Alright Ethan. See you around."

"See ya Billy."

The two cubs leave the room and part ways, Ethan staying behind for a moment to lock the door up before leaving the school. Billy heads home and plans an easy night for himself. When he gets home, he immediately heads for the living room and watches TV. It's not long before Billy realizes what time it is and hears Stephen walking in the door.

"Billy, get washed up! Your dad's home, which means we'll be eating soon!" Mary calls in from the kitchen.

"Ok mom!"

Billy reluctantly stands up off the couch and stretches his arms and back a little bit before heading off to the bathroom. He joins his parents once he washes his paws, and as he joins them, Mary is setting down three plates at the table. Each plate has a variety of foods on it; breaded fish, carrots, green beans, scalloped potatoes, and a basket of rolls in the center of it all for all to enjoy. Billy takes his usual spot at the table and begins to eat once his parents sit down.

"So, Billy, how was your day?" Mary asks her son.

"Not bad. Detention was kinda boring today."

"I still can't believe you got detention for sleeping in class. I thought we taught you better than that?" Stephen rhetorically asks, reprimanding his son.

"I couldn't help it. I didn't get any sleep Wednesday night. I was thinking about stuff."

"Look, son, I know you're excited about this barbecue that your friend Jerry is having, but it's no excuse for sleeping in class."

"I know..." Billy says as he looks at his plate shamefully.

"Now, come on Stephen, don't be so hard on him. If I remember right, you were always in the back of the classroom with your head buried in your book pretending to read but really sleeping," Mary says with a giggle.

"That was long ago, Mary. And we both know I went straight not long after that. I mean, if I hadn't realized that all I was doing was ruining my future, I would've slept in all my classes, never gone to college, and never got my job as an accountant."

"We know, honey. But this IS Billy's first time doing it. And I'm sure detention made him not want to do it ever again, right sweetie?" Mary asks her family.

"I never wanted to do it in the first place. I know how important school is to me and my future. I just couldn't help it though."

"It's alright son. As long as you don't make a habit of it, I can overlook it this once," Stephen warns the youngest platypus.

"Don't worry. It won't become a habit. It was just the one time."

"That's good. Because how else are we gonna become 'Stephen and Son Accounting' if you don't go to college and learn accounting?"

"Dad, I already told you I don't want to be an accountant. You know how much I hate math..."

"Well, just keep the idea open, ok?"

"Alright Dad, I will."

The family finishes their dinners and place the dirty dishes in the sink for Mary to wash later that night. The family of platypi exit their kitchen and enters the living room, where they decide a DVD to watch that night.

"How about Dirty Dancing?" Mary asks.

"Nah, I was thinking Sin City," Stephen answers.

"What about Toy Story?" Billy adds.

"Hm... I say we each flip a coin since we all want to watch a different movie. Whoever's coin doesn't match somebody else's gets to pick the movie."

"Do you got coins for us to flip, Dad?"

"Of course."

Stephen reaches into his pocket and pulls out three quarters, handing one to Mary and one to Billy. After Stephen counts to three, all three platypi flip their coins. Mary and Stephen's coins land on tails, while Billy's lands on heads.

"Alright! Toy Story it is!"

Billy gets up and grabs the DVD from it's spot on the shelves containing the Plats Family movie collection. He pops the disc out of it's plastic case and places it into the DVD player before sitting down on the couch. Stephen turns out the lights and presses play on the remote control for the DVD player. The movie begins and the family lose themselves in the story. A couple of hours pass, and the movie finishes as the credits start to roll. Stephen turns off the DVD player and turns the lights on. Billy gets up off couch and gives a light yawn.

"Alright. I'm gonna head to bed."

"So early son?" Stephen asks.

"Yeah, I want to get a lot of sleep for tomorrow. That is if I can sleep at all. I'm kinda excited."

"Well, try to calm down and get some rest, dear," Mary tells her anxious son.

"Don't worry, I will. Good night Mom. Good night Dad."

"Good night Billy," both parents say back to their son at the same time.

Billy then heads for his bedroom, trying to calm his excited nerves.

Man, tomorrow is gonna be one hell of a day. I can just FEEL it.
*****

Billy wakes up the next morning as the sun's warm embrace begins to blanket the city of Pouncefield. The young platypus looks out the window at the rising sun and stretches for a brief moment in his bed. He then decides to climb out of bed and stretches again when he's on his feet.

Today's the day. Barbecue and hopefully settling this thing with Jen once and for all. Wait, I don't know where Jerry lives! Oh well, I guess I'll have to call him and ask him. Can't believe that I got so excited about this that I forgot to ask him where he lives. I feel stupid now.

Billy chuckles lightly to himself quickly before shaking it off and heading into his bathroom. He bushes his teeth and grabs his morning shower.

Now, just remember what you're gonna say to her. Be calm, be confident, and be in control. Jeez, I feel like I'm getting ready to give a speech in front of a class or something.

Billy finishes his shower and leaves his bathroom with a couple of towels wrapped around his body. He digs through his dresser drawers looking for an idea of what clothes to wear today. He grabs a black shirt, a brand new pair of underwear, a pair of dark brown khakis, and a pair of brand new socks. The young platypus strips his body of the towels, letting his fur and the padding taped to his torso catch the sun for a brief moment, before getting dressed in the attire he's picked out for himself. He grabs the damp towels that he just discarded and puts them in the clothes hamper in his bathroom. He looks out his window once more and looks at the two pools in his back yard.

Man, I could REALLY use a swim right now... I've never gone this long without swimming in my life! I can't stand it! I wish these ribs would heal already. And it's only the first week! I still got seven or so to go! Well, I can always pass the time by popping in a movie. Wait, what time is it?

Billy looks at the electric alarm clock sitting on the headboard of his bead. The blue numbers show a time of 9:40 in the morning.

I'll call about 11.

As Billy finishes that thought, a fur starts pounding on the front door.

"Coming!"

The young platypus pushes his webbed-paws down the hallway and to the front door, opening it as quickly as he can once he gets there. He looks at the fur on the other side and smiles when he instantaneously recognizes her white fur and form.

"Hey Amber!"

"Hey Billy."

"What brings you here?"

"Jerry sent me to come get you. He figured you didn't know where he lived and asked me to come get you and show you the way."

"Wow, he's always one step ahead, isn't he?" Billy chuckles.

"I know, right? It's kinda weird."

"Nah, it's just part of who he is. So insightful, but you'd never guess that by how silent he likes to stay."

"Yeah, I noticed that. So, were you ready to go or should I come back later?"

"Wait, he wants us there now?"

"Yeah. He wants to spend time with us before we begin to eat and stuff."

"Alright, let me get my shoes and I'll be ready. Oh, we gotta stop and get Sonia before we head over if that's alright with you."

"Sure."

"Thanks."

Billy closes the door on the white fox. He steps to the mat, where the family places their shoes when they come home, next to the door and grabs his recreational shoes. He quickly slips them on, the laces already tied before he puts them on, and he opens the door once again. He steps out and smiles.

"Alright, ready."

The two cubs then start their walk toward the Sosserone estate, Billy leading the way.

"So, how do you like Pouncefield so far?" Billy asks, starting a conversation with his fox friend to make the trip a little less quiet.

"It's not bad. Really different from Pawstin. The classes are a bit harder, and the uniforms kinda suck."

"Yeah, tell me about it. Trust me, you get used to it."

"I don't know if I can get used to such short skirts. I wish they'd make them longer. I feel exposed half the time."

"Just be glad you don't have to wear a tie," Billy says with a chuckle.

"I think I'd rather have the tie than the short skirt," Amber replies with a giggle of her own.

"Well, at least you can draw in the boys with a short skirt. Speaking of which, you found a guy that catches your fancy?"

"I'm... not really looking..." Amber mumbles loud enough for Billy to hear.

"Why? What's wrong?" Billy asks, sensing the discomfort in Amber's voice.

"I just... I don't feel like talking about it..."

"Why not?"

"It's... kinda hard..."

"Trust me, the hardest moments are always made easier by the ear or paw of a friend."

Amber sighs briefly, debating whether or not to share her story with her platypus friend.

"Alright, I'll share with you. But you can't repeat this to anybody, ok? I really don't want anybody to know."

"Trust me, your secret's safe with me."

"Well, where to start... I told you the reason why I moved from Pawstin to Pouncefield, didn't I?"

"Not yet."

"Well, it's all over a divorce. My mom couldn't stand being with my dad anymore, so they got a divorce and I came here with my mom," Amber says, starting her rough story.

"Was he cheating on her?"

"No. They were having... problems..." Amber says hesitantly, unable to tell the real truth.

"What kind of problems?"

"..."

"Come on... you can tell me."

"My parents were into bondage and BDSM and all that. But over the past few years, my mom told me he started getting too rough, and he even started raping her with the toys. I don't know how many countless nights I spent up crying because I could hear my mom's cries of pain and torment and I couldn't do anything to help."

"Oh that's awful!"

"Well, that's why they got divorced. She couldn't take the abuse any longer. So she and I moved here. But my dad didn't let us go without a gift to me. He gave me a trunk as we were leaving, and told me not to open it until we got to town."

"A trunk? As in what furs use to store old clothes they don't want anymore but can't bring themselves to get rid of?" Billy asks, needing a little more clarity.

"Yeah. Anyway, when I opened it, I saw that it had all of my dad's old toys and stuff in it. The pain and fear instantly came back that I thought I left behind. My mom locked it up and put it in a storage garage."

"That jerk..."

"Yeah... I loved him so much until he gave me that trunk. And now, because of him, I don't really want to be with any guy."

"I can understand why. Afraid that the guy you get will hurt you much like your dad did your mom, right?"

"Right..." Amber says as she looks to the ground.

"I can understand that. But you have to try and put that behind you. Your dad was just an extremely bad case of what a guy can be like. Most the guys around here are actually pretty nice and wouldn't hurt the girls they are with."

"Rodriguez..."

"He's just another extremely bad case. And I like to think of that as a misunderstood case as well."

"I just don't think I can trust guys as anything other than friends..."

"It's alright. I know it's probably cliche of me to say, but things will get better. You'll find a guy that will treat you like royalty, but not if you shut guys out for good."

"I know, but I just can't bring myself to trust them."

"I understand, but I do hope that this fear leaves you."

"I don't think it will, you didn't hear my mom's screams..."

"We don't have to continue this if you don't want to," Billy says to the white fox, feeling her discomfort and pain.

"Thanks..."

The last few moments of the trip are spent in silence as the cubs finish making their way to the Sosserone estate. Billy walks up to the front door of the giant castle-like mansion and knocks on the front door. A silver-furred fox answers the door.

"Hey Billy."

"Hey Alex. Is Sonia up yet?"

"Yeah, she's just now getting out of the shower. You two going on a date?"

"Eh, kinda. I wouldn't really call it a date. Just taking her to a barbecue my friend Jerry is having."

"Oh, a barbecue huh? Can I come?"

"Sorry, it's only for the swim team. Jerry said the only one who's not a swim member that's allowed to come is Sonia, and that's for reasons that I really don't want to get into right now."

"Jen?"

"Pretty much."

"That's cool."

"Yeah, and besides, you'd eat all the food and leave none for the rest of us," Billy says with a chuckle.

"Not true! I'd leave maybe one rib and half a cob of corn," Alex replies with his own chuckle. "So who's your friend?"

"Oh, this is Amber. Amber, Alex."

Alex reaches a paw out to Amber. Amber hesitantly takes it in her own paw and shakes it.

"Nice to meet you Amber."

"Nice to meet you too, Alex."
Alex lets go of the timid white fox's paw.

"Alright, I'll send Sonia out when she's done getting dressed."

"Thanks. See ya around."

"See ya."

The silver-furred fox then closes the front door on the pair of cubs, who sit on the steps to the porch. Only a few brief moments pass before the front door opens up and Billy is attacked from behind.

"Whoa!" Billy shouts as he manages not to fall to the ground. "Hey Sonia. Easy, that one would've REALLY hurt!"

"Sorry, but I couldn't help it. I'm a little excited today. I get to go to a barbecue with my boyfriend and we finally get to end Jen's bitchiness!"

"She's not being bitchy. Just a little hurt and confused about the situation. Anyway, we should probably get going. Jerry is expecting us."

With those words spoken, the three cubs step off the porch and walk away from the Sosserone estate, Amber leading the way to Jerry's house. 
*****
The three young cubs continue to make their way to Jerry's house, with Amber leading the others. Billy looks around in awe.

"You know, you sure do know your way around for only living here for a week or so," Billy says to the snow-white fox. "I been here a couple of months and still don't know every part of this town yet."

"I like to get to know the city where I live. I've moved a couple of times in the past because of better and cheaper houses more suited to our family, so I had to change cities and schools a few times before. I found that it helps if you get out and walk around the town in your free time. That way, you can get to know the town, and you can meet some of the furs that you will be living with. Very good ice breaker."

"Yeah, well, look at me and tell me you wouldn't be worried about going out if you were me," Billy replies with a sigh.

"I wouldn't."

"Yeah right..." the young platypus says as he rolls his eyes.

"It's true. Sure, you're a platypus, so your looks are a little unconventional for today's society, but that's all they are. You're in no way ugly, Billy, and you're a great guy to boot. I wish a lot of cute guys were so nice. It seems that if they're cute or better, they're jerks, and it's only the less pretty ones that are the good ones," Amber reassuringly tells her platypus friend.

"Yup, and I'm lucky enough to have him," Sonia adds with a smile.
Billy smiles and gently nods.

"Thanks guys. I needed to hear that. I'm just always so insecure about my bill and webbed-paws. I feel like a freak half the time."

"Have you looked around, Billy?" Amber asks. "You tell me two furs who look exactly alike that aren't related and I'll let you call yourself a freak. Everybody is different in some way. Different looks, different feelings, different tastes. The world would be boring if everybody were exactly the same."

"You know... you're right. And I know that all the time, but like I said, I'm pretty insecure."

"Well, stop being so insecure, ok?" You'll be better off without the insecurity. Trust me. Anyway, we're here."

Billy stops in his tracks and looks at his squirrel friend's house upon arrival. A one-story ranch style blue house with white awnings and shutters on each window. The driveway slopes down off the street to a garage placed underneath the right side of the house, and a sidewalk leading to the front door from both the driveway and the street sidewalk. Along the yard's sidewalk are flowers of many kinds in full bloom, ranging from tulips to daffodils to red and white roses. A few bees buzz as they fly between the flowers, happily working for the nectar to take back to their hive. Billy looks up over the house to see a tree in the backyard, and a rope on the lowest branch leading to the ground.

"Wow! Nice place!"

"Isn't this like your house though?" Amber asks.

"Kinda, but our garage is attached to the house on the same level, and it's on the left side, not the right. My backyard has two pools, one Olympic sized. No trees actually on our property. Plus my house isn't blue. It's white with green trim."

"That's why I said 'like', you goof!" Amber replies with a giggle. "I saw it. I picked you up there this morning, remember?"

"I know," Billy answers with a chuckle of his own. "Just felt like pointing out the differences."

"Alright. Anyway, we're heading into the backyard. Jerry's expecting us, and his dad will be starting up the barbecue in a couple of hours."

Amber leads her two friends to the back-side of the house. The backyard is closed off by a white fence, with the gate on the left side of the house, near the front door. Amber reaches over the gate and unlocks the door, opening it for herself and her companions. She stretches an arm out past the gate and into the backyard, signaling for Billy and Sonia to go first. The two cubs nod and go through first. Amber enters after them and closes the gate behind her, locking it up before heading to catch up with her friends. When she does catch up with them, she notices Billy and Sonia are taking in the sights a little. On the other side of the tree, not visible from the street, the two notice a finely built tree-house, which mirrors the main house's color pattern of blue with white trim. A rope and a ladder lead from the bottom of the house to the base of the tree. Next to the tree are two sets of patio furniture: chairs, tables, and umbrellas in the middle of the table, folded up. In the far left corner of the yard lays a pair of horseshoe poles, and in the far right corner rests a trampoline. Billy finishes looking around and looks to the table where his friends are all sitting. Jerry and Geoff wave, but Jen frowns upon seeing Billy and Sonia, turning angrily away from them with a "huff". Jerry shakes his head slightly, shaking off the upset tigress' actions, and waves the trio of cubs to the table.

"Hey guys! Over here!"

The three youngsters nod and take Jerry up on his offer, sitting down at the table with him. As Billy and Sonia sit, Jen quickly stands up and just as quickly walks over to the trampoline. Billy watches and frowns slightly.

I just wish she wouldn't be so upset. Hopefully me talking with her will set things right. I just hope Geoff lived up to his end of the bargain and tried to settle her down a little for me. I should probably let her vent for now though. She probably won't listen in the mood she's in.

Jen climbs on the trampoline and starts to jump on it, doing various flips while mid-air. Her jumps start soft but get progressively harder as she tries to vent her frustration at the young platypus and fox she despises so much. As she jumps, the other five cubs sit at the table she left and talk to one another.

"I'm glad you all could make it," Jerry says, starting the conversation. "How do you guys like the house?"

"I haven't seen the inside yet, but it looks great on the outside," Billy tells his squirrel friend.

"You should see the inside," Geoff adds. "The kitchen is almost pure maple, from the floor to the cabinets to the furniture. The living room is nice, and they have a nice 35' TV in there. I didn't see his parents' room, but his bedroom is nice. Sure beats the apartment my family lives in."

"Sounds very nice," Billy replies.

"Eh, it is, but I don't care. It's home. Sure, it's great it looks nice, but as long as I got a roof over my head every night when I go to sleep, I'm happy."

Sonia giggles silently to herself.

So modest. And if Geoff thinks this is nice, he'd die from looking at my place. Sonia then looks from her table of friends to the tigress on the trampoline. I sure hope Billy can set her straight and finally get her off my tail. Not my fault she let him go, and it's not his either.

"So did you guys all move here too?" Billy asks Jerry and Geoff.

"Nah, the three of us have lived here all our lives," Jerry answers for himself and his friend. "We all met in kindergarten, and it's been smooth sailing since."

"I'll never forget the first day of kindergarten. Jen made Rodriguez cry!" Geoff says before breaking down into uncontrollable laughter.

"Say what?!?!?" Billy, Sonia, and Amber all ask in unison and disbelief.

"It's true," Jerry replies. "It was the first day, and Jen was a tough girl back then. Come to think of it, she still is. She'll be a tomboy to the end I believe. Only reason she wears that skirt at school is because she has to. I bet if that dress code didn't make her wear a skirt, she'd be wearing pants all the time."

"Jerry, you're getting off point! Get back to Rodriguez crying," Geoff says, interrupting his friend and trying to get him back on point.

"Oh, sorry. Anyway, she was a tough girl, and she wanted it to be known from day one. Fortunately for Geoff and I, we all met each other before class started while our parents were getting us registered for school. When we met, we all instantly became friends, so we became safe from Jen's display. But she wanted to show she was a tough girl, and the toughest kid in class, so she went up to Rodriguez and shoved his face in his wet finger-painting. He was working on that so hard, about a half hour. I almost wanted to say something to Jen about ruining it, but the teacher beat me to it. And poor Rod, between his hard work getting ruined and his face being covered in paint, he couldn't handle it and broke down crying. Everybody laughed, and the teacher punished Jen with a time-out for the rest of the day. The teacher sent Rodriguez home for the day. Fortunately for him, everybody forgot about it the next day, like it never happened, and Jen never tried a stunt like that again. She told us she didn't want to show off her toughness if it meant getting in trouble. It's amazing how she's still a tomboy, but Rod has become the biggest jerk in school."

"I like to think he's misunderstood," the young platypus tells his squirrel friend.

"You're the only one to think that then. Everybody else can't stand him and they all think the world would be better off without him."

"Well, I still think he's misunderstood."

"God bless you Billy. Such a big and strong heart," Jerry says to Billy.

"Um, can we try not to mention God or anything?" Amber asks.

"Why?"

"Well, you never know who believes in what here, and then you've got neighbors, so you don't want to offend them if they can hear you, and then..."

"You make good points. Alright, no religious talk today guys," Jerry says, setting the rules for his party. "Also, no politics and no military talk. Agreed?"

"Agreed," the four other cubs answer in unison.

Billy looks over to Jen, who is still jumping on the trampoline, but starting to tire out.

Good, looks like she's getting tired. She probably won't have the energy to be so angry or to try not to listen.

Billy then looks to his beaver friend.

"So, Geoff, did you talk to Jen?"

"Yeah. She can't believe that I said to give you a chance to explain. But she said she would if I sincerely thought you deserved that chance. And I do, so don't screw it up. And if you ever hurt her again..."

"Don't worry. I won't. I want to be her friend, but not if she wants nothing to do with me because of a misunderstanding. Anyway, Jerry, mind if we use your room to talk?"

"Sure, go on ahead."

"Thanks."

Billy then stands up from the table and walks over to the jumping tigress, his hands in his pockets.

"Jen?"

Jen looks down at the young platypus and frowns slightly as she stops jumping.

"Yeah? What do YOU want?" she asks back with a huff.

"To talk. Just the two of us."

"Why should I listen?"

"Come on, don't be like that. What do you have to lose if you listen?" Billy pleas with the upset tigress.

"...Alright..."

"Thanks. Come on, Jerry's letting us use his room for some privacy."

Jen nods and climbs down off the trampoline. Billy starts walking toward the back-door of the house with Jen following close behind him. Once they enter the house, Jen takes the lead and takes Billy into Jerry's room, shutting the door behind them after they enter. Billy looks around the room and notices a few posters of famous golf pros and a toy-chest with various action figures in it.

"I didn't know he was into golf."

"Yeah. He's actually pretty good for his age. I mean, he's a long way from Tiger, but he's a lot better than most of us at school. Just a shame golf is less popular at school than swimming. Anyway, what was it you wanted to say?"

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry if I ever hurt you. It wasn't my intent. However.."

"Wait, what?!? Now you're gonna say I did something wrong?" Jen asks in disbelief.

"Actually, I am. You should've had more faith in me and you shouldn't have freaked out like you did when I got with somebody new because you wanted a trial separation. I figured if you really wanted to be with me, you wouldn't need a trial separation, so I found somebody new."

"Yeah... a slut..."

"Do NOT talk about Sonia like that. You don't even know her. You're just spiting her because I got with her. She's a great girl and I think you two would get along if you weren't being so spiteful."

"How am I ever gonna get along with the girl who stole my boyfriend from me by opening her legs to him?"

"Stop it! If that's the way you're gonna be, then this is over. Stop insulting her when she's not around to defend herself. I thought you were better than that?"

"..."

"And for your information, she didn't steal me that way. We were hanging out at the mall one day, and we were having a great time. One thing led to another, and..."

"I get that, but still... I don't know if I can try to like her knowing she took you from me..."

"Listen," Billy starts his next sentence. "She didn't steal me, ok? And you're acting like her and I are gonna be together forever. We're just kids. Ok, we're pubescent kids, grant you, but still kids none-the-less. We're very young, and the future is very uncertain. She and I may break up today, tomorrow, in a year, in ten years, or not at all. The future is a mystery, and we're too young to be worried about love and resentment and all those emotions the adults deal with everyday. We should be worried about making the most of our childhoods, not trying to be more grown-up than we are."

Jen stands there still and silent for a moment, her head pointing down and her eyes fixed on the floor of the room. After a few moments, she looks to Billy and nods.

"You know, you're right. We ARE just kids. We should be trying to have fun instead of trying to be grown-up. I'm sorry I've been acting so aggressively lately. I just... I really wasn't expecting you to find somebody else. It all came as one big shock and I didn't know how to handle it."

"I know, and I understand. Which is why I've been trying to make-up with you this past week."

"Thanks Billy."

Jen smiles and then walks up to the platypus, wrapping her arms around him and holding him close, resting her head on his shoulder and finding comfort in him. Billy smiles back at her wraps his arms around her, trying to comfort her as best as he can. Jen then looks directly at Billy for a moment before closing her eyes and quickly pressing her lips against his. Billy's eyes widen as he stands there stunned, trying to absorb what's happening and then reacting to it. Before he can move his arms to let go and push her off, Jen wrestles him down onto Jerry's bed, where she starts to unzip and unbutton Billy's pants. Billy looks down his body to see this and quickly gets up.

"Jen, stop!" Billy says as he rebuttons and rezips his pants.

"Come on... one last time for old time's sake?"

"Jen, I can't."

"Sure you can! It'll be our little secret."

"I'm sorry, but I can't. I'm not sure how long Sonia and I are going to be together, but I know I don't want to ruin it early by making a mistake like cheating on her. I mean, I do like you, and if I weren't with her, I would do this with you in a heart-beat."

"It's ok. I understand. Can... can we still be friends though?"

"Of course," Billy says with a smile. "And if Sonia and I part ways, you'll be the first to know, ok?" Billy adds with a wink.

"Alright. Well, we should probably get back to the party. Have a little fun for once in a while."

"That sounds like a great idea."

Jen stands up off the bed and walks next to Billy. He brushes her cheek softly with his thumb once before leaving the room with her, walking side-by-side. They return to their friends, who all stand and clap at their return. Billy chuckles and Jen blushes at the applause.

"Oh shut up you guys!" Jen says in embarrassment.

Everybody laughs slightly. Billy then guides Jen over to where Sonia is sitting and smiles.

"Ok, you two should probably get reintroduced. Sonia, this is my friend Jen. Jen, this is my girlfriend Sonia."

Jen reaches out her paw with a smile.

"Nice to meet you Sonia."

Sonia takes Jen's paw in her own and smiles back.

"Nice to meet you too, Jen."

The two shake and then let go. Jen, still smiling, sits down next to Billy, who has Sonia sitting on his other side. The group of young cubs talk a little longer before Jerry's dad walks to the outdoor grill to start the barbecue. He brings a bag of charcoal, a bottle of lighter fluid, and box of matches with him to the grill. Billy sees the items and starts to worry a little bit.

"Uh... Jerry... your dad's not gonna do one of them cartoon things, is he? Like in Crankshaft or on Looney Tunes or anything, right? Blow up the grill trying to light the charcoal..."

"Nah, not at all. He's an expert cook. He went to Le Cordon Bleu and learned to be a chef. Just a shame he couldn't get a job as one. Oh well, better fro our family anyway. We get to experience his great cooking all the time!"

"So what does your dad do for a living then?" Billy asks.

"He's a bank teller."

"Kind of a far cry from chef, but it still pays the bills," Billy replies.

"Yeah. Plus he's happy, and that's all that matters. What's the point of having a career if you're not happy doing your job?"

"Good point, Jerry," Amber says.

"You better believe it. Anyway, I'm kinda tired of talking. Let's go play some things."

"Yeah!" the five other cubs say to Jerry's idea.

The six youngsters get up from the table and decide to head over to the trampoline. They all jump on it, going two at a time and taking five minute turns so everybody gets a couple of turns. After they all tire out from the jumping, they head over to the tree and climb up into Jerry's tree-house, which has an air-mattress and several board games. They pick one out and play it until Jerry's father yells up at them to come down and eat. They all climb down from the tree and instantly get hungry from the delicious smells of the various foods set up on a large picnic table that has been recently set up next to the grill. The menu comes with all kinds of different foods: hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue chicken, grilled shrimp, a couple of steaks for the adults, which are hidden under the hood of the closed grill so the children can't see them, ribs, grilled pineapples and cucumbers, a few bowls of potato chips, pretzels, and snack-crackers, and a large bowl of salad in the middle of all the food.

"Man, that's a lot of food!" Geoff blurts out in amazement.

"Well, there are eight of us eating, and I'm sure we'll be picking at it all day. And if any of it remains, it'll be leftovers for my family for a couple of days, so don't worry. It will all get eaten," Jerry's father tells the young cubs. "Anyway, enough of listening to me talk. Dig in!"

The cubs all scramble to the table, grabbing plastic silverware and paper plates. Each of them start grabbing small bits of all of the different foods, filling their plates without overfilling it or putting more than they can eat on. After each cub fills his or her plate, he or she sits at the table under the tree and start to eat. Once all six sit down, Jerry's parents each grab a plate, fill it with food, and head inside to eat. Sonia sees the adults head inside and gets a little curious.

"Why aren't your parents eating with us?"

"They don't want us to see they're having steak," Jerry says with a chuckle.

"Steak huh? Good thing my brother isn't here or they wouldn't be having that steak. He would," Sonia replies with a giggle. "He would've sniffed those steaks out and had them in his belly before you could blink an eye."

"That and the rest of hat table over there," Billy adds, chuckling as well.

"Good thing I made it swim team and Sonia only then," Jerry replies, still chuckling.

The other three cubs join in the laughter for a little while before the laughter dies and each kid returns to his or her plate, eating the delicious grilled food. They all finish eating after a little while, and they all get up to throw their plates away in a garbage can next to the grill. After all the plates have been disposed of, the young cubs all look at one another and shrug slightly.

"Now what?" Geoff asks.

"Um... trampoline?" Jen replies with her own question.

"Nah, I'm stuffed. I don't wanna exercise or anything right now," Billy answers.

"We could go inside and watch TV," Jerry adds to the conversation, thinking out loud more than actually talking.

"Yeah, let's do that," Amber says in agreement with Jerry.

The kids all nod and head inside to the living room. They all find a seat on the soft carpet in front of the TV as Jerry turns it on. He flips through the various channels until he comes to a cartoon channel, and all the cubs agree to watch that. The TV soon entrances them all with its powerful grip of entertainment and causes time to fly around them as three hours seem to disappear in the blink of an eye, the bright blue afternoon sky outside turning crimson as the sun starts to fade into the evening horizon. Jerry's parents enter the living room and shut off the TV, bringing the six young cubs back to reality.

"Sorry to do this kids, but Jerry's got homework to do. You all have to go home now," Jerry's mother reluctantly says to the group.

The youngsters all "aww" in unison upon hearing the bad news.

"I'm sorry. You kids can all stop by and do this again any time, but for right now..."

"I know," Jerry says. "Homework. Well, it's been fun guys. Thanks for coming. I'll see you all later."

The cubs all nod and stand up, each one heading to the front door while saying "bye" to their squirrel friend. Once outside, they all say "bye" to one another and head off in different directions, Billy and Sonia being the only ones that stay together. They start walking towards the castle-like mansion that is Sonia's home, both smiling from the great time they just had.

"Man, that was fun!" Billy says out loud.

"I know. Great food, great games..."

"And no more drama!" Billy adds, punching the air rapidly in celebration and excitement.

"Which is good for everybody. It's about time that all that drama ended. We can finally start to worry about just being kids and having fun again."

The two smile at one another and finish their conversation, deciding to enjoy the walk to Sonia's place in silence, their arms wrapped around one another. As they approach the Sosserone Estate a short while later, the door opens up and Alex pokes his head out.

"Bring me any food?" he asks with a chuckle.

"Sorry man, no doggie bags," Billy replies with his own chuckle.

"I know, only teasing. Well, you two seem to have had fun. Good for you. Sonia, Mom says you gotta get started on your homework. She told me to come get you."

"Alright. Let me say 'good-night' to Billy first."

"Sure thing. Just don't take too long."

Alex pokes his head back inside the house and shuts the door, giving the young fox and platypus some privacy. The two look at one another and smile.

"Thanks for bringing me today."

"Thanks for coming."

"See you tomorrow?"

"You know it. Just try to watch how hard you pounce me tomorrow."

"I'll try," Sonia says with a giggle. "Good night Billy."

"Night Sonia."

The two close their eyes and slowly and gently press their lips against one another, connecting in a soft, warm, and gentle embrace. After a few brief seconds, they let go of one another and head their separate ways, Billy heading home and Sonia heading inside. Billy's walk home seems to pass quickly as only one thought keeps playing over and over in his head, and continues to play all through the rest of the night until he goes to bed and falls asleep.

It's finally over! I can finally be happy!
*****
Epilogue

In the next couple of weeks following the barbecue, Jen and Sonia quickly become great friends, almost like that one bad week never happened. Nobody ever mentioned it again, and they all moved on. Billy, as promised, starts coaching Geoff on becoming a better swimmer. He used techniques like lifting small weights to get toned, but not muscular, swimming more often, and even swimming with small weights on. Geoff quickly grows sick of the training, but he sticks with it when he sees that his 100 meter time nearly halves itself. However, despite his training, he doesn't ever manage to pass Jen, Amber, Jerry, or Billy as a swimmer. The next year, the team goes undefeated and wins state championships, with Billy accepting the trophy via vote from the team. He, naturally, votes for Jen, the captain, to take the trophy, but the other four decide that the team's strongest swimmer, Billy, should accept. As for Billy and Rodriguez's secret friendship, it remains strong throughout all the years they spend in school together, nobody figuring out the secret unity. Their strong acting skills pay off, the two of them acting like they don't like each other while in school, and when school is out, they act like true friends. Of course, they only act like true friends when there's nobody around. Billy constantly chuckled at the fact of the friendship remaining secret so Rodriguez could keep his "bad boy" image at school. As far as other friendships go, Billy and Ethan/Nathan, the multiple fur wolf, remain good friends, despite Ethan having to crack down on him sometimes during school hours. Billy never pays it any mind. He knows that the wolf, during school hours, is a teacher's aide, and has to take on responsibilities of a teacher while also trying to remain a student. As for the bunny siblings, Salt and Pepper, Billy does manage to make friends with the two of them, however he sees very little of them during their time in school. Billy did notice that he likes the black bunny Pepper a little more than the white Salt, although he never understands why. The gay wolf, Xerxes, continuously pesters Billy, trying to get in his pants at one point, but always failing. Regardless, Billy remains friends with the wolf, willing to overlook the many attempts on his body and focusing on the wolf's better qualities, like being a sweet guy and one who's a loyal friend. As for the rest of the school, Billy eventually becomes friends with most of the class. Some of the cubs can't get past him being a platypus, and others just don't get a chance to meet Billy.

Five years after the week that Billy and his friends refer to as "the lost week", graduation day rolls in. Nobody ever thought the day would come, and they all are excited as the last few days of school roll by. The graduating furs all make sure to spend as much time as they can together during these next few days and over the summer, as they realize that once summer passes, nobody will really see each other until school reunions. To Jen's disappointment, Billy and Sonia's relationship stays strong, even to the day of graduation. However, she bears no ill will toward the happy couple, knowing that Billy's happiness is just as important to her as her own. Edward graduates the class as Valedictorian, with Jerry as Salutatorian. However, due to Edward's shyness, he asks Jerry to give his valedictorian speech for him, and Jerry gladly accepts the offer. With the speeches all given, the class celebrates, throwing their caps in the air and quickly dashing out of the school to go hang out with their various friends. That summer, Billy makes sure to spend plenty of time with his various circles of friends: Edward, Pokeinfo, Edna, Cynthia, Jenny, and Laura as one circle, Jen, Amber, Jerry, and Geoff as the second, Sonia, Alex, and Charlie as a third circle, and finally Rodriguez as the last circle. Billy enjoys a fun summer with all of his friends before moving out of state to go to college, all his friends, and Sonia, behind for a few years.

Through Billy's six years of college, Billy and Sonia maintain a strong long-distance relationship, which is really the only thing keeping Billy going to school. Every break, he returns to Pouncefield to see his parents and, more importantly to Billy, Sonia, who finds a college to go to closer to Pouncefield. The two furs never became unfaithful of one another, neither one cheating or worrying that the other would cheat. The relationship stayed alive through tough times and easy times, and after six years, and a Master of Professional Accountancy in Billy's paw, the two reunite back in Pouncefield. Billy, upon return, hugs Sonia before pulling out a small box and dropping to one-knee in front of her. She gleefully accepts, and the following year becomes Billy's wife. Billy also, the year he graduates, shows his degree to his father Stephen, who chuckles silently to himself. The two start making plans to start the "Stephen and Son Accounting" firm. After two years of planning, and taking out a $75,000 loan, the two platypi accountants buy an office building, hire a staff of accountants, and slowly rise as one of the better firms in the county. A few weeks after Billy returns to Pouncefield, he finds that most of his friends have moved away due to work. Only Geoff and Amber still live in Pouncefield. Amber eventually gets over her fear of boys, but she is still looking for Mr. Right. She currently works as a secretary at the school. As for Geoff, he gets hired at the Pouncefield movie studio as a producer and camera operator. Jerry and Jen started dating two years after Billy started college, and moved away from Pouncefield together, but not too far. Jerry goes to college for and takes a job as physician. Jen skips college and gets a job working fast food while Jerry goes to college. She uses all of her paycheck to help Jerry through school, and also somewhat to help pay the bills. Billy regains contact with all four upon his return.

Two years after Billy and Sonia marry, they move out of Pouncefield and into a nearby small town, trying to settle down and raise their two newborn paternal twins, Richard Vincent Plats and Krystal Luna Plats. The family can afford the move due to the "Stephen and Son Accounting" firm growing very well in the first year it was formed, as well as a little help from Sonia's parents. The firm takes a name-change after the first year however. It becomes the "Stephen and Billy Accounting" firm. Geoff and Amber remain in Pouncefield after Billy moves away, still keeping in touch with their friend. Amber, within two years of Billy and Sonia's marriage, finds a nice fox boyfriend. She shares her story with him, and he takes it upon himself to burn her accursed chest. The two marry five years later, but unfortunately have no children. Geoff tries many relationships, but none survive more than three months, so he remains a bachelor for life, sleeping with a new girl every night. Sadly for him, however, he never finds the true happiness he thought he would have if he were able to have Jen as his girl, or even wife. Around this time, Jerry proposes to Jen, who gleefully accepts. Billy and Geoff help Jerry plan everything for the wedding while Sonia and Amber help Jen pick the dress and help Jerry pick flowers, a church, and a date. The two furs marry a year later, with Billy as best man. Jerry and Jen take a honeymoon to Tahiti for 3 months. When they return, they pick up their lives where they left off at. One year after Jen and Jerry marry, two couples have a baby at the same time. Jerry and Jen bring a baby girl into the world, who they name Judith. In a room down the hall from them, Billy and Sonia happily bring their third, a baby boy, into the world. They decide to name this child after his wonderful father, William Plats. He prefers to be called Will, as he finds "William" to be too old sounding. Both families live happily for a while to come.

Fourteen years later, both families have grown and are thriving very well. Jerry receives a promotion from resident doctor to senior physician at the hospital he works at. That night, he goes out with Geoff, Jen, and Amber to celebrate, only because he doesn't have to be in the next day. He invites Billy, but Billy turns down the offer due to a client at work he is staying late for. The four partying furs all go out early and start drinking the night away, toasting Jerry every chance they can get. Jerry watches how much he drinks, though, because he realizes he has to drive home. After hours of partying and drinking, Jerry leaves his own party, tired from being up early in the morning that day. He leaves the bar and climbs in his car, turning it on and sitting there for a moment, his head swimming in the beers he drank all night. Billy, by this time, has finished with his client and is driving home, exhausted from a hard day's work. He can't wait to get home to his beloved wife and precious children. Jerry pulls out of the parking lot and turns down onto a road and starts driving. Along the way, he loses focus and his car swerves into the oncoming lane. Before he can regain control of the car, he collides into another car. Jerry receives a few bumps and bruises from hitting the steering wheel. He climbs out to check on the other driver, a male iguana. The other driver gets out of his car, fortunately unharmed, and starts to yell at Jerry. Jerry's insurance pays for both cars, and Jerry loses his licence for a year. Billy drives by the wreckage as Jerry and the other driver check on each other. He stops to make sure both are fine. Jerry tells him they both are ok, and he sends Billy on his way. Billy continues down the road, but only for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes of driving, Billy comes to a stop-light, with his road having a green light and the intersecting road red. He starts to drive through the intersection when a car going 40 miles an hour plows into Billy's car on the driver's side. The driver, a male chimpanzee, breaks a few of his bones, but survives the crash. Billy, however, is not as fortunate. His car is imploded by the other car, and Billy's body is ravaged by the twisting and breaking metal. He dies instantly from the wreck. The monkey gets tried and is found guilty of drinking while under the influence and involuntary fur-slaughter. He is sentenced to life in prison without parole. Three months after Billy's untimely demise, Sonia, very bereaved by the loss of her husband, holds a funeral service in his honor. A lot of the furs Billy made friends with attend the funeral service and say their good-byes to their fallen friend. Edward, Laura, Pokeinfo, and Cynthia weren't able to come, however, as the letters to them letting them know about the funeral got lost in the mail. Billy's burial takes place in Pouncefield, at a graveyard on the outskirts of town, so everybody can visit it on occasion. His epitaph reads "Goodbye our friend. May you bring light to the afterlife like you have here on Earth".

Today is the one-year anniversary of Billy's demise. Coincidentally, it is also the 25-year school reunion for Billy and Sonia's graduating class. Sonia, dressed in a beautiful purple dress, drives to the reunion, trying her hardest not to be sad or frown on this day.

Been a while since I seen Ed or any of them. Kinda hard to keep track of them when you don't live in Pouncefield. I just hope I can get through this ok. Can't believe this reunion was held on the same day as Billy's murder...

Sonia sighs heavily to herself and shakes her head slightly, trying to cheer herself up so she can smile on this happy day. She pulls into the parking lot of the school. She gets out of her car, locks the doors, and heads for the gym where the party is being held.

Hard to believe it's been 25 years since I last saw this place. I used to think I'd never get out.

Sonia enters the gym, and instantly recognizes all the faces of her old friends, but she is drawn to one in particular. She walks up to an orange-furred fox and taps him on his shoulder. He turns around and smiles at the sight he instantly sees.

"Sonia! It's been a while!"

"Yes it has, Edward," Sonia says with a smile.

"Too long in fact! How you been?"

"I'm doing ok. How about you?"

"I'm doing pretty well. I just got a promotion at work, so Laura and I are looking for new houses."

"That's good for you Edward," the yellow-furred fox tells her orange-furred friend with a smile.

"Thank you. So how's Billy?"

"..."

Edward gulps and wishes he hadn't asked that question now. "Is... is something... wrong?"

"Billy... is dead..." Sonia reluctantly tells Edward.

"What?!? How?!? When?!?"

"It was a year ago. Billy was coming home from work, when a drunk driver plowed into his car at an intersection. The driver survived, but Billy didn't. They put the driver in jail for life though."

"Oh my god... I'm so sorry..." Edward says as he hugs his friend to try and condole the poor fox.

"Thank you Edward..."

"Did you two have any kids before he...?" Edward asks as he lets go of Sonia.

"Three. Two charming boys and a sweet girl. The boys really take after him. So strong and caring. Every time I look at them, I swear I see a piece of him inside."

"A piece of who?" Pokeinfo asks as he walks up to Edward and Sonia and join the conversation.

"Billy..." Sonia answers.

"Oh yeah, we heard about that. We're sorry for your loss," Cynthia says. "Sorry we didn't make to the funeral. We didn't know when or where it was. I guess our letters got lost in the mail. We found out about it from a friend a week later."

"It's alright. Billy knows who his true friends are. I'm sure he didn't mind that you couldn't make it due to a flawed message delivery system. Anyway, yeah, our sons really remind me of Billy. Our daughter, though, is a chip of my old block. She takes after me so much."

"You don't mean she tries to yiff her brothers, do you?" Edward asks with a sigh, instantly remembering all the shenanigans that his sister pulled on him when they were both young cubs.

"Oh yes I do. It's so cute. She chases them all day, and they always resist. I don't know why though," Sonia answers with a giggle.

"Man, there must be something in the water here that makes all the girls yiff-crazed for their brothers," Pokeinfo says with a laugh.

"Actually, they weren't born here in Pouncefield," Sonia replies. "But yeah, she's quite a little tease."

"Who is a tease?" Jenny asks as she approaches her talking friends.

"My daughter," Sonia answers. "So how have you all been?"

Everybody in the conversation answers with a "good" before asking Sonia the same question.

"That's great. And I'm doing ok. Hey Ed, where's Laura and Edna? I don't see them around here anywhere?"

"Oh, Laura's home sick. As for Edna, I have no idea. I haven't seen her since we graduated and I went to college," Edward answers.

"Oh, really? Bummer, I was kinda hoping to say hi to her..."

"Well, hi to you too," Edna says as she walks up behind the yellow-furred fox and wraps her arms around her. "How are you?"

"Hey Edna! I'm doing fine. How about you?"

"I'm not too bad. I just finished shooting another movie," Edna answers as she lets go of her friend.

"You're an actress?"

"Yup. I just finished playing the role in a love story between a beautiful rich girl and an unattractive poor boy with the best personality ever. The title of the movie is still a work in progress though. It should be out in a few years."

"That sounds like a great movie."

"It should be. I had a blast shooting it."

"That's great."

The group of furs stand around for the next hour and talk about their lives, their jobs, their families, and the things they miss about their childhoods. After that hour, the party starts to dissipate, and most of the furs have left the building. Sonia watches as a few leave, and realizes she needs to get home to her children. She turns back to her friends with a smile.

"Sorry to do this guys, but I have to run. I need to get home to my cubs. It was great to see you all again. Try to keep in touch, ok?"

"We will," Edward answers for everybody. "You keep in touch too, ok?"

"Will do. Take care guys."

Everybody says "bye" to Sonia as she leaves their conversation and the building. She walks to her car in silence, looking at the pale moon basking the school in its bright glow. She arrives at her car, unlocking the doors, and climbs in. She buckles up, starts the engine, and sits there for a moment, thinking of Billy and all the wonderful memories she has of him. A few tears escape her now saddening eyes before she wipes them away.

"God, I miss you so much, Billy..."

Sonia then takes the car out of park, puts it in drive, and drives away from the school. Thus ends the story of the one known as Billy Plats.

----------------------------------

Cast and Credits:

Edward, Edna, Jenny, Lucy, Laura, Cynthia, Pokeinfo, Jessica, Belle, Linda, and Rodriguez: Krezz Karavan

Mrs. Trousers: McLeut

Sonia, Alex, Charlie, Henry, and Jessica Sosserone, and Cid Leon: Alex Mason

Ethan/Nathan Lupis: novaspectre

Mako Grey and Xerxes Wolf: MakoGrey

Salt and Pepper: Sonia

Dingo Paige: Paige

Billy Plats, Stephen Plats, Mary Plats, Jen Tigre, Jerry Squirrel, Geoff Bevar, Amber White, Carl Panther, and Barbara Walsh: myself

-------------------------------

Special Thanks to:

Krezz Karavan for creating School Days.

Everybody who let me use their characters.

Everybody who was inspired by Billy or put Billy in their own stories.

All the writers that came before me to help me become a better writer and to inspire me.

And last, but not at all least, all my fans who have been reading all this time. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.