Back to School pt 1. 

New Linneum City is a place founded on the promise of bright futures. Built during the retro-futuristic 60s, New Linneum adopted a forward thinking architectural style, as well as implementing new and upcoming technologies in it's day to day operation, which resulted in the creation of a city that looks perpetually futuristic. The city's own new Millenium celebration was considered one of the most spectacular in the country with synchronized light shows mixed with good ole fashioned fireworks. However, New Linneum itself is just a piece of a wider anthropomorphic world where canines, felines, rodents, reptiles, birds and several other clades of animals have evolved into civilized societies, all living in relative harmony. 
Murphy is a near 13yo outgoing, adventurous, brownish furred feline who has an admiration with extreme sports, particularly skateboarding, which seem to be growing in popularity every passing year. Along with his best friend, the innocent yet seemingly scatterbrained, caramel furred squirrel Mitzi, they enjoyed an action-filled '02 summer full of mischief and misadventures. Some of which involved Murphy getting injured via showing off rad skateboard tricks, Mitzi inadvertently causing property damage or a mix of the two creating hijinx. But at the end of it all what matters most is that they had fun and created unforgettable memories. On that note, Summer of '02 has come to a close and their First day Back to school is about to commence. 
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The sun rose over the gleaming skyscrapers of New Linneum city and one of it's rays bled into Murphy's bedroom. Murphy's alarm clock went off, which played a rendition of Escape from the City from Sonic Adventure 2. Murphy woke up at an hour he had yet to grow accustom to and grumbled at the idea of going back to class. 
*Yawns* "It can't be time already, why can't this shit start later" He told himself begrudgingly. 
He crawled out of bed and took a shower half-awake, to which he heard 
"Murphy don't take a shower Marathon this time" His mom cried out which sounded rich coming from her who took equally long showers. 
He brushed his teeth, combed his fur from head to tail, and got dressed in his usual blue hoodie and red sneakers reminiscent of Sonic the Hedgehog, all while using maybe 25% of his consciousness. 
He walked into the kitchen where the smell of waffles and eggs awaited him at the table. There he greeted his parents: His dad Vincent, the local weatherman of Channel 4 Action News, and his mom Delia, the gorgeous reporter for the same station. 
"About time you came down Murphy, eat up, you don't have much time left" Delia responded. "It's 7:15am and the school bell rings at 8, not sure how fast you can go in that skateboard of yours, but even if you get there on time you still gotta find your homeroom, class schedule, you know what i mean" 
"School ain't that far away. I'll get there in record time Mom, Hell, enough for a nap before class if I'm quick" Murphy followed with a yawn. 
"Don't fall asleep skateboarding either, I swear to God you were loaned extra 9 lives over the summer" Delia replied
"Sweetheart we better start heading out now too. Til later Murph, stay safe you hear" Vincent responded rubbing Murph's head. 
Murphy walked out of his apartment and heard "Hey Murphy! First day aren't you excited" 
Murphy was greeted by his partner in petty crimes, the chaotic squirrel Mitzi who is also the daughter of a humble baker named Meryl and a burly woodsmen named Buck. 
"Ugh yea, Thrilllled" Murphy said sarcastically
"Come on Murph, what's there not to love. New Friends, books, sports, and you get to learn new things!" 
"yay, Color me excited" 
"Btw are we still good for Labor Day Beach Bash Murph?" 
 "Umm yea its our last hoorah for this Summer weather and frankly I want it to be here already" 
The pair walked out of the main complex, with Murphy prepping up his skateboard and Mitzi latching on from behind. It's been the way they rolled for several years now.
"Hey hey hey Hang on Mitz, Here we go" Murphy said in his best Crazy Taxi impression and off they zoomed into a new School year. 
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On the other side of town, around the same time at an exquisite multi-roomed home, an orange 13yo vixen opened her crusty eyes at the sound of Genie in a Bottle by Christina Aguilera. Her name is Vivian, certified spoiled brat and unofficial sworn rival to Murphy and Mitzi. She looked around her closet and pulled out the best back to school outfit she's picked out the night prior, as there were certain people she absolutely needed to impress. 
Like Murphy, she also walked down to her kitchen but unlike him she wasn't met by any of her parents but rather a maid and a chauffeur. 
"Ms Vivian, I made you pancakes, I feel will be a busy day for you today. Also your Father mailed you a note" the maid, an old mouse named Martha said while cleaning the kitchen
"Martha am I obliged to read it?" Vivian replied snarkily
 "I recommend it yes Ms Vivian" 
Vivian picked up and read the note from her Father
    'Sweetheart, Best wishes on your first day back to school. I am sorry I wont be present due to a business summit I am required to attend in Los Angeles. I'm also gravely sorry for missing out on your 13th birthday, as another important trip came up then too. Once I head back, I promise to make it up to you with a grand vacation to anywhere you choose sweetheart. Until then heres a $1000 in cash and I upped the limit on your credit card to 20k, go treat yourself sweetie. With love, Dad
P.S your Mother says hello' 
"Did you read it? What did your father say?" Martha asked
  "Not surprising anymore Martha. My Dad will miss my funeral if he could and say it was just bUsiNeSs" Vivian responded coldly 
As she packed her bag she took a glance at the vast open area of her living room and took a minute to appreciate all of the extravagant fixings. Furniture, art, decor, and big 55 inch plasma screen complete with theatre level surround sound. She got ready to meet her chauffeur outside but before that she stopped to look at a few pictures. One was a family portrait with her Mother, whom she received most of her personality from. She doesn't dislike her mother as she does thank her for raising her to be a stern female, however their abrasive personalities do clash at times like chainsaws trying to parry. Another photo depicted Vivian riding the shoulders of her father, with a smile on her face. 
At one point in her life, her father was her world and they made happy memories together. Where have those times gone? 

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Murphy and Mitzi arrived at New Linneum Junior High, a middle school that borders an adjacent High School of the same namesake.
"Will catch ya later Murphy" Mitzi exclaimed as she hopped off to meet with friends. 
"yea, Ciao" Murphy replied off to greet his own friends.
Mitzi was part of an organization called the Cookie Scouts, a group that teaches girls about outdoor survival, environmentalism and of course, selling their famous cookies. Mitzi met up with some of her Cookie Scout partners, Farrah a preppy mouse who embraces performative arts such as ballet and Nayla, an alt-girl oriole with eyeliner and dyed black crest feathers, giving her a striking Black and orange scheme.
     "Hi Girls!!!"
     "Good morning Mitzi" replied Nayla. "Ready for another year of our lives being chipped away!"
    "there she is, Nayla the Nihilist" Farrah responded
    "What its true. Just another rotation in this lonely rock we call Spaceship Earth"
     "Hey I got y'all something" Mitzi said as she unpacked a box of cookie samplers her mom made. "I got macadamia nut, cranberry, mint chocolate, a lil something for everyone" 
    " Very sweet, thanks Mitzi. So how was your summer?" asked Nayla
    "Oh, Me and Murphy got into so much shenanigans.  I don't even know where to begin" 
   "I see, Thats cool Mitzi" Farrah responded "but now that you mention it I must ask. Are you and Murphy.....a thing?" 
.....Mitzi took a minute to take in the question. "Hehe what do you mean?"
"You know a thing, like....Romance" Farrah said with Nayla equally enamored
Mitzi felt a blush. She's known Murphy ever since she's moved to New Linneum. He's her best friend, they're inseparable but the idea of being anything more never came to her mind. 
"Hey now Murphy's just a friend, he's like a brother to me" Mitzi responded "but theres other cute guys, like the ones playing in the soccer team this year" 
 "Woah Come on Mitzi, they're out of our league." Nayla added
"Wouldn't that be cool. we could be Posh Spices to those David Beckhams" replied Mitzi. "Anyways can we get to brass tacks? Whats my chances in returning to the Cookie Scouts?" 
"Better than we thought" responded Nayla. "Some girls moved away from our region or just moved on with life so we're a little short staffed. Our seniors leaders are trying to recruit new girls but also wouldn't mind if old scouts rejoined. Mitzi in your case they're willing to give you another chance. 
"As long as you don't set off illegal fireworks like you did that one bake sale, you should  be fine. But me and Nayla will have to record and sponsor you" Farrah added.
"I see, so will I be like an assistant at first?" Mitzi asked
"Sorta. But if you follow the rules this time you should be back in the Cookie Scouts in no time. Also there's our Fall Ball in October. You know, the fancy ceremony we have with the boys from the Biscuit Scouts. Thats we're they officialize new Cookie Scouts. You'll be sworn in then." Farrah elaborated
"Im gonna tell you now I'm gonna take things more seriously this time. No more random hijinx. Scout's promise" Mitzi replied holding 3 fingers and her other hand on her heart. 
"Just one more thing Mitzi. Your allowed 1 guest or shall I say "date" to the ceremony. Bringing Murphyyyyy" teased Nayla. 
"Gahhh, Hey I said he's just a friend" Mitzi responded once again feeling embarassed as the other girls laughed. 
 After a few exchanges the girls enjoyed the rest of the confectionary treats from Meryl's Bakery and carried forward to find their classes. 
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Murphy on the other hand was coasting along until he caught up his "outcasty" friend, a tall slim black lab named Sonny, who also rode a skateboard and was dressed in Nu-metal inspired fashion. The two coasted on their boards side by side.
"You ready for another boring year Murph?" Sonny asked him in greeting
"Do we have a choice?" Murphy responded cynically
"Well I am gonna take this school year a bit more seriously this time. Dad just got us an Xbox so I really don't wanna let him down with referrals and shitty grades again. How about you Murphy, still holding on to that old Dreamcast?"
"Of course, I'm a Sega nerd after all, til forever!"
"You know Sega is dead in the water right? Go get you something new. Xbox, PS2, hell they have your game Sonic Adventure 2 on Gamecube now." 
"I still have hope, They might come back with a new console, you never know" Murphy responded knowing full well that Sonny's correct. 
"Whatever you say bro"
"Hey I got some CDs I wanna give back to you. Got any others I can borrow?"
"Sure lets chill somewhere" 
The pair sat down near some steps, witnessing the ever increasing crowd of first day students all around them. Sonny opened a large CD binder and Murphy returned some nu-metal albums including Hybrid theory by Linkin Park and Toxicity by System of a Down. Nu-metal quickly became one of Murphy's new favorite genres due to it's edgy, "face-punching" energy, which resonated perfectly with his injury prone extreme lifestyle. 
"Whats this band here?" Murphy asked
"Oh Pearl Jam? They're great. Whats funny is that album is called Ten and it's literally like ten years old now. Here borrow it, definately check em out" 
"Thanks. I'll borrow these too" Murphy responded choosing out Discovery by Daft Punk and the Eminem Show.
Murphy looked through the binder some more until he got to a page that should've been kept hidden. He read the title written with sharpie on a burned CD 
"Slut mutts and Slit kittens! woah" Murphy blurted out softly before shutting the binder immediately. "Sonny the fuck? Why are you bringing THAT to school. Shit you'll get hella suspended if they find these" 
"Whoops forgot to take those out. Well I may also have a few joints in my bag too." 
"The Hell? Is today banned item show and tell or something?"
"I guess, wait til a kid named Jeremy speaks in class"
"What?"
"Nothing, Pearl Jam reference Haha. Hey your free to borrow one of THOSE discs again if you like" 
Murphy blushed "Last time I did, Mom cleaned around my computer and could've opened my disc drive. I highly doubt i'd be speaking to you right now if she found out!" 
"I see what you mean but hey even she'll understand we're just a couple of frisky, puberty-driven guys" 
"Yea Yea I guess. I'm just gonna borrow music for now. And remember if you get caught with those DVDs, I don't know you!" 
"Hahaha Don't sweat dude, like I said I'm not planning to let Dad down. Lord know i've done enough of that already. By the way, how is your Mom doing?"
"Mom huh? not my parents just Mom? I wonder what you see in her." 
"( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°).......and You don't?" Sonny asked teasingly.
"BRO Eww!!!, SHE'S MY MOM!!!" Murphy responded with disgust. 
"hahahahaha Just messing with you! 
A bell rang, with the pair of friends splitting up to find their respective home rooms. 
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Unlike most students, Vivian was transported to school in the lap of sumptuous comfort in the back of her father's limousine. WIth her own personal chauffeur in tow, she had pretty much cornered the reputation of being the rich spoiled brat among her classmates. Much to Vivian's chagrin, she was relegated to the 7th grade due in part to her age. She was born in late July, so her parents decided to have her start school a year later. This fact annoys her to this day as she longs to be in 8th grade. Or high school, or College, or anywhere else she can feel like an adult. 
As she was looking out of her window, she saw the annoying duo of Murphy and Mitzi zoom pass by on Murphy's skateboard. She found them both insufferable, Murphy for always talking shit about her and Mitzi for acting like a 7 year old despite being near 13. As a matter of fact she foregos dealing with anyone from her grade, who she finds to be immature idiots. Rather she hangs out with an elite clique of older 8th grade girls preparing themselves for middle school graduation. As she left the limo she informed Charles of the time school will be letting out as she went off to find her mature friends. 
Vivian found her clique of elite 8th graders: Malia, the tallest and unnofficial leader, due to her species of being a secretary Bird. Cheryl, an elegant cheetah and aspiring athlete and Lysa, a beautiful, svelte cobra and a queen of shit talk. 
 "Got a cigarette Lysa?" Malia asked 
 "Yea I got a few, menthol okay? would ya like some Cheryl or lemme guessss you need your lung capacity" Lysa offered to Cheryl
"Yes and that shit ages you, you do know that right" Cheryl responded as she practiced stretching. 
However an orange paw took the cigarette Lysa offered to Cheryl and placed it in her muzzle. 
"Got a lighter" Vivian asked leaning on the wall with her voluminous vixen tail waving. 
"Sure but have you ever smoked before Ms Money?" Malia replied
"O-of course I had" 
"Okay" Malia lit Vivian's cigarette. As Vivian drew from it she hacked up a few coughs. 
The trio laughed in unison as Vivian felt a bit embarassed. 
"Hey now, I dont really have access to this stuff, my folks dont really smoke. Wine on the other hand!" Vivian pulled out a skinny bottle of Moscato, aged since 1997 and totally not stolen out of her parents cellar. 
"This is why we love you Msss. Money" Lysa said with her serpentine accent. 
"Its the first day back to this hellhole and I'd like to get fucked up. Now unlike smoking, Wine helps with aging. Thats why I grow old, I'm gonna go from cheetah to cougar just watch" Cheryl added with upmost haughtiness. 

The Four of them had this dynamic going:
Malia: The Boss Bitch and the strong muscle. One kick can send someone flying, therefore nobody messed with her, no one.
Cheryl: The Sports MVP and public relations. She publicly thanks her friends in her game victory speeches in soccer and track, furthering the reputation of the group.
Lysa: the Gossssip girl. Her intel gathering is next to none and her ability to spread rumors and drama is unparralled. 
Vivian: The Money. the group's infinite money glitch. She has the credit and the cash to allow the group to buy anything, do anything and get out of any situation.

Looking through a chain link fence, they saw the droves of older teenagers congregating at the neighboring high school. 
They're all so cool! Vivian thought with widened eyes
"In about a year we'll be in the big leagues Girls" Maria exclaimed "Vivian we'll be waiting for you there" 
"*sigh*.....right" Vivian responded, disappointed at her current situation. 

As the bell rang, the students began making their way to the halls of the junior high. The official end to a long adventurous summer vacation and the beginning of the drab monotony of school life.