Date: January 6, 201M2020 BC.

Location: Holdersplace

Weather: Cold as fuck

The cold in this place is dry, stronger. In my hometown, I had never felt the need to wear a coat when it was cold. Back there it was coastal cold, more pleasant, and I endured it more despite being cold-blooded. But here the cold is horrible, and the wind makes my wings tingle as I walk to the bus stop.

This is the first time I had to take the bus. In elementary school, my father was the one who took us to school, and then in high school I went in my brother's car. But here I'm alone, so I have to make do with what's available. At least my apartment is not too far from the bus stop.

When I get to the stop, I find the skinnies divided into two groups, one in casual clothes and the other in a uniform just like the one I wear. They were talking about their stuff among themselves or staring at their phones. Some give me a sideways glance when they notice me, then start whispering with their spear-throwers buddies. Probably saying ‘Uhg, what's that dino doing here, uga’, ‘Yeah, doesn't she know this is a human zone, uga?’ Idiots.

I stood away from them and started to check which thread would ruin someone's day most.

Mmm... I guess I'm going to go with the Chinese sushi forum today.

After a while, a white school bus arrives at the bus stop. A cross adorns one side of the vehicle. Skinnies in uniforms start getting on as the door opens, so I knew it was my bus too. The driver gave me a confused look as I got on and opened his mouth, most likely to tell me to get off, but noticing my uniform, he shut it. I groaned in annoyance to myself and turned to the seats.

A collection of barely distinguishable skinnes was displayed before me, sitting on the bus seats. Like a bunch of mannequins dressed in the same clothes. They looked at me curiously as I made my way down the narrow aisle of the vehicle, clearly not meant for someone with wings, probably because I was the most interesting thing these identity-less skinnies had seen in a long time. Most of the seats were taken, except for...

Wow, I didn't think a human could be so unremarkable, but this guy was incredibly generic. A bald guy with hardly any features, literally a mannequin, who would melt into the crowd like a drop of water in the sea. As forgettable as the trash you pass in the middle of the street. He was trying to differentiate himself and stand out a bit with rolled up coat and sloppy tie, but the black guitar case next to him had more personality than him. It looked like that was the only seat available so I call his attention.

"Hey."

The skinnie didn't hear me with the earphones and kept looking out the window at the street. I could hear his music where he stood as if it was a speaker. I had to raise my voice for him to hear me over his future deafness.

"HEY!"

He looked away from the window and turned to me. His look when he saw me was one of surprise and curiosity. He removed an earphone to hear me better.

"May I sit?"

He didn't answer, just gave me a rather distinct look of displeasure and then muttered something to himself.

Fine, you speciesist idiot, fuck yourself in your shit cave, I didn't want to sit with you either. I gave him a look of contempt before grabbing one of the tubes to hold me up for the ride. It took a few more minutes until we reached our destination. A large wooden cross stood in front of the dull two-story building where humans were entering or gathering in front of the entrance. On the side of the school, it read:

CRICHTON CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE.

Six months from today until graduation in a human Christian school. It's not something I would have chosen if I had any other option. I could no longer stay at my old school and convincing my parents to transfer me took time, and one of the conditions for them to accept was that it be a Christian school. It was an extremely tortuous month from wanting to leave that place to being able to make it happen, but now I can finish my senior year without drawing attention to myself.

Well... my being stood out too much among those people. The white wings and silver hair are very eye-catching, and several eyes were on me, but it will only be until the novelty wears off and they ignore me for the rest of the semester.

I decided to stop standing there like a circus attraction and entered the school. The inside was normal. Lockers, students, and various images of the human Jesus and bible quotes on the walls. I walked around trying to find my way around the place, looking for the locker number I had written down on my phone. In between that, I got a message:

Mom: How are you, sweetie? Are you in the school?

I sighed

Me: yes mom I fine.

Mom: Okay, darling. I hope you have a good first day. We'll talk tonight. I love you.

Sigh harder. My mother kept texting me during the moving days and, also as a condition of coming here, I have to make a videocall every day with home. What a pain it will be to have to do that.

"Excuse me, are you Fang?"

A voice distracted me from my phone. In order to see who was speaking to me I had to raise my head. Fuck, this guy is taller than a tyrannosaurus, and as broad shouldered as my father or my former principal. How the fuck I don’t notice this guy approaching me?

"Uh... Yeah?"

"Nice to meet you, my name is Pierce."

The Cro-Magnon held out his hand three or four times bigger than my. I shook it hesitantly. Although he didn't squeeze too hard, I still felt that he could break it without much trouble. After that, we fell into an awkward silence.

"Uh... How did you know my name?"

"Oh! The principal told me to welcome you and... ah..." The giant was speechless again, scratching his head until he remembered. "And to show you around... That!"

"Ah... Why you, are you the president of the school council or something?"

"Uh... No."

The awkward silence once again reigned between us. After a second, he offered to guide me to my locker and show me where my classrooms were. I accepted the offer and let the big caveman guide me. Most of the time, I kept quiet, sometimes saying an ‘aha’ as the giant pointed to each classroom in short sentences. During the tour, I felt people's stares on me and their murmurs. A shivering sensation came over me as I realized that, but I tried to calm myself down and put the bad memories of my previous school out of my head. That was behind me and now it was a new life, with a new name and everything.

"And there's the principal's office."

Pierce declared, running his hand through his long silky hair. We had left the more ‘modern’ part of the school behind and arrived at an older part, like a hundred years older. It was weird, then I remembered Pierce mentioning that part of this place was built next to a church and former orphanage. Good thing I didn't put my brain totally on automatic. "And that would be all."

"Okay."

Silence is more awkward when there isn't the background noise of teenagers walking into class. I decided to get it over with and said farewell to Pierce to go to my first class. He said I should have gone to his classroom too, so he said goodbye with a smile more befitting a carnivorous dinosaur than a hominid.

I turned around to head to my first hour class...with Pierce behind me. The footsteps of that caveman's bare feet accompanied me all the way to my class, and his, apparently.

By Jesus Raptor, he hasn't even rung the first bell and I'm already dying of embarrassment.

As I entered the classroom, the first thing I encountered was a nun. She was young, a golden crucifix glittered over his black robes with a fleur-de-lis on his chest. She was my height, so our eyes were perfectly aligned. I couldn't hold my gaze for two seconds with those blue eyes judging me mercilessly. Shit, they can't give me a break for a few minutes.

"You're the new student?"

How could his voice have a friendly and threatening tone at the same time?

"Yes?"

The nun stood silently analyzing me as I was an animal. I shifted my weight between my legs nervously. I shouldn't show weakness before a human, but this nun has something that overcomes me.

"My name is Sister Celeste, and I'm your math teacher. Find a seat, class is going to start in a minute."

"Yes ma'am."

I went as quickly as possible to the back of the classroom and sat down at the first desk I could find. Shit, nuns are scary. Fulfilling his promise, a minute later, the bell rang, and the last students rushed into the classroom.

"Good morning, everyone. I hope you had a good holidays" The sister began to speak as the last person sat down, in a deep tone that easily captured attention. "Today, we have been joined by a new classmate, would you like to introduce yourself, Miss Aaron?"

The tone in which she said it sounded more like a command than a request. Not even give me two minutes. Without any desire to incur the sister's wrath, I stood up from my seat so that everyone could see me.

"Uh... Hello, my name is Fang."

Jesus Christ raptor or human, whoever is, kill me and get me out of this awkward situation.

I stood for a few seconds, not knowing what to say and trying to make a smile as everyone stared at me in stony silence, until Sister Celeste considered that was enough torture and told me to sit down. I slumped heavily in my seat as the eyes of the class went back to the teacher, who was going over the topics they left before recess. I let out a tired sigh and ran my hand over my face. I'm going to have to pray that I don't have to endure any more awkward introductions the next few hours.

I looked up to face the math and noticed something. Someone was still looking at me. A redhead was still staring at me. As our gazes met, she turned back to the sister, but I kept glancing sideways occasionally. Anyway, it doesn't matter. Just pay attention to the class and ignore the rest of the world.

After a long morning, with more awkward introductions and terrifying teachers in a variety of ways, I finally arrive at lunchtime. I have to admit that the dining room perfectly captures that oppressive essence of an orphanage. The flat colored walls, the pictures of saints that keep staring at you at all times, the scarce natural light coming through the windows and the long tables in the center of the place give a nice prison-like atmosphere. You can even feel the sadness and despair of the orphans that once ate here!

The first thing was food. Humans had that evolutionary advantage of being able to eat anything without their body rejecting it, but they didn't take advantage of it. There wasn't much variety to choose from. I took something simple, chicken with a portion of mashed potatoes, and looked for a place to sit.

With my eyes, I was looking for a place where there were not many people sitting nearby. I located a space where there was no one at the end of one of the tables covered by shadows. A perfect spot for an antisocial like me.

I claimed the space that I would surely occupy for the rest of the semester alone, unobtrusively, quiet and carefree.

“HIIII!”

A very cheerful voice caught me off guard, snatching me from my peaceful solitude. In front of me stood the redhead who hadn't taken her eyes off me in the first class, with a smile on her mouth and a tray in her hand.

"Can we sit?"

I didn't have time to answer before she sat down in front of me, next to another girl. I just noticed her, the other girl with her had brown hair and was a little taller than the redhead. She sat down with some shame.

"Fang, right? Nice to meet you, I'm Som, we're in math together. This is Stra."

The redhead introduced herself and her companion, who said ‘hello’ with barely a voice.

"Uh..."

"Tell me, what brings you to Crichton, where did you transfer from, are you from here or from out of town?"

"Ah..."

Shit, I don't know what she wants, but I'm not interested in making friends or anything. I want to spend these six months as a shadow without bothering anyone or being bothered. But how do I throw them out without it sounding so bad.

"Look..."

"Sorry, sorry... I got a little excited."

Som lowers her head in shame.

Excited? Because I am the new one? Because I am a dino? I really have no interest in being anyone's new curiosity.

"Girl, you see..."

"Do you want us to leave? Sorry if we're bothering you."

Before I could throw them out, she blurted that out with a sad puppy dog look and tone that made me feel bad.

"No, no. I'm just...I'm not much of a talker. You can stay."

The redhead smiled again, happy that I was agreed to let her stay. Her friend gave her a rather odd look. I couldn't kick them out anymore, but it didn't matter, I just had to ignore them and eat my lunch in silence. The two girls started talking about their stuff.

"Stra, are you ready for this afternoon?"

"Yes, the guys already brought the instruments to the auditorium. Then a little before the hour, I have to go and get organized with them."

"How many songs are you going to play?"

"Didn't I already tell you? Three, two they gave us and one they let us free, but does not have to be aggressive."

"She plays and sings in a band. She's the best bass player I know. Today they are going to play here at school" Som explained to me when she noticed my curiosity in what they were saying.

"Really?"

"Yes, in the last hour they are going to give a concert to the school. An idea of the principals to welcome us back after the winter break."

"Sounds interesting."

"YES! THEY'RE VERY GOOD! Don't even think about trying to sneak away to go home earlier, you'll regret it if you miss the chance to hear them!"

"Okay, okay. Relax, I'm going."

My God, how intense this girl is. Stra kept quiet with her face red with embarrassment as her friend promotes her band with great enthusiasm.

"GREAT! You're going to enjoy it!"

"Are Christian songs, Som. They're not good."

"And? Your voice makes even the worst song in the world sound good" Stra turn her face away, flushed by the praise. God, get a room.

"It's pretty cold today though, even inside. Do you have a problem with the cold, Fang? I hear you guys don't like the cold too much because of that cold-blooded thing."

"No, no. I'm fine, I'm okay with the cold, but today is really cold even for me. Is colder than I'm used to."

"I see."

Som told me a little more about Stra's band while we were having lunch. The music is interesting. Although I can play a little piano, I never really got into it. I listen to some stuff from time to time, but clearly not Christian music. I hope Stra's band lives up to expectations, because otherwise I'm going to die of boredom.

Lunch was over and the next classes passed quickly. In the last hour, the teachers gathered us in the school auditorium. It was not very big compared to the one at my previous school, so many stood at the sides or behind the chairs. I stood at the back, hoping that way I would stand out less in the crowd of skinnies.

I noticed that on one side of what would be the stage, where a drum set was resting, there was a small group with a guitar and a bass. Stra's band waiting to be called, I guessed. I pulled out my phone to see if I could do a little shitposting while I waited for something interesting to happen. Before I could finish my bait on a thread about Russian farming, someone tapped me on the shoulder. I was startled and recoiled, hitting the wall and bumping a wing. Next to me stood a blue-colored raptor with glasses and a shepherd's outfit with a worried expression.

"Are you all right?"

"Yes, yes... Achu." I stroked my injured wing. I looked silently at the raptor waiting for him to say something. He pulled himself together and introduced.

"I'm Principal Blue. Nice to meet you."

My eyes widened in surprise; a raptor is the principal of a human Christian school? This guy was more out of place than I was.

"Surprised that a raptor is running a human Christian school?"

"Ah... Yes?" I guess my surprise was too obvious.

"The ways of faith are somewhat unexpected at times. That's just what I'll say. Tell me, how did you like your first day here, Miss Aaron?"

"Well... Fine. Without much to say" Besides that all teachers are speciesists that scare me, nothing to say.

"That's good to hear. Though I was sad that you didn't come talk to me sooner."

"When?"

"Pierce didn't tell you I wanted to talk to you?"

"No."

The director sighed.

"That kid needs to get his head together better. But, in any case, I hope you have a good semester here, Miss Aaron. And if you need anything, I'm always available to talk. Now, I think they're expecting me. I hope to talk with more time later with you."

After saying that, the raptor slipped through the crowd to the stage. What was that? Simple kindness for being the new girl? For being the same species? Or... What would my parents have put or said in the paperwork for my transfer? They didn't tell you what happened to him, did they?

Don't start with the paranoia Fang. It's too early to get crazy.

Principal Blue made it to the stage and stepped up with a microphone in hand. The chatter in the crowd died down as he began to speak. He said the usual things. An almost generic speech about welcoming us to this second semester and such. I didn't pay much attention to him until he mentioned Stra's band, The Darkstars.

The band came on stage after their introduction. I recognized Stra with his bass and take center stage with the microphone. She exuded an energy and confidence that was a far cry from the shy attitude she showed me during lunch. The drummer, a guy with long hair tied in a ponytail and a neutral expression, sat behind the drum without looking at the crowd. A keyboard player with thick glasses stood to Stra's left confidently. And the guitarist... Oh, right. He had the case on the bus. The bald speciesist from earlier took his place to Stra's right. He looked the most nervous of the four.

They began to play a slow rhythm while Stra sang. They were good. They knew how to play their instruments well. Stra had a good voice, but the lyrics... they were Christian songs. They said too much Jesus and God for my taste. Although I noticed that some students listened with enthusiasm, most remained impassive. But if you closed your eyes and ignored the lyrics, the melody was quite cool. It wasn't boring at least, I'll give them that. When they finished, a round of applause, some true and some compromised, rang through the auditorium.

The second song was the same. Too Christian for my taste, but it was okay. After the second round of applause. Stra took the microphone.

"All right Crichton Institute, here's a more upbeat tune for you."

After saying that, Stra started playing a faster rhythm on his bass. She was then joined by drums and guitar. When the keyboard came in, the stage exploded into a classic rock style song. This was more to my liking. The band was in their element, they played with feeling and Stra's lyrics came out of their mouths with passion. Those who had been indifferent before were now paying attention to the stage. Now everyone was listening and some were even bobbing their heads to the rhythm of the melody. I even found myself wagging my tail to the rhythm of the notes. I heard an ‘oh’ somewhere in the auditorium. They seemed to have outlived expectations.

Near the end of the song, the guitarist started to get ahead of the rest of the band. This desynchronization destabilized the group. The notes no longer harmonized with the guitar that tried to impose itself on the rest of the instruments. While the other three tried to recover the rhythm, the guitarist continued on her own. At one point he stopped playing the song, concentrating more on himself, he started doing an improvised guitar solo that tried to be impressive, but it was very presumptuous. And he couldn't hold that solo for long either before he missed a note and went out of tune. Only at that moment did he realize what he was doing, that the rest of his companions had stopped playing and stopped. He looked sideways in confusion. On the one hand, his bandmates were looking at him disappointed, and on the other hand the audience was upset by the guitarist's selfish attempt to shine.

I guess I spoke before the time.

The guitarist lowered his head in shame as he realized he screwed up. I felt more sorry for Stra than that guy for ruining the show for her.

The principal then came in trying to remedy the situation, asking for a round of applause for the band, but the damage had already been done. The round of applause was rather poor. The guitarist quickly left the stage and walked through the students to leave the room. I was near the door, so I could see him almost angrily walk out of the auditorium, pushing the crowd with guitar in hand. Stra and the drummer chased him from behind, with worried faces as they left the auditorium. Only the keyboard player remained on stage with an annoyed expression along with the principal who was trying to keep a confident expression on his face. The principal bid us farewell and wished us a good evening.

Everyone started to leave the auditorium pushing each other. I was able to get out pretty quickly and not get crushed by the tide of skinnies. Once outside the building, I quickly made my way to the bus that would take me back to my apartment. There were quite a lot of people, so if I didn't hurry I would have to go stand up again.

No one wanted to sit with me on the bus. I shouldn't be surprised that there is so much speciesism in a Christian school. How many wars have already happened between humans and dinos because of faith? But better for me, that let me stretch my wings in the seat in comfort and have a relaxing trip.

"Hello Fang."

Obviously, I could not be allowed a single moment of peace. Som was standing with a fragile smile on her face next to my seat. So as not to look bad, I retracted my wings and made room for her to sit. Please don't start talk.

"What did you think about the concert?"

What a bother.

"It was good. Until the end."

Som let out a sad laugh as she affirmed.

"What did that guy think?"

"I don't know... Anon is someone who gets her emotions carried away very easily and sometimes does things that..." He stretched out his hands as she wanted to choke something while holding back her anger. Then she dropped them heavily and a sad expression came over her face. Fuck, what do I do? What do I say?

"Ah... and Stra?"

"I don't know. I tried to look for her, but I couldn't find her. I sent her a message and she told me to go home. I didn't want to, I wanted to help her, but she told me that it wouldn't be helpful and that the best thing to do would be to leave."

By the tone in which she said it, she must have been hurt by that. Stra must be pretty close to Som to hurt her like that because of what she said. I felt bad for her. The right thing to do would have been to try to comfort her or something, but I didn't do anything. I didn't want to get involved in other people's problems, so I just left her there, suffering in silence as I looked down the street waiting to see my stop. What a good person you are Fang, you deserve an applause.

After long minutes of guilt, I finally arrived at my stop. I asked her permission to pass and she got up from her seat. She waved me off with a smile and glassy eyes. Well, another guilt stab, thank you for that Som.

I walked into my apartment feeling like a shitty person. I felt more sorry for myself, for not wanting to get involved in Som's problems, than for her, the one who have problems. God, I'm such a scumbag. Why didn't I try to comfort her? Why don't I even try? Why I can't even try to be a better person? Before the intrusive thoughts could take over, I jumped on my laptop and started shitposting to distract myself.

Ah, shitposting, what a relaxing wonder.

While I was having fun with some guys in a thread about ice fishing, I got a message on my phone

Naser: Are you at the apartment yet? Mom wants to talk.

I checked the hour. Almost eight o'clock at night. I figured that was enough shitposting for the moment, so I closed that thread with a short but clever message. “That's what your mother told me last night. Ha”

Me: Yes. I make the call in a minute.

I sent the video call invitation via Stonepe to Naser. A few seconds later, the figure of a brown pterodactyl with an orange crest and a grayish one with blond hair appeared on the screen.

"Hello sis."

"Hi, Lucy."

"Hi mom, Naser."

"How was your first day at the new school, sweetie?"

"Fine mom, not much to comment on."

"Did you make any friends today?"

"No mom."

So, we spent a while with my mother asking me one question after another and me answering with 'yes' and 'no', sometimes a little comment.

"And dad?"

My question caught my mother off guard.

"He's working" Naser's answer made things clear to me. I guess the old ptero had enough of his failed daughter. We talked for a few more minutes until I told them I was tired.

"Goodbye, my sweetheart. Sleep well."

"Bye sis. We'll talk later and have a good night."

"See you later."

I ended the call and stared at the reflection on the black screen. I reviewed today. I guess I did well until the final part. I hope that girl doesn't come up to me tomorrow and I have to put up with her dramas like now. I'm doing it again. What's wrong with me?

No. What you have now is hunger, not guilt. Make yourself anything to eat, then more shitposting before going to sleep. Sounds like a good plan? Sounds like a good plan.