After we were done with the arcade, our parents picked us up to try out a few more of the attractions, doing a run through the rope course before finishing off with a pleasant seat of the ferris wheel… the last one being kind of boring admittedly. Before long, all of us were reseated in the car, driving back as the outside got darker, the headlights on to illuminate the road. Naser and Olivia were asleep, the former’s head resting back with his good wing draped over him like a blanket, and the latter with her head resting against his shoulder, the two of them quietly snoring. It had been a long, but fun day, leaning my snout over my claw to stare out the window as I heard mom speak up, looking at the rearview mirror. “Aww… that’s adorable.” Dad briefly peered up at the mirror before looking back down, a small but genuine smile on his snout as he continued driving, pulling up to the parking lot of Naser’s dorm. The car came to a slow stop, Dad turning his head. “We’re here.” The two of them suddenly snorted awake, unaware of how close they had been as Olivia placed a claw on the side of her drowsy face, snout opening to let out a yawn. Naser groaned as he stretched out, good wing partially unfolding before nodding his head. “Alright…” He then looked up front. “Thanks for bringing me to the mall, Mr. and Mrs. Agos.” “No problem.” Dad responded. “It was nice to have you as company.” Mom added. Naser nodded with a smile, turning his head to Olivia and I. “And thank you both for inviting me.” He then looked at the baryonyx. “... I had a really great time.” Olivia paused, opening her snout as if wanting to say… or do something, before closing it shut, slowly nodding. “... See you next week?” She asks. “Of course.” Naser beamed, opening the car door to leave. “Just don’t draw my snout to big when you get the chance.” The baryonyx giggled as he closed the door, walking to the entrance of the building as Dad slowly drove away. There was a brief pause before Edward spoke up. “Good day?” “Good day.” I agree. “I’m surprised th-” “STOP!” Olivia suddenly yelled. Dad slammed the break, seat belts briefly tugging against us as the car came to a sudden halt, my parents turning to the baryonyx. “What’s wrong?” Mom asked worriedly, Olivia’s eyes glued to the seat where Naser had been sitting as her claw reached down to grab something. Naser’s smartphone. “Naser forgot his phone!” “Good catch!” Dad complimented, peering at the mirror as he chuckled. “Looks like he just realized that as well…” Olivia and I turned to the back window to see the pterodactyl rushing out of his dorm, anxiously feeling his pockets with a panicked look on his face before it turned to relief, seeing that our car was still there. “I’ll bring it to him.” Olivia then opened the door, running toward Naser whilst showing the phone as my head tracks her, peering out the back window as Dad and Mom talked with each other about the day. The baryonyx handed the phone back to Naser, the pterodactyl saying something with a grateful smile as he began to pocket it. And then Olivia leaned forward, planting the tip of her snout forward against his own. She had kissed him. I blink, watching as Olivia immediately turned away, running quickly back to our car, the parking lot lights briefly illuminating the fierce blush on her face… all the while Naser simply just stood there, completely and utterly frozen, remaining stuck mid-pose with his phone still halfway inside his pocket, his golden eyes as wide as saucers as his good wing simply drooped to the floor. Olivia reentered the car, both my parents none the wiser as my Dad asked. “He must’ve been relieved to get his phone back.” “Y-Yeah…” Olivia replied, smiling to herself before noticing me peering at her… unable to help but give her a knowing smirk. To that, she rolls her eyes, tail bumping against my shoulder as I shy away with that same smirk, peering out the back window to see Naser having slightly recovered from the shock, now simply standing there in the middle of the parking lot to watch us leave with a claw slowly tracing his smiling snout before the exhilaration finally got to him. The last sight I see of Naser that night is the pterodactyl leaping in the air with pure joy as he ran back to the dorm, gaining actual air as his good wing seemed to put in the work of two. Love was a hell of a drug… And it was pretty much official beyond that point. Naser and Olivia were now boyfriend and girlfriend. It really came as no surprise to Doe and Worden, or anyone who was involved at our table really. After all, the two were practically inseparable, as where there was an Olivia, chances are you were gonna find Naser and vice versa. Our group seating habits also changed, now switched to the comfy outside tables to wait for Naser to finish his training. “So how did your French assignment go?” Worden asked Doe, the human pausing before slowly placing her head against the wooden table. I chuckle, “Jeez, that bad huh?” Doe slowly nodded, “I thought I would be good at the language of love…” She sunk further into her own arms, “Turns out I’m terrible at it…” She then let out a whimper as Worden patted her back. “There, there.” The allosaurus smiled, “If you want, you can practice on me. Granted, I’ll have no idea what you’re saying, but it helps to have a listener.” “Really?” Doe asked with a smile. “Yep, really.” Worden nodded, the two of them looking at one another. … Damn, when did those two become a thing? I was pretty much the only one on the table who lacked any form of significant other… not that I really minded at all, especially considering that I was an 18-year-old mind going through seventh grade… Ugh… I didn’t even want to think of the implications of finding a partner at this point in time. And even so… My thoughts drifted to Fang for a moment, my daily dose of shitty soul-draining melancholy for the day, that nagging fear of me fucking up everything again was still at the back of my head like a tumor. But I managed to ignore it as Olivia and Naser arrived, the two of them smiling. “Hey guys.” Naser greeted, sitting down as Olivia followed suit, once more beside each other. “What’s going on?” “Nothing much, just failing French…” Doe admitted. “Oh.” Naser simply said as Olivia brought out her notebook to begin drawing. “But nevermind that, how are you two doing?” The human asked, a bright smile on her face. “Especially now that you’re boyfriend and girlfriend?” The two of them suddenly became bashful, Olivia managing to hide most of it beyond her book. “... It’s cool and stuff…” She simply said. We all then look to Naser, the pterodactyl suddenly put on the spot as he blinked. “I- Uh…” He then blurted out, “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.” Wow. Not bad, Kid. Olivia peers at him with wide silver eyes, her blush somehow growing even fiercer as Worden gasped out. “He speaks French!” To that, the three of us burst out into laughter, Olivia and Naser confused seeing as they lacked the context. The week passed. I was relaxing on the couch, shitposting on my phone before noticing Joan stop by, claws on her waist as she looked around. I peer at her for a moment before speaking up. “Hey Mom, everything good?” She looked at me with a smile on her snout, “Everything is fine, Dear.” She then sat down on the couch, “I just noticed that Olivia is still in her room.” “Oh yeah.” I nod, remembering that the baryonyx was busily drawing something at home, something she was keeping a close lid on. All I knew for sure was that she was using oil pastels to make it, if the small color stains in the sink indicated anything. “And how are you doing, Anon?” “Better than ever.” I answer, “Long as everyone's happy, I’m happy.” Mom paused before smiling, yet it seemed tinged with melancholy as she stared forward, looking down at the carpet. I immediately take notice, my snout slowly turning to a frown. “What’s wrong, Mom?” “Oh nothing, Dear… it’s just that…-” She sighed, “It just feels like yesterday that I was watching you from here when you were a few months old, throwing around your caveman ragdoll.” Joan looked at me, “You were so quiet as a baby…” I nodded, knowing exactly what she was talking about. “But now… you’re growing up, and…-” She closes her eyes, “It feels like I’m already running out of time to be with you and Olivia.” Time. I thought for a moment, upon hearing the mention of that word, just thought of how much I was given… and how much had already passed. And I could relate to what Mom was going through. Things were going fast, much faster now that I looked back. But even so… I give Mom a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll still be Anon, no matter what happens.” Joan pauses before smiling. “Of course-” She then reached out to pinch my scaling cheek, “You’ll still be my little baby boy.” “Uh… I was hoping you’d view me a little higher than just ‘baby boy’?” I admit, “Like maybe the four to five range at least.” Mom laughs at that, standing back off the couch. “I’m going to prepare some dinner.” I pause for a moment, “You know what? I’ll help out.” “Oh you don’t have to-” “It’s fine Mom.” I assure her as I sit off the couch to follow. “And hey! You at least get some perks now that I’m growing up.” Mom smiles. “Alright.” She then wonders out loud, “Maybe I can start teaching you some of the recipes when you have to cook for yourself…” Joan then laughed, “Or when you’re married in the future, but I don’t think my heart is ready for that, either for you or Olivia!” I smirk. And I frown. It seemed a sense of anxious urgency was beginning to be felt by Naser and Olivia as the Meteor Bowl approached, the two missing in action at the table today. I found them nearby, lying against the tree, Olivia’s snout resting against his shoulder as I was unable to help myself from subtly listening in. “Well, the Meteor Bowl’s coming up this Friday.” Naser reminds, trying to put on an upbeat tone of excitement before dying down as Olivia peered up at him. “... Yeah.” Olivia murmurs, her silver eyes shifting forward as she lets out a sigh against his chest. Naser paused for a few moments, “I…-” The words fail to come out his snout for a moment before he seemed to think of something else. “Draw anything cool today?” “What do you think?” Olivia asked, managing to give a weak smirk as she opened her notebook, Naser chuckling. “Is that Worden?” “Mmhm.” “What the hell’s he fighting?” “The vending machine.” Olivia explained, “His soda got stuck.” Naser laughs, “Now I wish I saw that in person.” The pterodactyl then paused again, “And… what’s that one?” “... It was gonna be the Meteor Bowl but…-” The silence told all as Olivia shook her head. “... I wish we had more time…” Naser paused, “Me too, Olivia…” He stared forward, “When I first came to this school, I didn’t think much of it. If anything… it was rough for me at first, being so far away from everything. But after meeting B clique… and you…” The pterodactyl held her tightly, good wing protectively draped over Olivia like a blanket. “-I had the an amazing time here… No matter what happens, I’ll always remember that.” Olivia paused. “All we did was just hangout and go to the mall.” She chuckled, smiling as she closed her eyes, sinking further into his embrace. “Dude, you got low standards.” They both laugh at that as I turned tail to leave… Pondering as time passed. Thursday night. I had actually done most of the cooking, which was a surprise to myself that my lamb casserole with mashed potatoes came out so well… to be fair, I kinda cheated with the potatoes, using a packet of instant mash, but my casserole was all me with an online recipe. That’s right, I knew where the lamb sauce was. And the rest of my family seemed to take note of that fact, Olivia’s eyes widening as she tasted the food I made. “This is really good.” “Yeah.” Dad agreed, blinking behind his glasses. “What recipe did you use?” “Heh.” I smirk with my arms crossed, snout turned downward before just giving up and blatantly admitting. “Actually, I just followed the recipe Mom gave me.” “But it was made by you, Anon.” Mom proudly declares, “That’s what matters.” She lifted a spoon to try some before looking shocked. “Did you add something, Anon?” “Well-” I confessed, “I kinda also looked at this guide online, so I added a little bit of bacon and onions, as well as a few more spices to give the sauce a little more kick when it was simmering.” I felt a tinge of nervousness rise within me, “Do you… like it?” “Oh, I love it, Dear.” Mom said with a smile before pausing, murmuring to herself. “Why didn’t I think of that…?” The rest of our dinner was eaten with brief exchanges of conversation, finishing all of what was on the table. Dad and Olivia helped put away the dishes once we were done as I began to head upstairs, reaching my room to open my door. Only to pause upon hearing Olivia speak up behind me. “Psst, Anon.” I turn to see her having just reached the top of the stairs. “Yeah?” I ask, “What’s up?” Silently, she moves past me, opening the door to her room before gesturing me to follow. I oblige, entering as she turned on the lights, moving to her bed and stooping down to quickly grab something from underneath. Oh boy. It must’ve been something super secret if she was retrieving it from below there, turning around to show that it was a rolled paper sheet. “... I’m gonna give this to Naser before he leaves.” She explains, holding it close to her. “I want you to tell me if it looks weird… or if it’s weird to give something like this to someone.” I shrug, “Alright, show me.” Olivia nodded, unrolling the paper to reveal the artwork. And I was stunned. It was drawn with mostly warm colors, the yellow-orange background of a warm summer day with the general shape of our school track. The center focus was the back of a figure, more abstract than her usual works, but none the more clearer on who it was meant to be with the orange stripes and grey shapes… Naser. Yet the most attention was clearly put into his wings, one large and detailed with subtle motion lines to implement the illusion of speed, and the other… Holy shit. It was Naser’s atrophied wing, but not so much anymore, beautiful flowers growing from the scars… like wildflowers from the cracks of a sidewalk in Volcaldera Bluffs, forming a fully-fledged wingspan of vegetation. And through it all, one could make out the traces of a smiling snout, and a single golden eye peering through the colors. Within the corner, two small words. Fly Far. It was unlike any drawing she had ever done before, Olivia having captured something incredibly special and one of kind. Her own soul, put into depicting someone important to her. “It’s…-” I’m at a loss for words for a moment, Olivia lowering it. “Crap?” She asked. I shook my head, “No, Olivia. It’s… perfect.” I tilt my head, “I guess you’re planning to give it to Naser?” “... Yeah.” Olivia admits, “But like… is that weird to do?” The baryonyx asks. “What’s so weird about that?” I ask, “You’ve drawn Naser and shown it to him before.” “Yeah but for like laughs and stuff.” Olivia responds before peering down at the drawing, “... This is different…” I could definitely understand, and to that, I gave my honest opinion. “Well, Naser knows how much you love drawing.” She looks to me, “... He’s gonna love it.” I didn’t even add a ‘I might be wrong’ or anything like… I was just that confident. Olivia pauses for a moment before slowly nodding. “Alright.” She then rolled it back up, “Then… on the last day…-” Her silver eyes narrowed in determination. “-I’ll give it to him.” And of course, tomorrow that day came. The festivities before the Meteor Bowl were insane, nothing that I really expected. Food stands manned by teachers, students, and even parents were set up around the field. Many times, I had to watch where I was stepping, avoiding the occasional foot traffic as groups busily set up the sports events. I encountered Jeremy before finding anyone else, deciding to hang out with the gigantosaur as we walked around, inspecting the area. “I know the Meteor Bowl is a sports event, but what’s the history behind it?” I ask with genuine intrigue. Jeremy turned his head to me. “Well, it’s to celebrate the coming and passing of the world-ending meteor that had almost destroyed the planet 65 million years ago.” The gigantosaur explained. “And… that’s all I remember.” “Heh.” I chuckle, “It was a good enough explanation.” I then peer at him, “By the way, when’s the track event?” “In like, 30 minutes.” Jeremy then raised his head, “Wait, shit! It’s in 30 minutes, I gotta get stretching in the gymnasium!” He then began jogging. “Talk to you later Anon!” I wave a quick goodbye before looking around, spotting Doe and Worden, the two ordering something from a food stand as I approach, Worden taking notice. “Hey, Anon.” He lifted a bun to his snout, chomping down as he asked whilst chewing. “You try the hamburgers yet?” “Not yet.” I answer before tilting my head, “Have you two seen Olivia or Naser?” Doe shook her head. “No, we were kinda looking around for them too…” She admits, a look of concern on her face. “Isn’t the track event going to be soon?” “Yeah…” I confirm, “Where could they be…?” I then see familiar green hair across the crowds, exiting the gymnasium and frantically peering around. “Olivia!” I call out, waving as I move past Doe and Worden, managing to make my way through the crowd as I approach, the baryonyx doing the same. We both ask the same question to each other as if on cue. “Have you seen Naser?” A pause. Uh oh. Both of our eyes widen as Worden and Doe arrive, the former offering a hopeful explanation. “... Maybe they put him somewhere else to stretch?” I recall what Jeremy had said, “Everyone’s supposed to be readying inside the gymnasium before the event.” I look to Olivia, “Any idea where Naser might be?” She paused for a moment before blinking. “Trees.” The baryonyx simply said, turning to tail to sprint the other way as the rest of us briefly glanced at one another before following. We went across the crowded field, approaching the tiny artificial grove that Naser and Olivia usually hang out at. And sure enough… we found him thanks to Olivia’s assumption. Naser was huddled against the bark, much like when we had found him before inviting him to the group, shaky claw frantically tapping at his smartphone. “C’mon…-” He muttered before Olivia asked. “Naser?” He immediately flinched, eyes blinking as he stood up, pocketing the device. “Olivia-!” He then looked to the rest of us, “What are you guys doing here?” “What do you think?” I say with a shrug, “We were looking for you. The race is going to start soon.” I then pause, noticing the pterodactyl giving the typical ‘something is on Naser’s mind’ look as he peered down, a saddened frown on his snout. “... Naser? Are you okay bro?” “H-Huh?” He blinked before trying to put on a more confident facade, an unsteady smile on his snout. “Yeah, I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” The pterodactyl then tried to walk past, “Don’t worry about me, I’ll just-” Olivia placed a claw against his chest, gently pushing him back against the tree to prevent him from leaving, her piercing silver eyes looking into his gold. She then spoke. “Naser, what’s wrong?” There was a pause, all of us watching as Naser’s snout tightened, threatening to remain shut closed… only for him to relinquish with a heavy sigh. “... My parents.” Naser admits, “T-They said they were going to be here but… I-” He shook his head, “I can’t find them, I can’t find them anywhere, and whenever I try to call them, my phone just… doesn’t connect.” “Maybe they’re stuck in traffic.” Worden offered. “Yeah, and the reception on the road here is really bad.” Olivia adds. However, Naser did not seem very cheered up, giving that frowning look as he peered down. “It’s…- It’s also just-” He looked out to the field, “There’s just so many people. What if I-?” He placed a claw over his snout, “Oh Raptor Jesus, what if I trip? O-Or screw up and embarrass myself?” He then came to the most obscene conclusion as he peered away, breathing out. “Maybe that’s why my parents didn’t show up…” Talk about pre-performance anxiety. Luckily, that seemed to disappear upon Oliva thumping her resting claw against his chest, grabbing his attention. “Naser.” He looked back at Olivia. “You’ll be fine.” The pterodactyl tilted his head, “How do you know that?” “Because-” Her claws immediately grasped the sides of his head… and then pulled him into a kiss, Naser’s eyes widening as saucers as Olivia closed hers, the three of us just watching in shock at the sudden PDA. She then relinquished, gently pressing her scaly forehead against his own, both snouts pointed downward as they looked each other in the eyes. “-I believe in you.” The baryonyx then peered to the rest of us, a smile on her snout, Naser following her gaze. “And so does everyone else.” “Yeah!” I nod as I step forward, placing a reassuring claw on Naser’s shoulder. “Whatever happens, we’ll always be by your side!” “You’ve been training for this, just let it show.” Worden encouraged. “You can do it, Naser!” Doe cheered. It took me a nanosecond to realize that this suddenly felt like a cheesy scene from one of Stella’s recommended animes. … But I couldn’t have given less of a shit about that, a giant grin on my snout as I relinquish my claw, Olivia doing the same before stepping back. “So Naser-” She then gave the brightest beam I think I had ever seen from her, “-don’t feel alone… okay?” Naser seemed to pause for a moment before gently grasping Olivia’s claws, holding them up together, the baryonyx blinking before he stooped forward and gently kissed her… And somehow, that had earned a sudden slam of Olivia’s tail against the grass, not the various kisses she had engaged before, her silver eyes wide as her freckled scales turned red. Naser relinquished, looking at her with a warm smile. “I won’t.” Slowly, he looked to us. “Thank you guys… for being here with me.” The rest of us smiled at that before I remembered something. “Wait, when’s the race-?” “All participants!” Someone called from a loudspeaker, “You have 10 minutes to get inside the gymnasium! 10 minutes!” Naser’s eyes widened. “I gotta run.” He quickly said, meaning it both figuratively and literally, rushing past us as he reached the gymnasium, flashing us one last smile before disappearing inside. Doe spoke up after a few seconds. “We should quickly find a place close to the start, so Naser can see us cheer for him.” To that, we all agree on, Doe and Worden moving together as Olivia and I walk side by side, making our way across the field. Her gaze is forward, a trace of red still on her snout. Where I had done everything wrong in my past life, Olivia had done everything right. Sure, they were still young, but Olivia had done everything to be there and support Naser. If ‘Everyone was fighting their own battles’, the baryonyx had literally picked up her sharpened drawing pencils and rushed to the side of Naser. I couldn’t have been anymore proud of her. “Olivia.” I speak up, my foster sister looked to me. “You’re awesome.” In all honesty, there was so much more I wanted to say yet couldn’t formulate… but I had the feeling that I didn’t need to. Olivia smiled, looking genuinely touched by my compliment. “... Thanks.” We make our way to the sides of the track and at the front of the stands, waiting for the runners to come out amongst the watching crowds. After a few minutes, they arrived, jogging out to the start line as respectable cheers and claps broke out. And when Naser showed up, everyone in our group called out to him. “Naser!” “WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!” “NASER, NASER, NASER-” “YOU GOT THIS!” The pterodactyl gave us all a thumbs up as he ran past, taking position amongst the other seventh-grade track and field contestants. Five other dinosaurs, most of them admittedly tall Gallimimuses that were known for their speed. They get into the proper stance, looking forward as the official held a revolver filled with blanks. “Student-athletes of the track run… are you ready?” They nodded, the official holding the revolver to the sky. “On your marks-” I could see Naser’s smile suddenly shift into his game face, eyes narrowed and completely focused. “-get set-” His entire body tensed up like a straining spring. *BANG* And Naser was just gone. It was almost startling how fast he had sprung forth, the other athletes clearly caught off guard by the zooming pterodactyl, leaving them in the dust as we lost our collective shit, cheering wildly for him as he grew out of earshot, already rounding the corner of the track. My head followed him, watching him absolutely decimate the race alongside Olivia before a few grunts were heard from behind. “Oh no! It just started, honey!” “I know that- Just- Damn it! Outta the way!” I completely freeze up, slowly looking away from Naser and into the crowd, a few Dinosaurs moving aside as an impossibly large pterodactyl, a scar over his right eye and a huge portion of his crest missing… all the while a petite blonde-haired pterodactyl with eyes that seemed in constant close joined him, her head frantically looking around as the two adults stood right beside Olivia and I. … To think… the last I had seen the two of them was the funeral… mourning the death of their children. Yet here they were… Naser and Fang’s parents. Ripley and Samantha. I peer away from them for a moment, closing my eyes, my heavy sigh drowned out by the roar of the crowds. I didn’t know if I was ready to ever meet them, if I could ever be ready for that… But… I reopen my eyes. There was nothing to do but wait until the race was over, Ripley scanning the race track before catching wind of Naser. “There he is!” He laughed out with pride. “He’s in first place!” “Is he!?” Samantha exclaimed, gasping out. “Our little boy is incredible!” I peer to see Olivia looking at Naser’s parents, perhaps having already connected the dots before slowly looking back to the track, eyes widening upon seeing Naser already approaching the finish line with an other athlete, a fast Gallimimus that had picked up the pace. The two of them were toe to toe, Naser’s teeth gritted before his gold eyes found us… and his parents. Love was a hell of a steroid. With a powerful flap of his good wing, it gave him a sudden boost needed to break the running stalemate between him and the other athlete as he crossed the finish line. And we went absolutely nuts, cheering as Naser turned, running toward the side as Ripley and Samantha stepping forward with proud smiles on their snouts. Only for him to first go to Olivia first, the baryonyx already spreading her arms as the two embraced, Ripley and Samantha seemed stunned for a moment as the rest of us joined in, patting his shoulder and back, laughing out. “Dude! That was amazing!” Worden enthusiastically congratulated. “I could barely even follow! You were so fast!” Doe complimented. I simply smile, hand on his shoulder as Naser briefly peers at me, Olivia nuzzling her snout underneath his. And that look he had given me… Not one of disappointment. Not one of sorrow. Not one of mourning. But… One of satisfaction. One of happiness. One of joy. All of it as if to say… Thank you. It took all my effort not to tear up then and there. A cough from Ripley manages to guide our attention, Naser and Olivia disconnecting as the former approached his parents, smiling. “Mom, Dad!” He hugged Samantha as Ripley ruffled his short hair with a smile on his snout. “We’re so proud of you dear!” Samantha cooed, “Sorry for arriving late, you must have been so sad!” “Traffic was terrible.” Ripley grunted, “And we knew you were trying to call us, but…-” He then lifted a crushed flip phone, indicating that his anger might have gotten the better of him. “The cell reception wasn’t good...” “It’s alright, you’re here now.” Naser smiled, “That’s all that matters.” He then looked between them. “... Is… Lucy…-?” Oh yeah… I guess Fang- Or Lucy, wasn’t with them… … I didn’t know whether to be grateful or sad about that. Ripley and Samantha peer at each other before the former sighed. “Your sister is at home. She would have loved to be here…” Ripley seemed to try and excuse, “But you know how carsick she gets.” Naser paused before nodding, “Yeah, it’s fine.” He responded, unburdened with his answer as Ripley and Samantha seemed to take notice, small smiles on their snout. Samantha then looked to us, changing the subject. “Are these your friends that you told us about?” Naser separated, turning to us. “Yeah! Dad, Mom, this is-” “You must be Anon.” Ripley approached Worden, grasping the allosaurus’s claw with a firm shake. “Naser told me you had a hell of a grip, explains why you’re second in the boxing club!” Naser’s eyes widened, snout opening as Worden blinked, the aforementioned speaking up first. “Uh, actually-” Ah, fuck it. Ready or not, here I come. “That’d be me, Sir.” I step forward, unable to meet his gaze for a moment before finally peering up, seeing the surprise in Ripley’s orange eyes. “Huh? You’re a comp-” A quiet frown from Samantha seemed to have Ripley put more thoughts into his words, awkwardly raising his claw to me. “Heh, sorry about the mixup kid.” I shrug, accepting his handshake. “No worries, I get that a lo-” I then feel quite the pressure against my claw, realizing that Ripley was testing my grip. … I decided to endorse him. Every muscle in my arm suddenly flexed and tightened beneath my jacket as a burst of pressurized air escaped between our entwined claws. The very atmosphere around us seemed to grow heavy, uncomfy even with how everyone else stood, all the while Ripley raised a subtle eye while I maintained my concentration. After a few moments, we both relinquish, a pause between the two of us. Ripley then burst out into laughter. “Ha! Consider me impressed Anon.” He said with a smile. … It felt surreal hearing that come from Mr. Ripley’s snout. “... Thank you, Sir.” I simply respond, the grizzled pterodactyl pterodactyl looking to Doe and Worden. “So then you two must be Doe and Worden.” Ripley noted, the human and the allosaurus nodding respectively as Naser’s dad looked to Olivia. “And by elimination… you must be Olivia.” The baryonyx nodded as Samantha spoke up. “Naser talks so much about you.” The ptero-matriarch smiled, “My little Naser might have a crush on you.” Oh. Oh no. Naser never told them, or maybe they never understood. Regardless, Ripley and Samantha were completely in the dark as Naser stuttered. “W-Well, a-actually Mom, Olivia is, uh…-” Olivia hugged Naser from behind, snout resting over his shoulder before kissing him right on the cheek. The baryonyx then smiled up at Ripley and Samantha. “I’m his girlfriend.” There was a moment of stunned silence between the two adults, and I blinked as something entirely new, and perhaps… slightly cursed, happened. Samantha’s eyes opened. It was like I was looking at an entirely different dinosaur, her irises gold just like Naser’s as her snout dropped open. “My b-baby boy has a g-g-” It was too much for the petite pterodactyl, those golden eyes rolling shut as she swooned back, Ripley catching her mid-fall as he shook her. “Samantha? Samantha!?” Ripley tried to resuscitate as she murmured incoherently, something along the lines of how Naser would now be ‘moving away from her’ and ‘marriage’. Raptor Jesus. Naser now had joined his father in trying to revive his Mom, Olivia staring at the scene she had inadvertently caused, her smile now twitching with absolute regret… all the while Doe, Worden, and I looked at each other, snouts and faces turned downward as we suddenly found the grass beneath us to be of incredible interest. The rest of the Meteor Bowl was spent cheering for Jeremy as Naser and his parents ate. He had shown up amongst the other tenth graders for the track event, and although he wasn’t exactly the best at running, his training for the past month had shown, actually securing third place amongst the runners. Worden and I ran onto the track to celebrate, throwing fake-out punches as he retaliated, bobbing and weaving before we all broke out into laughter… And then sudden fear as Coach Mikhail roared out. “I AM VERY HAPPY FOR YOU, JEREMY!” All three of us screamed as the anklyosaurus ran toward us, Worden and I managing to escape in time as he wrapped the giganotosaurus into a death hug, Jeremy reaching out to us as the last of his life left him. An F for a fallen soldier. After a few more events, the Meteor Bowl began to come to a close, the entire field illuminated by a giant paper mache meteor as dusk filled the sky. And that meant… that it was time for Naser to go. We stood in the far end of the parking lot as Ripley and Samantha retrieved the car, all of us awkwardly standing around, quiet as if unsure of what to say to the pterodactyl as he stood beside his luggage. After a pause, I finally decided to speak up. “So uh…” I smiled, yet I couldn’t help but keep the sadness out of it, knowing this would probably be the last time I would see Naser. “We had a pretty good time.” I reminisce. “Yeah.” Doe agreed, “It was great having you at our table while you were here, Naser.” “And, well, if you ever come back to Janoga Park, we can always meet up again.” Worden offered hopefully. Naser nodded, a small smile on his snout before it died out, looking at Olivia. “... Olivia?” He asked, the baryonyx peering down for a moment to close her eyes before looking back up. “... I’ll miss you.” She simply said. A saddened frown grew on the pterodactyl’s face as the two embraced, his wing protectively folding over her as he murmured. “I’ll miss you too…” He then peered into her eyes, “But I’ll never, ever forget you… Olivia.” The baryonyx sniffles, tears now beginning to stream from her eyes as she choked back a sob, leaning her head into his chest. Damn. The whole scene was like a gut-punch, Doe leaning against Worden for comfort as all of us look on. She finally seems to gain control of her breath, looking up. “S-So will I, Naser Aaron…” She then let out a shaky giggle, “God, it feels weird saying your full name…” “Then what’s your last name?” Naser asked, managing to put on a smirk. “We’ll both be weird together.” Olivia let out a bit of amused air, closing her wet eyes. She then reopened them. “Halford. Olivia Halford.” The baryonyx revealed. Naser paused before giving his response, hugging her even more tightly. “... Your name is beautiful.” “Dude…-” Olivia smirked, “-you got low standards.” They both laugh at that, just as the car arrived, heralded with a brief honk as the window opened, Ripley calling out. “Say goodbye to your friends, son?” Naser nodded, both he and Olivia reluctantly separating. Yet before he moved toward his car, he turned to me. “... Anon?” I tilt my snout, having not expected him to delay. “Uh, yeah?” I ask Naser. “What’s up?” He paused for a moment, peering away as if trying to figure out what to say before looking back. “I guess I’ve been meaning to say this for a while but…-” He then gave me a grateful smile, “I just wanted to say thank you.” I blink. “When I first came to Mezosoic Private, I had nobody and… nothing. But then you showed up and invited me to your table, did everything to make me feel at home when I was so far from home. You-” He paused. “You gave me something.” Naser then offered a claw to shake. “And for that, I owe you everything.” I froze up for a moment, thousands of thoughts going through my head. Just… thinking of what had led up to this moment. A part of me felt that I was still unabsolved, that everything that had, had happened. … But… I ignore his claw. And hugged Naser instead. His good wing seemed to tense up in surprise as I separated, claw still on his shoulder. I could no longer keep the tears from my eyes. “Naser…” I finally speak my soul. “You don’t owe me anything.” Of course, he knew how significant this was… but not the extent it was to me. Yet that didn’t matter. Because I knew I had done good. Naser paused, Olivia now beside me as he looked between the two us, snout quivering before he briefly closed his eyes, fresh tears finally escaping as he let out a sad but relieving sigh. The three of us nod as I relinquish my claw from his shoulder, Naser turning to the car as he walked away. He opened the door to clamber inside with his luggage, all of us waving at him. “Bye Naser!” Doe called “So long dude!” Worden shouted. Olivia and I wordlessly smiled, watching Naser wave back at us from the window, Ripley and Samantha giving a courteous wave from the front before the car began to drive off. … Why did it suddenly feel like something important was being forgotten? I look at Olivia for a moment, the baryonyx noticing my gaze. Her silver eyes then widened to obscene degrees, as I suddenly came to the silent realization as well. WE FORGOT TO GIVE HIM THE DRAWING! The two of us burst into a sprint, much to Doe and Worden’s surprise, Olivia struggling with her backpack as she called out. “WAIT!” Yet the car was already approaching the end of the carpark, the family unable to hear us from the other end. I then made a decision upon realizing that I could run faster than Olivia. Pick up the gator. I grab Olivia and hold her horizontally like a football as I practically burst with speed, the two of us shouting like lunatics. My legs moved so fast, I was pretty sure I was leaving afterimages of Olivia and I… my body pushed beyond the limit of how fast it could run. The car thankfully came to a stop as I reached the side, Naser lowering the window as he blinked in surprise. “W-What happened?! What’s wrong!? Did I-” I panted, unable to say anything due to my burning exhaustion as I let Olivia down, the baryonyx reaching into her backpack to produce the rolled-up drawing. “A-Almost forgot.” She admitted, handing him the paper. “Do whatever you want with it.” Naser accepted the unknown gift with a hint of confusion, bringing it into the car before looking back, the two of them pausing for a moment. And then they both leaned forward, Olivia having to stand on her tiptoes while Naser clutched the side of the window, sharing one last kiss goodbye before separating, both of them smiling at one another as the window rolled back up, the car driving off into the highway and disappeared past the tree line. Just like that… Naser had left Mezosoic Private. The past couple of days were hard for Olivia. Not that I was faring well either, but considering how ‘close’ they were, I could relate to what she was going for. For the first few dinners at home, she ate before returning to her room, usually to stay there for the rest of the night. But… despite it all, Mom and Dad understood she would eventually get over it. Yet one morning, she surprised us all. “I wanna get serious with my art.” Dad blinked behind his glasses as Mom tilted her head, speaking up. “What do you mean by that, Dear?” “I mean, I want to enter a competition and see where it goes. Whether I win or lose-” The baryonyx shrugged, “-it doesn’t matter. I just wanna try it.” There was a pause as Dad asked. “Do you know any upcoming competitions?” “Only one, and it’ll be in ninth grade… which gives me plenty of time to start.” Now it was my turn to be shocked, looking up from my plate of scrambled eggs. “You’re gonna start preparing? That’s like two years from now.” “Yep.” Olivia nodded, “Which gives me plenty of time to start working.” She seemed determined, and I could tell in an instant where that sudden inspiration possibly came from as Dad smiled. “Well alright then, don’t be afraid to ask if you need anything.” “Thanks, Uncle Ed, but I got more than enough right here.” Olivia smiled at the table. And rather wholesomely, I didn’t know if she meant art supplies… or just us in general. Weeks turned into months. We were already beginning eighth grade, sitting at the same old table. Although we occasionally sat outside, we mostly were back in the cafeteria now that Naser was gone, hanging out in our old spot as the B clique. Yet today, Worden and Doe had some important. “So Doe and I… uh, over the summer break and stuff- we-” Worden tried to get the words out as Olivia and I listened. Doe decided to say it, hugging his arm. “We’re together now! Boyfriend and girlfriend!” Wow… What a shocker… The new couple seemed to instantly notice our unsurprised expression, pretty much confirmed as Olivia spoke. “... Cool.” Worden stuttered as Doe blinked. “Y-You two knew?” “I mean-” I scratch the back of my bald scale head. “... Yeah, kinda? You two are pretty much inseparable.” I then rectify, “And for the record, we’re both super happy for you two, but…-” I shrug, “Yeah we kinda expected it.” Doe looked to Worden, puffing out her cheeks in a pout. “See! I told you they wouldn’t be surprised!” “No kidding…” Worden shrugged at the lackluster reveal, looking at Olivia. “So what are you drawing today, Olivia?” “Planning.” She answered, Doe and Worden tilting their heads as I explained. “She’s gonna try for the art competition that’s coming up in ninth grade.” “Wow!” Doe exclaimed, “What are you gonna draw?!” “Dunno yet, I’ll-” Olivia then winced, dropping her pencil as she clutched her head. “Ow…” We all blink at that as I speak up. “Olivia? Are you alright?” “Y-Yeah.” She answered, blinking herself as she picked up her pencil from the table. “Just had a migraine.” “Damn, can’t be that hard to think about what to draw.” I say with a smirk once knowing that she was alright, the baryonyx peering at me before landing a small tail whack against my shoulder in response. Come the end of the year, and Olivia seemed like she had gotten an idea. But she kept it under wraps, literally and figuratively, as whenever I entered her room, her artist board had been kept underneath a cover, concealed from view. I didn’t dare lift it, out of fear that I’d end up ruining it… but I did know it was using paint, if the splotched cover indicated anything. As for me, I had worked on my boxing… and my guitar. No longer did I take lessons for the aforementioned, as most of my music teachers had said there was nothing else left for them to teach me… I apparently was at a level where most pro musicians were. That didn’t mean there was nothing left I could learn. Like new songs for example. “- just wanna use your love tonight. I don’t wanna lose your love tonight- ” Edward smiled as I played, speaking up. “Y’know, when your mother and I first met before I was deployed, this song was playing in the diner.” “You’re right!” Joan exclaimed. I continued playing with a smile as Dad looked to Mom before gently grasping her claw, pulling her from the couch as she laughed out. “ Just 'cause you're right that don't mean I'm wrong. Another shoulder to cry upon. I just want to use your love toniiiight- ” I sung, all the while my parents danced. By the time Olivia and I were 15, did we finally get to see what the former had been working on. And holy shit... Me, Mom, and Dad simply sat there on the couch, wide-eyed and taking in the details of her painting. Where to even begin? The first thing one would notice… was an apple on a table, possibly the most simplistic object that one would draw in a school art project, very realistically and beautifully drawn of course… but very simple. Yet although that was the first most would notice… it was not the one most would focus on. That was given to the entire background, a landscape filled to the brim with nonsensical objects, although surreal… was incredibly familiar, specifically to us. Because it was everything significant to Olivia. The Dodge in Joe’s Garage, driving down a winding road of dark particles. A distant and familiar green dinosaur… headbutting the floor after falling off his bed. Figures that looked remarkably like that time when we all stood for the ovation of Literally E, posing for invisible cameras of starlight. A meteor, breaking through the surroundings from above… and with it, a streak of grey and orange colors, with growths of beautiful wildflowers in its wake. We were all speechless, Olivia having assumed that we didn’t like it, only to immediately be corrected. We didn’t just like it. We fucking loved it. And when the day came for the contest… not that the other works were bad but… Jeez, this felt bad to say. But Olivia’s was just miles ahead of everyone else, much like how Naser mostly was during the race. So it came as no surprise that- “-the winner of the grade nine art competition is…-” The announcer read from the card. “Olivia Halford!” My parents and I rose from our seats, clapping wildly and cheering for her as she came up on stage, a bashful look on her face as she held up her painting. The name of her painting? ‘Something.’ She then paused, realizing she was expected to say something, coughing as she gulped. “I uh-...” Olivia paused for a moment, “... Thanks…-” She then looked directly at us in the crowd, a smile on her snout. “-for supporting me.” We smile at that, Joan hugging Edward as we stand in front of our seats. Only to pause upon seeing Olivia wince, a frown on her face as her claw rubbed at the side of her head. “A-And…-” She looked like she had wanted to say more before letting out a quiet seethe. “... That’s all…” After the event was over, we were walking back to the car, Mom and Dad sporting a look of worry as Olivia held her painting. “Are you alright, Dear?” Joan asked. “M’fine.” The baryonyx said with a nod, “Just a headache.” Dad shook his head, “You shouldn’t be having them this frequently though…” He adjusted his glasses, “We might have to schedule an appointment with the doctor tomorrow.” “... There goes my Saturday.” Olivia grumbled. I then offer a solution, “Hey, since it’s close to the mall… you wanna hit the arcade?” That seemed to cheer Olivia up, the baryonyx smiling. “... Only if we get to play Time Dino Crisis.” I woke up the next day with a knock on the door, Mom probably dealing with the laundry as her muffled voice called out through the door. “Anon, can you wake Olivia for breakfast? Ed’s going to take her to her appointment, and then he’ll bring you both to the mall.” I smile at that, “Sure thing!” Clambering out of bed, I exit into the hallway as Mom moves downstairs with a basket of clothes, knocking on Olivia’s door. “Olivia, come on out. Breakfast is ready.” “... Okay.” Olivia’s muffled voice was heard. I turned around, about to head downstairs before hearing a thump come from her room. I turned back, blinking as I opened her door. “Olivia? You good?” I see her head against the floor, her short green hair falling over her eyes while half her body still remained on the bed. “Uh, headbutting the floor is kinda my thing? Not yours.” I say with a chuckle. Her snout opened to blow away her hair, frowning up at me. “I know that, just-” She shifted, gasping as the rest of her body fell forward, flopping to the floor like a fish as she rolled over, staring up at the ceiling. … Guess the headache had her disorientated or something. I fully enter, tilting my head. “You alright, Olivia?” She paused for a moment, “Yeah, I just-” The baryonyx rose her thigh to a kneel, trying to stand up only for her leg to just completely flop to the side and collapse as soon as she tried to put weight onto it. “I-” I move to help her, offering both my claws. “Here, grab my claws. I’ll pull you up.” She nodded, grabbing hold before I lifted her up on her two feet with ease, Olivia briefly looking at me with a smile as I let go… that look turning to panic as Olivia fell back down, both legs from the knee down splayed over the floor as she knelt. I blink, “O-Olivia? What’s-” The baryonyx looked up at me, with a look of pure and utter dread in her silver eyes, unfocused and shaking. … I was given a reminder that day… That the world hadn't forgotten- “Anon…” And neither had it forgiven. “I can’t move my legs.” [NOTES] I'm sorry. But you didn't think I was gonna miss Fang Friday... technically.