“... Why’s that Compy staring at you Fang?” I blinked from my blissful stupor and returned to reality, my saddened smile disappearing. Trish was now looking at me, her purple eyes narrowing as Reed looked as well, the velociraptor shrugging. “Maybe he’s on carfe too.” Reed then paused, “... He did look kinda sad tho-” I averted my gaze from Fang before I became any more noticeable… and before I could see her reaction, returning my attention back to the welcoming committee as Naomi finished her long-winded explanation. “-and that's the gist of it!” She then approached Olivia, and rather obnoxiously began to try and push the baryonyx forward without her consent. “Here! I’ll take you to h-” Before I could step in, Olivia spoke up for herself, head looking to Naomi. “Don’t.” The baryonyx then turned back, placing both claws to push her wheels forward. “I can move myself.” Naomi paused, and again, for a brief second, I could see a frown bleed into her overly cheerful exterior before quickly reverting, eyes closed with that plastic smile. “Of course!” The pink parasaurolophus then moved to the doorway, “Let me open the door for you at least!” Raptor Jesus, seeing it from the outside made it so much more obvious of how fake Naomi’s exterior was, making me wonder how it had taken me so long to see it in my past life. Granted, she hadn’t deserved to die for it…. But… Fuck. It didn’t make the whole act excusable. Speaking of which, why the hell was Naomi acting like this, all passive-aggressive? Thinking for a moment, I looked between the pterodactyl and the parasaurolophus… Was Naomi and Naser ‘together’ at this point? And, regardless of if not or if so, did she see Olivia as ‘competition’? … Maybe I was overthinking things… but… If Naomi was going to try her machiavellian bullshit on Olivia for whatever reason… then I would have to step in and stomp on those ambitions. I wasn’t going to let it become a problem. Not this time. Olivia wheeled herself forward, Naser stepping aside, the pterodactyl’s golden eyes desperately trying to find the baryonyx’s. My foster sister paused for a moment before continuing on, disappearing within as Naomi ceased holding the door open, leaving Naser and me outside. Turning to Naser, I easily noticed his signature ‘something is bothering Naser’ look, brows slanted and eyes peering down, a frown etched on his snout. Gently, I put a claw on his shoulder, the pterodactyl blinking as if just registering my presence. “Anon…” Naser managed to look up, a multitude of emotions on his face. “... Is she… happy?” It was a loaded and broad question, yet I did my best to answer it. “Not gonna say it’s been easy for Olivia, but-” I smile, “-she still draws, still likes swimming… and still likes the raptor-shaped dino-nuggies… so…” I nod, “Yeah, I’d say she’s happy.” “I-” Naser paused, “I just didn’t…-” He then trailed off, as if unsure of what to say. “It’s alright, Naser. Don’t-” I was about to say something like ‘beat yourself up’ before hearing Trish’s voice, this time closer as I pictured the trio now halfway up the staircase. “Ugh, looks like the Compy's friends with your brother, Fang...” I could hear the triceratops brazenly speak with disgust, Fang remaining silent. Shit. Not wanting to turn around, remembering that Naomi and Olivia were ahead, and… not exactly comfortable with the prospect of leaving the latter alone in the company of the former, I nodded to the doorway, urging Naser to move. “Anyways, let’s get to the principal’s office. I think classes are gonna start soon.” “Oh, right…” Naser nodded as if just remembering, the two of us quickly entering inside, walking into the familiar blue locker hallways of Volcano High, vines and vegetation growing over to either give a sense of natural beauty or natural decay… I didn’t care at the moment, all I was glad about was that I was out of earshot, the familiar trio now murky shapes waiting behind the glass as I closed my eyes, letting out a silent sigh behind my snout. Now just… wasn’t the time. I needed to prepare myself mentally for that inevitability. Naser was still quiet, not exactly being the best guide, not that I needed one, the two of us arriving at our destination. I spotted Olivia and Naomi at the door of Principal Spear’s office, the baryonyx sporting a distant expression on her face as Naomi droned on and on in a cheerful manner. “-nd it’s no wonder he’s the principal of the number one school in natural beauty! I bet you can’t just wait to meet him!” She then noticed our approach, “Ah! Just in time Anon!” Naomi then opened the door, “Principal Spears is ready to see you both!” Turning to Naser, I gave him one last reassuring pat on his shoulder, but felt no response to it, his gaze still on Olivia’s back as she wheeled herself into the office, Naomi closing the door behind us. The office is just as I remembered, cramped but well-furnished, decorated with trophies and cabinets. As well as a hulking neanderthal, elegantly dressed and spectacled, standing up from his seat. Principal Spears. How I’ve missed you. His demeanor seemed serious, with a stern look and gray-shaded glasses, obscuring his eyes as he approached. I felt Olivia tense up, and I couldn’t blame her as even I felt a little unnerved within his sight, feeling so much smaller underneath the Spears’s gaze despite our even height. “Anon, Olivia.” He simply said, his voice deep and gruff, arms behind his back as we both remained still. Spears then gave a small heartwarming smile. “Welcome to our lovely school. We’ve been anticipating your arrival for quite some time.” The two of us nod, Olivia more slowly and reluctantly than I as the Spears gestured to the two black chairs. “Have a seat.” He turned to Olivia, “I may also move the chair if you wish to remain in your wheelchair.” “... I’ll stay in the wheelchair.” Olivia answered. “Very well.” He nodded, picking up the chair to give Olivia space to roll beside me as I sat down, the two of us now looking forward as Principal Spears returned to his place, resting both of his gigantic hands against the desk. “Before we begin, I must ask something regarding your old school… is Misha still teaching Kindergarten?” I pause for a moment. Coach Mikhail? Kindergarten? Even Olivia seemed shocked by that, knowing the effects of the hulking ankylosaurus as I found myself blurting out. “Those poor kids.” Principal Spears paused. Before bursting into loud guffawing laughter. “HAHAHA! I’ll take that as a no then?!” “Nope.” I confirm, “He’s a boxing coach now. Taught me for 7 years before I left.” Spear’s looked pleasantly surprised, “That’s incredible! I should contact him again.” The neanderthal seemed to reminisce, “Although he may not sound articulate, Misha actually has a PhD in literature… in his mother tongue mind you.” Coach Mikhail. Literature PhD. Never did I think those two concepts could be in the same sentence. “But enough about that. What I wish to know is how you two feel, your first impressions upon arriving at Volcano High?” I peered at Olivia as she peered at me before I looked at Principal Spears. “A bit jarring.” I answered honestly, “Which is expected since it’s the first day and all… but-” I then say the next part with a bit of a grumble. “-would be better if the other students didn’t stare at us so much.” The neanderthal frowned, “I see. Although it is natural that they are curious, seeing as you two are new to the school… if it continues past a week onward…-” Principal Spears’s hands tensed into fists, “Notify me. I will piledrive some sense into them.” Those poor students. Principal Spears then released his fists, looking at Olivia, tense frown replaced with a gentle smile. “And how about you, Olivia? Has our school been accommodating to you?” Olivia paused, realizing she was being asked for an answer before responding, “... The ramp’s cool.” She paused again, “Naomi also said something about an elevator but…-” The baryonyx shook her head, “She also said a lot of other stuff too and it all just kinda…-” Olivia shrugged, “-melded together…” Too much stuff by the sound of it, Principal Spears sighing. “You have my sympathies. As much as it pains me to admit it… that girl tends to go on for ages.” He then opened a drawer, his large hand dragging out a keycard connected to a strap, handing it to Olivia as the baryonyx accepted it. “This is for the elevator, simply touch it against the scanner and you may press any floor.” Olivia quietly thanked him, pocketing it. “You can also use your benefits card in the cafeteria. When you show it at the register, everything on your tray will be free .” That made us instantly freeze up, our eyes widening as we both took a moment to register. … “Free food?” Principal Spears nodded, “Indeed. So abuse that privilege in any way you deem fit.” Olivia and I looked at one another, unable to hide our surprised joy at the moment as the ends of our snouts curled open. Or in other words… We were absolutely pogchamping right now. Especially me, knowing the premium lunch choices that were available at the cafeteria, stuff even my financial aid had limits to in my past life. The neanderthal chuckled, looking at the clock to notify us. “You two best be going now. Your first class will begin in a few minutes.” I nodded, standing up from my seat as Olivia disengaged her breaks to wheel herself ahead, Principal Spears rising up from his chair to see us off, opening the door for us. “Take care.” Olivia gave a nod as she wheeled herself out first, I myself about to follow before Principal Spears spoke up. “Oh, and Anon, before you go.” I turn to Principal Spears, the neanderthal smiling. “Your parents told me that you’ve been quite the pillar of strength for Olivia.” He bowed his head, “It speaks good of your character.” Pausing for a moment, I shrug with a small smile on my snout. “It’s not just been me, Sir.” And that was the truth as I thought about my parents, Doe and Worden, pretty much most of the students back in Mezosoic private… and Naser, the aforementioned I hope would be returning to form if need be. “But a lot of others as well… the way I see it-” Should I say it? I really wanted to say it. Fuck it, I was saying it. “Everyone’s fighting their own battles.” … That was the first time I had ever seen Principal Spears look genuinely taken aback, his eyes wide behind his glasses. For a moment, I had thought I had made the completely wrong move, the reaction actually freaking me out a little bit… only to feel relief upon seeing his surprise die down, and possibly the biggest smile I had ever seen gracing his face, and the bare hint of his proud eyes behind the glint of his lenses. “That is… precisely correct.” I nod, turning away while hearing Principal Spears speak up behind me. “I believe you’ll do great things at our school, Anon.” He closed the door, giving me a brief moment to think of his parting words. I didn’t need to do anything great. Just… right… if that made any sense. Olivia was waiting for me as she inspected her timetable from her open backpack. “So uh, what’s your schedule for the first period?” “Oh.” I reach into my pocket, producing the folded piece of paper to check as we compare timetables. “I got…-” I then blinked. Ah fuck. “Mr. Tsuki…” To this day, I wasn’t even sure how, out of all the dinosaurs or people they could have chosen as an English teacher, he was the one they picked. Mr. Tsuki’s engrish was enough to extract a stroke out of any careful listener, and it seemed my pain this time around was gonna be shared as Olivia perked up upon seeing the name. “Same… I’m also sharing…-” She then began to list out, “-Science, Math and… PE?” Okay, that last class was… I wasn’t going to say anything about that in regards to Olivia. Anyhow, I wouldn’t have much input, seeing as how I had skipped almost every gym class in my previous life. I looked back at my timetable to inspect the relevant classes I had. Mr. Tsuki was first period of course, Dr. Fernsworth was for the fourth, Mr. Carldewskii in fifth, Mr. Jingo for the last (if the aforementioned could even be considered a ‘class’ and not just free time) and PE with ‘Mr. Boomstik’… reserved for Tuesdays and Thursdays. … Wait… Come to think of it, wasn’t this my schedule when I was- An eardrum-shattering squeal startled the two of us. “You two share the first period with me!” *SLAM* I had almost done a Scooby-Dino and jumped right onto Olivia’s lap from the sudden Naomi jumpscare, the baryonyx faring no better after having smashed her tail against the floor in shock and surprise, almost denting the ground. “Oops! Did I startle you two?” The pink parasaurolophus asked innocently. “Y-Yeah, actually…” I shakily nodded, Olivia slowly recovering only to sink into her chair and find the lockers a lot more interesting all of a sudden upon noticing Naser's approach as well. “Were you both waiting for us?” “Of course! We have to show you where the elevator is after all!” Naomi then brushed past us, Naser slowly trailing beside us… albeit, beside me more like, perhaps unable to muster the courage to walk beside Olivia, still distracted by his thoughts. The four of us made our way to the elevator, metal doors closed shut at the moment as Naomi turned to us. “Just use the keycard on the scanner and wait for the beep, then you can press the button to call the elevator down!” Naomi explained cheerfully, something helpful for once as Olivia nodded, fishing the keycard out of her pocket and placing it against the black screen, a beep sounding as she followed the instructions. A few moments passed before the doors finally opened, showing a spacious interior, Olivia wheeled herself inside as I followed, the two of us turning as Olivia pressed the ‘hold door’ button. Awkward elevator ride or not, it’d be a nice gesture to bring them both upstairs… … Only Naser and Naomi continued to stand there, Olivia and I staring at them as we continued waiting. “... Are you going to come in?” I finally ask, the two of them blinking as Naser stuttered. “H-Huh?” He then perked up in realization, “Oh, uh, you sure?” I nod. “Pretty sure.” “Um, okay…” Naser nodded as he walked forward “T-Thanks.” The pterodactyl then moved inside, minding his good wing and taking a position in the corner, Olivia bowing her head closer to the buttons as if to hide herself. Looking back, I noticed Naomi continuing to stand there, a trace of a frown on her face as I heard her mutter. “Tsk.” She then turned away, Olivia peeking out the door from her wheelchair. “Naomi…? Where are you going?” The pink parasaurolophus stopped dead in her tracks, turning around as she blinked behind her glasses, myself speaking up as I leaned out. “Yeah, didn’t you say that you had English class with us?” Screamed it more like, but I let bygones be bygones. Naomi must’ve thought we were only inviting Naser onto the elevator, seeing as we knew him. And for a moment, I could see Naomi’s facade just completely drop… this time not to reveal frustration, anger, or annoyance… But genuine astoundment for once, as if barely believing that we were holding the door open for her. “I-” Naomi’s shoulders scrunched together, stature growing smaller as her digits fidgeted uncomfortably together. She looked… meek, something I had never really seen of Naomi before, a complete inverse of her annoyingly extroverted personality. “I-I did say that…” The pink parasaurolophus then stood there for a few moments, Olivia and I briefly peering at one another with raised eyes before I peered back. “Then... are you going to come in?” Naomi’s snout seemed to close shut before she quickly nodded, finally entering as Olivia pressed the button to our floor, letting the doors close. All of us spent the elevator ride in uncomfortable silence, which admittedly was a welcomed reprieve. I use the moment to peer at Naser and Naomi briefly, the two standing in the separate corners of the elevator, noticing that both of them seemed to be lost in some sort of thought, Naser still conflicted while Naomi…- Well, I had no idea what was going on in that head of hers, not that I could ever say I really knew the ‘real’ Naomi. I turned away as the doors opened with a ding, indicating we had reached our destination. Stepping out first, I gave Olivia ample room to exit, Naser and Naomi following after as we moved into the hallway, a few students milling about or extracting items from their lockers. Mr. Tsuki’s class was to the right, Naomi pausing before turning to us, putting on her fake persona, if not absolutely doubling down with it. “Wow! I always wondered what it was like to ride the school elevator! Thanks!” “Um, no pro-” Olivia tried to speak only for Naomi to cut her off. “But we should get going! The class is going to start soon and-” She attempted to urge us on to class and away from Naser… I would have put my foot down… had Olivia not spoken up instead. “Uh, actually Naomi…” The pink parasaurolophus blinked as the baryonyx garnered her attention. “Can you go on ahead to class… without us?” Olivia paused, “Anon and I want to talk a bit with Naser.” Pausing for a moment, I then smiled alongside Olivia, hoping Naomi would at least find it in herself to understand. “We’ll catch up with you and stuff.” Naomi seemed prepared to open her snout to say something before looking at Naser, perhaps realizing only now just how despondent and out of it the pterodactyl looked. I liked to imagine that I saw sympathy behind those glasses of hers. “Oh… um, sure…” Naomi slowly nodded before reassuming her cheery facade. “Of course!” She then waved, “Goodbye, Naser! I’ll see you at lunch!” Naomi was given no response as she turned around, making her way to English class, Olivia and I now turning to Naser. We approached, Naser slightly perking up, still unable to keep that bothered expression from his face as he opened his snout to say something, only to give up and shut it closed, constantly second-guessing himself. Olivia rolled up to them as I stood aside, giving them space, my foster sister speaking. “Naser… I…” She then bowed her head down, “I-I’m sorry but…-” The baryonyx wheezed, the pterodactyl looking far more devastated than before… Only for Olivia to look up with an unsteady snout, her ‘sobs’ having been barely contained giggles as her claw tugged the hem of his tacky jacket, stretching the fabric. “W-What the h-hell are you even wearing?!” … This entire time since entering Volcano High, her avoiding gazes with Naser wasn’t because of some embarrassment or misguided shame… But… the fact that she could barely look at his gaudy vest without losing it. … Never change Olivia. The baryonyx laughed out loud, Naser completely taken aback as he blinked before gesturing, his claws turned over, an unsure but hopeful look on his face as he opened his snout. “…You like it?” “S-Sure…” Olivia seethed, trying to contain her laughter as she let go of the cuff. “B-But only because you look like you scraped up an entire flower bed and- and-!” She couldn’t even finish that sentence before breaking off into more laughter, sighing as she finally breathed air. “F-Five years dude… and your standards are still so low. It’s-...” Olivia then smiled, looking up at Naser. “It’s so good to see you again, Naser.” The pterodactyl seemed in a trance before his snout finally lit up with relief… And happiness, possibly happier than I had ever seen him be. “I-... I’ve missed you so much, Olivia...” Now it was Olivia’s turn to look slightly stunned, silver eyes blinking. Unfortunately, the school bell had picked the perfect time to go off, alerting us that classes were about to start. Naser peered to the other hallway before looking back down to face Olivia. “My class is the other way, but I-...” He rubbed the back of his neck, “I’d… like to catch up with you.” The pterodactyl then looked slightly frantic, “If that’s alright, and when we get the chance that is…!” “Um… sure.” Olivia awkwardly nodded. Naser nodded, giving one last smile before turning around and running off as I rejoined Olivia, the two of us moving on to our own class. “... There was more stuff I kinda wanted to say…” Olivia confessed as I peered at her, raising an eye. “Really? Like what?” “Um, well-” She shrugged, pushing her wheels forward. “-I dunno…” Olivia closed her eyes, pausing for a moment to organize her thoughts. “I guess I kinda knew that if Naser saw me again… he’d be upset about…-” She sighed, looking down at her wheelchair. “-... this.” The baryonyx stared forward, “Now here I am… just… wheeling myself into his life again. I-” She paused again. “I feel happy but... I also feel kinda guilty...” I was about to speak up to say something, only to realize we had already arrived. God damn it, why does it feel like everything today was getting in the way of… well, everything!? Reaching out and trying not to grumble, I opened the door with my claw to see most of the students sitting at their desks, Naomi of course at front and center, giving a small constant wave to us with a big smile on her snout. And… A familiar stegosaurus, cyan eyes blinking at our arrival. Holy shit. It was Stella. I couldn’t exactly remember the weeby stegosaurus being in Mr. Tsuki’s class… but then again, why wouldn’t she be? Mr. Tsuki after all, was dressed like a Dinorai Champloo character, possibly making him the most Engrish Japanese teacher in existence, a teacher fit for a student I guess. Or maybe even Stella had a limit to the amount of weebiness she could take… Currently, the stegosaurus was seated midway in the class order, her appearance not really much different than what she’d looked a year later. From what I remembered of Stella, she was always pretending to be mysterious and an aloof fortune teller, only to have little success in that prospect… But for all her eccentricities… Stella was a good student, and never bad company. Maybe I’d get to know her a bit better this time around. I held the door open for Olivia to enter first, Mr. Tsuki finally taking notice as he turned his head to us. “Ah, Haro! Yu tu e mustu be Anon-kun ando Orivia-chan!” “... What?” Olivia asked the exact same thought I had in my previous life, slightly tilting her head as if trying to make sure she hadn’t misheard. Unfortunately, she hadn’t, and I felt sorry for whatever omnipotent schmuck was writing out our life right now, now consigned to write Mr. Tsuki’s gobbledygook as the engrish teacher turned to the rest of the class. “Carassu, tudei yu habu tu niu carassu-meito ato Borukeino Hai.” He then gestured to us politely, “Anon-kun, Orivia-chan, puriizu intorudiusu yooru serfus.” Olivia seemed to understand what Mr. Tsuki wanted us to do, the two of us briefly locking eyes at one another, myself giving a laid-back shrug and decidedly going first before Olivia. All eyes were upon me as I came up the middle, a few students whispering to one another, too low for me to hear. Stella seemed attentive, cyan eyes gazing between Olivia and me with interest. It was crazy to think, that in my past life, I was an erratic and social mess when introducing myself for the first time in Mr. Tsuki’s class. My nervous heartbeat must have been louder than the sentences I was stringing together. How scared I was… of those judging eyes. Now… I could hardly even imagine why those looks had me so worked up then. “Hey, I’m Anon.” I give a casual wave, “Just arrived from Mezosoic Private up in Janoga Park a few weeks ago. Volcaldera Bluff’s been pretty cool… except for the morning mist. Almost smacked my snout against a tree this morning cause of it.” That had actually earned a few chuckles. “And for hobbies?” I shrugged, “I like boxing.” I then looked at Olivia, indicating her cue. “... Olivia.” She simply spoke, “I’m also from Mezosoic Private.” She paused, “I draw stuff.” I nod at the deadpan delivery, clasping my claws together as I scanned the classroom. “So… any questions or…?” Of course, nobody really had any… except Naomi, raising her hand as I began to regret asking, pointing toward her. “What was your old school like?” She asked, her question feeling more probing than it should’ve. “Mezosoic Private?” Olivia and I look at each other before looking back out at the class. “Old.” Olivia answered. “Really old.” “Yep.” I nodded in agreement, “As a friend of mine would say, you’d think stuff built in the 20's would mean would look nice, but if anything, most of the classes we had looked to have been left alone since then.” A bit of laughter as I nodded, a bit of sad nostalgia for my thoughts. “Yet despite all that, Olivia and I have attended for almost 12 years. There are some good dinos and people there that I already miss.” “Wow, 12 years at the same school!” She tilted her head innocently, “Are you both siblings?” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, knowing that Naomi already knew the answer to that if she had been talking with Naser, Olivia speaking up in response. “... Yeah.” She nodded, “But uh… we’re not related.” More whispers… Something I didn’t like as I briefly glanced at Stella, her cyan eyes blinking at us with intrigue. Naomi was about to ask another question, only for Mr. Tsuki to, fortunately, step in to continue the class. “Greato-daze! Ito wu se goodo to heeru yu tu e speaku a boot o yooru expoorienceu ootsideo Borukeino Hai.” God, please… I could feel the stroke already coming along. “Noe, puriizu retaano tsu yo shiito, Anon-kun an do Orivia-chan.” Olivia and I nod, making our way to the two empty seats at the side by the window, moving away the chair at Olivia’s desk so she could slot her wheelchair in as I went to my own seat, the two of us sitting side by side. “Hai, nao curassu-” Everything said by Mr. Tsuki blurred beyond that point, Olivia and I pretty much glancing out the open window to daydream. It couldn’t be helped with ineligible Mr. Tsuki was, and I probably would’ve continued to ignore the lesson until I noticed a hint of cyan peering at me. I looked away from the window to see Stella staring at Olivia and me, her eyes widening upon realizing that she had been caught, immediately turning away with a slight eep and pretending to find Mr. Tsuki’s class interesting as she fumbled with her deck of tarot cards beneath her seat. Trying to discern our fortunes. Class finally ended. Olivia and I exited the boring session in a daze, already feeling Naomi breathing down both of our necks and ready to unload whatever interesting Volcano High fact she had in that voluminous head of hers before we went off to the next lesson. We found a certain pterodactyl already making his way toward us, Naser perking up as he spotted us. “Anon, Olivia.” He gave a quick wave. Pleasantly surprised, I smile, greeting him alongside Olivia, Naomi pausing as she blinked. “Hey, Naser. What’s up?” “Nothing much, just-” Naser shrugged. “Just wanted to see you both at your next class… if you don’t mind?” He asked. I was about to speak up, only for Naomi, as usual, to interrupt before either of us could say anything. “Oh, you don’t have to go to that length to help out Naser! As student president, I can-” “Um, it’s alright.” Olivia cut her off before elaborating, eyes gazing at Naser. “I mean, I don’t mind Naser coming along and stuff.” She then wheeled herself forward as Naser smiled, Naomi and I watching them leave. I briefly peer at the pink parasaurolophus, admittedly expecting to find an envious gaze. Only to see a saddened look on her face. … I guess that somewhat answered my question at the entrance, admittedly feeling bad enough to strike up some conversation regarding the classes. “So Naomi-” I speak up, garnering her attention, a slight flinch as she looked at me, resuming her cheery facade. “-do classes change every year?” “Not quite!” She beamed, “To promote closer connections between students and teachers, classes only change every 2 years. So by the time you arrive to the senior year, you’ll have the exact same rooms and teachers, unless you explicitly request at the office that you wish to change by the year’s end.” Damn, so that might have explained Stella not being in Mr. Tsuki’s, even she must’ve gotten tired of the Engrish by the time I had arrived. Then that meant… if I was in those classes… and those class periods would be unchanged going into senior… That meant that for fourth and sixth period, Science and Music… Fang would be there. My momentary daze of realization is broken by whispers in the hallway. All four of us now making our way through the hallway, the technicolored dino students staring as we passed by. “Check it, the new students are hanging out with Naser…” “Especially the cripple… Does he know her or something?” “Come to think of it, up close the new guy kinda looks like a Compy, but there’s no way they grow that tall-” “Meep morp?” Okay, who the fuck was making that last noi-? “Hey, Anon.” My attention is returned to my front, Olivia looking at me after she and Naser had stopped by the elevator. “Is your class down a floor like mine?” Pausing, I nod, now knowing my schedule like the back of my claw. “Cool.” She nodded before smiling, “You wanna try the stairs then?” Pausing for a moment, I nod with my own smile, much to the perplexity of Naser and Naomi, Olivia getting ready by the staircase as Naser asked. “What are you two doing? The elevat-” I hopped on the back of Olivia’s wheelchair, shouting out a warning. “Everyone to the side!” And then I pushed us forward. We sped down the stairs, barreling down the steps as the entire frame rattled, rumbling up and down. A few students who were at the sides watched us go, surprise in their eyes. “Holy shi-!” “Oh, great heavens!” “My leg!” … I’m pretty sure that last guy was just exaggerating… We reached the bottom with a bump, the two of us tilting the wheelchair to the side as I stuck my leg out against the ground, skidding atop the floor as we looked up before finally coming to a stop, a few nearby students watching with awe. That never got old. I was just stepping off the back before hearing loud footsteps originate from the stairs we had just left, seeing Naser leap from the last few like an Olympic long jump, landing in front of us with a panic-stricken expression on his face. “OLIVIA!” He then ran up to us, planting his claws on the armrests as he frantically inquired. “Are you alright?! Did you hurt anything!?” Olivia was completely startled by his reaction, even me to an extent, the baryonyx leaning back in her wheelchair as she stuttered. “I- d-dude, I’m fine!” She explained, “Anon and I did stuff like that all the time back in Mezosoic Private.” Naser blinked, “Oh.” He then leaned off, “I… um…” The pterodactyl nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. “Right, right… Sorry.” The two of them suddenly found the lockers far more interesting as I stood there, silently watching. That had been awkward… And for once, I was actually thankful for Naomi showing up, panting for breath as she reached the bottom. “I-Is-” “We’re fine.” I immediately answered, trying to give a reassuring smile. “Guess we should’ve warned you two that we were going to do something like that.” “T-That would be best.” Naomi shook her head, “And even then, that was incredibly dangerous you two! The rules of the hallway are to always-” Olivia and I suffered through an entire lecture on ‘hallway safety’, a lecture we were pretty much going to ignore… all the while Naser had begun looking troubled again. Fantastic… It was finally time… for Science. Olivia and I quietly entered the lab room, most of the students having already arrived. Dr. Fernsworth was seated in his chair and head tilted directly upward, snoring loudly as he slept with a bit of drool trailing from the side of his maw. “Should we…?” Olivia gestured to the teacher, inferring if we should wake the teacher. “Nah.” I answered, “Besides I kinda don’t want to introduce ourselves for the fourth time now.” Olivia paused before agreeing, “... Yeah…” The two of us quickly move to a set of broad desks, once again pulling away a chair so Olivia could roll herself beside me. We then waited for a few moments, a few more students filing in before the bell finally rang again, Dr. Fernsworth waking up with a snort as he slowly awoke. He then flinched in his seat. “Huhwha. Why are you all in my attic?!” If eccentric and senile could be combined, then Dr. Fernsworth was the dinosaur that encapsulated both… when he wasn’t asleep that is. A few snickers sounded out from the students as he adjusted his thick-lensed glasses, realizing where he was. “Oh, I see I was mistaken. I was also supposed to-” He then paused again, trying to recall something before perking up. “Good news everyone!” He excitedly proclaimed, “Today we have two new students in our class!” As if on cue, the door opened. And… There she was, a distracted frown on her face, not unlike her brothers as her amber eyes peered away, snout closed shut, not even a school bag on her back. “Ah, our new student! Hello, Fang!” Fang blinked, suddenly just as confused as Dr. Fernsworth. “H-Huh?” Laughter broke out in the room as I looked around, getting the feeling that they weren’t just laughing at Dr. Fernsworth’s senility as Fang gritted her teeth in frustration. “How many times are you going to mistake me for a new student, Dr. Fernsworth?” The teacher paused for a moment before planting a hand against the side of his head. “Oh, silly me! The new student must be that Lucy girl-” Fang immediately cut him off, her wings raised in aggravation as more giggles broke out. “Dr. Fernsworth. I. Am. FANG!” She snarled, enunciating her words. “I. Am. Not. A. New. Student.” The elderly teacher seemed slightly taken aback, nervously adjusting his glasses as he nodded. “Ah… right, o-of course…” Fang huffed, making her way down the aisles as I heard nearby whispers. “Raptor Jesus, already half a year of this shit… it’s all so tiresome.” “Speak for yourself. That ‘performance’ of theirs during that school trip was comedy gold.” ”Oh yeah, didn’t she try hitting someone with her guitar?” I knew somewhat that the VVURM DRAMA had tried a few gigs before I had arrived… but also remembered Reed admitting that their only successful performance was at Dino-Moe’s. I resisted the urge to frown at the voices, hearing Olivia murmur something. “... Lucy…?” The baronyx’s perceptive silver eyes seemed to scan the monochrome pterodactyl. It was possible she had already figured out Fang’s ‘identity’. The pterodactyl sat across from us, right beside a tiny microraptor with wide round glasses, stubby snout buried in a textbook… Sage, I think her name was? My shitpost-eroded brain was already attempting to disregard the microraptor’s existence from her name alone as Dr. Fernsworth spoke up. “Alright class, today we’ll be having a lab on photosynthesis! Now, if I can direct your attention to-” I peer at Fang, a gap between our desks… Only to see her directly staring at me. I froze up, my heart briefly calling it quits as I instantly sat up straight, averting my gaze to the front. W-Why was she staring at me? Did I make it too obvious? Was I being weird? My panicked thoughts was like an unwanted embrace, my claw tapping the edge of my nervous tic. And it was only when I realized that she had stopped that I had calmed down, hearing a ‘Tch’. Against my better judgment, I peered again to see Fang with her phone out, boots up against the desk as she quickly tapped at her phone. Probably texting Trish. … Fuck. I spent the rest of the class, doing my best impression of a statue, all the while trying to disperse the troubles in my mind. Math class. Mr. Carldewskii thankfully didn’t give a crap about introductions, too engrossed in his ‘math book’ to even notice our arrival as I came in alongside Olivia, bag slung over my shoulder and looking around at the seating arrangement. As well as avoiding the murderous gaze of a certain short, purple, and angry triceratops. Even Olivia seemed to notice, peering at Trish with a raised eye as I nodded to the side, spotting an empty double desk toward the back of the room, situated in the middle. “Let’s sit over there.” I directed, Olivia nodding as we sat down again. The first day, and everything already felt way, way longer than it should’ve as Mr. Carldewskii finally felt obliged to speak up, barely looking up from his math book. “Alright you frickin’ students, the day’s your lucky frickin’ day.” He then shrugged, “I got no frickin’ material today, so feel free to do whatever you frickin’ want for your first frickin’ lesson.” And then the pudgy human stood up and made his way out of the room. Olivia’s snout dropped open, the rest of the students carrying on like business as usual, turning their seats to speak to their friends and hang out. “... He can seriously just do that…?” I shrug, already knowing so, but of course, feigning ignorance. “I guess so.” Pausing for a moment, I smile. “You know… it’d be a good time for you to draw.” “... It would be.” The baryonyx agreed, reaching into her bag to produce her notebook. And while peering at her… I get a sense of deja vu… As if something was heading towards my head. My body instantly reacted like it was on autopilot, claw shooting out and catching the fast-moving material, sharp digits enclosed around it as Olivia looked up from her notebook, blinking. “... What was that?” She finally asked as I slowly opened my claw, revealing a further crushed, balled-up wad of paper. I resisted the urge to sigh, instantly knowing without even having to read it, looking up. Trish was waving me over. And not screaming and shouting over the shoulder of a teacher, red-faced despite her purple scales and tears running the mascara down. “ I WAS RIGHT ABOUT YOU! ” I close my eyes for a moment, letting in a deep breath before standing up from my seat and giving a reassuring smile to Olivia. “I’ll be back.” Olivia tilted her head as I walked over the Trish and Reed, slowly approaching and trying to keep my thoughts under control. I was here. Not there. Reed is the first to greet me, just like when we had first met in my past life, with a friendly smile on his snout. “Sup compadre.” Pausing for a moment, I smile, nodding my head. “Sup.” I then gestured for a fist as Reed’s smile grew even wider, returning the gesture with a chuckle. Trish did not approve, unsure of who to scowl at first before ultimately deciding on me, her arms crossing to indicate some form of perceived indignation. “You have a lot of nerve...” Somehow, I already knew what Trish was referring to as she continued. “Fang texted me, told me some Compy creep was staring at them in class… just like he had done this morning.” She smirked, “You seemed to fit the bill.” … To be honest, I was fearful of interacting with Trish, unsure of if I could hold myself together… But now? Now I just felt too peeved and annoyed to consider all the bad of before, which was honestly refreshing as I shrugged. “Uh… yeah, sor-” “But what I wanna know is, what’s your deal with Naser?” She asked in suspicion. “You’re a new student, so how do you know him? And don’t try to lie, I’ll know if you are!” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, remembering how horrible my relationship with Trish was. This time, I’d have to be better and put in the effort, perking up to ask. “Can I at least get the names of my interrogators?” Reed was the first to speak up, “For the record and stuff man, I’m just a spectator to all this.” He then smiled, offering a claw. “But the name’s Reed.” “Reed.” I pretended to note, turning to Trish to offer, only for her hands to stay in her hoodie pockets. “... Trish. We’re Fang’s best friends.” She finally answers as I nod. “Well, I’m Anon. I just came from Mezosoic Private in Janoga Park a few weeks ago and-” “I didn’t ask for a life story!” Trish growled, her teeth gritted. “How do you know Naser?!” I slightly frown, “... Thought it’d be important for you to know the context, but if you want a short version.” I shrug, “I’ve known Naser since seventh grade and-” Once again, she cut me off. “That’s impossible.” The triceratops scoffed with narrowed eyes, “You really expect me to believe that you’ve been a friend of his for… five years?” She then nodded as if convincing herself. “Fang would know that, and they would tell me.” Pausing, I fight to keep a frown off my face. “Well, did Fang know what Naser did when he went on the trip for the Meteor Bowl?” Trish blinked, “I- No. All I know is that he went to some cushy school up in…-” She then came to the realization, looking at me. “So that’s how you know him?” “Yeah.” I nodded, “He was pretty far from home at the time, but Olivia and I-” “And who’s Olivia?! Another one of Naser’s ‘friends’?!” Trish cut me off, yet again, as I opened my snout to answer. Only for another voice to speak up. “Me.” The three of us suddenly turn to see Olivia… And she looked scarily pissed, silver eyes narrowed with that scrutinizing gaze that made anyone anxious underneath its gaze. Currently, that stare was upon Trish, the triceratop's eyes widening as if her brain had just short-circuited before rebooting. “What’s your problem with Naser…?” Olivia asked, never one to beat around the subject as Trish stuttered. “Oh I-I-” She then coughed, orientating herself as she stared at Olivia’s wheelchair like a deer caught in the headlights. “W-Well before I say anything, I just wanted to give my respect to you, you as a paraplegic dino of-” Olivia hung her head back, letting out a heavy sigh of frustration that was completely silent before looking back down with a frown. “Could you just answer my question?” Trish looked taken aback, peering down as she nodded awkwardly. “R-Right, well, f-for starters, he’s Fang’s sibling, and he’s always causing trouble for us and them that-” “Them?” Olivia asked, cutting off Trish’s attack on the English language as I realized this was the first time the baryonyx was being exposed to these concepts. This was going to be ugly. “... Who’s them? And what do you mean ‘Fang’...” Olivia tilted her head, “I thought Naser’s sister was Lucy.” Trish now seemed to be losing her cool, her teeth gritted all the while meagerly attempting to maintain a facade of calm. After all, it would be bad optics to be yelling at a “Well you see, Fang is non-binary, and ‘Lucy’ is their dead name.” Trish smiled as if with pride, “I helped them discover their true self and-” Yet Olivia already wasn’t listening, pondering as she peered down. “... So that’s what Naser’s been dealing with...” A pause. And then Trish finally lost it. “The hell’s that supposed to mean?!” Reed finally acted, gently grasping the triceratop's arm. “W-Woah, Trish, chill out.” The velociraptor urged as Olivia looked to me, completely disregarding the trig-out. “I’ll be back at the desk.” The baryonyx flatly stated as I nodded, turning herself to wheel away. I then looked back at Reed and Trish. “Hey listen…” I decided to extend an olive branch, “I’ll apologize to Fang, I didn’t want to make them uncomfortable… but regarding their brother, Naser-” I shrugged, “-I know he sometimes gets the wrong idea, or is super bad with his words… but he’s a good dino at heart. Give him a chance when you can, or at the very least, let’s just agree to disagree about him and move on.” Trish hardly seemed convinced, still staring at me with that narrowed gaze. But… Reed, on the other claw, peered at me with an expression that seemed attentive for once, unmired by any carfe overload. I could’ve been fooled to think it was awe. Giving both of them a parting smile, I turned around, rejoining Olivia as she continued to draw, Reed and Trish peering at me with one last glance before resuming whatever conversation they were having before. “... She was pleasant…” Olivia sarcastically remarked as I chuckled, giving her a knowing smirk as she sighed. “I know, I know… Everyone’s fighting their own battles.” Her own smile built on her snout as she continued doodling, a new technique of dipping a sharp claw into a red inkwell, creating colorful calligraphy. “... Doesn’t mean I wasn’t going to destroy her shin with my footplate if she decided her battle was with me and stuff…” “Not doubting that.” I agree with a chuckle, leaning the back of my head against my claws as I watch Olivia’s drawing in progress. Lunchtime. And Olivia and I were just staring at the gourmet choices, the edges of our snouts watering, cementing this moment as the highest point of our day. We didn’t even know where to begin, myself rubbing my claws together as Olivia grabbed a tray. The two of us went ham. “That looks good.” “... I’ll take it.” “Putting the drinks on the side.” “Uh… is that… filet mignon?” “I’m grabbing it.” “What about that pizza? … Think it’s good?” Pausing for a moment, I grab a slice of my old friend, the pseudopizza, holding the titanium hard crust with my claw. And then tap it against the metal bar. … It dented. … And I didn’t mean the pizza, Olivia staring wide-eyed at the ‘food’ item as I put back the lethal weapon, shaking my head. “No.” I answer before perking up. “Ooh! Are those egg tarts?!” By the time we reached the cashier, we were tending to a leaning tower of food, a few containers stacked atop one another as Olivia showed off her keycard. There was nothing more satisfying than seeing the price of almost 150 dollars on the register go down to a clear zero. The two of us turned around, my foster sister resting the tray on her armrests as she wheeled herself beside me, the two of us nodding at passing dinosaurs as if we had just won the lottery, most of them peering at us with awe and envy at our monument of gluttony. We find an empty table, Olivia placing the tray as we begin sifting through the food, organizing plates as I peered up. Trish, Reed… and Fang were at the lunch line, getting their own food as I paused, knowing the group would be heading to the auditorium, joyfully discussing something as they disappeared with their trays into the hallway. Even after my conversation with Trish and Reed… I never felt any more of a stranger to them at this exact moment as Naser and Naomi arrived, eyes blinking in disbelief at the sight of our feast. Noticing them, I dismissed my saddened thoughts, waving at them with a smile. “Hey, you two! Wanna sit with Olivia and me?” I then point at some wraps. “We even got you some food!” Naomi waved her hand, closing her eyes with that fake smile. “Oh! That’s alright, you see I only eat ve-” “Good thing we got you a vegan TLT.” The pink parasaurolophus’s eyes reopened, shock in them as Olivia produced another wrap. “And… uh, Anon said to get this footlong philly sub for you… Naser.” His entire face lit up, “For real?!” A giant and excited smile on his snout. “That’s my favorite choice!” He looked at me as he sat, Naomi still staring blankly at the TLT I had given her. “How’d you even know that I liked that, Anon?” I smiled, “I just guessed.” … If my snout were a lie detector like ‘Dinocchio’, my snoot would’ve grown to the length of the entire cafeteria. With all of us sat, we began eating, myself digging into my juicy filet mignon, all the while Olivia cut into her oven-roasted branzino. Naser was tearing into the end of his gifted sub while Naomi modestly bit into her TLT. And… it just felt kinda nice, all four of us just eating like a group. Guess food really did have that ability to bring others together. I was about to chomp down on the last piece of filet mignon only to pause, snout open and fork halted. Stella was looking directly at me from another table, eyes widening as she turned away, pretending to mind her own business as the stegosaurus ate out of some homemade bento box. Frowning slightly, I wondered for a moment what her deal was before shrugging, deciding now wasn’t the time. I’d probably get a chance to talk to her at some point. We all finished our food, Naser thanking us as he ate the last of his sub. “Thanks so much, you two.” He then chuckled, “Though… I guess this means I’m never gonna be able to pay you both back for the lunch back in seventh grade.” I chuckled, shaking my head. “It’s all good bro. I still can’t believe you still remember that.” Naomi then spoke up, “What’s thi-” Her tone was meager, she herself seemingly realizing before she reasserted her plastic personality. “What’s this about a sandwich I hear? It sounds like an interesting story!” Olivia answered, engrossed in her notebook as she drew. “Naser forgot his wallet in the dorm…” I saw a small smile on her snout. “So me, Anon, Doe, and Worden offered some of our lunches to him… it was kinda funny.” “Yeah.” Naser nodded with a smile. “I still remember the dino nuggies you gave to me. L-” He then paused, a sudden awkwardness in his tone. “I-I mean, Fang, sh- they still love those.” I could see the baryonyx raise an eye, about to open her snout only for the pterodactyl to quickly change the subject. “Speaking of which, are you drawing right now?” The baryonyx ceased her doodling, slowly nodding. “Uh… yeah. It’s not ready yet but…-” After a pause, she looked up from her book. “... You wanna see?” “Of course.” Naser said with a smile before chuckling, “Raptor Jesus, I’m so happy that I get to see your drawings again.” He then turned to Naomi, “Check this out, Naomi! Olivia’s drawings are the best!” I spotted a hue of red on Olivia’s freckled scales as she showed her work so far. The first noticeable drawing was Mr. Tsuki attempting to slash a katana at Mr. Carldewskii, only for it to be some form of afterimage, the Math teacher using instant transmission behind the Engrish teacher and out of the classroom. Dr. Fernsworth was currently exiting an attic door and into the hallway with a smile, Naomi in the process of surfing down the steps on her brochure, and Naser seemed to be drawn like some comic book character, claw outstretched and calling out in vain… as Olivia and I had been flung from the wheelchair, the two of us falling high speed into a very realistically drawn grassy ditch “Ha!” Naser laughed as I chuckled, Naomi blinking as she slightly tilted her head. “I… don’t get it.” Naser tried to explain it, “Well, I heard Dr. Fernsworth always confused classes for his attic and-” He then gave up, realizing it was defeating the purpose. “I-It’s just funny.” He then looked to Olivia with a smile. “It’s so good to see that you can still draw.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” Olivia joked, turning the notebook around as she continued drawing. Unfortunately, I don’t think Naser understood. “I-I mean, even though you can’t walk anymo-” He then paused, Olivia and I peering at him. “... What I meant to say, despite you being in a-” Sometimes, I wondered what part of Naser’s head picked out the worst wording to use in any given situation, finally stopping himself, again, eyes flittering between Olivia and her wheelchair. “I-” He then hung his head down, “I’m sorry.” Olivia tilted her head, “What for dude-?” However, it seemed in his brief moment of weakness, Naomi took advantage, cutting Olivia off with a cheery smile. “For having you carry all that food for us!” … That was… definitely not it, but Naser for some reason, seemed to latch onto that explanation. “Um y-yeah that.” He gave an unsteady smile, claws gesturing. “And-” “And I’m going to the office to organize some papers, Naser! Do you want to come with me?” Naomi offered, but it felt more like urging as she stood up from her seat, expectantly waiting. “Sure.” He quickly stood up, avoiding Olivia’s gaze, joining Naomi as the two walked off, the pink parasaurolophus waving goodbye at us, having once again, doubled down on her frustratingly annoying persona. … What the fuck, Naser? At this point, I couldn’t even get angry at Naomi if he was simply outright going along with her to get away from us. Just when I had thought everything was going well between us and him, it was like he had just slammed a wall down around him. But worst of all… Olivia peered down, notebook slightly closed… and a saddened look on her face. “... Did I do something…?” I looked at her, realizing there were more important things to take care of at the moment, smiling warmly as I shook my head. “Of course not.” I paused, “Naser’s just… dealing with some stuff right now, that’s all.” Olivia paused, not even nodding as she continued to peer down. … Crap… Mr. Jingo said nothing as I entered, already completely passed out atop his lavish loveseat, headphones to blot out the outside world. In all honesty… I kinda wished I was doing that at the moment, having recently come to a realization. I had my cake, but not only could I not eat it, I was unsure if I could even stomach it. Did I really think I was just going to show up at Volcano High again and just fix everything on day one? If anything, now it felt like there was even more ground to cover… and so much of it being untread, Olivia and Naser coming to mind. I was too overconfident coming here… and now…? I sat down, feeling a weight in my chest. Now I just wasn’t sure… wasn’t sure of where to start… of what to do… if I could do it… Letting out a sigh, I slumped in the seat before noticing a figure approach, arms crossed beneath her black top, amber eyes peering away as if distracted. “You… uh…” Fang then looked at me. “COMPY.” Once again, she said the slur as if completely unused to it, possibly trying to mimic Trish. “Trish said you owe me an apology.” I gaze up at Fang, pausing for a moment as my heartbeat quickened. And I just think… think of there… on the roof. How much I had begged… “Back away from there, please.” “It’s not over.” “Stay with me here, please.” … “Don’t leave me alone.” … Even in her last moments, I had been selfish. “W-Well?!” Fang asked, her look of unsureness settling on anger as she frowned. Pausing for a moment, I slowly stood up, Fang blinking as she took a step back, unexpectedly sizing me up. For all the times you were suffering Fang, and I just let it happen. For the control of your life that you wanted, and I tried to take away… For when you needed something… … … … And I gave you nothing. I smiled, finally understanding that smile she had given to me on that roof, the sad realization of just how much you had hurt the one you loved the most, the words finally exiting my snout, words aimed at way more than they could possibly ever hope to accomplish. “I’m sorry.” Time seemed to stop still for the two of us, Fang taken aback by my expression, as if seeing something she had never seen before. And then it stops, the pterodactyl looking away. “G-Good.” She then peered back, “But if I see you staring at me again like I’m some piece of meat I’ll-” Fang paused, coming up with a verdict on the spot. “-I’ll kick your ass.” I simply nod, the pterodactyl pausing to look at me one last time, a hint of perplexion on her features before finally turning away, moving to her chair and slowly picking up a guitar. … I needed to leave. Turning away, I moved toward the door and opened it. Yet before I exited… I could feel two eyes upon me as I peered back ever so slightly to see her amber orbs, staring with an expression of… Well, familiarity if I could best put it, Fang realizing that I had noticed her staring as she looked back down, pretending to ignore me as she began strumming a guitar. But I was gone before hearing anything, for my own sake. I wouldn’t be able to listen to her playing on the guitar without breaking down. Speaking of which… I raise an arm to my eyes, letting out a shaky sigh, wiping away the stray tears in my eyes as the cuff of my camo jacket became stained, slowly lowering it as I gained control of my breathing. Thank god I didn’t seem to mumble anymore… I would probably be outed as a schizo if I did. But… at least it felt like I had gotten something off my chest, that weight still there, but not as everpresent. With my tears gone and ready to roam the school for the rest of my free period, I noticed a familiar stegosaurus turn the corner of the hallway, carrying an entire deck of tarot cards as she took notice of me. Her cyan eyes widening as I pretended to ignore her, approaching from the other direction. What are you trying to do Stella? She began to act inconspicuously, shuffling through her deck before tilting to the side as I passed. “Oops.” Stella tried to bump into me. But I had already anticipated it, sidestepping and avoiding as her eyes widened, feeling nothing to break her fall. “Ah-!” My single arm caught her, but the same could not be said for the tarot cards, slipping from her panicked hand as the entire deck, messily scattered across the floor with a clatter. I easily put her back onto her feet, the stegosaurus staring at me with wide eyes. “How did you-” She then looked at the floor, bemoaning. “My cards!” Tilting my head, I watched as she knelt down, trying to sift through them. “Did you try bumping into me or something?” She paused, looking at me, trying to put on a mysterious and aloof look… despite her hands desperately trying to reorganize the cards. “I was… merely seeing what the fates had in store upon our contact.” She nodded, “The card I dropped would have been a good determinant.” “Well, you definitely dropped a card.” I noted. Stella froze up before a great big smile grew on her snout. “You’re right! This is actually perfect!” She then looked up at me. “H-Here! Grab three cards from the pile! The first will be your past, the second your present… and the third, your future!” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, smiling as I knelt with her. “Trying to be a fortune teller?” The stegosaurus paused, slightly miffed. “I am a fortune teller.” “Well does the fortune teller at least have a name or is she planning to be one of those shady back alley fortune tellers?” “Cards first!” She demanded with a huff as I chuckled shaking my head, deciding to endorse her. I pick up the first card. It was the skeleton of a dinosaur, riding atop an old fossil with a banner, the latin numeral XIII on the top. “Huh… your past…” Stella blinked, “Death, upright. There was an ending… but also a change, a transformation… interesting.” She then urged me, “Draw the next!” … I drew for the second, picking up a random card from the pile, a dinosaur in the sky whose scales seemed to be the stuff of stars, standing in the night sky, numbered XVII. “The Star, upright.” The stegausaurus read out, “Of hope and happiness, a renewal of purpose and… enlightenment.” She then gazed at me, blinking as I shrugged, drawing the last. X numeral at the top, with a prize wheel surrounded by both demonic and angelic dinosaurs, but it was kinda hard to make that out. Mainly because it was upside down. “Oh… that’s…” “A bad sign?” I assumed. Stella looked to me, “W-Well, normally an upright wheel of fortune means good luck and good fortune… but upside down-” “Means the exact opposite.” “... Yes. The future holds that you’ll be unlucky at every turn, and because of that, fate will be against you.” Pausing for a moment, I could see Stella look at me with something akin to unsureness and pity, as if she herself was trying to believe the bad omen. But to that… I shrugged. Because I realized something. “I do believe in fate.” Stella blinked as I slowly sifted through the cards, cleaning them up while putting them together. “And maybe luck does play a part in it, working fate against us all the time…” I gathered most of them, tapping them against the ground to make the bundle straight before slowly standing up, Stella following. “But… when the cards are down, and you have to take the chance-” I then looked at the topmost card in the deck that I had replanted, having happened to be there. A cloaked dinosaur, standing atop the earth, bending the universe and reality to their will. XXI. The World. I plucked it off from the top for some reason, the stegosaurus’s eyes widening. “It’s determination and experience that will bring fate to your side.” I then handed the card to her, as well as the rest of the deck, nodding. “Here you go, Stella.” A few moments passed as she slowly nodded, accepting it. And then she froze up. “How do you know my name?” … Oh fuck. “I uh-” I chuckled, unable to keep the nervousness out of my voice. “W-Well I overheard someone say it in class and-” “But I don’t remember anybody talking to me in Mr. Tsuki’s class...” She said in thought, peering up. “Unless-!?” She whipped her head to me. And, rather than looking freaked out or disturbed… she got a look that admittedly made me prefer the aforementioned… Literal stars had grown in her eyes. “A-Are you a time-traveling protagonist like in ‘Tokyo Jurrengers’?!” I pause for a moment. And then frowned, doing my best to dispel any form of notion of that. “No. I literally just overheard your name from somewhere.” Stella stared at me for a few moments, as if trying to analyze me for any deception before hanging her snout up. “... Alright, sure… ‘new student’.” She then smirked, unsure if I liked that look as she walked off. Yet before she left the hallway, I called out. “By the way, it’s Anon. Not ‘new student’.” She turned back, a smile on her snout. “I already knew that. I’m a fortune teller after all.” I then paused before frowning again. “... You were literally in class when Olivia and I introduced ourselves.” Stella blinked. “W-Well I-” She then hung her snout up, “Alright, fine, you got me! Are you happy?!” “Sorta, yeah.” I say with a smirk as Stella stuck her tongue out at me, disappearing around the corner as I instantly turn away, trying to wipe the sweat from my bald scaly forehead. Raptor Jesus, I had to watch myself from slipping up like that. But… I stood up straight. Of course, I didn’t know what the future had in store for me… but I knew what I could do to shape it. Olivia and Naser, Trish and Reed, Naomi… Fang… Fate wasn’t going to be on my side. And for some reason, that felt good knowing that, and knowing that just meant I had to be up to the task. Because I was going to make something of nothing. With that last thought in mind, I made my way back to music class, entering to hear the slow rhythm that carried a strange nostalgia as Fang quietly played, taking notice as I entered, her amber eyes peering up at me. And to that. I warmly smiled, ready to continue my time at Volcano High. [NOTES] Raptor Jesus, I just went through 11,000 words... Welp, I have some cooler news too, that being fanart of Dino-Anon. I didn't know where this would fit in my story, but pictures like these were the inspiration for my story, so thanks to you RS_Mania. You can find him on Twitter. I've added some fanart in chapter 4 by SolertheSunbro on discord, so drop by in chapter 4 and find it. I'll credit him in the chapter end notes there as well!