Volcano High School. 8:15am 

 

-NASER! YOU FUCKING IDIOT!- Trish shouted with all her might as she attacked with all her energy the young pterodactyl in front of her. Although he hardly moved, he simply grabbed the angry young triceratop with his palm and kept her at bay.

 

Two days had passed since that disastrous first concert of VVRUM DRAMA, Trish was determined to take revenge on all those who insulted her band and Fang. She didn't have her iron lever yet, so she had to use her fists and her horns.  Luckily for her, the first person she saw barely entering the school was Fang's younger brother, Naser, taking a few things out of his locker. She was definitely going to give him a piece of her mind for what happened yesterday.

 

- Trish please...- Naser said as he held the young woman, preventing that she charges him with her horns

 

-SHUT YOUR MOUTH! I KNOW YOU HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH WHAT HAPPENED IN THE AUDITORIUM! - screamed Trish still very angry, but continuing to assault Naser even though he had practically immobilized her. The young Pterodactyl was not only taller than her but was the captain of football of the school as well as of several other sports, so his physical condition and strength was the best in the school, so he had no problem controlling the little triceratop.

 

-I told you, ... It was my fault what happened. - Naser solemnly said, feeling the pressure of his hand lessen.

 

Trish stopped her charge and looked at Naser for a second, his look said he wasn't lying. Though Trish's eyes looked confused, she quickly regained all the rage she had a moment ago.

 

-"YOU BASTARD!" Trish charged back against Naser, and Naser again held her back with the palm of his hand, grasping her in front of him.

 

-Trish, I don't want to fight- Naser say again with annoyance.

 

- Get YOUR HANDS OFF ME-  Trish shouted through the hallways of the school. Luckily there weren't many students yet.

 

-Trish! I really tell you... I didn't want things to end this way- Naser was defending himself again with the onslaught of the triceratop.

 

-LIES!- replied Trish.

 

-IT'S TRUE! I just wanted you guys to have a real audience... But I should have foreseen this too... - Naser said in a sad tone, loosening his grip a little and feeling Trish pushing him straight to the lockers. He quickly regained control of the situation. -DAMN IT, TRISH! I did everything to make Fang happy! - he defended himself again looking at the young triceratop who had stopped his charge.

 

Trish paused and looked into that pterodactyl's eyes, analyzed each of his facial features to see if he made any funny face that would give him signs of lying.

 

Nothing.

 

Naser continued with his serious and stoic expression, considering that he is not very conversational with people outside his intimate circle of friends. Trish rejoined and still with an angry expression had a couple of questions for Naser and was going to ask them... but she just saw something in the corner of her eye that left her doubting: it was that skinnie  guy from the other day, he is now a few meters away from where they were and he was heading towards Naser. Trish felt a knot in her throat and came back on herself again and decided to leave the issue for peace... but only momentarily.

 

-"Fuck you Naser!" said the little Triceratop looking at the pterodactyl's with poison in her voice. -Even if you didn't want to hurt Fang....FUCK YOU!- Trish finished with a lot of anger in her words and quickly went in the opposite direction where she had come, leaving a surprised Naser and a confused human who had stopped next to Naser . -What was all about? –  get to hear Trish before turning around the corner.

 

The young triceratop was still angry with Fang's brother, after all he confirmed her suspicions: It had been Naser who had taken all those stupid jocks to make fun of her and her friend... although he admitted he didn't want to do any harm to Fang, the damage was done. Trish turned right again and stopped at her locker, as she put the combination to open it, started talking to her self.

 

-Stupid Naser... always meddling in our business... fuckin' Naser and fuckin' bitch Naomi... – Trish was now ranting against Naser's girlfriend. Although she stopped because, even though she hated Naomi, she had nothing to do with it.  Although as she pulled his books out of his locker, Trish stopped to think of that human.

 

-"That skinnie.. Is he Naser's friend?" thought Tirsh looking at the bottom of his locker. -- "Would there be a chance that Naser would have... invited him to the concert"?- at this a blush of shame popped over his face. -"Jesus raptor I hope you didn't see anything "- she thought with great embarrassment. - "I don't want to beat him too,"-  Trish mused as she picked up a folder for the math class. This was Trish's favorite folder... her mother had bought it from her a few years ago and Fang had given her a sticker of a cartoon character Trish loved from her childhood: Mobbi the Whale. The book revealed a happy silver whale floating over a rainbow sea. That sticker was a joke for her birthday but Trish ended up liking it… of course....her birthday's in a few weeks so maybe she organize something for the guys.

 

After seeing that goofy whale Trish felt a little better and had forgotten a little about her search against those who mocked her and her friends.

 

-"I'd better go and look for Reed..." she murmured to herself as she walked away from the locker. - I hope you brought me the metal bar I asked for. - she said as she turned the corner and headed for her next class.

 

Today Fang didn't seem to be coming to class, after what happen the other day they might want to be alone for a few days. Trish looked at her cell phone and the last conversation they had was the morning of the day before, after the concert disaster, none of them had actually texted each other. Maybe it's better this way...

 

-I should ask Naser if at least Fang came to... - she didn't finish saying when she spotted a familiar figure down the hall. It was that new human at school. He was standing against the lockers... muttering something... or at least moving his mouth as he looked down. Naser didn't seem to be with him.

 

Trish felt a turn in her heart, but she felt it was an opportunity to get close to the new boy... -"Who knows...Maybe he's not an idiot like the rest ," she thought to himself. She didn't know what to tell him but she was good at making things up and improvising, maybe she could get some conversation out of the skinnie  new guy.

 

Trish approached the human who seemed not to have noticed her presence yet and continued to wander in her thoughts. Trish even got within three feet of him and he hadn't noticed it yet. Trish's amethyst eyes sparkled and after taking a small breath she began to speak.

 

-Ey... Ey you!... - said Trish without taking his eyes off the young man who seemed very deep in his thoughts. "EY SKINNIE!" said a little louder Trish who seemed to finally pull out of  the huma trance, who gave a slight start and quickly re-entered to see the young triceratop beside him.

 

-Ahh ahh... Ey, ahh no... I didn't hear you... - this last one came out as a whisper. He really had a scare. -I mean, I'm sorry... I didn't see you there. – the human said it more clearly but with a slightly thicker voice and swollen chest.  Trish raised an eyebrow looking at that skinnie  guy in front of her and continued talking.

 

-Ey listen... you didn't see them around here, did you? - Trish said calmly, putting her hands in her pocket. The young man merely looked at her somewhat confused for a few seconds before answering.

 

-Them? - said the bald young man staring at the little Triceratop.

 

-Yep, I ve been looking for them all day and maybe you've seen them...- Trish frowns and looked back from top to bottom at the young human in front of her. -You're a new student here, aren't you? - snaps a little fast Trish looking the other way, knowing the answer but wanting to get some conversation out of the human.

 

The young man was now face to face with that little triceratop and now it was his turn to see her from top to bottom and analyze her person. They spent a few seconds in complete silence still both waiting for what the other will do and not knowing very well what to say next, but that did not last long, because the human began to murmur to himself... again. Trish was surprised to see the human in front of her just staring at her, which made her a little uncomfortable and could swear that she had heard some clear words that the human mused for himself.

 

-... “and preety cute to”... - said the human staring without realizing that he was murmuring and not thinking to himself. Trish opened her eyes in amazement at what she thought she had heard and a slight flush appeared on her face.

 

-What? - said Trish in a voice stunned by surprise, interrupting the train of thought of the human who suddenly reincorporated again. –“Jesus Raptor I hope that didn’t sound too sharp”- said Trish looking away at the young man trying to control his emotions... -“He... he told me that I am...”- she  didn’t finish his sentence when the human interrupted her.

 

-I said: I don't have a clue... who you're looking for-  say the human who looked visibly stressed, but kept his composure. Maybe being next to a female was what kept his spaghetti from getting ejected out of her pockets. He quickly added something back. -Maybe if you describe to me who you are looking for maybe I can help you, shorty- he finished saying putting back that deep fake voice.

 

-Ahh- was what Trish managed to say feeling relieved all of a sudden, but a little disappointed that he didn't actually give her a compliment. But Trish realized that the human had called her... “shorty.” Trish quickly raised her guard again and folded her arms and took a pose of... indignation. -Ahh “Shorty”?- she said with a certain sarcasm in his voice and with a frowned look. The human seemed to laugh as he stood up and leaned against the locker.

 

-Ahh sorry... you know, people usually introduce themselves before they start a conversation... – said softly the human in front of Trish who now had all the attention of the young woman. -My name is Anon by the way... and yes  I'm new in school. – said the young man giving a short smile to the triceratop in front of him.

 

Trish now if she was surprised by the young man's attitude, it seemed like he was mocking her, but he had a point, I mean... a stranger comes up to you and starts asking you questions... and doesn't even introduce himself. Yeah, maybe Trish was wrong this time. The young triceratop looked back down at the human and relaxed her muscles a little.

 

-Trish... - said the young triceratop succinctly to introduce herself. She was still holding his pose with folded arms.

 

-All right, Trish, nice to meet you. - brought him back Anon. Both could feel the hallways slowly coming to life as the students began to walk through the hallways of the school. -But you know Trish... maybe I saw “them” from that direction... I think from the auditorium. - Anon pointed to his right and Tirsh followed his finger with his eyes. Anon put a poker face without taking his eyes off the young woman in front of him.

 

As if it were a duel of looks neither of them looked away from the other and after a few seconds Trish gave him an answer.

 

-Mmm very well Anon... See ya... - said Trish saying goodbye to Anon but without looking away from him as she moved.  They both saw each other leave and at no time did they break eye contact, as if it was really a batle of stares and the one who blinked or looked the other way lost. Trish was a little amazed by Anon's tenacity not to look away, but as she walked away and the hallways became crowded she had to walk away first and break eye contact.

Once she turned the hallway and made his way to the auditorium, Trish was able to breathe a little more calmly and let his guard down.

 

-“Jesus Raptor... What the hell was that?”- she thought to herself as she walked through the halls. - “This guy seems to be full of surprises... It’s a bit strange, but he doesn’t look like an idiot... Besides, he told me where to find Fang and he didn’t seem to be confused about it. Finally someone who understands”- Trish finished saying to herself happily as she waved her tail and headed to the auditorium.

 

 

 

-Are you sure he told you that? - asked Reed looking at his friend visibly frustrated.

 

The couple of friends were now in their math class and while they waited for the teacher to show up to start the class they started arguing  about the new student.

 

-I'm telling you, Reed! The guy told me that Fang had come to class... and that they was in the auditorium! - she said as she looked at his friend Reed, who was stretching back in his seat, folded and staring at the roof.

 

-Maybe he got nervous you know...maybe he felt threatened and said the first thing that came to his mind... - mused Reed looking back at his friend and carrying a worn-out pencil to his snout.

 

-Threatened? - said Trish trying to sound offended. -Why the hell would he feel threatened by me? I didn't do anything to him! - Trish exclaimed, raising her arms. Some of the students in the classroom had turned around to see her.

 

-Mmm, you know... you said he saw you talking to Naser. Maybe he thought theat you going to give him the same treatment. - said the pink raptor.

 

Trish was going to comment back, but decided to keep quiet because Reed had a point, maybe Anon was intimidated by her and maybe he thought she was going to hurt him like the other idiots who laughed at her band. Although she hadn't really done anything wrong or even raised his voice to him, so he had no real reason to feel intimidated.

 

-I don't think that's the reason Reed...- said Trish looking forward now trying to calm her thoughts. -You think he was in the auditorium that day? - Trish turned her eyes to see her friend who now had his eyes closed.

 

-I don't know, I didn't really see him that day... Maybe we should ask him. - was just saying Reed as the classroom door began to open.

 

-All right, freakin class! It's time for freakin math class. - announced loudly Professor Carldelewski. Behind him came another group of students, among them and almost at the end appeared Anon who had the same expression of boredom and indifference. He didn't seem to have seen Trish or Reed sitting in front of the room and just headed almost to the back of the class. Reed had followed him with the only open eye he had.

 

-Well... there's our man. – he was telling her friend on his right who opened her eyes quickly.

 

-Ahh...Whe...where!?- exclaimed to her friend Reed quite excited, causing Reed to stare at her. She realized what she had done so she quickly came up with a new excuse for her sudden change of mood. -Ahh you ask him why he lied to me!. - she said stuttering a little.

 

-Weren't we going to ask him if he was at the concert the other day? - exclaimed strangely Reed

 

-YES! That too... – said Trish turning to her left ignoring her hot ears.

 

Professor Carldelewski was handing out several photocopies of the new math work that was sure it is going to be in the exam. While doing that, Trish took advantage of the moment to turn around to see the skinnie guy behind her. Anon was checking his backpack and when he finished he looked visibly scared, maybe he forgot something. While Trish kept looking at him, Reed turned his eyes to her and then to Annon. After he finished looking, he grabbed a used sheet of paper from his folder and wrote a few words before throwing the paper ball at Anon. The paper landed on the young human who grabbed it and unwrapped it to read its contents.

 

-"What the hell are you doing Reed?" Trish exclaimed to her friend who looked at her with some fun.

 

-Get his attention, don't you? Besides, it looks like he needs some help. - Reed mused for her friend who didn't seem too sure of her action.

 

Anon while holding the paper looked forward to see Reed and Trish. Anon came with his things to the pink raptor's table and left his backpack right at Reed's feet, almost unaware.

 

-Aah... Hello guys... - exclaimed Anon approaching the couple of friends. Reed raised his hand in a friendly sign and Trish just frowned a little.

 

-Ey Dude... how are you? I'm Reed and this is Trish... but I think you guys met today. - exclaimed Reed cheerfully.

 

-Ahh Yes, Hi Trish. I haven't seen you in a long time. - said Anon with a smile greeting the young Triceratop. Who only returned a nod with his head. -Sorry to bother you... but I think I forgot my math book at home. - said embarrassingly.

 

-Ahh don't worry man, I can lend you mine. With Trish we have two...- said the pink dinosaur pointing his snout at Trish. Who gave Anon a sneaky look. -You know, Bro, you seemed to need some help, 'cause you don't come in here and I'll leave you my book of... – he don't finish telling Reed because he was interrupted by Trish.

 

-You lied to me, Anon.-  Trish said in a neutral tone, staring at Anon and confusing Reed.

 

-Ahh what are you talking about Trish?"- said Anon looking at the young woman sitting in front of him.

 

-Today I asked you where Fang was and you told me that in the auditorium... but when I arrived, there was nobody. - she said looking down feeling a bit ashamed. -At least I was able to retrieve my bass case...- the latter said it as a murmur.

 

-Ahhh who is Fang?.- said Anon genuinely surprised seeing Trish,

 

-You know... Fang... the...ahh- Trish remained silent not knowing very well how to answer Anon

 

-You mean Naser's sister? asked Anon intrigued. What Trish did was give him a furious look back and Reed only opened his eyes for a second and didn't realize the mistake Anon had made. -You asked me if I had seen “them” ... I actually thought you were talking about Naser and Naomi.- Anon said folded his arms now. Reed seemed to find the situation funny.

 

-What? Noo! Whay the fuck do I want to see these idiots? - said now slightly offended Trish.

 

-Mmm well, I had seen you talking to Naser today... maybe you were looking for him.- Anon added back.

 

-Pff...I don't want to waste my time with idiot Naser again today and I certainly don't want to have anything to do with Naomi unless it's to see her being run over by a train.- she said sarcastically resting her arm on her face.

 

-Ahh what my friend here is trying to say...- Reed finally stood firm from his seat and turned to the confused Anon who now had his attention. -Trish was talking about our friend Frang.-

 

-Fang? But Trish was talking about “them”...- said now truly confused Anon

 

-It's just... - said Reed but was interrupted by Trish.

 

-Agh... I mean, you didn't understand my implications? - said Trish now angry

 

-Ahhh... - Anon just said that with his mouth open.

 

-“Jesus Raptor and I thought you would be different”....- Trish murmured to herself, looking down disappointed.

 

-What my friend is trying to say... It’s that our friend Fang is non-binary... and Trish had asked you if you’d seen them today. –  said Reed  hoping to have finally put an end to this senseless misunderstanding.

 

-Oooh....- said Anon still looking confused. -But how the hell do you expect me to know that? Literal... I met you guys today.- said Anon slightly annoyed.

 

-“That’s no excuse to be a skinnie bigot”- thought to himself Trish.

 

-You know what? You're right, man... I'm sorry. Here, I leave you this paper… maybe it will help you for the homework of old Carldelewski.- Reed handed some paper to Anon and as soon he laid his eyes on it, his eyes almost came out of the ponds.

 

-Oh holy shit... this is all math activities.... Pretty much for the whole first chapter. - said Anon in amazement looking at Reed who merely turned around and scratched his nose with his ring finger.

 

-Ahh don't exaggerate man... they're just like... the first 10 math problems of the first chapter. - said Reed loosely now.

 

Anon and Reed talked a little longer before Anon returned to his seat but with the answers of the activity in his hand. Although Trish was still pretty quiet. She didn't seem to take very well the fact that Anon didn't seem to understand her when she referred to Fang by her pronouns. But his train of thought stopped when Reed spoke again.

 

-I told you the guy is a Bro... Everything was a misunderstanding- he said whit a jovial voice to Trish.

 

-Pff... anyway, I didn't really expect anything else from that bigot shaved monkey.- she said trying to sound offended but Trish knew Reed had a point. Anon had done nothing wrong and it was all a misunderstanding of the young triceratop. Still, the proud triceratop wasn't going to admit a mistake, much less when a skinnie  randomly missgender her best friend...even if he didn't mean it or even spoke to Fang personally.

 

The math class flew out the window and although there were still 10 minutes left to finish the class, Trish could only think of two things: her friend Fang... and the bad impression she got of Anon. I thought he would be a great, open-minded person who might perhaps be part of his small group of friends... but now Trish had serious doubts about it, but now that she was thinking about it... Anon started talking to Naser the moment Trish left. The Triceratop frowned at the thought of the possibility of Anon or Naser having some kind of Friendship.

 

-“At least I hope it has nothing to do with that slut Naomi. Then I would have to consider buying an iron baseball bat.”- Trish thought to herself just when the lunch bell had rung.

 

-Ahh great, lunchtime! Today i am quite hungry ...- said Reed in a relaxed tone, taking the backpack that was at his feet without looking and carrying it on his back.

 

-Mmm I'm not very hungry today... maybe I should call Fang to see if they okay today. - Trish commented as she got up from her seat to walk with Reed and the rest of the group out the door.

 

-Fang just needs some time Trish... when Fang feels ready, they going back to school. - said Reed looking ahead as he  walked with her friend down the hallways of the school, feeling his backpack felt slightly emptier than usual.

 

- Fang didn't come for two days Reed… Fang its not like taht... Besides, they already have a lot of absences. If Fang continues like this, they be suspended. - Trish said in a serious tone.

 

The two friends walked a few meters and after dodging some students they reached their destination: the Volcano High cafeteria. Today was the special of the day: spaghetti with meatballs. Hopefully there was going to be a vegan option for Trish…Although maybe she was going to turn down the pasta offer because she didn't want her hips to keep growing.

 

As Trish was wandering through thoughts, she suddenly saw one of the idiot students she had seen in the auditorium the other day.

 

-I've seen you motherfucker... - she said furiously in her voice. -You go ahead Reed... I was looking for that idiot and today I'm not going to miss him. - said the triceratop as She left his backpack to Reed to take care of for her.

 

-Try not to kill him girl... we don't need you arrested before graduation. - Reed joked but there was a little seriousness in his voice.

 

-Don't worry about that...- as she approached his victim, he could see Trish approach and with frightened in his eyes run out of the hallways. -OOOH DON'T RUN AWAY YOU COWARD, COME HERE AND FACE YOUR PUNISHMENT!- shout the little Triceratop ready to nail his horns to the head of that poor brown raptor who was now escaping screaming for help in the corridors.

 

 

 

 

The cafeteria at Volcano High was packed with students of all kinds, most of them eating their lunches while talking to their friends and a minority simply taking a break from the hustle and bustle of ordinary classes. The row of Herbivores on the left was partially full compared to that of the carnivores. Today was going to be spaghetti with meatballs but the portions for the carnivores were finished and only the vegan meatballs made of eggplants and other vegetables remained.  In that row was listening to music the velociraptor Reed, who stood out from the row predominantly herbivores, but was not excited about vegan food, he had only gone to set aside a portion for his friend Trish who most likely ended up hungry after her beating  the students who mocked her and the band.  Reed wasn't vindictive, so he didn't care what anyone else said to him at his impromptu concert, but he also knew it would be futile to try to convince Trish to give up his rage against the other students.

 

-“Trish should relax a bit... In a few weeks it will be her birthday. I have your cake ready,”-  Reed thought with a smile as he listened to music with his headphones on.

 

Reed turned somewhat strangely to see an agitated Anon who looked like he had run a marathon and looked at him as he held...his own backpack?

 

-Ahh ahh Re.. Reed. Ey... I think I got something of yours. - said Anon agitated as he lifted the coffee backpack with blue stripes of reed. From it emanated a strong unknown odor and one could hear some crystals bouncing, making a characteristic sound of glass when knocking.

 

-Ey dude... is that my backpack? - said Reed foolishly as he pulled out the backpack he was carrying on his back. – Mmm I felt this thing was quite light...- commented Reed extending the backpack towards Anon and both exchanged their respective backpacks.

 

-Sorry Reed... I think there was a mistake haha...- said Anon ashamed and drying the perspiration.

 

-Jesus Raptor men... whatever you had here must have been valuable to put you like this... Why are you so worried about the bag man?- said Reed, reading the nervousness on Anon's face who gave him a smile of disbelief and his perspiration came out again.

 

-Ahh... Becaaaauuuseeeee....- said Anon without knowing very well what to say.

 

 

 

As the students ate their lunch, from the door of the cafeteria the triceratop Trish is revealed, clenched her fists in victory as she shook her hair and clothes after literally sweeping the floor with one of the many idiots who laughed at her and her friends.

 

-Ha... what a faggot... He can't stand even an invested of my horns...- she said with a grin of malice as she put his hands inside his yellow sweatshirt. -Mmm... and now where this Reed?...- she said as she looked around to see his pink friend.... Talking to Anon. Trish wrinkled her face as a sign of annoyance. She didn't feel like seeing Anon right now but her was in a good mood after beating up some reckless guys today.

 

-“What are these two talking about?”- said Trish as she approached the human-dinosaur pair.

 

-...And here comes Trish.- said Reed looking back with a smile.

 

-Ey  Reed... sorry I'm late. But I was giving some of those fools a piece of my mind. Next time I'm going to need you to lend me your parents' iron lever, to finish the job better. - said Trish now looking at Anon.

 

-Thouse arent... related, right? - said Anon suspiciously.

 

-Who's asking? - said Trish back with a grin of evil on her face. Anon just nodded quickly before speaking again.

 

-Ok guys, it was great talking to you, but I really have to go...- Anon just finished saying this and Reed put his arm around his shoulder.

 

-C mon bro... Trish just got here, we can have lunch the three of us... really, I don't care if you're poor or nothing. I'm not one to judge people. - said Reed with a warm smile on his face. Anon only returned a look of disbelief at what Reed said.  Trish narrowed her eyes and looked at Anon from top to bottom, uncomfortable with the young human.

 

-Poor eh? How poor? - said Trish even with her hands on her sweatshirt.

 

-That's not...- Anon tried to defend himself with shame in his voice.

 

-Remember those lunch cards they promote on the schhol brochures?- said Reed quickly, looking away.

 

-Oh my God... poor soul...- said Trish genuinely shocked.

 

Anon just gave the dinosaur pair a poker look.

 

-And I thought... why not be a broh with him since he helped me get my backpack back. - said Reed still with his right arm wrapped around Anon.

 

-Mmmm...- say Trish still giving an intricate look at Anon.

 

-Really, Reed... you don't even have to mention it. - said Anon between telling the truth and being sarcastic and as he tried to get out of Reed's grip, he added: -Well… really guys... I'd like to go get some food now before the break is over-.  Anon was pushed and dragged by Reed into the food line.

 

-You're right broh and to seal our friendship... let's get some food together! And of course you're going to sit with us. - he said cheerfully as he drove Anon to fetch something to eat.

 

Trish looked at the duo of fools and couldn't help but smile at Reed's attitude to Anon and as she continued to watch  her stomach made the characteristic hunger sound, causing the young triceratop to blush.

 

Tirsh move towards the food line next to Reed and Anon.

 

 

 

The minutes passed in the cafeteria and it seemed that  was not going to slow down at any time. Sitting at a table, Reed was talking energetically with Anon on a wide variety of topics: video games, movies, anime... Things that actually surprised Trish a little bit since Reed almost never commented on those things to her. Not that she was interested in those things in the first place, but it was weird to see Reed talking so suddenly.

 

The young triceratop played with her half-eaten pasta she had left on the plate and alternated her looks at the vegan meatball on her plate and Anon... the skinny one in front of her. She didn't know how to describe it, but there was something she didn't like... and at the same time she liked it quite a bit…. Maybe it's because the only regular contact she had with a man is with her friend Reed and her two younger brothers and occasionally Director Spears when she got into trouble... or maybe the fact that estrus season for the Triceratops was approaching that she found Anon... interesting. But she didn't dare let her guard down with him.

 

-"JA.. I bet this skinnie love to get in my pants. I am sooo out of his league"- she thought gracefully to herself. By the time she was tired of playing with the meatballs on his tray, she was ready to throw away the leftovers until Reed commented on something that caught her attention.

 

-You know, man, we have a band...- said Reed extending his fingers to the human.

 

-Re.. really?- said Anon sipping one of his noodles looking at the pink dino.

 

-Of course. I'm the drummer, Trish plays the bass and Fang sings and plays the other bass. - said proudly to Anon. -We did a concert recently. - said Reed without noticing that Trish returned a frowned look.

 

-Yes... and it was a disaster because Naser invited a bunch of idiots to make fun of us. - said Trish focusing her gaze on Anon

 

-Ahh come on... I don't think Naser had any bad  intentions. - while Anon was saying this Trish focused her gaze so much that Anon felt she was looking at the back of his head.

 

-And you…how do you know...?.-  question her. - Maybe... Naser invited you that day too. - he said between question and accusation.

 

Anon made some strange noises as he tried not to drown on the noodles he was eating before Trish asked him that question.

 

-Ahh cmon Trish... You know Anon wasn't in the auditorium that day. Like... a human among dinosaurs will be very notary, don't you think ?- commented Reed trying to lower the growing anger of his friend. It seemed to work.

 

-Mmm I guess you're right, I don't remember seeing any skinnie that day.- admitted the triceratop turning her eyes backwards.

 

-I... didn't go anywhere that day...- Anon admitted nervously as he drank some water.

 

Trish wasn't too convinced by his answer, but she was going to drop it for peace... at least for now.

 

-Suuure....- Trish murmured. -And what did you do before skinnie...? - Trish tried to steer the conversation elsewhere.

 

- Nothing special... that day I just went to class. - answered Anon still recovering from the fright.

 

-I'm not talking about that, silly. I mean, what you used to do before you transferred... you know....-Trish could sense Anon's nervousness. But it didn't last long because just as Anon murmured her answer, Trish could see Naser and Naomi appear head-on... intending to sit on their table. Reed noticed this as well, and quickly the two stood up from the table and the two pair began to speak at the same time.

 

-"Sorry Anon, we have to go,"- Reed and Trish said as they almost ran away. Reed was the first to leave and Trish stayed for a few seconds giving Anon a frowned look before following her pink friend.

 

-Mmm…okay? At least I don't have to tell them about my life-  Anon murmured to himself, a little more relaxed.

 

-Talking alone again, man? - Naser spoke approaching Anon from behind. Next to him was his girlfriend Naomi.

 

-Hi Anon.- said in a cheerful and exaggeratedly sweetened way Naomi to Anon, who only managed to make a annoying face.

 

-"Now I understand why they ran off"- Anon thought to himself drawing an even more fake smile than Naomi's ultra pastry smile.

 

 

That same night.  Vulcano Housing Projects . 9PM

 

The atmosphere in the small house of the housing project was, as always, quite noisy: the twins watched a full-length Netfliz TV show, ignoring the fight of their two older sibling  Riley and Chondra over a lost cell phone cable.

 

-Cmon Riley, just tell me where the hell you left my cell phone cable. - said Chondra subduing her younger brother with a wrestling wrench.

 

-Trigga, I already told you…I grab the cable to charge the battery of my cell phone and leave it right on the sofa where the twins were sitting.- Riley defended hisself with his  face stuck to the floor and Chondra on top of him.

 

-But there's nothing here man…- said Trevor, turning a little towards his older brothers before watching TV again.

 

Chondra became even more angry and began to press her grip harder against her brother who started screaming for help from Trish who was in her room.

 

-Ahhh Triiiiiishhhhhhh!!! .- Riley begged his  older sister to come and save him.

 

The mother and head of the family had not yet appeared.

 

Inside the small room of the even smaller house was the group's older sister: Trish, making a video call with her friend Reed. Trish was wearing her usual set of shorts and loose-fitting sports shirt, perhaps 2 sizes larger than her usual size. Visibly angry, she was sitting cross-legged staring at her cell phone and her friend Reed who on the other side of the screen was visibly... high and releasing a thick whitish smoke that swirled around the room.

 

-What do you mean you got suspended? What the hell did you do? - Trish scolded her friend. Meanwhile Reed  was smoking a giant blunt before answering her.

 

-And that...I mean… You know how it is, girl... - said Reed, letting a deep white smoke come out of his mouth. - When Naomi asked me about my backpack today... ahhh... I think Spears heard us talking… and smelled it too. - he said with some grace when he remembered the disgusting face Spears put on.

 

-So… Naomi set you up...- Trish questioned looking at the screen waiting for an answer.

 

-Mmm naaahhhh... It's just that... we were very close to Spears's office and that... Well, I have  two-week suspension and  a full month of work in the school's botanical garden

 

Trish turned her eyes at what her friend was telling, she knew Reed was a pothead  but he always managed to hide he is always smoked or that he always brought something to school.

 

-Look on the bright side…Spears was very comprehensive and did not expel me from school...- said Reed with a red-eyed smile.

 

-But Reed, this is serious... you could get into trouble and it could be on your permanent record... plus you're gonna be delay with school. - Trish said in an attempt to make her friend Reed worry, but he just didn't seem to care.

 

-Relax girl... everything's going to be fine... plus with my grades I can always manage to skip a couple of classes. - he said before he took a deep puff  into his blunt.

 

Trish annoyedly wrinkled her nose at her friend's assertion... not that he was wrong either. Reed had very good grades in classes, especially in math and not a single teacher had a bad opinion of him either. Although Trish didn't want to admit it, she didn't want Reed to go away for so long because she was gonna end up alone. As strong as Trish was, she still had feelings, and one thing that really bothered her was loneliness and that was the one thing she didn't want in a school where her only relationship was Reed and Fang..

 

Trish and Fang had spoken a few hours ago and apparently Fang is taking the week off and wouldn't be back until Friday, so Trish was going to be without anyone to talk to until Friday. This actually gave her a little anxiety but she wasn't going to show weakness in front of his friend Reed, but Reed... as a good friend, could read Trish's expressions.

 

Reed had put his cell phone on a tripod and now what Trish saw was the pink dinosaur sitting on his bed rolling up another cigarette. – You're strong Trish a little loneliness during classes won't do anything to you... - said the pink dino in a deep tone while preparing his new cigarette and before putting the filter added. – You know... you can always hang out with Anon.- said Reed licking the fat blunt and grabbing his new cigarette.

 

Trish turned a blind eye to what her friend Reed said and was going to answer him before a loud noise crashed into the wall of her room.

 

-Where's my fucking  cell phone charger, Riley?!-  Chondra said from the other side of the wall, presumably slamming Riley into the wall.

 

-EY! SHUT UP, YOU LITTLE DEMONS! DON'T MAKE ME GO THERE. - said Trish as she slammed the wall three times to shut her brothers up.

 

-Shouldn't you go and make sure they don't destroy anything? - asked Reed looking at her friend with her blunt in his hand.

 

-Naah... they know that if I go, they'll all end up sleeping in the little dog house outside. - said Trish still staring at the wall hoping there'd be no more noise.

 

-But you don't have a dog... - said something strange Reed.

 

-What were you saying...? Join the Skinnie ?- exclaimed somewhat offended Trish ignoring the question asked by her friend.

 

-Why not? The guy seems nice... And he doesn't have anyone else either - said Reed, coughing his answer a little on the other side of the line.

 

Trish wanted to reply, but she didn't really have an answer... Anon hadn't really done anything wrong to give her an excuse and according to Reed the guy was a nice guy. Since she was slow to answer, she decided to lead the conversation by diverting the question with another question.

 

-“…Have anyone else either”? What... am I just as pathetic and lonely as that weird ass Skinnie?- said Trish trying to sound offended looking at her friend.

 

-You know I didn't mean that... But you don't hang out with other people besides me and Fang either.- Reed questioned staring at his friend from the screen. -Besides... what are you going to do? Just become a ghost and not talk to anyone just because in your mind you fought with the whole school?- I question Reed effusively. When he got stoned sometimes he could get a little... brusque with his words.

 

Trish felt the pressure from Reed's eyes but she wasn't going to let herself be so easily dominated either. Reed kept talking.

 

-Just... Don't close yourself off from the possibility of meeting new people., girl... you might like Anon. Who knows... if you don't give him a chance. - he said as he was halfway through his cigarette.

 

Trish had been meditating for a few seconds looking up, she had been lying down and had the cell phone in her hand now. As she thought she could hear the sound of keys and a door opened on the other side and she could hear her mother coming into her house after work. She had told Trish that she was bringing Chinese food for dinner.

 

-Mmm ok... I'll try to give skinnie  a chance but if he turns out to be an idiot, I'll kick him out of my life.- he said as she stood up and put on purple hippopotamus slippers. -Well, Reed, I got to go. My mother's here and she brought the food. - said Trish saying goodbye to her velociraptor friend.

 

-Great, girl! Enjoy your food... we're talking. Chao- said as the young raptor said goodbye to his friend and closed the video call.

 

Trish looked  the cell phone she had in her hand and as she sat on her bed she thought about the possibility of socializing with Anon. For some reason she doesn't like the idea... but part of her wanted to try, maybe the Skinny wasn't as bad as she thought and who knows... maybe expand her group of friends now that Reed and Fang aren't going to school.

 

Trish before she left, took the wire that was on her desk and that she had found on the living room couch  and plugged it into her cell phone and left it charging as she left her room to go out to dinner with her family,

[POST-NOTES]
    I hope you enjoy my shit.

    Once again I apologize if there was any grammatical error... I was correcting it by myself and well... That.

    See you in the next chapter