Chapter 2; Roommates

A Home for Scales

Written By : SecretSerpent22

Warning: some content may be disturbing to some viewers, discretion of/for the viewer is advised. Ok here we go!

Chapter 2; Roommates

I walked around campus taking in the sites. Large brick and stone buildings on just about every side of the vast park. Little breakfast shops were set up around the different buildings so no matter where you were, you could grab a bite to eat or drink. As I continued down the path, I looked to see a group of four. Two wolves, a human, and a lion all staring at me. Watching. I felt their gaze weigh on me. As I turned around I noticed others looking too. Crocodilians weren't very common after all in general, let alone a crossbred one. I definitely stood out among others. I felt sick, my head already began to pound. I was very prone to headaches and migraines after all. One of the lovely factors of being a crossbreed for me. I continued walking trying to avoid the eyes of people. I hid my face with my longer hair. I just kept walking. I made notes of places; the library, the Dunkin Donuts, certain hangout spots for groups, the buildings for different electives, the buildings for academic study. Eventually I stood in front of one of the dormitory buildings. I quickly walked around the side. There were a lot of people at the front, carrying boxes and making small conversation. My head was roaring. I have to. I thought. Just one and you'll be fine. I swallowed the large, translucent yellow pill after checking around making sure no one would see. I sat there for a minute. My head began to cool, my mind clearing a bit and my body saturated. I have to make a note to get this refilled at some point.

Walking past the front and entering the building I saw the washrooms and laundromats sign that led down a separate hallway. A pool table and kitchens set up on opposing sides of the main foyer. Another hangout spot, and food, I noted to myself. I was a bit hungry but I could eat later. I could still tell that people were staring at me despite the drug's effect. I turned to one of them, a buck, with antlers pointing in a few directions. He immediately looked frightened, switching his gaze. I looked at another, a pink and purple lynx I think, and she did the same. Was my expression freaking them out? I thought I was trying to make a nervous first day sort of smile. Or am I scary to them? I made my way up to my new room using the stairwell and avoiding others, I hadn't even realized I was standing in front of the door. I was too busy thinking about what everyone else was thinking of me. But if I'm this intimidating to those people, are my roommates going to have the same reactions? I brought my claw up to knock on the door. What if they don't like me? What if I scare them? My mind began to buzz again. I took a deep breath.... I can't... I walked away from the door, I can't risk that, I told myself, picking up my light luggage. I walked back to the main foyer. I stepped outside, and I started walking back. But stopped. I remembered what Jon had said. He was a tall red fox back at the orphanage, he was the one to teach me math, history, and basic home economics. He always had a cunning smile, he was a charmer. "Promise us you'll do good yeah kid? We've grown up with you, and you've grown up with us. So make it your mission to just, at least try and talk with someone. Remember the only one to hold you back, is..." Me. I whispered to myself. I stood there in the shade of a tall maple tree. "Yeah, you're right Jon, all of you. I'll make you all proud" I said turning around, I marched back in not caring who was staring at me. I walked back up the stairs, down the hallways. Back to...247. I sighed, you got this. I heard someone moving around inside. I knocked. Everything went quiet on the other side. The door opened. A black jaguar with dark black and brown patches stood in front of me, around the same height. I was around five foot nine, he was about the same if not half an inch taller. He had a little light gray hat that reminded me of what a stereotypical taxi cab driver would wear, as well as a black sweatshirt and gray pants.

"Oh hi" he said, he smiled at me, his light blue eyes almost sparkling. "You must be Nikalandra? Welcome, welcome." He was cheery, and... happy to see me? Not scared... didn't seem to care? He stepped out of the way of the doorframe leaving me there dumbfounded. I was expecting some different reaction.

"Should uh.... Should I come in?" I asked, I was quiet. I wasn't sure if he was faking being nice or not. Wait, why am I getting defensive now? Someone's trying to be nice, so why am I still acting like this?

"Well yeah come on in. 'Bout time you showed yourself." he wandered off deeper in the room. I stepped inside to the large and dimly lit room. Strands of those RGB lights stuck around the corners of the room. There was a bunk bed in the middle, two other beds too. One on the far wall and one right by the door. It was a large space. It fit 4 dressers, 4 small desks, and there was some baggage laying around the room. A tv stood on top of two of the dressers that was against the opposing wall to the bunk bed. An Xbox was hooked up to it. A door in the corner at the other far end led into a bathroom I presumed, and there were two windows with curtains closed letting little light in. "So everyone," the jaguar said, "our fourth and final roommate is here, c'mon out and introduce yourselves." He sure was lively... and nice.

"Sup." A wolf popped his head up from the other side of the bunk bed. He had a mix of purple and black fur in stripes and waves around his figure. He had lime green eyes that seemed to hold a fierce yet relaxed look. He took one look at me, and turned his head. I could tell by the way his snout curled he wasn't too happy.

"Sup isn't going to suffice, c'mon Ray." The jaguar persisted. "Introductions are everything remember?"

"Fine," he turned back to look at me, his eyes narrowed, "I'm Raymond." As soon as he finished saying his name he flopped on the lower bunk. "Unpacking is too hard, I'm taking a nap."

"Ray... oh fine whatever. Oh right, I'm Jagal. Heh, silly me." he said, rubbing the back of his head.

"Jagal?" I sounded a bit confused I guess. It was an interesting name to say the least. Yeah ok, like mine isn't.

"Yeah kinda, J-a-g-a-l, but more pronounced like uhm, yay-gull?" Jagal leaned in close to me, "the other guy staying with us is Hudson, he's pretty shy though. He's hiding in the bathroom... uhh, crap." he pondered a second, crossing his arms. "So basically he's a fun little case we have." I listened in cocking my head a bit, confused yet intrigued? "So basically, well he's a human first off, and well he grew up in a very secluded area, he's never really met anyone... like us, you could say."

I was confused, "you mean like... animalistic?" I questioned.

"Yeah, pretty much. Um, not sure how he'll take too kindly to y-... oh damn wait wait, sorry I just mean....well, you might look just a touch intimidating for him?" He dropped his head, "sorry I don't mean to sound rude I'm just-"

"It's fine," I said blandly, I knew where this was going, "I'm used to being looked at that way." I stated that last bit quietly. I placed my stuff on the bed closest to the door, it was the only one left available.

"No, no no I didn't mean... Sorry it's the whole scaly crocodile badass look you got going on." he tried to make me feel better with a smile. At least he seems to be being honest. I heard the door creak open on the other side of the room. Someone peaked their head out slightly.

"Uhmm... hi... I'm uh, Hudson. I'm.... sorry, I'm not used to seeing other, uh species. I...I don't mean to be rude. I'm well, I guess... intimidated is all?" I could tell they weren't doing good. I kind of felt the same way.

"It's alright," he flinched at my voice, "I won't bug ya if that's what you want." I sighed. Maybe this isn't a good idea. He's scared enough as it is. I looked at him still watching through a partially opened door. "I don't think this is going to work then." I said picking up my bags again. I was upset, but it's better that I do this right? I noticed I grabbed the attention of the wolf "sleeping."

"Hey don't be upset," Jagal said, he had his arms out trying to get us to all stay. "We can work something out right guys? C'mon this'll be fun."

"If he's leaving then that's that. We either get someone new or-" Raymond started to say. He was cut off by Hudson.

"No." he stated firmly. "I-I mean, it's okay? You... don't have to leave." Hudson opened the door a little more, he was small. You'd think he was still in high school. Messy dirty blonde hair, a green sweatshirt that had Hollowtree College patched over the front. Light brown eyes that had a look of confidence. I looked at him, he looked back... the confidence disappeared. He instantly flinched and ran back to the bathroom. "I'm fine, I just.... Need some time for this.... Sorry guys." The room was silent. Jagal smiled at me again, albeit with a bit more nervousness showing. Raymond slightly looked my way.

"I'll stay out of your way. You don't need to worry about me." I said. If he says it's fine then alright, maybe we can both learn from this? Raymond scoffed silently as he rolled over, I was the only one who heard him.

"Great, do you need help...unpacking?" Jagal looked at my one backpack and small suitcase. "Is that all you brought?" he questioned.

"Yeah, I don't have a lot," I said silently, I wasn't trying to be loud right now. "I can get it, it's fine."

"Sure thing?" he responded.

I spent a bit of that night unpacking the few things I had with me. Notebooks, textbooks, the few outfits I had, my laptop and chargers, and......a picture of all of us at the orphanage. Jon a red fox with his classic sweater. My math, history, and basic home economics teacher. Mrs. Betty Petterson, a gray and white American bobtail cat. My reading and writing instructor. Mr. Logan Hedgesworth, an older and all white polar bear. He helped me with my mental health and wellness. And finally, Ms. Yors, a younger coyote who was quite lively. She was doing some internship for her college but she did try to help me with my people skills and different styles of communication.

It was a picture of all of them circled around me, each a hand on my shoulder and smiling bright. Right in front of the building that was my home for several years. I was a bit younger, maybe around 15-16 and happy. I remember that day we had taken that photo, it was a good day since I stopped having those- ..... Later.... It had a note on the glass. 'Good Luck to our favorite gator!' It read. They loved to joke about it since it took Jon several years before he figured out I wasn't an alligator. 'Make sure to visit at some point kiddo.' I smiled reading the note, seeing the front of my old home. I looked around the room. Everyone had gone out to eat. Despite me being hungry I declined, I ate a bit weirder than others. Having a large snout made things difficult sometimes. I didn't want to scare Hudson more the first day. Jagal can help get him used to things I'm sure. I held that picture for a while, just staring at it recalling all the memories. I wanted to put it on my desk, but I thought it would make things more complicated if the roommates knew where I came from. I decided to put it face down in my desk's bottom drawer so I can look at it for motivation later. This is it. My new beginning, doesn't sound easy but....just maybe I can make this work.

Thank you for reading! Again, as always if you have questions or feedback please do share. I would be very happy to answer any questions about the story. Feedback always makes me happy too, it also improves my writing so all is welcome. Thanks again for making it this far, have a splendid day/night!