Chapter 5; Classes and Subs

A Home for Scales

Written By : SecretSerpent22

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

Chapter 5; Classes and Subs

POV change; Nikalandra

The weekend passed quickly. I stayed quiet and isolated in the room making sure I had all the necessities ready for classes. I still got odd looks and glares when I walked around campus. I went out the other day to buy a few extra pens just to make sure I would be good for classes to start, when I heard some girls scoff at me. I could still hear them when I passed, one of them irate that I 'show myself at a place like this,' and 'I don't deserve to be here' yadda yadda.

I spent most of my time in my dorm, writing. I liked looking around and picturing what I could write about. The view outside, the empty space my side of the room had compared to the others. I ate every now and then and stayed hydrated as I should. Jagal was always trying to get Hudson to open up and ask different things he liked, it might have been my presence in the room that scared him though. I'm not sure. Raymond continued watching me, I knew he was, he sometimes was very obvious. No one asked me about that one night, thankfully. It would have been awkward saying I had gotten beaten and attacked my first night here. I made sure to avoid people outside, I didn't want to disturb that Jacob guy or any of his friends and go through that again. Jagal promised me once he helped Hudson feel safe he'd work on getting me up and be more social too. I didn't want to doubt him but I slightly did.

The weekend flew, and classes started. Right now I had made my decision to be a writer, so I would major in English and minor in a creative writing course. It might stick, it might not but it was all I had to go off of. The first day for most of my academic studies dove right in, glancing over introductions and such, more preparing for our first lessons. My English and writing course took a bit more time to get started, focusing a little more on getting to know everyone better. There were only a few people wanting to take creative writing so it was just a smaller group of us. About 15 in total. Even so I still didn't share too much. I wasn't ready to say much about myself, or my past. So instead I just gave the basic "hello," and "I'm Nikalandra and I'm excited to be here" spiel.

On Tuesday there was already someone kicked off campus for getting into a 'drunken fight.' Someone was hungover and started picking fights, it caused a whole big deal but luckily no one was hurt badly. Just roughed up. At least it took the attention away from me for the meantime. I continued writing for most of my pastimes and occasionally went to the university's pool. I made sure to do it late at night though when there was practically no one around. I enjoyed swimming. The chlorine made it so that my scales couldn't feel refreshed or hydrated but that's fine. Those weren't the reasons I was out. Holding my breath, and swimming laps was all I cared for.

I also rarely had to use my... prescriptions, as I call them. It was weird bringing up so I made a point not to tell anyone about it. Except the office of course. Some would make a big deal out of it unfortunately, seeing drugs being used on campus and all that. I don't want to stand out more, even if they are supposed to help me. There was a drought slowly rolling in so rain was less of an occurrence. Hopefully I don't have to use them as often. I was happy seeing Hudson grow more. It's been just a few days and he's already talking to a bunch more people. He's able to make friends and small talk with other non-humans. I was happy for him but he was still... scared by me. It wasn't until after they had all gotten done with their classes on Friday when he finally said something. It was Raymond, Hudson and I hanging out in the room. Raymond was scrolling through his phone on the bottom bunk while I was writing about a potted cactus plant I thought would be cool to have.

"Umm....hey guys? Can I...ask something of you?" Hudson said, sitting by his bed at his desk.

"Hmm? Sure what's up buddy." Raymond responded looking over.

"I, well it's weird. Ray, do you remember when I asked back at the restaurant what having fur is like? Can I ask that one again or is it too soon?" He looked embarrassed. I didn't know what was going on so I stayed out of it. This wasn't about me so why shou-

"And Nikalandra? What's having all those scales like.... Oh right sorry, um... if you don't mind that is?" I wasn't expecting him to be asking that. I just stared at my pen for a second, lost at the sudden thought. Raymond got up and approached him.

"Well... I guess...how do I explain it? First there's many types of furs, some soft, some rougher, some that are heavier?" Raymond said. "They can be mixed too, what's got your interest in it?" He sounds far nicer to Hudson than I've heard him talk to anyone else.

"Oh well, I don't know it just.... looks soft?" A silence approached, growing noticeable quite quickly. "Wait, that... sounds creepy doesn't it? Damn, I mean like... I guess I'm just trying to get a better understanding? Like of species and different things like that?" he said embarrassed. "Crap, I've only known you guys for a week, yet it's felt like years." Hudson said hiding part of his face.

Raymond started laughing. "Sure it may sound a little weird. Eh don't sweat it, honestly having fur ain't so bad when it gets cold. Though it sucks when it's raining, or when it gets wet." We all sat there thinking of the concept that was brought up. This wasn't something I was expecting to hear today, that's for sure.

"Heh, scales aren't that different either." I said. They both flinched at my voice. This was basically the first time I had actually said anything to them, or anyone in this case, for about a few days. "They aren't warm when it gets cold, but they don't overwhelm me in summer either. They keep me together though, and act like a shell-" my mind started to wander off as I rambled a little about myself. "Oh wait. What was the question?" I said looking their way. Hudson chuckled and looked at me. For a while... "Not nervous?" I asked surprised. I was perplexed at the way he wasn't flinching or getting scared of my gaze. Is he more comfortable around me now?

"What?" he said, confused. Then it occurred to him we were just staring at one another. He quickly averted his gaze. "Oh right yeah," he said suddenly. "I guess I didn't feel that scared there." Hudson said, still looking away and rubbing the back of his head. I could tell he was still glancing over every once in a while, attempting to make eye contact again. Raymond watched us, keeping an eye on me and what I was saying. "So... uh, how are your classes so far?" Hudson asked. I was surprised he was asking more about me.

"Alright... although it's hard to walk around campus. I get... stared at all the time." I said. This was our first real conversation, and I felt... okay with it?

"Well... that's too bad." He sounded better, like he was warming up more. "Do scales feel rough or smooth?" I was taken aback. I never really questioned that before.

"Huh....I don't know myself, I can't tell with these claws." I said looking at them. I don't have too good of feeling receptors in them after all. "I'd guess and say a mix? Or maybe they're just rough?" The conversation kinda drowned after that. It felt like he wanted to ask more but couldn't. I felt the same, I didn't want to share too much either. When Raymond was about to say something Jagal entered the room and tossed his bag down, quickly obtaining all of our attentions.

"Alright gang, guess what?" he sounded overjoyed.

"What's up?" Raymond asked, lowering himself off Hudson's bed and laying on the floor.

Jagal pulled out a flier. "It's one of the chefs, free food for four days if you can finish all of some 'Mega Meatball Chicken Parmesan sub'!" You think we could do it?"

"My stomach hurts just hearing the name." Raymond scoffed.

"Can multiple people even partake in it?" Hudson asked.

"Yeah it says right here," he pointed to a spot on the page, 'for anyone or any small group.' Though if there's more of us then it'd be made bigger they said." He scratched his chin and gave us some sort of jaguar-styled puppy dog eyes. "C'mon, it's only a three dollar entry fee anyway. Think of the outcome here?"

"Alright, fine I'm in," Raymond said, slowly getting up and stretching.

"Free food does sound good." Hudson said. They all suddenly looked at me. Did they think I wanted to do this? Did they want me to?

"C'mon Nikalandra, you've got a big mouth." Jagal teased.

"I-I... uh suppose... I'll go with?" I questioned if it was an okay idea. I'd bring more attention to myself which wasn't particularly what I wanted. Yet I couldn't help the growing staring of all of them too.

"Great let's go c'mon before someone beats us to it." Jagal rushed out, and we all soon followed. I was pretty hungry I guess.

We made our way down to the park where a large crowd was gathered. People were chanting, laughing. We got up close and saw a big grizzly bear, a tiger, and some shark all sitting there almost dumbfounded groaning. This doesn't look good. I thought. If these guys were all beaten by a sandwich, what's that mean for us? I looked up. This thing was about 10 feet long, and they were bringing out another one. Filled with cheeses and sauce, and meatballs and chicken parms. Just looking at it overwhelmed me.

"Alrighty, who wants to take on Tony's grand sub now?" A bigger gray and orange Italian bob cat was smiling cheerfully, knowing the stomach pains he was causing. Our group went up, and handed him the money. We all sat. I could feel everyone look us over and begin chanting "Eat, Eat, Eat" in an obnoxious rant. I felt sick already, I didn't want to do this. So many eyes were on us to the point I couldn't look up anymore. I just stared down at the table. My stomach rumbled, I skipped breakfast and lunch. I don't know about this... The five minute timer started and the others all dug in. Raymond began stuffing his face while Hudson, and Jagal took an easier approach. The timer was ticking down, all I could do was stare at my part of this monster.

"C'ffon mon't ficken out." Raymond said, his mouth filled. The time was still ticking down more and more. Jagal and Hudson both began to groan. Raymond started looking green. Together they had all cleared about five and a half feet of this. "Fuck, my stomach's gonna burst," Raymond groaned.

"Yeah, maybe this wasn't such a good idea." Jagal responded, putting his face on the table. Hudson just sat there taking deep breaths, he was hurting too. Yet I still sat there, doing nothing. They really wanted this. I made it harder by being here... I'm hurting them?

"One minute left!" shouted the tom cat, smiling gleefully. Shit... am I really doing this? All these eyes though.... The pressure and noise is starting to bother me. No just calm down. I looked back at the sandwich, my hunger growing.

"Fine, I'm too hungry now" I said. I slammed my claws down on the table making Jagal, who was next to me, jump. I placed my head down beside the sandwich as I grabbed it with my jaws ripping the remainder quickly in two. I flattened the sandwich with a powerful clasp of my jaws as I continued to swallow the messy chunk partially whole. I'm going to regret this later, I thought. The crowd stopped their chant and watched in awe as I gulped down most of this sandwich, still mostly whole. I continued to ravage my way through the rest of it tearing out big chunks using nothing but my immense snout. I barely chewed, just flattened and rolled it to a mushy mess. I didn't bother using my hands, like I've said earlier it's hard to reach and be neat sometimes. I was letting out the ravenous crocodile inside and there was no stopping its rampage...

I continued this method, the time ticking down when eventually there was nothing left. My gut hurt, four and a half feet of sandwich doesn't feel good hitting all at once. The crowd roared.

"Mama Mia. I-I can't believe it. In all my 20 years here no one has bested my sub?! Color me impressed kiddo's. Here's your reward." He handed our delirious, overstuffed selves a card with a picture of his face on it winking. "I'm going to go cry in the toilets now." he said as he hurried away. The crowd was cheering and jumping as we were ready to throw up. Luckily I was able to get a better view out of myself from people, and my roommates. There was also the free food I was now able to get. Things almost seemed to be looking up right now.

We had our fun after the events of the competition. Hudson, Jagal, and even Raymond all thanked me as we stumbled back up to our rooms. "Heh, I knew there was a reason I woke up late today." I said smiling as we entered the dorm. We all collapsed in our beds.

"We won, arghh, but at what cost." Hudson complained. "Is that why you don't like, huff, eating out with us?"

"Yeah, something like that." I groaned. We all laughed and eventually took our naps. Going was a good idea. Free food without the use of points, and full for the rest of night. I guess we bonded over a sub today. At least I proved some use for them, that's good.

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!

-SecretSerpent22