On full display

That evening ended with a lot of laughter and new bonds between the newbies of the Literature club and the old members. Lili wanted everyone to head home before 7. Since Lauren was so taken by her rich and deep conversation with Yanis she didn't notice Wyatt and Matthew head out. That's why when they were to get out of the class she was pretty surprised that they weren't there anymore but their bags were still next to their chairs. She asked Lili if she saw them and she nodded, saying they got out.

Lili had to close the room so everyone had to pack their things, clean up and then head out. Since Lauren couldn't get out without her friends bags she called Wyatt knowing that he always has his phone on him. It rang for a second then he picked up

Lauren: "Bitch, where Da fuck is your ass?"

Wyatt: "sheesh not so loud dummy you gonna make me deaf. (*sigh*) I'm sitting on the bench closest to the Art Facility"

Lauren: "big guy is with you?"

Wyatt: "yeah"

Lauren: "Well, Lili is about to close the room so get back here Asap and take your bags"

Wyatt: "Okay"

With that Wyatt hang up and proceeded to tell Matthew who fell asleep. He looked so calm yet anxiety was clear on his tired face. Wyatt frowned a bit in frustration. Speciesm was for a long time a real curse on this world, and despite society trying to be more equal with rights, things are still going the same...sometimes even in the open. Whether it's at school like in this case or even in the government administration. It's everywhere like a disease spreading its roots all over the body of this world. Mixiesm might be the newest form of Speciesm but the latter still exists. It was revolting Wyatt yet he knew that he couldn't do much about it.

He looked at Matthew's jaw, where the faint trail was. He followed the trail up to see where the wound was. He leaned in to get a better view and spotted it. It wasn't that bad, a small cut and slightly swollen. Wyatt recalled this was done by a metal bat, yet Matthew's jaw was not broken or at least didn't seem to be. Just how thick was his skull.

While looking at the wound he didn't notice the alligator had his eyes open and was looking at him. Wyatt immediately stumbled backwards and apologized which make Matthew laugh.

Matthew: "you are a weirdo (*chuckle*)"

Wyatt felt slightly offended but looked away in embarrassment.

Wyatt: "your wound ...isn't that bad"

Matthew: "oh is it now Doc? (*chuckle*)"

Wyatt: "ha ha, anyway we got to get back to the room and take our bags before Lili closes it"

Matthew got up and closed his eyes stretching a bit. In the process his shirt lifted a bit and Wyatt had a quick glance at what seemed to be V-lines and abs and blushed. His eyes went where he didn't want them to and it was mass-

Matthew: "Huh...Wyatt? You okay?"

Wyatt jolted and looked up at him.

Wyatt: "yeah yes, let's go"

Wyatt turned nervously and walked rapidly. Matthew just followed chuckling at the silliness of Wyatt. To the alligator, Wyatt was pretty similar to his own little brothers. They were always the kind to be clumsy and joyful. It was funny to see that someone has kept such a childish side. Matthew looked at Wyatt walked as if he was being chased but didn't want to run either. He took out his phone "6: 54 PM" He had a text from his mother "Aaron please could you buy some groceries before heading home, I will send you the list. Don't drive too fast" he replied with a smiling emoji and pocketed his phone. He got another notification and it was probably the list. He ignored it for now and went in the room. Wyatt had already been taking his bag and was talking with the black cat, Nancy he recalled. As he got closer she was on the leave passing next to him and giving him a quick tiny smile. He waved his gigantic hand and kept his track to the others.

There was no one else in the room aside from Lauren, Wyatt and Lili. The others have probably been gone before they started walking in here. Lili went to Matthew and walked him a bit to the side.

Lili: "hey Matthew was it? Are you okay? Was it too overwhelming or something?"

Matthew looked at her puzzled for a second then remembered he barely stayed the time for presentation then went out and that probably must have confused some of the people in.

Matthew: "My apologies, I didn't mean to be rude. I huh...(*sigh*) I just needed fresh air"

Lili smiled and looked behind at Wyatt who was lifting Matthew's bags with Lauren.

Lili: "He sure is a sweetheart, keep him close, he worried about you"

Matthew had a gentle smile and looked at Wyatt.

Matthew: "He is kind. A really good friend, funny when I think we met barely 2 days ago."

Lili: "Friendship sometimes isn't about how long you hang out but how quick you click with the person. It can start in seconds."

Matthew: "I guess"

Lili: "Okay now shooo get all out of this room so I can get back to my thesis"

Lili shouted as everyone scurried out. Matthew took his bags from Wyatt with a gentle smile. They got out of the room and walked away as they waved at Lili.

Lauren: "oh my Gaaaad you guys left me alone, can't believe it. Fortunately for you I met someone...intelligent hmm I'm not sure yet, still need some debates but he is good"

Matthew: "The leopard?"

Lauren: "yeah, wait how di-"

Matthew: "you did this (*faking to be offended and mimicking Lauren face when the leopard introduced himself*) so it was obvious you were going to talk with him"

Lauren: "That's not me (*dismissing with a move of her finger*) nope, I do not recognize this"

Matthew chuckled and Wyatt was more preoccupied by something else.

Wyatt: "so guys, about Saturday night since we will be sleeping over at my place, I thought about like a movie night or games if you rather go for that."

Lauren: "depends what movie do you want me to watch?"

Wyatt: "I dunno, that's why I asked dummy"

Lauren: "yeah since your taste must be so lame, how about a Marvel movie? Captain America because there's my baby Chris Evans in there (*giggle*)"

Wyatt: "then we won't watch that (*maniacally laughing*) I am so evil"

Matthew pinched Wyatt's ear earning a yelp from him and a confused look.

Matthew: "How about horror movie? So we can actually have fun mocking the silly characters yelling and having dumb ideas"

Lauren: "I don't like horror movies but the idea of mocking people on it sounds lovely"

Wyatt rubbed his ear, Matthew didn't pinch that hard but he sure felt it.

Wyatt: "horror movies? That huh well, sure but which one. Most of them aren't scary and even the scary ones are either old or boring at first."

Matthew: "I remember an old movie that had quite a success at some point. It's called Ghost ship"

Wyatt ears fell flat.

Lauren: "by the look on your face I get that you know it"

Wyatt: "That movie got me traumatized for life about boats and the sea. I had nightmares for almost a year on that movie."

Matthew: "Yeah I remember having some issues after watching it but nah it's fine"

Wyatt: "I wasn't supposed to be awake when I sneaked into the living room and saw my Father watch it...I watched it mostly because I was frozen in fear with my eyes glued on the screen. I was like 8 or 9."

Lauren: "Bravo (*applauding sarcastically*) You thought you were grown-up, it's good it traumatized you, it taught you a lesson. Don't sneak up to watch movies when you are underage"

Wyatt grunted a bit.

Matthew: "oh common, it will be fun. Besides you are now grown-up, maybe it would be even funny to recall how silly it was to be afraid of it back then"

Matthew enthousiasm got on Wyatt who couldn't help but finally agree.

Wyatt: "Alright, Ghost ship it is. I think my dad still has like the DVD somewhere, I will look for it"

Matthew: "great"

Lauren's phone beeped and she took it out.

Lauren: "okay guys, gotta go"

Before Matthew could even ask a thing, Lauren was already out of the gates.

Matthew: "That's...she was in a hurry I can see. Didn't know she could run that fast"

Wyatt: "didn't know she could hurry to anything"

They chuckled as they walked.

Matthew: "I drop you home right?" (*looking down from the corner*)

Wyatt: "Oh I don't want to be ..."

Matthew: "it will be safer than heading home late alone...in the dark (*faking ghost noises*) boooooo"

Wyatt shoved him on the side and talked

Wyatt: "Dummy, okay fine..."

Wyatt recalled the las experience. The high speed combined to his body being pressed (un)comfortably on Matthew made him fluster.

Matthew: "oh but I have to get some groceries first if you don't mind"

Wyatt: "huh sure okay"

They walked to the parking and went to Matthew's bike.

Matthew took out the second helmet from the trunk and passed it to Wyatt. When he wore it he climbed on the bike and Matthew laughed.

Matthew: "Your way of climbing on this bike is really...(*looking for terms*)uncanny"

Wyatt turned to his left to look at him as he was stretching a bit.

Wyatt: "I don't get your point but I don't care, I never rode a bike how am I supposed to know how we just get on this properly"

Matthew got closer to the bike and displayed how it was done. In the process his arm brushed Wyatt's side. Then he sat just behind him and said "see not so complicated"

Wyatt: "ha ha, yeah sure"

Matthew got comfortable and both his arms were enveloping Wyatt again which made him feel like a child.

Matthew: "hold the handles please"

Matthew said as he started the bike. Wyatt did so and the bike rapidly made its way out of the gates with Wyatt screaming he was about to die and Matthew just laughing through his helmet.

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Lauren was sitting at the back of a car. The silence was pending for a while now until someone spoke from the driver's sit.

?: "So how's it going? You sure do end quite late"

Lauren: "yeah well today we had a meeting of a club I joined. How's work going love?"

?: "pretty good, just had an argument with my boss"

Lauren: "Preston, this is the third time this month. At this rate you will get fired"

Preston: "Nah, he is a shithead but he knows when he is wrong. Besides I am already planning on quitting. Found a new job at C-Tech"

Lauren: "Really? That's great, my friend Wyatt's father works there as well. So he might be your boss since you will work for tech development software right?"

Preston: "oh I see. I haven't met the HR yet to finalize all the papers. Plan on doing it by the end of this month."

Lauren: "okay love...your ass"

Preston: "my ass what?"

Lauren: "Just your ass becuzz I can say it"

Preston: "Weirdo"

Lauren: "you love me I knoooow" (*chuckling*)

Preston: "I hope light has been fixed at home, I didn't check."

Lauren: "light?"

Preston: "yeah, Dad called me while I was working, he told me that there was a power issue in the city. Apparently there was an issue with one of the electric generator. It sorta exploded or something"

Lauren: "Damn that's awful. They know the cause"

Preston: "I don't know, I just read the news about it. One of the converter was weakened and it resulted into an overload and boom "

Lauren: "For a city so proud of its technology, there is way too much issue with it"

Preston: "well, I just hope they already fixed the issue"

Lauren: "yeah..."

They sighed as the car was stopping at a traffic light.

Preston: "you school sure is boogie. I think I saw some kind of dome on top of those buildings, what's that?"

Lauren: "yeah It's giving rich vibes. Those are actually meant for the rooftop pools"

Preston: "why do you even have those?!"

Lauren: "who am I to complain about pools with such a unique design. I might spend my time up there more"

Preston: "You sure are enjoying this. Glad you do sis. So you told mom you were going out on Friday? And you only come home on Sunday?"

Lauren: "huuuuuh well no. But I have a plan, I know for sure she won't let me. But I will tell her I am going to visit Cassie"

Preston: "Cassie? Isn't she in another state right now?"

Lauren: "Mom doesn't know that, she still thinks she is here. So I am going to tell her I want to see my big sister I miss so much (*chuckle*)"

Preston: "At this point I am questioning your mental health. Lying is a thing, lying to mom. She might not be the sharpest knife in the shelf but she sure will smell something is fishy"

Lauren: "That's why you are gonna help"

Preston: "You know how I work, I help you but not for free (*grinning*)"

The car started moving again at the green light.

Lauren: "you are making your little sister pay for your help"

Preston: "Add some extra and I might even plead for you to stay out more than she can normally agree on"

Lauren: "Talk about a manipulator"

Preston: "That's a heavy word, I would see myself as a good dealer"

Lauren: "more of a bargainer"

Preston: "you name it"

Lauren: "Fine, what do you want?"

Preston: "Two weeks of dishes"

Lauren: "hmmm that's pretty low of you oh my gaaaad."

Preston: "you can still hope she won't find it suspicious of you then"

Lauren: "fine fine. 1week and 3 days"

Preston: "1 week and 4 days"

Lauren growled a bit before sighing.

Lauren: "Deal."

He chuckled as the car was slowing at a traffic jam. Lauren looked through her window at the building's light. In this part of town, the building were really bright with lights on all day and all night. It was quite the streets of light. She yawned as she took out her phone and some earbuds. She put them on and started listening to "Dynamite - BTS" she vibed as she started going through her feed.

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A heavy thud noise echoed in this dark hallway. There was a striking sound as if lightning was going wild on the walls. A silhouette almost too tall for the hallway was making its way towards an open door.

Due to the hallway darkness, the light of the door seemed too bright as it was the only thing shining here...that and the eyes of the silhouette. Those were a bit narrowed as if tired as a dot with dim purple glow was making its own light. The silhouette stopped before reaching the door staying in the shadows. Someone from the room where light was one said "Took you long enough...I hope you charged enough, because we have many things to do"

The voice was kinda deep and rock, as if slightly mechanical. Then the silhouette in the shadow made a small and low grunt as the voice was now seeking to someone on the phone. "Keep on watching him closely" on the other side it was the voice of Cassius "Understood" and with that he hanged up.

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The bike was slowing a bit, as Matthew saw the traffic light. He stopped at it and said "you good buddy?" Wyatt was shivering and his hands were tightly holding the bar. He lifted one of his hand gestured a thumbs up. Matthew felt like he needed to be focused on something else so he tapped twice on his helmet right side and a voice echoed in it "what can I do for you Matthew?" The robotic voice said. Matthew said "play favorite n°5" there was a beep then the robotic voice replied "ENHYPEN × Taylor Swift - SHOUT OUT×Blank space playing..." Matthew leaned a bit to Wyatt and his abs were a bit lying on his back. He reached to the right side of Wyatt and pressed a button on the side of the helmet of the latter. Wyatt was confused by the gesture and flustered by the sudden proximity. He could see closely Matthew's hand doing something and he was confused.

Wyatt: "What are you doing?"

Matthew: "Oh nothing special"

As he was done and the light turned green he runned the bike again but this time in their helmet there was something, music was played. It startled Wyatt but he eased up and his stress from being on the bike was fading in seconds, confusion clear on his hidden face but yet intrigued as well.

Matthew was glad as they drove fast on the empty highway. In their ears a beautiful korean interpretation was played. The rythm of the music alongside with the speed of the bike and thus the fading ands speeding lights from building around due to inertia was just gorgeous.

The reflection of those lights was displayed on Wyatt's visor in rapid motion fading to the side. He widened his eyes as it was the first time he saw this part of town. There were so many buildings on the sides with bright orange and reddish lights, the often blue and yellow were just as sublime and it was somehow dancing with the rhythm of the music.

Wyatt couldn't understand the lyrics but he was feeling it and for unknown reason he wanted to lift his hands off the handle bar. And the music was reaching the chorus and he did so. He splayed his arms to the side like he was opening for the wind to hug him. His body was slightly brought backwards due to speed and Matthew was surprised as his body was leaning on him. He just chuckled as he sped up and Wyatt was singing in harmony with the song. He screamed but this time of happiness as he followed the music vibe. His tail was wagging a lot behind him brushing on Matthew making him laugh.

The bike seemed to be out of all concern from this life, for those few minutes under music, the world was silent and yet so loud but they were alone in this little bubble speeding at 75 mph. Thanks to this street being usually empty, there was not so many cars and when there was Matthew would slalom between them.

The limits of speed authorized in the area was 50 mph but since there's no camera nor police patrol around and the road is almost empty, Matthew didn't mind going a bit extra if it meant making Wyatt less anxious. He smiled as the bike was going a bit slower now progressively.

Wyatt put his hands on the bar again but this time he was not shaking he was calm and vibing to the music and kinda dancing, it amused Matthew.

He was glad one of his favorite song was appreciated so much. And like that they made their way towards the grocery store that was closest to Matthew's home.