Times Just Like This

(Part One: Section One)
*It's not school, It's a way of life*
POV Necko Shecowoma)

"I just don't think I'm ready" The happy glow slowly faded from my eyes. "I'm sorry, I really am... I just don't think I can take a large step into intimacy with you... at least not now... not with everything that has happened to me..." She continued, nervously.

There was a long awkward silence.

"I understand" I nodded and put my arm around her. She looked at me, but I started before she could continue, I decided to finish her thought. "I know... we're still young and you have your whole life ahead of you..." and this is only the third month, I reminded myself. "...now you feel stuck, and I don't want to put you in a position where you don't know what to do.”

“You want to meet my desire, but stay true to how you were raised. I- I'm sorry I rushed you. I should never have pushed you like that" I finished and looked out my car, the radio still dimly on. A single star had shown above the polluted area.
"And that's why I love you" I looked at her surprised. "You have what most people want... feelings and understanding... you have the ability to love." She gave me a hug, here dark blonde hair warming my neck. For a single heart beat... I felt safe and in love. My ears twitched. Just as the hug started, it also ended. She pulled away from my face just a few inches.
"One day I will be ready," She said. "And I just hope you'llstill be waiting for me"

(Part 2 section 1)
(POV Cloud Antonio)

"BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP!!!" the alarm clock awoke me from my sleep.
"Come on Cloud, we have to get to class!" A pillow flew toward my face. After dodging it swiftly I looked at the alarm clock, still annoyed of the sound.

I jumped out of bed.

"It Looks like someone had a good dream" His eyes were peering down, a dark smile on his face. I looked down too.

"Damn Man! Why you looking at my junk!" I yelled, covering myself with my pillow. Half embarrassed, I yelled back at him “What is your problem?”

"Well when you leave you park open of course some family of rich kids is going to make fun of the dirt everywhere" He laughed and then turned out the door. Ashamed by my inability to cover myself, I jumped up and grabbed my pants, and a black T- shirt. So much for modesty. I put on my shoes, though they were white, my fur managed to make what I was wearing match.

By the time the first bell had rung, I saw my room-mate Tyler walking around the main hall of Patriarch High.
I tried to avoid him as normal, and left through the Main office space in the parking lot to the field. I began to wonder about my friend who in fact was the most perverted animal you would have known. Why would his mother and father not set him straight... or did they know? Did they even care? Maybe they just tried to forget it and sent him to this school. Not that it was a bad school, in fact, it was one of the best in America. Maybe they just wanted him away.
While walking I noticed I was circling a bench. This bench wasn’t getting me anywhere but neither were my thoughts... so hell, I thought, Why not sit.

"Um... hello... Cloud" Great! What could it possibly be now! can I ever
walk... sit or let alone breath by myself!

"Yes?" I answered looking up to see Tenisha, a dark brown fox prodding
me with her paw.

"I- I was wondering if..." before she could finish, Tyler had spotted me and jogged over to where I was sitting.

"I got a date with Terra!" he yelled. His face showed excitement.

"Any feelings onto why I may care?" I asked a little made that he scared Tenisha away. What did she want anyway?

"Well she has this smoking hot sister who-" I frowned. He was trying to get me a date again.

"Forget it Tyler... There's more fish to fry than some double date twin" I flashed out in anger. “I would rather be single then get set up with a date by you.”

"Dude... What has your whiskers in a bundle?" He asked sitting down next to me.

"I'm sorry... I just... I just need some time to think about some things, and start planning for the future. I mean.... we are in high school dude. It is our last year, and it is bad enough all the teachers are telling me about what schools I could make it to." He nodded then stood.

"It's okay... I- I have to leave for my second period" he started to walk away.

I looked at my watch.

I could be late if I wanted. Only 4 weeks left of school, and I never missed a day. Being a senior... It's a simple job. At least for me it had been simple... besides the occasional mishaps that happened here.

But I wasn't about to kill my keen timing now. I rose up and walked back inside the school.

I saw Tenisha walking down the hallway, holding her books in front of her.

What did you want? I almost found myself asking.

I went into my next class.

Nothing exciting ever happens here.


(Part Three: Section 1)
(POV: Necko Shecowoma)
I walked along the United Wolves football field, glancing around the benches, recalling everything that had happened the night before. It was a sad and disappointing night, but I had found out that if I really did love Kesha... I would give her space... I would give her time... I would give her the world, anything she needed I would be the first to get up and do it. As life would move on, I would slowly realize that if I would live without her... there would be no point in living a life at all.
"Necko! Necko! Nice way to be blown off!" It was Shalor. I could tell by the sound of his voice. Besides his outward stupidity, he had enough credits, like me, stacked up. We didn't even have to attend the last 4 weeks of school, except for the finals. "Your a senior man! Get out a bit! Get laid! come on, you have the rest of your life to be faithful!" I nodded but still had no clue what he meant.
"What in gods name are you talking about?" I asked, but he just nudged me.

"We are almost out of this shit hole you call a school, and we need to get out! Grab some bitches! Grab some booze! What about the twins? Tina and Tanu? The bunnies come on, they're up for anything!"
"I cant understand you when you make everything sound like one long question. And anyway... I already have a girl friend" I responded irritably.
"Have you had sex yet?"
"No..."
"Then lose the V-Club card! You need to lose your V!"
"Why are you yelling? And I wish you would stop calling it that. You act like it's some kind of burden I have to carry. I'll lose it to someone I care about"
"And when will that be?"
"Soon.... or whenever"
"Huh... really? Or are you just bullshitting?"
"Damn Shay Shay, get off my damn case!"
The conversation was over when I said his nickname. I had officially pissed him off. He had never told me why he hatted it so much though. I just used it to get him to leave me alone.
"I'll see you in class" I said before giving him the chance to talk, and I walked away... lost in my thoughts again.

It was simple for me really. All I had to do was walk across compass to my second
period. I would be late, but there I would see Kesha, and she would
notice me as if I was the only one in the world.

(Part 4 section 1)

(POV: Cloud Antonio)

After the first two periods, I felt exhausted. It seemed as if the lunch bell would never ring, but eventually, and with grace, it did. When I went to the lunch room I was past by a good friend of everyone, Maximer, who was rushing to lunch as if he had never eaten before in his entire life time.

For some, reason I never knew, He had been the life of the party, I think it was because he had it all since my freshmen year.
Money, Imported cars, games, anything, he had it before anyone else. I
decided to stand behind him.

"Hello Cloud? That's your name right?" It was some girl I had never seen before, but sure enough I had heard of her. Luna Shakespeare, Maximer's Step sister, a trade student from some fancy-spunky school in England. Accalia would be shocked. She had this strange obsession with things not from her home country. England was more or less her favoured country, she even loved it more than America its self. She even shared her accent to her few friends, I had over heard a few times, although how soft spoken she was.
"They sent you so I can tour you around the school compass huh?" she looked at me in Surprise.
"How did you know?" She asked. I could hear her light accent.
"Well... You're new... and I'm the most responsible student here, so sure they're going to tell me to do important things that involve being up and about the school away from classes"
"You don't get to talk to your friends much huh?" how did she figure that?
"No..." I said letting out a sigh.
"And the friends you have are total immature jerks?" I nodded, not knowing why. "And your the only smart one?" I felt uncomfortable on how close to home base she was.
"Yes....." I answered.
"Well consider me your first true friend" I smiled as she put out out her hand. I extended my hand out as well. She grabbed my hand and shook. I turned around to take a lunch tray. She hunched over my shoulder. "This food is very different from the food I eat in my
country"
"I can only imagine" I grumbled. "Why did you transfer here?" I ventured.

"Because one gets tired of just staying in one place, that's why my father married an American girl, and now here I am, in new air that is indeed different from the usual, and is most pleasant to say the least" She finished. The air here was dirty though... So why did she
like it?
"Change would be nice for me too, I've lived here for too long" I smiled, and sat down at a round table that was empty
"Maybe I can take you one day..." She started
"Hey! Cloud what's up?!" Tyler came and sat across from me. Here we go... "Excuse me toots, sorry to intrude your conversation, but I have to talk to my friend for a second" I frowned.
"What is it then?" I asked.
"I got sponsored!" My frown lifted
"As in... A sponsor? For... Your skateboarding? That's... That's.... fucking epic!"
"I know!" that was a we could say, a lose of words.
"Sorry Luna... Um... Talk again sometime?"
"Sure" she smiled as I got up, took a bite of bread, and left the lunch room,
leaving my tray.

I should have invited her...

Would she come if I had?

(Part 5 section 1)

(POV: Necko Shecowoma)

"Hey Necko" Shalor said to me as I passed by him at the end of lunch. "I'm sorry for... You know"
"It's cool bro, I shouldn't have done some things too, so.... What's up? Any date plans tonight?"
"Naw, you want to catch a movie or something?"
"Sure, is it alright if I bring Kesha?"
"Of course! You know I have too short a life to not live it with all my friends" and the old Shay Shay was back, living for the moment, a crazy ass pessimist, and thought provoking optimist. The Shalor I missed dearly... and here I am... The ball and chain, holding him back from his free and dangerous life... That was my job and I enjoyed it.
"So 8p.m. At the Central Plaza Theatre sound good?"
"You know it" he smiled, reviling his sharp pointed teeth.
"See you there Nick's" I nodded. Then turned, threw my lunch tray in the garbage and began to move to the next period, Extra Curricular
Activities of our choice (Or ECA).
"Kesha!" I called out, seeing her talking to some of her friends. Rachel was with her.
"Necko? What's wrong?" she broke of the conversation with her friends for a moment. She looked concerned.
"Nothing's wrong babe, I just wanted to know if you would like to
catch a move with me and Shalor?"
"Aren't you mad at him or something?" I forgot that I told her everything.
"We made up, we're cool now"
"Good, I knew you two couldn't be mad at each other for long" I smiled, so did she. "So yes, I'll see you then, come pick me up?" I nodded then leaned in to kiss her, she made no resistance and returned the lean. We kissed one more time.
"See you later!"
"Yeah, see you later"

My car would come to use tonight.

(Part 6 Section 1)

(POV: Cloud Antonio)


"The sponsorship deal is small, and does not have all the benefits of a normal expensive sponsor, but $550 every demo sounds good to me"
"Dude... There's frickin' 52 Demo's a year!"
"I know"
"Then why the hell are you so calm?!?"
"I'm not! I'm practically shitting my pants!" I looked at his pants
"I see that, but I better get my cut, you know, for sending in the application, and video"
"Dude... I'm your best friend, of course I'll hook you up
once I go Pro!" I smiled.
"In like a Ka-billion fucking years!" he laughed when I said that.
"So any plans tonight?"
"None"
"What to go see a movie?" what's up with him and movies?
"Hell I don't see why not"
"What movie?"
"Finial Fur Frenzy 2"
"That's out already?"
"Yup"
"Or.... The Fast And The Neko's 6"
"Sure"
"You think we should invite the new girl?" I asked.
"Hell, it's your choice Romeo, your love life doesn't involve me"
"Hey! I just want to have some fun and make a new friend... It's a total sausage fest here!" he laughed.
"So tonight at 8?"
"Sure bro, see you there, I got to get to class"
"Okay" I left and felt a tingle of satisfaction knowing that I would be able to talk to Luna again... So what if I liked her a bit, she did seem to complete me in some way.

Just then my phone buzzed. I quickly grabbed it, shuffling over my pocket items. Forwarded message. I almost decided not to answer it, but temptation struck. It was probably a message of some guy sending pictures of his girlfriend he broke up with, saying she is a slut. It was just some random text

message about luck, more or less like this.

---------------------------------
FWD; FWD; FWD; FWD; FWD; FWD; xD
Subject: New Love

(uh oh.... I was thinking)

Message: 'OMG! Look! The new girl Luna, the exchange student, with cloud chatting, But a bit to close for comfort. '

(How did these assholes even get my fucking number?)

'I think its a new love! Send this to 21 people, and you will marry your high school love.'
-----------------------------------

Oh Fish crap....

(Part : 7 Section : 1)

It was time for Study Hall, Most of us never attended anyway. Since it was last period, most of us just left for our dorms. It was a time for partying and beer, and for the first time in what felt like forever, we were going to have a rave, from about 5pm to 4 or four in the morning on Maximer's budget. It would be fun, but not my idea of a way to spend a date, I had a Movie to attend.

Who's idea was it to put 125 kids in one room unsupervised at the end of the day?

School was almost out for the way anyway.

"Yo Neck's! Let's go! The party is in the girls dorms, I can't be late, I'm hitting up the twins later tonight." I sighed. He turned around and crawled threw a hole that was used to go on either side of the dorms, well hidden by an AC-DC poster, and no teacher would touch that. Genius.
"Don't get any STD's!" I called, he pulled out 2 condoms and I laughed,
he was way ahead of me.
"And do me a favor. lose the V-Card tonight would ya?" He threw me a condom, out of shock I caught it. He left threw our dorm window to the poster.
"Buzz buzz buzz!" my phone went off, And I Scrambled so get it in my
back pocket. A forwarded message.

I decided not to answer it, and deleted it.

I sat on the bed for a minute and sent a test to Kesha.

Hey babe... You going to the party?
4:30pm

Can't, Head hurts
4:30pm

I wasn't about to go anyway
4:31pm

So, want to take a walk around the lake?
4:32pm

Sure :D
4:32pm

hehe, so... See you by the bench\?
4:33pm

Okay, later babe, see you there.
4:33pm

;P
4:34pm

I put my phone away and took off out the window, Cautious to who might see me leave, but no one was there, a Friday night, No classes this weekend, only free time to party. First week back at school, and it was going well. I slipped passed the female dorms, and toward the field. There she was, as Beautiful as I had remembered.
"Necko" she smiled and headed toward me.
"Hey" I gave her a hug. "Ready? We got a few hours, I'm up for anything. got a book?"
"Yup...." she replied.
"A walk then a cuddle?" I asked
"Sweet, but of course"

So this is what my mother meant when she talked of love with my father.

Too bad he was no longer with us.

(Part 8 Section 1)
(POV: Cloud Antonio)

I made my way to the girl dorms, and could hear the music
blasting. Everyone jumping up and down to the music, mostly rap and
hip-hop, which in a way was alright. The bass was insane, The Strobe
lights where bright against the now decorated walls. 'Glitter and
Girls' Tyler would put it.

At first the new light, and flashes blinded me, but I got quickly
used to it. When your a part of moblistic family, you grow used to the
fact that clubs are just a simple way of life. Well... That and
gunshots.

My heart became intone with the song beats.

Maximer eventually decided that this kind of music did not suit him well, and began to play his version of rave music, which some people were not to happy about. But they kept dancing. What choice did they have?
"Hey cloud! What took you so long?" Tyler asked, smirking at a few girls as they past. "Beautiful chicks huh?" I couldn't hear him well.
"Yeah... right, so I see everyone is pretty pumped?"
"You think?" He laughed "No... Not the party... The chicks!" I laughed.
"Make your old man proud" I joked.
"Yup... I told them By the way"
"What that your a senior praying on the underclassmen?"
"Well... That too, but I told them that I got sponsored!"
"Yeah... Spit it out. What the hell did they say?"
"Well my mother was over-joyous, my father... 'Hope you get a
concussion you damn punk'... I'm not even a punk! I'm a skater! There
is a difference"
"Sure..." Was All could say.
"Let's just party already" He said and moved toward the crowed. I smiled and moved on with him.
"Who else have you told?" I asked.
"Are you kidding?"

"No"
"I told the whole damn school! Its a fucking chick magnet!" I smiled. "Dude, you smile to much... Its kinda' creepy, you should stop that"

"Yeah... Whatever" I made an angry face and he laughed.
"So, shall we hook up with some chicks?"
"Naw man... Not trying to get drunk... And you know what I say about women"
"Aw shit man! Come on... I still remember when I put roofies in your beer..."
"That's why I'm never drinking with you again"
"....And you fell asleep in like 2 minutes! I still have that video"
"Why the hell are we still friends?" I asked mockingly.
"Because now... I get laid... AND PAID!"
"Yeah...but only one of them is true"
He sighed "Yup"

(Part 9 section 1)

(POV: Necko Shecowoma)

Her legs swung as we sat down on a bench. "It's funny, you know... How
both of us have had about the same life" she began.
"Explain"
"Well, we both came to this school in our 2nd year, skipped a grade,
over excelled, have drunken family's , and... We're both in love"
"I see, so I wasn't the only smart one?" I mocked
"Oh shut-up!" she laughed and hit me with her purse.
"Ow.... That hurt about this Much" I held out my two fingers apart by nearly an inch.
"Your such an ass!" I laughed at this.
"But you happen to love this ass huh?"
"Depends on how much you tip..." I leaned over for a kiss, she blushed a bit, her ears hanging back just a little. my ears twitched.
"What you reading?" I asked.
"Furry Potter" she said showing be the book
"What book is it?"
"The chamber of fur"
"Sounds like a decent book."
"Yup"
"..." there was a brief pause.

"Necko... I have been thinking and stuff. About us I mean... do you think we are really going anywhere?" She asked.

"What do you mean!?" I asked.

"Am I boring to you?" she asked in concern, no longer leaning on my shoulder.
"Of course not babe... Why would you say something like that Kesha? I love you!"
"I know... But it's still to early to call it that, you know it"
"Yeah, but we were made for each other! At least I'm sure if it"
"I think so too, but... What if it's not what is meant to be?"
"Our destiny? Then... We will part when parting is due... But do you
really think that-"
"I do, if we both seek a comfortable life if we get married... Then where is the excitement? The thrill? We would have a perfect life... And I don't want to die like that... I mean we are both about the same... there is too much that is the same about us... and it is almost like I am dating myself."
"But you won't! I swear I'll do anything I can to make you happy I'll cross oceans, Jump threw fire! Kesha... I would die to make you happy...! I would change anything for you."
"That's why I'm saying this. I don't want you to change yourself, you are perfect, just not perfect for me. I love you... You know that, but you are to dependent on what I want... You never focus on what you want. Face it Neck, your not born a thrill taker. We can't live like this, too calm... Too romantic.... Too... Normal"
"I see, I really do. So I hope you have a nice long meaningful relationship With whoever crazy and exotic person you may Meet, but I want you to know, I always love you"
"We can still be friends right?"
"Yeah... I guess so" I scratched my head. She kissed me softly on the cheek.
"I'm not leaving you you know... I just need some time to be free... To think."
"I understand, I will always understand" She stood up and started to walk away. I almost called out to her... but I stop myself and rose. I began to walk. I felt as if my heart would burst, As if it was to heavy to hold itself. For the first time, in a life time, I knew what true sadness meant. To be striped of the things that make you happy, and until I met her, nothing made me happy... And nothing ever will again, and there was nothing for me to live for.

I turned around to watch. I was dumped like trash.

The good guys never win.


(Part : 10 section : 1)
I walked outside to escape from the noise. I could still see the light from outside, the windows flashing. I sat down on a chair near Max's pool. A girl passed me.
"Hey... Luna" I said as she walked by with a cup. "Your drinking tonight?"

She laughed. "Only tea"
"I didn't know you where a tea drinker" I smiled.
"It's a trend where I live" she smiled back.
"Then we have many trends to share, have we not?" I said, trying not to smile any more than I already had.
"You Americans party real strange" She said.
"Yeah? How is that?" I asked.
"Why are there so many flashing lights? And why is the building vibrating? It's all so..." she paused.
"Hectic? Yeah... Welcome to the states" she smiled. "So... What are
you doing here? I mean besides wanting something new?"
"You're a very good observer" I blushed "Well, since I'm now your new
friend, I guess I got to tell you"
"Waiting for you madam" I said.
"I'm sure you know this but, Maximer is my brother, well... Step
brother. My father married his mother, and now I'm here"
"Oh... I see. Do you like it so far?" I asked
"As I said before, it's different, even strange... But I can't say so yet, because my observations are still from my own experiences."
"Okay... I get you. I could..."
"Could what?"
"Show you around town" I said quickly.
"Are you asking me on a date Lad?" I blushed
"Yea-Yeah" I answered. she smiled
"Why I would love to see your fantastic town! We are still going to the movies though? You and I?"
"Well, you, me and the rest of the theater." she noticed my sarcasm
in less then a second. I could tell by the look she made.
Before she could say anything, Tyler was already there. "Yo Cloud!
Come on man! Join the party!" he was drunk... I sighed.
"No, Tyler" I just talked to him less then five minutes ago! I forgot he was a lightweight.
"You should go" I turned around surprised.
"Bu-but" I stammered
"Go have some fun Cloud, I'll see you later tonight anyway" She was firm.
I smiled and walked away. I turned around one more time and she was gone.

It was Tyler who broke the silence. "You really have a thing withthat chick?" he asked, a bit serious, still drunk though.

"No... Not exactly" I answered.

"Dude... I'm not stupid, you look at her different than any othergirl, and ALL the chicks want you man. You know that. So... Why her?"
He actually seemed to be thinking here.
"She... Is just a good friend-"
“Dude! You never make good friends on the first day! And get THAT close" He smiled. "Come on man, tell me! I'm only going to tell the whole school!" He sent the massive text message! He sent the forwarded message!
"Maybe, I like her just a little"
"You big mope! Declare it to the whole damn world!" He said. I laughed a bit.

"All right then! Damn man! Calm your Tits!" I said blushing from embarrassment.

"I already see love blooming! Fire in your eyes! Balks in her mouth!"

"You pervert"

We laughed.

(Part 11 Section 1)
*Same night at 7:30*

When I finally decided to go back to the high-school ,the party was over, and the cops had finally arrived.

I sighed.

Just another weekend here.

I had one thing to look forward too however. If Shalor had managed to get away clean (And somehow he always does) then we would sit to a nice movie at 8pm. Glorious.
"Necko! Hey man." I saw Shalor walking toward me. Not drunk? What the hell? This is a first.
"You didn't drink tonight?" I asked.
"No, but I got laid... Again" I sighed. "But by the bunnies we could have shared! It was fun, yeah, but my bro wasn’t there to cheer me on!" I laughed.
"And it was just sex?"
"Yeah, they were just perfect bitches for a good evening"
"I ask again, how do woman find your sense of rejecting them, using them, and trashing them ... Attractive??"
"Beats me, I was just born this way" I was disgusted, but he sure seemed to be doing something better then me. "I heard about you and Kesh... I'm sorry dude"
"Wait... How the hell did you know?" I asked confused.
"Dude... The whole school knew from the second it happened. You know there are no secrets here. I'm sure you remember Lexia and The teacher Jaden right?" how could I forget. Jaden had made a move on Lexia, and they dated, but when the school found out, they broke things off to save his job, and Lexia moved away. But Dr. Jaden was still here, Teaching mathematics. Only 23.

"Yeah... Of course I remember that... It spread all over the school like skid marks in your underwear." I laughed, his face didn't change. "Well news about your break up is EVERYWHERE. the football team has been crushing on your chick"

"That's a joke right?"

"No... I wish it was"

"Has she... Went for any offers?"

"Yes, In fact... She is dating Jason"

"That big ass football jock!?"

"Yup"

"Well, she'll have excitement alright" I said to myself.
"Dude, that's just a sign that you need to get out more, You're so fucking afraid of women it's pathetic. What about your friend Rachel?"

"Well, me and Rachel only really have potential as friends."

"But you never asked her on a date... So how do you know? The point is to ask enough girls, at least one of them might listen, and the one who does might just like the idea of a date."

"Okay... I got it"

"Look out world! Necko the dating newbie is here! And... This time, don't let the chick posses your mind. If your not married then hang lose. No point in wearing a tight collared shirt If your just going to take a walk."

"Okay... Simple enough"

"After the movie, I'll be your wingman, and if you don't puss out, then you should finally be pussed in"

"Gross thing to say" I said. It was all I could think about. "Your a good friend"

"I try my best" he said.

"Boy... Your just full of sunshine"

"It's my job"