Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

When some animals ask another what their fondest memory is, they usually bring up a wedding, their first kiss, and some even graduation…

But, for me at least… It was the moment I gained my sight. Years of darkness. Years of wondering exactly ‘who’ I was… It was the first step into my new life.

That very moment changed everything. The moment I realized my family was… quite the unique one.

Of course, I was only two years old when I got my glasses and hearing aid for the first time… I was young, so I never remembered much, but with a memory as powerful as that, who wouldn’t remember it?

The first thing I heard was the soothing voice of my Dad, a yellow Labrador… The same man who always made sure I was cared for. The same one who gave me the soothing taps to make sure I was there, who made sure I was fed and cared for… Even though I never saw or heard him until that moment, I knew who he was.

And my love for him only grew stronger. There wasn’t a moment he wasn’t reaching out for me, a moment where I felt like I was alone. Others call him Jack, but to me, he was my Dad and he was my everything.

But it wasn’t just him I had caring for me I would soon discover. I had not one, but two fathers. In contrast with my dad, my father was a gray wolf, towering almost half a foot above my dad. He appeared naturally more gruff on the exterior, but inside, like my dad he had just as much love to offer me.

While my Dad functioned as my go to animal for comfort and reassurance, my father was my rock. My motivation when things got rough. I wouldn’t be half the animal I am today without him.

None of my siblings would.

It wasn’t just my dads I discovered that day, it was my brothers as well. Initially, I never knew their breeds, only that one was more enthusiastic than the other. One would get so excited while the other was more internalized. But still, I knew they both loved me. Their smells alone radiated affection.

My oldest brother is named Benny, a German Shepherd. Dad would always tell me how excited he was to finally meet me when I first came home. How he would always hold me and guide me around the house. Even before laying my eyes on him, I knew his intentions, which were always noble and kind. His heart was always full of love for us, and without him, I’d feel worse about myself than I already am.

If I had a problem Dad or Father couldn’t understand, I always knew I had Benny to go to.

My second brother is a Labrador-Grey wolf hybrid named Ronin, who was akin to my dads. When he first met me, he was very apprehensive according to my father. But after some time, he started warming up to me, and before you know it, we were as thick as mud. He was always the type of animal who stood up for others, just like my own father… And despite our fights and bickering, he always came through for me.

If I needed someone to get on-level and share a laugh with, I knew I could always rely on Ronin.

And that day I not only discovered my family, but myself. You see… I was never like other animals. Bet you could figure, since I gained both my sight and hearing at two.

Not very many animals have that problem, don’t they?

I’m an Australian Shepherd by breed. Very beautiful, very spry. But, of course with every beautiful breed, there can be a catch.

I have a condition called albinism. My fur is completely white. I’m partially deaf and my eyesight isn’t the brightest… Whenever I see another canine of my breed, I always feel envious to some degree. I know it’s selfish, but sometimes I wonder ‘what if I was like that?’ ‘Why did my parents choose me and not some other canine?’

Every time I thought of something like that, my Dad would always respond in the cheeriest voice.

“We chose you because we love you!” He’d tell me at a young age. “You’re beautiful for who you are! Always remember that, sweetheart!”

Of course, it was easier for the cheery lab to say because he’s my dad. Father would agree with him too.

And whenever I brought it up to my brother, Ronin, who was the only one left in the house after Benny moved out, he’d always respond the same way.

“You’re fine, sis,” he’d say. “If anyone says anything different, you come tell me.”

Although it brought me comfort that my family supported and loved me for who I was, I still had it in my head that no other animal would share their sentiment. For real, how often do you see an albino canine walk the streets with eyes following you?

Sometimes I feel even at fifteen years old, I still don’t know my place in this world.

On that day… my most cherished memory… I may have discovered what I was, but did I discover ‘who’ I was?

Maybe… just maybe, a fresh start would do me good. Seeing other kids my age. Finding out what they like. Their interests, hobbies.

That’s why I was going to Cherryton now, was I? Maybe I was going there not just because of the music scholarship I received, but because fate itself told me it held the key to my answers.

“Hey?”

I mean, going to Cherryton held the answers for Father and Dad, right? So maybe it could offer something for me. Father did drop out, come to think of it.

Maybe I shouldn’t think to much on it, but Father still learned something from it, did he?

“Hello!”

Benny discovered he wanted to be a cop. It’s doing a lot of good for Ronin. So it had to offer something good for me-

“Hey! I’m talking to you!”

With a clap, I was snapped out of my trance. Pulling my earplugs out and glancing around my poster littered room, pencil in hand. I peer up to find a familiar face gazing down at me.

I’d recognize that irritated smirk anywhere.

“Did your hearing aid cut out, or…”

I scoffed, closing my leather journal shut.

“Nope,” I replied sarcastically. “I just didn’t want to hear the rustling coming from your room, Ronin. I mean, how much are you packing in there? This is Cherryton, not a one way trip to Europe.”

Instead of being offended, the grey wolf-labrador hybrid I call a brother playfully punched my shoulder, laughing with me.

“One thing you’re going to learn real quick is that when you don’t think you have enough, pack extra,” my brother cackled.

“And… from the looks of it,” Ronin scanned my room, noticing an empty suitcase lying adjacent to my black guitar case, before letting out another chuckle.

“I uh… I think you’re gonna need more than that guitar, sis.”

I blushed, realizing I wasted most of my morning writing in my journal. When I get caught up in my thoughts, I have the bad habit of losing track of time.

“Hey, Hope!” I heard a gruff voice call from below, resembling Ronin’s. “Are you packed yet? Me and your dad want to say bye before you guys leave!”

Glancing around the room, realizing I haven’t even started to pack, the panic sets in. Rex, how could I be so oblivious?

“She’ll be down in a moment, Father!” Ronin hollers, standing in my door frame, deviously watching me scramble to get my stuff.

“I’ll stall ‘em for as long as I can, but if Dad starts holding us up with pictures, I won’t let you live it down.”

Ignoring my brother, I pull the drawers open, stuffing some clothes and spare Cherryton uniforms in my barren suitcase.

“You’re welcome!” Ronin cackles, closing the door to block out the rustling emitting from my dresser.

Brushing through my sets of uniforms, I examine the long, frilly white dress, letting out a disgusted groan.

“Why did these have to be all white,” I hissed. “I get it’s a nice school, but they didn’t have to look this ugly…” Too much white unsettled me. My fur was white enough with my condition, so it didn’t make sense to wear a uniform like this. For me at least.

Maybe they could make an exception for me? Ah, Rex. Who am I kidding? Even though I won’t like it, I should just suck it up and stop complaining.

But… I mean, they should have just at least added a little bit of black-

“Hope! I still want some pictures when you get down here!” I heard my Dad holler from the bottom of the stairs behind my closed door.

Groaning, I lock my door, preparing to begrudgingly change into my uniform.

Maybe it would look better once I have it on? I had to have been overreacting.

———

“Oh my Rex, sweetheart! You look so beautiful!”

At the bottom of the stairs in the cluttered kitchen, my dad’s Golden tail swished back and forth as I took a seat at the table with my tail in between my legs, disgusted by the puffy white uniform I was wearing.

“Now we just need to wait for your brother! He’s getting his uniform on!” Jack beamed, rushing to get my warm plate of food.

Sitting adjacent to me was my father, a quiet Gray Wolf named Legoshi. He wore a white button up shirt and was sifting through his phone, putting it down to spot me taking my seat, grinning.

“You look really beautiful,” he commented, giving off a warm, toothy smile.

“Oh, doesn’t she!” my Dad beamed, wrapping his arms around Father. “My last baby going off to Cherryton,” he trailed off as if he was going to get emotional again. Father warned me about this days ago.

“Hon,” My Father grabbed his lab’s soft, golden arm. “Remember what we talked about.”

Father told me Dad would take it the hardest. This is Ronin’s last year at Cherryton, and I was starting my first. Plus with Benny out of the house and moved in with his girlfriend, Dad was all over the place. So many changes coming from every direction.

It was too much for him to take to say the least.

“Both of my babies are going to be leaving,” Dad began, holding Father’s paw. “It’s just gonna take some getting used to is all.”

The gentle, kind wolf planted a kiss on my Dad’s fuzzy, yellow head trying soothing his thoughts. Which seemed to work, as Dad ate up all the attention.

“They’ll be back on weekends and holidays, hon,” Legoshi reassured. “And no matter what, they’ll still be yours.”

Dad gripped my Father’s paw, giving him a tender smile. He always knew exactly what to say to calm him down. They’ve known each other since childhood, and my Father, Legoshi, always knew how to ease my Dad.

“They’ll always be here, Jack. Remember that.”

Even though I never liked seeing my parents so intimate, I knew how much Dad was hurting. There was a lot of change in the air, and with my music scholarship, I don’t think Dad quite expected me to leave for Cherryton so soon.

He was happy for me, but sad he had to say goodbye sooner.

Planting one more kiss on Dad’s head, Father strides towards my bags, picking them up one by one without a problem. Even for a wolf in his forties, he was still very spry. And Dad certainly admired that about him.

“I’m taking these to the car. Shouldn’t be long,” Legoshi heaved, using his foot to prop the door open.

My ears shot up, exposing my hearing aid. “Wait,” I began. “I thought me and Ronin were going to take the train,” I picked at my food with my fork.

“Your father will drive you two!” Dad began, motioning for me to finish my food. “It’s a rule that a parent has to go with freshman students. And Ronin’s your brother, not your parent.”

“But,” I began. “Why aren’t you coming with us?”

Dad tensed up. It was like he didn’t want to say why. “Oh, well…” he stuttered. “I thought it was for the best. I don’t want to be an emotional wreck seeing you two off,” he twiddled his fingers.

I couldn’t help but feel guilty. Dad really loved us more than I could imagine. And I couldn’t help but feel ashamed that he’d think I’d be embarrassed, even though this was probably a choice he made himself.

“Aww, daddy,” I cooed, standing from my chair. I knelt down, embracing him and planting a small kiss on his cheek.

“I love you and that won’t ever change. I’ll…” I bite my lip, wondering if what I’m about to say next will come back to bite me.

“I’ll call you every chance I can get,” I promise. My Dad’s golden tail begins to swish back and forth in his seat, finding comfort in my words. This certainly felt like the best thing to say for now.

Breaking off the embrace, Dad looks me up and down in my uniform, with pride glistening in his blue eyes.

“Look at the beautiful young lady you’ve become,” Jack beamed. “I’m so proud of you, hon,” he cooed, clasping his paws over mine.

Hearing those words come from him felt like a soft cloud filling my chest. Every time I feel down or think poorly of myself, it’s always Dad who finds a way to lift me up. Whether it be taking me out shopping or watching my favorite show with me, I always found joy being with him.

Even though I didn’t want to admit it, I’d definitely miss him… More than anyone could realize.

Hearing scampering coming down the stairs, me and Dad turn to find Ronin sporting the standard Cherryton male uniform. The vest and tie really compliment his figure, although knowing him he’d much prefer to wear his black jacket. But unlike me, he’s gotten used to the uniform and doesn’t mind it.

Dad’s tail began swishing again, knocking me in the leg.

“Look at you!” Dad cheered, making Ronin groan. “You look so handsome!”

Ronin rubs the back of his neck, forcing out the next sentence. “Thanks, Dad,” he replied, taking a seat at the table next to me.

Without another word, Ronin turns his attention to me, catching a glance at me in my uniform letting a small chuckle slip out.

“You look like a snowman,” my brother snorts. “I never realized how, uh… ‘poofy’ the skirts were.”

I feel myself getting tense, but keep my cool to dish out a proper comeback, which comes just as easily as Ronin’s.

“Speak for yourself,” I begin, twisting my fork. “That tie sure looks like it’s cutting off the oxygen to your brain.”

Ronin groans, pulling at his collar. Soon, he realized I had a point, noticing how tight it was.

But before my brother could fix it himself, my Dad noticed how tight the tie was. Briskly, he scampers over to him, fiddling with the tie in an effort to fix it.

“Oh, will you two stop,” he cut me off. “Ronin, you’re a senior, you should know how to tie these,”

Ronin never did enjoy my Dad’s overbearing nurturing but he always put up with it. He certainly does have the patience of a saint when it comes to Dad’s coddling. Another thing he gets from Father.

“Well, I wanted to hurry since I knew you’d want-”

“Oh, that’s right!” Dad beamed, leaning up from Ronin once his tie was fixed. “Pictures! How could I forget! Thanks for reminding me!”

Ronin gapes at me, realizing what he has just done, reminding Dad of the very thing that could determine whether we make it to Cherryton or not on time. Dad always was one of those animals who wanted to capture every single moment.

I chuckle, watching him bury his grey and yellow face into his paws.

“Real quick! Come over here!” Dad motioned for me and Ronin to come into the living room, Father being seen in the window stuffing the car with our bags.

“Now you stand here…” Dad gently grabs my shoulders, escorting me to the hallway, wanting me to stand tall. “And you, sir go there.” Doing the same, Dad brings Ronin shoulder to shoulder with me. With the uncomfortable shoes, I stand taller than I once was, my head almost brushing against Ronin’s upper shoulder.

Yeah, he was my brother and I loved him, but we didn’t like being this uncomfortably close to each other.

But, in his excitement, Dad didn’t seem to get the hint.

Pulling his phone out Dad leans into the camera, aiming it at me and Ronin standing side by side, anxiously waiting for the uncomfortable situation to end. Waiting for the camera flash, Dad looks up at the two of us, frowning with his ears drooping to the side.

“Come on, guys,” he sighs, cocking his head to the right. “At least ‘act’ like you two love each other!”

Forcing a smile, I make an attempt to wrap my left arm around Ronin, who is just as uncomfortable as me, trying to initiate the same action with his right arm. The result was the two arms colliding clumsily.

Sniffing the air, I pick up an unpleasant odor emitting from Ronin, wincing, I still keep the smile for Dad’s sake, watching him scramble to adjust the camera for the perfect shot.

“Ugh,” I whine under my breath. “Did you even shower this morning, bro?”

Ronin, still looking in Dad’s direction, keeps up the fake smile all while keeping his giant arm wrapped around my shoulder.

“What?” Ronin groaned, ears shooting up. “What are you talking about? Are you noseblind now or something?”

Scoffing, I dismissed his claim. “Nah, it’s gotta be you,” I tease. “It’s literally right in front of you, can’t you smell it?”

Ronin growled, fed up with my remarks. “Are you sure it isn’t you?” His fur stood up. “Maybe if you-”

“Ahem!” a voice peeped. Immediately, our bickering ceased, turning our attention back to the camera.

Dad tapped his foot impatiently, still not getting the hint that we were too uncomfortably close to each other and wanted to get out the door as soon as possible.

“Can I please get a nice picture without the two of you bickering?” He requested, tail swishing between his legs. Both me and Ronin cease our debate over the smell.

“Dad,” I said, motioning my finger around the room. “Don’t you smell that? It’s awful.”

Dad cocked his head, almost like he was worried for me. “Sweetheart, are you okay? I don’t smell anything.”

Annoyed with the smell, now starting to make me irritable, I break out of Ronin’s grasp, clasping my paws over my head. Great… Now they think I’m crazy. Maybe if I take them to it, they’d probably understand.

I groan, motioning for Dad and Ronin to follow me to the source. With every step I take, the smell gets stronger and stronger, until I make my way to the door of the basement within the laundry room, Dad and Ronin tagging along, looking at each other with confused glares.

In one swift motion, I take a laundry basket blocking the wooden door and slide it off to the side. Opening the door, I escort me, my Dad, and brother to the damp basement, Dad flipping on the light for me.

“Wow, hon,” Dad commented. “I’ve never seen you this motivated in a while.”

Ronin chuckled, stomping down the wooden stairs. “Yeah, when it’s something that’s not her guitar, she blows it off-”

“Hush!” I snapped at my brother, holding a finger at my lips. It was so sudden, I thought I could barely see him flinch. Was I really this hyper-fixated over a smell?

But I couldn’t help it… It grew stronger and stronger with every step I took towards a loose panel on the wall, covered by a metal grate in the basement’s right hand corner.

Holding my head, the smell coming from the grate became too much for me to bear. Without a word, I point my finger towards it, asking for Dad or Ronin to pry it off. I’d do it myself, but the smell at this point has grown to the point where it made me visibly uncomfortable.

Noticing my discomfort, Dad pulls me away from the grate, putting me next to my brother, plugging my nose. How was I the only one who could smell this? Was I going crazy?

I really couldn’t afford to go to a psych ward before I head away from home for the next few months.

Dad knelt down by the grate, noticing how loose it was. He’s rarely been down to the basement, but I could tell he knew it shouldn’t be this loose whatsoever. It was odd.

Taking the panel off, clanking to the concrete floor, Dad takes a look around, not being able to see a thing. Tilting his head, he turns back to face me.

“You sure this is where it’s coming from, sweetheart?” He questions.

I nod. “Absolutely! You’re literally right in front of it!”

Ronin crossed his arms, clearly not amused. “If you didn’t want to go, you should’ve just said.”

I face him, annoyed. “I’m not crazy, Ronin!” I protest. “This isn’t some excuse, I literally smell something terrible! It’s like… maybe a gas leak or something.”

Ronin scoffed, turning his body to look down at me. “Canines have some of the best senses of smell and if you haven’t noticed, you’re in a family full of them. If you smelled something, the chances are we would’ve too-”

“Gah!” Dad wailed, dropping a metal rebar, clattering to the ground. He climbed to his feet, holding his nose with his tail tucked between his legs.

“That’s,” he stuttered. “I uh, I think something’s wrong with the piping,” he muffled, holding both of his paws over his nose.

Ronin lets out a cry in disgust following Dad, scrambling out of the basement to get away from the stench that now consumed it. “Rex, I gotta get out of this house!” He cries.

Well, at least I knew I was right. But… How could I smell it so well?

Climbing up the wooden stairs in a desperate attempt to escape the smell, Ronin nearly collides into a slightly taller figure blocking the doorway. With a grunt, he nearly falls flat on his face until the taller figure catches him.

“Easy, son!” I hear my father exclaim. “What’s all the fuss about?”

Ronin breaks out of my father’s grasp, still holding his nose. “Don’t you smell that? It’s terrible!” Even with father blocking him, Ronin still struggled to make his way past him.

Twitching the remaining half of his right ear, Father tilts his head. “I don’t smell a thing, son.”

Ronin’s jaw hangs open. I could read it on his face. Now he believes everyone thinks ‘he’s’ the crazy one, and he sure didn’t want to have that label.

Before my brother could explain, Dad was back on his knees pulling the metal grate over the opening in the wall making sure it was sealed shut, blocking the smell flooding the basement.

Taking his paws off his nose, Ronin glances around the room, noticing the smell was gone. Relieved, he backs away from Father and heads back down into the basement.

“Relax,” Dad gasped for breath, placing a metal rebar against the brick wall. “I covered it with the insulation again. We shouldn’t be smelling it anymore.”

Well, not everyone wouldn’t keep smelling it… No amount of insulation could block it out for me at least.

Father placed his paws on his hips, still confused as to why we were so distressed. It made sense, he was outside packing the car before we all smelled the leak.

“Smell what?” Father groaned. “You all are seriously confusing me-”

“Don’t you dare open it again, Dad!” Ronin pleaded, waving his finger at him.

“Ronin, please…” Dad scolds. My brother calms down, folding his arms. I wasn’t blaming him, though. It was an unpleasant odor. Like gas mixed with rotting food, and even with the covering back on, I could still smell it as if it were still there.

Noticing my discomfort, Father places his paw on my right shoulder.

“You still smell it, Hope?” He asks. I nodded repeatedly, not wanting to verbally say anything until I was out of the house.

Father’s face lit up. As if he was truly astonished by my sense of smell. Dad and him exchanged looks, seemingly confirming that they were thinking the same thing.

“Wow,” Dad commented. “Seems like she has a really good sniffer on her. Probably better than most canines.”

Father wrapped his arm around me, knowing I still found the smell very unpleasant. “Well, Jack you gotta think,” he continued. “Our daughter here had only her smell to rely on for the first few years of her life. I’d say she’s probably capable of sniffing someone out miles away from here.”

It was no lie that my nose was the only thing I had to rely on. A canine’s scent is a special thing, with smells as far as twelve miles, and with that being the only thing you have to rely on, it can be quite the trip.

There were some moments in my life that I felt like I could smell further than I thought… Come to think of it, there was this one moment during our family trip to the beach that I told Father that I smelled ten different smells at once… One in particular was the exhaust from our car, which Dad had taken to pick up some lunch for us and run a few errands.

Being as technical as I am… I knew he was about thirty minutes away from the rental beach house, so he had to be about twenty miles out, meaning it was exactly eight miles above the average distance a canine could smell.

I’d never forget the look on Father’s face, handing down in disbelief. Even he knew he couldn’t smell that far and it showed.

I’d imagine from then on he knew how powerful my scent was. Even more than I knew.

Did he have a point in what he said? Could my scent really be that… advanced?

I really shouldn’t kid myself. This isn’t one of those weird superhero comic books. I’d be nuts to think my smell was enhanced that much. I was albino, so that was all I had to rely on for my first few years.

It was crazy talk. Was it?

Dad gazed back against the wall after listening to Father’s speech, speechless over what to do. Clenching his snout, he sighs.

“Well… Guess I need to call someone to fix this,” he scanned the grate.

“Uh, but who?” Ronin remarked.

Thinking for a moment, Dad’s ears flicked. “Well, your uncles are out of town, and right now I really don’t want to pay for an expensive repair,” he whined.

Dad was always frugal, saving every penny he could when he got his paycheck. Makes sense, since he handles the bills around here. Something he picked up from my Gramps since he owns a business.

And besides, Father really does enjoy watching Dad work, heh.

Scratching his head, Dad felt very strained. Not knowing what to do. If my Uncle were here, he’d gladly fix it, but he’s gone with his family, and Dad really didn’t know his way around house maintenance, nor did Father.

“You know what?” Dad gazed at Father. “I’ll just figure this out myself. I mean… how hard could it be?”

Ronin chucked, probably thinking the same thing I was, but he could be a bit more blunt about it.

“Dad, I’m sorry, but you don’t know how to fix the sink’s leaky faucet, let alone insulation,” my brother placed his hands on his hips, smirking.

Dad knew Ronin was just playing with him, dismissing his statement. “Well, if you want to try, go ahead,” he snickered.

Right away, that shut Ronin down, muttering a ‘whatever’ under his breath. I chuckled. Even though Ronin always found something funny to say that may or may not have been appropriate, he was always loved.

Sensing my Dad’s discomfort over the situation, Father embraced him, planting a kiss on his forehead.

“You know I can’t let you do this on your own…” he cooed to Dad. “No offense, but none of us know how to install anything, so we’re gonna need someone who does.”

“Well… Who?” Dad had to nearly stand on his toes to wrap his arm around my Father.

Giving it some thought, it didn’t take long for Father to come up with an answer. It was like it felt so obvious to him who should help.

“Grandpa, of course!” he replied confidently. “He’s always been quite handy and I think he’s been itching to get some work done. At least, he came off that way with his texts to me.”

Dad seemed iffy about it, despite Father’s enthusiasm.

“Legoshi,” he began. “I love Gosha, but isn’t he retired? I… don’t want to sound rude but he’s an older animal, and it would make me feel bad to ask him to do something like this.”

Father cupped my Dad’s chin, making the worry disappear from his eyes as they laid upon his.

In that moment, I could feel another one of Father’s speeches come on. He always had his ways with comforting Dad when he became anxious. And he was never ashamed to express his love for him in front of us.

And that’s what I admired about them. Their confidence, their bravery. It was something I envied.

It was beautiful.

“Hon, it’s going to be okay,” he reassured. “Grandpa may be 80, but he’s more than capable. He’s still fit, and in all honesty, he probably can keep up with things more than I can. That guy has a mind like a steel trap.”

It’s true. Whenever my Great-Grandpa was around, he’d often talk so much you wouldn’t know how to keep up with him. All of us wonder how he does it. Could it be his Komodo genes?

Maybe because he refuses to stop moving. It ate at him when he had to retire, according to Father. So maybe a small-scale project like this could help him.

Dad, still hesitant, cocks his head down. “Are you sure? I mean… I don’t want to demand something like that from him.”

“Jack,” Father plants another firm kiss on Dad’s lips, silencing his worries.

The kiss lasted a while, so I turned my head out of respect, smiling slightly. I… wasn’t that embarrassed. My parents loved each other and they weren’t afraid to show it in front of us.

Groaning, Ronin darts off to the side in disgust. “Here they go again…” he sighs.

Elbowing him, I cut him off before he could say anything else.

“Oh, hush,” I scolded him, silently jabbing my elbow into his rib cage. “At least we know they love each other.”

“Yeah… but they don’t have to go all out- Wait?”

Ronin took another gaze at our Dads, realizing the kiss was going on for longer than it should have…

It didn’t take long to realize how ‘passionate’ it really was.

“Okay, guys…” Ronin covered his face, trying to avoid the sight. I couldn’t help but laugh at him.

The kiss lasted for a few more seconds before they peeled off one another, Dad still in Father’s loving embrace, smiling at him with passion in his jewel blue eyes.

“Wow…” Dad sighed, his body going limp into Father’s arms.

“You haven’t kissed me like that since-”

“Hey, I always kiss you like that, pup,” Father cooed, smirking seductively.

Chuckling, Dad lifts his yellow arm upward, cupping the back of Father’s scruffy, silver neck, like he wanted yet another kiss.

“That you do,” Dad cooed. “But… you’re positive, right?” He smiled.

“Absolutely. I think he wouldn’t mind teaching us a thing or two while he’s at it,” Father stroked Dad’s cheek with his thumb, cupping the back of his head.

“Well, alright then you big flirt you.”

Ronin and I were standing by the stairs as I started to get slightly impatient. I absolutely love how my parents were infatuated with one another, but checking the clock on my phone, I notice we were supposed to be out the door ten minutes ago.

Taking a peek at my phone, Ronin’s ears perk up, sending the urgency.

“Well, either you tell them or I’ll do it, sis,” he says. “We’re gonna be late all because they want

Taking the cue, I speak up, seeing Father cradling Dad in his arms.

“Um, guys?” I say, raising my hand.

Helping my Dad back to his feet, Father notices my concern. He was so casual, he didn’t care if we saw him and Dad flirting with one another. Crazy to hear the stories at one point he wasn’t like this.

“What is it, sweetheart?” Father asks, trying to ignore the fact that he head-on french kissed Dad.

Turning my screen back on, I show Father the time.

‘9:13’

In a flash, Father sprang into action, frantically scurrying back up the stairs in a grey buzz.

“I haven't finished packing your bags yet! Why didn’t you all tell me sooner!”

“Well, because you and Dad were swapping spit!” Ronin chuckled, watching Father disappear up the stairs, hearing the front door swing open.

Leaving me, my brother, and Dad alone in the basement, Dad breaks the brief silence with a gentle laugh, wiping his mouth.

“I’m sorry, kids,” he begins. “Your Father can get pretty… romantic at the most random times and I can’t help it.”

I laugh, hugging my Dad. “It’s okay, I’m just glad you two love each other.”

Ronin was awfully quiet, but me and Dad didn’t say anything. We all know how he is about kissing in public. He’s like that with every animal, not just Father and Dad.

Well… he may be more vocal about his dislike since they’re our parents, but Dad didn’t think much of it. It was normal kid behavior to be embarrassed over their parents.

I never mind, but I did have my fair share of embarrassing moments from them.

“You’re being awfully quiet, sir,” Dad said, noticing Ronin not in with our hug.

“Well, yeah that’s because I’m waiting for Father to get our bags loaded,” Ronin stood firm, folding his hands.

Looking at me and back at Ronin, me and Dad come up with a plan to make him feel included. He may not like it, but this was how we would show our love to him.

Walking at both of his sides, me and Dad trap Ronin, hugging him from both angles. My brother tried desperately to escape, but it was no use. Every time he moved an arm, it would be brought back down to his side.

Knowing there was no point in fighting anymore, I heard my brother sigh, accepting his fate. Giving me a look, Ronin whispered to me.

“I’m sooo gonna find a way to get you back for this,” he teased.

“Can it, grumpus!” I squeeze him tighter.

Caught up in the moment, Dad lets out a small squeal, his tail picking up dust from the concrete ground.

“I love you guys so much! You two better not forget that while you’re gone!” His grip on us tightens, nearly choking me out.

Who knew Dad’s grip could be this tight?

“Wait!” Dad immediately released us, tail standing still.

“You all are going to get your uniforms dirty standing down here! Let’s head back up so I can dust you both off!”

Ronin tilted his head down, wiping off some of the dust himself. “There,” he says. “It’s gone, so me and Hope should really-”

“Can’t ever be too careful!” Dad cut him off, making his way to the stairs. “Now hurry so you two can be off as soon as your Father’s finished!”

Disappearing up the stairs in a flash, Dad joined Father in the long, but now hastened ordeal to get both me and Ronin out the door.

It was now or never. We had to get out the door or we would be late.

Tailing behind Ronin up the stairs, I bump into him after he stops abruptly to check his phone. I was about to tell him to keep going until he cut me off.

“Well, Tiku got there just now,” Ronin examined his phone, putting it off to his side. “Now he’s asking when we’re gonna show up.”

“Well, considering the predicament we’re in, it’ll probably take a good while,” I reply.

Waiting for a moment, I notice Ronin isn’t budging. Probably texting the Fox right now.

“That means get a move on, bro!” I slightly push him to get moving. “We don’t have much time to spare!”

“Calm down, geez!” my brother exclaims, chuckling along. “Another thing you’ll learn is that you should really try making some friends here. It’ll take you a long way.”

He paused, thinking of what to say next. “I’d say start with your roommates. Sure, I don’t talk to most of mine, but… there is one who’s pretty chill.”

My ears twitch. “Oh?” I cross my arms. “Who is he?”

“Uh… I’d say you’ll meet him soon enough if you’re lucky.” Changing the focus back to me, Ronin nudges my shoulder from the top of the stairs. “But like I said, your roommates probably won’t be a bad place to start. You may like ‘em, you may not. But it’s a good stepping stone.”

I couldn’t help but smile hearing some good advice coming from Ronin. I knew how much he missed Tiku and his other few select friends he had in Cherryton. There was this one other canine he mentioned he was roommates with, but he doesn’t talk about him as often. I’d say that’s probably for a reason.

Maybe I’ll get to meet him eventually. Rex knows I’m gonna need some friends out there. Especially with how… unique I can be.

But, maybe it won’t be so bad. Would they freak out? Seeing an albino animal isn’t something that’s common in Cherryton I’d say.

But, there’s still the lingering thought that things might blow up entirely in my face. I’m not like other canines. My family is filled with a lot of animals of different shapes and sizes.

But none of them are like me.

Tilting my head down, Ronin notices how anxious I looked.

“Hey,” Ronin placed his paw on my shoulder. I look up at him, seeing a half smile shoot down at me.

“I, uh… I know we may give each other a hard time, but… I just wanted you to know that…”

“You don’t have to say it, bro,” I shot a smile at him. “I know, and I’m glad that this family has you.”

What I loved the most about Ronin is that even though he rarely showed it, he always had a heart of gold behind that tough exterior. He was like my Father in so many ways it wasn’t funny. And I knew that if I had a problem, despite all the things we say to each other, he’d be the first to step up and help me when he could.

Same goes for both of my brothers. That’s how our parents raised us, and we wouldn’t let them down.

Noticing the smile form on Ronin’s snout, I let a chuckle slip out of mine.

“Well, is that a full smile?”

“Stop,” Ronin teased.

“Oh my Rex, you have emotions! That’s unreal!”

“Alright, another word out of you and I’m gonna be kicking your seat the entire ride down there!” Ronin climbs back up the stairs, leaving the wooden basement door cracked open for me.

Pacing up the stairs, careful not to step on my skirt, I swung the door open, prepared to take on whatever Cherryton had waiting for me.

If no one accepts me, at least I’m able to find comfort in knowing my family did.

But… Just maybe I could find something there. But one could only wish.

Chapter Text

Even during the car ride down here, I still find some time to draw in my notebook. Really helps take out the anxiety and the fear of the unknown.

Every turn and every bump on the road wasn’t enough to keep me off my journal, my hand still firmly holding the pencil, letting the music blaring from my left earplug take me away, my hearing aid in the right ear. I hum to myself, tapping my foot to the beat of the music without a care in the world.

It wasn’t until Ronin tapped my journal to get my attention that I spotted him grinning at me from the outside of the car.

I take out my earplug, twitching my ear, looking puzzled. “What? How did you get over there?”

Ronin leaned casually against the open door, finding amusement at how confused I was. “You never pay attention to what’s around you, right?” He snickered, holding his arms behind his head.

“Only to ‘what’ I want to pay attention to,” I replied, setting my journal with the unfinished drawing of a city skyline off to my side. “And besides, I like it. It relaxes me.”

“Yeah, well me and Father have been trying to get your attention for the past few minutes.” My brother moves out of my way, letting me see the outside of the car, the sunlight hitting my face and the crisp, cool air bristling my fur. “We’re here.”

And just like that, so many senses are taken in. The waving flag, the students in the uniforms, the PA system going off with a voice coming from the other end. It’s all setting in now.

Looking to my left back towards the fence surrounding Cherryton and back to the right at Ronin and father, reality sets in.

This was really Cherryton Academy. *The* Cherryton Academy. All the stories I’ve heard with my dads, my brothers and all their time spent here comes soaking in.

The place where my Dads fell in love, where the infamous Drama Club performed… It’s all so grand to me.

And based on what I’ve heard from stories my father and my dad told me, there was a lot going on back in the day. And usually, my father was right in the center. My father isn’t the animal to over exaggerate things. And I can tell when he talks about Cherryton, he’s not telling the entire truth.

But still, I couldn’t help but wonder how much of it is real… And if it was, I certainly had a lot to live up to, being the daughter of two Cherryton students and the sister of two other students as well. My fur stiffened thinking about it.

So many questions flooded my mind, but the only way I could answer them is if I stepped through those gates and into the campus. And that most certainly was the hard part.

Gathering my things, I slide out of the car, making sure this annoying skirt doesn’t get caught up in anything.

I knew what to expect going into this school, but I mean.. couldn’t they have made the female uniforms a bit more comfortable? In all honesty, they suck.

Dad and Father said they haven’t changed a bit in the twenty-five years since they’ve attended Cherryton. Only a few minor changes to the colors here and there.

Doesn’t change the fact they still suck. But, it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to pay to be here. Almost everyone in my immediate family except for my Dad’s older brother had attended, so I was just continuing the tradition.

Father was lifting up some of Ronin’s bags, trying to get a hand on both of them. He heaved them under his arms as he tried going for more.

“Hey, father let me get those!” Ronin scrambled to try taking a handheld duffel bag out of our father’s paw.

“I got it!” Father heaved a strong gust with his chest sinking in. I don’t know if he was just showing off in front of us or if he wanted to try tackling everything himself. Maybe both.

Ronin scoffed, grabbing the duffel bag and slinging it over his shoulder. “You’re like, forty years old, pops,” Ronin teased. “Don’t need to be ashamed to ask us for help.”

My brother had a point. He was probably close, if not as strong as our Father, most likely due to his Grey wolf blood he shared with him. But Father being Father, he wanted to be a gentleman. He was like that to everyone, not just us and Dad.

Benny and Ronin were no different from Father. They always went out of their way to help. Probably because they were the strongest in the family, so naturally they could be a bit… overbearing. But nevertheless, that never changed my love for them.

Father grinned at Ronin, dismissing his comment. “Just help your sister with her stuff please,” he heaved, leaning against the car to lock it. “I’m gonna take these to the front office to check them in. Meet me there!” Without another word, father left the rows of cars and towards the front office in the inner gate.

“Whatever you say,” Ronin snorted. He turned back to me, taking a few bags out of my paws and lugging them over his back. He was a senior, so he knew his way around. It shouldn’t be a problem for him to find where he was going.

“And you wonder where Benny gets it from,” he rolled his eyes.

“Hey, he’s our father,” I replied, getting a hold of some more bags from the trunk. “And besides, Father and Benny are a lot alike.”

Ronin’s fur bristled as he was unloading a few more bags. “Yeah, he sent me a message I’ll read later. Think he sent you one too.”

I smile, thinking of what kind of sweet paragraph my oldest brother came up with. He’s always like that, putting his family before himself. I could never imagine growing up with someone like him watching out for me.

Not paying attention, I feel the grip loosen on my guitar case, grabbing a bit more than I can carry. This skirt wasn’t making all this lifting any easier.

“Woah, watch it!” In a flash, Ronin catches me by my left arm before I can fall first into the pavement. Last thing I needed was to bust my glasses on day one and he certainly knew that.

The case clattered barely onto the black pavement before I regained my grip. My heart almost sank to my chest…

If I had lost my guitar of all things, I would’ve been devastated. My Aunt Sandra bought it for me a few years ago, and all those years of practice would have been gone in a matter of seconds. Thank god for Ronin.

“You good? Ronin helped me straighten up, dusting off my puffy skirt sleeve.

“Yeah, yeah I’m good,” I began panting, clutching my guitar case. “Man, that could’ve been a nasty spill…”

“Yeah, it could’ve,” Ronin replied, restacking my bags.

Regaining my composure, I couldn’t help but see Ronin’s eyeing me, making sure I was okay while I was dusting off the rest of my skirt. He was doing it again.

Even though Ronin never expressed it, he certainly has that protective side to him. Just like Benny and most certainly just like Father. As much as he doesn’t acknowledge it, I’d argue he’s just as much like Father as Benny is.

“You know,” I eye Ronin. His ear twitches, turning his attention from heaving bags to me. “You’re a lot like them too. Benny and father. Which isn’t a bad thing.”

I give Ronin an uncharacteristically warm smile. Usually I’d give him some snarky comment, but I really meant what I was about to say. “There needs to be a lot more animals like that. You’ve got a good heart, bro.”

Ronin returned the smile, like he was acknowledging my compliment. But him being him, he gags. “Oh god, you’re being mushy again!” He exclaims sarcastically. “Dad does it enough and you know it!”

I knew he was just playing, so I jab back. “Sorry,” I shrug. “Too late to take it back, bonehead.” I jab him in the shoulder, taking a box filled with clothes from the trunk.

After getting all my things unloaded, I realize it’s been a good ten minutes since Father came back. What was keeping him I wonder? I could tell Ronin shared the same thoughts as I did, because he was darting his head back and forth to keep an eye out.

Taking his phone out, his odd looks turned into a small frown.

“What is it?” I ask him.

“He told me he already got my stuff to my dorm…” He almost groaned at that thought. “And that he’s on his way back to help with your stuff.”

I could tell where this conversation would lead.

“Relax,” I reassured my brother. “I’m sure Father didn’t embarrass you. He probably had someone bring them up. I know how much you like your roommates.”

Ronin’s ear twitched as his tail stood still. “Well… Not all of ‘em. They’re a bunch of nerds, really.” Ronin shrugged his shoulders.

“Hey!” I gasped sarcastically in offense. “I’m ‘technically’ a nerd. Not all of us are bad, y’know.”

Ronin quickly backtracked, realizing how bad that might’ve sounded. “Hey, you know what I meant! It’s just… sometimes I don’t understand. Literally all they do is sweat, lay around and watch TV all day.”

“You do that too sometimes,” I grin.

“Not all the time!” Ronin defended himself.

I laugh, seeing Ronin be all defensive. “Relax, bro. Everyone does that one day or another. Point is, I bet your friends are awesome, even if some of them are nerds.”

“You got that right,” a voice peeped out from behind us. Caught off guard in our debate, Ronin and I turn suddenly to face a smaller black fox wearing the standard uniform with a tan backpack slung over his shoulder.

“Oh, hey Tiku!” Ronin exclaims, giving him a wave to come closer.

After all these years of Ronin talking about the guy, I finally get to meet him. He was in the Drama Club with Ronin and is the only friend who he’s has ever name dropped to any of us. My brother is quite secretive over his friends. Makes me wonder if he has any.

Not that I’m making fun of him that he doesn’t. He’s just the type of animal that keeps to himself a lot of the time. He won’t go out of his way to talk to you unless he likes you.

But first impressions alone, I could see why he liked Tiku.

“You just got here?” Tiku asked Ronin, who almost towered over him.

“Yeah, our Father brought us here not too long ago. He brought my stuff up… So I’m stuck here with her.“

The fox was slightly taller than me, but he was smaller than the average fox. Smaller than my uncle at least, who was a fox as well.

“So you must be Hope. What’s up?” He reached out his paw to shake my hand with a smile scrawled across his face.

It took me a while to reach out and shake it purely because I wasn’t used to seeing this many strangers. But if Ronin thought he was cool, then so did I.

“Yep. I’m his sister!” I reached out and shook Tiku’s paw.

He observed me closely. I didn’t know what he was thinking. Maybe he’s never seen an albino animal like me. I’d imagine Ronin told him about my… condition.

“Ronin’s told me a lot about you!” He exclaimed, still trying to keep a good impression. “It’s finally good to meet you.”

After a short pause, Ronin managed to break the silence, noticing how jittery I was watching the other animals maneuver through the parking lot.

“She’s a bit anxious,” he pat me on the back gently. “Father still needs to get some of her stuff situated. Once he gets back I’m gonna go meet the guys.”

Tiku’s attention turned to me. “Don’t worry, I felt the same way my first year. All you gotta do is meet your roommates first and the rest will be smooth sailing,” the fox reassured.

“Just ask your brother, it took a while for him to warm up to his roomies!” Tiku exclaimed. Ronin folded his paws to the back of his neck. “Yeah… they still get on my nerves.” He looked down at me, realizing that’s probably not the vote of confidence I needed.

“I- I mean that’s not to say you won’t like your roommates, sis!” Ronin stammered, trying to backtrack what he said. “I’m sure they’re gonna be cool, heh- WAIT WATCH OUT!”

Suddenly, I saw my brother’s eyes widen as he pulled me and Tiku out of the way and to his side aggressively. I almost slammed into his side, swearing under my breath, Tiku grunting with me.

I was about to berate him until I saw someone glide by us on her bike, clearly terrified that she almost hit us.

“Shit!” She wailed over her earplugs, blasting what sounded like heavy metal. She was a small canine with a tan complexion, but I really couldn’t make out what she looked like since she was peddling away.

“Hey watch it, goddamn it!” Ronin shouts at her, snarling at the fact she almost ran us and Tiku off the pavement.

“Sorry!” The canine cringed as she looked past us. Her black jacket clearly obstructed her uniform, but she clearly didn’t care. I’d imagine she wanted to apologize, but Ronin’s aggression made her think twice.

After the dust settled, Ronin and Tiku helped me to my feet as I collected myself. That’s now two times I almost broke my glasses in under an hour. What else did Cherryton have to offer?

“Well,” Tiku broke the silence. “That could’ve been a whole lot worse. You okay, Hope?”

Dusting myself off again, I nod. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m good.”

Ronin snarled, still looking down the street where the canine girl disappeared.

“Did you know her or something?” I ask him.

“No, I have no idea who she is,” Ronin turned to me and back to Tiku, making sure that we were okay after that rough spill.

“I think she’s the younger sister to someone in the Drama Club,” Tiku chimes in. “I don’t know her well, but she’s a Corgi just like her… Also mentioned her sister was president of some movie club.”

Before we could delve deeper into conversation, I spotted a familiar shape out of the corner of my eye.

“Hey, Father!” I shouted at him as he made his way over to me, Ronin and Tiku, folding his arms with a smile.

“I got your stuff situated, Ronin,” he began. My brother’s ears flattened in embarrassment. “Really didn’t know where things went, but one of your roommates was kind enough to help me.”

Ronin’s face immediately turned red, with only me and Tiku noticing, while Father was oblivious as ever. “You’ve chosen some good friends, kiddo,” he complimented.

“Father…” Ronin began, putting a smile on his face to hide how embarrassed he was. “I appreciate it, but I’m a senior… I know where things go-”

“Nonsense!” Father beamed. “It was the least I could do, and now we can help your sister out!”

I chuckled, realizing that Father was completely oblivious as to how Ronin was feeling. I guess Father loved us so much that he didn’t even pay attention.

He wasn’t like this to everyone though, according to Dad. With us he could let his guard down easily. We really brought out that soft spot in him under that gruff wolf exterior.

Ronin grabbed a few of my bags, still trying to keep conversation with our father. “I’ll help bring her stuff over, but if it’s okay I’d like to hang with Tiku for a bit after.”

Father grabbed my last duffel bag, looking back at Ronin. “It’s fine, kiddo! Just make sure your sister feels welcome… You know how much your Dad emphasized that.”

“She can meet up with us afterwards. We still gotta register for clubs,” Ronin turned to Tiku for approval. “I think that sounds like a good idea,” he replied with a nod.

“Are you good with that, sis?” Ronin asked me.

I knew Ronin didn’t want to brush me off. He was just glad to be around his friends again, but it still made me feel good that he was trying to include me. He never went to school with Benny since he was five years older than him, so this was a new experience for both of us.

“Yeah, that sounds good,” I smile.

Seeing that everyone was on the same page, Father seemed satisfied. “Alright. But Ronin, please make sure your sister feels comfortable here. Your Dad is pretty anxious for her.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Ronin reassured. “I’ve got her, right?” He smiled down at me.

“Right,” I smiled back up. He was probably just showing affection just to get Father off his back but I knew if anyone would be on my side here, it would be him.

I mean, I hope I can make friends… Maybe my roommates are where I should start, like Ronin and Tiku said.

With Father satisfied with our plan, all four of us head off to where my dorm is supposed to be. Tiku even had one of my journals he was carrying, wanting to help out as well. He seemed like a nice guy, and I knew Ronin doesn’t get close to just anyone.

I was starting to lag behind as Ronin and Tiku trailed behind Father talking up a storm. Something that had to do with Drama Club I picked up.

I was lost in my surroundings and barely felt the tapping of fingers behind me. If I wasn’t wearing my hearing aid, I probably wouldn’t have picked up on the very faint whispers.

“E- ex- excuse me…” the stuttering picked up, making me turn around almost startled.

Dangling in front of my face was my black and purple pencil I would write with. I almost didn’t notice the fingers that were wrapped around it, as the black molded well with the color of his fur.

“You… y- y- you dropped this,” he squeaked, tucking his tail between his legs. I recognized the face almost immediately, the sun shining against the canine’s sleek, black fur. He was a Labrador, like Dad was. But this boy wasn’t a yellow one, he was a black one.

I’ve never seen one up close, so I must’ve just stood there in awe like a complete idiot, just letting the poor guy dangle the pencil in front of my face. That could’ve just made him more anxious…

I gave him a warm smile to reassure him that he doesn’t have to be anxious. “Thank you,” I smile, taking the pencil from his clattering paws. He almost dropped it again when I went to reach it out for him.

It was like he wanted to avoid touching hands.

After I took the pencil, the black lab looked back down to the ground, pushing his glasses up as they were sliding off, the sweat dripping off his brow.

“S-sorry,” he muttered under his breath, turning heel to walk the other way.

I watch as he disappeared into the parking lot. The sun continued to beat onto his sleek black fur. I couldn’t help but admire it… even though I was practically gaping at this point. In a very odd way, his fur complimented mine. I was pure white and he was pure black.

I was never this mesmerized by a Labrador before, and my family is filled with them… my Dad, my uncle, my aunt, and my grandparents… Heck, even one of my brothers was part Labrador.

It had to be because he was a black Labrador… But his fur… there was something about his fur…

Why am I feeling this lightheaded over a boy I barely even know? I don’t even know his name. I feel stupid…

I should go say sorry to him while he’s still in my sight. I probably made him feel worse just staring at him. If anyone should know what that feels like it’s me.

“Hey, sis!” Ronin hollered from the distance. Tiku was trailing beside him. “You coming?”

I snap out of my trance, realizing how far everyone was to the gate.

“Yeah! Coming!” I pick my dazed feet up off the ground and make my way to join them at the gate.

That was weird… But I can’t beat myself up over it.

Poor guy…

———

Orientation was perhaps the most boring thing I’ve ever had to sit through. But, being a canine I put on my happy face and sat through it all.

Father said him and Dad did the same thing when they were new students, so I shouldn’t be ashamed. That surprised me. Dad? Dozing off in class? I guess everyone has their moments.

After several rounds of paperwork and registration, I could finally move into my room. Ronin was a senior, so he didn’t have to go through this much. Plus, with all my… conditions Dad had to list off with my albinism it got kind of embarrassing.

“She needs sunglasses too, don’t forget!”

“She also takes these pills twice a day.”

“She also has a spare hearing aid if she needs it.”

“Her brother is in Room 701. If she needs anything, he’s the first person she should ask!”

The list went on and on… I’ve always struggled with this condition of mine, but I wasn’t fragile. But sometimes, my body reminded me I could be.

It wasn’t fun… But it was something I was used to living with. Days on the beach I couldn’t stay in the sun very much while I watched my brothers have fun… But even with all that, my Dads and brothers made me feel included and loved. Even though I was unique, they still made me feel a part of the family.

I owe so much to the four men in my life. But sometimes I fear I take some of that for granted. Father and Dad could’ve easily chosen another child, but they chose me because they fell in love with me.

Going to Cherryton was a big step for not just me, but everyone, but I knew my support was strong. Not just from my dads and brothers, but my extended family as well.

And you could say confidently that I loved them just as much.

After everything was said and done, Father helped me to the building. Ronin got to skip all this. Lucky him… He’ll probably tease me about it later, but I’ll find a way to get him back when I meet him and Tiku later. They left to go catch up after we got to my dorm building. So it was just me and Father now.

He was permitted to go inside to help me get everything together and was actually very happy to do so. He carried most of my bags naturally, being the gentleman he is.

After we reached the fifth floor, I could tell he was worn out, huffing and panting from the load he had to carry up five flights of stairs. And here I was just carrying my backpack and guitar case.

“Here, Father let me carry some of those,”

He waved me off. “No, sweetheart it’s fine!” He huffed. “Your Pops just needs to catch his breath a bit… I may still be mostly muscles but I’m for sure not as young as I used to be,” he chuckled.

I laughed at how stoic he was, trying to show me he still had some fire in him. I loved him for that, but he looked like he was gonna fall over.

“C’mon, Father,” I groaned. “Let me at least carry one thing.”

He ignored me briefly, rearranging the small stack of bags onto his broad shoulders. “I insist!” He declared. “But you can get the door for me.”

“Well… If you insist,” I shrug. “But please, father. If you feel like you need a break, I can take some things.”

Looking at me earnestly, father gives me a warm, loving smile. “Sweetheart, I’ve got it,” he reassured gently. “But thank you for offering. Gotta make sure my favorite daughter is comfortable!”

A laugh spills out. “I’m your only daughter. And I’m gonna tell Benny and Ronin you said that!”

“Ouch…” Father replied sarcastically.

Grabbing the door with my foot, I let my father squeeze in, grunting as the bags were dangling over his shoulders. I’d want to grab some for him but he’d just tell me I don’t have to. He does this to Benny and Ronin too, even though they were more… capable than me.

Once father squeezed his way through the door, a loud pop could be heard from his back that was enough to make him shriek.

“Argh! Son of a-” he paused through the pain, knowing there were probably other parents with their kids in here. And he didn’t want to swear in front of me.

I rush to his side, holding his paw in one hand and wrapping my arm around his back.

“Woah, what happened!” I exclaimed.

“It’s- it’s nothing, baby-” father winced, forcing a smile across his face, even though he was in a lot of pain I could tell.

“No, father, you popped your back,” I pointed out, his ears tilting down. “Here, why don’t I take some of these,” I reassured. Noticing my tone… I’m starting to sound a lot like Dad whenever one of us gets hurt.

“I’m fine!” Father toughs through the pain, leaning against the yellowish wall. “Just let me catch my breath for a second.”

“Legoshi!” A voice pops up from a room down the hallway. My father and I turned to face the stranger. It was an older hyena wearing a button up, about father’s age. Standing next to him was a younger girl that was slightly taller than him. I really couldn’t make out her species… seemed like a coyote or maybe even a wolf. But despite the species differences, the two animals seemed very close.

Father’s face lit up when his eyes met those of the hyena’s.

“Miguno?” His head tilted. “What are you doing here?” he asked.

“Well, I’m here getting my daughter situated,” he explained, wrapping his arm around her as they moved closer to us. “We just got her brother situated in his dorm not too long ago.” As he came closer to us, his face lit up with concern. “And you don’t seem like you’re doing well right about now.”

Father, looking at me and back at Miguno, lowers his ears in embarrassment. He may like to think it, but he’s not invincible.

“Uh… yeah,” Father groans. “I kinda… sorta pulled my back too hard.”

“Here let me give you a hand!” Without another word, the hyena, Miguno, helped my father onto his feet, moving towards his back. Legoshi seemed a bit cautious, flinching as Miguno put his right paw over his ache.

“What are you-”

“Durry gets these all the time, being in the force and all,” the hyena mentions. “We’re not teenagers anymore, I gotta remind him. He wanted to be here today, but duty calls!”

“Yeah…” Father rubs the back of his neck. “My oldest, Benny, works with him too.”

“Yeah,” the hyena rubbed my father’s back. “Durham said he saw him around a few times. He said he’s always the one to pick up a new case when he can.”

Father smiled hearing what Miguno had to say. “He's a very good kid. Gets it from his old ma- argh!” The crack that came from father’s back shot through the hallway.

But before you knew it, he was back to normal. He moved his shoulder up and down like it was nothing. He was almost in disbelief how Miguno could pull that off so easily.

“Wow…” Father rubbed his shoulders. “That actually worked. Thanks, man.”

Miguno folded his arms boastfully. “You have no idea how many times I have to do that when Durham gets home.”

“Yeah, and his growling gets annoying,” the younger female canine chimes in.

Miguno wraps his arm around her. “This is my girl. Dani. Her and her brother are starting their sophomore year!” Miguno’s face lights up, a sense of pride in his daughter being shown. Getting a better look at her, she was a clear mix between a Wolf and a Coyote. Father had mentioned before that Durham, Miguno’s husband, was a Coyote as well.

“We were moving her things in until we heard you!” Miguno laughed, Dani shaking her head in embarrassment.

Father wrapped his paw around me, taking some of my bags in his right paw. “Me and Hope are here doing the same too,” he rubs my back. “Already got Ronin settled into 701.”

“The old stomping grounds, eh?” Miguno playfully nudged Father’s shoulder. “I tried getting Roman in there, but he was too young. He’s in Room 713 which isn’t far.”

Father tried steering the conversation back into finding my dorm. “Do you have any idea where Room 407 is?”

Dani’s face lit up, hearing the number being called out. “Hey, Dad, that's my room!”

“Huh? We’ll look at that,” Father smiled. “Well, let’s not waste any more time-” he winced. Probably hurting a bit from the cramp that hasn’t worn off yet. Realizing Father is going to keep pressuring himself, I decide to step in and put my foot down for his sake.

“Father, let me get it,” I look at him warmly. “If I need you, I promise I’ll call out. You’re pushing yourself a bit too much.”

My father seemed a bit upset that I didn’t need him to help me out as much. He was a strong wolf, but he had to understand that sometimes I wanted to do things for myself. I appreciate all the help he’s been, but I think I can handle this part of the process at least.

“I can help her!” Dani interjected, adjusting her brown neck fur. “It’s right down the hallway over there. And if we need any of you, you’ll be right here.”

After a moment, Father seemed to understand where I was coming from. “Alright, sweetheart,” he hands some of the bags off to me, Dani picking up another two bags up off the wooden floor. She was almost as tall as her Dad, so she was taller than me.

I collect my things, giving my Father a gentle smile, reassuring him nonverbally. He returned one to me, his tail swishing back and forth.

“We’ll be back in a bit, Dad! I’m gonna show her the others too!”

“Alright, hon,” Miguno waved us down the hallway. “We’re just gonna talk for a while. Let us know if you need anything!”

Father gave me one more smile as I walked down the hallway with Dani.

‘I love you’ I say in sign language.

‘Love you too,’ He signs back. I wanted to say way more, and I knew how to, being deaf in one ear. But I had to get my stuff together. I love both of my parents, but me and him always had this mutual understanding. Probably because we both liked bugs, which was a big one. For my tenth birthday, he got me this Bess Beetle I cleverly named Bessy, who I still have to this day.

My Dads will always be my light, but I’ll always have a special place for my Father.

It didn’t take a full ten seconds until Dani broke the silence between us. “That meant ‘I love you,’” she said.

“What?” I replied.

“Oh, sorry!” Dani cocked her head out of embarrassment. “I just noticed you do the sign with your Dad. I tried taking Sign Language last year but I didn’t do so well… My brother is better with grades than me believe it or not.”

I smile, looking up at her. “Well, maybe I can try teaching you sometime.”

She returns a kind glance. “I’d like that, thank you.”

Already, I’m starting to like Dani. She was kind, she seemed like a good listener, and she offered to help me without question. I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but… she just seems nice.

Am I making a friend right now? Please don’t be awkward, Hope…

“So… I’m Dani,” the Coyote-Wolf hybrid spoke up. “And I caught that your name is Hope?”

I nod. “Yeah, that’s one of my Dads back there.”

“I have two dads too! My Papa… Durham is his name said he used to stay in 701 with your Dads,” she paused. “Even your uncle stayed with them for a little bit," she added.

“Yeah, Dad mentioned that. And it’s his brother-in-law that stayed with them for like, their senior year,” I giggled. “He also said that Durham would challenge everyone to sumo matches all the time and they’d go on all night.”

Dani giggled, rolling her eyes. “Him and Roman did the same thing when he was little. All while me and Dad just watched at how stupid they looked.”

Dani’s eyes fell from mine to my guitar case, which was still a bit banged up after Ronin saved it from falling outside.

“Oh! You play?” Dani’s eyes gleamed. “Dad takes his out from time to time. He’s gotten a bit rusty though after a while.”

“Yeah I do,” I replied as we sped up our pace through the hallway, making a small corner. “Part of the reason I’m here is because of my music scholarship. Turns out being the top player in Middle School band can do wonders.”

“Oooh!” Dani cheered on for me, backing up a bit. “You have to play something for us tonight! The other girls would love it! And speaking of which!”

She stops me in front of a room with the label ‘407’ inscribed into the wooden plaque on the outside.

Suddenly, I could feel a sense of dread creep into my stomach. It was like I could throw up my entire breakfast from that morning. I didn’t want to, but it sure felt like it could happen.

God, what if I do end up hurling all over the place? For Rex’s sake, shut up, Hope. You’re overthinking again. You promised yourself you wouldn’t. You’ve mentally prepared for this moment. But was it enough?

My worrying must’ve caught Dani’s attention, because I felt her free paw on my shoulder.

“Hey,” she whispered. “Are you okay?”

I let out a strong puff of air, inhaling and exhaling. “No,” I said plainly. There was no point in hiding it. I had a lot of anxiety issues regarding my appearance… And it wasn’t fun guessing what these girls could potentially say. I had no idea if they’d be the nicest roommates I could ask for or if they were going to be complete jerks.

“Hey, look,” Dani looks at me warmly like she’s done this before. For all I know she could’ve. “I can vouch for them. They won’t hurt a fly,” she reassured. “Well…”

Well?

“Kirby can be a bit… eccentric but she’s cool!”

I wanted to ask her what exactly makes Kirby eccentric, but that was when a voice came peeping out of the door.

“Hey, Dani!” It shouted. “Is that you? Did your Dad leave yet? We’ve got a few more people coming soon!”

Dani leaned against the door, then back to me. “I’m back, Alaina just give me a sec!”

She leans down a bit to comfort me. I could tell already she felt like the “big sister” of the dorm. She definitely has done this before. I don’t know if she has any younger siblings, but she’s definitely a natural. Almost reminds me of Benny when he was still living with us.

“It’s just two of them in there,” she reassured me gently. “I’ve just met them. Kirby is my age, but Alaina is new like you. They wouldn’t hurt a fly. Definitely not like my roommates last year. You’ve got this, alright?”

They were a few choice words, but somehow Dani managed to pull me back from having a full on anxiety ridden freak out. I’ve never been around this many new animals, so I’d imagine the others are doing the same thing.

If my roommates were anything, I’d hope that they were like Dani. Because already she managed to make a great impression… Let’s just hope it sticks.

I give her a nod. “Alright,” I take a deep breath. “Let’s go meet everyone else.”

Dani stood up proudly. “Well alright then! Just follow my lead and you’ll be just fine!”

Taking a hold of my bags, Dani opens the door for me, leading me inside. I didn’t know if it was obvious, but I was looking down the whole time as my palms began to sweat out of control.

I didn’t realize Dani was already inside the room while I was standing at the door frame. I wasn’t even making eye contact, and at this rate I didn’t care. I was too shy to even move.

“Hey guys!” Dani got everyone’s attention. “This is Hope and she’s gonna be staying with us all year!”

“Hello!” I heard two voices say in unison.

Then, at that moment it took all the muscles in my body to force my head upward to face the other girls one on one. I forced the stutter that was welling up in my throat to come out coherently, watching Dani as she smiled at everyone in the room to welcome me.

“Hello…” I get out, clutching my guitar case for dear life.

With those words, I can only wonder what they could be thinking of me…

My thoughts drift back to Ronin saying making friends with your roommates is a good start to anything.

Let’s pray to god that he’s right…

Taking my first step into the room, I manage to catch a glimpse as I steadily look up at my roommates. One of them, a short Corgi, was looking me up and down from her bed. Suddenly, her eyes widened.

“Oh, shit,” she blurted out loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Kirby!” Dani crossed her arms in disbelief. I fold my ears downward. “Way to make a first impression!”

Kirby stammered as she sat on her bed upward. “No! It’s just-” she paused, scratching the back of her head in embarrassment.

“Just what?” Dani scolded our roommate.

“I’ve uh… She’s the one I sorta… almost ran over in the parking lot,” she blurted out those last words.

Taking the courage to look at her, my ears raise enough to expose my hearing aid. Kirby was a brown and white Corgi wearing the Cherryton dress uniform, but one thing that did stand out was her black jacket.

The same one I saw in the parking lot.

My mouth hangs open in disbelief. “Uhh…” I try to find the words.

Kirby smiles, trying to keep a straight face to hide her embarrassment. “Hiii,” she crosses her arms with a fake smile fueled by embarrassment. My brow furrows as I look her down.

What a fun start to my Cherryton experience…