Running Gets Us Closer

1. The Crash

"Detention? Again??" The irritated voice was attached to a pacing Robin. His Irish accent was heavier than normal, which was a clear sign he was more agitated than he was letting on.

Sammy sort of just stood there while the cat ranted. He cared about his friend and didn't like seeing him so upset, but that was roughly where the sympathy ended. He wasn't the least bit sorry for his actions.

"You SWORE this year! 'Your best behavior'! And NOW you've got a standing reputation as a trouble maker. Have ya HEARD the rumors!! They think you're with a GANG now!! It could have be-"

"Been so much worse. I get it." Sammy had an exasperated glint in his eyes. It was one thing to be mad, but he wasn't going to let Robin even get started on the rumors.

"I've heard the rumors. The keyword being RUMORS."

Robin buried his face in his hands. For someone native to the country, Sammy could be really dim sometimes. Then there was the possibility that he really just didn't CARE. Robin shook that thought away. Sammy had everything to lose here! Of course he cared.

"I was...panicking.." Sammy started. Finally Robin saw it. The worry and the stress in his ruby gaze as he leaned against the brick wall.

"I shot off my mouth in class last week. Teacher pulled me out, told me I was this close to being sent to the cops..."

Robin stiffened. Oh. That would...easily have been enough to freak him out. He nodded slowly, encouraging him to continue.

"I started acting out MORE...but not in his class.. and...I'll admit, the last thing I did was pretty messed up, and not okay. I'm not apologizing...that would be dishonest. But...I know it was wrong."

This wasn't anywhere in the realm of good news. All of this was so, so bad. Robin looked up at him, Sammy was relieved to see that he wasn't nearly as frustrated as he was anything else. His tone was softer, as was his worry filled gaze.

"Sammy....you have the most influential kid at school targeting you now. It's only a matter of time before he figures you out. When, not if. It's inevitable."

Sammy looked down. The only sound for a while was the sound of the wind. Soon he let out a sigh, and relaxed. "I dunno Robin. It's too late to fuss over the past NOW.." He tugged at his right horn gently, troubled by his own thoughts and words.

Robin nodded. Silence filled the air again. Sammy felt the weight of a thousand lies, and the risks he was taking just to avoid being taken away from this place. He wasn't allowing himself to be put in another orphanage. they were awful to his kind. If I knew who to yell at for throwing me into this mess... The atmosphere was that of uncertainty and dread. After a moment, Sammy looked up at him. His tail flicked with uncertainty.

"Mind if I crash at your place tonight? That way we could both unwind."

Robin was a bit surprised at his request. It was unlike Sammy to be the one to ask. After a second, he smiled. "Of course ya can. I'm sure Mama won't mind. It's only once this week, after all.."

Sammy rolled his eyes, but returned the smile. He pushed off the wall of the school building, and joined him on the sidewalk. The walk to Robin's house was filled with more talking and laughter than usual, a needed distraction. The night was filled with even more, even Robin's usually surly older sister joined in on the fun. All of it was almost enough to make Sammy forget the troubling events that had occurred. Almost.

the next week was fairly ordinary. Billy, the one who swore to end Sammy in front of an entire class, was absent. Surprisingly, there wasn't many rumors. That was almost worse. Sammy was a nervous wreck. He kept a low profile for once, and tried to be as normal as possible. He served his detentions without trouble.