October 1st, 2017, Frankfurt, Germany, Vanguard dorm #A-256

  I woke up to the sound of my alarm blaring an obnoxious pop song I’d set the night before as a “Joke”. I'm not sure who the joke was for... I slapped my phone until the noise stopped, and I immediately flopped back onto my pillow. My tail twitched under the covers, and I could feel the energy buzzing in my chest. First day of university. First actual day, not like stupid orientation or a stupid low-pay job. Just me and my classes, a fresh start.

  I sat up, rubbed the sleep off my eyes, and glanced around my dorm room. It was small, way smaller than my room back home, but at least it was a little cozy, so I didn’t mind it. The walls were bare and white except for a poster of my favorite handball team, despite it just being my first day, my desk was already a mess of notebooks, half-finished poems, and… A bag of chips I forgot to throw out…?

  The reflection on my desk mirror caught my eye, and I grinned. My rusty red fur was a mess, it was sticking up in every direction possible, and the white marking on my face looked bright against the morning light. I ran a hand through my fur, trying to tame it… Unfortunately, my fur won the battle, so I just gave up after a staggering 3 seconds. “Good enough” I muttered, turning away.

  I grabbed my phone and scrolled through my notifications while I rummaged through my closet, trying to find something to wear.

  A text from my twin sister, Adina, popped up:“ Don’t be late, loser. First impressions matter.” I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help but smile. She was probably already on campus, on her way to class. Meanwhile, I was debating whether to wear my comfy hoodie or the shirt that made my fur look extra shiny. One of us has our priorities straight, and it is 100% me.

  I settled on the hoodie, comfort won over style today, and threw on a pair of jeans. As I laced up my sneakers, my mind started racing. What if I couldn’t find my classes? What if I said something stupid and everyone thought I was an idiot? What if- I shook my head, my ears flicking. “Stop overthinking, Ilhan,” I told myself out loud. “You’ve got this.”

  The smell of coffee hit me as soon as I opened my door, and I followed it to a nice café on campus, which was called “Eichelcafe.” The place had a few students there, everyone was with their friends or minding their own business. I stepped up to the counter, the smell of coffee and fresh pastries making my stomach growl. “Just a black coffee, please,” I said, glancing around the café.

  From the corner of my eye, I spotted a gray wolf sitting alone at a table, his head bent over a sketchbook. He looked... interesting. I thought about approaching him, but the barista slid a mug across the counter, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Here you go,” she said with a smile. The mug had a cartoon panda that said “Stay Pawsitive!” I took a sip and nearly choked, bitter as hell, but it did the job. My body buzzed awake, and I grinned. ‘Thanks!’

  I checked the time on my phone and nearly choked on my coffee. “Crap, I’m gonna be late!” I muttered, grabbing my backpack, which was stuffed with notebooks, pens, and a granola bar I’d probably forget to eat for 2 months, and bolted out the door.

  The hallway was a blur of fur and noise as students rushed to their classes. I dodged a wolf who was texting while walking. Seriously, how do they not trip over their tails? And slid to a stop in front of the elevator. It was taking forever, so I took the stairs instead, my tail swishing behind me as I bounded down two at a time.

  By the time I made it outside, I was slightly out of breath but grinning like an idiot. The campus was alive with activity, students lounging on the grass, professors hurrying to their offices, and the smell of food from the communal kitchen.

  I took a deep breath, the crisp morning air filling my lungs, and felt a surge of excitement. This was it. My new beginning.

  I pulled out my schedule and quickly scanned it. First class: Introduction to Interspecies Communication. Sounded fancy, but I was mostly hoping it wouldn’t be boring. As I walked, I caught a glimpse of a wolf sitting on a bench in Silberblatt Park, sketching something in a notebook. His silver fur caught the sunlight, and for a second, I just stared. Then I shook my head and kept walking. No time to get distracted. Not today.

  “You’ve got this, Ilhan,” I whispered to myself as I adjusted my backpack. “First day of a new you!”

  I made it to my first class with exactly two minutes to spare. The room was already packed, and I scanned the rows for an empty seat. My eyes landed on a spot near the back, next to a wolf with silver fur and a sketchbook open in front of him. He looked... intense. Like he was in his little world, completely focused on whatever he was drawing. I hesitated for a second. Wolves always seemed so serious, and I didn’t want to bother him… but the professor was already walking in, so I didn’t have much of a choice.

  October 1st, 2017, Frankfurt, Germany, Vanguard dorm #B-42

  At 8:00 AM, I woke up 5 minutes before my alarm. I disabled it before it could sound, and while groaning, I buried my snout between my pillow and the mattress. My body felt lethargic, and I was a little scared about my first day at this prestigious university until I heard my phone buzz. I picked it up and rubbed my eyes to wake up. Good luck on your first day, big bro, :3 I know you’re probably sleepy rn, but I wish you the best!!! Also, mom says hi!!! I felt my heart melt as my body buzzed with energy. “Thanks, Johann,” I whispered to myself before standing up, turning the lights in my dorm on, and getting ready for my first day.

  My dorm was almost as small as my walk-in closet back home, I didn’t bother putting up any decorations, but my desk was a pure mess. Cluttered would be an understatement. It was piles of art material, sketches, discarded paper, and a bag of chips I’d forgotten to throw out… I’ll throw it out later.

  My reflection in the mirror caught my eye. My silver-gray fur was semi-neat; it all flowed well with some clumps of fur I’d need to brush, and the dark gray edges contrasted well with the rest of my fur in this light ambiance. I look fine, I guess

  The dorm kitchen was empty when I walked in, which was a relief. I wasn't in the mood for small talk, especially this early in the morning. I filled the kettle then set it on the stove and rummaged through the cupboard for a tea bag. Chamomile is perfect for mornings like these… I know the rest of the day will be a loud one.

  While the water boiled, I leaned against the counter and stared out the window. The campus was awake, and students were trickling out of the dorms and heading to their classes. I watched a group of foxes laughing as they walked past, their tails swishing in unison.

  They look so… carefree.

  The kettle whistled, pulling me out of my thoughts. I poured the water into the mug and let the tea steep, the steam curling up into the air. I grabbed a granola bar from my stash, my mom had packed them for me, insisting I’d forget to eat otherwise, and headed back to my room.

  I sat at my desk, sipping my tea and flipping through my sketchbook again. My first class was Introduction to Interspecies Communication, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d heard it was mostly group work, which made my stomach twist. I hated group work.

  Hated the way people looked at me when I didn’t say much, hated the way they talked over me like I wasn’t even there. But it was a required course, so I didn’t have much of a choice.

  I finished my tea and got dressed, putting on a loose black sweater and a pair of white sweatpants. My backpack was already packed, it had a sketchbook, pencils, a few snacks, and my headphones, just in case. I slung it over my shoulder and took a deep breath. “You can do this Tao,” I whispered to myself, even though I was unsure if I believed it.

  The walk to class was quiet, the morning air cool against my fur, and I kept my head down, avoiding eye contact with the other students. I could feel a faint smell of coffee through the soft breeze, I followed the scent, my nose leading me to a cozy little café called “Eichelcafé”.

  The smell of coffee and baked goods wrapped around me like a warm blanket, and I couldn’t resist stepping inside. The place was bustling, but I found a quiet spot near the counter and pulled out my sketchbook. As I started drawing, a flash of red caught my eye. A red panda, short with bright fur and a grin that could light up the room, he was chatting with the barista. There was something about the way he moved, so confident and carefree, that made me pause.

  My pencil hovered over the page as I watched him, my ears twitching. Then he turned, and our eyes met. Shit. I looked away, my face burning. Did he notice me staring? I glanced back just in time to see him leave, his tail swishing behind him. Great, Tao. Now you’re a creep. I decided to follow him around, after all, I had some time to spare before my class started.

  After a short walk, we ended up in Silberblatt Park. It was empty except for a few early risers, and I paused for a moment to take it in. The trees swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves catching sunlight. I pulled out my sketchbook and quickly sketched the scene, my pencil moving almost on its own. It wasn’t perfect, but it helped calm the nerves buzzing in my chest.

  When I got to the classroom, I found a seat near the back and pulled my sketchbook again. Drawing always helped me focus, even when my mind was racing. I was halfway through a sketch of the courtyard when I felt someone’s presence next to me…

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  October 1st, 2017, Frankfurt, Germany, Vanguard classroom C-101

  “Hey, mind if I sit here?” I asked, sliding into the seat before he could answer. He glanced up, his fawn-colored eyes meeting mine for a split second before he looked back down at his sketchbook.

  “Sure,” he mumbled, his voice soft and quiet but not unfriendly. He shifted slightly, giving me more space. I caught a glimpse of his drawing. It was a detailed sketch of the campus courtyard, complete with students and minute details. It was good, like, really good.

  “Woah, did you draw that?” I asked, leaning closer. He stiffened, his ears twitching, and I realized I might’ve invaded his personal space. “Sorry, didn’t mean to”

  “It’s fine,” he interrupted, closing the sketchbook and tucking it into his bag. His tail flicked nervously, and I noticed the darker streaks in his fur, almost like shadows. “It’s just… something I do to pass the time.”

  “Well… That’s cool, I think,” I replied, the wolf’s tail was tucked in between the legs of the chair. “The name’s Ilhan, by the way,” I stretched my hand out and smiled at him

  “I’m Tao… uh- Tao Steele,” he said simply.

  Before I could say anything else, the professor started the lecture, and I reluctantly turned my attention to the front. But I couldn’t help sneaking glances at Tao throughout the class. He was quiet, barely saying a word, but there was something about him that intrigued me. Maybe it was the way he doodled in the margins of his notes, or how he seemed to shrink into himself whenever someone looked his way. Whatever it was, I wanted to know more.

  When the class ended, I packed up my stuff and turned to him. “So, uh, what’s your next class?”

  He looked surprised, like he wasn’t used to people talking to him. “Art History,” He said after a pause

  “Nice! I’ve got Handball Practice,” I said, slinging my backpack over my shoulder. “Hey, if you ever wanna go grab some coffee or something, just let me know. I’m usually at the Eichelcafe between classes.”

  He blinked, his ears twitching again. “Oh. Uh, sure. Maybe”

  I wasn’t sure if he was just being polite or actually considering it, but I decided to take it as a win. “Cool! See you around, Tao!”

  As I walked out of the classroom, I couldn’t help smiling.

  Sure, he was a little awkward, but there was something about him that made me want to keep talking to him. Maybe it was the way he seemed so… genuine. Or maybe it was just the way his fur caught the light when he turned his head. Either way, I had a feeling this wasn’t the last time we’d cross paths…

  As I walked down the hallway, my mind kept drifting back to Tao. There was something about him, something quiet and mysterious, that made me want to know more. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I was determined to figure it out

  I pulled out my phone and texted Adina. Met this guy in class. Super quiet, but he’s got this whole mysterious artist thing going on. Think I’ll try to be friends with him.”

  Her reply was almost instant. “ Mysterious artist, huh? Sounds like your type. Don’t scare him off, loser.”

  I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help grinning. Adina always knew how to get under my skin, but she wasn’t wrong. Tao was my type, or at least, he seemed like someone I’d want to get to know better

  The rest of the day flew by in a blur of classes and handball practice.

  By the time I made it back to the dorm, I was exhausted yet still buzzing with energy. I flopped onto my bed and stared at the ceiling, my tail swishing lazily behind me

  My phone buzzed, and I grabbed it without looking. “Hey, Ilhan,” Tylan’s voice came through the speaker. “How’s the first day treating you?”

  “It’s been… interesting,” I said, propping myself up on one elbow. “Met this guy in class. He’s kinda quiet, but he’s really good at drawing. Like, really good.”

  “Ooh, an artist? Tylan teased. “Sounds like you’ve got a crush already.”

  “Shut up…” I muttered, though I could feel my face heating up. “It’s not like that. I just don’t know. He seems cool, and I wanna be friends with him.”

  “Sure, sure,” Tylan said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Just don’t scare him off with your usual Ilhan-ness.”

  “What’s that even supposed to mean!?” I demanded, but Tylan just laughed

  “You know what it means. Just… take it slow, okay? Not everyone can handle your energy right off the bat.”

  I sighed and flopped back onto the bed. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll be careful…”

  After hanging up, I grabbed my notebook and flipped to a blank page. My fingers twitched, and before I knew it, I was scribbling down a poem. It wasn’t great; just a bunch of random thoughts about the day, but it felt good to get it out

  As I wrote, my mind kept drifting back to Tao. The way his fur caught the light, the way his tail flicked nervously when I got too close, the way he seemed to shrink into himself whenever someone looked his way…

  There was something about him that I couldn’t quite figure out, and it was driving me crazy

  I glanced at the clock and groaned. It was getting late, and I had an early class tomorrow. But as I closed my notebook and turned off the light, I couldn’t stop thinking about Tao

  Maybe tomorrow, I thought, my tail curling around my leg. Maybe tomorrow I’ll get a chance to talk to him again… Tao Steele…

  Meanwhile, in dorm room B-42, Tao sat at his desk, his sketchbook open in front of him. The page was filled with rough sketches of the courtyard, but his mind kept drifting back to the red panda from class…

  “Ilhan,” he muttered to himself

  He wasn’t sure what to make of him. He was loud and energetic, the complete opposite of himself, but there was something about him that made Tao curious. Maybe it was the way he smiled or the way he seemed to fill the room with his presence

  Tao’s ears twitched as he remembered the way Ilhan had leaned in to look at his sketch. He’d been so close, his scent, warm and earthy, like cinnamon and fresh grass, had filled Tao’s nose, making his heart race

  He shook his head and closed the sketchbook. Stop overthinking, he told himself. He’s just being friendly.

  But as he climbed into bed, he couldn’t help wondering if Ilhan would actually take him up on his offer to go grab some coffee.

  October 2nd, Classroom C-101

  The professor stood at the front of the classroom, his tail swishing lazily behind him as he explained the assignment. “For this project, you’ll be working in pairs to create a presentation on effective communication strategies between different species. I’ll be assigning the pairs myself to ensure diversity.”

  Ilhan flopped in his seat, his ears dropping. Great, it’s my second day, and we’re already getting a group project. He glanced around the room, wondering who he’d get stuck with. The fox in the front row seemed nice, but she was already deep in conversation with the bird next to her. The bear in the corner looked intimidating, and the rabbit two seats over kept glancing at him like he was about to pounce.

  Then his eyes landed on Tao

  The wolf was sitting next to him, his silver fur catching the light from the window. He was hunched over his desk, his tail tucked nearly around his legs, and Ilhan couldn’t help but notice how out of place he looked. Like he was trying to take up as little space as possible

  “Ilhan T?l??,” the professor called, snapping Ilhan out of his thoughts

  “Here!” Ilhan said, raising his hand

  “You’ll be working with Tao Steele,” the professor said, gesturing to the wolf

  Ilhan’s ears perked up, and he couldn’t help but grin. This could be interesting, he thought

  Tao, on the other hand, looked like he’d just been handed a death sentence. His ears flattened, and his tail flicked nervously as he glanced over his shoulder at Ilhan

  Ilhan waved, his grin widening. Tao quickly looked away, his face burning…

  After class, Ilhan made his way over to Tao’s desk.

  “Hey, Tao,” he said, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. “Looks like we’re stuck with each other.”

  Tao hesitated, his claws tapping against the edge of his desk. “I… I usually work alone.”

  “Yeah, well, not this time,” Ilhan said, grinning. “Come on, it’ll be fun. I promise not to bite.”

  Tao’s ears twitched, and he looked down at his sketchbook. “I don’t know…”

  “Hey, don’t worry,” Ilhan said, his tone softening. “We’ll make a great team… I think…”

  Tao’s tail gave a small wag, and Ilhan took that as a win.

  “So,” Ilhan said, leaning against the desk. “When do you wanna meet up? I’m free tomorrow after class.”

  Tao hesitated, then nodded. “Okay. Tomorrow.”

  “Great!” Ilhan said, clapping Tao on the shoulder.

  Tao flinched slightly but didn’t pull away. “See you then, partner.”

  As Ilhan walked out of the classroom, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement. There was something about Tao, something quiet and mysterious, that made Ilhan want to know more.