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Fox 019: Cornered Without a Fox
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[AN: This is the nineteenth in the Fox Tale series. Please read them in order.]
[Creative property of Lady Quindecim]
Part Nineteen: Cornered Without a Fox
I was standing in my closet, wearing my bathrobe, hair still wet, wrapped in a towel, looking at the few clothes that were already hung up and not yet worn in the past week. Most were dresses as they had moved hanging up, but most of what had been unpacked already had also already been worn.
There was a knock on my bedroom door frame and I poked my head out to find Ginger poking her head into my room from the hall, through the open door.
"Yep, she's here," she said, and stepped into my room from the hall at the same time I stepped in from the closet.
Then I saw Mary Ann, of course, step in. "Mags was talking to your mom."
"So you two are really going to fix this place up?" Ginger wanted to know.
"Yeah."
Mary Ann asked, "Do you do everything yourselves?"
"We do what we can, yeah, but usually there are lots of things we need a contractor for. Hey, um, what's going on?"
"Well, during the week was too busy to really welcome you and stuff," Mary Ann started.
"So this is our first chance for us to hijack you," Ginger finished as Mags joined us.
I looked at the way they were dressed to see if it would tell me what we were going to be up to and what impact it may have on what I decided to wear, but it was not much help. I decided a few things in short order: One; skirt over leggings, turtleneck and a button front open - a mix of things I had worn this week, but nothing that had been together. Two; they were making a gesture of friendship and even though I did not really want to, I thought I would spend the day with them. Three; this was going to get me out of talking to Mom about anything involved today, and I could still unpack tomorrow.
"Okay, but I still need to get dressed."
Rather than them all stepping out, Ginger just shut my door as Mary Ann sat on my bed.
Mags came to my rescue, "Uh, leave the door open," and Ginger re-opened my room, but no one left.
I decided that, having announced that I was going to disrobe, and they did not step out, that it was their own fault if they did not like what they saw, but it would probably be better to just play along rather than making an issue of them staying. I stepped back as far into my closet as I could, but Mags came over to lean on the door frame. This really must have been no big deal for her at all.
I kept myself as covered as I could with my robe as I pulled things on underneath it while Mags talked about plans for the day that largely consisted of showing me around town; where to eat, where to shop, etc. I missed a lot of the details, but when I returned to my room, Mary Ann had me sit in front of her on my bed while she braided my damp hair.
They wanted to know about where I was from and about the schools I had been to and the houses we had remodeled. I happily talked about the drum line at my last school. Of course, I had not been with them long, but with practice over the summer, then the first eight weeks of school I had experienced a lot, musically. I tried to keep the conversation from venturing toward family and relationships. I managed to get Ginger and Mary Ann to talk about the "award winning" brass section and they explained that in the spring, to replace the marching aspect of band, they have a drum and bugle line.
"Mostly, we started it because the freshmen are not in lab band and we wanted something to do. So there is the regular band, the jazz band, full symphony, and the drum and brass ensemble," Ginger recited.
"Cool. So I could be in it?"
"We have tryouts, but basically, it is typically left to the fish and sophs as jazz and symph are typically the juniors and seniors." Mary Ann sounded so much like Ginger that I almost had to see their lips move to know which was talking. "But lab band will keep you busy enough."
"So," Mags said, "Time to go meet up with the boys."
This was it. I either stay with Mom, do the bonding thing, open locked doors and relive dark memories; or go with my new friends, bond with them, avoiding truths and running away from my true feelings.
I decided to run.
When we all reached downstairs and the living room, Mom was there with her laptop on the coffee table. We looked at each other and passed an understanding. She was working, I was making friends, we would unpack tomorrow, maybe we would talk, or not but I was making and spending time with friends. She was happy for me, in a way. I, on the other hand, was not happy for me.
* * * * *
The shopping square was interesting. There was the old, or legacy square that was the old town square that circled the old county courthouse. It was filled with tea shops, ice cream parlors, antique, craft and resale boutiques, tourist markets, a real theater with like an actual stage. There was also a cafe and a steakhouse. It was all local business stuff. Behind that was the the mall square with all the modern things. Everything from coffee to electronics to restaurants had a national brand face.
Mags greeted James at the coffee shop with a quick kiss and I looked away involuntarily. When I looked back, she had a sort of apologetic expression that I did not understand. There was hugging amongst people but I did not participate. When I saw Brad, then Cody, I expected to see Keith, but Cody explained that he may meet up with us later. Cody also made a point of congratulating me on making the lab band - I was embarrassed, but just a little. Tonya and Nathalie, the former being Keith's proxy date as I was Cody's and the later, I had been briefly introduced to, but could only remember that she was a woodwind of some variety, also made a big deal of making the band and getting me a cookie in celebration.
It was chilly in the shadow of the buildings and we huddled together. I kept looking around, but for what, I did not know. It felt odd to be so physically close, brushing against one another, leaning into each other, so casually. No one treated me as an outsider, or stranger, but rather simply accepted me as one of their own. I could not help but wonder if they would be so casual and nonchalant if they knew about me. Would they fear that by putting their arm around me that I would think it was more than it was - that it meant something? Would this casual, physical contact - albeit through gloves, scarves and coats - become something else? Could they let it just be, what it was for what it is... just people being people? And if they knew the other - the thing I am still avoiding telling Mom - would they even look me in the eye? Would they still call me their friend or quietly put more and more distance between themselves and me?
I caught myself looking around, searching for something as everyone discussed where to go and what to do. Hours later, the guys, plus Nathalie, minus James had seen a movie and explored the electronics store. The girls - minus Nathalie, plus James - shopped. Mary Ann bought shoes, Ginger bought gloves, hat and scarf for her sister, Tanya needed a new belt; but Mags managed to corner me in the used book store.
"Cody said you were completely cool with him being gay. Said he wasn't going to tell you, but you figured it out."
"Yeah, I, um, understand now what you were telling me, before, when I said the Fox already told me."
"So, what did she tell you?"
"She said that if I break the news, she would break my face, only she didn't say what the news was, only that if he happened to say something, you know?"
"She said that?"
"Not exactly, no, but I got the message that he is under her protection."
"I see."
"I mean, I think he is great. I'd stand up for him, no matter what, you know? I and I barely know him."
"Then, how did you know?"
"He kept looking, you know, over towards Keith." I thought about it a moment, replaying the evening in my mind, "There was just something in his eyes, a love and a longing. Although I was off the mark on who it was at first, but then I got it."
"Thanks, Chole," she said with heartfelt honesty. "That means a lot to me." This last she said in a deep, full bodied embrace that made me very aware of her body - her curves - against mine.
"It's fine, really," I said.
"No, I mean, well, I am glad it is fine, but I know you have some issues and I just." She broke off the hug and regrouped her words. "I have really good friends that I don't think would be okay with it."
"You mean, they would feel awkward just being around him? And that even if they were okay with his preferences, it would damage the friendship?"
"Something like that." She seemed startled by the tear she wiped away. "I guess you know someone else who's-"
"Yeah," I cut her off, then apologized for interrupting her.
"'Sokay," she promised. "We'd better find the others before they think we are making out or something."
"Wait. One more thing, Mags." This was it. This was the time for me to come clean with her. Having not said anything before now was probably excusable, but keeping it from her now, would be misleading. She has shown me that she was trustworthy; that she could handle it and not judge me, so waiting longer would betray the trust she has shown in me. I knew if I did not tell her right then, that I would have to keep it a secret for the foreseeable future. I knew I had to give her the chance to decide how to behave around me.
She waited.
"Mags... between my issues, and moving, and... things, I have not really had friends like you all. It is weird - no - it is normal, but it feels weird to me. I am just not used to it." I chickened out. I realised what was missing, what I kept looking for, hoping to find because my thoughts were - had been all day - filled with Fox. I was oddly, easily obsessed and unsure how I felt about it. I wanted to find her, to see her, look into her eyes and have her put her arms around me and press her body against mine. I wanted her to be proud of how easily I accepted that Cody was queer, and I wanted to tell her why it was so easy for me to be understanding. I wanted to tell her everything, but at the same time, how could I, when I could not even tell Mags.
"Don't worry about it." She smiled brightly and kissed my cheek. "If things get to be too much; start to smother you with affection, or whatever the issue may be just let me know and we'll deal, okay?"
"I think I can deal with that," and I took her hand, put her arm through mine and we walked on to find our friends.
[You have been reading the nineteenth installment of the Fox Tale Series by Lady Quindecim.]
[If you received this text from a source other than DeviantArt, please let the author know via e-mail to lady.quindecim@gmail.com]
[I hope you have enjoyed this installment]
[Creative property of Lady Quindecim]
Part Nineteen: Cornered Without a Fox
I was standing in my closet, wearing my bathrobe, hair still wet, wrapped in a towel, looking at the few clothes that were already hung up and not yet worn in the past week. Most were dresses as they had moved hanging up, but most of what had been unpacked already had also already been worn.
There was a knock on my bedroom door frame and I poked my head out to find Ginger poking her head into my room from the hall, through the open door.
"Yep, she's here," she said, and stepped into my room from the hall at the same time I stepped in from the closet.
Then I saw Mary Ann, of course, step in. "Mags was talking to your mom."
"So you two are really going to fix this place up?" Ginger wanted to know.
"Yeah."
Mary Ann asked, "Do you do everything yourselves?"
"We do what we can, yeah, but usually there are lots of things we need a contractor for. Hey, um, what's going on?"
"Well, during the week was too busy to really welcome you and stuff," Mary Ann started.
"So this is our first chance for us to hijack you," Ginger finished as Mags joined us.
I looked at the way they were dressed to see if it would tell me what we were going to be up to and what impact it may have on what I decided to wear, but it was not much help. I decided a few things in short order: One; skirt over leggings, turtleneck and a button front open - a mix of things I had worn this week, but nothing that had been together. Two; they were making a gesture of friendship and even though I did not really want to, I thought I would spend the day with them. Three; this was going to get me out of talking to Mom about anything involved today, and I could still unpack tomorrow.
"Okay, but I still need to get dressed."
Rather than them all stepping out, Ginger just shut my door as Mary Ann sat on my bed.
Mags came to my rescue, "Uh, leave the door open," and Ginger re-opened my room, but no one left.
I decided that, having announced that I was going to disrobe, and they did not step out, that it was their own fault if they did not like what they saw, but it would probably be better to just play along rather than making an issue of them staying. I stepped back as far into my closet as I could, but Mags came over to lean on the door frame. This really must have been no big deal for her at all.
I kept myself as covered as I could with my robe as I pulled things on underneath it while Mags talked about plans for the day that largely consisted of showing me around town; where to eat, where to shop, etc. I missed a lot of the details, but when I returned to my room, Mary Ann had me sit in front of her on my bed while she braided my damp hair.
They wanted to know about where I was from and about the schools I had been to and the houses we had remodeled. I happily talked about the drum line at my last school. Of course, I had not been with them long, but with practice over the summer, then the first eight weeks of school I had experienced a lot, musically. I tried to keep the conversation from venturing toward family and relationships. I managed to get Ginger and Mary Ann to talk about the "award winning" brass section and they explained that in the spring, to replace the marching aspect of band, they have a drum and bugle line.
"Mostly, we started it because the freshmen are not in lab band and we wanted something to do. So there is the regular band, the jazz band, full symphony, and the drum and brass ensemble," Ginger recited.
"Cool. So I could be in it?"
"We have tryouts, but basically, it is typically left to the fish and sophs as jazz and symph are typically the juniors and seniors." Mary Ann sounded so much like Ginger that I almost had to see their lips move to know which was talking. "But lab band will keep you busy enough."
"So," Mags said, "Time to go meet up with the boys."
This was it. I either stay with Mom, do the bonding thing, open locked doors and relive dark memories; or go with my new friends, bond with them, avoiding truths and running away from my true feelings.
I decided to run.
When we all reached downstairs and the living room, Mom was there with her laptop on the coffee table. We looked at each other and passed an understanding. She was working, I was making friends, we would unpack tomorrow, maybe we would talk, or not but I was making and spending time with friends. She was happy for me, in a way. I, on the other hand, was not happy for me.
* * * * *
The shopping square was interesting. There was the old, or legacy square that was the old town square that circled the old county courthouse. It was filled with tea shops, ice cream parlors, antique, craft and resale boutiques, tourist markets, a real theater with like an actual stage. There was also a cafe and a steakhouse. It was all local business stuff. Behind that was the the mall square with all the modern things. Everything from coffee to electronics to restaurants had a national brand face.
Mags greeted James at the coffee shop with a quick kiss and I looked away involuntarily. When I looked back, she had a sort of apologetic expression that I did not understand. There was hugging amongst people but I did not participate. When I saw Brad, then Cody, I expected to see Keith, but Cody explained that he may meet up with us later. Cody also made a point of congratulating me on making the lab band - I was embarrassed, but just a little. Tonya and Nathalie, the former being Keith's proxy date as I was Cody's and the later, I had been briefly introduced to, but could only remember that she was a woodwind of some variety, also made a big deal of making the band and getting me a cookie in celebration.
It was chilly in the shadow of the buildings and we huddled together. I kept looking around, but for what, I did not know. It felt odd to be so physically close, brushing against one another, leaning into each other, so casually. No one treated me as an outsider, or stranger, but rather simply accepted me as one of their own. I could not help but wonder if they would be so casual and nonchalant if they knew about me. Would they fear that by putting their arm around me that I would think it was more than it was - that it meant something? Would this casual, physical contact - albeit through gloves, scarves and coats - become something else? Could they let it just be, what it was for what it is... just people being people? And if they knew the other - the thing I am still avoiding telling Mom - would they even look me in the eye? Would they still call me their friend or quietly put more and more distance between themselves and me?
I caught myself looking around, searching for something as everyone discussed where to go and what to do. Hours later, the guys, plus Nathalie, minus James had seen a movie and explored the electronics store. The girls - minus Nathalie, plus James - shopped. Mary Ann bought shoes, Ginger bought gloves, hat and scarf for her sister, Tanya needed a new belt; but Mags managed to corner me in the used book store.
"Cody said you were completely cool with him being gay. Said he wasn't going to tell you, but you figured it out."
"Yeah, I, um, understand now what you were telling me, before, when I said the Fox already told me."
"So, what did she tell you?"
"She said that if I break the news, she would break my face, only she didn't say what the news was, only that if he happened to say something, you know?"
"She said that?"
"Not exactly, no, but I got the message that he is under her protection."
"I see."
"I mean, I think he is great. I'd stand up for him, no matter what, you know? I and I barely know him."
"Then, how did you know?"
"He kept looking, you know, over towards Keith." I thought about it a moment, replaying the evening in my mind, "There was just something in his eyes, a love and a longing. Although I was off the mark on who it was at first, but then I got it."
"Thanks, Chole," she said with heartfelt honesty. "That means a lot to me." This last she said in a deep, full bodied embrace that made me very aware of her body - her curves - against mine.
"It's fine, really," I said.
"No, I mean, well, I am glad it is fine, but I know you have some issues and I just." She broke off the hug and regrouped her words. "I have really good friends that I don't think would be okay with it."
"You mean, they would feel awkward just being around him? And that even if they were okay with his preferences, it would damage the friendship?"
"Something like that." She seemed startled by the tear she wiped away. "I guess you know someone else who's-"
"Yeah," I cut her off, then apologized for interrupting her.
"'Sokay," she promised. "We'd better find the others before they think we are making out or something."
"Wait. One more thing, Mags." This was it. This was the time for me to come clean with her. Having not said anything before now was probably excusable, but keeping it from her now, would be misleading. She has shown me that she was trustworthy; that she could handle it and not judge me, so waiting longer would betray the trust she has shown in me. I knew if I did not tell her right then, that I would have to keep it a secret for the foreseeable future. I knew I had to give her the chance to decide how to behave around me.
She waited.
"Mags... between my issues, and moving, and... things, I have not really had friends like you all. It is weird - no - it is normal, but it feels weird to me. I am just not used to it." I chickened out. I realised what was missing, what I kept looking for, hoping to find because my thoughts were - had been all day - filled with Fox. I was oddly, easily obsessed and unsure how I felt about it. I wanted to find her, to see her, look into her eyes and have her put her arms around me and press her body against mine. I wanted her to be proud of how easily I accepted that Cody was queer, and I wanted to tell her why it was so easy for me to be understanding. I wanted to tell her everything, but at the same time, how could I, when I could not even tell Mags.
"Don't worry about it." She smiled brightly and kissed my cheek. "If things get to be too much; start to smother you with affection, or whatever the issue may be just let me know and we'll deal, okay?"
"I think I can deal with that," and I took her hand, put her arm through mine and we walked on to find our friends.
[You have been reading the nineteenth installment of the Fox Tale Series by Lady Quindecim.]
[If you received this text from a source other than DeviantArt, please let the author know via e-mail to lady.quindecim@gmail.com]
[I hope you have enjoyed this installment]
I did not prepare a description specific to this one so I am winging it and may come back an fix/change it.
The day takes a rather abrupt turn from what Chole expected - she is unaccustomed to having friends, especially ones with driver's licenses.
And the usual:
If this is the first one you are reading, by all means please stop and read the first one [link] first, then proceed in order, if you would be so kind.
And if you like it/them, let me know. If you do not, I would still like to know. If you are completely indifferent and do not feel it is worth your time to comment, that's okay, you can let me know that as well.
Part One: Fox at First Sight → [link] ←
Part Two: Foxy Lady → [link] ←
Part Three: Still a Fox → [link] ←
Part Four: Fellowship of the Fox → [link] ←
Part Five: Fox Free Period → [link] ←
Part Six: Fox, but not Forgotten → [link] ←
Part Seven: Fox Report → [link] ←
Part Eight: Fox in socks → [link] ←
Part Nine: Lingering Fox → [link] ←
Part Ten: Bargain with a Fox → [link] ←
Part Eleven: Speechless Fox → [link] ←
Part Twelve: Fox Filled Dreams → [link] ←
Part Thirteen: In a Box, With a Fox → [link] ←
Part Fourteen: Fox and Stone → [link] ←
Part Fifteen: Chef Fox & On the Spot → [link] ←
Part Sixteen: Fox Proud → [link] ←
Part Seventeen: Fox is Watching → [link] ←
Part Eighteen: Foxless Day? → [link] ←
Part Nineteen: Cornered Without a Fox → You are Here ←
Part Twenty: A Fighting Fox → [link] ←
Oh, and, I never thought I would have to put this here but... IF YOU ARE GOING TO USED ANY OF THESE FOR ANY PURPOSE PLEASE CHECK WITH ME FIRST. thanks.
The day takes a rather abrupt turn from what Chole expected - she is unaccustomed to having friends, especially ones with driver's licenses.
And the usual:
If this is the first one you are reading, by all means please stop and read the first one [link] first, then proceed in order, if you would be so kind.
And if you like it/them, let me know. If you do not, I would still like to know. If you are completely indifferent and do not feel it is worth your time to comment, that's okay, you can let me know that as well.
Part One: Fox at First Sight → [link] ←
Part Two: Foxy Lady → [link] ←
Part Three: Still a Fox → [link] ←
Part Four: Fellowship of the Fox → [link] ←
Part Five: Fox Free Period → [link] ←
Part Six: Fox, but not Forgotten → [link] ←
Part Seven: Fox Report → [link] ←
Part Eight: Fox in socks → [link] ←
Part Nine: Lingering Fox → [link] ←
Part Ten: Bargain with a Fox → [link] ←
Part Eleven: Speechless Fox → [link] ←
Part Twelve: Fox Filled Dreams → [link] ←
Part Thirteen: In a Box, With a Fox → [link] ←
Part Fourteen: Fox and Stone → [link] ←
Part Fifteen: Chef Fox & On the Spot → [link] ←
Part Sixteen: Fox Proud → [link] ←
Part Seventeen: Fox is Watching → [link] ←
Part Eighteen: Foxless Day? → [link] ←
Part Nineteen: Cornered Without a Fox → You are Here ←
Part Twenty: A Fighting Fox → [link] ←
Oh, and, I never thought I would have to put this here but... IF YOU ARE GOING TO USED ANY OF THESE FOR ANY PURPOSE PLEASE CHECK WITH ME FIRST. thanks.
Comments3
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I love this chapter...
Chole's inner thoughts and the way she perceives the situation reminds me of myself.
You've achieved in getting me the reader to have a deep connection with your character
As for Mags, my goodness she's a beautiful soul, I really like her.
Reading this today made my day lol, I know that's probably strange but it really did x.x
Chole's inner thoughts and the way she perceives the situation reminds me of myself.
You've achieved in getting me the reader to have a deep connection with your character
As for Mags, my goodness she's a beautiful soul, I really like her.
Reading this today made my day lol, I know that's probably strange but it really did x.x