It was another quiet morning for Kevin.

Still in bed, tossing and turning, trying to go back to sleep after a terrible nightmare. He couldn’t stop thinking about the party he missed yesterday, why did Jake lie to him?

To make matters worse, he even tried texting him about it! It felt horrible when Jake canceled their plan of going out to that abandoned place Kevin found out while hiking. But he didn’t hold it personally, he just faked a smile, and stayed home.

Jake told him he’d be too busy focusing on his studies, he wanted to be the best there was in his class. Even if Kevin didn’t share the same interest as the gray labrador, he knew how much it meant to him.

With a heavy groan, the white feline got up from his single bed, almost dropping the green bed sheet on the ground. Making his way to his closet, he stepped over dirty laundry and discarded wrappers, the room was a mess.

He looked at his closet mirror while putting on a black sweater, made from the best quality wool available in Tenyin.

Since he had no plans on going out, Kevin didn’t bother putting on any pants. He left his bedroom still wearing his blue boxers, and went to the bathroom. Even if he was upset, he couldn’t skip out on his morning ritual of brushing his teeth, having burnt toast for breakfast, and watching an episode of ENEMIES.

And that’s exactly what he did.

Kevin was never the type of person to speak much, even with those he enjoyed spending time with. Having known Jake for half his life, would he realize how upset Kevin was?

Still with the same frown he had since finding out about the party, Kevin went to his bedroom again, and grabbed his phone. He wanted to check if he got a message from him.

Nothing. At least he knew the time now, barely eight in the morning. He didn’t miss too much while brooding.

Kevin’s apartment was special. One look inside would send you back in time to the memories of visiting your grandparents. His interior and furniture were a mixture between the sixties and eighties, a time he looked back to fondly.

He was never a fan of modern day items, if it weren’t for his anxiety in fully losing contact with what little people he knew, the Nokia phone he had would be in the junk drawer with the VHS tape rewinder.

People would comment on his behavior. Calling him odd, strange, pointing out the littlest of things, but to him, it was who he is. Who cares if he can’t deal with children? Or loud noises? Or being locked out of his apartment like when he forgot his keys a week ago? All of that is standard to him, and he liked it.

Speaking of people, a knock came at the door.

Kevin wasn’t in the mood to deal with people this early, he just wanted to “relax” to his standard, and isolate.

I should answer, this could be anyone! I have to make a good first impression.

A deep breath in, and out. He hovered his paw over the door handle, unlocking it with the key inside the lock, and opened the door.

A tall tiger stood at the doorway, wearing a bright neon tracksuit. At least, the green contrasted with his red fur.

“Ay, Kev… what are you doing in your underwear?”

Kevin shut the door, his face red from the realization. His white fur faint enough to allow the blush to appear visible.

“Dude.” The tiger said, barely dodging the door in his face.

Kevin ran to his closet, and picked out some gray sweatpants.

He walked back to the apartment door and opened it.

“So, we starting over, or can I come in?”

Kevin stood back, as the tiger entered his apartment. He sat down on Kevin’s couch, the stitching on the sides almost tearing from his athletic build.

“You doing anything?” The tiger asked, watching Kevin sit down on the couch as well, Kevin gave the tiger a bored look.

“What’s got you upset this time?”

Kevin looked towards his bedroom.

“Always got me playing a puzzle when we hang out.”

Kevin thought for a moment, the tiger wasn’t wrong. He did this with everyone. Maybe I should try talking it out more.

“Jake had a party.” He said, looking up to the tiger.

He was surprised, it wasn’t often he’d hear Kevin’s voice. It always sounded soft, kind of like a teddy bear from a toy store, the ones that would call you their best friend with each squeeze.

“Something happened there?”

Kevin let his eyelids fall down, staring into darkness as he pondered for how he could properly explain this situation to his friend. He fell back into the couch, slouching down.

“If you don’t wanna tell me, that’s fine.” The tiger said, as he got up from the couch. He looked around the apartment for a moment, noticing the smell of burnt toast from the kitchen.

He looked back at Kevin, still slouching into the couch, he looked like he was preparing himself as a mold.

Holding in a chuckle, he walked into the kitchen.

“I’m taking a glass of water!” He said, opening Kevin’s fridge and taking out a small bottle. He picked out a cup from the cabinet by the fridge, and poured the whole thing in.

Kevin didn’t care. Abel’s one of two people he didn’t mind taking anything from him. Something different from him and Kevin’s other friends, is how considerate he is.

I should explain.

“Abel?”

He quickly walked back into the living room, the blue cup he held in his left paw nearly spilling as he speeded.

“Yeah?”

Kevin opened his eyes, and dragged himself back up to sit properly on his couch. “It’s a long story.”

Abel sat down beside the white feline. “Can I hear it?”

Kevin sighed, looking down.

“If it’s fine with you.” He quickly added.

“He lied to me again.”

“I swear, this is the tenth time I’m hearing about this guy lying.” Abel said, rolling his green eyes in annoyance.

Kevin had no comment.

“I know I’ll sound like a narc here, but seriously. I don’t think I’ve heard you say a single good thing about him. I don’t know if you say good things at all about people, but… you get me?”

“I asked him if we could go to this place I found, and he wanted to focus on studying.”

“...And?” Abel asked, already expecting the answer.

“He hosted a party instead. I wasn’t invited.”

Knew it. Abel said in his mind.

“How do you know about the party?”

“Stacy called me in the middle of it, she was trying to find me.”

“So, what did you do?”

Kevin looked back at his bedroom.

“Let me guess, be sad about it?”

He nodded sluggishly.

“Look, Kev. I care about ya, but I don’t want to start my morning therapizing someone. I thought to stop by and take you out with me for a jog. You up for that? It could clear your head.”

A jog would be nice. Get the blood going early in the day, it beats staying inside all day and moping around.

He nodded again, getting up and going to his bedroom. He shut his bedroom door behind him, Abel’s best guess was him putting on a tracksuit for the outing.

Downing the whole cup in one gulp, he put it in Kevin’s sink, overflowing in dishes.

When was the last time he washed anything in here?

Abel stopped by the bathroom, as he opened the door, the smell of old laundry quickly filled his nostrils. Moldy cheese, burnt plastic, rotten fish, it was a whole buffet of smells, none of which Abel wanted to endure a second more.

He shut the door, regretting not having used the bathroom at his own apartment earlier. Would he have the time to run back up five flights of stairs before Kevin changed his mind?

Regardless, Abel knew his friend had to get out of this depressive episode. He knew him for a few months, but this was a new level. He shuddered at the thought of how bad it could get.

Abel sat down on Kevin’s couch again, unsure of what to do while he waited. He thought about watching a show on his TV, but the thing was too big, and it wasn’t connected to a standard network. Kevin watched everything on tape.

After what felt like eternity, Kevin opened his bedroom door, stepping out in a black tracksuit, perfectly contrasting with his white fur and orange eyes. Abel looked at him up and down.

“Ready to go?” Abel asked.

Kevin walked up to the apartment door, opened it, and stepped out. Abel followed behind him, as he exited, Kevin shut the door and locked it with a few key turns.

“So, the plan for my jog was going through this street down to Dish City, then passing over to Liqwee to say hey to Barnaby, and maybe get something.” Abel explained to Kevin, as the two walked down the front of the apartment complex.

“I don’t think you’ve met Barnaby or been to Liqwee, so call this an adventure today.” He laughed lightly, turning left from the apartment staircase to start the journey.

Kevin kept his head down, staring at the concrete while the two began making their way to their first stop. Abel looked back at him every now and again, making sure he wasn’t slowing down, or walking away.

Kevin knew Abel for many things, but jogging was not one of them. Maybe it’s his new year’s resolution, but walking certainly wasn’t jogging. Not to him, at least.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Abel was already as fit as any man at a weight championship, something about this plan seemed fishy. But he tried to put off his suspicions and overthinking nature, and just kept following behind the tiger.

“Kev, uh… have you ever jogged? I feel like I’m losing you here, and I’m not even running.” Abel said, walking a bit slower, falling backwards by Kevin.

Oh, I’m sorry. Sorry.

He began walking a bit faster, bringing his knees up and down little by little. He wasn’t in the best mood for running, but this was far better than walking as stiff as a board. Abel jogged along beside him, the two entered a light path with overarching trees that formed along to create the appearance of a tunnel.

The path was calm and with reaches of nature, some flowers grew and hung from the edges of the tree barks, as well as grass seeping between the cracks of the concrete path.

Making their way out, Abel paused for a moment, taking in a deep breath. Kevin stood by him waiting, surprised by the sudden break. He expected to be the first one, not Abel.

“We’re almost at Dish City, practically half way!”

Kevin smiled lightly, looking down the street, a few cars driving by on the road, and a rabbit couple jaywalking.

“Right, on we go.” Abel said, continuing the jog.

The two joggers kept their plan in motion, as they ran across the road to Dish City, nearly being hit by a red sedan. A passing shout from the crow in the car at Abel and Kevin later, they were at the entrance.

“Almost dying sure is a thrill.” Abel said jokingly, at least, Kevin thinks so. Abel stretched his arms for a moment, pulling them behind him, shaking them about, and twisting.

“You want a break?”

If I take a break, he’ll think I’m too lazy for this.

Kevin shook his head.

“Okay. Just follow me from here, Liqwee’s still kind of new.”

Kevin wasn’t quite familiar with most of his town, something he never admitted to anyone. Why would he? All the things he’s familiar with and could want are available right at home.

The only times he’d need to go out is if he was interested in going somewhere with a friend, or having a breath of fresh air in nature. He always went the same paths, most of the town was foreign to him because of that. Maybe he should explore more with Abel after this morning jog.

Drowned in his thoughts, Kevin didn’t even realize they arrived at their final destination. Abel snapped his claws in the white feline’s face to get him back into reality.

“You alive?”

Kevin’s head jolted up, looking at Abel.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

Abel looked at the entrance to Liqwee, the bar looked empty in terms of customers, perfect for him, Kevin, and Barnaby.

“Let’s go in.” He said, approaching the glass doorway, he shoved as hard as he could, and realized it’s a pull door. With a heavy sigh, he pulled the door open, letting Kevin pass, and shut it after getting inside.

“A treat watching you mess up the door again.” A voice in the intercom spoke, Kevin gave Abel an awkward smile.

“Harhar, very funny.” He said sarcastically, moving his head left and right. The two sat down by a counter next to a register.

Behind the register was a wall of beads. Footsteps echoed.

“Abel.” That same voice said mockingly, coming from behind the beads. “Kevin, this is Barnaby.” Abel held his right paw out and waved it at the wall.

“I didn’t think you’d be bringing over new applicants so quickly!” Barnaby said, stepping out from their entrance.

A golden retriever wearing a long brown apron around their neck down to their knees. Their blue jeans were not clashing well with the orange sleeved shirt they had beneath the apron.

New applicants? I knew there was a catch…

“I was just takin’ him out, Bee. He ain’t workin’ here.”

Abel gave Kevin a quick glance.

“Unless he wants to.”

Barnaby kept a large smirk, resting their arms on the marble counter. “Well, tell me, what got you and him together?”

Does he think we’re dating?

“I’m not datin’ Kev.” Abel said in a strict tone, knowing Barnaby, he had to be as straight to the point as he could, denying any possible innuendos.

“So, ‘Kev’, what’s about you?” Barnaby asked, twirling a finger on the counter idly. Kevin gave them an awkward smile.

“Kevin’s kind of… not a talker.” Abel answered for him.

“Mmm, yeah, now I’m definitely not considering you for the job.”

“Dude.” Abel frowned, burrowing his brows.

“I’m just really thinking about a day off.”

Barnaby slipped their paws below the counter, and pulled out two menus. They slid them in front of Abel and Kevin, before turning around and picking a large glass mug off a shelf.

Why doesn’t Abel apply?

“What’s new with you anyway, Bee?”

Barnaby turned around, and put the glass on the counter.

“Slow business this week, good for a break, bad for the money.” They answered, pulling out a bottle of Pepsi, and pouring it out into the glass.

“No one came by for a drink with that football thing a few days ago?”

“Oh, yeah, a TON of old bears came by, begged me for as many beers as I could find. Probably the best day I had for the shop.”

Kevin listened to the two talking, as he flipped through the small notebook of options. Milkshakes, fries, salads, baked goods, Kevin didn’t have a clue what he should go for.

Barnaby swigged the glass of Pepsi down in one gulp.

“Anyway, I’m gonna go to the bathroom, you two eat the menu or something, just scream when you’re ready.”

They walked through the wall of beads, disappearing.

Abel glanced over at Kevin, still scanning the options.

“I’m not sure I’m really hungry. How about you?”

Kevin looked over at Abel, processing a response. He shrugged. Abel opened his menu, looking through the breakfast options. Barnaby was not a fan of waffles, anything that could have offered them would be replaced with pancakes.

“I think I’m gettin’ fries.” Abel shut his menu, looking to Kevin.

Kevin gave him a look back, still staring into the menu with half-shut eyes, he was bored. Completely out of his mind.

“Wanna share?”

Kevin shut his menu, and put it onto the counter. He gave Abel a nod.

“BARNABY!” Abel shouted.

“One sec!” Barnaby shouted through the beads. Their chromatic colors shaking in the wind from the projecting voice. Barnaby came back, standing before the duo.

“Big bowl o’ fries.” He said, collecting the two menus, and putting them in front of Barnaby. “Any drinks?” They asked.

Kevin shook his head. “I had water.” Abel said.

“Fries it sounds.” Barnaby walked off behind the waterfall of beads, the rainbow array shining off with the sunlight as they shook back into a standstill.

Liqwee was still relatively new, Kevin noticed how odd the interior design was. A mixture between modern and 80’s, the booths looked stained from numerous rush hours, but the stools looked ready for a rich business opportunity.

Kevin gave Abel an awkward smile, when he noticed him watching him looking around.

“Like the place?” He asked, looking out the large window by the counter, a few posters visible from the other side. One read about a party at a cemetery, another about a missing goat, and some were offers in a nearby gas station.

Kevin mumbled and sighed.

“I’ll take that as a fifty-fifty.”

“Abel, I need you back here.” Barnaby’s voice called out from behind the wall of beads. “Are you hurt?” He asked, nearly jumping over the counter at the sound of Barnaby’s request.

“GET IN HERE!” Barnaby shouted angrily. Abel got off his seat and walked behind the counter, he ran through the wall of beads, down a wooden hallway, and almost bumped into Barnaby.

“C’mere.” They said, gesturing to a doorway into the bar’s kitchen. The two entered, and Abel looked around the small dim room, a few stoves and a large fridge on the left, a long set of cabinets full of cutlery and plates on the right.

“What’s that kid’s deal?” Barnaby blurted out, crossing their arms. Abel turned back to look at Barnaby, his focus moments before on the fries being fried. “Huh?”

“Not a single word out of him.”

“Dude.” He shook his head. “Don’t shit talk Kevin.”

“One, the fryer is too loud, and we’re far from the counter. Two, I’m asking a question, not dropping him off a cliff.”

“I dunno, he’s quiet. Simple answer.”

Barnaby sarcastically shook their head, looking back into the deep fryer, making sure the fries weren’t overcooking.

“You like him?”

“He’s cool.”

Abel gave the golden retriever a hard look up and down, debating his current choices. “Can I go back now?”

“Nah, I’m not done asking questions.”

“Why do you wanna know so much about him?”

“I’m just so interested in how I never heard a single thing about him, and you’re acting like you knew him your whole life. Feeling a little jealous, y’know?”

“Look, man. You’re fine. Kevin is too. I don’t bother talking about him because I never bring him up. You’re not losing to him in some popularity contest. Calm your tits.”

Barnaby rolled their blue eyes, looking back to the deep fryer. The sizzling noise in the oil let them know the fries were about ready. “Pick out a bowl, fries done.” They said, grabbing the handle of the fry basket and pulling out a giant tangle of thick cut potato fries.

Abel opened a lower cabinet, scanning around for any bowls that could fit that monstrosity of a size. Leaning his face further into the storage, he pulled out a medium-sized ceramic bowl.

He recognized this bowl.

“Bee, did you seriously keep this?”

Barnaby turned around, giving the tiger a confused scowl, before noticing the brown bowl with flowers poorly painted around the outer edge.

They swiftly grabbed the bowl out of Abel’s hold.

“Thought I lost it. Remember when Mrs. Simon said it was shit? And I-”

“-Told her she was shit? Yeah, I remember.” Abel finished their sentence, still looking at the ceramic bowl.

“It’s a nice memory, something we made, so I kept it.”

“Can we use it for the fries?”

Barnaby gave Abel a hard look, burrowing their eyebrows. “You crazy? This has a lot of sentimental value, I’m not gonn-”

“It’s just for some fries, dude. On the counter, not like the world will explode.” Abel deflected, almost having enough of this interaction.

“You’re washing it when it’s empty.” Barnaby commanded, putting it down on a small counter by the cabinet, and pouring the whole thing of fries into it. A perfect size.

“Now, you and your second best friend can eat those fries.”

“Wanna talk with us?”

“With you.”

“Dude.”

“Fine, with you two. Sure. I got nothing better to do if no one else is showing up.”

Kevin sat by the counter, shoving his face into the marble, looking ready to sleep. Before he could shut his eyes, he heard the sound of footsteps, and Abel’s voice.

“Got the fries.” He said, coming out of the wall of beads with Barnaby, Abel got out from behind the counter and sat beside Kevin, putting the bowl between the duo. Barnaby stood in front of them, still behind the counter.

“Oh, wait. You got salt and pepper?” Abel asked, looking down at the bowl of unseasoned fries. “I was worried you’d eat them bland.” Barnaby answered, pulling out a large pepper and salt shaker from beneath the counter.

Abel took them both in one paw, shaking them vigorously over the bowl, he spun it around a few times to get in some angles, and to season the fries beneath the ones on the top.

“Don’t use the whole damn thing, I just got them from some fancy restaurant.”

“You STOLE them?”

“It’s not stealing if no one noticed.” Barnaby winked cheekily.

I definitely don’t want my stuff near this guy.

Abel put the two shakers on the counter, ready to dig into the bowl of fries. Barnaby took the shakers and hid them below in their original placement.

“Got anything planned this week?” Abel asked, eating two large fries at once. “Some goat showed off about a party in a cemetery, thought about going.” Barnaby answered.

“Oh, the poster? Yeah, I saw it.”

Barnaby scoffed. “Cheap thing only offered five bucks to keep it on the window.” They left the counter, and approached the window, scanning for the poster taped to the glass pane.

Kevin watched the golden retriever take the poster off the window slowly, making sure not to smear the glass with any leftover marks from the tape and torn paper.

“Think you will?” Abel asked, trying to lighten the mood from the sound of paper being torn into hundreds of shreds.

“It’s tomorrow, Saturday’s are usually good business days. I don’t think I can if I got no one to cover me.”

Kevin gave Abel a hard look, one he didn’t notice while focusing on Barnaby.

“Say…” Barnaby said, their voice trailing off.

“No.” Abel interrupted.

“You don’t even have a job. Can’t you do me a favor?”

Oh, so that’s why.

“What’s in it for me?” Abel asked with a smug look on his face.

“Always with benefits with you.” Barnaby groaned, shaking their left paw dismissively, while contemplating in their mind.

They balled up the torn shreds of paper in their right paw, and tossed it into a trash can behind the counter. “I know…” Barnaby said in a sing-song.

They stood between Abel and Kevin.

“You cover me, and I’ll take Kevin to the party.”

Kevin snapped his neck at Barnaby, completely lost in suddenly being part of a deal. Was his autonomy this low?

What? Is this guy crazy? We haven’t even had a conversation! What would he even think about me at the party? I can’t deal with loud music or all the crowding, he’ll think I’m some buzzkill!

“How is that even remotely good for me?” Abel asked, trying to understand how he should even attempt to consider throwing Kevin into some deal.

“You get money, I get to interact with your…”

They gave Kevin a long silent smug stare.

“Friend. Take him out, know him, we could even become a trio.”

Abel turned to look at Kevin, his face expressing all forms of bewilderment and concern. “Are you fine with that, Kev?”

Say no, just tell this weirdo off. Anything, Abel, throw him out a window or something. I can’t do this, I’m not gonna.

“Looks like a yeah to me.” Barnaby said, going back behind the counter, the white feline still staring at the floor, trapped in his thoughts.

Abel gave Kevin one last concerned look, before turning to Barnaby. “I’ll do it, but I want to hear Kevin say he enjoyed the party after.”

Barnaby smiled wildly, putting one arm on the counter. “I’ll even have it recorded on video.”

Abel let out a hearty chuckle. “Good luck with that.”