The sky was a deep shade of grey, with clouds that seemed to stretch on forever. It was the perfect day to grab a cup of coffee and catch up with someone special. I had been looking forward to this meetup with Sophie all week.

As I walked into the Starbucks, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped me, immediately lifting my mood. I spotted Sophie sitting by the window, her hair tied up in a ponytail, and a warm smile on her face. She waved at me, and I made my way over to her.

"Hey, Max!" she said, as I sat down across from her. "I'm so glad you could make it."

I smiled back at her. "Me too, Sophie. You look lovely today."

Sophie blushed, and we both laughed. She pushed a plate of biscuits towards me. "I baked these especially for you. I hope you like them."

I took a bite, and the sweet, buttery flavor exploded in my mouth. "Wow, Sophie, these are amazing! You're an incredible baker."

Sophie beamed with pride. "Thanks, Max. I love baking. It's one of my favorite things to do."

As we sipped our coffee and munched on biscuits, I couldn't help but notice how much Sophie reminded me of my mother. Her kindness, her caring nature, and her infectious laugh all brought back fond memories of my childhood.

After we finished our snacks, Sophie suggested we take a walk in the park. The cloudy weather had brought a cool breeze, making it the perfect day for a stroll. As we walked, the sounds of nature surrounded us - birds chirping, leaves rustling, and the distant hum of a lawnmower.

Sophie suddenly stopped and looked up at a tree. "Listen, Max. Do you hear that?"

I listened carefully, and soon I heard the sweet melody of a bird's song. "That's beautiful," I said. "What kind of bird is it?"

Sophie's eyes sparkled with excitement. "It's a thrush! They're one of my favorite birds. Did you know that they're known for their beautiful singing voices?"

I shook my head, impressed by Sophie's extensive knowledge of birds. "No, I didn't know that. You're a walking encyclopedia of bird facts!"

Sophie laughed. "I just love learning about birds. They're so fascinating. And have you noticed how many different species of birds there are in this park?"

I looked around, taking in the variety of birds flitting about in the trees. "Wow, I hadn't noticed. You have a keen eye for detail, Sophie."

As we continued our walk, Sophie told me more about her love of birds and nature. She spoke about her childhood in Okinawa, Japan, where she spent hours exploring the countryside and learning about the local wildlife.

"I had a dog, a Shiba Inu named Mochi," she said, her eyes sparkling with memories. "He was the best dog in the world. We would go on walks together, and he would chase after all the birds and squirrels."

I laughed at the image. "I can just imagine Mochi chasing after those birds! He sounds like he was quite the character."

Sophie nodded, smiling. "He definitely was. I miss him so much, but I'm glad I have such fond memories of him."

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As we walked, the park began to fill with people - families with strollers, couples holding hands, and groups of friends laughing and chatting. Sophie and I found a quiet spot on a bench, where we sat down to rest and people-watch.

As we sat there, Sophie asked me about my interests and hobbies. I told her about my love of science and history, and my passion for learning. She listened intently, asking questions and making thoughtful comments.

When I mentioned the Supreme Court, Sophie's eyes lit up with interest. "That sounds fascinating, Max! I'd love to learn more about it. Can you tell me more?"

I smiled, happy to share my passion with her. "Definitely. We meet every week to discuss different topics and debate each other's ideas. It's a great way to learn and challenge ourselves."

Sophie nodded enthusiastically. "That sounds amazing. I'd love to join you sometime."

I grinned, feeling a sense of excitement. "I'd love that, Sophie. I'll make sure to invite you to our next meeting."

As we sat on the bench, watching the world go by, I realized that I was having the time of my life. Sophie was easy to talk to, and I felt like I could be myself around her.

After a while, I glanced at my watch and realized that we had been chatting for hours. After separating from Sophie I called it a day.

As I walked into the dormitory, George looked up from his book and raised an eyebrow. "Hey, Max, where have you been? You've been MIA all day."

I felt a surge of discomfort and dodged the question. "Oh, just out and about. You know, just exploring."

George raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying my vague response. "Uh-huh. Well, you're back now. Want to grab dinner together?"

I hesitated, feeling a bit guilty for not being honest with George. "Nah, I'm good. I think I'm just going to take a shower and chill out for a bit."

George shrugged and went back to reading his book. I headed to the bathroom to take a shower, feeling a bit relieved to be alone for a bit.

As I was shampooing my hair, my phone buzzed with an incoming video call from my mom. I quickly rinsed off and answered the call, happy to see my mom's smiling face on the screen.

"Hey, sweetie! How's your day been?" my mom asked, as Phee wagged her tail in the background.

I smiled and greeted Phee, happy to see my furry friend. "It's been good, Mom. Just got back from a walk with Sophie."

My mom's eyes lit up with interest. "Oh, Sophie? Tell me more about her."

I launched into a enthusiastic description of Sophie, telling my mom about our conversation and how much I enjoyed her company. My mom listened attentively, her expression thoughtful.

When I finished, my mom cautioned, "Max, I'm glad you're excited about Sophie, but remember to take things slow and get to know her well first. Be careful, okay?"

I nodded, feeling a bit chastened. "I will, Mom. Don't worry."

We chatted for a bit longer, and then my mom mentioned that she had to join a video call with the Animal Arizona team. "Want to join us, Max? We're discussing the latest rescue."

I nodded eagerly, and my mom added me to the call.

The video call was already in progress, with several familiar faces from the Animal Arizona team. There was Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a renowned wildlife expert with a kind face and warm smile. Next to her was Jake, a young and enthusiastic animal rescuer with a messy beard and a quick grin.

"Hey, Max! Welcome to the call," Dr. Rodriguez said, as Jake waved at me.

My mom smiled and introduced me to the rest of the team. "Everyone, this is my son Max. He's been helping us out with some research projects."

The team welcomed me warmly, and Dr. Rodriguez began to brief us on the latest rescue. "We've just received a rare animal from Brazil, a species that's critically endangered. We're working to relocate it to a safe habitat."

Jake spoke up, his eyes shining with excitement. "It's a jaguarundi, Max! Have you ever heard of it?"

I shook my head, intrigued. "No, I haven't. What's so special about it?"

Dr. Rodriguez smiled. "The jaguarundi is a small wild cat native to Central and South America. It's a solitary and elusive animal, rarely seen in the wild."

I searched the database on my phone, pulling up images and information about the jaguarundi. It was a stunning animal, with a sleek coat and piercing eyes.

As we discussed the relocation plans, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and respect for the Animal Arizona team. Their dedication and passion for wildlife conservation were inspiring.

After the call, I said goodnight to my mom and the team, feeling grateful for the opportunity to connect with them.

As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but wonder who the supreme would be tomorrow. Would it be someone new, or someone I already knew? The suspense was killing me.