We're Only Animals: Book 2 - Part 1: Building the Tower

Chapter 71 - The Negativity Essay

Louis awoke to his alarm the next morning. It was quite early, but he needed to leave so he could meet Legosi before therapy.

Legosi.

Oh right, he had told him about what he and Pina did. He wondered how he would react. The deer grabbed his phone, glancing at the screen. Pina grumbled angrily next to him as he checked his messages.

Legosi: ok thanks for telling me! honestly you talking about him makes me miss him. Bill too but that's complicated now. Really this whole thing is clouding my mind so much. I'm rambling now but I'll be waiting for you at home for therapy. I love you!!

The deer smiled, then turned his attention to Pina, who was still laying on him. "Hey, are you awake?"

The ram was laying on his back, forearm placed on his head. His eyes were closed but he was scowling. Eventually, he answered, "Unfortunately..."

"What's the matter?"

"Exhausted...probably from working out and then freaking out. Heh..."

"I understand. Did Ichi tell you what you had to do today?"

"Mmmn, fuck, did I have to do something today? I forgot."

"I'm unsure. Next time we have to make sure we complete the map."

"Mmph, but that's for fruit dude and not Ichi..."

Louis nodded. "We have to make sure we do it by Wednesday."

"Mm...I can check the outside today while you're gone."

"Sounds good to me. Did you sleep well at least?" the deer asked.

Pina finally smiled. "Yeah. Thanks."

"I'm so glad. I was worried you'd have trouble sleeping," Louis said. "I won't be staying tonight, as you might have guessed."

"Oh, of course. If I had a choice I'd be sleeping with Bill every night." The sheep opened his eyes and rubbed the grit from them. "Not that you weren't comfortable. I think once all of this is done with we should all just share a big bed and see what it's like."

"It would be very warm," Louis chuckled.

"Yeah." Pina rolled over and brought the blanket over him. "Now go and get your therapy so I can sleep more..."

The buck laughed and hugged him. "Alright."

Pina hugged sleepily back. "Knock 'em dead, kid."

With that, Louis began making his way down the tower to leave. Before he got very far though, he found a red panda waiting for him at the end of the hall, looking directly at him.

Louis blinked, realizing that he had completely forgotten about meeting Go the night before. "Ah...Go..."

"I'm not mad, Shi," Go said.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to forget you."

The other animal sighed. "...Can't blame you for not remembering. I haven't really given you any reason to talk to me seriously before, what with all the teasin' and shit."

"Are you okay?" Louis asked.

"I'm fine," Go responded.

"We can talk now if you'd like."

"It's fine, Louis. Just go home to your precious carnivore."

Louis frowned a bit. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, whatever," Go shrugged. "See you next time. We'll talk, then. Or not. It's on you."