Everything was lined up for today for Will. The last snow of the year had come and passed, and midterms were still a couple weeks out. And today the weather was just perfect—sunny, sparsely cloudy, and just cool enough, but not too cold, just the way the wolf liked it. Today was also special because his roommate was out, leaving the dorm to himself to invite over whoever he so wish. And he knew just the right person to ask.
It was a little past noon when she’d arrived—a little rabbit girl with white fur and matching hair, tipped with strawberry-pink highlights. This was Ashley, eagerly dressed for the coming spring, what with her short-shorts and a crop-top—just a little jacket strewn off to the side brought along for the colder morning times. She always picked the cutest clothes—which meant at least little more thought went into her outfits than Will’s (which today consisted of a plain t-shirt and jeans). But that was just the way they were, and just the way they’d come to like each other.
Now today was the first time they’d ever sat this close. Side-by-side like this, the size difference was obvious. It would only take a slight lean over toward him, for Ashley’s head to fall right at his chest. The thought put the slightest bit of warmth in Will’s cheeks.
It wasn’t uncommon for wolves and rabbits to be so different in size, but in Will’s case something else came to mind. Always the one to reassure him, and never one to alienate her seniors, she’d tell him time and time again that it didn’t really matter. But all the same, he couldn’t help but dwell on this simple fact: his first year in college, was her first… in high school.
Despite her protests, he’d always hesitated to get any closer for that very reason. Even today he’d had his second thoughts, but Ashley was nothing if not insistent. And perhaps after a half year of hesitating, slowly warming up to her, he’d forgotten somewhat, this fear of engaging. It was to the benefit of their friend group that he’d grown accustomed to Ashley’s company. He couldn’t help but wonder if, had he not sat that table and made those introductions four years ago, he might never have come to meet the pretty rabbit girl.
He felt a brief pang of guilt. She was pretty. But that wasn’t for him, a college pup, to judge, was it? But each glance he snuck toward her only rekindled such thoughts. Besides, today was about her thoughts, what troubled her. And he wouldn’t let himself be distracted by his own dumb hormones, not at a time like this.
“Sorry I… guess that was a lot,” Ashley said with a nervous laugh.
“No, no that’s fine. You vent any time you want, Ashley—”
“You’re allowed to call me Ashe~” she giggled softly.
“Uh, Ashe, heh…” Will laughed a nervous laugh of his own. He’d never heard anyone else call her that. Except for the sophomore of the group, the one that’s always hanging out with her, the one that brought her into the fold in the first place. “And I’m guessing this all is why you asked about beer..?”
Ashley blushed a little. She looked down at the floor with a sheepish little nod. “Um… y-yeah heh I… guess I haven’t been totally honest with myself about it, heh…”
Will’s gaze returned to her, with a look soft and sincere. She did seem quieter the last couple times the group got together; though she’d insisted she was fine, he had to wonder what was on her mind. “I’m… sorry hun… breakups can be hard—and yeah, it’s normal actually, wanting to do something different, or hell, irresponsible even, just to get it off your mind, heh.”
The bunny returned a small, sweet smile, though her eyes still looked a little sad. “Thanks, Will…” she said with a heavy sigh, looking back down to the floor as she recomposed herself. “Gosh, y’know… dumb thing is… he’s not even worth it, anyway,” she said looking frustrated with herself, “I mean, getting so worked like this, over him?” She chuckles something small and bitter, “He’s not even anything special, really, I mean, he’s… He’s just some jerk!”
“Sure sounds like one,” Will said with solemn nod, “It’s okay to feel hurt, though, jerk or not.” He looked up to the ceiling, looking for anything else to say. “Honestly if you ask me, I um… kinda figured he was a little old for you, anyway.”
Ashley furrowed her brow amused. “As if. First off, he skipped a grade, so he’s not ‘actually’ a senior. Plus, I thought… maybe this year I could try something a little more… serious..? But this was just as bad as middle school!”
Will shot her a teasing inquisitive glance.
“Okay,” she giggled, “almost as bad.”
He liked her laugh. Those soft, sweet, delicate sounds. It was enough put him at ease even at the height of his nerves. And with them he felt the mood lighten up just a bit, too.
“But yeah… I was hoping for someone who like… cared more, you know? And the other guys in my class haven’t figured that part out,” she scoffed, raising her water bottle for a sip.
Will’s ears were honed, listening patiently all this time, but in the brief pause he found his eyes transfixed upon the soft bun. The way she sipped at her water seemed so delicate…—were all rabbits like this, or just her? Either way, he was lying to himself if he thought it was anything other than cute. Meanwhile, sunlight peeked in through the blinds filtered through leaves of a tree just outside his window. And in that moment, with the water bottle tilted to her lips, shimmering slivers of light danced along her hair and fur, the pink-dyed tips glowing elegantly in gentle light, decorating the soft bangs that fell along her forehead and framed her face, accenting glimmers of white fur that shone bright like snow.
He felt bad for staring and thought, maybe that beer was a bad idea…
Ashley set her water bottle back down, sated for the moment. “Naw… all freshmen seem to care about is looking cool—like, wow a pretty girl likes you, guess that means your hot stuff now, huh?” she says just a little bit snide, drawing Will’s attention back into focus, “that and an extra someone else to throw homework at when you feel lazy, heh…”
Will chuckled at that, happy to see the mood lighten up enough for some humor from her. It was something new for him, too, so used to the rabbit’s usual demure and quiet presentation. She seemed so soft and gentle—and she still was, but now he caught a glimpse at how much more there was to know about her. This secret playful side made him feel extra warm and fuzzy inside just being with her, but it put an inescapable question on his mind—since when was she so comfortable with him?
Thoughts stirred idly in his mind, chased down by a sip of beer. Listening to Ashley, he’d forgotten the thing was even in his paw, til the moment it’d run dry. It was his second can. Now he was gazing down into empty aluminum, questioning the decisions he’d made, wondering as well why he couldn’t quite get away from these frustrating feelings. Then, he noticed someone else was looking, too.
From the corner of his eye he saw her, looking rather wistful as far as he could tell. It was his fault, getting her hopes up like that. But what could he do, actually share alcohol with a minor? No, he should’ve stood his ground before he invited her. He’s supposed to be a good, law-abiding wolf. Yet here they are…
“I um…” Ashley said, think her words over carefully, “I could grab it for you—another can, I mean.”
Will smiled back up at her with a sigh, one brow raised. “No rush…”
“Thought you weren’t a lightweight,” the too-smart bunny teased.
“Thought I could take my time enjoying them,” he teased back, though he knew she was just jealous. Oh, why ever did he tell her ‘maybe’…
He sighed again this one a bit more relaxed. When he opened his eyes, the rabbit was lying down now, her hair and lop ears spread out about the blankets like her own piece of cover art as she stared aimlessly up into the top bunk, a relaxed little smile on her face. “The other day, when I looked in the mirror I saw… I’m not so flat anymore…” she murmured offhandedly.
Will blushed. He did notice a subtle bit more curve to her chest since the last time they’d met. The wolf quickly turned away. Of course the top she had on—a cute striped spaghetti strap—made it easier to see—and harder not to stare. “Wow uh…—um… that’s uh…—congrats..?” he managed to say, a momentary crack in his usually somewhat gruff voice.
And like that, the soft bunny smile turned into something more like a smirk. “Time for another beer?” she asked, already starting to get up, glancing back at him from the corner of her eye.
“Y-yeah, sure…” the wolf said, too flustered to protest this time. Still stoic as ever—even the bit of blush on his cheeks was well hidden—but by now Ashley had been familiar enough with the kind of wolf Will was that she didn’t have a hard time picking up on that slight change in demeanor.
Ckrrr—Snap! Pshhhhh….
Will looked over to see Ashley already right there beside him once more. She’d helped herself to opening it for him, and when he turned his eyes caught on hers. For a moment Will just stared, and Ashley looked back. He’d noticed times before how pretty her pretty eyes looked, but he never looked so close as now. Even in conversation he’d tend to avoid eye contact, a little extra anxious with her about coming off as awkward or inappropriate—and he’d often wonder why it was different with her. But now there they were, eye-to-eye, less than an arm’s length away no less, sunlight shimmering in those ruby-reds playing tricks on his mind.
“I… um… opened it for ya, heh…” the rabbit explained, just the slightest bit skittish all of a sudden, it seemed. She reached over to hand it to him.
“Mm, thanks—” Will said, catching her hesitate.
“Do you think um… maybe I could have a sip..?” she said, her paw hovering just an inch away from his. She looked up into his eyes innocently, but they both knew it was anything but an innocent look.
The wolf’s tail swayed idly left and right, sweeping the bed covers as his eyes wandered anywhere else. Deliberating in his mind over and over, what was really just a couple seconds of time stretched out into an eternity in thought. It was too late for him now, sliding helplessly down that slippery slope. He only prayed it wouldn’t go any further. “Fine,” he sighed.
The bunny squeaked, eyes alight, “Thanks, Will!” making him blush that extra bit more. She held the can up to her maw and stared for a moment, steadying herself, taking in the scent with those little nose-twitches bunnies do, til finally she took a slow, ginger little sip.
She blinked, then her face screwed up somewhat dramatically, giggling to herself.
“That bad, huh..?” the wolf chuckled.
“No, hehe… n-no…. It’s um… weird, haha,” she said, dipping back toward the opening and then hesitating with a glance back to Will as if to ask if it’s okay.
Will sighs with a defeated smile and gives her the go ahead.
The next sip is as meager as the last, if slightly bigger. The look on her face is a bit more thoughtful this time, carefully considering each new taste and sensation. “Hm… still weird! Hehe, but it’s interesting!” she said, graciously handing it over to Will now. “And I dunno… mayyybe I like it,” she giggles playfully.
The expression on Will’s face loosened. It was hard not to smile at such a cute response, and for a moment it almost felt worth the slight lapse in ethics. Without even thinking, the wolf took his next sip, but the cold effervescence down his throat quickly gave way to the most self-conscious thoughts. It felt silly, but Ashley just had this look on her face as she watched him take that sip, a look that said, ‘You know, we basically just kissed. On the lips.’ Silly as it was, he felt the blood rush to his cheeks all the same. And of course the bunny seemed to notice, quickly taking on a playful grin that pretty much confirmed his suspicion.
Feeling even more put on the spot now, the wolf nervously cleared his throat and said, “Thanks again for… —for opening that... and for dropping by.” He shuffled back around to their original, side-by-side position, face far away from hers.
“Thanks for having me~” said the bun in a sweet little murmur as she helped herself to his shoulder, leaning her little head on it ever so casually.
He blushed a little deeper and grumbled, “It’s a little quick to start acting buzzed, lil bun—even if you are a lightweight… or a minor…”
“Pfft~ Naww, hehe, I’m fine… you just looked lonely~” the bun retorted. But at this point, neither really was above underestimating the effects the substance was starting to have.
“Right…” Will scoffed, sneaking suspicions that this was her plan all along. But then again, the whole ex situation on its own could just as well be reason enough to want to get a little drunk, so he still tried not to make assumptions. Even the affection she seemed to show… maybe it was just another personality quirk of hers...—or his own wishful thinking...
