The music blared in Marks ears as he walked past the local book store, and pulled his sweater closer to his body, hoping it’d block out the bone chilling breeze. Maybe, if he played his music a little louder his troubles would melt away, and he’d wake up and everything would be some sort of college related nightmare.

A few months ago Mark began college believing it would be everything the movies made it out to be, but he soon realized he was dead wrong. The past few months had been a grueling trial of classes and tests, and he had failed almost every single one of them. Worst of all his parents knew how poorly he was doing, and were beyond pissed.

Smoothing his ears back against his fur the slim red panda’s mind raced for a solution and what he was going to tell his parents. He was stuck in the constant loop of fear, and trying to find a way to get his grades up after failing every single mid-term when a cold, dense snowball slammed into the back of his head, and soaked his fur and his cloths as the snow dripped down his back.

“Gonna come to the frat this weekend?! Oh, wait! You can’t since the brothers voted you too lame to be a part of us!” Anthony said as he high fived a muscular wolf as Mark took out an ear bud, and turned to face the otter and wolf.
“If I wanted to be a part of the circle jerk on the first floor while sucking the president’s dick like his favorite little bitches,” Mark said motioning towards the two standing in front of him, “I guess I could still be in, but I actually have standards, so…” before he could continue Anthony interrupted by jabbing a finger into Mark’s chest, “The fuck man! Don’t you ever talk about our, no wait, MY house and friends that way: ever. Unless you want your ass kicked from here, and straight to your grave.”
“Whatever man,” Mark said as nonchalantly as possible, “I’m not trying to make too much trouble, just stating the truth,” as he finished with a smirk on his face. The otter snarled and retorted with, “if you don’t want any trouble you better fuckin' avoid Greek Row. Imma tell MY brothers what you said! better watch out while walking around campus.” With that he abruptly turned around and stomped away, and almost slipped on a patch of ice. Chuckling at Anthony’s clumsiness he went to walk away when the wolf said, “Sorry bout that man, I think you’re a cool guy, but I’m close to getting cut myself, but all the brothers have really accepted him as one of their own, so I gotta play along if I want to stay in. If you ever want out hang out shoot me a text.” Before Mark could respond he ran off, trying to catch up to Anthony, making sure to avoid the ice patch.
Shaking his head at the wolf’s two facedness Mark walked over to the book store and sat on a bench and lit up a cigarette.
The rush of nicotine felt good, and slowed his thoughts enough so he could push dealing with his parents to the back of his mind, but the little conflict with Anthony kept popping into his mind, and pissing him off more and more. Flicking the butt of the cigarette to the ground Mark lit another one. What right did Anthony have to treat people that way? Or better yet, why did people let him treat them like that, and still act as if was God? That’s probably what bothered him the most. Everyone expected the chubby, Mcfat-fuck to be an asshole, so when he was, everyone laughed along, but when Mark tried being more cynical everyone asked, “What’s wrong? You’re kinda being an ass today, it’s not cool.”
Finishing the second cigarette in record time he felt a familiar scent, and bodies embrace him from behind as an unseen, yet familiar hand removed his ear buds, “You looked like you needed a hug,” Danny said kissing him on the cheek, and took a seat next to Mark. “And you should quit smoking; it’s bad for you and makes you smell like a walking ash tray.” The coyote said nosing Mark’s neck, and inhaling the other man's smoke stained scent.
Mark looked around nervously And uneasily put his arm around his boyfriend. They had been dating for the past couple months, but PDA still made him a little uncomfortable. Looking up as his head rested on Mark’s shoulders Danny asked, “So what’s on your mind? You seemed extra irritated today.”
“Well, besides the bullshit with the frat my parents found out about my grades,” he said as he leaned his head on top of Danny's, and got a weird look from a couple foxes walking by; Mark followed them till all he could see were their tails. Danny murred quietly and nosed Marks neck, trying to comfort him, “It was only a matter of time. Better now while there’s still time to salvage your grades than when finals roll around and it’s too late,” He said in a soft, soothing voice.
Mark looked off into the distance gloomily And replied, "I guess," half-heartedly with a shrug. He pulled his shivering boyfriend a little closer, trying to concentrate on his warmth instead of his grades. Trying to change to a happier topic Mark said, "Come on, let’s go inside and get some hot chocolate. It’s fuckin’ cold out here, and I can feel you shivering too. We both need something to keep warm.” Nuzzling Mark Danny replied, “I’d rather go back to the dorms and have you keep me warm.” Mark smiled despite the gnawing thoughts, “After hot chocolate," Mark said.

It was late when he finally left Danny's room, but the thoughts of his parents and Anthony returned, and despite the cold he lit another cigarette and walked towards the snow covered park, and headed for the bridge where he first met Danny. Mark smiled and quickened his pace till the creek and bridge were in view. Simply stepping foot on the bridge made the day's troubles fade away.
Lost in the blissful memories, he heard a familiar, slurred voice off to the left and behind him. “Hey! I thought I told you I didn’t want to see you around here again!” Sighing Mark turned to face Anthony; in his haste he had forgotten the bridge was also a very short walk from the frat. “I’m just out for a walk. No need for trouble,” Mark protested as he rose his hands defensively.

Obviously very intoxicated Anthony approached with his fists already balled, “doesn’t matter what you were looking for cause it you found it,” Anthony swung at Mark as he ducked under and pushed Anthony away from him. Stumbling forward he went to steady himself on the wooden fence, but found no support as the fence snapped under the force of his weight and Anthony, and the fence fell down to the frozen creek.

Mark heard Anthony hit the ice, a muffled squish and a short, high pitch scream. Mark slowly made his way down to the creek, and saw Anthony’s body lying there with a beam from the fence protruding through his chest. Anthony gasped for air, and looked at Mark, pleading for help, but all mark did was crouch inches above Anthony’s head, and smirk cynically.
Mark could see the life slowly fade from Anthony's eyes, the blood staining Anthony's fur as it flowed from mouth and the wound on his chest. A wide smile crossed Marks muzzle as the otter’s gasps stopped and all life faded from the scared, pain stricken eyes. Standing Mark inhaled deeply and walked away as a light snow started to fall, feeling more care free than when he first met Danny.

When he reached his room the thoughts of what just happened returned. He didn’t feel any regret; Anthony deserved what he got! He had no right to live with the way he treated people!

Then the memory of the satisfaction he got seeing the life leak from Anthony’s eyes was still powerful enough to make Mark chuckle gleefully, almost like a drunken fool! Not only that but the memories gave him a sense of thrill he hadn’t felt, well, ever. He wasn’t sure he was going to be able to sleep tonight with how excited he was knowing one of his major problems was now gone. Mark pulled out his phone and dialed Danny. Hopefully he was up for some more late night fun.