So it's that time of the week again. Chapter 2 is finally up. This week Rob explores a little bit of the new city with Jennifer. This episode takes place a local bar called the Furry Forest, which is just a little shot out to Belic and K'gra's original furry project. We had a lot of good times there so it only seemed right that it would be the place where Rob and his friends would go for a good time after a hard days work.

This chapter also introduces a few new characters. First is Melanie, a female collie who is currently working parttime as a file clerk at the office. The other is a young female brown rabbit named Sarah. Althought not mentioned in the actual story, sarah is jennifer's younger sister (or one of them at least... hehe rabbits) Anyway you'll be seeing more of her in the future.

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Just Friends: The Forest

One day, while on his way out of the office Jennifer stopped him. “Rob, do you have plans tonight? A couple of the girls and I were going to head over to the Forest for some drinks. Want to join us?” she asked in that cheerful manner that Rob had a hard time saying “no” to. The badger hesitated and the rabbit continued, “Don’t worry about banisters this time. The Forest is on the first floor.” Rob was not amused but gave in to Jennifer’s request knowing he really had little say in the matter.

Rob and Jennifer’s taxi pulled up to a noisy little bar with a neon sign that read, “The Furry Forest”, hanging above the entrance. As Rob got out of the taxi, he saw a couple of the girls waving at them. Jennifer ran over and gave the two girls a group-hug before introducing Rob. The four of them moved inside, and found themselves a table. Jennifer ordered a strawberry daiquiri for each of them. Rob didn’t really want a daiquiri but a free drink was a free drink. “So Rob, how are you adjusting the west coast?” asked Melanie, a tall, slender, long-legged collie who worked the reception desk when Jennifer was off. “It’s different. That’s for sure, but I’m glad I made the move,” Rob said proudly taking another sip of his daiquiri.

“You know you really are as cute as Jennifer said you were,” said the brown-furred rabbit Rob did not know. “Sarah!” Jennifer yelped, “I said that before I knew him. Rob’s gay, so you’ll have to find yourself someone else to buy you drinks tonight.” Rob choked on his drink. He told her that in confidence and here she is just telling a perfect stranger. “You know who else is gay?” continued Melanie, “Jimmy from PR. Maybe the two of you could hook up. We need a spicy office romance to talk about other then Jennifer’s newest fling.” Rob was speechless, still trying to wrap his head around the nonchalant reaction the women were having. It was very different then Rob’s previous experience coming out. “First of all Jay isn’t a fling. We’ve been on six dates. I think he could really be the one,” said Jennifer defensively.

“Isn’t that what you said about guy three months ago?” the collie joked.

“Besides, I think Rob already has a crush on someone.” Jennifer continued, ignoring Melanie’s question. Rob felt sick. She wouldn’t. She can’t. Jennifer leaded in closer to the table and lowered her voice as if she had something really juicy to tell, “You remember Hank’s party last week? Well Rob here had a little run in with Hank and…” Rob knew he should not have trusted the rabbit with the details of his daydreams. He wished he was at home burying his head in his pillow.

“I need another drink!” Rob interrupted with a shout that startled the three women. Rob turned three shades of red. He left the table in a rush and went up to the bar. “What am I doing?” he said to himself, “What do I care if people know I’m gay. And so what if I like Hank.” He just needed a minute to cool off. Rob looked back at the table and saw Sarah and Melanie talking to a couple of guy. Jennifer was staring at him with a concerned look on her face. As Rob returned to the table Sarah and Melanie joined their new dates on the dance floor. “I’m sorry,” said Rob and Jennifer at the same time. “I didn’t realize you might not have wanted people to know,” Jennifer started. “No. It’s still new for me. I freaked out. I’m sorry,” replied Rob. “You know he asked me about you the other day,” said Jennifer with a smile that was more suited for a fox then a rabbit, “He also asked me to give you this.” Rob took the small slip of paper and read it, “I hope you doing better then last time I saw you. If you want to see a real skyline, give me a call sometime. Hank.” Maybe this night wouldn’t be as bad as he thought. The two broke out in laughter as they were pulled onto the dance floor by Melanie and Sarah.

On the drive home from the club, Rob picked up his cell phone to give Hank a call, but the answering machine picked up. “Hank, hello. This is… This is Rob from the party the other night. I just thought it would be really cool to see the skyline with you.” Rob paused, thing about how stupid he sounded.

End Chapter