Page 69 of Raw

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“Sure you don’t want anything else?” Papa asked as Fennec was about to get up.

“We’re full. We’ll have some snacks back home too, so we’ll fill up later,” he responded, putting his coat back on.

“We’ll stay here a little while longer if that’s okay with you,” Mama said.

“Of course. You two enjoy the rest of the night here. We’re going to watch a movie,” I told her with a smile as I got up from the booth myself.

Most guests had left, and only the older men were still sitting at the counter, drinking their beers.

“Enjoy the movie. See you tomorrow morning,” Papa said.

We waved goodbye and headed to the exit where Dianna gave us two brownies to bring home, and after we thanked her, we went outside to walk back to the house.

It was just across the street from the diner, but it was far enough away for two familiar faces to follow us.

“Fennec, man. Didn’t know you were back,” Kody said, making us both turn to look at him and Duke.

The two dogs are back, I thought.

Fennec stepped in front of me to spare me from their stupid looks, but their grins stayed on their faces.

“We’re back for the holidays. You two doing okay?” he asked.

“College’s stressful but fun. You’re missing out, man,” Duke told him, his eyes moving to mine every two seconds.

God, as if I was some kind of animal at the zoo.

“I’m good out in the wild.”

It was quiet after Fennec’s words, and when he started to turn around, thinking the conversation was already over, Kody spoke again.

“Hey, there’s gonna be a New Year’s party at Clara’s. You should come and have some fun,” he suggested.

“Clara? I think I’ll pass.”

“Dude, you don’t have to talk to her, but the party’s gonna be sick. The girl can come too.” Kody nodded toward me, sounding as disgusted as his facial expression looked.

“The girl? Come on, Kody. You’ve known her since Kindergarten. You know her name,” Fennec said, annoyed at his old friends.

“Vespyr. Sorry, I just never want to butcher your name. It’s a strange one, you know?”

I frowned.

Anyone who knew English should be able to pronounce my name right, no matter how rare it was.

“It was good seeing you again. We’re going home now.”

Fennec reached back for my hand, and as surprised as I was, I let him hold my hand in his no matter who was watching.

“Come on,” he told me, and we started to cross the street to get home.

“Well, if you change your mind, you know where Clara lives!” Kody called out, but Fennec didn’t respond.

“Freaks,” I heard Duke hiss.

“Ignore them. They don’t know shit,” Fennec muttered.

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