Four Animals in a Room (Dorm Occupants)

[Jayden Richardson]

Jayden was in his room, without Loki, Zander or Fidel to distract him, and more importantly – no awkward conversations between him and two or all of his roommates. Ugh, this was stupid! Damn these stupid feelings of attraction! Jayden was currently sitting at the desk nearest his bed, on his laptop, looking at movie trailers. He looked down for a moment, pinching his nose. Love was a complicated matter, it seemed. He’d have to speak to Peter about this, or maybe Zach. He wanted to resolve this, it was eating him up inside. he would stare at all three guys at night, sad thoughts whirling in his mind, though in the case of Loki, he’d just peek at him every now and then. Unable to watch any more trailers, Jay flung himself off the chair, turning his laptop off in the process, and threw himself on the bed.

It was evening but his roommates hadn’t come back yet, which was odd. Fidel was usually here and they’d either be watching a movie or doing something else. Loki would be off in his own world singing and Zander...well, he’d be doing something. For a few minutes Jayden contented himself with staring at the ceiling. When that got boring, he read through blurbs of books he had read before. When that got boring, he decided to get changed into PJ’s. He wore a loose-fitting plain grey top and maroon-coloured bottoms. Jayden wasn’t the most fashionable when it came to nightwear but it’s not he was going to go in his PJ’s, was he, so it didn’t really matter that much. Plus the boys were cool with it.

To get rid of his utter boredom, Jayden decided to put on Secret of Nimh. He hadn’t watched it in forever and so wanted something to temporarily get his mind off the situation and allow him to go into that particular world, just until someone came back. Then he could come back to the real world and face his problems...not! He just needed some alone time right now but knew he wouldn’t get it.

Go out. No one will know. You’re totally entitled to do that, y’know. Jayden smiled at the Otter’s advice.
Thanks, but I’ll be fine. Jayden sensed the Otter smile a warm-hearted smile and put the DVD on. He went to the bed and made himself comfortable before turning it on via the remote. Jayden had a DVD Player, luckily, which he had put on top of the laptop.

[Fidel Mantangra]

x

"Oh sh*t, oh sh*t!" Fidel dove for cover whispering a string of swear words to himself. He tried to quiet his breathing which was just as loud as the pounding of his heart. That was close, way too damn close. He looked to the package in his hands and up at the sky which was dimming fast. He tightened his fingers around the wrapping paper and hugged it to his chest. The air was cool and grassy. Where was he? Looking around he concluded it was in a bush. It wasn't that difficult what with all the leaves and such. But that wasn't important.

He heard shouts and commands. Great. They were still searching for him. It was only one book after all. He ceased breathing as someone passed dangerously close.He peeked out. There was one stretch of open grass on the way to a building. One measly sprint and he'd be home free, so why did this happen?! Irresponsibility, that's what. Carelessness, should've checked to make sure first.

He backed up and crouched making his way out of the dense bush. Staying low was important in all situations. There wasn't enough cover to go that way so he would just have to wait for an opportunity to make a break for it. His breath caught, a shadow fell over his eyes. The person who had passed before was going to check the bush. At the very first rustle He bolted. Squeezing his eyes shut and clutching the little package to his chest he ran. There were shouts and sounds of pursuit. Fidel used one hand to make sure his hat was still in place then put on a burst of speed.

Going at a diagonal angle he cut towards the steadily shadowing building, skirting around it, dangerously close to the brick wall. There it was; corner, door, free. A hand tugged at his shirt. With a grunt he simply put on a bust of speed and pulled away, not lokoing back to see his pursuer stumble. He neared the door and slammed into it with his shoulder, nearly falling as it opened. He stopped breathed, looked around and booked it. Two corners and he was gone.

He smiled as he slowed to a jog. Finally. He slid to a halt in front of a drinking fountain then trotted off in the direction of the dorms. He really hoped Jay would like it, but he didn't plan on telling him it was stolen. That might piss him off. He laughed nervously at himself, guess he still had some things to learn. He pulled open another door and was outside again, he checked around to make sure no one was in pursuit. The dorms were just up ahead. Fantastic.

[Zander Alesnia]

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Zander was cooking treats for his room-mates. Well, mainly for Jayden. He had no clue why, but, since him and Fidel have been together, he's wanted Jay more. Zander slid across the kitchen, in his socks, to the oven. He pressed a button and preheated the oven to 375. Zander slid back to the table where two different sized bowls and ingredients were laid out. He tugged the smaller bowl to himself and poured the pre-measured flour in as well as the salt and baking soda. He combined the dry ingredients and set it to the side, marking off a mental check-list. He pulled the larger bowl closer to himself, dumping in the sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and butter in. He gripped a large spoon and started to mix, it was uniform and organize, programmed that way into his body. With one hand he cracked an egg, stirring that in, repeating with the other egg. When that seemed creamy enough Zander poured in the flour mixture with one hand, stirring with the other. Zander added in the chocolate chips when finally all was stirred. He turned around to the table behind him, with the bowl of cookie dough. He stared at the greased sheet for a long second. He let a long sigh pass his lips and started to make rounded balls of dough on the sheet. beepbeepbeep! the oven dinged to inform him it was preheated. "Just in time."He muttered under his breath and walked the two trays of raw cookie dough to the oven and slipped them in. He turned the kitchen timer to nine minutes. Zander walked back to where the cheese cake and brownies laid out. He gently picked up a now cooled brownie and nibbled on them.

Zander sighed and sat down resting his arms on the table, his head on those. He gently let sleep pull him over. Nine Minutes Later. Zander jumped awake to the sound of the kitchen timer buzzing loudly. It took him a moment of confusion to remember what he was doing. He sniffed the air. the cookies! He ran towards the cookies and yanked them out. "FUCK!" he yelled rather sharply while dropping the hot trays on the ground. Always without the oven mitts. Well, at least the cookies were done. Zander walked over to the sink and turned the cold water on, running his hands under it. After the pain had sub-sided he picked up oven mitts and lifted up the hot cookie trays. He sat them on the table to cool and turned off the oven. As they cooled he started packing all the tools and left over ingredients in his little cooking box. When that was complete the cookies were cooled and he pried them off the pan. Zander put them in a fancy box that had "Jayden" written in nice cursive. He grinned and placed all the containers in the basket as well as the trays.

Zander made his way back to room 100. He pressed the door open, dropping the basket on his bed and smiled over at Jayden who seemed to be watching a movie. Fidel then came in to his thoughts, his smile disappeared but, he shrugged it off. Zander opened the box and pulled out the cookies and brownies and set them on Jayden's bed. "Jay-Jay, look what I made you!" he said cheerfully pushing the containers closer to the boy he's known since 7th grade.

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^{TAG - Occupants of room 100
WORDS - 575
OUTFIT - clothes
NOTES - It got my muse back ^^ yay!
COLOR CODE -
speech
Memories
TUNES - rainbow veins , owl city.
CREDIT - template by MUNZTAR * of caution 2.0}

[Jayden Richardson]

The movie Jayden was watching was called Dinosaurs, a computer animated movie made by Disney about one dinosaur who, while still in his egg, is separated from his herd and carted off by different species of dinosaur, only to land in the living space of lemur colony. A few years later, the dinosaur, who is a young...well, reptile, sees the meteor shower and survives, travelling with other survivors to find a place where they can survive and thrive once more. Along the way, he of course meets a female of his kind and in the end, they end up having kids. Jayden liked films like that – he couldn’t handle horror movies, not now, not ever. He’d seen bits of Hostel once, which was ok. Drag Me to Hell had been awful though, he had had nightmares of the demon lady for days.

The small mute Otter boy was at the point where the dinosaur was just meeting his future mate for the first time when he saw someone very familiar come in: Zander Alesnia. Jayden Richardson had known Zander ever since they were 7th Grade together. The first few days of Jayden meeting Zander, he had left him alone, sensing sadness in the boy. However, over time, they had become good friends and roommates. Jayden noticed that Zander was holding a box. Jay paused the movie and put his whole attention on Zander.

"Jay-Jay, look what I made you!" said Zander, placing the contents of the box on the bed. Jay smiled happily at Zander, safe in the knowledge that Fidel wasn’t here yet. Jay had noticed a slight shift in Zander ever since he and Fidel had started dating. He focussed on the cookies and brownies that were being placed on his bed. Jayden leapt off the bed, doing a diagonal somersault and landed beside Zander. He then smiled gratefully and gave his friend a friendly kiss. He went to where he was before and patted the space next to him.

<<Aww, thanks Zan. You didn’t have to do this. They look delicious though, thank you. Want to watch the movie with me? I think we may have seen it together some time ago, though not sure. Anyway, come sit!>>

Jayden picked up a brownie and bit into it, enjoying the softness of the brownies. They smelt so damn good! Jay momentarily forgot that his friend was in the Culinary Arts. He unpaused the movie and munched happily on the brownie whilst waiting for Zander to sit with him.

[Fidel Mantangra]

x

Fidel had a spring in his step on the way to the dorm. He looked at the package in his hand, bulling back the brown wrapping to look at the first few gold colored letters of the title at the bottom, ' THE TAG-' it read "The Taggerung". Jayden had mentioned something about liking a series called 'Redwall'. he searched high and low for the series and choose his book strategically. 'The Taggerung' was about an otter. Because Jay was an otter himself, he figured he'd enjoy it. He had probably already read it, but Fidel wasn't sure if he owned it or not. Nonetheless he wanted to get something for him that might impress the otter side of him. The Raccoon was pretty sure it wasn't to keen on Fidel, but he was totally infatuated with the Otter shifter and wanted to prove that. The only thing that worried him was the possibility of Jay finding out that he had stolen the book. His parents weren't wealthy, and neither was he. When it came to monetary matters, the raccoon shift was left high and dry. Fortunately, he always had a five-finger discount. People didn't understand it, to them he was a simple ruffian from the streets who's mother and father couldn't wait to get him out of their lives. Sadly, that was mostly true, But he did have depths and levels not yet explored. One such being his true romantic side.

He pushed open the door and started up the stairs. It wasn't so much of an inconvenience anymore. In fact, he was glad he didn't have to stay in his lf dorm with those jerks. He trotted up the stairs and opened the door labeled '100'. He heard the sounds of something inside. Television maybe? Someone had to be in the room. That made him excited, he liked all of his roommates, only Jayden held a different sort of status. His roommates were all very cute, but no one could make him lay down his defenses quite like Jay could. He twisted the handle and stepped into the threshold of the door way, "Geiá sou!"

The smell of brownies hit him in the face but he was blinded by the noise and brightness of the TV in the darkened room. Squinting and looking around he said, "I smell brownies! Hi Zander!" Zander always smelled like baked goods or had some on him. Fidel should know, they were both culinary majors. He set his surprise in his own bed before walking over the the-bright-as-the-light-of-god television. He grinned at Zander, "What's up dude? How've you been?"

He looked at Jayden and forced his expression to become serious, he placed his hands on his hips for effect and pretended to contemplate Jay closely "And who's this attractive young man?"

[Zander Alesnia]

Zander watched the boy tumble across the bed and grinned when he planted a friendly kiss on him, which he gladly returned. Zander graciously took his offer and sat next to the boy. "Maybe." he responded vaguely remembering the current scene they were watching. Zander munched on one of his creations. He chewed happily. Then there it was, the ringing of Fidel's voice cracking the quiet air."Geiá sou!"Zander let out a small frustrated sigh. It seemed when ever Zander got free time with Jay, Fidel came in moments later. He pressed his lips together firmly. Of course he smelled brownies, when did he not? "Hey." he said through clenched teeth. Who was he? Thinking that after four years he can bound in here and steal Jay, his best friend away from him. No, Zander wasn't gonna let that happen.

"Hey? Mind being more quiet, we're watching a movie?"He said rather sharply, beckoning towards the T.V. Then placing one finger to his lips in a shush sound. He growled under his breath, not audible over the sound of the movie. "Actually, I'll take a shower, give you two some privacy. Zander said rudely getting up off the bed where he was warm next to Jay and started over towards his bed, gently bumping Fidel.

Zander sat on his bed next to his dresser, pulling the doors open, grabbing a pair of boxers, t-shirt, and what seemed to be blue, plaid, pajama pants. He set them in a folded pile on the bed. Zander latched this right hand to the bottom left of the shirt, his left to the right. He then pulled his shirt over his head revealing a rather pale and skinny male torso. For a cook he was tiny. Zander unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans, dropping them to the floor along with his boxers, not caring for the other boys in the room. He then grabbed his towel and wrapped it around his bottom half and grabbed his clothes.

Zander hesitated to move for a moment, in case Jay had a protest to him leaving. He sat back on the bed and pulled his knees to his chest, resting his head on them. Zander had a sudden burst of courage, "Fidel."He said looking up at the boy standing next to Jay. "Why don't you get you're own best friend and leave mine alone." he said sorrow now filling his voice. He looked as if he was on the verge of tears.

[Jayden Richardson]

"Geiá sou!"

Jayden would’ve liked Fidel and Zander to get on but that may have been asking for too much. It seemed that ever since he and Fidel had been dating, Zander had been annoyed at Fidel, though Jay could sort of see why. Zander had known Jayden for four years and then suddenly this stranger just appears out of nowhere and steals his best friend. Jayden abruptly felt guilty. He hadn’t spent much time with Zander for a long while – he’d have to make it up to him somehow, like he had done with Zach. Now that had been a really fun day, not to mention positively euphoric. Zach had said yes to adopting him. Thinking of this made Jay smile, this grew when Fidel complimented him.

Jay’s brief happy moment was ruined when Zander made his next comment about taking a shower. Jay gave off a silent frustrated sigh before depositing the brownies and cakes in the tin – he’d have them later. He put them in his first bedside draw. If they were going to be childish he’d treat them like children. He briefly looked at Zander undressing with an unreadable look. The movie had been going on for a little bit so Jay stopped it, going over to put the DVD back in the case. He switched the lights on before looking at both Fidel and Zander with a frosty glare, letting them know that they had done something wrong. If they wanted to anger Jay and the Otter they were going about it the right way, and Zander would know what would happen if you got Jayden angry. He had probably heard the stories that had been thrown about by his victims. If not then he’d soon find out the horror of making Jayden Richardson angry.

To prove that he wasn’t happy, Jay did his usual angry look and grabbed his book, not signing anything. He then saw Zander standing there and realised why he was hesitating. He put the book down and made his hands dance.
<<Zander, don’t go, stay, please?>>

Why should Zander leave just because Fidel had come in? It was absurd. Right, time to exert some authority in this room, even though logically speaking, since Loki was lynx he had more authority over them but still. Throwing his book down and sliding over the bed with a look of pure anger and determination, Jayden Richardson stood up so that both boys could see his hands.

<<OK, enough! I’ve had enough of this stupidity! Zander, I know you don’t like Fidel much but lay off please, I know I haven’t been model best friend and for that, I am sorry – will spend more time with you soon. As for you, Fidel, even though you didn’t know we were watching a movie, for future reference please knock and allow me to spend time with my friends, kay? Everyone got that? Good!>>

Jayden then went back on his bed and read.

[Fidel Mantangra]

x

Fidel was taken aback, to say the least at how quickly and negatively Zander reacted to him. He blinked, his mouth hanging open a bit, frozen in a reply. The smaller boy stood abruptly and pushed past the raccoon shifter, making sure to give him a good bump as he passed. The corner of Fidel's mouth twitched, how irritating. What had he done again? All he had done was go into the damned room. He didn't dare to look as the other shifter stripped. There was something about nudity that weirded him out, was Zander using that as a way to get to him to? And here he had liked all of his roommates! "Fidel, why don't you get you're own best friend and leave mine alone."

The teen visibly winced. Now that, if anything, got to him. For some reason he could never really hold on to best friends. either they were too slow or he was to fast for them. Fidel's personality could only click with some people under certain circumstances. He longed for the company of friends, but as of now, nobody seemed to be quite right. No one quite understood his actions and cravings for recognition and thirst for worth and self-value. Jay was under an entirely different category than "friend". He was a lover, a new one at that, he hadn't been around long enough to actually dig through Fidel's surface to discover the insecure child beneath. He subconsciously wondered if Jayden ever would ever deal with him long enough to discover his core. But Zander's words? They really got to him.

Under normal circumstances, he would've retaliated and possibly thrown Zander out of the room. But with Jay there he just couldn't bring himself to act at all. Especially after the way Jay stood up so sharply and switched off the DVD. He was fixed with an icy leer, he hadn't actually seen that one before. He instantly felt guilty.. but for what? It was totally undeniable that the otter shifter held considerable power over him. He wouldn't have admitted it, but ever since he started going out with the boy, something about him change. He actually had something to care about. It dictated every action, every thought. It baffled and disheartened, confused and exhausted him. Yet, at the same time felt really, really euphoric and so right. To see such a look was frightening, the last thing he wanted to do was make him cross. His fingers tightened around the package and he cleared his throat, averting his eyes. he played with the torn brown paper, only looking up when Jay walked to the center of the room.

He began signing. Fidel pursed his lips and tried his hardest to pay attention. He had spent every free moment he had trying to learn sign language. It was arduous to learn, but draining to try and translate. He could only pick up bits of it. He only really understood the part about how they were watching a movie and he had interrupted or something. It seemed that Jay expected him to knock. He then turned and promptly plopped down on his bed to read.

In the simplest terms. Fidel was shocked. Really? Him? Knock? To get into his own room? And what if Jay was having some time with Friends there, what would he do? Tell him to leave? Fidel couldn't, for the life of him, tell why he was in trouble. All he had done was enter his own room and issue a friendly greeting to each of his roommates. He hadn't retaliated at Zander's insult and made no complaint against Jay. So why was he in trouble?

It was too much for him. There was a difficult aura of tense feelings, hurt, and general anger. He lifted his hand to his forehead with a groan, leaning against the nearest wall. What a mess this was. Did misfortune just favor him for today? First the whole book thing, then this. That's right.. the book. he looked at the package in his hand then tossed it so that it landed on his bed with a crackle of paper. He was trapped now. He would've liked to have just left, perhaps go make some shwarma (that is, a gyro) for himself. But one foot outside the dorms and security would be quick to snag him. He really felt angry, but forced it under the surface so that he only looked frustrated. He slid down until he was sitting. Who was he angry at? Zander probably. That comment was harsh on him. Perhaps Jayden too? He didn't want to admit it, but he just didn't see reasoning behind his anger at him. But perhaps he was angry at himself. Misjudging the situation, entering at the wrong time.. entering at all. Perhaps just generally being unliked. His eyes closed and he rested a hand on his forehead, with a soft and fragile sigh. What an unfortunate curse to have.

He opened his moth to say something, then closed it. Only to open it again and say, "Sorry.." It sounded empty and withdrawn. Well. With this atmosphere, anywhere was better then here "I won't stay if that's what you want." He pushed himself off the floor, walking past Jay, only looking back at his book. He paused while next to Zander and placed a hand on his shoulder. No.. He decided he wasn't angry at him, yes the words hurt, but yes, he thought they were true. Instead of being angry he just offered a gentle smile. "Take it easy.. okay dude?"

He didn't really know what Jay had said to Zander, but he guessed it might have been harsh. It actually made him feel a tiny bit sorry for the kid. He gave a kind squeeze before moving past. He stopped and turned before leaning against the doorway, raising an eyebrow at Jay, silently asking him to get out anymore anger he had in store. Either give him a real reason to leave or just toss him away.

WORD COUNT: 1074

[Zander Alesnia]

Zander watched as Jay got up and stared at them with a frosty glare. He bit his bottom lip and looked at his feet, he caught Jay signing at the corner of his eye. It made him smile a bit when he asked him to stay. Zander nodded once and kneeled down, and picked up his boxers from the floor and slid it on under his towel. He then dropped his towel and sat on his bed. He slid back against the wall and dragged his knees to his chest. Zander’s bright, sorrowful, blue eyes never left Jayden. When Jayden suddenly stood up and started signing rapidly and angrily. He followed every word signed. Zander had learned signing back in seventh grade by Jayden himself. His bottom jaw quivered and tears rolled down from his eyes but he quickly blinked them away.

He loved Jayden. Jay was his best friend since seventh grade. He has always sensed the deep sorrow in Zander but, never asked why. He always knew that Zander had a hidden past, one he didn’t like. Jay never pushed. And Jayden, Zander knew that he could get angry. When he was angry, it was not pretty. Zander bit his bottom lip gently. What had he done? He said the truth, he wanted his best friend back. Tears rolled down his face again but, he wiped them away, as if rubbing his eyes because he was tired. He had never cried visibly in front of Jayden and wasn’t going to start now. Crying showed weakness, and he had to be strong for Jayden.

He heard Fidel apologize to Jayden but, thought nothing of it. Fidel offered to live and again Zander ignored it. Zander felt a pressure on his shoulder. He looked up to see it was Fidel, quickly he looked away. He tried to shake Fidel’s arm off his shoulder by shoving it backwards but, it wasn’t as much of a large motion thus, Fidel’s hand stayed there. ”Take it easy man.” he heard before he felt the weight on his shoulder disappear.

Zander choked back a sob and pressed his face against his knees. ”I-I’m gonna lay down.” his voice cracked a bit but, he thought nothing of it. He pulled his blanket up and crawled under it, his face away from both of them. His tears silently stained the pillow. It wasn’t obvious he was crying except when small sobs escaped and the bounce of his uneven breathing. He curled himself into a ball and hid his face under the blanket. His crying was apparent now, as if he thought that the blankets would absorb the sound.