[color=pink]Melanie Rose Pourri[/color]
[i]A Sunday in Winter
Eukary University Female Dorms, 2nd Floor, w/ [color=dodgerblue]Kayla Samson[/color][/i][hr][center][img]https://www.animemaru.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/school.png[/img][/center][hr]
It was about 6 o'clock pm by the time Melanie the skunk got back from her usual weekend trip to Central Park. The park was beautiful this time of year, and a little beauty and relaxation were definitely what she needed during the holiday season. The hustle and bustle always seemed to make her so nervous, and being nervous meant the potential for accidents. With a deep breath, she took prepared herself for what was next to come.

[Color=dodgerblue]"Melly, Melly, Melly! Welcome back Melly!"[/color] a brown blur yapped as soon as she swiped her key card and entered the room. An English Springer Spaniel girl asked as was jumping up and down with excitement. Her metal chain and tag jewelry jingled as she went. 

[Color=pink]"Yes, yes! It's me. You can calm down now, Kayla,"[/color] Melanie Rose chuckled, patting her twitching tail down before walking inside. [Color=pink]"Want to see what I drew for my drawing class assignment today?"[/color] the skunk girl asked. The Spaniel nodded and eagerly followed Mel over to her bed, where she plopped her backpack on the bed. 

[Color=pink]"It's open?"[/color] Melanie noticed, a feeling of dread weighing down on her chest. She reached in and felt around, finding broken pencils, erasers, some balls of paper, and some odd dirt and lint. Her heart sunk, her eyes closed, and she shook her head. Kayla whimpered and started to reach for Mel comfortingly with one paw, but then held her own paws instead. 

[Color=dodgerblue]"It'll turn up, Melly. And if not, you can whip something up in no time!"[/color] Kayla offered, trying to cheer her up. Melanie Rose shook her head and her tail drooped. [Color=dodgerblue]"Well, how about we go get dinner at the cafeteria? Food always cheers you up."[/color] Mel rolled her eyes a bit at that, but couldn't help smiling. [Color=pink]"Okay, fine, let's go."[/color][hr][i]Later that night,
Eukary University Cafeteria w/ [color=dodgerblue]Kayla Samson[/color][/i]

[Color=dodgerblue]"Time for din-din! Let's dig in!"[/color] Kayla yipped enthusiastically. She took a spoonful of dry Kibble cereal and munched contently. Mel smiled, watching her for a moment. [Color=pink]"Hundreds of different things are served each night, and yet you get the same thing every time. It baffles me,"[/color] the skunk girl remarked before taking a bite of a veggie-burger. Kayla took a gulp of water from her cup and licked her lips.  [Color=dodgerblue]"But it's so good! Want some?"[/color] Melanie shook her head.  [Color=pink]"Maybe I'll have some tomorrow for breakfast."[/color]

Kayla continued eating her cereal while Melanie gazed around the room, eating cricket-chips absentmindedly. The cafeteria had been decorated with holiday decorations and was buzzing with excitement. People were gossiping about who was going with who to the Winter Carnival, and who was going to be the Winter King and Queen. There was talk of a white wolf, a perfect nominee for Queen. Big predators always seemed to win beauty and popularity contests.  A stinky little skunk like Mel had no chance in a popularity contest.

[Color=dodgerblue]"Do you have a date for the Winter Carnival?"[/color] Kayla asked, before taking another bite.  Mel looked back to her friend and shook her head. [Color=pink]"No, I don't...but..."[/color] she trailed off sadly, slumping in her seat as she remembered Prom. A very bad and embarrassing occasion indeed. 

[Color=dodgerblue]"How about we go together!" [/color] Kayla suggested, her ears perking up. [color=dodgerblue]"Two single ladies stealing some sleds, climbing the ice sculptures, crashing the party and eating all the food... It'll be a great time!"[/color] 

Melanie forced a smile to her lips but it didn't reach her eyes. Not having a date wasn't the problem. The real problem was that she was afraid of having another anxiety attack. She would be surrounded by predator species, cute boys, and mean girls... just thinking about her made her tail twitch. [color=pink]"I'll think about it, Kay. I have to redo my art project if I don't find it soon,"[/color] Mel answered. She felt a little bad for lying to her friend, but it was a convenient excuse.