The next day, Abby waited at the entrance of the school until she could see Laura walking toward her. The uplifted doe looked nervous in the sea of normal high school students. When she finally climbed up the stairs and got to where her friend was standing, Abby would swear Laura was trembling.
"Hey, what's wrong? You're not nervous are you? Don't be, I won't let anyone bother you." Abby said, gently hugging the shivering doe. Laura shook her head and muttered something. Even with her equine ears Abby couldn't hear, so she pulled Laura to the side and asked her what she'd said.
"I'm not so worried about the humans, actually people have been really nice. I'm worried about the wolf."
"What wolf?" Abby asked. Her question was answered when Laura yelped and hid behind Abby's massive frame. She pointed to someone who was just walking into the building. Abby turned and saw that there was indeed a wolf. Whether it was an uplifted one or not was hard to tell. The wolf had a bit of a mane, not long enough to be considered hair but longer than a wolf's fur should be.
The wolf in question was clearly female. The virus affected her in a similar way as it had affected Abby. Beneath the dense black and gray fur, Abby saw well defined muscles. Her bushy tail was held close to her body, and she looked pretty okay being surrounded by normal people, in fact there were several students chatting with the she-wolf. But every time she opened her muzzle to bark-laugh, she bared her sharp fangs for all to see. Laura remained hidden until the she wolf had passed.
"I don't think you have to worry about her Laura. You're surrounded by people, there's no way anyone would let you get hurt. You're okay." Abby said. Laura nodded, but still looked a bit shaken. Abby hoped Laura would be able to get over her fear. It was just instinct to be afraid. Seeing as wolves and horses didn't interact that much in the wild, Abby wasn't that concerned. Sure some part of her brain registered that the wolf was a potential threat, but mostly she ignored the claws and fangs. Really the wolf seemed very friendly, whoever she was. Abby would make a point to introduce herself later.
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It wasn't until Abby had a free period that she saw the she-wolf again. Lounging outside on a bench behind the cafeteria, soaking up the sun. Abby walked over and gently touched the wolf's shoulder. She woke with a start, yelping and almost falling off her seat.
"Sorry, I didn't think you were sleeping." Abby apologized, helping the she-wolf regain her balance.
"No it's okay. I didn't mean to fall asleep. Damn, what time is it?" the she-wolf asked.
"Uh, I dunno. It's fourth period so..."
"Fourth? Shit, I'm missing Pre-Calc. Oh well. Maybe tomorrow." The wolf was surprisingly nonchalant and carefree. Abby got the feeling this wasn't an uplifted animal like Laura. Which was a relief, because that meant she wasn't as inclined to be controlled by instincts.
"Do I know you? I mean, you seem awfully familiar. You're not an uplifted animal, are you?"
"Nope. Name's Jaime."
"Wait, Jaime Newman? From Geometry last year?" Abby knew her, they were only a year apart in school (Jaime being older). Abby knew Jaime to be a bit of a slacker, but overall a nice person.
"How did this happen to you?" Abby asked, hoping it wasn't too much of her to ask.
"Eh, I was walking my dog the other week and stumbled upon a recently uplifted wolf. Not sure where he came from, but there he was. Anyway, long story short he got into a fight with my dog, and I got in the way. Stupid as this may seem but he bit me and then I ended up all furry."
"You're kidding. You got bit by a literal wolfman and then turned into one yourself?" Abby had to laugh at the irony.
"I know, the universe is funny that way. I'm okay with it, the changes aren't so bad. Trevor didn't mean to, that's the wolf who bit me. He's older, too old for high school. They've got him working somewhere with Riley."
"Riley?"
"My dog got exposed too. Riley is still a little annoyed at Trevor, but I think it's just that they're both males. And they both want me as their mate, kinda flattering now that I think about it." Jaime said.
"I know the feeling." Abby said, thinking about Sam and how attracted to her he seemed to be. And vice versa. Abby and Jaime continued chatting for the next hour, and only when the bell rang did Abby remember to bring up Laura.
"Listen, I know you didn't mean to, but you kinda freaked Laura out this morning." Abby said.
"Laura? Oh, you mean the uplifted doe! Aw geez, tell her I'm sorry will ya. I'd do it myself, but I'm too worried I'd scare her again. I'm not interested in eating her. Just the opposite, I'm not into venison. Tastes too salty, and the meat's very lean. I prefer beef." Jaime said with a shrug. Abby nodded, a little creeped out. Then again, Jaime was now strictly a carnivore, like how she was strictly an herbivore. It only made sense that Jaime had specific tastes in meat, like how Abby really couldn't stand certain fruits and vegetables (bananas, mangos and celery for instance).
Abby went on to her next class, feeling better now that she'd identified the she-wolf. But as she walked into the hallway to go to her next class something stopped her. Abby turned her head around to see trying to get her attention.