"Hey, Sam," Jessica cheered as she met with her former pet outside the area where those Animalians going through the remedial learning program to help them catch up with those going to Lyre High School.
"Hey, Jess," Samuel said slowly.
He smiled at seeing her excitement and was glad that Jessica had wished to remain his friend. A part of him wanted to admit that he liked her in every way, but he wasn't fully sure if that was solely the fact that Jessica had been the only one that he really knew or not and figured that between his uplifting and her becoming an Animalian that that sort of discussion wouldn't do right now. Not to mention that since she became a rabbit that her only breeding options would be with other rabbits. Though for the moment, seeing her hop in excitement and cheer was enough to assure him that they would be friends, and that was truly what mattered in all things.
"Your parents didn't drive you?" Samuel asked, noticing no car parked at the curb.
"Nah, I hopped down," Jessica smiled and held out one leg to highlight her digitigrade legs, "because these legs were made for hopping..."
Samuel only shook his head at the joke that Jessica made.
"Anyway, I came down to pass on an invite for some fun,"Jessica commented, "and to tell you about a neat surprise..."
"Oh?" Samuel said slowly, "which do you wish to share first?"
Jessica wrapped one arm around Samuel's shoulder, "the invite. Sarah and Malice's parents are going on a second honeymoon to Alaska and this coming Saturday they're throwing a party."
"Their parents?" Samuel asked.
"No," Jessica answered, "it's Sarah and Malice's party and all the friends are invited. Abby and Samson are going. Sophie is going. A few of the others from school are going. I'm going, and they're letting me invite you in as well. It'd let you make friends with everyone."
"To celebrate their parent's honeymoon?" Samuel wondered.
"No, to have fun!" Jessica giggled, "and free because the parents are away."
"Human ways are weird," Samuel commented.
Jessica only shrugged, "Maybe... you will come, right?"
"For a friend, sure," Samuel accepted the offer, "where do I go?"
"I'll be by in time to walk you there," Jessica answered, "Just be ready on Saturday for a party and some fun. Though... apparently Animalia's Mayor found out and wants the party to be a bit of a social function... complete with chaperones and whatnot."
"So it won't be complete freedom," Samuel commented.
"I suppose," Jessica sighed, "Malice REALLY didn't like that... but I'd suppose there is no way to get around that. Either we have two parties, one private and fun for us and one that's this sort of PR pot-luck event for Animalia, which would be tough to arrange... or we just go with it and accept whatever help is offered."
"I'd say getting the help is the top thing," Samuel told her.
Jessica slowly nodded, "Sarah and Malice did accept that in the end. It'll be in the Great Hall. You and I can go together and get to know everyone... Maybe you'll meet a cute lady hamster..."
"And you a dashing male rabbit?" Samuel asked.
Again Jessica nodded with a smile, showing her teeth, "Yeah... and with all the chaperones that will be there, though, it'll mean no hanky panky there."
"I'll be sure to be on my best behavior then," Samuel replied.
Samuel nodded as the two walked along. As they began to head to the area in Animalia that he'd been given to live, Samuel remembered the other thing that Jessica had made mention of. It was some kind of surprise which made Samuel curious.
"So... what about this surprise?" Samuel asked.
"The Animalia City Council wants me, Sarah, Abby, and Sophie on a special panel that will help talk about Animalia's success and stuff like that," Jessica said with a smile, "as Abby and Sarah were among the first humans to become Animalians, if not the first humans to become Animalians. I joined willingly... so the three of us have the experience of knowing humanity and Animalia, and since Sophie is still human, she can share on how our friendship hasn't changed despite the fact that three of her closest friends became Animalians and two are double dosers."
"Sounds like they're giving you a lot of important work," Samuel gave a small smile.
"Yeah... but it'll be fun," Jessica commented, "we'll get to do good for everyone."
"Well... that does sound good," Samuel commented.
The two walked along quietly for a few moments. Jessica felt glad that Samuel was doing well and was accepting of her being an Animalian now. Even if they could never be a romantic couple, they were still friends which was the big thing for her. The biggest hope that she had was that Samuel would catch up and would be able to join them all at Lyre High School.
"So... how goes things with you?" Jessica asked, "are you ready to come to the High School, yet?"
"I'm doing well and the instructors say I'll be ready for the test to go into Lyre High School on Friday," Samuel said proudly.
"That's great!" Jessica cheered and hugged him as they walked along, "You'll get to join us all on Monday! I'll make being at the party all the more important. You'll get to meet everyone!"
"I'm sure," Samuel commented, "though I was thinking about working for the companies building homes for Animalians here and so on... Keeping track of all the supplies that the Beavers need and so on, that sort of thing."
"Logistics," Jessica smiled, "well... that will mean you'll need to do well in math classes."
Samuel only sighed and shook his head.