     A TEST OF FRIENDSHIP 
      
      The young cougar groaned and rolled over while wrapping her pillow around her head and ears.  The loud BTZ! Of her alarm clock blared out unwelcomingly heralding a new day.  Unable to ignore it she tosses her pillow at it in a vain attempt to shut it up.  Glaring at it as it still aggressively buzzes away, she admits defeat and makes long trek across her bedroom to shut it off.
      Her mother’s idea.  Put it on the other side of the room.  And make sure you find the oldest, ugliest thing you can find that’s unnecessarily loud.  She had wanted to continue to use her phones alarms.  “You can even set up like 10 of the 15 minutes apart!” had been her argument.  
      Sadly, her mother’s argument was just as sound: “Yeah, and once those are all used up it’s been two and a half hours.”
      Pushing the button moodily she stalks across her room with half a mind to jump back into bed.  She was still tired.  She had been kept all night by Salaryman1000.  Wasn’t her fault…  Ok fine, it WAS her fault.  She had known if she stayed up any later that morning was going to be a slog.  But he had been so insistent and so gosh darn cute with how desperate he clearly was.  Well, what was done was done, she’d just have to sneak a cup of coffee and make due.
      “Good morning, Dakota, and happy to see that new alarm clock is working well!” comes the cheery voice of her mother as she bustles around the cramped kitchen earning a non-committal grunt from her “sleep deprived” daughter.
      Kody slumps into her chair and finds the usual box of cereal and milk awaiting her.  Looking up from her breakfast she notes that her mom is already in her work clothes and is cleaning up from a hastily whipped up meal.  The said meals all stacked by a duffle bag.  A clear sign that she was expecting to be away for the rest of the day.  
      “Overnighter?” Kody asks as she eats.
      “*Sigh* Yes, unfortunately.  It was a last-minute change.  Sheryl called out sick, so they were kind enough to give it to me.”  Her mom replies gruffly.  “They told me only an hour ago.  Great huh?  So, I couldn’t even prep a dinner for you.”
      “It’s ok mom.” Kody replies indifferently.  She could always tag along to Pepper’s and mooch off her family.  Or her mom was sure to give her some money to buy something on her own.  
      “Ugh, No, it’s not Dakota!  It feels like I can’t provide for you!  I know you won’t go hungry and even if I was short on food the Shade family would be happy to help us out.  But darn it I feel so helpless and embarrassed having to ask them!”
      It hadn’t happened in a while, and wasn’t a normal occurrence, but after her parents split there had been some rather hard times.  During those days Peppers parents, Night and Karen had stepped in to help.  Often buying groceries or just inviting them over for dinner.  Kody had also spent many a night over when her mother had overnight shifts at the hospital.  
      Luckily due to a promotion and pay raise things had gotten much better.  But on the odd day when the shifts got messed up like tonight, she would often ask the Nights to watch Kody.  Now that she was older though she could trust Kody alone.  However, when she decided on her own to foist herself onto the Shade’s hospitality (which they readily and gladly accepted) Pepper’s mom would worry that things were going south again.  And with her saintly nature would start to go out of her way to “help”, usually ending with Kody’s mom refusing the “help” and insist everything was fine.  
      “Easy fix then mom I won’t go over tonight.  Just leave me some money for pizza and I’m all set!”
      Her mom looked at her longways but didn’t say a thing.  Kody knew she didn’t like that option either.  She had bought plenty of microwavable dinners for just such occasions that pizza wasn’t necessary.  Still, a pizza was more appetizing than a nasty frozen dinner.  Plus, it was great if you were expecting company…
      “Oh alright, fine.  But NEXT time you need to eat those frozen dinners!” her mom relents after looking at the time on the oven.  Clearly, she didn’t have time to argue.  Pulling out her wallet she places a $20 on the kitchen table and packs up all of her stuff. 
      “Ok, no wild house parties while I’m gone.  No blowing up the house.  And if you DO, please at least clean up after it so I don’t have to know or worry about it!” her mom says jokingly before giving Kody a squeeze then hurries out the door.
      About 30min later see’s Kody slowly padding along to her bus stop.  Normally, she would get a ride to school.  But owing to her mother having to leave so early she would have to ride the bus instead.  Luckily Pepper also was along the same bus route so she wouldn’t have to wait too long before she would have company.  
      Sadly, since the school she was attending was magnet school for higher learning she was the only fur at her bus stop.  The school claimed to be a bastion for higher learning but Kody often felt it was more a school for the rich and wealthy.  True, there were a few furs like her that got in due to good enough grades and lived in less than fantastic homes.  But considering the rest of the stops, she couldn’t help but think they only let in smart kids to keep up appearances. 
      Not wanting to wait all by herself Kody had timed her walk exactly.  So that she’d get to the stop the same moment or less before the bus did.  Just as she arrived so did the bus, jogging the rest of the way she slips onto the bus and takes her seat at the back.  Slipping her headphones over her ears she leans back and listens to her music as she counts down the stops till Pepper’s.
      Pepper’s neighborhood was one of those new cookie cutter affairs.  Kody always thought they looked nice.  But with how similar they all were and crammed together she preferred her own, as old as it was.  Still, the “classist” nature of the school was on full display with how many more furs got on the bus here than her own.  Kody scanned the line of peers until she finally found her friend.  
      Pepper was a very pretty snow leopard with jet black hair, light blue eyes and who was a little on the chubby side.  Her muzzle was lightly peppered with small dark grey flecks that matched the color of her rosettes.  Unlike most of her species though her rosettes were not evenly distributed along her fur.  Her hands and feet were “gloved” with darker fur and leading up to them were faint rosettes as well as along her long and very fluffy tail which was tipped.  
      Kody slipped to the end of her seat to keep the spot open for Pepper, once she got on, she waved her down.  Pepper was a dear friend of hers, they had known each other since before preschool and were “joined at the hip” as their parents said.  Pepper was a shy and kind soul and so innocent.  Kody felt rather protective of her and felt it was her duty to help guide her slowly to “womanhood”.
      “Heya Pep!” Kody chirps once they get settled in their seats.
      “Morning Kody” she yawns.  “Guess your mom has to stay late tonight?”
      “Yeah, wasn’t planned, they told her when she got up, I guess.” Replies Kody
      “Ah, thought it was too soon.  Well, you can come over tonight for dinner then!” Pepper says brightly.
      “Nah, that’s ok, thanks though.  Mom gave me some cash for pizza.  Meaning I’ll have a nice lunch today hehe.”
      “I guess you’ll be using our Payfur funds?” she asks tartly.
      “Well, yeah.  I can’t pay for lunch with it, so why not use the cash?  Plus, I’ve been adding to it more than you have, so you share won’t be used.”
      “Tch!  I can’t believe you’ve been sh-!”
      “Shhhh!”  Hisses Kody looking around making sure no one was listening.  Leaning in she says, “ixnay on the word eh!  We can discuss THAT later!”
      A few weeks ago, Kody had found out about a streaming site called “LiveFurs” from a few other of her friends at school.  However, unlike gaming or product ad streams, LiveFurs was for streaming sexual content.  Mainly for and by young furs.  Kody, thinking it might be fun, convinced Pepper to join her in checking it out and even starting a stream and handle named “2girls1pc” for themselves. 
       As much fun as Kody had, she had gotten a little carried away with her much more reserved friend.  Feeding off of the lust in the chat logs, and wanting Pepper to gain some confidence in her body she gave the viewers a bit of a show by groping Pepper’s breasts.  With all the raunchy comments as well as one douche referring to her as, “The fat one”.  Coupled with being suddenly groped by her best friend for everyone to see, proved to be too much for her.  
      Luckily Pepper forgave her, but since then she had avoided the subject like the plague.  Kody on the other hand had starting using it regularly.  After a few nights of streaming on her own she started getting regular tips and had a great idea.  She created a Payfur account for both her and Pepper, depositing all the funds earned so far.  Both she and Pepper were free to use it for whatever.  Afterall, she helped.  It WAS her boobs being groped that started it all, as Kody liked to joke.
      Regardless of the easy money as Kody saw it, Pepper was still hesitant to join in on any more streams.  She also disapproved of Kody “exposing herself like that” and always got huffy when the subject of the money or site came up. 
      The girl’s conversation was a bit strained for the rest of the bus ride but gradually got more relaxed.  Once at school they made their way to their lockers to drop off their bags and select the first periods books.  As Kody closes the door she freezes and swings it wide again and ducks behind it.  Pepper gives her a weird look then follows her gaze before rolling her eyes.
      “Are you going to keep hiding from the poor boy?”  Pepper asks with a sigh.
      “I don’t need relationship advice from miss, “I’ve got someone special that I won’t talk about!” snaps Kody.
      A few feet away was a certain mouse boy that had become rather enamored with Kody recently.  True to Pepper’s warnings, someone from school HAD recognized her.  Greyson had been a very quiet kid who usually kept to himself.  But something had changed in him after he found LiveFurs and that one of his “idols” was in the same school as him.  The day he had put two and two together he had been almost impossible to deal with in and out of school.  
      In school he had blurted out to her that he had watched “ALL of her streams” and was madly in love with her.  Luckily no one was around but it still had scarred the fur off of her.  She was certain SOME peers knew she was on that site, but luckily, they kept quiet.  OUT of school he was even worse.  In streams he had started dropping little hints that he knew her irl and started to PM her for exclusive streams.  
      At first, she had tried to politely shut him down.  Explaining that she was only doing the streams for fun and to get some extra pocket change.  Sadly, her trust with ANOTHER viewer was misplaced and he commented openly one time about their private session.  Luckily, she had never agreed to meet up with him for sex…  
      The poor mouse boy though took it rather hard that she would do for others and not him.  Rather than being smart about it and blackmailing her, he instead began pestering her constantly for private shows.  And, getting more “daring” with his displays of affection.  She finally had enough though and cornered him.  
      What was really scary about it all was how he was genuinely surprised at how harassed she felt.  She was able to get it through to him she was NOT impressed by it all and was fed up.  Instead, he took this to mean she wanted a more “caring” or “sensitive” guy and started trying to help her with EVERYTHING.
      Finally, after seemingly forever he walks away to his class letting Kody close her own door and take the long route to their first Period.
      “Besides, I don’t know how to get it into his tiny brain I’m NOT interested.” Kody says savagely as they making it to the classroom without him seeing her.  The two girls take their seats in the classroom and set up for the class as Kody vents her spleen to Pepper.  There was plenty of time left to class and only a few students were there.
      “Well, it’s just like I said.  “What if they recognize us.” Replies Pepper in an annoyingly snooty way.  
      “Look.” Kody growls.  “I know there are several other students on LF.  I’ve seen at least one other couple that are seniors here.  And on watching their streams and reading comments from some of the other fans I’m sure its friends or other students here.”
      “But!” Pepper interrupts.  “Do they know YOU are?”
      “YES!  At least I’m sure they are.  Hell, they actually watched me before.  Either way, they have never come up to me and just up and said, “HEY, I SAW YOUR STREAM! YOUR REALLY HOT!  WANNA DO “IT”?”  It’s a common curtsey thing.  Y’know… professional curtesy.”
      “Then what about you and that mouse girl we met the last time?” asks Pepper pointedly.
      “That was different.  I opened the door to be asked as she did.  THAT’S how you do it.  If you DON’T want to share, then it’s all good.”  Pepper was still looking skeptical so Kody pushed on, 
      “Point is THEY get it.  Greyson is an outlier.”  Pepper simply sighs.
      “But still, it HAPPENED!  Joey and Mary have just been lucky so far an- “
      “Wait… how do you know its Joey and Mary!?” asks Kody.
      Pepper’s eyes go wide as she clearly realized she had made a major mistake.  Before Kody has a chance to ask how she knew who, she’s saved by the sudden influx of students.  All racing to get into the classroom before the 1st bell run.  Letting out small hiss of frustration Kody glowers at her bestie and makes a mental note to get to the bottom of this!
      For the next two periods Pepper remains doggedly quiet.  Kody would try to ask leading questions but Pepper would sniff them out in an instant and avoid it.  Considering they were still surrounded by other kids Kody didn’t push too hard, she knew Pepper couldn’t keep quiet all day.
      Eventually Pepper’s time ran out.  The lunch bell rang and both girls made their way to the cafeteria.  Buying her lunch from the pricey school store they make their way to their usual spot, away from everyone else and prying eyes.  Sitting down Kody looks pointedly at her friend and stares.
      “…. WHAT!?” Pepper finally explodes, unable to ignore Kody’s stare.
      “You tell me!  I never said WHO I saw on LF, and yet you were able to name them.”
      “S-so?  It was just a guess!” she replies evasively.  
      Kody snorts derisively.  She knew Pepper was stubborn, but hated keeping secrets.  In the face of constant needling, she knew she would crack.  Plus, this was a really silly thing to keep quiet about.  Even if it was embarrassing. 
      “C’mon Pep…  That is TOO good a guess.  I’m not stupid.”
      “OH!  Ok FINE!  S-so maybe I made my own account so I could watch it on my own!” she finally relents taking a big bite out of her sandwich so she could avoid saying anything more.
      Kody only giggles.  Pepper was such a pure girl that it was rather precious that she would do something like this.  She didn’t want to make fun TOO much, but couldn’t help but tease a little!  She knew that Pepper was way more interested in LiveFurs than she initially claimed, so getting some real proof was solid gold.
      “Hehe!  Aww, don’t be like that Pep, I’m so happy my little girl is growing up!” Kody coo’s trying to hug Pepper.
      “H-hey! G-off!” Pepper complains trying to shrug off the giggling cougar.  “A-and it’s no big deal!  So, what if I wanted to l-look more?”  She retorts, visibly blushing now.
      “Oh, I know Pep.  But with all your complaining last time you know I can’t help but poke fun hearing you went on your own.”  Kody giggles.  She then grins and gives her friend a leer and asks; “So, did you do any STREAMING on your own?”
      Kody struggles not to burst out laughing at the sudden outraged look Pepper gives Kody.  She figured she would only do streams with Kody and not on her own.  But she knew Pepper would wig out if she even suggested that she would.  And she did NOT disappoint.
      “I MOST CERTAINLY DID NOT!  I-I would NEVER do something so… CRASS!   A-and YOU should be ashamed with yourself with how shameless you act in your streams!”
      “Ohhh?  So, you’ve been watching me show all my goods on stream too hmm?  Didn’t peg you for that kind of girl Pep.” Kody counters quickly earning another adorably flustered reaction from her friend.  
      “TH-THAT’S NOT WHY-!”
      “Oh, calm down Pepper.  Don’t get your panties in a wad.  I’m just teasing you.” Kody finally says with a snerk.  She didn’t want to go too far.  Pepper was a pretty easy mark to tease but if she got too much gaffe she might stop exploring.
      Pepper huffs and concentrates on her food.  The two-stay silent for a while as they eat.  After a while Kody starts to feel a little bad about teasing Pepper so much.  She also felt a bit annoyed she had taken it so personal, but still wanted to make sure she was fine.
      “I really was just trying to tease you a little bit” Kody ventures after a bit.
      *sigh* “I know.  Sorry I got so… flustered.” Relents Pepper.
      “Soooo, if it’s not TOO much to ask… WHAT have you been watching?” Kody asks with a smile. 
      Pepper blushes again and remains silent.  Kody starts wondering if that too was a bit too much before finally Pepper relents.
      “W-well, I-I’ve been watching videos of… P-promise you won’t laugh?” she asks anxiously.
      “No promises, but if you don’t want to tell me…” Kody responds, wanting to be honest with her.
      “F-fine!  I-I’ve been watching videos of older guys with younger girls!”
      “That’s it?  And here I thought you were into something REALLY raunchy!” Kody replies affably.  With how flustered she was acting, she clearly thought she was going to read into it for some reason.  All things considered, that was pretty tame and par for the course.
      “No!  I’d never!” retorts Pepper. 
      “So, uh.  Real talk here Pepper.  That’s what it’s FOR… the website I mean.”
      “I-I just thought… m-maybe…”
      Pepper was being unusually subdued here Kody thought.  It was one thing to be caught or found out she had discovered it on her own.  But even then, her reactions would feel off or out of place.  Clearly her watching those kinds of videos meant something to her.
      “What, you crushing on someone older than you or something?”  Pepper clearly flinched at this making Kody more suspicious.  Pepper HAD mentioned having a crush before but never really said who or expounded on it.  Now, she felt she was closer to the truth and she was very curious.  
      “Y-yes, h-he is older than me…” Pepper replies carefully.
      “Hmm, well nothing strange about that huh?  Most people seem to marry someone a year or two older than themselves, right?” Kody replies breezily.  Trying to lull Pepper into lowering her guard.  Clearly this wasn’t a simple age difference thing.
      “Th-that’s true.” Replies Pepper unhelpfully.
      “That is.  Unless you were aiming for an adult.” Kody says, watching Pepper closely 
      BINGO.  Pepper clearly jumped at this and starts hastily trying to say something in the negative.  But the gig was up.  Kody could tell that she had finally figured out SOMETHING about her friend’s mystery man.  And she was hungry for more information.
      “OH!  You little MINX!  Got you eye on a “older” man huh?  Who is it?  Is he a teacher?  Someone you met on LF’s?   C’mon, spill Pepper!”
      “W-wai-!  I-It’s not like that!  N-no!  I-Can’t say!”
      Kody quickly backs off seeing how flustered she was.  Not wanting to cause her friend to suddenly lock up she backs off and quickly changes tact.  She didn’t want to distress Pepper, but she wanted to know WHO this guy was.
      “Sorry Pep, I got carried away there.  But I DO want to know who my best friend is aiming for.  Gotta keep my sweet little princess safe from all the bad eggs out there!” she ends hugging Pepper dramatically earning an exasperated groan from the snow leopard.  
      “But seriously.  I DO want to help out as much as I can here.  You’re not the most… worldly.  Y’know?”
      “And you ARE?” Pepper responds skeptically.
      “More than you.” Kody replies softly.  She quickly shakes her head.  Her past was her past, she knew better now.  And she wanted to help Pepper here if she could.
      “Anyways!” Kody pushes on, ignoring the curious look from Pepper.  “I want to make sure that you’re ok and this guy is on the down low, ok?”
      “A-alright.” Pepper finally concedes.  “So… don’t laugh, ok?  But he’s and old family friend.  One of my dad’s best friends he knew in the military.  His names Xander.  He was actually over one time while you and your mom visited for a while.  Remember?  The tall cougar?”
      A few red flags popped up in Kody’s mind as Pepper explained.  “Family friend” and “Dad’s best friend” brought up some unpleasant memories but she shook them off and thought back to her times at the Shades residence.  Once she thought about it, she DID remember a guy fitting her description visit a few times.  Specifically on Pepper’s and her father’s birthday’s.  
      “Oh, yeah.  That guy.  So.  Since when have you had a thing for him?”  She asks
      “Don’t put it like that!  But… I-I’ve always had a crush on him…  W-well not ALWAYS.  He used to babysit me and Kyle a lot.  Mom would some-times be just as busy, Daddy would be away on his boat.  I had so much fun, he treated me so well.  I guess I just… sort of fell in love with him over time”
      As Kody listened certain scenes from her past welled up.  The gentle, happy expression of her friend’s face was so, pure, so happy.  She hated herself for thinking some of the things she was but couldn’t help but wonder.  What kinds of things did they do?   “Treated her so well”?  What did that even mean?
      “Oh?  Well, what kinds of things?” Kody asked as casually as she could.  
      “Huh?  Well, one time we went to a time share by a lake.  That was so much fun.  We went on walks, held hands we even um… shared a seat…”  Pepper replies with a blush.
      “Shared a seat?”  Kody echoes.
      “N-nothing lewd ok!?  There was only one lawn chair!  And I um… J-just wanted to share it.  S-so I told him to sit down and I sat… on him.  A-and he was a perfect gentleman!” 
      Kody couldn’t keep from giving her a skeptical look.  But by and large she could tell that Pepper was giving her the full details.  As innocent as she was, after watching LiveFurs streams she would be having a hard time justifying any sort of grooming.  And considering she didn’t seem to be trying to convince herself she had to assume she was being truthful and he had behaved himself.  If ANYTING she was clearly more embarrassed that she did something so bold.
      “He’s just… you know?  Been there for me.  During some of the hardest times.  When both daddy and mom were away, and even Kyle was at his soccer camps, he was there.” She continued.
      The Shade family was a military family.  Her dad was in the Navy and sometimes spent most of a year away from home.  Her mom’s job too could keep her busy and away from home.  Even her brother Kyle was often away from home at some camp or event for the school’s soccer team.  Pepper being the quiet and kind soul that she was would probably take it kind of hard.  
      Enter a nice fur who she had known forever.  When she was alone, he was there for her.  Kody realized he would likely seem like a Knight in shining armor.  With there still being a father figure around, and him being too old to fit the brother bill, she must have developed more amorous feelings for him.  
      “Ok ok, I get it.  Enough with the gushiness.” Kody says rolling her eyes.  
      “Y-you asked!” retorts Pepper, blushing deeply as she realizes how much she gave away.
      “SO.” States Kody giving her friend a long look.  “Why the sudden interest in sex between teens and adults?”
      This was the question.  It was one thing to have a crush.  But to start looking for and watching sexual videos, live streams no less, meant something else entirely.  Maybe she was trying to live vicariously through the streamers.  OR, she was looking for tips on how to get past “first base”.
      “I-I just…!”  Pepper’s face was practically burning now.  Kody was almost surprised that she couldn’t feel the heat.
      Before they could continue though the bell rings for the end of lunch.  Pepper nearly jumps out of her fur but then quickly looks relieved.  Kody sighs and rolls her eyes.  She was pretty sure Pepper was wanting to do more than moon over this Xander guy.  But until she was willing to admit as much and say so, she couldn’t really help.
      As the two girls clean up their things Kody says, “I’m just concerned for you, ok?  Whatever you’re thinking I won’t think badly of you.  If you want help, just ask.  Two heads are better than one, right?  And I would be WAY better than some internet rando…. RIGHT?” Kody finishes, giving Pepper a meaningful look.
      “M-maybe we could meet up this weekend then?” Pepper asks, not meeting Kody’s eyes.
      “Sounds like a plan to me Pep.” Kody replies with a purr.
      The rest of the day passes by rather uneventfully.  Only two near encounters with Greyson nearly soured Kody’s day.  But finally, the day was over and she could finally go home.  On the way home Pepper asked if she was sure if she didn’t want to visit and discuss things that night.  Kody turned down the offer using her mom and the fact the weekend offered more time as her excuse.  Plus, they could still chat online.
      It was at least partially true.  The other and more pressing reason though was the sudden and unexpected night alone without parental supervision.  And she knew a certain “salaryman” who would love nothing better than “supervise” her for the night.
