First Day: Science fiction

Being mauled by a small purring ball with very sharp claws and a difficult-to-pin down outline was not how she'd expected to spend her first day of veterinary school at the University of Intergalactic Medicine, and to judge by the confused, shocked, frightened, awed, or jealous expressions on her classmates' faces, they hadn't expected it either. Great. She sighed to herself. Just what she hadn't wanted to start off with. She'd hoped, truly hoped, that it could be different here. People came from all over, so any distaste for people who were slightly different would wear off quickly. She'd really hoped she could learn to blend in, make some friends, and--

Inspiration: Being mauled by a small purring ball with very sharp claws.
Story Potential: Medium.
Notes: This is endearing, and sweet, and not terribly original.