Runaways

Eden

"Hey, Eden. It's breakfast time if you want to come down."

"Gggrrrr."

"What was that?"

I hurried out of bed and pushed the door shut with my foot.

"Eden, open up. Why'd you shut the door?"

"I...uh I'm changing and uh watching a video about dogs?"

Although it came out like a question mark, she seemed to believe.

"Oh, alright. Make sure you at least eat something this morning."

"Got it."

I bent down and scratched Brownie's chin. "You know you can't do that Mr. Cute Face, or they'll take you away from me."

He whimpered.

"No, no don't cry. I'm sorry."

I picked him and put him underneath my jacket. He needed to pee, and I couldn't let Mrs. Fiddle or any of the other girls find out.

I tried to tip toe down the stairs, but they creaked.

"Eden? Is that you?" Mrs. Fiddle came from the kitchen and stood at the bottom. Her eyes lit up when she saw me. "Are you finally going to eat with us today?" She was beaming with delight, and I didn't want to disappoint her.

"I uh....I am really sorry Mrs. Fiddle, but I just wanted to go outside."

"Oh—" her bright smile turned into a forced one "—well that's alright. Maybe some other time then."

"Yeah..."

She walked away under the stairs back to the kitchen. I'll make it up to her someday just not today.

I opened the door and crossed the great big lawn. It was massive, almost the size of a football field.

As soon as I knew I was no where near anyone's eye line, I took brownie out from under my jacket and set him down. I had a feeling he wouldn't run away because he seemed way too attached to me to do that. As soon as I set him down, he sat there, waiting for me to start walking.

"It's nice having someone to talk to even if you can't really understand me. I wonder how I'm going to get you food."

He was sniffing grass while I walked a few steps to show him that we need to keep walking.

I bumped into him.

"Oh... I'm sorry. I should've watched where I was going. You ok?"

I stared at his ocean eyes that seemed so vast they'd engulf me if I wasn't careful. He had light brown hair that was swept to the side with a few strands hanging back on the right side of his head.

"Um... yeah. I'm ok."

"You have a cute dog. What's his name?" He bent down to pet Brownie on the head, and this time he didn't growl.

"His name is Brownie."

"Ah, I get it cause he's brown."

I nodded. I was never good at talking to boys or girls for that matter.

"I'm Ash by the way." He put out his hand for me to shake it, but I kept my hands in my pockets. He awkwardly put his hand back down to his sides.

"I'm Eden."

"Eden. Got it. It's a beautiful name."

"Oh, thanks."

"How old is he?"

"I don't know. I found him the other day. He's a stray."

"That's nice of you, taking in a stray."

"Yeah...well, I better get going before someone sees. I'm not allowed to have pets in my uhhh room."

"I can take him some days if you want. To make it less risky for you when he is with you. I can also buy him some food if that's ok with you."

"Thanks, but I wouldn't want to cause trouble."

"It's no trouble at all, Eden." The way he said my name was like taking a shot at the bar and getting high off that one shot.

Snap out of it, Eden. You cannot fall for this guy. He's probably a pervert.

He gave me one of his dimpled smiles, which made me look away.

"I guess."

"Ok, great! When do you want me to take him?"

Am I really going to just trust this guy off the street with MY dog.

"How do I know you're not going to just keep him for yourself? Or sell him to make money."

He laughed. It was a airy laugh.

He stuck his hands into his worn out joggers. "I promise I won't steal him or sell him. If it'll make you feel better, I can give you my number for you to call or text whenever."

"Alright, what's your number?"

He looked surprised that I actually took him up on his offer. I was surprised myself.

"Here." He showed me his number.

"We can meet up later today at 1 pm. Bring food. For the dog. Not me."

He laughed. "Ok."

He bent down to pet Brownie one more time and walked away.