ʏᴇʟʟᴏᴡ ∆ ᴄᴀᴇsᴀʀ ᴢᴇᴘᴘᴇʟɪ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ ∆

∆ғᴏᴜʀ∆

For the next two weeks, Joseph and I had hung out almost every day, becoming closer and closer. I started realizing how much we were alike, our sense of humor, and our childish tendencies. I also met his wife, Suzie Q, and we became better friends than Joseph and me. It was funny to watch him trail behind us with a pout as we walked around the park or went window shopping. It was Saturday, and I had decided I was going to take a walk. The weather was nice and it was pretty early in the morning, so not many people would be out. At least, that’s what I thought. When I arrived at the park with my dog, there were so many people. Some were sitting on blankets while eating, some were jogging on the paths, some were sitting on benches while watching their kids play on the equipment.

“Looks like we’re gonna have company,” I sighed, looking down at my dog, who tilted her head at my words. I giggled and patted her head before leading her into the park. I pulled my dress down a little more and adjusted the belt around my waist.

“Doggie!” I turned as a group of children on the playground pointed to Dixie. Her tail started wagging and she sat down as they ran towards us.

“‘Cuse us Miss, but can we pet your dog?” One of the older boys asked, holding the two other excited kids by their shoulders. They were practically buzzing.

“Sure,” I said, smiling as they giggled and starting fluffing through Dixie’s fur.

“Y/n!” I looked over as a familiar head of black hair approached.

“Well hello, Aaron,” I smiled a little wider. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Likewise. This your dog?” He asked, watching the kids thank me before running off again.

“No, I’m just holding her,” I said, playfully rolling my eyes. Aaron chuckled.

“May I?”

“Go ahead. She eats up the attention,” I said, looking down as my dog closed her eyes and smiled.

“So how’s everything going?” Aaron asked, crouching down in front of her. “With your family, I mean.”

“Great. Joseph and I have become close friends,” I said, smiling.

“That was fast,” Aaron chuckled, standing up.

“We’re very similar. It’s almost scary how much we act alike,” I said.

“Well, I’m glad that you’re getting along with him,” He smiled. “Say, would you be interested in having drinks with me? It’d be my treat,”

“Oh, I don’t drink very often,” I said, nervously shifting in my spot. “I don’t handle alcohol very well.”

“It’ll be fun,” Aaron smiled. “Plus, I can handle my alcohol pretty well. If you’re worried about someone making advances or making fun of you, I can step up.”

“I don’t know,” I drug out. I really didn’t want to make Aaron think I was interested in him in that way. He was attractive, I could tell you that, but he wasn’t my type. I didn’t want to be rude and just say it to him, but I also didn’t want to lead him on. I had to make up an excuse. “I made plans with Joseph and Suzie Q,”

Aaron raised his eyebrows. “Oh,” He shifted. “Sorry, I didn’t know.”

“No, it’s fine!” I said. “As you said, you didn’t know my plans. Maybe some other time?”

“Yeah. See you around,” He said, giving a short nod before walking away. I felt guilty, knowing that I had lied to him, but I couldn’t think of anything else. Dixie nudged my hand at my side and nuzzled her face into my palm while she looked up at me.

“Ok, ok,” I huffed, beginning to walk away. I walked around most of the park, stopping by a little vendor shop set up on the side of the road. I browsed through magazines and books, considering purchasing one and relaxing for a while.

“Pretty dog,” The man complimented.

“Huh? Oh, thank you,” I said. People sure were interested in my dog today.

“Do I know you from somewhere?” The man asked, making me look up from the book in my hands.

“I’m not sure. You don’t look familiar. Sorry,” I said, smiling sympathetically as I placed the book back down. He wasn’t complimenting my dog. He was trying to casually make conversation.

“I do know you,” He said in realization. “You’re that reporter that wrote that article about the fire.”

“Oh, the building fire?” I said, remembering that it had got the front page. A man had committed arson and blew the place up because he lost a bet and got put in heavy gambling debt. He owned the building and had gotten the insurance money from it. I did some research and published it, which then led to his arrest.

“Yeah,” The man said, nodding as he slightly narrowed his eyes at me. “You’re the bitch who put my brother away.”

I felt my heart drop into my stomach when I heard a soft click. Shakily, I looked up and saw the barrel of a gun in my face. My breath hitched in my throat and Dixie jumped onto her feet from where she had been laying down. I tensed up and flicked my gaze to his eyes.

“Got anything to say before I blow your brains out?” He asked, resting his finger above the trigger.

“I do,” A different voice said from behind me. I felt someone step towards me and seize the man by the wrist. I craned my neck back and met eyes with a pair of sharp green ones.

“Y/n!” Suzie Q called, gaining my attention. I quickly ducked under Joseph’s arm and dashed towards her. She grabbed my arms and pulled me into her side as Joseph ripped the gun from the man’s hand and bashed the side of it against his head.

“Keep your hands off my little cousin,” he spat, dropping the gun and walked back towards you and Suzie Q. “You okay?”

“I’m fine. And I’m older than you,” I said, releasing a shaky breath. Dixie jumped up on Joseph who made baby noises at her.

“What was that about anyway?” Joseph asked.

“People get mad because of the papers I write,” I sighed. “He was just one of those people.”

“Are you sure you’re okay, Y/n?” Suzie asked worriedly, placing her hand on my arm.

I nodded. “Yeah, yeah I’m fine. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t popped up though,” I said.

“Well, don’t worry too much about it. It was only a coincidence after all,” Joseph said, snagging the leash from my hands as he began to wrestle around with my dog.

“And a pretty good one at that,” Suzie Q said. “Jojo and I were just talking.”

“Oh yeah!” The man said, turning to face us with Dixie in his arms, holding her like a baby. I rolled my eyes.

“Y/n,” Suzie Q said, grabbing my hands. “How would you feel about going to Italy?”

My jaw dropped. “H-huh?”

“We’re going to Italy, and we want you to go with us!” Joseph chirped, grinning at me widely.

“The summer is coming, and since the weather is so nice, we decided it would be a great trip. Italy is my home country and such a beautiful place. I really think you’ll enjoy it!” Suzie Q said, smiling at me with hopeful eyes. “Of course, you don’t have to.”

“I...you know what? Sure,” I said, smiling.

“First family trip!” Joseph cheered. “Hear that Dicky? We-”

“-Joseph! Stop calling my dog Dicky!”

“-We’re going to Italy!”