...i follow the large dog through the hallway, ruffling my curls again awaiting the impending cold weather that will greet me when i open the door. turning the lock, i pull the handle and the dog races past me and into the front yard.
i shiver as i walk back in to wait for the pup, but a yelp stops me in my tracks...
*
i look to the side of me, concern clouding my eyes as i see a scruffy-looking boy sat in the corner of my wooden porch covered in a blanket, fear in his eyes as he looks directly into mine.
"hey?" i gently walk towards the smaller boy, who looked like he could be 12-13. his doe eyes looking into mine still as i near him.
"i'm sorry" he squeaks, his voice broken as if he hadn't spoken in years. "it's just so cold" he whimpers, wrapping the scraggly brown blanket further around his torso.
i ponder for a moment on what action i should take next, and looking down at the pre-teen, i use my hands to usher him towards me as i walk back into the house slowly.
he looks confused, tilting his head to the side like a puppy-dog and not moving a muscle.
"kid, come inside. i don't have a spare room, but you can take the couch. it's too cold for you to stay outside" i rush, rubbing my hands together to retain some heat as the cold air gets to me.
"o-okay" he stammers, fear evident in his voice as he slowly gets up, the sound of his knees popping making me wince.
i walk inside, looking into the living room where malakai is already sat.
"i do have a dog, if you don't mind" i nod, pointing to the couch. he nods his head, and i look to see that a small smile makes its way upon his face as he eyes the ginger dog.
"c-can i pet- it?" he asks, his voice wavery.
"of course, his name is malakai." i reply, pushing off my black crocks and jacket, closing the door and watching the 5'5 boy warily walks towards the dog on the couch.
"how old is he?" he asks, his confidence rising as malakai enjoys pets from his small hand.
"3 years, give or take. i adopted him on my 21st birthday." i smile. "what about you?"
"what about me?" he asks, confusion lacing his words as he looks at me.
"how old are you- i mean" i correct myself. running a hand through my brown locks.
"oh! i'm 17. 18 in a few weeks though" he smiles, thought the smile is obviously fake as he looks down at his fingers and starts moving them together.
he's a lot older than i thought, why is he so small?
"if you don't mind me asking- why were you out in the cold- on my porch?" i choose my wordings carefully, not wanting to upset the younger lad.
"it was so cold, and i wanted some sort of shelter to sleep. i smelled cookies and decided to sleep on your porch. i'm sorry, i would've been gone before you woke." he huffs in embarrassment, his eyes glossed over, but no tears escaping.
he'd ignored my question, but ill let it go as i don't want to scare him off.
"hey, that's all good! on the subject of cookies, would you like some?" i smirk, and his gloomy features were replaced with happy, childish ones.
"please!" he rushes. his hands shaking slightly as theyre balled into fists. ive seen that before, my sister, gemma does the same thing when she's excited.
"okay okay" i smile gently, walking to the kitchen, in which he obediently follows like a puppy.
"m&m's, or non-m&m's." i ask, pointing to the two piles of cookies i'd placed previously.
"uh- m&m's! please!" he says, his stomach growling almost on beat as he grabs a cookie.
"are you hungry, lil' man?" i ask, walking to the fridge and pulling out a ham and cheese lunchable.
"uh-huh" he mumbles, taking in my generosity, surprisingly.
"do you like lunchables?" i ask, pointing to the packet of lunchables ive now placed on the marble countertop.
"i don't know- i've never had it" he says, munching on the cookie, hums of satisfaction leaving his lips as he swallows.
i can guess the relief he's feeling, as i've been there too.
"well, can you try it for me?" i ask, and he nods almost immediately. i pull out a plastic white-coloured bowl, tipping the lunchable onto it along with 3 m&m cookies, wanting to fill the smaller boy up.
i then head back to the fridge, pulling out my favourite, apple juice. i buy small cartons so they're available to grab while i work.
ushering the smaller boy to sit, i realise i never got his name. "ah- whats your name? i'm sorry it completely slipped my mind- i'm harry by the way." i rush, red dusting my cheeks.
"oh- yeah it's okay- i'm luka. spelt l-u-k-a." he says, smiling triumphantly as he correctly spells his name.
"that's a really unique spelling, i like it!" i nod, handing him the bowl of food to which he giggles and thanks me.
i can't help but coo at the happiness he's showing, not only through his mannerisms but the small little huffs and sighs that are leaving his body as he eats the food.
"hey, would you like to sleep on my bed or the couch tonight? your pick." i ask, thinking he will probably pick my bed, which i was completely okay with.
"the c-couch- please, can i watch the tv?" he asks, his question making me chuckle and nod.
"of course, luka." i smile. "would you like to take a shower?" i ask, and he nods his head furiously.
"please. i haven't showered in the longest time." he says, finishing off his last cookie.
"alright, well if you go to the only door up the stairs, you'll find the bathroom." i say, trying to explain the location of the bathroom.
"thank you!" he laughs, genuine happiness in his words.
