Changing Paths-A Paw Patrol Story

Chapter Eleven

Dom laid in his bed, unable to fall asleep. He had woken up from his nap an hour ago, and he's stayed awake since, no matter what he tried. Dom figured there were too many things on his mind. At last, he decided to walk out of his puphouse.

Dom walked out of his puphouse and looked around. He guessed that everyone else was asleep. Most of you usually are, Chase told him a few days prior. That memory made him remember the scene of Adventure Bay from the cliff.

Dom crept through some bushes onto the cliff and sat down. The half-moon shone in the sky like a giant flashlight pointed elsewhere. The moonlight left streaks in the waves. The wind blew softly, but the sky was clear of clouds.

As Dom looked over Adventure Bay, his mind kept going back to the view from the castle's tower of Barkingburg. He enjoyed the scenery and the moment of relaxation. Dom even enjoyed having Sweetie to his side. He didn't care what the others had to say. Dom knew that she wasn't as evil as they said she was.

"Kinda late, don't you think?" someone said from behind.

Dom turned enough to see Chase walking up to him. He smiled. "Is that why you're still awake too?"

Chase shrugged as he sat down next to him. "I guess," he answered. He turned to Dom. "But you're usually not, so I'm curious why."

"I don't know," Dom confessed. "I guess I have a lot on my mind."

"I understand that," Chase said. "About Sweetie?"

Dom frowned. He remembered the argument he wished to forget. "You know, she's not evil."

"I know," Chase said.

Dom looked at him, shocked. "You do?"

"Wasn't I the one who told you in the first place? Before you left for Barkingburg?"

Dom felt dumb. "Oh, yeah," he said. "But do you mean it?"

Chase thought about it. "I guess I do. I always want to give everyone a second chance. Sweetie is a unique case, though. She's proven herself to be good as many times she's proven she's evil. But my question is, how do you feel about it?"

Dom sighed. "I'm not sure what I feel at the moment. Hearing the others talk about Sweetie like that angered me," he explained to Chase, to his surprise. Chase made it very easy to talk openly. "I only met her recently, but at the same time, I feel like I've known her my whole life. It felt destined for us to meet. I don't know why, but it does."

Chase stayed quiet for a minute. Dom thought that Chase was judging him, but instead, Chase looked forward.

"Many people tell me that I'm brave," Chase said. "I would take control of a situation quicker than most. I could track a missing being from hundreds of meters away. I jump from one falling building to another to save those I love. I'm said to be a natural leader and hero."

"I know," Dom said. "I've heard the stories."

"However," Chase continued, smiling, "there is one thing that can make me fidget and nervous. It goes by the name of Skye." Dom looked at him, but Chase continued. "Ever since I saved her many nights ago, I felt an attraction towards her. I feel more protective of her than the others."

"She's always happy and tries to find the best in situations. How her fur moves in the wind when she flies, or her magenta eyes sparkle when she smiles. She always finds a way to make me lose my focus."

It took a Dom a second to process. When he understood what Chase meant, his eyes grew wider. "You have . . ." he stopped himself when Chase looked at him.

Dom realized he was talking too loud. He might wake up the others. "You got a crush on Skye," Dom said more quietly.

Chase laughed softly. "I guess you can call it that, yeah."

"Dude, that's awesome," Dom said. He frowned. Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I want you to know that I have been in the same place as you."

"Same place as me?" Dom asked. "Wait, you think I have a crush on Sweetie?"

"Ah, I never said that," Chase replied. "But I'm not turning down the suggestion either."

"That's ridiculous," Dom said. "I . . ."

"What color are her eyes?" Chase asked.

"Um," Dom said. He closed his eyes, and an image immediately appeared in my mind. "Purple," he replied.

"Describe."

"Like sapphire lakes glistening in the moonlight. Sometimes they can be cold, and sometimes, they can be warm." Dom opened his eyes, dumbfounded. He wondered why he made that comparison. "Chase, that doesn't mean . . ."

"Sweetie," Chase said.

Dom's heart skipped a beat hearing her name. For a split second, he couldn't breathe. But it was a warm feeling, like finding out where the last piece of a puzzle was. An image of the white terrier appeared in Dom's mind, making him smile against his will.

"Wait, do I?" Dom asked. "Do I like Sweetie?"

Chase shrugged. "I don't know, Dom," he said. "Only you can answer that question." Chase stood up. "I'm going to head to sleep. Take your time to clear your mind. Remember, trust your gut. Goodnight, Dom."

Dom didn't answer. His mind was already working overtime. Could it be true? Did Dom like Sweetie as something more than just a friend? The thought of Sweetie made him smile. One question kept circling his mind over and over. Could Sweetie like him back?"