𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐞 ||| 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐯 (𝟐)

[ 𝟏𝟎 ]

Author Note: This chapter is based on WayV's Animal Shelter video, I highly encourage you to watch this video. I'll link it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t4hEMdlWxk 

"Welcome to insert shelter's name," a girl with a cap waved to us all. "Thank you for signing up to volunteer, we really appreciate it."

As Xiaojun and I had planned, we went to volunteer at a nearby animal shelter. Right now, both of us and a few other people were gathered in front of two girls. The girl with the cap gestured to the other girl who gave out instructions.

"Today, we will be taking care of cats on the 2nd floor. The group will be split in half: the first half is responsible for cleaning the cages and the second half will be responsible for feeding them."

Naturally, the group split leaving Xiaojun and I with the second half with the feeding job. The both of us were led to the second floor by the girl with a cap. When we arrived, the girl handed out more detailed instructions. Xiaojun was supposed to get the bowls from the cat cages and check how much food they ate and how much water they drank. I was supposed to wash these bowls at the sink. It was a pretty easy job and we got it done super quickly.

Next, Xiaojun and I filled up the washed bowls with cat food for the cats.

I carefully opened one of the bottom cages and placed the bowl inside. I scooped a little bit of the food and offered it to the cat. With a quick glance at the sign outside the cage, I figured out that the cat was named Remi.

"Good job, Remi," I politely patted its head.

The cat purred softly as I cupped its face and looked into its stone-blue eyes. It stood on its four paws and moved closer to me. I ran my hand through its soft fur that showed shades of beige and brown.

"Wow, you and the car look adorable," Dejun commented. "May I take a photo?"

"Sure!"

Dejun swiftly pulled out his phone, clicked a picture, and put it back in his pocket.

After playing with Remi for some time, I walked back to the food bowls and continued my work. From time to time, I glanced at Dejun who seemed to get along well with the cats. Finally, we finished feeding the cats and were offered to play with the dogs on the 1st floor. As we entered the room, a smooth vanilla white dog rushed up and opened the door for us.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that Lisa loves opening doors for people," the girl leading us said.

I smiled as Dejun sat down and took the dog in his lap. He chuckled and placed the dog's face in his hands. He sat there for a few minutes and then cradled the dog in his hands as if he was holding a baby. His mocha brown hair subtly covered his eyes as he lowered his face and held eye contact with the dog. His lips were curved upwards in a smile—seeing him smile made me smile too. He broke eye contact with the dog and shifted his eyes toward me.

"I'm sorry to ask you to leave so soon but the shelter is going to close now," the girl announced. "Thank you so much for helping out today, we really appreciate that you took out the time for these precious animals."

Dejun and I thanked them in return and exited the building. I gazed upward at the clear night sky dotted with glistening stars. Suddenly, a hand offered me a packet of chips. I looked at Xiaojun who smiled back at me.

"Today was fun," he said. "We should do this more often."

I accepted the chips and agreed with him.

"You got a ride home?"

"Yup."

"Okay," he hopped onto his biked and slung his backpack over his shoulder. "See you soon."

"Goodnight Dejun," I waved.

"Goodnight Mingxia."

He hopped on his bike and rode away. A summer breeze blew past, and from a distance, Dejun seemed like he was riding into the starry night.