CARINA

4: LONE WOLF

Mackenzie's POV

   "WHERE are you going to? It's Sunday" Jay walked from his room to mine and hugged me from behind making his messy curly hair tickle my face and neck

Something we both have in common is the curly hair we got from our mothers and now I'm standing here looking in the mirror, figuring out how to comb the hair

"Bad hair day?" Jay questioned

"Mmm" I nodded and pouted "I'm going to the restaurant" I answered his previous question

"Why?" He pulled away to look at me

"Looking at it, the manager didn't fire me so I'm going back to work, and if there's the need to apologize, I can do that" I said and started to brush my hair

"You know you don't have to go back to work there. You only have a few months left to graduate from college and your internship is going on well so you can work at the hospital once you finish college. I know you don't like it but I can help pay your tuition"

"Jay you know I don't want to..."

"...rely on anyone. Yes I know that" he finished my sentence. "But I'm not just anyone Kenz. I'm your cousin and we've been together literally our entire life. You make me feel bad when you say this"

"I'm sorry Jay"

"It's okay, I only want to help you. I know I haven't really gotten anywhere but I'll do anything so we fulfill our dreams. I need you by my side as we do this together" he said

"How about I try this one more time on my own and if it doesn't work out, I will come to you" I asked him

"That's fine by me but I hope it works out. I enjoy looking at your happy face when you achieve something on your own" I gave him a big smile and hugged him tightly

He took the hairbrush from me and after so many minutes, he was able to get a few strands combed out. I asked him to stop and put it in my usual messy bun after I felt my scalp peeling off. I kissed him on the cheek and walked out. Two steps on the stairs and I saw Mrs Huang with her Pomeranian coming towards me

"Mojo!" I happily called out to the cute puppy and it came running to me "Who's cute huh? You've got the cutest face" I played with it and stood to greet the smiling old Chinese lady

"It wants to play so it won't stop scratching my door. You don't mind if I bring him here right? I'm too old to be chasing him around"

"I'm going to work now but Jay's in and I'm sure he wouldn't mind a bit, Mrs. Huang" I smiled at the beautiful woman

She stays with her husband but he was always away for work and her twin daughters who are also married decided to give her the puppy as a birthday present. They say it'll make her happy when they were all away

"I'll take him in and you can go back and rest" I offered

"Thank you, Háizi" She smiled and walked away
(Child)

After I let the puppy in, I called out loudly to Jay when I didn't see him in the hall. The little Pomeranian seemed to know its way around when it walked to Jay's room

"Mojo" I heard Jay's voice so I figured he heard me and closed the door. To avoid another encounter with Melody, I took the bus to work

It was so crowded as always but I didn't mind cause I was used to it. It didn't take long to get to the restaurant. I was caught in a dilemma with where to go first so my legs moved before I could decide for them. I knocked on the door and entered when I heard a response