Puppy Love

Puppy Love

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Chapter 1

I earned puzzled looks from the drivers as they cruised down the streets of Franklin. Reluctantly, I looked back down at the furry creature expelling certain liquids behind a tree in a squatting position. I exhaled impatiently, somewhat nervous about whose lawn he was peeing on.

The weather was actually nice, not the usual hot, humid, and sticky air I had gotten used to ever since school let out. It was a perfect day to take your dog on a walk, just perfect. Well, in Snicker's case, going to the bathroom rather than going on a walk. It was never a chore for me to take care of him. Even if he was a dog, he was always there for me so I could at least do him the favor of taking him out a few times a day.

I noticed that the sound had stopped and I looked down at Snickers, who was wagging his tail playfully with his tongue hanging out. I didn't know whether or not to scold him for peeing into someone else's yard, or to give him a treat for holding it in until we got outside.

To Snickers, the world was his own personal bathroom.

Groggily, I pulled gently at his leash, letting him know that it was time to leave before we were caught in the act. I was never comfortable with letting him get away with peeing in some stranger's yard. Well, not a complete stranger. I knew everyone in the neighborhood whether I liked it or not, but what would they think of me if they saw my dog peeing in their yard?

I was over-thinking things, as usual. It was nature, there were worse things hidden in the ground than some dog's pee. I whistled silently to myself as we began to walk back home only a few houses down when I heard something behind us.

“Hey!” someone called from behind us. I didn't turn around, mostly because I was guessing whoever it was was not talking to me. Why would they anyway? I looked like a ghost, with my unnaturally pale skin, UNI sweatshirt, and plaid shorts. Snickers could match better than me.

In one violent movement, the leash flew out of my hand and Snickers took off running towards someone behind us. I spun around, thinking that this would not be ending well.

I watched as a boy about my age cried in surprise, tackled to the ground by a dog half his size. I bet that was degrading. I shut my eyes almost instinctively even after watching Snickers force all his weight onto the boy.

I stood there idly for a moment as Snickers began to lick every square inch of the boy's face, and then jogged towards them to pry Snickers off of him. It was difficult, but I managed to do it without even breaking a sweat.

As Snickers sneaked one more lick at his face, the boy opened his eyes as if he just woke up from a coma. Sitting only a few feet away, I had a good look at his face which was flawless and without any acne whatsoever. His dark, brown hair was spiked up, but not so that it looked messy, while his eyes looked like little blue crystal balls. No wonder he had such an intimidating scowl, his eyebrows were really sharp.

My eyebrows furrowed nervously as the boy sat up, making somewhat unpleasant noises as he wiped all Snickers' saliva from his face.

“And who the hell are you?” he asked with a scowl. He pointed an index finger at the two of us, and I immediately snuggled up next to Snickers as we sat across from the boy. Slowly, I stood up, tightening my grip on the leash.

“I'm so sorry about that! He sort of escaped me so...I didn't mean to...” I mumbled, flushed cheeks evident on my face. Usually, I wasn't this shy around other kids my age, but the way he scowled at us was so intimidating. It made me want to drag Snickers off into the distance in an effort to escape his evil wrath! “My name's Aubrey. I live a couple houses down and again, I'm so sorry!”

He shut his eyes, attempting to calm his self surprisingly. “It's...okay.”

I raised an eyebrow as my grip on Snickers slightly loosened. This guy was acting like he had never been this forgiving before, which made me think he had never apologized to anyone either.

“Are you sure?” I asked skeptically, stealing his scowl myself as I gazed at him.

“Yeah,” he confirmed, glancing over to the tree behind us. “But, I don't think my father will be pleased to see that your dog peed in our lawn.”

All the pasty whiteness immediately drained from my face. I tried to act innocent as I stuttered nervously, “See what he did? What are you talking about?” I paused to laugh uneasily. “I think Snickers here tackled you a little bit too hard.”

He looked at me, amused, but then continued to scowl at the dog. It was like he hated the dog, but not me. “My parents enter 'Best Lawn Awards' every year. I think we might have to sue you.” He pointed a finger towards the exact spot that Snickers had peed on.

I looked everywhere but at him, tugging at Snickers' leash uneasily. “I knew it! I was always uneasy about Snickers peeing in random lawns, here's proof!”

He was going to sue us? All because my sweet, innocent dog had peed on his lawn? But, that didn't mean I didn't see this coming... My parents are going to kill me.

Suddenly, he burst out laughing. “You're so gullible. I'm just joking, people don't sue other people for dog pee in their yards.”

Why did it feel like he had a completely different personality as soon as he said that?

“Why didn't you say that in the first place?” I demanded as I ground my teeth, clenching my fists at my sides. He seemed to be amused each time I got nervous or angry. Sadist...

“But that's no fun...” he trailed off, a serious look on his face. His eyes slowly drifted down to Snickers, a smile evident on his face.

“So,” he began, glancing down at Snickers. “His name is Snickers, huh?”

I nodded, not being able to say a word.

He seemed to rub his chin in a thinking sort of fashion, and then smirking at me.

“W-what?” I asked, my eyes widening in fear. It wasn't like he was scary, just intimidating.

“You're cute,” he complimented me, and then surprisingly bent down to scratch behind Snickers' ears. Snickers plopped onto the sidewalk, his paws stretched out so that his tummy could be rubbed. Snickers loved it when his tummy was rubbed. He would come sleep with me at night just so I could rub him. Selfish thing...

I smiled, somehow not feeling so nervous. “He loves his tummy rubbed.”

“Obviously,” he replied, immediately getting on my nerves once again. I pouted slightly as Snickers began to whine happily with his tummy continuing to be rubbed. “Luke.”

“What?” I asked, surprised.

“I'm Luke. You said yours was Aubrey, right?” he said, standing up, causing Snickers to roll back onto his feet.

“Yeah. So?” I said, still scowling at him. He shrugged and smirked down at me.

“It's been fun,” he said abruptly, “See you later, Aubrey.”

“There won't be a later!” I yelled after him, Snickers' leash almost flying out of my hand again. Snickers seemed like he didn't want Luke to leave, but I was having different thoughts. No matter how good looking he might be, he still got on my nerves.

As I walked down the sidewalk towards my house, I looked over my shoulder to see Luke slamming the front door behind him. I turned my attention back to Snickers, who was prancing happily in front of me.

Somehow, I felt like I would be seeing him more this summer...whether I liked it or not.

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