Dogs & Pictures - Victoria Pelova

Chapter 37

I grabbed my camera quickly to take a picture of Vic's family's dog. He's probably the second cutest dog I've ever seen. His eyes are hazel and the fur on him is brown with light brown and some hints of white. I didn't need to ask what breed he was because it was obvious he was a dachshund.
As soon as he saw my camera he started running as fast as he could touch it. Thankfully I got a picture before he would be licking the lens and my face.
"Finny stop!" I said laughing on the ground.
Me and Vic wanted to take Benny to the park so we decided to take him and get some coffee. Vic told me she wanted to show me around her hometown too so we also did that while walking Benny. Right now we were at the park where there were surprisingly too many dogs at 9:00 in the morning. Being here and seeing everyone with their dog reminded me of Benny. I miss him so much and I would've to brand him but it was best for him to just stay in London. Thankfully Katie said she would take care of him. I have never seen someone so excited as much as Katie was when I asked her that. She even told me, "Benny is going to have the best time with his auntie!" So I guess she's part of the family now.
After taking Finny off of me I walked him over where Vic was sitting on a bench. It's been me walking Finny since Vic isn't able to walk a lot yet. She doesn't need her crutches anymore but the doctor says it's best to not walk too much and to continue her therapy at home where she can do stretches.
"You and Finny had enough fun?" She asked tapping the seat beside her and motioning for me to sit down.
"Yes," I said sitting down and then giving her a quick kiss. Finny then laid down beside my leg getting comfortable.
"So, what are we doing today?" I asked.
Vic sighed thinking of what she had planned today.
"So my parents thought it would be a good idea if they did a house party for me. You know like a welcome home party with people I'm related to and friends."
"Oh. Yeah, that seems... fun," I said not so excited.
"Look Tay, I know you probably didn't want to stay in my house all night but they have been planning this so I kind of have to be there," she said putting her hand on mine.
"It's ok. I get it," I let out a smile.
"I promise after today we can go wherever you want. I know you want to see more of my home town and we will we just have to get through today."
I set my head back on the bench.
"Patties were never really my thing. Do I have to dress fancy?"
"If there's anyone serious about parties, it's my mom."
I looked back at Vic knowing I would do anything for her. I'm not dressing up for me but just for her. And maybe a little for her mom.
"Yeah, I'll do it."
Vic's face was shining and she kissed me. Longer than the one I gave her before sitting down.
I didn't want anything to change. I'm in love with this Dutch girl. So in love, I would kill for her. Okay, not like murder but I would do whatever it was to never lose her. Thankfully I don't think there would ever be anything to break us. I mean we've been very loyal and not have a toxic relationship so far. Even when we were friends our relationship was never toxic. Vic was there for me while I was dating someone else and I was there for her when she was going through things. When we have a little time apart from each other it was never because we hated each other or had an argument but because of what we were dealing with separately.
We were still looking at each other not breaking contact until.
"Victoria?" I hear a voice say with a heavy Dutch accent.
Both I and Vic turn our heads breaking our contact.
It was a girl. She looked like she was in her twenties; about Vic's age. Her hair is platinum blond with streaks of brown in between. Her skin is a perfect tan that is not too white or not too brown and she's wearing an outfit that looks like she just got out of a business meeting. Beside her is a dog which is most likely hers. I look at her dog and then back at her.
"Oh my god. I haven't seen you in like years," the girl says surprised to see Vic.
Vic still hasn't said anything and by her face, she seems both surprised and uncomfortable.
"It's been more like a year and something months but who's counting," Vic says finally speaking with a little attitude.
She does not want to see this girl whoever she is.
"You're right. I exaggerated a little but it has been a while hasn't it?"
Vic nodded.
"Yeah it's been some time," she said not as excited as the girl in front of us was. 
It went silent for a few seconds making it awkward. I had to say something because knowing Vic. If she doesn't want to talk to someone she won't continue the conversation.
"Hallo, I'm Taylor," I said getting up to shake her hand.
"Yes, Victoria's family has mentioned. I'm Emma," She said shaking my hand back.
Emma? Why did that name seem familiar? It's not because it's a popular name but I swear I've heard that name being talked about.
Wait.
Emma as in the girl Vic's family was talking about the other day? It most likely is her but why wouldn't Vic want to see her childhood friend?
"It's nice to meet you. Vic hasn't mentioned but I did hear some funny stories from her family that you were a part of. I'm guessing you guys are friends?" I said trying to speak my best Dutch.
She laughed not at my Dutch but at what I said... or maybe both.
"We've had some good times together. And yes we've been friends since we were very young. We were pretty close back then weren't we Vic?" She asked looking back at Vic.
"Yeah. I guess we were pretty close."
Vic had nothing else to say to her. I wanted to know why she was acting so distant to someone very close to her.
"I'm guessing Vic moving to England has separated you two? You know, me and my best friend also live in different countries so I kind of understand where you are coming from," I said trying to make the awkwardness go away.
"Sure. You could say it was because of the long distance," Emma said with a not-so-reassuring tone. Wow, she's kind of rude and I don't like her attitude but I couldn't say that to Vic right in front of her. Vic didn't seem to like the way she spoke to me either.
"You know Taylor is actually my girlfriend. She's already met my family and today I was showing her around Delft," she said introducing me.
All I did was smile at her response.
"Yes, I've heard. Like I said, your family has mentioned her," she said unfazed.
"Of course, they always like to talk. You're still close with my family huh?"
"Of course I am. Just because you left doesn't mean I stop talking to them. They even invited me to your welcome home house party later."
"Yes. That is later which means I have shopping to do with Taylor. We got to go," Vic says abruptly getting up and helping me up.
"I'll see you later then?" The girl says.
"Yeah bye."
"Bye," she says back walking away with her dog as we walked away with Finny.
I didn't even get to ask what her dog's name was not that I care or anything. It just would've been nice to know.
As we were walking to the car I just couldn't not bring up the tone of that conversation. She'd have to have bad blood with Emma to talk to her in that way.
"Vic?"
"Yeah?"
"What happened between you two?"
"What do you mean?" She asked confused.
"Between you and Emma? I could tell something happened in the past because of the way you two were talking to each other. You didn't seem to want to talk to her as soon as you saw her either."
She sighed.
"I didn't want to bring her up while we're here in Delft but I guess I can't ignore now can I?" She said as I helped her get in the car.
"We don't have to talk about it right now if you don't want to but I would eventually like to know what happened," I said not closing the door on her yet and then putting Finny in the back.
"Well, basically we were friends that turned into girlfriends that turned into friends again and then strangers. As you can imagine from seeing each other again, we didn't end well. I can tell you the whole story another time."
"That's fine with me. I wouldn't like to talk about my toxic ex to my girlfriend too but for now, I guess we'll just have to deal with seeing her again," I said trying to bring some light to our conversation.
Vic smiled.
"I love you."
"I love you," I said back bringing our lips together, and then drove off to our next destination.