This One's For You (An Austin Carlile Love Story)

Chapter Four: Just Friends

"Mallory! Answer the door!" I shouted as I knocked my fist against the door again. I had been standing here for about five minutes, unrelenting in my goal of getting Mallory up. I heard mumbling, shuffling, and the click on nails on the floor. The door then opened to a sleepy Mallory.

Her brown hair was in a bird's nest a top of her head, and she still looked tired from last night. Beside her a German-Shepherd wagged its tail, sniffing me to see if I was allowed entrance or not. I kneeled down, holding my hand out for the dog to sniff, waiting as he cautiously smelled my hand, licking it and nuzzling his head under my palm for me to pet him. I smiled and scratched behind his ears, listening as Mallory yawned.

"Why are you here so early?" She whined, rubbing her eyes and trying to calm down her hair.

"Mallory, it's eleven thirty." I replied with my eyebrows raised as I stood straight again. The dog licked my fingers, wanting more attention and affection.

"Seriously?" She scratched the back of her head, squinting her eyes. "I hate when I sleep half my day away." She mumbled, leaning against the door frame. "Come on in. You know Blair isn't here, but we can go pick her up later. Come Charlie!" She commanded, snapping her fingers. Charlie obeyed, trotting back into the house.

"Nice dog." I commented, pointing at Charlie as he sat on the couch.

"He's Blair's, she got him from a shelter about a year ago. He's really nice, and protective of both of us. I'm surprised he didn't bark at you." She chuckled and sat down on the couch, petting Charlie's head. "She spoils him rotten, letting him on the couch; sleep in the bed, but with his history I can't complain. I'd want to be pampered too." She shrugged, scratching behind Charlie's ear, and then dropping her hand. He laid his head down on her lap, nuzzling her hand, wanting more affection.

"What happened?" I asked, taking a seat on the chair next to the couch.

"Oh, his owner neglected him and beat him. When the shelter got him he was almost dying of hunger, they nursed him back to health, hoping someone would adopt him." Charlie's ears perked up, as if he knew what she was talking about. Mallory smiled, stroking his back. "They were going to put him down at the end of that day when we came in. Blair couldn't stand to watch it happen, so she chose him. He really is a sweetheart though, and he loved her from the start." She laughed as Charlie hopped off the couch. "The workers said usually when someone came in to look at him he'd cower in fear, but when Blair came in, he was happy and wagging his tail."

"She gives off a good vibe." I smiled. Mallory's eyes grew wider and her innocent smile turned into that of an accuser. "What?" I shrieked.

"Nothing." She sighed and stood up, leaving the room quickly before coming back with her phone.

"Mallory?" I looked at her, wanting to ask her something. She turned her head, looking at me with a smile. "Can I ask you about Blair?" 

            She shifted in her seat, pursing her lips. She kept silent for a few moments, her hazel eyes searching mine. "I don't think I have much I can tell you Austin. One is because us being friends I can only say so much. She hasn't told me everything, and I know that." She sighed, wringing her hands together. Her eyes darted across the room before meeting back with mine. "Two is because there are things from her past that happened that she needs to tell you. But I can tell you about her college life and work applications." She attempted at a half smile, trying to compensate for being unable to tell me some things.

"Well I know she's going to college, but what for?" I asked, trying to at least get some knowledge about Blair and what she's like.

"Journalism." She smiled, leaning back and relaxing her once tense posture. "When Blair was little she had this knack for writing. In high school she had me peer edit her work for spelling, grammar, the usual before she would turn it in. When her brother died, he told her to make something of herself." Mallory began to rub her arm, probably meaning she didn't want to mention the death. She bit her lip, pausing, deliberating if she should go on. "So she did. She got a scholarship via performing arts and went to school for journalism. She's hoping to get word back from AP for a job. Since AP is based in L.A .and she doesn't want to move, she's waiting for their response. There's also Rolling Stones, in New York, and even Kerrang over in London." She sighed, a frown on her face.