The Blood Red Rose

Chapter 9 : Little devil

Hunter was walking Chelsea home again. The cold breeze was a little too cold for him. He was upset that he didn't bring a sweater. What was odd was that Chelsea seemed fine. She didn't seem to be cold at all.

"Miss Emma, are you not cold? It's at least 45 degrees right now . . . ," Hunter said while he rubbed his arms.

"You're exaggerating, Hunter. And yes, I am cold," Chelsea replied.

Hunter chortled in disbelief. Chelsea didn't look cold so he thought she was joking. She didn't laugh so she probably wasn't. "Are you serious, Miss Emma? You're not shivering. You're not even showing any sign of being cold."

"I'm always cold. I'm used to the cold air, so that's probably why I don't bother shivering. Ain't a really good reason, but doesn't matter."

They kept walking and were a few steps away from Chelsea's home. Chelsea had to admit that she was glad Ashley broke up with Hunter. Had she not, Hunter would keep bugging her. Chelsea accidentally swallowed her spit and coughed.

Hunter held her by her shoulder and asked,"Are you all right, Miss Emma?" She nodded and pointed ahead. There was a small puppy with tan fur that was hardly noticeable with all the dirt over it. It looked hurt but Hunter didn't want to touch it. Chelsea, on the other hand, rapidly walked to it and picked it up with pure gentleness.

"Aww, look at the poor thing Hunter. It's little paws look strange. It might be hurt," Chelsea said. She raised the pup and lowered it again. "It's a boy. I'm going to take it home." Before Chelsea could take a step forward, Hunter blocked her way. "What are you doing Hunter?"

Hunter tried to take the puppy away from her. "You dumb girl. You can't just take stray dogs you find on the streets and take it home! Leave it where you found it!" Hunter said, still trying to take away the pup.

After Chelsea managed to take the puppy away from Hunter's grasp, she said, without hesitation,"Okay, first of all, you're not my father or older brother. Second, why not? I mean, sure, some dogs can be aggressive and other things, but he's just a puppy. I doubt he'll go all crazy on me. It's not like he's going to try to eat me or kill me or anything." Chelsea can see Hunter's irritated expression. She sighed and looked at the puppy. "Look, if you're so worried about what might happen to me, just stay over. Watch me like a creep. I honestly don't care anymore." Chelsea scratched the puppy's little head.

Hunter pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed as Chelsea walked home. He walked behind her but stopped at the entrance to her house. "Miss Emma, are you expecting me to go into your house like a normal person?"

Chelsea lowered her eyelids as she looked at Hunter. "No, I want you to climb up my house and go into my room through the window again," she said in a sarcastic tone. Like Ashley, Hunter didn't notice her sarcasm and started climbing up the walls. Chelsea was amazed by his strength as she observed his movements. She couldn't see him anymore once Hunter got into her room.

"C'mon, Miss Emma! I'm already up here!" Hunter shouted from the window. Chelsea looked even tinier from above. It was funny when she walked over to the door. Her legs looked stubby from this view. He sighed as he turned and took off his shoes after putting his backpack on the floor. He still didn't understand why he got Converse shoes. His old shoes were fine. He shrugged and looked around Chelsea's room while he waited for her to arrive.

After about two minutes, Chelsea came into her room. Hunter was on his back, staring at the ceiling. He had his head on his folded arms with his right leg over the left one. "Finally. I thought you fell down the stairs and died." Hunter laughed and sat up.

Chelsea groaned and then smirked. "Mister Liam, please hold the puppy while I take off my bag. It will be brief so it should not be a problem," Chelsea said while she held the puppy in front of Hunter. He cringed and shook his head.