Dysfunctional Soul Mates

Chapter Four: Drake

     As he walked through the forest, dragging his dogsled behind him, he searched for a tree that would make good firewood. (Obviously he didn't have a dog to pull it, so he had attached a rope to it and became used to pulling it himself.) He needed a tree that was not too large around, but not too thin, either. Not too short, but not above a certain height. He found one and began to chop at it near the base of the trunk. How much did they need, anyway? He mentally shrugged. He'd just use the entire tree, and maybe another one. 

     While he chopped, he avoided thinking. Thinking while chopping caused problems, some of which could be dangerous. Especially with an ax in his hand. So he focused instead on chopping, and almost before he knew it, he had cut down the tree and chopped it into the right size for firewood. It turned out to be more than he had expected, so he loaded it on his sled and didn't bother with another tree.

     But now, as he walked back to Blaire's house, he allowed his thoughts to wander. They seemed to rebel against him, always coming back to Blaire. No matter what Joslyn said, that was not how it was. Blaire was his best friend, and she didn't want anything more. And neither did he, Drake thought to himself. But ultimately, his thoughts won the rebellion.

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     As he walked into Blaire's small backyard, he composed his thoughts and began to unload the firewood in their tiny shed they used for this purpose.

     Anya came out to take some firewood into the house. "Hi Drake!" she said with a huge grin. "Are you going to stay for dinner?" she asked with a wink. She began picking up some of the smaller pieces.

     Drake rolled his eyes at her teasing. "Yes, I am, actually. Here," he said and helped her load some into her small arms. "I'll bring more in soon."

     "Thanks Drake!" she said as she walked inside.

     He shook his head in amusement as he shut the door after her, closing out the growing chill in the night air and went back to the firewood.