Terminally Hopeful

Chapter 6

I agreed to go to the zoo with Allison today. Why she chose the zoo, I really don't know. I got ready and waited for Allison to pick me up. I don't have a license yet and either way, I would probably end up killing the both of us by being behind the wheel.

    The doorbell rang and I briskly came down the stairs, putting on my purse. Allison was standing outside the door with a shy smile and nervous fidgeting fingers. I put on my sneakers and walked out, closing the door behind me.

    We walked towards her car in silence. Her car smelled like the familiar scent I had gotten used to before the incident. I put on my seatbelt and relaxed back into the seat.

    "So, how are you?" Allison asked.

    "I'm really good, thanks! How about you?" I answered back. This wasn't natural. We sound like total strangers.

    "I'm awesome. Have you been to the zoo downtown? Their cotton candy is to die for!" she awkwardly tried to raise the mood.

    I felt the corners of my lips going up at her unsuccessful attempts and decided to try to lighten the mood like she was.

    "Yeah, I have. I never tried the cotton candy before but we have to try it then!"

    Allison turned towards me with a big smile and said, "Let's have fun today."

******

    Turns out monkeys are devilish creatures. You know when the zoo staff sometimes hand you food to feed the animals? Well, I was feeding this one monkey named Sandra a small cracker looking thing. Then, the evil creature grabbed my popcorn, the whole bucket and took it with her into her little wooden den. Allison was laughing quietly in the back. This was also weird because she used to laugh like a dying hippo. I guess she still feels uncomfortable around me, but I can't blame her, so do I.

    "I'm so sorry! One of our staff can get you another bucket of popcorn immediately. Just follow Kaylen over there," the employee wearing the ugly yellow and black uniform rambled.

I gave her a polite smile and followed Kaylen with Allison by my side.

    "That was unfortunate, wasn't it?" Allison chuckled lightly.

    "Yeah. That was five ninety nine! Lesson learned. Never trust a Sandra. Ever," I said with wide eyes.

    After we got out popcorn, we decided to just sit and relax at the connected dog park. Allison said she had to go to the bathroom and so I was alone, surrounded by the smell of dog poop and barks.

    Then a pair of warm hands grabbed my shoulders from behind and I jumped as the unknown person chuckled. I turned around and was even more surprised when I saw that it was Conner.

    "Conner? What are you doing here?" I asked.

    "Oh nothing, just going around and picking up girls with my amazing dog. Why are you here? Was your heart longing to see me so much that you decided to stalk me? I know you were," he said egoistically.

    I sent him a look of apprehension and rolled my eyes. I didn't really care what he was doing anymore. I just wanted to meet his dog.

    "I don't want to see you, I want to see your dog," I whined.

    "HA! I told you! It works!" he shouted suddenly.

    "What works?"

    He let out an exasperated sigh and said, "Dogs. Picking up girls with dogs works."

    He's such an idiot. I thought. With bored eyes I stared at him until he called a name.

    I thought he was calling the dog, but he was actually calling another guy who was holding a leash that was connected to an adorable baby husky. I really wanted to just grab it and give it a huge hug.