Not Exactly Puppy Love

Fly in the Soup

Somewhere along life's road, Red had to go to school. In times like those when children were often needed at home to do chores and adults could get any working job they wanted, school was a minority that wasn't very strongly enforced. Nevertheless, there were days when rather than going to the fields, the young girl took the not too long walk to the school house. 

She frowned slightly as the young woman at the front of the room talked away at the blackboard, it was a slow day and it had yet to be lunchtime. After that, the children were permitted to go back home and help their families in the little ways they could. But in her mind, it felt as though the school day was destined to last forever.

~

Finally class got out and everyone went running off in different directions, all towards home, except a certain boy who followed our red-cloaked female.

"Red." She turned around and smiled lightly. "Jack, how are you doing today?" "Alright, you?" "Relieved to get out of class that's for sure." They shared a laugh before continuing down the dirt road. Red and Jack had known each other for a few years, they met through their parents and were fond of sharing their opinions on who was the nastiest businessman or what woman had the blackest heart. It was great fun for them, but Jack was the more sensible of the two and often worried about Red's carefree nature.

"How's your grandmother doing?" "She's alright." "You still playing delivery girl?" "Yes, but it's gotten much more...worthwhile recently." The wolf's face came to mind and she smiled slightly.

"Hey Red? Mother was wondering if you'd like to come over sometime and join us for dinner." The young girl bit her lower lip to keep from frowning, she was well aware of how Jack's mother loved to play matchmaker when it came to the two of them. Not that long ago she wouldn't have been bothered, that day however it hurt her more then she thought.

"I think I'll go home, thanks for the offer though." And she ran off before he could get another word out. As she approached home, she stopped just outside the door to catch her breath and raised her head just in time to see her beloved canine vanish into the shadows. She smiled faintly before going around to the back where mother was waiting with the water bucket.