The Battles We Fight (Rascal x Reader)

Chapter 3 Puppies and Notes

"Oh, uh, I just stayed around Lucy's for a bit." I crossed my fingers behind my back, hoping she'd believe my lie. "Don't stay that late without telling me again." She walked away and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in. I was going up to my room when I heard a bark nearby. "Muuuuum?" I called down the stairs, "Is there a dog?" She poked her head around the corner, she smiled "I couldn't resist! I was going to the shops when I saw her little face in the pet shop." I smiled, I love dogs!

 When I got to my room, deciding that I'd meet the dog later, my phone buzzed: Hey! It was Lucy. I was putting my phone back in my pocket as I felt a piece of paper, huh? What's that? I thought, pulling it out. It was wrinkled and looked really old. Some ink was mostly messed and spilled all over the paper but I could just make out a number, a phone number. I typed it into my phone and sent a message: Who is this and how did you put paper in my pocket??? I wondered who it could be, it's like secret admirer letters all over again. I never got them of course, but the idea of it. My phone buzzed and a grabbed it, reading the message on the screen: I won't tell you. Not yet anyway. You have to figure it out. And I put the paper in your pocket when we were hanging out. I also apologize for my handwriting, I don't often write things, particularly when I know someone I really like will read it... What? Well, they said that they hung out with me earlier so that narrows it down to Lucy or Rascal. It is the sort of thing Lucy would do, to be honest.

I felt a warm, wet, silky thing on my leg. "Aah!" I half screamed, looking down and jerking my leg away. I saw a little puppy. She was adorable, like a little snowball...but brown. Her tiny tail was wagging like mad and her tongue lolled out her mouth. I picked her up, she was the softest thing I've ever felt. That night we named the pup Caramel. Caramel slept in my bed that night, she was like a small, soft hot-water bottle.

When I got to school, Rascal was grinning widely. One thing I never noticed was that his teeth were strange too, he had fangs. It's kinda cute actually. I thought as I sat down next to the guy who was ninety percent teeth. Lucy was ill today so I could steal her seat. "Did you tell anyone?" Rascal asked me. I shook my head, "Nope," I scowled at him, "You made me late home though! My mum was so mad!" He just laughed, my scowl deepened, "I will kill you Rascal-" I paused. I don't know his last name. "Um, what's your full name Rascal?" I asked, confused. He shrugged, "I dunno." He said simply, "Never thought about it really." he looked thoughtful, unsure of what I was doing, I reached out and touched his hair. Somehow, it was softer than Caramel. He jumped and shoved me. I caught myself before I hit the floor, everyone was staring. "I hate you..." I muttered, knowing it was my fault but not wanting to admit it. He sat back down as the teacher walked in.

One thing I noticed about Rascal is that he didn't have lunch. I offered him a sandwich when he sat next to me on the concrete. "Want one?" I wafted it round by his face. He shook his head, "Not hungry." he lay down, looking at the clouds, "They're beautiful..." he murmured. What? Had he never seen a cloud before? These ones don't even look like a shape...I looked at him, confused, "Never seen a cloud before?" I asked and he shook his head. That's sad. He sat up. "They don't really have clouds where I come from. And whenever I came down to this place, I didn't pay attention." he sighed, "That's what I like about you, I guess. I notice the little, pretty things when I'm around you." He looked me in the eyes, at least, I think, it's hard to tell with his mask. "Hey, Rascal, why do you wear that mask?" I asked. What little colour he had, drained from his face, "No reason. At all. None. I like it, end of." he stiffened up. Weird. Why not just show your face?