Puppy Love

The First Words

Stacey POV

Beep beep beep I reached to turn off my alarm. Beep beep beep it continued. Then I remembered my game plan. I turned off my alarm and got changed into my red shirt with a rose pattern on it. My lucky rose shirt. I threw on some black pants as well, and put a navy blue hoodie over my shirt. I grabbed my backpack and went into the living room and tossed my backpack onto the couch. I walked into the bathroom and flicked on the lights. We have a standard bathroom nothing fancy. I used the toilet and washed my hands with soap. I brushed my teeth and put on deodorant. I walked out and flopped myself onto the couch by my backpack. Getting ready took ten minutes, I wake up forty minutes before my bus comes. I've got half an hour left. My heart is racing thinking about what was gonna happen. I turned on the news and set a timer on my phone for twenty eight minutes. I calmed myself, I needed to be chill or she would know I like her. Calm, cool, chill, calm, cool. . .

Ring Ring Ring. . . Ring Ring Ring my timer went off. I slung my backpack over my shoulder and opened the front door. The morning air was cold on my face. It made me shiver as I closed and locked the door behind me. I'm one of the first stops on my bus. I guess it's more convenient for the bus driver to pick me up before rather than after the other kids, it's also convenient for my plan. Ash is also one of the first stops which lets her find a secluded seat to be alone, but not today. I look out the window as the school bus drives along its route. Then Ash's stop. My heart speeds up as she boards the bus. She has a couple kids at her stop, but she's always the last to board. She walks down the aisle and to my lucky sits across from me in the empty seat. I work up my courage. Next stop next stop next stop move to her seat but I'm still lacking courage. The bus stops and the people waiting board. Most of the pass my seat. I turn to look at her through the moving people. The last person passes me. Now or never I stand up and sit down next to her. The bus starts moving. My heart races faster and faster. She ignores me, which is fine I need to rebuild my courage. I remembered how I was able to sit here in the first place.

"Ash I um... saw you walk your dog yesterday" I manage out. She doesn't respond.

"What's it's name?" I ask hoping for a response. A couple moments pass and the longer I'm here the faster my heart pounds.

"His name is Hossie" she says in her quiet voice. I'm glad she's not looking at me because I look panicked. My heart is racing so fast I feel like it might explode but I pry anyways. 

"What breed is he?" I inquire. She doesn't hesitate with this answer.

"German Shepherd mixed" she replies. I . . . feel my heart slow down a bit. Like a weight is slowly being lifted.

"Mixed with what?" I ask going deeper into details.

"Don't know" she says simply. "Haven't had him tested"

"Oh" I say at a lost for words. But I'm determined now to get to know more about her. "I didn't know you had a dog till yesterday" I say hoping for something to keep the conversation going.

"I don't talk to many people at school, or in general so not much chance of you finding out through gossip" she replied a little snappy.

"Why?" I ask curious.

"Because. . .I don't like. . .many people" she says choosing her words carefully. I hope I'm one of the few she likes.

"Your dog's cute" I half whisper to her. I don't know what to say now my courage has dried up.

"Do you want to meet him?" She asks me. I almost don't hear her.

"When" I ask her.

"After school today?" I mentally go through my calendar to see if I have anything after school. I'm relieved I have nothing.

"Yes, today is good for me" I reply calmly, but inside I'm bursting with excitement.

"I'm" she hesitates thinking through. She pulls out her phone from her hoodie pocket. "Can we exchange numbers in case plans change" she asks a little nervous. 

"Sure" I say and unlock my screen. I hand her my phone already on the contacts page, she does the same. By the time we're done exchanging numbers people were exiting for school. I left but she stayed. Because she's always the last off.