Mosaic

Chapter 2 .:. Saudade

Saudade
(n.) a nolstagic longing to be near again to something or someone that is distant, or that has been loved and then lost
"the love that remains"

Brook tried to unpack while waiting for Winter's owner. She didn't get very far though and stopped when she came across a worn-out leather leash. A wave of nostalgia crashed over her as her fingers traced the familiar material.

She had wondered if keeping it was a good idea since she no longer owned a dog. It would've been better to leave the leash with her father as he was keeping Nari, her little mixed breed whom she had to leave behind because of the move. She couldn't bring herself to leave it and had packed it anyways, despite having no use for it.

Looking at it now, she was glad she had chosen to take it. The weight of the handcrafted leather felt right in her hands. It was softened from years of use and yet, incredibly sturdy.

Something cold and wet touched her arm. Brook turned and was met with Winter's dark eyes. The husky poked at her arm again, tail waving. Brook glanced down at the leash and then back at Winter. She petted her head, smiling.

"This got you excited, huh?"

Winter whined. Her eyes practically shone with anticipation.

"Alright, I'll put it on," Brook said as she clipped the leash to the D-ring on the husky's collar. "Just in case your owner didn't bring a leash." She felt slightly guilty for doing so when Winter bounced beside her. The dog truly believed they were going for a walk.

The doorbell rang and Brook dashed out of her room, Winter at her heels. She took a moment to steady her pounding heart and gather some courage. She pulled open the door to reveal a boy in grey sweats and a plain white t-shirt. He looked older than Brook, perhaps a junior or senior in high school.

"Am I at the right place?" He asked in a smooth baritone. He ran a hand through his sandy brown hair, only succeeding in mussing it further. "I'm here for my dog, Winter."

Brook offered a pathetic attempt of a smile, intimidated by his presence. "Yeah, she's here." She opened the door wider to reveal Winter sitting next to her.

Winter took one look at the boy and lit up like a Christmas tree. She yanked the leash out of Brook's hand and jumped on him. He laughed, warm and genuine, and gently pushed her down. Not before she got in a few licks though.

"Thanks for keeping her safe," said the boy with an easy smile. "This could've ended badly if it weren't for you."

"It was nothing. Anyone would've done the same," Brook mumbled, suddenly finding her shoes very interesting. They were kind of dirty. She'd need to wash them before school started.

She glanced up when the boy reached into his pocket. A small cry of surprise escaped her lips when he pulled out a fifty-dollar bill and held it out to her.

"Here, is this enough?"

Brook floundered, waving her hands frantically. "Oh, t-that's really not neces—"

With one hand, the boy gently took her wrist and with the other, he pressed the bill into her palm and folded her fingers over it. Brook felt her face heat up at the contact.

"I insist," he told her.

Brook shook her head. "I can't take your money. Just seeing Winter get home safe is all the thanks I need." She tried to hand him the money back.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Really," she pleaded. "This is too much."

The hair on her neck prickled when the boy made no move to take it. What do I do? What do I do? Her mind raced uselessly. Out of ideas, Brook crouched down and tucked the money in Winter's collar. She gave the husky a gentle scratch beneath her chin for putting up with her before rising to her feet.