Pulse

The Forgotten Day

Aphmau's POV

I wake up to find myself on the couch, with Aaron asleep next to me.He's so warm. I smile, and try to get up as quietly and as unnoticeable as possible. I curse under my breath as I find I failed as he yawns and moves.
"Hey," I stop for a moment. "Go back to sleep." I didn't have to tell him twice as he settles back into his original position and doesn't appear to be awake any longer.
Holy crap. I can't believe I forgot! It's Aaron's birthday! I smile to myself in suppress a laugh, then I stop abruptly as I remember I seriously did not do a darn thing. I have to go shopping, like, right now.
I rush quietly up the stairs and trade my sweatpants and large shirt for more presentable clothing, including jeans and a lilac-purple sweater. I brush my hair and brush my teeth, all in record time.
I grab my purse, drop my phone in, grab my keys, and lock the door on the way out. I jump in my car, and drive to the mall.

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I pull up to the mall, and sit in my car for a moment realizing I still have no clue what to get him. I shrug, feeling brain dead for a moment, and step out of my car, feeling a blast of cold December air. Most of the sky was covered by clouds, but there were a few patches that I could still see blue.
I take a deep breath, breathing in the frigid air before I headed inside. I push open the door, and instantly feel the warm air of the food court.
I go over to the map of the mall and find the list of stores that I could go to. Several clothing stores, an electronic store, a few jewelers, ooh, and a bakery! I consider what I can get him at each store. Clothing store, I don't think he needs clothes. Electronic store, phone, laptop, all that stuff, maybe a super cool watch. Jewelers, pretty much a watch. A very, very expensive, shiny watch. And then the pet store, I don't think I should get him something from there, but I'll definitely go by there, I love looking at those cute puppy and kitten faces.
Ah what the heck, I'll go by there first. I turn on my heel and walk in the opposite direction, and in no time I see the sign for the pet store. I pass the large clear windows before I get to the door, and what I see stops me in my tracks. Kawaii~Chan is there, wearing an employee uniform, playing with a puppy.
I rush through the door, and luckily she was out front and not in the back of the store where I wouldn't be able to go. "Kawaii~Chan!" I smile brightly as she turns around and recognizes me instantly.
"Aphmau! I haven't seen you in months! How have you been?" She holds the leash of the puppy and stands up, pulling me into a hug I gladly return.
"I know! I've been going through crazy stuff... and I didn't know you worked here! WHen did you get the job? Oh man, I would love working with these little guys all day long." I kneel down to the ground and let the little puppy sniff my hand. She then licks, it and I laugh. "SHe's so cute! I've never seen a dog like this, what is she? And what's her name?"
"Oh! This is Chesla, she's a husky corgi mix. She was brought here about two weeks ago, she was rescued from a home with her mother and brother. Her brother sadly died after we got them, the conditions were really bad and the animals were all starving. If we didn't get there when we did, they would have died. But she and her mother are fine now, and both up for adoption. Isn't she cute?" She kneels down next to me, and we both start playing with the dog and catching up.
"Hey, I heard Katelyn was throwing a party in a couple of weeks, she invited me, I think she mentioned that she wants you to go too, I think it's a New Year's party! I would love it if you came, and you should bring Aaron too." She smiles at me as we play with Chesla.
"Yeah? Sounds fun! I'll have to tell Aaron about it. Oh! I totally forgot that I was totally here to buying Aaron a gift. Aaaaand I really need to get going! He should be awake by now, unless he totally passed out. He hasn't gotten much sleep lately." I stand up and brush dust and dirt off my knees from kneeling on the floor.
"Wait! You need to get Aaron a gift? Could you... take Chesla? I can tell you exactly how to take care of her, and I know she'll be happy at your place, it's one of the biggest houses in the area!" She smiles hopefully, and I think.
What if I did get her? Would Aaron want a dog? I heard him talking about his childhood dog one time, so I think he likes dogs. I think we would be able to take care of her correctly. It would end my trip and I could go home... Why am I debating? She's too cute! I smile, "Great idea!"
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"Aaron, I'm home!" I put the key into the knob and open the door. I don't get a reply, and as I step in, fearing the worst, to find Aaron snoring on the couch. Still. Chelsa pulls on her leash and wags her cute fluffy little tail. I lose my grip, and he runs and jumps on Aaron right away.
I close the door behind me. "Chelsa, no!" I whisper as loud as I can and I hurry quietly to the couch to pick her up. I realized I was too late when Aaron stops snoring and opens his eyes.
"What the-" He sits up and smiles, looking at me.
I smile and blush, "Happy Birthday!" I walk over and sit beside him. He hugs me with one arm and pets the puppy with the other, who now is sitting with her front paws on the couch and her tiny tail wagging furiously.
"I love her! She's so cute, what's her name?" He continues to smile brightly, which makes me happy. I miss his smiles.
"Her name is Chelsa, and she's a corgi husky mix, cutest thing, huh?" I cuddle.. up next to him, and Chelsa somehow gets on the couch, and we both laugh.