The Bad Boy • Jonah Marais

S.2 P.7

Axel whimpered at the park. I let him off his leash and he went over to the other dogs. I sighed and watched him play, he'd lost a lot of his energy recently. I bit my lip and another dog runs up to the group, it looked like Jonah's. I shook my head and started to pay attention to Axel again.

"Hey Ava." I felt myself tense up. Jonah's voice always caught me off guard. I turned and see Jonah, he brought his dog Sawyer. "Didn't think I'd see you here."

"Likewise." I said to him looking back at Axel.

He rolled the leash in his hands, "Is Axel okay?"

I bit my lip, "I'm not sure, the vet couldn't find much, suggested it might be a stomach virus but..." I sighed, "I'm not sure."

Jonah nods, "I hope he's alright."

I nodded, "Me too." Then I watch Axel walk away from the pack of dogs and lay down beside a bench. I bit my lip, "It's scaring me." I confessed to Jonah. "He isn't too old, only about eight. But who knows?"

Jonah looked at me sadly, "If you need anything, I'm here for you."

I nodded, "Thanks Jo." I said and I looked back over at Axel who closed his eyes. "Oh gosh." I whispered and walked over to him, trying to wake him up. "Hey Ax, wake up." He opens his eyes and sits upright.

Jonah walks over to me with Sawyer beside him, "You heading home?" He asked me.

I nodded, "I think Axel has had enough."

"Would you mind if I-"

Before Jonah continued, I stopped him, "Jonah, I meant what I said last night, there's nothing you can say or do to make me go crawling back to you."

Jonah shook his head, "I know, I messed up the first time, I'm not gonna pretend I don't have feelings for you but I still want you in my life."

I gave in, "Fine, you guys can come over."