Welcome to the Jungle

Part 9: Let's Try This Again

Abbie's engine could be heard from the inside of Robert's house as she pulled out of the driveway. Robert stood up and peered through the window as the car faded away into the misty night.
"I wonder why she left. The fun was just beginning!" Ivy whined as her wagging tail began to grow still.
Robert confusedly sat down, his fingers running through his blonde hair with stress. The movie night was going so well. The hand holding, eye gazing, and singing really made Robert feel like they had a new connection, something that wasn't there before. Robert was devastated for ruining the magical moment. He was really starting to like Abbie.
Ivy noticed Robert's face grow with sadness as he walked up the stairs to go to bed.
"Hey Robert! What's wrong? Can I help with anything, anything at all?"
"Goodnight Ahivy." Robert replied.
Robert continued to walk upstairs. Ivy could tell that Robert really enjoyed his time with Abbie and wished it wasn't over so soon. When Robert took her in, she promised to be the most loyal of dogs. She had to do something to prove to him that she could repay his kindness.
Ivy took Robert's guitar in her mouth and followed Robert to his room, where she saw his face, with one single tear streaming down his flushed cheek.
"Robert!! Come back!! We can fix this!!"
"Ahvy it's over. Please layve may alone."
"But-"
"Abbie doesn't lahike may anymore."
Ivy backed away, trying to give Robert some space. She knew what Robert needed right now was time to think. After all, it was her who barged in to eat Abbie's delicious shoes. She realized that since she was adopted, she was spending almost every moment with Robert, and to interrupt their time together wasn't the right thing to do. This was Ivy's problem, and she had to make a plan quickly or else her promise of being a good dog would be all for nothing.
"Goodnight Robert.." Ivy whispered to the closed door, determined to repair what she had broken.

~In The Morning~

Robert woke up to the local blue jays and robins chirping loudly outside his bedroom window. He remembered the rough night before, after his forgetful slumber cast away his doubts and fears. He sat up and rubbed his crusty eyes, red from the night before. Going to school was the last thing Robert wanted to do. Nevertheless, he had to go, even though he had Biology today and was nervous to see Abbie since the incident.
"GOOD MORNING ROBERT!!!!!" Ivy barked. She seemed more than excited for the day ahead.
"Hello Ahivy" Robert muttered, not in the mood to talk to his hyper canine.
Ahivy continued to rush him to school, trying to help him get ready as fast as possible, even though he had an hour until he needed to be at school.
"Robert!!!! Here is the breakfast I made you and here are your shoes!!!!" Ivy continued, pushing forward a bowl of soggy lucky charms and and his everyday shoes.
"Woah girl calm down. No need to rush." Robert said in effort to extend his time between now and inevitable confrontation.
"Are you all ready for school?" Robert asked Ivy.
"Yes!! I will meet you there!! Cmon hurry!!"
Because of Ivy, Robert was ready to leave 30 minutes before school was to begin. She nudged him to the door and his safari jeep, which he rides to and from school each day.
"Well thanks Ahivy..." Robert said awkwardly.
"No problem bye!!" Ivy rushed back inside.
Robert, who was very confused at Ivy's manner, started the car engine and decided it was probably good for him to get some homework done anyways, even if he would be there earlier than he wanted to.
Robert arrived at the school and parked into his usual parking spot. He walked to the library, noticing not many people were at the school. Robert found a place to sit in the computer lab and worked on homework he hadn't finished the previous day. As time passed, the dreaded bell rang. It was time to talk to Abbie, whether he liked it or not. He owed her an apology, and was hoping things could go back to the way they were. Robert walked in to see Abbie, dressed in a pastel jumpsuit with her hair curled, talking to her friends at the table.
"Hey Abbie, could Ah talk to you for a second."
"Not now Robert." Abbie replied.
Class began before he knew it and his time to apologize was up. He decided he would try to talk during class if they ever got a free minute.
"Ok class today we are taking a test on Unit 5. IF I HEAR YOU TALKING YOU GET AN IMMEDIATE ZERO. Good luck!" Ms. Spencer explained to everyone.
Maybe he would talk to her after class or lunch then, since now was definitely not the time. As they took the test, Robert glanced up at Abbie focusing on the test. He stared at her with longing eyes, begging to say anything to make her feel better.
The test ended with five minutes remaining in the class.
"Great job guys! Tony my bioluminescent jellyfish who had passed on would be so proud of you all."
Alex jumped once more at the word Tony, being reminded of his eventful night at Abbie's house. Again, no one had addressed Alex's stressed state, as they had other things on their minds.
"Can I have a dog treat for finishing the test?!" Ivy asked Ms. Spencer, wanting reward from her job well done.
"Only if you reach your S.M.A.R.T. Goal. You'll see if you did next class!" Spencer replied.
The students stretched from sitting down for so long, and Robert tried to get Abbie's attention.
"Hey Abbie, please... let may explain." Robert tried.
"Robert I am not in the mood." Abbie left him without addressing their conflict. This couldn't be the end. Robert's heart was crushed as he watched Abbie walk away. If Abbie didn't want to talk, all he could do was wait until she was ready. Robert went through his school schedule that day, having an extremely hard time focusing on his classes. All he could think about was Abbie, and how he so desperately wanted to apologize.
Robert drove home, continuing to think about Abbie and what he could possible do to ease her burdens. Robert parked his car into his driveway and fiddled with his keys until he found the house key, and opened up the door. Robert walked in to his black suit, dress shoes, a bouquet of roses, and his trusty guitar laid out in the living room.
"ROBERT YOU'RE HOME!!!!" Ivy shouted.
"Aivy! What is all of this?!" Robert asked, surprised she ran home before he drove.
"Robert quick get ready!!!" Ivy continued.
"Get ready for what??" Robert asked.
"I am a good dog! Look! This is my plan!" Ivy explained.
"I am going to go get Abbie! You stay here!" Ivy went on.
Ivy was so eager for Robert to leave this morning so she could set the stage for Robert's grand apology. Robert was in no way ready for this, but one thing was for sure. He was willing to do anything to show Abbie that he felt bad the night didn't go as planned and how he cared. At this point, he would try anything.