Match

37: Dimple

 Cole sets himself down on the couch while Jonah starts up the T.V. and console. He lets all his weight sink into the cushions, looking around the room. He's a little envious of how secluded and comfortable the space is. Jonah notices Cole staring at a pile of wrappers.

"Sorry it's kind of a mess right now," he says, crumpling up an empty chips bag and tossing it in the nearest bin. "My dad had a sports night with a couple of his buddies."

"It's fine," Cole lets it slide. He shimmies up so he's seated properly. "You'll never guess how bad I fucked up at soccer."

Jonah presses a couple buttons to adjust the settings on the T.V. "How bad?"

"Like, shot in my own team's net bad."

"Ooooh," Jonah grits his teeth and raises his eyebrows. "I've done that a couple times."

"At least you can recognize it. It took me almost a good thirty seconds to realize I was the one who accidentally scored."

"What did you play? Defender?"

"Yeah."

Jonah shrugs. "Eh, it happens."

He then hands Cole a controller.

"So what games do you play?"

As he sits beside Cole, he catches a whiff of a vanilla scent mixed with coconut. He looks at him, who's hair is slightly damp.

"Uh," Cole says. "Last console game I played was FIFA. I normally play on my laptop."

"Ah, the classic PC versus console war."

Cole sighs, shedding a small smile. "Not really I just, uh, sold my old console before I moved here."

"Ah, gotcha."

"What about... you?"

"Me?" Jonah scrolls through some game titles. "I dunno. I like RPG or multiplayer. I used to be a huge Spyro fan when I was twelve."

"Oh, cool."

All of a sudden, the door goes ajar. From both of their point of views, nobody entered. Then a tail pops up from the side of the couch.

"Dotty?" Jonah smiles.

Dotty responds with a pleasant 'mew' noise. She hops up on the couch arm, making more meows. Since Cole is closest to her, she investigates with inquisitive green eyes.

"Hi...?"

Jonah nudges him. "Scratch under her chin, she loves that."

Cole raises an eyebrow, but moves a finger towards her and begins scratching her chin. Dotty turns into a murmuring motor, purring with a swayed tail. He chuckles.

"Cute."

"You don't have any pets right?" Jonah asks. "If I recall you telling me..."

He nods, petting Dotty more. "I... used to own a betta fish when I was seven."

"Ah, those lil angry fighters?"

"Hah, yeah. I named him Sparky."

Suddenly, Dotty strolls herself onto Cole's lap. She begins kneading with her front paws on his shorts. Cole, unsure of how to react, stays in a still posture. Jonah laughs.

"That means she likes you."

"Oh," he relaxes.

Now that Dotty has created enough biscuits, she twirls her tail and rests on Cole's lap.