Falling Apart (sequel to Taking On The World)

:4: Yappy Dog

:4: Yappy Dog

Maya's POV

My eyes fluttered open softly. What had woken me up?

I looked at Lucas' watch. It was 6:39am. That's a lot earlier than I usually wake up.

I stretched and sat up. And was immediately startled by the yapping of a small dog that stood about a metre away from me.

"Well, good morning, Honey-Hair," the guy walking the dog said.

"Josh?" I gasped.

I hadn't seen Josh in years. Not since I was 14 years old. He hadn't really changed very much in those two years. And apparently he had found a nickname for me.

"Yeah, that's my name. So what brings you to this park at 6am?"

"What about you?" I dodged the question.

"Just walking Tinkerbell," he told me as he indicated to the dog, who let out several barks at the mention of her name.

"I wouldn't have pegged you as the sort of guy who would get a terrier. And Tinkerbell?"

"She's a Pomeranian, and she's not mine. She belongs to Morgan, my sister."

"I know who Morgan is. I've met her."

"You still haven't answered my question," he reminded me.

"Lucas and I are running away."

"Do your parents know?"

I gave him an incredulous look. "Um, no? That would kinda ruin the point?"

"Don't sass me, Honey-Hair."

"Stop calling me that!" I squawked.

Lucas woke up and sat bolt upright. "Whasa goin' on?" he said sleepily.

"Howdy," Josh smirked.

"You," Lucas replied, waking up completely. His eyes narrowed. He pulled me onto his lap. "I won't let you hurt Maya, Josh."

"Why would I have any motivation to do that? I'm merely walking Tinkerbell."

Lucas snorted. "Tinkerbell?"

"She's not my dog," Josh snapped. "Anyway, moving on from the stupid dog, you guys are coming with me."

"Why would we do that?" Lucas growled.

"Well, you're both under the age of 18, and I'm legally an adult. Plus, I'm assuming you're running out of money, or will soon anyway, which means that you'll either starve or turn to a life of crime. I have no doubt that Honey-Hair is able to steal things, but I don't think you have it in you, Lucas. Wouldn't it be ego-bruising to have your girlfriend, who is a year younger than you, look after you?"

Lucas looked at me, defeated.

"I don't think we have a choice," I told him.

"If you're sure, Goldilocks..."

Josh raised his eyebrows at the nickname. I stood up.

"Okay. We'll come," I said.

------

Aaaaand Josh's here!

So, Tinkerbell, huh? I was trying to find a non-masculine name for a dog. At first I thought of "Sugarboo" (I actually can't remember what the name was, it started with sugar though) but then I thought to myself: "Who names their dog Sugarboo?" So I decided on Tinkerbell.

Question time!

What do you think of Josh?

Xoxo, stay fabulous!