Russell's P.O.V.

"Messy, messy, messy," I mumbled out loud. Of course, Vinnie made another mess after one of is little 'dance' moves, but I've gotten used to cleaning after him and the rest of the daycare pets. It was my job after all. I wasn't really much use for anything else. As I finished putting the squeaky toys back in their place, I could hear the dumbwaiter coming down. I scurried my way over to the door, waiting for Blythe's arrival.

"Hey, guys!" Blythe said as she stepped onto the floor of the daycare. As every pet was turning their heads towards Blythe's entrance, Blythe reached down and picked me up.

"Hey, Russell," Blythe said," What's up?"

"Same as usual," I responded, shrugging my shoulders," Just cleaning up. The only thing I really get appreciated for."

"Hey, you're way more important than you think you are."

"I'm not so sure."

"Why don't you come up after school and help me with my homework. You're good at that."

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Then it's a deal."

Blythe winked at me before setting me back down with the rest of pets.

"Hey, Blythe," Zoe said," Do you think you can design me a new outfit? I have a very important dog show coming up, and I know you can make something fantastic."

"Sure, Zoe," Blythe answered," I'm sure I can come up with something."

"Fabulous!"

"Well, I gotta get going to school. See you guys later!"

"Bye, Blythe!" We all said in unison.

It felt like forever, but Blythe finally got back from school. She grabbed me, and we went up the dumbwaiter.

"Did you have a good day at school?" I asked.

"Eh, it was alright, but I missed you guys, as always."

I smiled to myself as we arrived at Blythe's bedroom. Blythe picked me up once again before placing on her desk. Blythe pulled out her homework and calculator before we got started. It was a little more complicated than I thought it would be, but we were able to get her homework done in less than thirty minutes.

"I have to say, Russell," Blythe started," We sure do make a great team."

"Yeah," I said," I just wish I more helpful for the other pets."

"Ok, what's going on? You've been real down for the past couple days."

I took a deep breath before pouring out what had I had been keeping in.

"I just feel like I'm not as special as the rest of my friends. Sunil has his magic, Zoe has her singing, Vinnie and Penny Ling have their dancing, Pepper has her comedy, Minka has her painting, and what do I have? Nothing! All I do is clean, and I don't get a whole lot of recognition except when I get made fun of for being a stickler about cleanness. I'm just tired of it all!"

I threw my arms up in frustration before letting the tears fly out. I curled up into a ball to hide myself from Blythe. I felt better at getting all my feelings off my little chest, but I was waiting on a response from Blythe. My tears were disappearing as she picked me up and brought me close to her.

"Look," she started," I can't understand what you're going through. I know it must be very difficult for you, but you have to understand that you are special. The rest of our friends might not show it all the time, but I know they appreciate it. I appreciate it. You need stop being so hard on yourself. You're a great hedgehog, and I love you, Russell."

I curled out of my ball and looked up at Blythe.

"You l-love m-m-me?" I asked.

"Of course I do. I wouldn't have asked for any other hedgehog in the world."

"Well, I love you, too, Blythe."

"Thanks, Russell. That's means a lot."

Blythe brought me in tighter for a hug, and I just wanted to stay like this forever. It felt wonderful to have someone acknowledge all my efforts I do at the daycare. She lean down and kissed me on the cheek, making a blush a burning, hot red.

"You ok, Russell?" Blythe asked," You look like you have a fever."

She placed her hand on my forehead before I quickly moved it away.

"Oh yeah, I'm fine. Is it getting hot in here to you?"

"No. Would you like me to turn on the fan?"

"That would be nice."

She got up from her chair and flipped the switch to her fan. She sat on her bed and patted the area beside her, and I scrambled my way down the table and on to her bed.

"I think we should take a well deserved nap, don't you think?" Blythe asked while letting out a yawn.

I let out a yawn of my own before responding.

"Yeah, I think that would be nice."

Blythe laid down against her pillows, and I curled myself up against her chest as she placed her arm around me. It wasn't long before Blythe fell asleep, but I was still wide awake from the eventful moment that occurred not that long ago.

Does Blythe really love me? She is pretty, that's for sure, and she's also smart and talented. Sure, I love her, too, but could it be more than just a friendly kind of love? No, it couldn't be. I'm a hedgehog, and she's a human. That would never work out!

It wasn't long before all my thoughts turned into a mumbled up mess as I fell asleep in Blythe's gentle grasp.