"I can't believe Coach let that guy on the team," Rob growled, complaining for the nth time, "what was he thinking?"

Classes were finally over, so Rob and I decided to hang out at his locker. But all Rob wanted to do was to complain about Jay, and about how quickly Coach accepted him on the Tourney team.

I sighed, "I don't see what the big deal is. Jay is really good, and he can be a great contribution to the team."

"He's out of control," Rob barked, slamming his fist into his, now dented, locker, "just runs in blindly, ramming down everyone, even his own teammates. We don't need a hothead ruining our chances at the championship."

"So this isn't about Jay," I put my hands on my hips, "this is about winning against Sherwood," I shook my head, "can't you just get over what happened?"

"They kicked me out of my own territory," he said slowly like I was a child, "they need to pay. I just hope Coach doesn't let de Vil on the team. We would win, but it would be from the other team dying of laughter."

I slapped his shoulder with the back of my hand, "hey, don't start on Carlos. He's trying. In fact, he's practicing with Ben right now."

Rob snorted, "yeah, right."

I sighed again before looking at my cell for the time, "hey, I need to go. I promised Dude I would play with him until he drops today."

Rob rolled his eyes, "Why do you still have that little rat?"

I chuckled, "you only say that because he doesn't like you."

"He doesn't like anyone, except you and Ben."

"Not true. He just needs to get to know more, and he'll be a friend for life," I started walking away, "see you later."

"Yeah, see ya."

I was almost to my dorm when I bumped into Tina.

Tina grinned, "Heya girl. Where are you going?"

"Hey, Tina. I'm going to get Dude, then going to the woods to play."

"Can I come," she asked, jumping up and down, "you know I love the woods. They're not as good as Neverland's, but they'll do.

I nodded, "sure! You're the only one, besides me and Ben, Dude doesn't growl at the entire time."

Tina did a superman pose, "that's because I'm awesome," she sang the last word.

I laughed, "come on, Dude's waiting."

"Alright, I'm going to go change. I suggest you do the same."

I looked down at me dress, "good idea. Dude and I will meet you at the Tourney Field."

"Okay."

I went to my dorm. Dude greeted me at the door, barking and wagging his tail.

I knelt down to pet him, "hey, boy! Are you ready to play," he jumped up and down, "Tina's going to join us, "he stopped and let out a small growl, "oh come on, Dude. You know Tina," I got up to change clothes, "I wonder why you growl at everyone but me and Ben," he stopped growling at the mention of Ben and went back to wagging his tail, making me roll my eyes, "of course."

Once I was ready, I grabbed Dude's collar and leash. I hated using it, but Audrey complained to FG after Dude growled at her, so FG said Dude has to be on a leash while on campus, unless we're in the woods or I'm holding him. I put on Dude's restraints then we left. When we got to the field, Tina was already there. Dude spotted her and growled lowly.

Tina knelt in front of him, and let him sniff the back of her hand, "hey, Dude," once he sniffed her, he stopped growling and wagged his tail, "that's a good boy," she stood, looking at me, "shall we?"

I nodded. Suddenly, I felt a hard tug on the leash. I looked down to see that Dude had pulled his head out of the collar. I was about to pick him up, but he took off towards Ben and Carlos, who were still using the field to practice. I thought Dude was running to Ben, but instead, he went straight for Carlos, who spotted him before running and screaming. Tina and I took off after them as they got closer to the woods.

"Ben, help us get Dude," I yelled as we pasted him.

He ran after us into the woods.

"Carlos," Ben called out.

"Ben! Ben, help me!"

We followed Carlos' voice down a path. We found him up a tree with Dude on the ground, wagging his tail and panting. I would've laughed at the situation, but Carlos looked too terrified for it to be funny.

Carlos looked at us, "guys, help me," he pointed at Dude, "this thing is a killer! He's gonna chase me down and rip out my throat! This is a vislcious, rabid pack animal!"

I picked up Dude, "who told you that?"

"My mother," he said like it was the most obvious thing in the world, "she's a dog expert. A dog yellerer."

Ben chuckled while Tina snorted. I shook my head at them. Dude looked at Carlos, letting out a slight whimper.

At the whimper, Carlos tried to go further up the tree, "Why are holding him, Anna? He's gonna attack you!"

I tilted my head, "Carlos, you've never actually met a dog, have you?"

"Of course not."

Ben petted Dude's head, "Dude, meet Carlos," he looked up at Carlos, "Carlos, this is Dude. He's Anna's dog and the campus mutt."

Carlos' face softened as he loosed his grip on the tree, "he doesn't look like a vicious, rabid pack animal."

I smiled, "that's because he's not. He's a softy."

"Yeah, when he's not growling at everyone," Tina mumbled, making me hit her leg with my foot lightly, hoping Carlos didn't hear her.

I motioned to Dude, "do you want to pet him?"

Carlos slowly got out of the tree, "really?"

I nodded. He cautiously walked up. He went to pet Dude, but Dude jerked his head, trying to sniff Carlos' hand. This made Carlos jump back.

"Don't worry, he just wanted to sniff your hand because you're someone new so he's curious," I grabbed his hand and placed it on Dude's head, "see, nothing to be afraid of."

"Jeez," Carlos smiled at Dude, "you're a good boy, aren't you?"

"Wanna hold him?"

Carlos looked at me wide-eyed, "oh...um..."

"It's okay," I transfered Dude to Carlos, adjusting his arms so Dude was conforable, "there you go," I watched Carlos was still hesitant about Dude, "I guess you guys have it pretty rough on the island."

Carlos nodded slightly, "yeah, let's just say we don't get a lot of belly rubs."

We all laughed at his joke.

Ben put his hand on Carlos' shoulder, "good boy," Tina and I facepalmed, "I mean, you're a good runner. You're...You're fast, you know," Carlos thanked him, "listen, me and the girls are gonna give you and Dude some space..."

"Actually," Tina said quickly, "I think Anna should stay. You know, just in case Dude takes off again."

"Or I could just give Carlos Dude's collar and leash," I told her, not really understanding why she wanted me to stay.

"Or you could stay," she said like she was trying to hint at something.

"Could you stay," Carlos asked shyly, "I'm not totally conforable with him yet."

I nodded, "sure."

Tina squealed happily before whispering in my ear, "he wants you to stay. Go get 'em girl."

I was about to ask her what she meant, but she quickly dragged Ben away, leaving me and Carlos alone with Dude. That was weird.

Carlos sat down on a nearby log, petting Dude, who licked his nose, "oh, thank you," he looked up at me, "hey, what did you friend mean when she said "when he's not growling at everyone."

"Caught that, did ya," I sat down beside him, "Usually, Dude is only nice to me and Ben. He's nice to Tina but only sometimes, and only after he sniffs her hand. To tell you the truth, I'm very surprised he has warmed up to you this fast. He must sence something good about you."

Dude barked, making us laugh. He jumped out of Carlos' arms and ran off. He came back with a stick. He placed it at Carlos' feet, wagging his tail. Carlos was confused by Dude's action and looked at me for help.

"Throw it," I pointed towards the woods behind us, "make it go far. He loves the chase."

Carlos and I spent hours playing with Dude and talking. I found out a lot about him. He mainly talked about him and the other VKs' fun times on the Isle, or what they believed to be fun at the time. I wanted to ask about his mother and their relationship, but she seemed to be a touchy subject so I avoided it.

"So did you ever wonder about who your birth parents are?"

I shrugged sadly, "Sometimes. I wonder if I got my hair color from my mom or if it came from my dad? Same with my eye color or if it's a mix of their's," my vision became blurry with tears, "mainly, I wonder why they left me and if they ever think about me."

Carlos put his arm around my shoulder, "I'm sorry I made you sad. I shouldn't have asked."

"It's fine," I sniffed, "it feels better talking about it. I've never talked about it before."

He looked at me, surprised, "ever?"

I shook my head, "you're really easy to talk to, Carlos. I feel like I can tell you anything."

"I feel the same way about you."

I smiled before resting my head on his shoulder, while he tightened his grip on my shoulder in a comforting way. I feel this is a start of a wonderful friendship.

(Little Note: I have updated my cover. :) Heza-chan)