1.
Sometimes, my dog, King, begs to go outside for a walk. It doesn't sound that bad until you say "...at six in the morning". You might be wondering, "Why don't your parents just do it?". Well, my father had left my mom, older brother, and I at a young age. I never really knew why, and was never really told. But, I didn't ask because it was traumatizing for my mom. Then, at age 12, my mother had passed away from a car accident. My older brother, David, had to take care of me until now. I'm sixteen now, in junior year of high school and I work at the nearby ice cream shop. My older brother is normally on night shifts and asleep when King wants to go on walks, so I do my part and walk him when David can't.
King is a golden retriever, and obviously, it can be a hassle due to loud whines and scratches at the door when he wants to go outside, but I'm always optimistic about it. Two words to why.
Sam. Evans. He always goes on morning runs the same time King would want to go on walks. We would cross paths and say "hey" once in a while, but we never really interacted before. He had blonde and shiny hair that shifted across his forehead, nice peachy skin, perfect green eyes, and the biggest pair of lips I've ever seen in my life. It wasn't an alarming size, but still, when you would first see them you would be surprised. He was charming, and pretty cute to say the least. He was tall, about 6 foot and had a slight build in his body. I assumed he worked out, due to his biceps, abs, and calves. I didn't see him at school, but normally saw him and his little brother and sister get ice cream down at the shop. I wouldn't say we were friends, but wouldn't say we were strangers either. We were... mutual.
The sound of discomforting whines woke me up. Bringing a hand up to scratch my scalp, I kicked my legs out of the sheets. Heading over to my desk chair, I picked up a navy blue sweater and slipped it on, grabbing the leash and putting it on him. I rubbed my tired eyes and lightly yawned, opening the front door and walking out of it. King's head turned to the right, symbolizing he wanted to go that way, as he always did. I pushed my brown hair to my back as a cold breeze came by swiftly. My body shook slightly from the chill wind and looked forward, seeing Sam. We made small eye contact and smiles, just like usual. Then he continued to trot behind me, his footsteps making the only sound in the air as his sneakers hit the ground.
Only this time, I could see a tiny, vivid figure. I bent down to pick it up. Compared to my palm, it was the size of a hazelnut. The tiny figure was a yellow-haired girl with peachy skin and a bright pink dress painted on the plastic. It was a small little doll of some sort. the paint was slightly scratched off in certain places, but overall was in good shape. I turned around to see the boy a few yards away from where i had stopped walking. "Excuse me, blonde-haired boy!". I tried catching his attention and waved my hand frantically in the air, hoping he would turn around. Soon, I saw his head turn around and his pace start to slow down.
I started walking towards him, King sluggishly following behind me while I softly drag his maroon leash in my hand. I met him in the middle of our distance and presented the small doll to him. "You dropped this," I looked between the figurine and him. He examined the small thing and took it out of my hands. "Thanks, my sister must've slipped it into my pockets," he chuckled softly, putting it back into his shorts. I smiled and turned to King, who sulkily had his head low because he wanted to continue walking. I scratched the top of his head before turning back to Sam and waving my hand. "Have a nice day," I say, smiling without teeth and starting to walk away.
"Elizabeth, right?" he asked, and I turned my head back, looking at him, almost confused. He cleared his throat, tilting his head slightly to the side and gazing into my eyes as I did into his. "I saw it on your name tag at Bonny's,". Bonny and Ice is the shop I work at. People usually call it Bonny's for short, it was easier for the employee's too. He rubbed his head, looking down and up at me. "Actually, I go by Beth, but yeah that's me," I said, "I've seen you and your"-(I'm guessing)-"siblings come in every once in a while," I say, "Sam, is it?"
I walk back to him and hold out my hand for him to shake if he's willing. He takes it, shaking up and down slowly. He snickers a bit, bringing his hand back to tuck a piece of hair behind his ear. "I go by Yep, that's me," he put his hands up enthusiastically, pulling them back down again and clearing his throat quickly. I said, "Nice to meet you,"like a petty little brat and slowly waved as he turned to go back to his jogging. I stood there for a second, rubbing my arm slowly up and down, causing my sleeve to scrunch with every stroke.
It was a short conversation in reality, but to me it was a whole book of dialogue. Sam was really a heartthrob wasn't he. I saw how my colleagues and girls at the shop looked at him. It wasn't aspiring, but an adoring way. I'm sure I would see him the next morning like nothing happened this one, but for now, I'm back to King's walk.