Author's Note: I'm a piece of shit I'm so sorry. Thanks to ArlkatThePillowfighter for this super cute idea! Disclaimer – I definitely don't know how to handle rabbits properly. You probably have to put them in some sort of container when you buy one? Dunno.
The final bell jolts you from your reverie. You regain your thoughts and spring from your seat, stuffing books and papers into your backpack and bolting out the classroom door. In just a few moments, you're at your locker, organizing your things and slamming it shut. You have to avoid John this afternoon. Seeing him before you arrive at his house would ruin the surprise.
Bursting out the front door, you approach the bike rack with your backpack still slung over one shoulder. You shrug it on properly before straddling your bicycle and pushing off the sidewalk into the street. Your destination is somewhat of a mystery to you, since you've never been there and you got your directions from Google Maps. Thankfully, you arrive there in good time, and lean your ride against a brick wall.
When you push open the glass door, a bell jingles cheerfully. A worker in a red button-down and a ponytail waves at you from behind a cash register. "Welcome to PetCo, how can I help you?" You scan the store before turning back to her.
"Rabbits?" you ask vaguely. She points toward a sign near the back of the store reading Rodents. Nodding at her gratefully, you make your way down the aisles, stopping to gaze at beta fish and parakeets. Finally, you find the rabbits, cuddled together in a small cage wedged between the mice and the guinea pigs. There are four: two white, one brown, and one black. The black one looks the fluffiest, so you tap on the glass next to its face. Its ears perk up, and it opens two big blue eyes that match John's almost perfectly. You can feel your heart melting.
The employee that waved at you earlier helps you lift it out of the cage. You stroke it as you hold it in your arms and walk toward checkout. When you have to get your credit card out of your backpack, you let it down onto the counter, where it hops around and little and sniffs at a container of pens disguised as flowers. Once it's paid for, you gather it back into your arms and smile at the cashier before heading back out into the bright sunlight. You deposit the little guy into the basket at the front of the bike, where it peeks its eyes over the edges.
The rabbit behaves relatively well during the ride. A few times he places a paw on the rim of the basket, and you have to gently push him back down for fear he jump out. Overall he seems to be a calm little fellow, and you're glad you picked him. Dismounting your bicycle and handling the rabbit at the same time proves to be a challenge, especially considering how anxious you are to show John his new present. You make it up the steps, but the door opens before you can begin to contemplate how to knock with a rabbit in your arms.
John's gaze slides from your eyes to the animal in your arms. His mouth drops open as he makes an adorable squeaking noise, instinctively reaching for the rabbit. You open your arms, allowing it to hop into his. He drowns it in attention, stroking its soft fur and making little cooing noises. He even gasps when he sees its bright eyes. You have never been so jealous of a rabbit.
"You know, I have pretty cool eyes, too," you huff, crossing your arms and smirking. John glances up for a fraction of a second.
"You never let me see them," he retaliates, shifting the rabbit in his arms and playing with its delicate ears. You bite your lip. He's got you there. John laughs.
"What?" you demand defensively.
"My dad. I don't know if he's even going to let me keep him," he explains. You begin to panic. John must recognize the stricken look on your face, because he quickly adds, "But I'm sure he will. C'mon, let's go ask." He steps aside, allowing you to open the door and hold it open for him. And off you two go into the house, on your way to convince Dad Egbert to go along with your wild shenanigans, just like old times.