She had spent the last two days moping around her bedroom. Nothing seemed to cheer her up, despite her own best efforts to remain positive. Imogen did not usually allow herself to get so down, but with Fiona away, she felt more alone than ever. Pulling the covers over her head, Imogen sighed, telling herself that she needed to get out of the house and especially out of her bed. It was starting to form in her shape due to how infrequently she'd left the safe space. Even her dad was starting to worry, he'd popped in her bedroom a few times with offers of soup and hugs, but she had sent him away, citing girl problems and telling him she wanted to be left alone. The truth was, Imogen honestly didn't think that Fiona was coming back. The kisses they had shared were all she had to hold on to now and she just kept replaying them in her head, wishing she could've kept Fiona from leaving. She knew she couldn't do that though, Fiona had a lot of family stuff happening and she shouldn't be selfish about all this. As if on cue when she began thinking too much again, she felt something pounce on top of her. Pulling the covers down, she saw Volta, who was eagerly staring at her with an open mouth. The dog panted loudly and Imogen immediately smiled at the sight, placing her hand on his head.
"Do you want to go for a walk, Volta?" She asked him, watching as his tail began to wag. Leaning down, she kissed one of his ears and giggled. "Okay then, let me get my jacket." Most girls wouldn't be caught dead wandering the dog park in their pajamas, but Imogen wasn't most girls, and she didn't care to wear her pj's in public. Besides, she thought they were really cute. Peeling herself from the bed, she went over to her desk and took her jacket from the back of the chair. Volta stood by the door waiting patiently while Imogen slipped on her warm jacket, pulling up the zipper. She grabbed Volta's leash and hooked it onto his collar. "Let's go!" She told him as she stepped out of her bedroom, the dog trailing quickly behind. She walked down the hallway and stopped at her father's office door, giving the wood panel a light knock.
"Yes?" Her father's voice called out.
"Volta and I are going on a walk. I'll be back in a bit." Imogen sang out, already feeling a bit better. She and the bloodhound headed out of the house and toward the dog park, which was conveniently located down the street. She whistled as they walked together, taking in the sun as it set in the sky. "Hmm, it's beautiful tonight, Volta. I'm glad you wanted to get out. I think the fresh air will do me good." The dog let out a gruff bark in reply and she laughed, hurrying to walk alongside her pet as he picked up in speed. He knew where they were going and he always got so excited about the other dogs. Imogen liked seeing the dogs at the park too, there were so many different kinds and it was fun to see her usually quiet and docile bloodhound run around with other dogs.
Her ballet flats slapped against the pavement as she struggled to keep up with Volta. She tugged at his leash to signal him to slow down a bit and he dutifully did so, allowing her to catch up with him. Imogen smiled at her pet, thinking back to when she'd picked him out at the shelter. She had been going through a detective phase, reading Sherlock Holmes and Nancy Drew books vigorously, convincing her parents to buy her all the things she needed to become the next great child detective. One day when she came home after being picked on by the other girls at school, her mother decided that she needed something to cheer her up. So they'd gone to the animal shelter and her parents told her she could pick out anything she wanted. Upon first seeing Volta, her heart beat faster. He was still a puppy, a ball of energy that reminded her of herself. And he was a bloodhound. Everyone knew that bloodhounds were the dog of choice for detectives. She just had to have him, and so that day she went home with a new pet. Her partner in solving crime, Volta - named for how incredibly fast he could run.
As she reached the dog park, the bloodhound's excitement was obvious. He tugged at the leash, trying desperately to get closer to the nearest dog, a healthy-sized St. Bernard. Imogen rolled her eyes and let him go a little, approaching the other dog and immediately sniffing its butt. She glanced up to see the owner of the dog, who was wearing a bemused expression.
"Funny how dogs greet each other, isn't it?" His voice was soft and playful. Imogen managed an awkward giggle.
"Yeah. Um. Hi, I'm Imogen...Moreno." She introduced herself, holding out her free hand for the stranger. He immediately shook it, smiling at her.
"Imogen. Interesting name." He responded, looking down in time to see Volta humping his St. Bernard. His eyebrows raised, he laughed at the sight. "Guess he likes her." Imogen looked embarrassed at the outburst from her dog and she started scolding him, pulling back on his leash as her face burned red. "It's okay, really. Dogs do what dogs do. I don't mind. I don't think she does, either, for the record." He pointed out with a wry grin.
Imogen regarded him with curiosity. "You never told me your name."
"Oh, right. Sorry. I'm Chase. This lovely lady," He gestured to the dog. "Is Velma. I went through a Scooby Doo phase. So sue me." The blond boy told her before leaning down and petting her dog. "What's this big guy's name?" He asked as he ran his fingers through Volta's fur. Imogen watched how well Chase interacted with her dog. She leaned down too, tentatively putting her hand on Velma's back. Her hand stroked the dog's fur and her eyes met Chase's.
He seemed nice, she thought as she looked at him for a moment. "Volta." She murmured, putting her hand near Velma's nose. The large dog sniffed her palm before giving it a hearty lick, causing Imogen to giggle lightly. "That tickles." She said before standing back up. Chase did the same and the two of them began walking in tandem with their leashed dogs. As the approached a bench, the boy unhooked the leash and let Velma go, running through the large play area designated for the dogs. Desperately Volta fought against Imogen and she hurriedly unhooked his leash as well, watching as he ran after the other dog. Laughing, Chase took a seat on the bench and Imogen slowly sat beside of him.
"Seems like your dog has a thing for my dog." He told her seriously. "Now what are we
going to do about this?"
Imogen looked confused. She glanced over at the open area where the two dogs were now playing around and wrestling each other. "I..don't know. Have a doggie wedding?" She suggested offhandedly.
Chase chuckled. "That would be interesting, for sure. So, Imogen, tell me about yourself. Where do you go to school? What's it like to be you? What makes you smile? I'm curious. Clearly."
"I go to Degrassi." Imogen began, uncertain as to how much she was going to tell him about herself. Chase put her on edge while simultaneously making her at ease. She didn't know how to react to him. "Everyone says I'm weird. I prefer quirky. There's a whole lot of things that make me smile, ranging from little to big. It just depends." She shrugged, trying to play it cool.
"Degrassi Community School? Sorry, I guess I assumed you were a University girl." Chase sounded disappointed. "But weird is good. I like weird. I take pride in being different, myself." He didn't seem weird to her, he had blond hair and typical good looks, and he was wearing a striped polo and jeans ripped in all the socially acceptable places. Imogen thought he seemed phony somehow. When he noticed the way she was looking at him, he continued. "I know, I don't look it. Pretty boy by day, starving artist by night. I swear, look at my hands." He shoved his hands closer and she inspected them, seeing the different colored paint on his skin.
Imogen nodded. "I believe you." But as she said this, she stood from the bench, calling Volta's name loudly. The dog bounded back over to her, Velma right on his heels. "It was nice to meet you, but I should probably be getting home." She hooked the leash back on Volta and began walking away. Chase followed her, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Whatever I did to offend you, I'm sorry. I just-I'm stupid sometimes. Listen, let me make it up to you. Could I take you out to dinner or something?" He prompted. She just looked at him in disbelief. She didn't even know this guy and he was asking her out?
Imogen held her dog's leash tighter, knowing if she wanted to get him to attack this guy, she could. But he didn't seem dangerous, just a little too eager. "No, thank you. I have a girlfriend." She lied, thinking of Fiona. Her heart panged at the thought of the beautiful curly haired girl, hundreds of miles away in New York. Before Chase could say anything else, she walked away, heading back in the direction of her house. Volta followed dutifully behind, less anxious about returning home than he had been about going to the park. "You really need to meet her, Volta," Imogen said absentmindedly to her pet as he trailed along. "I think you would like her. I know I do." Her voice was soft and she took her cell phone out of her pocket. She had spoken to Fiona yesterday after she landed in New York, but it had been a short phone call. She missed her already. Lingering over Fiona's name in her contacts list, she decided to send her a text.
I hope you're having fun in NYC. It's boring here without you. xo
Sighing, Imogen pressed send and put the cellular device back in her pocket. She looked down to see Volta's leg in the air. He was peeing on a tree. She looked away. "Sorry." She always felt weird about seeing him go to the bathroom, it wasn't normal to watch people in the bathroom and she felt that courtesy should extend to animals too. "Are you done?" She asked through her fingers. Volta barked. Uncovering her eyes, she gazed down at the bloodhound. "Volta, what am I going to do? I wish I could just hop on a plane to New York and show up at her doorstep, throw pebbles at her window and declare my love like something out of a romantic comedy. I can't do that though. I'm all the way here, she's all the way there. What can I do to show her that I want to be with her?" Imogen hadn't been sure before what she wanted from Fiona. It was scary liking a girl for the first time. But once she got over that concept, she realized she didn't want to lose her. Even if Fiona didn't come back, they could do a long distance thing at least until Imogen finished school. There were tons of art schools in New York, after all. Her phone pinged and she quickly took it out to see Fiona's reply.
It's been great. Catching up with my brother & everything. He wants to meet you.
Imogen smiled. Fiona had told her twin brother about her. Maybe they could work things out after all. She typed back a reply about how badly she wanted to meet him too and then continued walking home with Volta. When she got home, she put some food and water out for the dog and let her father know she was back before retiring back to her bedroom. She walked over to her desk and picked up the stack of note cards lying there, taking them with her to the bed as she reread for the hundredth time all the things Fiona had meant to say to her that night on the carousel.