Lyon woke up in the early morning; he walked downstairs and spotted Rad, who was at the table drinking his coffee. He heard footsteps behind him, and saw his son. "Morning, sport. How'd you sleep," he asked. "Fine," muttered Lyon. The wolf dog grabbed a box of cereal from the shelf, and a jug of milk from the fridge. He didn't say much during breakfast. Rad noticed his son's silence was disquieting; he recalled how easily upset Lyon was after yesterday evening's incident with his cousins, Socks, and Muffin. "Hey, so I was able to do my best with your book by fixing it up during the weekend, and well, I hope you can accept it," he said in a somewhat nervous tone. He showed the fairytale book all fixed up with clear tape. However, the worn tears and dog slobber from Socks still showed the book in a rather poor state. Lyon silently looked at his father. "I appreciate it, but it's not the same as before. I don't want it anymore," he said dispassionately.
"Oh, are you sure," asked Rad. "Yes, it's rubbish now." Rad felt those words and knew how they stung. Though he would imagine why he would still reject the book due to its condition. "That's alright. I'm sure we can find you another one," reassured Rad. The two were quiet during the rest of the morning. Rad sipped through his coffee while Lyon munched his cereal. After breakfast, the two prepared their lunch boxes to start their day at school and work. Lyon picked up his backpack, and the two went inside the ute to head on the road. After they arrived at Lyon's school, they got off to say their goodbyes at the front entrance. "You have a good day, alright mate," added Rad. "Yeah, sure," said Lyon. He immediately went inside without a smile on his face. Rad sighed and knew this was the first time Lyon had seemed apathetic. The red blue heeler mix went back in his vehicle, and drove away to work.
Lyon walked inside the classroom and sat near the reading area. He scanned through the shelves to find a good book to read. He picked a dinosaur book that had different types of prehistoric dinosaurs from different eras with pictures and words on them. He tried to make out the words in his head that were somewhat difficult to pronounce, but he did his best to understand the names of them. Meanwhile, Mackenzie walked up to Lyon. "Hey, Lyon. How are you," he asked eagerly. Lyon looked up and saw his friend. He did not say a word and kept on reading. "Lyon? It's me, Mackenzie," asked the border collie confused. "I know you're here. Hi," said Lyon not looking at Mackenzie. "What's up," asked Mackenzie.
"It's nothing. I'm just reading."
"I can see that, but it looks like you are upset. Did something happen," asked the border collie, concerned over his friend. "Everything's okay. I just want to be by myself right now if that's okay." Lyon was serious about being alone for the rest of the morning. Mackenzie was a bit disheartened over Lyon's dismissiveness. "Oh, alright. I'll see you later I guess," Mackenzie said with a somewhat saddened face. "Yeah, bye," muttered Lyon. As he kept on reading, he saw most of the children were hanging out with each other. All save for him.
After finishing the dinosaur book, he moved on to a book about trains. The book contained different models of trains and their purposes. Meanwhile, his cousin Bluey walked towards him, and saw him reading at the book area. "Hey, Lyon, what are you doing," asked the blue heeler eagerly. Lyon was somewhat annoyed by each constant interruption. "I'm reading. Isn't it obvious," asked Lyon in an irritable voice. Bluey took note of her cousin's gloomy attitude. "Is something the matter? You don't seem like your normal self," asked Bluey. "I'm fine, Bluey. I just want you to leave me be. I don't need these interruptions right now." Bluey felt a shiver; he never heard that sour mood from Lyon before. "Oh, okay," she said quietly and walked away slowly.
I really, really want some peace and quiet, thought Lyon, hoping no other kid will interrupt him from his reading. Just now, both Rusty and Jack walked up to Lyon, wanting to chat with him. "Lyon, do you want to play castle with us," asked Jack. Suddenly, something inside Lyon snapped. He closed his eyes, and slammed the book closed. Both the Red Kelpie and Jack Russell boys backed away in shock. "No, just leave me alone! Is it so hard to ask for some privacy," shouted the wolf dog. All the kids stared at the wolf dog. Some were shocked, while others silently gasped. Jack was terrified and saddened at the same time. He teared up and ran away from the wolf dog. "What is wrong with you," asked Rusty with a scowl.
"No, what's wrong with everyone? I said I needed to be alone right now," he demanded angrily. Rusty ran off to check up on Jack, who was next to the window. Lyon crossed his arms and looked down angrily. Calypso then noticed the spat between Lyon, Rusty, and Jack. She set her knitting needles and yarn aside and walked towards the wolf dog. "My goodness, Lyon, that's no way to talk to fellow classmates," she said calmly. "It's not my fault. I asked everyone that I want to be by myself right now," explained Lyon.
"I can understand that. Everyone needs to be by themselves when they need to calm down, but you shouldn't shout at your friends when you are in a bad mood," said Calypso while reaching her hand to Lyon's shoulder. "Do you feel like talking about it?" Lyon face went from a menacing scowl to a slightly saddened face. "I don't know. I still want to be by myself," said Lyon. "Well, okay. When you feel like talking it out, you can always talk to me," reassured Calypso. Lyon sighed knowing what he did was wrong but was too ashamed to admit his mistake. He knew he may have been too hard on his fellow classmates this morning. Right now, all he could do was cover his face with the book, and keep his eyes closed, reflecting on what he did. For one hour, he dozed off for a nap.
One hour later, he woke up from his nap, and uncovered his face from the book. It was already noon time, and most of the children had their lunch boxes by the table. Lyon went to the cubby and grabbed his lunch box. When we arrived, most of the students stared at him, but in a cautious way. Mackenzie was concerned for his friend. Bluey was saddened to see Lyon this angry. Rusty was cautious and angry with Lyon, and Jack was afraid of him. Lyon sighed and sat by himself. He was still ashamed, to the point where he isolated himself from the rest of the class. He looked down at his tuna sandwich with yogurt, and sunflower seeds. He then stirred the yogurt around, not feeling hungry.
While playing with his food, he didn't notice that someone was behind him; he turned around and saw Indy with her lunch box. "Are you okay," she asked. "Yeah, just fine," said Lyon calmly. "You mind if I sit with you," she asked. "Sure," said Lyon, not minding the company. The Afghan Hound girl sat next to Lyon, who was all by himself on the other side of the room. "I didn't think you wanted to be near me. I thought you might have been scared like everyone else," said Lyon. "I was at first, but I can tell you are bothered by something," said Indy while opening her vegan nut roast. Lyon sighed, and decided not to hide his frustrations from last week. "My book was torn up from last week. You know, the one I brought to Show and Tell last Friday," said Lyon. Indy's eyes widened when she recalled the same book Lyon showed to the class. "Oh," she said calmly. "What happened to it?"
"My cousins ruined it. That's what," muttered Lyon.
"Who? Bluey and Bingo," asked Indy, assuming he was mad at his cousin. "No, not them. Their other cousins, Muffin and Socks. I stayed at my Uncle Stripe's house last Friday while dad was doing an errand. We were playing, but I left my book in the living room. Socks was chewing on the book. Muffin was trying to help by getting the book back, but both tore it apart. I yelled at them, and said I hated them," explained Lyon. Indy understood where his anger and frustration came from. It explained from this morning's heated argument, and why he wanted to be left alone. "Hey, I understand. I know what it is like to get upset at someone when they do something you don't like," said Indy.
"You do," asked Lyon. "Yeah, one time me, Bluey, and Honey played early baby. We pretended that I had an early baby, and we were making sure Polly was taken care of in the hospital. Rusty was pretending to be a knight and fought a dragon, but he picked up Polly by accident and used her as the king's daughter for his game. We squabbled, and Calypso had us explain why we were arguing. In the end, we talked it out and said sorry," said Indy.
"Huh, I didn't know you squabbled with Rusty," chuckled Lyon. "Well, he didn't know Polly was an early baby so it was okay. We forgave each other," added Indy.
"I don't know if anyone will forgive me. I did yell at my cousins, my dad, and my friends," said Lyon while looking down at his food. "Oh, I'm sure they will. We all get angry sometimes, and it's important to talk it out so we don't hold grudges," said Indy in an empathic voice. "You think if I apologize to Mackenzie, Bluey, Jack, Rusty, Socks, Muffin, and dad, will they accept my sorry," asked Lyon.
"Of course. My mum always say everyone will always find a solution to their troubles, and forgive each other," added Indy. Lyon closed his eyes, and sighed calmly. "Thanks, Indy. I really mean it," said Lyon. Both dogs smiled at each other.
As the rest of the day progressed, Lyon decided to apologize to the children he snapped at today: Mackenzie, Bluey, Jack, and Rusty. "I didn't mean to be so ugly. I was just so angry that day when my book was ruined," said Lyon meekly. "It's alright. We all get upset sometimes," said Mackenzie.
"So you're not upset with me then," asked Lyon. "Of course not. You're our friend," said Bluey. "Jack and Rusty, I'm sorry I yelled at the both of you," said Lyon apologetically. "That's alright. Indy told us about it, and we forgive you," said Rusty. "I'm just glad you're back to your old self," added Jack in relief.
At the end of the day, when everyone was picking up the students, Lyon made his way to the front to see his father. Rad was there with a soft smile on his face; "Hey," he said.
"Hi," added Lyon. He rubbed his arm in awkwardness. "Look, I want to apologise from last week. It was wrong of me to stay mad, and not forgive Muffin, and Socks. I know they're younger, and they didn't mean to," explained Lyon. Rad was touched by Lyon's merciful behavior. "No need to apologise. I know it was a shock to see your favorite book ruined. I forgive you," added Rad. "Really? Thanks," said Lyon politely. "But will Muffin and Socks still accept my apology for being rude last week?"
"I don't see why not. You are family after all," reassured Rad. "We can go over to their house right now if you like." Both dogs smiled at each other and headed their way to Stripe's house for Lyon to apologize to his cousins.
Note: Hey, so it has been a while since I last updated. I just wanted to apologize for the delay. I wasn't feeling much of myself lately due to burnout, and persistent depression lately. The summer season isn't really my favorite time of year, so it's easy to feel down. But I am back to writing again. I'm also going to find the right time to write when possible since I am going back to school this month. Also, I am planning on making Frisky's debut very soon in this story so I am grateful for my readers to remain patient. Thanks for reading my story as always.