CHAPTER 10

Saturday.

I groaned on my bed when I felt Tips licking my feet. I stared at the clock for a while until it hit 6:05 in the morning. The sun behind my plain blue curtain started to light my little room. Involuntarily, I sat down and rubbed my eyes. I looked at Tips, to see he's obviously waiting for me to walk him out.

"Smarty dog." Reluctantly, I pulled myself out of the bed, and started walking to the bathroom.

I took a mini bath and fixed myself. Leaving wet droplets of water in the wooden floor, I stared at the mirror, carefully looking at myself.

I can see my almond shaped eyes with wrinkles beside them. Black hair with a shadow of brown, thin eyebrows, and an un-kissable lips. For today's outfit? My favorite beanie of course and batman sweatshirt partnered with sweatpants. Yay. Comfy.

I climbed down the stairs and walked right through the kitchen. And there's mom, in her master chef attire.

"Morning, mom. I'm going to walk Tips. Be back soon." Kissing her cheeks, and looking at the food.

"Okay, Sab. I'll be done when you get back."

I waved for Tips and he started running to the door, I trailed behind him, just as we reached the street, he sat down, waiting for me to leash him up.

"Good boy!" I patted his head then locked the leash to his collar.

We started our weekend exercise. We ran for about thirty minutes, and walked for our bodies to cool down. Looking at the clear skies, I remembered Lucas' eyes, just like this. Clear as the morning sky.

We stopped right beside the park, Tips' favorite place. He loves to lie down beside the fallen leaves of this one big tree. I untied him to make him feel comfortable and I plugged my earphones.

I was a minute close to sleeping when I heard Tips bark. I pulled myself in a sitting position, and then I saw him barking over another dog.

"Tips! Come here!" I yelled at him but he just stared at me, then he looked back to the dog. I stood in my comfortable place then I ran to him.

"What's wrong?" I tied Tips again looking for something to tie him to so I can get close enough to the lost dog. Luckily, I found a four feet high branch. I forcefully pulled Tips away from the dog, I tied and left him there.

I took a step closer, but the dog practically ran towards me, and when both of us stumbled back in the grass, she licked my face grossly..Yes, it's a 'she', don't ask me how I noticed it.

"Hello.. Are you lost?" I asked her and she barked as if she understands me.

I don't know what will I do about this lost little dog, but I can't just leave her here. So I played with her while waiting for her owner.

I waited for twenty minutes already but no one came. Mom will be mad if I don't come home soon. Unsure of what to do, I talked to Tips.

"Tips." Just the mere call of his name made him look my way.."Boy. You have to behave, okay?" But he just licked his paws. I untied him again, and being my good dog, he just stood there, as if waiting for my command. Sighing in relief, I walked into the next dog. I tied her with Tips tie and locked it with her collar.

"Come, sweetie! We have to go home first and after that, we'll look for your owner." Brushing her hair.

Walking straight home, I tied her to our porch and then went inside.

"Hey, mom. I found a lost dog at the park, any idea who owns her?" Nodding outside as mom took a peek of her.

"I think, that's Mr. Fork's son dog." She looked closely at the dog. "Oh!

I'm right! I saw Kevin yesterday walking with that dog."

"Kevin? Stranger. Uh-kay. Tell me where their house is, I'll send that dog off later."

After finishing my breakfast, I washed the dishes left by mom on the counter. I cleaned the whole kitchen. She was already upstairs, getting ready for our bonding day -as what she called it. She told me we have something to celebrate. I still don't know what's the good news she was talking about when we talked in the phone.

I fixed my hair into a simple bun and started to walk outside. I remembered the address mom told me, but just as I was actually ready to give the dog back to its rightful owner, and before I could even reach our doorstep, my eyes spotted a guy waiting outside. He's sitting at the edge of our front gate. Hesitantly, I silently pushed the door and walked quietly until I'm just a fifteen feet away from him, with our little gate to separate us.

"Uhm, excuse me? Do you need something?" I asked him.

Surprised, he looked at me then stood up from his seat. He shoved the dirt from his pants before facing me.

Nodding at the lost dog direction, he said. "She's mine." And he smiled.

Looking at the dog, then back to him, I replied. "Kevin?"

Fixing his hair, he answered. "Uhm. Yea. How'd you know?"

"Nah. Mom told me. That he saw a guy walking with her yesterday, and she seemed to know your name. End."

He left out a soft chuckle. Smiling at me, I noticed his eyes were like Lucas'. A bright blue one where you could actually think you're looking at the sky. A blond hair that is surely fixed with wax, and a pointed nose.

"Oh. I haven't introduce myself properly, yet." He rubbed his both hands, then offered it to me. "Kevin Forks."

"Sabrina Rainsworth. But. Just Sab." Shaking his hand. "Wait, I'll get your dog."

I untied his dog and she ran wild. She licked his face as well but he just keeps on brushing her hair. He stood up and thanked me for looking after his dog, even if it's just for a while. He also told me that her name is Chill. What a weird name. Well, 'Tips' is a weird name, too.

"Thanks again. See you around." He smiled at me gently and I can feel my cheeks heating.

"Yea. Bye." And then he walked away.

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