Bex came downstairs drying her hair while I stood in the kitchen contemplating what to do. She walked in looking confused as Putt whined in a corner, from the scolding I gave him earlier. He knew he was in trouble and I had a feeling I was in trouble too. I gulped as she rose an eyebrow walking over to the fridge.

“Is something-” she started saying but I interrupted.

“Putt peed on the flowers outside, not just any flowers but what looked like a garden. I'm so sorry.” I quickly said as Putt whined then whimpered.

“Oh..it's okay. Our dog does it a lot too.” she says with a crooked smile as I sigh in relief. “I'll go fix that problem, you can stay right-”

“I should help you, since it's my fault Putt peed on them anyway.” I explain walking over to Putt and bent down petting him.

He stopped whining and whimpering, he licked my hands leaning in them. I smiled a bit and glanced up at Bex. “Well let's go then, Putt can come too.” she said wrapping her towel around her hair and I nodded while standing up.

Turns out using some water over it would do the trick. I would try to keep that in mind just in case I ever have a situation like this again. We both hosed the area a couple of times, mostly she did it since she knew what she was doing while I didn't. After that we went back inside and she got us some soda cans of Orange Crush.

“Sorry again for all the trouble.” I said while opening my can as she closed the fridge.

“Don't worry about it. I'm quite use to it because of Surmelis, speaking of her let's go see her huh?” she suggested while opening her own can of soda and I nodded grinning before sipping some of my soda.

Dogs were the only pets I really been around with, besides fish. Which fish were the only kind of pet I've had. Ma would never let me get a dog since she's allergic. So when I found out our neighbors’ across the street had a dog I was siked! And another dog to the neighborhood was great.

“She's in the basement, she's usually down there if not up here or in my room.” she said leading us to her basement.

Eventually we were walking down the stairs. Putt was trying to walk ahead but I made sure he stayed behind me or beside me. When we got closer to the end of the stairs I heard barking. Before we made it down the stairs a small, caramel, fluffy dog appeared in front of the steps, wagging her tail.

“Hey there, little lady!” Bex exclaimed in a baby voice as she went down the stairs. She sat her soda can on the part of the railing that was flat, and practically lifted her dog into the air.

Surmelis yipped and panted with her tongue out, she looked like she was smiling. Putt ran past me to Bex's legs and started barking. He jumped up on her legs barking more causing Surmelis to look down and bark back at him. I hoped that Putt wasn't hurting Bex in any way. Bex glanced at the two dogs and glanced at me curiously. It was like a secret code and if I was right, my understanding was that she was getting my approval on letting the two play. And I shrugged with a smile before finishing my soda.

The worse or the best could happen. And I hoped for the best. I'm sure Bex did too when she put Surmelis down. Instantly it's like Putt and Surmelis hit it off. They were barking at each other, not in a threatening way either. They yipped and then ran around after each other. I couldn't help but smile as I watched them. Putt needed this, another dog to be around and I guess Surmelis did too by what Bex told me.

“I think they're good.” Bex said bringing my focus on her. “Want to go back upstairs?” she suggested and I was about to shrug but instead nodded.

I started to feel a bit jittery. I tried shoving my hands in the small pockets of my jeans while taking in some deep breaths and letting them out. Bex lead the way upstairs then we went up another set of stairs. I guess we were heading to her room, that was the first thought. I got more jittery and gripped on the lower sides of my shirt.

The only rooms I've ever been to was family members or friends of family members. As long as I've known Caleb and Diara I haven't been to neither of their houses. My parents aren't a fan of sleepovers or anything. Going to other people's house also wasn't something they wanted me to do. The only reason I was probably here is because they thought I dealt with giving the new neighbors a big welcome still, make the feel more at home. And also because I loved dogs but just couldn't have one.

“My dad has a game room kind of. It has a pool table and a table to play cards. The cabinets do have drinks, but that's for the adults.” she said suddenly, bringing me out of my thoughts.

“Oh, so we're heading there?” I asked and she nodded before making a turn to the right to the second room.

She opened the door and let me go in first. I glanced around at the spacious room. Everything Bex mentioned was in the room plus a flat screen TV mounted on the wall and some leather couches.

“Sorry, there isn't really much to do here.” she explained as I walked a bit to take a look around.

“It's okay.” I said throwing away my can when I spotted a trash can. I pulled out my phone to check the time, it was six-thirteen p.m. Caleb and Diara also had text me. “I'll have to go in a bit to make it for dinner anyhow.” I explain while putting my phone back in my pocket.

“Aww, well come back soon if you like?” she suggested grabbing a remote and turned on the TV.

“Uh, yeah. Sooo…” I muttered looking around the place as I tried to think of something. My eyes landed on the TV that was playing a volleyball game. “You're good at volleyball huh?”

“Yeah, I guess you could say something.” she says flopping down on one of the couches gently.

“You guess?” I say raising an eyebrow causing her to shrug and lay back on the couch. She sips some of her soda. “You're great at serving and hitting the ball over the net with no help. While I’m struggling with just serving. What else can you not do?” I explain and she laughs a little before licking her lips. I notice I stare way too long at that action.

“I love most sports. Volleyball, basketball, baseball… You name it, I probably play it. I'm thinking about trying out for cheerleading Coach Mel mentioned about before.” she said humming as she surfed through the channels.

“You should try out, I'm sure you'll get in.” I said glancing at the TV, as multiple pictures flew on by on the screen.

“Try out with me?” I heard her say and I looked at her like she grew two heads.

“You're nuts.” I reply and quickly try to rephrase. “I'm not good at anything athletic.”

“I think you can be. You never know unless you try. And if we both get in won't it be fun?” she asks turning her head in my direction with a crooked smile.

It could be fun, volleyball was fun together. But that's because she changed the rules. She can't change things all the time. And I could try out and not get in. Which was probably going to be the result.

“I have tried but I guess I'll try out. Though I'm sure I won't make it.” I say as she throws her soda cause right into the trash can, perfectly. “That proves my point on why you'll make it and I won't.”

“No no no, negativity begone!” she says moving her hands around in the air, like she's actually trying to make what I said go away. I try to not laugh but it leaves my lips anyway.

After a while Bex eventually persuaded me to try out tomorrow, on Friday with her. I don't know how but she did. Wouldn't be surprised if she ended up on the debate team. I text my mom while Bex and I go get Putt. I tell mom that I will be coming home as soon as possible, right after I take Putt back home first. I didn't want Mrs. Kroves to start getting worried about Putt or me. She never replied back but I figure she got it and saw it.

“Thanks for having us.” I say while trying to keep Putt from leaving my side by blocking him with my foot and leg.

He whined looking up at Surmelis who was in Bex's arms. Eventually I just picked up Putt as well since he couldn't escape my arms so easily. Bex shakes her head at the two dogs whining while she holds the front door open for me and Putt.

“See you Karter.” she said with that crooked smile of hers, and tried waving goodbye almost dropping the dog but held her closely in time.

“See yooou.” I said while trying not to laugh as I walked off with Putt in my arms.  

He eventually stopped whining and seemed to have fallen asleep. I got Putt to Mrs. Kroves safely and wished her a goodnight. I quickly made my way back home. When I walked in a wave of seasonings filled my nose.

“I'm home!” I yelled out and my voice echoed.

“Good, took you long enough!” I heard ma yell and I rolled my eyes while closing the door then locking it. “Lucky you got here in time, Peta was ready to steal your plate!”

I walked through the kitchen and went to the living room. I walked over to the dining table on the far right to see dad was nearly done with his food and Peta playing with his. Ma's plate looked like she just now started eating. Which might have been a good sign, mom's food was good and I just got here. Or mom's food was bad and I was late. Dad was quick to eat his food either way most of the time. Peta played with his food regardless but for Ma to not have more eaten off her plate was weird.

I took a seat and prayed before I started eating. Peta tried to steal some of my mash potatoes while I was eating my corn. I smacked his hand when dad and mom wasn't looking. He could have told but I ended giving him a little bit of it anyway.

During dinner we always talked about something. It could be that you threw something away for all our parents cared but communication was important. I agreed but just didn't like it all the time depending on the subject. But this time I didn't have the normal thing to bring up, which was getting hurting. Like finding a scar somewhere and not knowing how it got there or hitting my knee.

“Sooo I'm going to try out for cheerleading tomorrow, could one of you pick me up from school?” I ask finishing my mash potatoes.

Our parents stare at me and so does Peta. I blink at them while taking a huge bite out of my chicken leg and raise an eyebrow. “You’re going to try out for something?” Peta asks with a mouthful of potatoes, earning a glare from Ma.

“And you’re trying out for cheerleading? Where did this all come from?” Dad asks getting up as he picks up his dirty dishes.

“Just a friend wants me to try out with her.” I say with a shrug and finish up my corn.

“Friend? So not Caleb or Diara is what you’re saying.” Ma says eyes narrowing at me while dad leaves the table.

“Correct.” I reply before devouring the rest of my chicken leg, the best for last.

“Well...good luck then.” Ma says blinking and shook her head slowly.

“Yeah, you'll do great mommy!” I hear dad yell from the kitchen causing me to roll my eyes with a smile.

It seems everyone believed I would do great but myself. But the way Peta looked, he didn't seem to agree with everyone else. He was more realistic like I was. We both knew I wasn't going to do well for trying outs and my parents might have known too.