FAITH

"This was your surprise?" Dylan asked. I knew he was rolling his eyes behind my back. 

"Shut up. I used to volunteer at shelters all the time back home. It's so much fun! You're going to love it!" I squealed.

Memories from home flashed as I entered the animal shelter. 

It was familiar. 

It felt like home. 

Growing up, I've always wanted to be a veterinarian. I loved animals so much. My parents did not want any pets in the house. However, me being me, I always sneaked stray animals in the backyard and took care of them. After a day or two, I would take them to the shelter. I loved it there. The environment, itself, was just so comforting. My bad days would instantaneously turn bright as soon as I entered the shelter.

I did get caught, eventually. I didn't care. I loved helping animals. I felt as if I could understand them. Oh, how I wished I could have an amulet like Sophia the First, giving me the ability to talk and understand animals.

My parents told me I could get very sick if I touched animals that hadn't gotten vaccinated. I was terrified! For days, I thought I was diagnosed with some sort of disease. Then, Tracy, our shelter's supervisor came over to explain everything. 

I volunteered at the shelter so much that Tracy offered to pay me. Naive little Faith didn't accept the money, though. She decided to be noble. 

Now I'm just a greedy bitch.

"Faith? You coming?" Dylan asked, waving his hands in front of me.

"Uh, yeah. Sorry, I zoned out." I explained.

"So, you like animals, huh?"

I gave him my "are-you-fucking-with-me" look. That shut him up. 

"Hello! Welcome to Second Chance Pet Adoptions! My name is Nadine! Is there anything I could assist you with today? Anything specific you guys want to check out?" Nadine, the employee, greeted us. She was very sweet.

"Actually, we're here to volunteer." I smiled.

"Oh! That's amazing! We don't get many volunteers here. Come, I'll show you to the back. That's where all the supplies are."

We walked to the back room. Nadine showed us to everything we needed and told us basic information about the pets.

"You seem familiar with this... Do you work with animals?" Nadine asked me.

"Nope. I used to volunteer at my local shelter back home." 

"Nice! Where are you from?" she asked, once again.

"New Jersey." I responded.

"WHAT?! BUT YOU DON'T HAVE THE ACCENT!" she yelled.

Damn. The beast has been unleashed. 

"It's a myth, I swear. No one actually has that accent." I explained, trying to contain my laughter. 

Nadine looked like a little girl who just learned that Santa was not real.

"Wait. Say coffee." 

"Coffee."

"NO! OH MY GOSH! You didn't say co-a-u-fee!" 

"Uh... you okay?" Dylan asked Nadine.

"I'm so disappointed." she replied.

I couldn't take it anymore, I burst into laughter. She actually looked disappointed. I knew I shouldn't laugh but...

"I'm--HAHA--so--so sorry!" I apologized, trying my best to contain my laughter.

Dylan looked at me like I had just transformed into a flying elephant, while Nadine looked as if she could break down any minute.

"Oh, shit. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel bad. Or disappoint you..." I apologized, genuinely. 

Nadine and Dylan looked at one another. I felt uneasy. They must think I was some arrogant asshole from New Jersey that doesn't respect people's opinions.

Within seconds, both burst into laughter.

I wiped imaginary sweat from my forehead.

"Whew! You almost got me there!"  I exclaimed.

"Almost? Girl, you were apologizing your ass off!" teased Nadine.

I rolled my eyes, "Okay, fine... Now, let's get to work!" 

I heard Nadine whisper to Dylan, "She totally fell for it."

"I totally did not." I yelled at the two people behind me.