Ace's POV

I jog with Max by my side and focus on the road ahead of me. I left Hunter's house early this morning to get some fresh air and find some where else to stay for the night.

A squirrel runs about ten feet in front of us and Max takes off after it. The collar some how slips off of him and my eyes widen as the scene plays out right in front of my eyes.

"No! Max! Stop!" I shout and sprint after my runaway dog. He runs across the road and I am thankful no cars hit him.

Without a second thought I run into the road to hopefully get Max sooner rather than later.

A loud honk knocks me out of my trance to get my dog. I look towards where the sound is coming from and stop in my tracks.

Jaxon?

He rolls his window down and sticks his head out the window.

"Hey, Ace. I would love to stop and talk, but I have some where I need to be and it looked like you do too."

"Yeah, Max slipped his collar."

"I will talk to you later, Ace." He smiles and waves.

I smile and wave back, then take off after Max. "Max! Where are you?" I shout into the air.

A park is right down the road, so I head that way. It takes me about a minute to get there. A group of kids is huddled together.

"It is so cute!" A girl squeals.

"Excuse me," I say to the group of kids.

They turn to look at me with big eyes.

"Can I see it? It may be my dog."

They move out of the way and Max runs at me. He knocks me down on the ground making the kids squeal and grin.

"Dog pile!" One screams and a group of kids land on me.

"Oof!" I groan, but a smile spreads across my face. They get off me and instead sit around me.

"What is its name?" A small boy asks.

"His name is Max," I smile.

"My name is Max!" He exclaims.

"Really? That's so cool!"

The boy beams at me and then rubs Max behind the ear.

-------THE YEAR OF HELLOS-------

I lean my seat back in my car and try to get comfortable. I've never not had a home before. I know I can go back to Mom's house, but I kinda just want to be independent right now.

Max licks my face and I can't help, but smile. I turn my face towards his.

"I guess it is just you and me right now, Max."

Max barks in responce.

"You know I cannot understand what bark means, but I am going to pretend you said amen."

Max turns around and has his back to me.

"That was an eyeroll if you could roll your eyes. Do not even lie to me."

I let silence engulf us, or me rather. I do not think Max cares whether or not I talk.

"I am hungry," I state and Max lifts his head up. "Are you hungry, Max?"

Max barks in reply.

"I am taking that as a yes. McDonald's here we come."

-------THE YEAR OF HELLOS-------

"What do dogs eat from McDonald's?" I mutter to myself. "I have no idea."

I take a deep breath and sigh. "Okay, I am ready to order."

"What would you like?" The voice from the box speaks.

"I want a twenty piece chicken nugget meal with sweet tea and a plain hamburger."

"Would you like any sauce with that?"

"Barbeque, please."

"Your total is $7.57. Drive up to the first window please."