I sighed, staring at my phone. After mentioning my brother the other day, he was all I could think about. I was debating on whether I should call my brother or not when my phone started ringing. A small scream left my lips and my phone flew. The thud rang out in the bakery, and I cringed. I hoped I didn't break it. It was still ringing, which was good. I peered at it and saw a number I didn't know.

A sigh escaped my lips as I declined the call. Thankfully it wasn't my brother. I didn't think I was ready to see him, much less talk to him. Anyway, it had been - what, seven years since he left? We hadn't really talked since then.

I shook my head, putting my phone away. I shouldn't have been on it anyway. I was at work, baking some fresh cookies. Not many people came to our bakery, but we did have our faithful customers.

My hands reached into the dishwater, and I absentmindedly washed the bowl I used to make the cookie mix. Mom was out shopping for supplies, so I was tasked to stay here and keep watch. That gave me a lot of time to think. My mind traveled to Joshua like it always did, and a small smile creeped on my face. He was honestly so much better than what I imagined.

But before I could think any more about him, the bell chimed from the bakery itself. "I'll be there in just a second!" I called out, hoping the person didn't really need me.

I pulled the oven door open and grabbed the pan of cookies. I cursed as pain erupted in my hand. How could I forget my glove? I had been baking for at least ten years! I threw the pan on a hot plate that was situated in the center of the island and cradled my hand to my chest. I held my breath as cool water rushed over it. I was trying not to cry because a customer was in the store.

Wrapping a bandage around my hand, I stepped into the store itself and put on a smile. My eyes focused on an old couple gazing around. The man was whispering to the woman, a gleeful expression on his face.

"Can I help you guys with anything?" I asked, bringing the couple out of their own world.

"Oh no," the man said, waving the hand that wasn't holding the cane. "We're just looking around. You have beautiful cookies."

I smiled, nodding. "Thank you. Are you wanting to buy some?"

"We're just looking around right now," he said, nodding. "She shouldn't eat too much sugar because she has diabetes."

"Alfred," the older lady said, rolling her eyes. "I can have sweets if I want to."

His gravelly laugh brought the woman a smile. "We'll have to come back here," he said. "Our grandson is waiting for us."

"Thank you for stopping by," I said, smiling.

"Of course."

I turned back around and headed back in the kitchen. I needed to get lotion on my hand when the bell chimed again. I peeked into the store but no one had come in. The couple must've left so I sighed, unwrapping my hand.

"You're not very nice, you know?"

I let out a yelp in surprise. I didn't think anyone came in the store, but of course someone did.

"Don't be scared," he said, stepping into the kitchen. He stopped short when he saw my red hand. "Are you okay?"

"Drew," I said softly, pressing my good hand to my heart. "You scared me."

Instead, he asked, "Are you okay?"

I glanced down at my hand and shrugged. "I've been worse."

He chuckled, a light sound that differed with his voice. But I frowned. He seemed a bit off, like something was bothering him.

"Grace," he said, waving a hand in my face.

I stepped back in surprise. "Yeah?"

"I was talking, and you rudely ignored me."

I smiled, glancing down. "Sorry about that."

He stepped closer to me and whispered, "I don't enjoy being ignored."

"I don't enjoy being stalked either," I said, lifting an eyebrow.

His eyebrows lifted like he was going to laugh. But he didn't. "I'm not stalking you," he said. "I just wanted to see you. Outside of school."

Okay, he was definitely acting weird. "Drew, are you okay?"

He flinched back. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

I shook my head, reaching out to touch his arm with my good hand. "I know when people are not right, Drew. I've seen it enough to know."

A hollow sound echoed through the store, and I was surprised it came out of his mouth. "I don't think I should tell you," he said, shrugging. "If you won't let me in, I won't let you in."

I stared at him and shook my head again. "Okay." I crossed my arms. "Then I guess you should stop talking to me because I won't let you know what's going on in my life."

"It doesn't seem like you have troubles."

"People aren't what you seem. They could be liars pretending to love you. Anything like that, Drew. Just because I look happy doesn't mean I am."

"Yeah, well it looks to me like you're the one pretending to be like this to get attention."

I clenched my jaw, holding my words inside. I knew the power of words and didn't want to hurt him more than he already was. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "I think you should leave."

I opened my eyes as Drew ran a hand over his face. He looked me right in the eyes and said, "I'll see you at school."

He walked to the door and didn't glance back once. The bell jingled, signalling the loneliness that ran through me.

---

"Why are we outside?" I asked. "I have to take care of the bakery."

"It's fine," Joshua said, waving his hand in the air. "I already asked your mom. She said you can take a break."

"When did you ask her?"

"I called her last night."

I stopped walking, severely confused. "How did you get her number?"

"Fin gave it to me."

"Why?"

"I wanted it," he argued. "Why can't I have it?"

"She's my mother?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

He gestured to his car and said, "We're going to the dog park."

"You think I'm a dog?" I asked, feeling very offended. "Well, let me tell you -"

He opened his back door and something came barrelling at me. I nearly fell down as Charlie launched himself at me.

"I see," I said sheepishly. "We're going to the dog park. With the dog."

"Yes."

"Why am I going?" I asked, crossing my arms. "I have to work. And you have to study. The test is literally on Friday."

He rolled his eyes. "Quiz me on the way there. Come on, let's go."

He grabbed my hand, but I held strong. "I am not going," I told him. "I don't care what my mom said to you, either."

I nearly screamed when something dark went over my eyes. But I did scream when someone lifted me off the ground.

"You're literally kidnapping me," I said, slapping his back.

"Yes. But I'm not the only one."

A giggle alerted me that a female was here. Something hot seared through me until I heard, "Grace, calm down."

"Fin!" I yelled. "What are you two doing?"

"Going to the dog park."

I growled at them as Joshua placed me in the seat. I hoped I was in the front seat, but the hot breath and fuzzy fur told me that I was in the backseat with Charlie.

"Could one of you buckle me in?" I asked loudly. "I don't want to get into a car accident and die."

"I never have," Fin said, close to me.

Her hands grappled with something next to me, and I whispered, "Please get me out of here. I want to work."

"You're not convincing enough," she whispered. "Try me later."

"Fin!"

She laughed before slamming the door. The car started when both of them got into the car.

"I honestly hate you guys so much," I said, resting my hands on Charlie's head. My bandaged hand blocked the fur, but it still tickled my fingertips. "You're kidnapping me."

"I call it a friendly outing," Joshua said with a laugh.

"That's what they call this?" Finlay asked, playing along. "I thought it was an excursion."

"That could work, too!"

I rolled my eyes before I reached up to take the bag off my head. My fingers were secured around the edge when someone shouted, "Don't!"

I squeaked as the car jerked to the side. "Why?" I asked.

"It's more fun like this," Joshua explained. "It's exciting, really."

"Riveting," Finlay continued.

"Enchanting."

"Captivating."

"I get it!" I yelled. "Thanks. I understand."

Charlie licked my hands. He was the only one who loved me. I hugged him and whispered, "Charlie, knock the bag off of my head."

Of course he didn't do it. He was just a dog. But he could've at least tried.

"We are here!" Joshua said as we slowed to a stop.

The bag was ripped off my head, and I groaned. It almost got stuck on my nose, but thankfully it didn't. It was so bright when I opened my eyes, and it looked like a halo was around Joshua's head. He looked like an angel.

Finlay was opening my door for me. I was still a little starstruck by how handsome Joshua looked so she pulled me out by my hands. With a wink, she pushed me forward to where Joshua and Charlie were standing.

I stumbled but caught myself. I didn't want to seem too desperate so I shoved my hands in my pockets, wishing to be inside.

"Do you take Charlie here all the time?" I asked as he held the door open for Fin and me.

Finlay kept her distance from Charlie, and I was surprised she was even coming in. She stuck by my side as Joshua answered. "Not to this exact place. I usually let him roam the streets with me."

The sounds of dogs barking made Finlay jump. She gripped my arm as we entered. A fence separated the little mudroom part and the dogs. There was a little table to our right, and Finlay made a beeline right for it.

"I think I'm gonna stay right here," she said, nodding. "I can't . . . I'm not going in there."

Dogs raced around the fenced in area, and I couldn't help but smile. All of them were beautiful.

"I didn't know we had a dog park here," I said as Joshua and I stepped into the dog area.

"It actually just opened up," he said, letting Charlie off the leash. "My parents are friends with the family who owns this place, so we were one of the first customers."

I looked around and nodded. To the side was a little obstacle course for the dogs, and Charlie was racing through it.

"He's a beautiful dog," I said, glancing at Joshua.

He nodded, smiling at me. "He sure is."

"All of the other doggies are beautiful too," I gushed. "Gosh, I love doggies."

His laugh filled my ears, deep and low. It warmed my insides right up. Bumps ran down my back as he placed his hand there, leading me to the fence.

"Let's leave him to run," he said softly, dipping his head toward mine.

"Okay."

We headed toward the table where Finlay was sitting, doing something on her phone. I scooted close to her so Joshua could sit next to me.

"What are you two doing?" she asked, glancing up.

"Watching," I replied, pointing to the dogs.

She nodded, shoving her phone in her pocket. I glanced at her, and she shook her head, a dark look in her eyes. "I'll tell you later," she whispered.

It was hard sitting next to Joshua. My mind was a little fuzzy every time he touched me. I kept getting distracted when he murmured things to me about how cute Charlie was.

"I didn't quiz you," I said suddenly, glancing up at him.

His brow furrowed. "What?"

"On the way here, I didn't quiz you on math."

His face dropped. "Do you wanna do it now?"

I considered it. He needed to learn, but he also needed a break to understand. "When we get back to the bakery, we're getting right to work, okay?"

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

I smiled. "Of course."

"I wish my friends would've come here with me," he suddenly said, his voice quiet.

"Why didn't they?"

He shoved his hands into his pockets as his eyes focused forward on the people who were playing with their dogs. One girl was laying on the ground with her dog, and Charlie raced past them.

"They told me that they had better things to do than this," he said finally.

"Don't you have other friends?" I asked, frowning. "I mean, it's not like they're your only friends, right?"

He looked at me, his brows dipping toward his eyes. "You really think I have the whole school at my disposal?"

I shook my head quickly. His voice sounded so disappointed, and I hated that. "No. I just thought you had a lot of friends."

"No," he said, his voice hard. "If you can believe it, I have about three guys that I'm very close with. The rest of the people are acquaintances. And just because I am on the track team doesn't make me popular with people."

"I thought you had more friends than that," I said, not meeting his eyes. "You're always talking to people in the hallway at school and . . ."

"And what?"

"And nothing," I replied. "I'm sorry for assuming."

He didn't answer, so I snuck at glance at him. His usually soft face was a little harder than before. His hair crowded around his eyes, and I couldn't see if he was mad or not. I hoped he wasn't mad, but he didn't say anything for such a long time.