Chapter 2: A Possible Companion?

A puppy?!?

I hold myself back from letting out a squeal as I see the poor little thing shivering inside the damp box, trying to find some type of warmth inside it. Their body huddled in the corner of the cardboard box, looking like their coat of fur wasn't helping them at this moment.

"Aww, you poor thing…," I say as the puppy darts its watery eyes up, noticing me and whimpers once again, staying in the corner of the box eyeing me cautiously. I can't blame the little pup, but I also never knew I could feel so judged by a dog...

I'm glancing around to see if there's anything that could give some type of information on the puppy and that's when I see the piece of paper wedged in the bottom of the box. I tug at the piece of paper carefully to not rip it as I manage to get it out of the wedge. Unfolding the paper to find a handwritten note…

Dear whoever you are,

I can't handle this stupid dog anymore! He's always nagging me and never stops wanting attention. I have no time for his nagging and don't care to make time for him either! I'm so sick of him! So please, take him because I don't want him anymore!

I feel my heart shatter slowly as I read each line of the note while occasionally glancing at this puppy. Their fur is a beautiful golden blonde, and even in the faint sunlight, their coat shines from it. I slightly smile to myself before stashing the note in my pocket. I quickly glance around to see if there are other people the dog and I. Taking a deep breath and I begin to speak quietly although I hadn't actually heard my own voice in a while. It's okay, it's not as if this puppy that will somehow turn human, plus I need some way to make it feel better. I'm only terrified of talking to people, and I just don't want to ever talk to people again after what happened. I wanted to fully shut myself away, although Uncle Jin managed to at least get me to where I am today. I can manage a conversation, just not verbally yet...or ever. And, plus this puppy can't ask me about my parents, that's probably one of the main reasons I don't speak anymore. I don't want anybody to ask me about my parents. I find no purpose in speaking to people because they'll just leave as my parents did...I gave myself a light slap on the cheek. Focus on the situation at hand! Stop pitying yourself!

"Hey there buddy…," I say softly as I put my hand out for the golden puppy to sniff it before I touch them, seeing them so cautious, I didn't want to scare them.

The puppy sniffs my hand for a good minute before beginning to lightly rub their head against the palm of my hand accepting my attention. I softly weave my fingers through the hair on their head as I feel a small smile grace my lips, adorable.

"So umm pup-," I stop myself as I look down at their name tag attached to their collar, "Hobi...what a cute name! So Hobi, could I at least take you home with me to warm you up?"

A little giggle slips through my lips as Hobi begins to wag his tail rapidly, jumping up and down in the box like a kid who just walked into a candy store.

"Alright, alright, I'll take that as a yes," I state with a tiny smile making its way onto my face as I pick up the box, holding it tightly to my side to not drop it. I quickly begin going home while Hobi luckily had stopped jumping around and was calmer so I could carry the box without dropping him.

******

I sigh out in relief when I finally reach home, slightly out of breath from rushing home so that Hobi wouldn't have to suffer from the freezing weather any longer. I didn't want the poor thing to die from hypothermia. They were already out there for who knows how long, I didn't wanna make it any longer. I quickly grab my keys out of my coat pocket and unlock the door while closing it as fast as possible, not wanting to bring any chilled air from outside inside with the heat.

I put my keys on a nearby table before placing the box on the floor and right as I place it, I see Hobi pretty much flying right out of the box. I flinch a little, not expecting him to jump out of the box so fast. Honestly, I swear he flew for a second. I couldn't help but crack a small smile at the sight in front of me.

The little puppy was weaving in and out of the legs of my coffee table, and sliding across the hardwood flooring, cleary entertaining itself. Wait- why am I smiling at this?!? I didn't even smile a this much for the last 10 years...why now-

Although, I lost my train of thought when I see Hobi bounding towards me with a face of pure joy. Before I can move away, I feel a weight on my chest and something licking my face.

"Hey! Stop that!" I say while I feel a fit of laughter begin before he stops and lays on top of me with what looks like a smile on this puppy's face. The laughter quickly fizzles out as I softly pat the top of its head.

"No need to do that again," I state with a sigh, "come over here, you need to warm up from being outside for so long especially out in that forest," I say as I make my way over to my couch and grab a blanket while Hobi trots over to me with a happily wagging tail. I take the blanket wrapping up Hobi into a blanket burrito to warm them up, letting me get a closer look at them.

Along with Hobi's golden fur is the color of a glowing sunset, and their ears are droopy on top of their head. They're adorable...Wait...I don't know if they're a guy or girl yet?!?

I loosen the blanket to trick the little pup onto his stomach for tummy rubs which they gladly accept. Okay, now that's they're distracted…

My eyes dart to their spot that determines their biological gender, and I quickly see that they're a boy. I feel my face flush a little for some reason, I don't even know why, but I'm quick to glue my eyes to the puppy's tummy as I pet him.

"Well you certainly are a cute little guy, aren't you?" I say out loud without realizing it and I look at Hobi to see almost as if his fur is turning slightly pink. Almost as if he is blushing but that's impossible...he's just a puppy. I sigh to myself, I must be starting to hallucinate or something.

I wrap Hoseok back up into the blanket to which he whines, still wanting attention. I squat in front of him and give him a small pat on the head.

"Sorry little bud, but I gotta go get some stuff so that you don't starve since I won't be able to take you to a fostering place until the end of the week," I tell the little guy and I quickly freeze. Why did I even tell him that?!? Ugh...I'm starting to talk to animals now thinking they'll understand me.

I rub the temples on the side of my forehead, hoping that it'll bring me back to reality as I make my way to the door and slip on some boots. Although, while grabbing my coat I look to the side to see Hobi has moved to the ledge of my couch using his puppy eyes trying to persuade me from leaving.

"You're very cute, I'll give you that...but I have to go get stuff for you," I state pointing at the pup before putting my arms through the thick furry coat I've been holding, grabbing my phone and keys, sliding them into my pocket. I pause slightly before turning around to see Hobi has jumped off from the couch is now at my feet.

"Aish-," I sigh out before kneeling down to look at the puppy in the eyes, "I want you to be comfortable and I would bring you with me...but you're not adopted meaning the authorities could take you and I definitely don't want that," I state solemnly as Hobi whines before heading back to the couch as if understanding what you said.

"Don't be all pouty...when I come back I'll bring treats, so behave and I'll give them to you when I get back!" I quickly blurt out before rushing out my door and locking it. I already knew from walking past it early that there is a pet store nearby.

With a skip in my step, I make my way to the store as a smile starts to make its way across my face. A foreign feeling that I haven't felt for years is starting to bubble up inside in me after so long while the corners of my mouth are raised. The feeling of joy and happiness...something I haven't experienced since them…

I snap out of my thoughts as I feel someone's shoulder roughly hit against mine causing me to lose my footing, I tightly shut my eyes ready for impact. Right before I fall to the ground I feel arms grasp my waist, but before I could get a good look at the person they quickly set me down no the ground and run off into the distance. I only open my eyes to see a guy with blonde hair with a slim figure quickly turning and running away in the distance.

I sigh as I couldn't at least give him a thank you for catching me. Brushing my clothes off as I stand up, I spot the pet store is right across the street. Thank goodness.

I make sure to look both ways before crossing the street and arriving in front of the pet store. Turning the handle and walking inside as the bell rings announcing my arrival.

******

It didn't take that long to find everything and I checked out the items with ease. Although I sigh seeing the amount the stuff cost. Hopefully, Uncle Jin isn't mad…

I grab the items that are encased in the bags, making sure to give a quick bow as a thank you to the cashier. I exit the store, beginning my trek back home although thoughts begin to consume my head.

Should I actually keep Hobi around for longer? I mean, he's cute and I find myself slowly beginning to feel just a little joy from him being around. It wouldn't harm me...I should think about this more tomorrow…

******

I set down the bags as my keys jingle while unlocking the door. I open it gently as Hobi runs out like he was already there waiting for me and starts jumping at my legs.

"Hi, hi, yes I see you. Now go back inside, I'll be there in a second." I say to him, even if he couldn't understand me as I grab the bags. They hang on my arms as I walk inside while Hobi is running around in circles of excitement. I can't tell if it's because I'm back or because of all the food I bought for him...

I head to the kitchen and place the bags on the counter, going back to my door to close it. I turn it so it's locked as Hobi begins to jump at my feet again while his tail is wagging wildly. I squat down to his height and pat his head with a small smile.

"Wanna see what I got you, buddy?" I whisper in an excited tone which caused him to pounce on me once again like earlier and lick my face. I'll take that as a yes.

I'm quick to take him into my arms as warm feeling from earlier fills me again as his head snuggles into the crook of my neck. His wet nose bops my ear as I let out a small giggle. It's like he's the little ball of happiness I didn't even know I needed…

I place Hobi on the counter as I begin to take the treats, toys, and different dog foods that I bought out of the bag. I let a small smile grace my face as the puppy's eye light up with joy seeing all of the new toys, food, and especially the treats that are just for him.

"You'll probably be here actually for a week or two before another family can take you…," I couldn't help but notice those words sickening me saying all of sudden, but I brush it aside and continue, "sooo...I got you this stuff for the meantime when you'll be staying with me."

I notice Hobi's tail wags wildly when I mention he'll be staying with me in the meantime. Well, at least he's happy about it.

I snatch a bag of treats out of the numerous bags from shopping as Hobi jumps off onto the floor, flailing around until steading himself to be looking up at you with big puppy eyes. His warm chocolate eyes sparkling, with all the want in the world for those treats. He plops into a sitting position with those begging eyes as if looking straight into my soul. I feel myself get that warm fuzzy feeling of joy seeing him so cute and I give into it fully. I reach into the bag and kneel down giving him the treat he so desperately wants. He's quick to snatch the snack out my hand, devouring it and running around in a circle as he bounds around himself in pure joy.

I let a small smile slip by as I put the bag on the counter and scoop Hobi into a loose hug as he snuggles up against my chest. I let out a sigh of content and smile at Hobi. It hasn't even been a day but you're bringing me more happiness then I've felt in a long while…

I feel tears brim the edges of my eyes although I'm not feeling a speck of sadness. I let the tears fall down my cheeks as a smile adorns my face, finally feeling that warm fluffy feeling of happiness I've missed for so many years.

I hear whines escape the Hobi as he cuddles into my neck and licks my face to get rid of my tears.

"I-I'm okay, Hobi. I'm just...h-happy." I say to him while his tail wags rapidly as if understanding me. Almost as if feeling happiness from myself just saying I was happy.

******

I had spent the rest of the night playing with Hobi after we both ate our dinners. He's one of the most cutest little balls of energy, to be honest. I feel a yawn escape me, so I decide to call it a night. I begin my trek to my room while Hobi is hot on my trail as he follows me into my room. I smile, and head inside, expecting him to go to his dog bed but instead, he jumps onto my bed.

"Aww..do you wanna cuddle before we sleep?" I softly coo at him as he wags his tail rapidly which I knew to be him answering yes from just spending half a day with him.

"Alright, lemme get changed," I tell him, wait why did I tell him that...he's a dog who won't understand it. Aish, whatever…

I walk over to my closet and grab a huge hoodie that goes down to my thighs and small shorts. A nice comfy outfit for a good night's sleep. As I begin to change I quickly see Hobi is turned away from me, almost as if he knew I was changing and trying to give me privacy...weird.

I sigh as I feel the soft fabric of the hoodie against my skin, making me sleepy already. Jumping onto the bed with another sigh of content as Hobi crawls over to lay next to me and snuggles into my side. I quickly grab my phone making sure to set an alarm for tomorrow morning because I have a morning class tomorrow and I definitely don't want to miss it. After setting back down my phone, I let my fingers glide through Hobi's fur before giving him a small kiss on his nose.

"Goodnight, Hobi," I whisper softly to him with a small smile before I let sleep take over me.