Chapter 1: Wrong Timing (Ziola)

Maybe if I increased my pace, I can make it on time. I glanced at my wristwatch for the billionth time in an hour. Ten more minutes. I can make it home on time, I convinced myself.

Topsie, my little Golden Retriever needed a walk as soon as I fed him his 'Doggie's Fav-Meat can'. Little fellow welcomed his entire lunch inside its small belly. So as far as I know, if your small friend ate his entire lunch, it's an unwritten law to take him for a walk outside. Or else find dog poop on your mats, couch, bed, or anywhere it felt like a comfortable toilet. Eww, I nearly got sick from the thought.

"Grrr," Topsie growled.

"Hey buddy," I said, tightening my grip on his chain. "Hurry up! Or you'll have to take a free shower."

Mostly, Topsie will never understand, but honestly, I didn't want to get wet from the rain. So, if we didn't make it home in ten minutes (which is hard with Topsie strolling in front of me) that's gonna be our ultimate fate. I always had a sick feeling about the rain here, more than dog poop.

I thought of leading the way and tried to advance Topsie. That's when something strange caught my sight. Topsie growled next to me. I took a look at the guy who's standing a few feet ahead of us. Now, seeing a guy standing on the road isn't such a strange thing. But, that guy is looking startled and the most off-Fashion thing I've ever seen and the fact that he's a new face here is all that made me surprised. For one, no one in Ceyland dresses like that (so out of fashion) and for two, I know every single soul in the neighborhood.

The boy was tall and lean with an Auburn hair (pretty much look like his natural). He was wearing a cardigan with CH printed on it and sweatpants (who even wear those out?) and a pair of weird-looking shoes. The most bizarre thing is that he's wearing glasses. Maybe my quick analysis has closed the distance between us because we were face to face, the next thing I heard was him calling me (Because I was the only person except Topsie and him, here).

"Hey!" He called.

I stopped, instead of walking away from past him. Topsie kept growling at the stranger, but I ignored him and looked at the guy who's standing in front of me.

"Hi," I gave him a small smile. Topsie growled next to me, louder this time. The boy looked uncomfortably at my pet.

"Shhh! Shut up Topsie!" I warned it and shifted my gaze at the stranger, who's looking expectantly at me, now.

"Can you tell me where to get the bus?"

"Huh?" was my first reply.

"Um_ I'm a bit lost. Can I know where the bus stop is?"He rephrased.

Maybe him wearing glasses is less bizarre, I thought. I should have laughed or tell him that busses stopped running even before my mom was born. Instead, I just looked at him. He's waiting for me to answer.

"Actually, there are no busses here," I said in the best polite manner I could manage and turned.

"What? Wait!" He called again. "Can I know where I am?"

Boy, he's asking me about where he is. He's funny. I opened my mouth to say that he's standing in front of the Dwayers' house, who'd be home soon and have the most annoying temper in the neighborhood. Also, that Mr. Dwayer would kick him out of their driveway.

Instead, I took a glance at my wristwatch. Four minutes left. God, he kept me waiting. If I didn't hurry, I'll end up getting a free shower. I look at the stranger's face, did a quick judgment. And then jumped to the fastest decision in my life.

"You want answers?"

He nodded. A little puzzled-looking.

"Then, hurry up and follow me." I started sprinting towards my house, eight houses from here.

Now, I'm sure I stepped out at the wrong time. No one with a brain would be out of their houses or on the road without a car at this time of the day. Or no one with a brain would do what I'm up to do now, asking a complete stranger inside their house. But because I hate dog poop on my mats and even the idea of a stranger getting soaked from rain, here I am running towards my house, dragging Topsie behind me. I looked over my shoulder and called out to the boy, "Hurry up!" It seems like he has the brains to follow my advice.

Luckily, we made it on time. Breathing hard, I entered the password and the door opened. The second I was in, it started to rain. The guy looked horrified, I grabbed him inside from his sleeve and the door closed behind us.

Topsie ran to the kitchen, the moment I release his chain. I relaxed my shoulders and dropped on to the couch and gestured my guest to take a seat too.