Chapter 42: Chapter 42
“So, uh... Are you guys going somewhere? “ Ava asked, suddenly very interested, seeming to have recovered quickly from the shock “You know, we had a stupid party to go to tonight, but really, who cares about that? I mean, Charlie seemed pretty excited to go there, even after we told him it would be a place full of drunken seniors with ulterior motives…" Ava whispered, looking scandalized, which set Charlie's teeth on edge at that lie." But I don't particularly would want to go to a place like this. Kids our age are all silly and immature. I much prefer an interesting conversation with someone experienced or a more elegant dinner in a nice restaurant...
“Do you want to go to a frat party? “Morgan completely ignored Ava's chatter, staring at her with a mixture of tension and barely suppressed anger that seemed to be even making one of her eyes blink slightly.
" Uh... The girls invited me and, since until then I didn't have plans for later, I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea... " Charlie explained, trying to understand why he seemed so uncomfortable with a simple college party " But now that you're here...
“You don't have to go anymore. “ Morgan interrupted her, brusquely, turning to the other two girls with an apprehensive smile “I'm sorry, but I'd like to have my wife all to myself, for today, if you don't mind.
“Oh, but she seemed so eager to hang out with us…” Ava sulked, sounding persuasive, “Why don't we all hang out together? I'm sure it would be a lot more fun...
“Ava! “ Emma interrupted her friend's sentence full of double meanings, starting to pull her arm away from her. “ It was nice to meet you, Morgan. Have fun! she smiled sympathetically as Ava looked like she was trying to fight it off.
" What do you think you are doing? “ they were still not far enough away to be overheard, when Ava started to growl.
“For God's sake, Ava! He is married! Emma complained, earning an annoyed look from her friend.
“ Oh, please look at him! It's obvious that she's his sugar baby or at the very least stole him from his wife. “ the girl retorted, making Charlie's blood boil “ But, if she convinced him to marry, that means that the lover vacancy is open, doesn't it? Did you see the car he got out of? It's not like he doesn't have the money to support as many women as he wants…” As her voice got lower and lower as the two walked away, Charlie growled.
“I'm going to break her face the next time we meet. she promised herself, but unfortunately Morgan overheard.
" Please, do not do that. I want to keep looking for you here at college, not in jail.
" Get me...? “ she was surprised “ You mean... Every day? she asked hopefully.
Things had been so awkward between them for the past few weeks, that was the last thing she'd expected. After all, it involved the two of them alone in a car, which was a relatively small space.
“ Well, probably not every day, because the office is going to get in my way on some of them. “ he mused, looking upset at that possibility “But, yeah, whenever I can, I want to come get you. I mean, if you'll let me, of course. “ he shrugged meekly.
" Of course I want. “ she smiled widely, hoping that that could be the beginning of reconciliation between them, after the bad idea she had had to attack him in the bathroom “But, and then? Where are we going to celebrate?
“Well, I thought I'd do something special, as nothing could be more special than you starting to make your dream come true. “ he smiled, full of mysteries “ Something that would really make you excited...
" It is what it is? “She asked curiously as she followed him to the car.
" Its a secret. “ he winked “ But I think you'll like it.
***
“It's an adoption fair! Charlie exclaimed, ecstatic, as they entered the huge shed full of tents and stands he had led them to.
“ I knew you would crack that smile. “ Morgan cheered, satisfied “ I was afraid that maybe you had already heard that this fair was going to happen and then it wouldn't be a surprise anymore. But I decided to take a chance, since Vivian told me that the two of you haven't been talking about much lately, other than how much you were looking forward to classes starting soon. “ he laughed, making her blush, still delighted with all the domestic animals around, from dogs and cats, to cockatiels and guinea pigs, all grouped by species in different pens.
“I haven't been to a fair like this since I was a teenager. “ she said, ecstatic, as she took him by the hand, in an impulse “ Let's go! I can't wait to pet each one of them!
“Careful or you might come home with a strange smell and make Sawyer have a jealous fit. he teased, making her snort.
“He doesn't even like me, why would he be jealous? “ she rolled her eyes, not understanding why Morgan's expression subtly plummeted.
" I already said. It's not that he doesn't like you, it's just that... " he defended the kitten, dismayed " I think he doesn't know how to react to your way of giving affection.
" Well, he should take care of himself..." she smiled at a nearby playpen, full of adorable kittens " Because this is the place perfect for me to find someone who really likes me.
Upon saying that, she started to walk forward. However, realizing that Morgan was not following her, Charlie turned to call him, but her words died as soon as she saw his dismayed expression, as he had just realized something terrible.
" Everything is fine? she asked, concerned.
“Yeah, I just… distracted me for a moment. “ he grumbled, advancing towards her, seeming to force a peaceful smile “ Come on, we still have a lot to see and tomorrow you still have to wake up early for your class.
“Could we also get Sawyer some organic snacks around here? “ she asked, even still a little suspicious with his reaction, when the two passed in front of a stall full of different types of feed “ He may not feel the same, but I still love that little fluffy ungrateful and I want to spoil him .
So, for the next few hours, she walked around every corner of the fair, from the most hidden to the busiest, showing Morgan every adorable little animal she could find and every useless little thing she wanted to buy Sawyer, even though she knew he was going to end up dying. more interested in the boxes, in the end. Finally, it was when it was almost dark and she began to notice that some of the stall owners were starting to organize themselves to leave, that she and Morgan stopped in front of one of the simplest pens there, which was full of small dogs. size, who started running towards Charlie as soon as they saw her approach. One of them, however, a small stray that no longer looked like a puppy, hit its head squarely on one of the fences of the playpen, falling back with a mournful squeak.
"Oh, poor thing..." She held the little dog up to her face, admiring every little tuft of curly fur that made him look almost like an unkempt poodle, and the innocent gleam in the wide gray eyes, which weren't looking directly at her. “Can't you see? Is that why you ended up tripping? Poor baby... " she started cradling him in her arms, while the little dog lifted his head to try to reach her face with his tongue " You and your little brothers must be feeling lonely, right? I wish I could take you all home...
“I wish all the people here thought the same as you. “ an unknown voice commented, finally making them notice the presence of a boy sitting in a chair at the side, seeming to be responsible for those puppies “ You know, all these guys came from a municipal kennel and have some health problem, be it internal or external. The one you're holding is Matilda, by the way. “ he pointed out and she realized that, in fact, some of them did seem to be suffering from mange issues, had one of their legs missing or looked a little older, while others looked perfectly fine “ She was born blind and ended up being rejected by the mother. I brought her and the others here in hopes that people might sympathize and decide to adopt one of them, but I haven't had much luck. “ the boy sighed sadly, before smiling at her, while holding out his hand “ Nice to meet you. I'm Eric, by the way.
“Nice to meet you, Eric. I'm Charlie. Really no one was interested in adopting them? “ she wailed, watching the poor little ones wagging their tails as they looked at her happily “There are so many here...
“Yes, unfortunately people seem more interested in purebred dogs...” he rolled his eyes in annoyance.
“ As if a stray couldn't love them as much as any pedigreed dog. “ she completed him, disgusted “ This is so unfair. Look how adorable they are...
“ I'm glad to meet someone who thinks like that. “ the boy smiled, bringing his face a little closer to hers “ Do you have any pets?
“ I recently adopted a cat, but he is still learning to put up with me. “ she joked, even though the boy's laugh, much more animated and longer than his little joke deserved, left her confused.
“ You know, I do an internship at a veterinary clinic specializing in cats... “ Eric approached a little closer, looking like he was about to put his hand on her shoulder “ If you want, after I close here, we can go out for something to eat and I can give you some tips...