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Post by Nathan Demir on Jul 16, 2013 13:03:10 GMT -5
I smile at her softly before wiping it off my face. Why was I showing her this side of me? It was usually virtually nonexistant. Next I'd probably start crying on Zoey's shoulder or some stupid, weak shit like that. It was probably because of Jack. Dogs brought out the best in me. "Really? Cara doesn't take to strangers sometimes." I ask, raising my eyebrows at her offer. It'd be nice, give me more time to earn her trust. "If you're sure, we can head back to my place to round the gang up." I add, glancing down at Jack before raising my light brown eyes to her face again.
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Post by Zoey Martyn on Jul 17, 2013 3:10:57 GMT -5
"I don't take to them either." She muttered bitterly, shrugging. So why was she talking to Nathan? Urg.
Still she nodded, looking up at him after he had stood, forcing a smile his why. It didn't touch her eyes. Something about it was uneasy, afraid, didn't match her tough girl attitude. Something about those eyes gave her away, showed it was all a mask.
She was terrified and broken inside.
Patting the dog, she said by to the other guy and bounded out of Deep Roots into the main part of the mall, slowing her pace casually to stroll beside Nathan.
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Post by Nathan Demir on Jul 17, 2013 15:19:58 GMT -5
I mentally roll my eyes at her tone. I should've seen it coming. "If you don't want to come, you don't have to." I say, a little cross. Zoey probably just thought she owed it to me, for signing off on her tattoos. But, whatever. I wipe any trace of emotion off my face, walking out of the tattoo parlor, Jack following behind, his tail wagging. I ignore the odd looks I got as we walked through the mall, but mall security didn't come; I'd just tell them that I was leaving anyway. I take a sip out of my soda, tossing it in a trash can as I walked by. I bite the inside of my lip, hating this. If Zoey didn't want to spend time with me she didn't have to, and I hated the sense that I was forcing her to come along.
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Post by Zoey Martyn on Jul 18, 2013 1:42:03 GMT -5
"I don't mind, really.." Zoey insisted, looking over to catch him biting his lip. She felt tiny beside him, like a little kid. "I just.. I really don't take to people easy any more.. Don't think it's anything against you. I wouldn't have offered if I didn't want to." Her voice had gone soft. She was trying, really. She was just a little uncertainwwas all, with him being a guy and akl. Or even a person in general at this point.
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Post by Nathan Demir on Jul 18, 2013 15:21:41 GMT -5
I grunt in reply as she spoke, not looking over at her. I occasionally glance down at Jack, making sure that he was alright, no one was bothering him. I finally drag my light brown eyes over to Zoey as she spoke and I nod, looking back forward. Soon we pass through the food court, stroll past numerous shops and out of the mall. "You're gonna ride with me, right?" I ask simply, stopping to lean against one of the yellow cement poles that were supposed to stop people from crashing into the front of the mall.
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Post by Zoey Martyn on Jul 22, 2013 14:16:33 GMT -5
He didn't say much in response and Zoey sighed. Oh well, perhaps it was a good thing. It meant she could be peft alone to her own thought and mental self encouragement instead of trying to hold a conversation that didn't sound like she wanted to bite his or someone elses head off. Probably for the better.
So instead Zoey walked beside him in silence until they got outside and he leaned up against the painted pillar. She looked up at him, then out at the parking lot. Technically she didn't have a choice unless she walked. She was sixreen, didn't have a car. Her mom had the only car and was who knows where for work for the next few days and nights.
"Yeah I can do that," She breathed, nerves putting her heart in her throat. Last time she'd done that with someone she thought she knew far better than Nathan, he'd left her half dead in a ditch in the bushes.
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Post by Nathan Demir on Jul 22, 2013 14:28:56 GMT -5
"'Kay." I reply simply, waiting until no cars were coming to start across the parking lot, Jack strolling happily at my side. "I parked way out." I add, shrugging my broad shoulders helplessly. Eventually we make it out to my truck and I dig my keys out of my pocket to unlock the door. I push the passenger side seat forward before bending down and carefully picking Jack up to set him in the backseat. I push it back forward and move out of the way so that Zoey can climb up. I cross the hood of the truck, pulling open the driver's side door. I twist around to pull the seat belt over myself, looking back to see the old rottweiler laying in the back, tongue lolling out.
Truck: link
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Post by Zoey Martyn on Jul 22, 2013 14:38:51 GMT -5
Zoey nodded and followed him across the parking lot and eventually to the truck. She silently admired him as he lifted the dog into the back, averting her gaze when he pushed the seat back and stepped back. She hauled herself up into the truck and shut the door, buckling in.
By the time Nathan had done the same, Zoey was leaning forward a bit so there wasn't pressure against her back, and picking at her nail polish nervously. She wasn't usually fidgety, but she couldn't help it.
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Post by Nathan Demir on Jul 22, 2013 14:54:11 GMT -5
I glance over at her to make sure she had her seat belt on, which she did. I start my truck and glance around before pulling out and starting across the parking lot and eventually onto the road. When I stop at a red light I start playing with the radio before huffing and leaving it on a station that was playing Def Leppard. Soon the light changes and we're moving again. "You can come in if you want, I need to get everyone's leashes." I offer as I turn the truck off after parking outside the house I rented. I climb out and start up the walk, sticking my key in the lock before opening the door. Three dogs run up to greet me, barks varying in pitch. Cara runs up first, followed by the pitbull puppy I'd named Diesel and the old fat black lab that had came with the name Butch.
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Post by Zoey Martyn on Jul 24, 2013 12:53:39 GMT -5
Zoey nodded slowly when Nathan told her she could come in once they reached his place. She unbuckled and jumped out of the truck, wandering up behind his much taller figure before heading inside. A smile passed her lips as she watched the dogs run up to him. It was so adorable.. She bent a bit at the waist, hair falling over her shoulders as she offered a hand to the dogs to smell, keeping in mind that Nathan had said one of them didn't take too kindly to people.
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Post by Nathan Demir on Jul 24, 2013 13:19:53 GMT -5
"Watch out for the poodle mix." I say as I realize that she'd decided to come with me. I start into the living room, looking for the leashes. I didn't see them and soon I start clearing things off the table, checking under pillows.
"Where'd I put the damn things?" I ask under my breath, crossing my arms over my chest as my light brown eyes scanned the living room. Suddenly it's as if a light bulb goes off in my head.
"Oh." I say, starting back to my room to find the three white leashes neatly coiled on my bed. I pick them up before turning around to start back into the living room, turning them to check the names written on them in sharpie.
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Post by Zoey Martyn on Jul 24, 2013 13:32:33 GMT -5
Zoey nodded at his warning, kneeling now, and pet the pitbull puppy gently, murmuring to them warmly with a smile both on her face and in her eyes. She carefully lifted him into her lap as she sat back, laughing and letting him lick her face. Sonething about her demeanor changed while she didn't think Nathan could see. She was more carefree, affectionate..secure.
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Post by Nathan Demir on Jul 24, 2013 14:27:19 GMT -5
I walk back in to find Diesel on her lap and I try to hide a grin. Puppies could make anyone happy. I crouch down and Cara comes over first. I clip the leash into her collar, followed my Butch. "You can put his on." I say, handing her the white leash that had 'Diesel' scrawled on it. I stand back up straight and start towards the door, both dogs at my side. I open the door and hold it open for Zoey and the pitbull before closing it after us and locking it. I start down the walk and put down the tailgate of my truck. "Butch can go in the backseat with Jack, they're both ancient and should get along." I say, letting Cara jump up before unhooking her leash. I leave Zoey to put Diesel in the back and open the passenger side door to help Butch up into my back, hovering for a moment as I watched the two old males sniff each other before laying down, tails wagging.
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Post by Zoey Martyn on Jul 24, 2013 14:35:45 GMT -5
Zoey glanced up at him, caught red handed, and smiled faintly before taking the leash and clipping it to his collar. She got to her feet and followed Nathan out, helping Diesel into the truck bed and unclipping his leash before watching Nathan introduce the two older dogs. The. She clambored up into the passengers seat and closed the door after barely reaching the handle without topplingout, buckling in and mocking a pout. "Your truck makes me feel even shorter," She complained
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Post by Nathan Demir on Jul 24, 2013 14:55:34 GMT -5
I go around the front of my truck before opening the door and climbing up, pulling on my seat belt. I chuckle and glance over at Zoey, shaking my head slightly. I start the engine before pulling away from the curb after checking behind us to see if anyone was coming.
The drive to the dog park was short, and lead us through a forested part of town. It'd taken me a couple months to find this place, but I came here whenever I had free time now.
"You can take Diesel and Jack, both of them know you. And Cara tends to get a little feisty." I say as I park and cut off the truck.
"I'd get the elderly out." I add, looking back at the old lab and rottweiler.
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