Brighter Days; Eric

[Sierra Eckler]

I smile as he laughs and can't help but giggle along. I walk through the door and watch as he asks if it's okay if I ride with him. I nod, laughing slightly. "Well, I'm lazy too. I just walk because I don't want to get fat," I say with a shrug, glad it was Friday. It would be easier for him to rest if anything was going to happen to his dog. "So, what's your dogs name?"

[Eric Sutton]

"Pft." I reply as she goes on about not wanting to be fat. I didn't know why I was being this casual with Sierra, but the fact she might be able to help Sam weighed in. "Ignore the mess, it looks like a fast food bomb exploded." I state, looking at my feet for a moment. I walk out to my truck and unlock the doors, opening the passenger side for her before crossing to the driver's side. I climb up, pulling the seat belt over me. "Sam. She's about seven, german shephard and husky mix." I reply, adding more information than she had asked for. I could go on about her forever, if I didn't stop myself. I push my hair out of my face and start my truck, twisting around to look back before I pulled out of my aprking spot and out onto the road.

[Sierra Eckler]

I giggle lightly and shrug. His truck didn't sounded much different than my room. I smile as he opens the door and sit down before pulling the seat belt over me before nodding at the information he gave me. I think about it for a second before knowing that it could just be old age. Seven was pretty old for a German shepherd and a husky so the two together only made it a bit worse. I sigh mentally and hope that everything would be okay with her since I knew how it was to lose a family member about that close.

[Eric Sutton]

I look both ways before pulling out onto the road, absently fiddling with the radio before leaving it on a classic rock station that ahd Motley Crue playing. "This is my shit." I state, bobbing my head around before noticing I'd cussed. But, it didn't really seem like Sierra would care, it wasn't like we were in the class room or something; so fuck it. I tap my fingers along the steering wheel, taking a right turn. The song comes and goes, replaced with an AC/DC song and eventually I pull up into the driveway and my nerves get to me and I unconsciously shake my head, grabbing my bag. "The mess is worse inside." I say sheepishly, climbing out. I just hoped that that girl from the other night hadn't left her bra or panties or something. I go up the walk, digging my keys out of my pocket.

[Sierra Eckler]

I smile slightly and shrug but smile as AC/DC comes on and hum along until he stops the car. I step out, taking my bag with me and nodding. My arms wrap around my chest and I wait for him to open thet door, hoping that I could help his dog. It was nerve wrecking when I was going to check on an animal not really know what it could be. If it came to it, I would call my cousin and get him to help me with the dog. I rub my head for a second and sigh, looking at the door and waiting for the chance I would get to help the animal.

[Eric Sutton]

I unlock the door, flicking on the light and letting Sierra in first. It was weird taking a student home, but I just wanted Sam to be okay, it wasn't like I wanted to fuck her or something. "She should be in my room." I say, dropping my bag and keys on the couch and speed walking across the living room to the short hallway and to the master suite. I open the door and poke my head inside, wanting to groan as I spotted the condom box on the floor. Fuck. Sam raises her head but doesn't get up, which bothers me. Finally I step in, sidestepping to quickly kick the box under the bed and hope that Sierra wouldn't notice before I cross to Sam's bed and plop down on my butt, reaching out to pet her head. "She's here to help you." I choke out, and look away, not wanting Sierra to see the tears swimming in my blue eyes.
SAM

[Sierra Eckler]

I look down as he says that Sam should be in the room and I follow him there, looking around the house before looking in the room to see Eric sitting down and petting his dog. I walk in, sitting beside him before petting her lightly. "Hey, girl," I say as I ruffle her fur. I frown when I feel a lump behind her ear and look there to see nothing that would be considered unusual. My fingers run through her fur and look down. It was possible that she could have cancer or possibly something else. I personally wanted something else. "How often do you let her out?" I ask, looking up at Eric. If I found nothing, I would call my cousin but right now, I just wanted to do a quick run through. I run my hand over her paw and she quickly pulls it away and I frown. Possible broken bone?

[Eric Sutton]

I take a couple soft deep breaths and soon calm down, shifting and pushing a hand through my hair. I watch Sierra closely, watching her face. "She has a doggie door to the back yard." I reply, petting Sam softly and shifting as I crossed my legs like a little kid. I cross my arms over my chest and watch Sam for a moment. "She threw up this morning, I didn't want to leave, but I couldn't rightly skip class this close to exams, and I'd have to make something up, not going to work because of your dog doesn't really make the cut of a good reason." I ramble, wanting to fill the silence. I reach a hand up to run it over my beard, something I did when anxious.

[Sierra Eckler]

I nod and take a second before pulling out my phone and walking out of the room after he finishes rambling. I call my cousin, knowing that he could help with this. I explain everything and he tells me what to look for before I walk back to the room. I pull her to me and rub her stomach lightly before feeling a small lump. "She probably ate something she wasn't supposed to. I'll bring her to my cousin if you want and he'll give her a full check up," I say, looking over at him. It would probably be hard for him but I knew that it would be good for her.

[Eric Sutton]

I look over as she gets up to walk out of the room, her phone in her hands and I sigh, biting my lower lip as I pet Sam. "It'll be okay." I whisper, and she looks up at me. Soon Sierra returns and rubs Sam's stomach and I nod, crossing my arms over my chest. "D-do you think she'll be okay?" I ask softly, my lower lip trembling and I look away, hoping that she hadn't noticed. "Do you want something to eat or something? I'm pretty sure I have ice cream." I offer, already getting to my feet. I offer Sierra my hand to help her up and glance over at Sam before looking away again and starting out of my room. I really didn't want to start crying; especially in front of Sierra. I didn't know why, but it just seemed worse.

[Sierra Eckler]

I glanced up as Eric offered me his hand before I pet Sam. "I don't want to give you false comfort. If we can treat her in time, she should be fine,"I say, grabbing his hand and standing. As he offers me something to eat I shake my head before my eyes rove over the dog again and I nearly sigh. My bag is soon looped around my arm as I walk to the living room before plopping down on the couch, pulling out my notebook to begin homework. My phone rings seconds later and I see that it was Ray, my cousin, calling to check up on Sam. After our conforstaion, I look towards Eric before getting up. "Grab Sam and get in the car. If I'm right, she'll need an emergency surgery but she'll get a full check up before we jump to conclusions," I explain, walking to the door and twaiting for him.

[Eric Sutton]

I nod silently at her statement and pull open the fridge, peering in and grabbing a Dr. Pepper before cracking it open and starting into the living room. "Number two is B." I state, leaning against the back of the couch and reading over Sierra's shoulder. I push my hair out of my face as she picks up her phone and I take another sip of my soda, raising my eyebrows. "Hold." I say, pressing my can into Sierra's hand before starting back to my bedroom and carefully bend over to pull Sam into my arms and starting back down the hallway. I'd wanted to changed out of my polo shirt, but I'd rather be uncomfortable and Sam live than be comfortable and Sam die. "Fuck, I need to lock the door." I grumble, standing outside on the patio for a moment in indecision.

[Sierra Eckler]

I look up as he gives me the answer to number two and shrug, circling it. As he gives me his soda, I sneak a sip, watching as he comes out with Sam in his arms. "I'll get it," I say, locking the door though I don't close it immediately. "Got everything you need?" I ask, looking at him. I didn't want to have to break and enter his house. I mean, I was great with picking locks but that wasn't a talent I wanted to show to my teacher. Especially since he would know that I could easily get into his room and take the answers to the upcoming exam. My eyes rove over Sam and I frown slightly. I only started wondering about Casper; he was already at the vet though he was a work dog there.

[Eric Sutton]

"Thank you." I sigh as she grabs my keys and I bite my lower lip thoughtfully. "Grab my phone, please." I reply, turning to start down the walk to my truck. "Not like I'll need condoms or something." I mumble to myself, managing to get open the door and push the passenger seat forward, gently laying Sam down in the backseat. I push the seat back and cross to the driver's side, getting in and shutting the door behind me. "Keys might help." I chuckle at myself, holding out a hand to Sierra for them.

[Sierra Eckler]

I nod as he thanks me and walk in to get his phone before walking back out and closing the door. I pull the seat forward after I open the door and sit beside Sam, petting her fur in place before giggling lightly and handing him his keys along with his phone. "Yeah, keys would be pretty helpful," I say, shrugging slightly. My eyes stay locked on Sam and I keep petting her head, unsure of what else to do at the moment. I had been in multiple situations like this but for some reason it felt different. I lean forward and kiss Eric's cheek lightly before looking back at Sam. "Consider that a good luck charm. I'm sure Ray will take care of her," I say, keeping my arm around the husky-shepherd mix.