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There was a pounding at the door.
Griffin, who was home alone at the moment, jumped from his couch, spilling popcorn all over.
Oh God, who was it? His family wasn't expecting anyone to come over. And why were they knocking so hard?
Getting up from his comfortable location, he looks through the window blinds, but doesn't see anyone. However, there was more knocking.
Looking through the peep hole the door had, he saw a kid wearing a red and white jacket, even though it was pretty warm outside.
Who was this kid? And why was he here?
Wait a minute.
Ohh.
It's the paperboy.
"Um, yes?" Griffin asked, pressing himself against the door to make himself easier to hear.
"Hey! Um, I just wanted to ask something." He could see him looking around, tapping his foot.
"What is it?"
"Have you seen my dog?"
His dog? Well, he didn't really see anything because he was inside. How'd he lose his dog?
And as if the question was heard, the paperboy answers. "She ran out without a leash, haven't seen her since a few hours ago."
Griffin sighed, "I haven't seen her. I've been inside this entire day. Sorry."
"Oh, it's fine."
There was a silence.
Right as Griffin started walking away, there was even more knocking.
Confused, he asked again, "Yes?"
"I'm very sorry to bother you, but do you think you can help me find her? I've kind of been looking by myself, and I could use some help."
"Well, what about your parents? Aren't they helping you look for your dog?"
Looking through the peephole, Griffin could see the paperboy open his mouth to say something, but then close it.
"They're busy." Is all he responded with.
Hah, Griffin's parents were busy too. Maybe they won't mind that he slipped out of the house to help the paperboy find his missing dog. Besides, it's not like they'll know.
"Then I guess I can help," he said. "Just let me put on some shoes."
And maybe give him time to change out of his PJ'S.
He'll have to hurry on that.
"O-ok! Thank you!... Wait! What about your parents?!"
A yell came from inside the house, "I'M SURE THEY WON'T MIND!"
Off Griffin was, running up the stairs whilst skipping steps and nearly falling backwards.
He grabs a plain grey shirt and some jean shorts, hastily putting it on while throwing his pajama carelessly. Snatching his dull red and white shoes, he puts them on once he reaches the front door.
Looking through the peephole, he sees the paperboy and swings the door open. All while looking as though he hasn't slept well in the past two-three weeks.
Sitting on the front steps of the house, Paperboy, who wasn't expecting the door to burst open, is startled when turns his head and sees Griffin standing behind him.
"Um, Hi." Griffin says kind of awkwardly.
"Hey... You were super quick." He replied, eyebrows raised.
"Yeah, well, wouldn't want to keep you waiting."
Paperboy just hummed. "Oh, yeah, I'm Billy by the way. Billy Showalter." He stuck his hand out, waiting for Griffin to shake it. He takes it, hesitantly.
"Griffin. Griffin Stagg."
"Pleasure to meet you, Griffin."
"You too."
Billy smiled and Griffin in return gave what was an attempted smile.
It was kind of awkward for him, he's never really talked to anyone else but his family and teachers. On occasion, some kid he was partnered with in class.
Now locking the door and double checking, He turns to Billy. "Got any place in mind where your dog might have gone?"
"Hm, the woods maybe. I haven't checked there yet. She could be anywhere; she gets to a lot of places quickly."
"How are we gonna get to the woods?" Billy pointed to a bike laying on the ground near the side of his house. "Oh."
"You can hop on, just grab on tight. You can tell me if you want to go slow or fast."
"Alright then, let's go... but I'm pretty sure I have to be back soon. I'm not supposed to be out, but I want to help, so."
"Pretty daring of you, sneaking out." Billy said, picking up the bike and moving it to the sidewalk.
"Yeah... let's just go already." Griffin mumbled.
Now mounting the bike, he wraps his arms sort of tightly around Billy, who doesn't seem to mind it though. He'll be fine, it'll be fine. This is honestly more enjoyable than sitting inside all day.
Kind of.
While Billy is peddling through neighborhoods, Griffin takes in everything. How the leaves on the trees would sway whenever a breeze passed by, how the clouds took many shapes and sizes, how some cute stray cats would skitter across the empty streets.
How Billy's hair would smack him in his face every once in a while. It was so soft, seriously, how did he do it? What the heck did he use?
Making a turn, Billy's bike falls sideways, but not completely. This gives Griffin chills, because that was, yes, in fact, terrifying.
"Ok, um, slow down, please." He asks, and Billy indeed does.
"So, um..." He starts, Griffin faces forward. "I haven't really seen you around in school."
There was silence, and Griffin supposed he had to respond. "Yeah... I just, kinda, lay low. I don't draw attention to myself. I also, don't have many friends... so."
Billy stayed silent in response to that. "But... people don't talk to you? Like, at all?"
He could feel the other boy shake his head no. "The only people I talk to are usually my family and teachers, on occasions classmates. But that's when we're paired up for something."
"And they don't talk to you afterwards?"
"I said no one talks to me. Unless they have to. Unless they're my family or teachers. I sort of just stay... invisible. No one really knows me. Or, at all."
"Well... I kind of know you. And, while we're looking for Splash, we can get to know each other better. Y'know, become friends?" Billy glanced over at Griffin, who was staring at him.
"Are you doing this out of pity?" He asks in a monotone voice.
Jeez, that hurt.
"No," Billy replied, trying not to let him know that what he said kind of stung. Even though it did, just a bit. But it did.
"Since you snuck out to help me, I thought you were cool."
"I guess..." Griffin whispered.
There was silence again.
"... I guess we could get to know each other more and become friends." This time he said that with more volume, not much, but there was a difference.
The corners of Billy's lips curled into a small smile.
Suddenly, he stopped peddling the bikes wheels.
Attention now off of the kid who was giving him a ride, Griffin notes that they're now in the woods. Well, the entrance of the woods. He also notices that the sky got a bit darker.
Unwrapping his arms from around Billy's waist, he sort of does a hop once off the bike, to steady himself. He was still a bit shaken for some reason.
Griffin looked around nervously, it was getting dark, and they were going to be in the woods. Plus, he had to go home soon, before his parents, or else he'll be grounded for who knows how long. And they'll take away his sweets.
He flinched when he felt someone tap his shoulder. It was only Billy though, of course. At least he was going to be here, all the way through.
By his side.
"We'll only be here until, I don't know, when do you have to go back?"
"Before the sky turns a dark purple, and some stars are visible."
"Then we'll go back before the sky turns a dark purple, and some stars are visible."
For some reason, that made Griffin smile softly. And his smile, his oh so sweet smile that Billy had been blessed to see, made him smile too. Oh, he looked so pure.
That was cute. Realizing that they were staring at each other, they both freeze and turn away, both thinking sorry, but neither saying it.
Huffing, Billy walks his bike over behind a tree, where he rests it up against. "I uh, guess we better start." He says, his hands motioning in the direction of the trail covered in leaves.
Griffin nods, and jogs until he's right next to him.
"SPLASH! GIRL, ARE YOU THERE?" Afterwards, Billy whistled, and so did some bird that was flying above them.
Griffin tilted his head. "So, you named your dog Splash?" He asks, this time he's the one starting convo. Point to Griffin.
"Well, when I first found her, she was playing around in mud puddles, and it was raining. She seemed to enjoy it a lot and got super happy when we let her get messy. So, we sort of just agreed on Splash being her name. She liked it too, I tell ya. Wagging her tail so enthusiastically"
"Hm, that's cute." The comment made Billy chuckle.
"Yeah... I mean, I guess..."
Aww.
"Mm, SPLASH! SPLAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaSH! You think she'll come to me?" Griffin asked, and Billy shrugged, this time clueless.
A cool wind passed by, and Griffin shivered.
Billy takes notice.
Billy takes off his jacket, leaving him in a plain white T.
Billy gives his jacket to Griffin.
Griffin looks at Billy. "Oh, no, no, I'm fine, really." Billy extends his hand even more.
"You shivered, plus it has gotten a bit chillier. Besides, I've had my jacket on the entire time."
Again, Griffin hesitates, but he does end up taking the offer slowly.
Once he wore the jacket, he was a lot warmer. "Thanks, Billy."
"No problem."
Billy started whistling again, over and over to see if Splash would show up.
Griffin wondered if they were going to find her today. He kept his eyes out for a dog, any dog, but couldn't find anything other than a few squirrels. There were pretty butterflies flying around though.
"Oh yeah," Griffin asked. "What breed is your dog?"
"A golden retriever." The paperboy simply answered.
"Aw, soft fur?"
"Hella soft." Griffin could just but imagine it.
"She's friendly, right?"
Billy chuckled. "She let toddlers ride on her back when we took her to a park. Let anyone and everyone pet her, would lick the legs or head of babies in strollers, yeah, she's friendly."
"Ok now I want to meet her." Griffin exhaled.
Oh, it appears they've arrived at the end of the trail. What has been awaiting them?
A cabin. A simple cabin with wooden tables outside.
Like, the kind you'd see at a well-known hiking trail or something.
It was pretty, super old and giving magic vibes, kinda.
"Kind of creepy, but pretty."
Griffin nodded his head in agreement.
"I think we should knock."
Walking up to the cabin door, Billy did just that.
But after 2 minutes passed and no one answered the door, He knocked harder.
Everything was quiet.
"I don't think anyone's in there, try turning the knob." Griffin suggested.
They turned it, the door wasn't locked. Opening the door, it looked rusty and a lot older than it looked on the outside. It was smelly too.
You could also hear faint whimpers. Dog whimpers.
"Splash?"
They started walking around, following the sound until they made it into a bedroom.
Who knew dogs could climb.
Because on the top bunk, there was a silky ball of fluff
"Splash!" Billy whistled. And out poked the head of the golden retriever. She did look ever so soft.
Splash stood up and walked in a circle, getting ready to jump. But she backed away again and whimpered.
"Ohh, she's stuck." Griffin commented. "How heavy is she?"
"I'm sure if we both try to catch her, we'll hold."
Alright then.
They were whistling to her, telling her to jump down. Moving closer, Splash got ready again. It took a few attempts, but she jumped.
And holy shit was she soft. Soft as velvet, her fur felt so unreal. And she wasn't that heavy, no never mind they were falling to the ground now with a-
THUD.
"AH!.." Billy yelped. "My behind..." he mumbled.
"Tell me 'Bout it..." Griffin said aloud.
The next thing they knew, they were under attack by a slobbery tongue. And had a face full of a wagging dog tail.
They both giggled. "Hey girl, you ok?" Billy asked, now cupping her face and looking at her straight in the eyes.
She barked and put her paws over his shoulders. She was hugging him, and so affectionately too. This was too cute for Griffin, honestly one of the best things he's ever seen happen.
Once Billy gave Splash a scratch behind her ear, she turned to Griffin, who was smiling so much his cheeks hurt, and hugged him too. She barked a thank you as well.
Griffin and Billy couldn't help themselves; this was an amazing situation, and they just couldn't stop laughing.
However, looking out a window, Griffin saw that the sky was dark now. AHhhhh, couldn't he just stay like this with Billy and Splash for a little while longer?
Billy looked over out the window too, and he placed Splash off of his lap.
"We better get going, it's dark out now. Let's hope your parents haven't come back yet."
"Yeah." Griffin got up and dusted himself off, the other boy doing the same. Splash just sat down, waiting for their next move.
"Come on girl, let's go drop our friend off at his house, and then we can go home." He smiled.
Everyone was smiling, damn it even Splash.
They walked out of the cabin, Billy and Griffin exhausted, the ball of energy, well, energetic.
Griffin sighed, "I'm gonna have to take a shower, and I already took one this morning. Well, guess it's what happens when you go outside to help a guy find his missing dog. Who then slobbers all over you haha."
"So, you weren't planning on taking a shower before you left?" Billy asked.
"Nah, I was doing nothing anyways."
"Makes sense, I guess. Hey, why don't we have a race? See who can make it to the bike first."
And with that, Griffin was off sprinting far from Billy, no warning.
Billy, who ran nearly as fast as Griffin, started to catch up with him, but Splash outran them both in a matter of minutes.
Jeez, Griffin thought. Paperboy wasn't kidding, she's super-fast. GODSPEED.
By the time they did make it to the tree, Billy fell to the ground, Griffin fell next to him, and Splash was jumping around.
"Alright, your dog beat us both." Griffin was panting, so were the others. Good run, really, he should exercise like this more often.
"Oh yeah she did. I think I ate dust." Billy stated.
Griffin chuckled. "I think it got in my eyes."
Getting up, he walked to over to Splash, who was now sitting next to the bike, and gave her a good scratch on her back.
"Alright, let's go."
Billy got on, Griffin holding onto him. With the furball by their side, Billy peddles, and Splash keeps a nice pace next to them.
"Today was actually pretty fun." Griffin said, looking up at the sky, which was now a tad bit darker than before. A few more stars had appeared as well.
"Yeah, it really was," Billy smiled. "Do you maybe wanna, I don't know, hang out tomorrow? Of course, if you want. Or if you can."
"I'd like that."
Splash made some weird noise, which Billy gave her a look and Griffin gave a confused expression.
"Do dogs make that noise?"
"Yeah, not all the time though."
"Huh. Learning new things today."
"School, but awesome."
Haha.
"Oh yeah, definitely."
The ride stayed relatively quiet, mostly because afterwards Griffin started panicking. Silently, of course.
Did his parent's come back yet? Oh God, he's as dead as the rat in the backyard. And it's pretty much completely gone. It's body still there though. Not. Pretty.
Fortunately, today he was lucky, because pulling up to the front of his house, there was no car in sight. His parents were late, which given the situation Griffin is in, is a-ok right now. He'll worry if they don't come back soon after though.
Sighing in relief, he did the hopping thing once he got off the bike, and Splash sat in front of him.
Slightly bending down, Griffin gave her a few pats on the head. "Good night, Splash."
Turning to Billy, he waves at him. To which he waves back.
"See you tomorrow, paperboy." Griffin yelled, now walking up the steps of the porch.
"See you, Griff." He shouted, as he rode away.
Griff? He liked that, a lot.
Smiling, Griffin opened the door to his house, entered, and closed the door behind him.
After washing off, his parents arrived shortly after, and they brought some fast food as an apology for coming home late.
Griffin didn't mind. Also, he had a conversation with his parents about him making a friend today. He told them he talked with the paperboy while keeping the door closed, not telling them that he snuck out for obvious reasons.
His parents were ok with it, being glad he made a friend. Griffin changed the convo from that to the reason why his parents were late, which happened to be because they got stuck on a highway. Griffin didn't want the details though.
He casually asked how was work, and they told him about the things that happened, which happened to be pretty standard for a workplace. Except for the dressing up as hammers. Guess they were trying something new.
Making up for the time they weren't around, his parents apparently also brought some movies for them to watch, one of them Griffin has always been wanting to see. So, they sat on the couch, watching the dramedy happily.
While also insulting the characters who kept making stupid decisions when it was obvious that it would not indeed end well.
And laughing when one of the characters died. For good reason.
After the movie, they decided to turn off everything and head off to bed. Griffin hugged both of his parents as they hugged him back, wished each other good night, and left to their respective bedrooms.
As Griffin plopped onto the bed, he smiled into his pillow. He was in a good mood, which is honestly something he should be in more often.
Turning off the bedside lamp, he switched positions and lay on his stomach. Wrapping himself in his soft blanket, he hugged his pillow and closed his eyes, giggling quietly.
Could you blame him?
He was looking forward to tomorrow.
Billy lay in his bed, Splash curled up next to him. He was on his back, his hands under his head. Staring at the ceiling, he was remembering everything that happened today. From meeting Griffin, to getting to know him, to finding Splash, and to going home knowing they'll see each other again tomorrow. Again, if they can.
Well, if Griffin can. Billy can kinda just leave if he'd like. Of course, mom's permission.
Scratching the top of Splash's head, he sighed.
Maybe they would be able to take a walk at the park tomorrow or go back to the woods to play hide and seek.
Or maybe, they could go to the carnival.
It was tomorrow in the afternoon after all, and it's gonna have a Ferris Wheel and merry-go-rounds, cotton candy stands, and a haunted house. It was early October, but everyone was in the mood. And they were going to stay in the mood until after the month.
He'll ask Griffin if he'd like to go with him, and then maybe again on Halloween.
Smiling, he turned off the bedside lamp, and closed his eyes.
He went to sleep thinking about his new friend.
He was happy, and Splash could sense it. She wagged her tail as she closed her eyes.
Billy couldn't wait for tomorrow.