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John B and Kiara sit on the tabletop of a picnic bench, smiling contently as they watch their friend approach them from the field.
“Aw man,” Pope huffs. He takes off his baseball cap to fan his sweaty face. “I’m all out of energy.”
Kiara snickers, but there’s adoration in her eyes as Pope sinks to the ground in enervation. He props his arms up on the bench, right by the duo’s feet, and continues to pant.
“Should’ve never quit the track team,” John B teases in a soft, sing-song voice.
Pope rolls his eyes. “JJ’s not on the track team and he’s still going,” he argues breathlessly.
The gang looks ahead. Far off in the grass is JJ, jumping into a triple threat stance, hands out in front of him. Although he faces the group, JJ doesn’t acknowledge their stares at all. Instead, he’s focused on a golden retriever twenty yards ahead of him. Then the dog charges towards JJ, and he runs away with the dog at his heels, both blondies smiling with glee.
It’s been that game of chase for quite a few minutes now. Originally JJ had invited Pope to play fetch with the goldie, but it quickly turned into a game of running around that the unathletic Pope Heyward wasn’t prepared for. He ended up tapping out soon after, which honestly he didn't mind. He was starting to feel like a third wheel to JJ and the dog anyway.
“He’s really getting along with Bentley, isn’t he?” John B asks, looking at Kiara.
“Yeah,” she answers enthusiastically. “And you know what? The Watsons would be pissed to find out that their sweet pampered pup is playing with a Pogue right now.”
“Nice alliteration,” Pope comments.
John B chuckles at Kiara’s response, watching the boy and the dog run around some more. “True.” He pauses to smile. “That’s our dog whisperer right there.”
“Didn’t he get chased by dogs the other day?” Kiara points out.
“Well,” says John B.
In the distance, JJ gets on his knees to scratch and rub at Bentley’s neck.
“I got it,” Pope chimes. “He’s just a dog. Like— part dog. That’s why dogs have this affinity with him.”
“Mmm…” John B hums thoughtfully. “Like a werewolf.”
“Or a were dog ,” offers Kiara.
“That must be why he barks when he’s high,” says Pope with a chuckle.
“Or why he insists on peeing outside all the time,” Kiara adds.
“Hey,” John B begins, “he’s just a guy who’s in tune with nature.”
“A dog who is in tune with nature ,” corrects Pope.
The trio laughs, and they watch JJ and Bentley get all chummy for a moment longer.
John B’s heart pulls a little. “JJ deserves a dog,” he utters with sincerity.
“Yeah,” Kiara whispers, bowing her head in solemn consideration. “Probably should wait until he graduates though.”
Pope taps his finger against the panic table bench. “Until he can get rid of his dad. Or get out. Whichever one,” he mutters.
A mid-spring breeze patters against their faces in the silence. After a moment of thought, John B hmphs a laugh.
“We could get him another hamster,” he mumbles, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
“Oh, god,” Kiara grumbles with disgust.
“Save the snakes,” Pope jokes, putting a lazy fist in the air. Then he glances back at them. “Okay, but, actually no. That snake story is gross.”
“But look,” says John B, gesturing to JJ with a hand, “our boy’s all grown up. He can handle taking care of a lil hammy now.”
“No way,” Kiara scoffs. The image of a pet hamster— JJ’s pet, of all pets— being caught in the fangs of a snake has scarred her. “I honestly think he’ll be better off with a dog.”
Out on the field, JJ hops up to his feet and begins his way back towards the group with Bentley by his knees. It’s hard to tell which one is happier as they are bound their way.
Panting through a scrunched grin, JJ voices his joy.
“Man!” he breathes. “ I love dogs, bro.”