1 Chapter One

Lyla's Point Of View

"I'm lonely." I sighed as I stared at my wall. As I watched the clock tick away each second, an idea popped inside my head. But after the realization of what needed to happen I slumped down in defeat. "That requires human interaction." I whined, rubbing my eyes. But what else did I have to do today? "Lonely or humans?" I paused, thinking it through, weighing the pros and cons in my head.

I sighed and got dressed.

I checked my hair in the mirror and brushed a few strands away from my face. "Alright," I smiled at my reflection. "You got this. You're getting friends today." I stopped in front of my door, my heart straining against my chest. I tapped my foot nervously and pouted.

"Why am I so introverted?" I sighed and hung my head, feeling as if their was an invisible boundary in front of me.

An idea popped in my head and I smiled, pulling out my phone and dialing the one person in my favorite list.

"Hey Lyla, what's up?" The voice on the other line answered, I smiled, already feeling at ease with his voice.

"Can you meet me in front of my apartment building?" I asked sweetly, turning around and putting my hand on my hip.

"Yeah sure. See you in a bit." He replied and a huge smile blossomed across my face.

—-

My phone rang.

"Where are you? I'm in front of your apartment but I don't see you." Dylan asked, the sound of cas zooming past him in the background.

I stifled a laugh, standing up from my bed. "I'm still in my room. I didn't want to look like an idiot by myself." I explained with a smile. "Which I'm sure you look like right now."

"I hate you." Dylan said with a chuckle, me stretching lightly

"Love you too." I sang and ended the call. I grabbed my purse and walked out of my apartment. Locking the door behind me, I readjusted my purse strap and headed for the stairs.

—-

"Ew it's you." Dylan smiled as I walked over to him.

"You're wearing that today?" I teased, poking his stomach, Dylan squirming at my touch.

"Come here you." Dylan put me in a headlock as we laughed, me hitting his chest after a few seconds.

"You're messing up my hair!" I protested as he ruffled it, swatting him lightly.

"Not my fault you're short." Dylan let go of me, patting my head for good measures.

"I'd like to inform you that 5'6 is not short." I stood on my tip toes to attempt to be taller, but really, it made no difference.

Dylan also went on his toes as he said, "It is when I'm 5'11" Dylan smiled. I rolled my eyes and went back to my normal height. "So, where are we going?" Dylan questioned as we walked to his car.

"We are going to the pet store!" I announced, extending my arms happily, beyond excited that I get to get new friends and spend the day with my best friend.

"Hmm. Fun." Dylan nodded, dodging my arms and opening the door for me.

I smiled at him, buckling my seatbelt and waiting for him to get in the car as well. I can't believe he puts up with me. Then again, I deal with him, so it's fair. Dylan has been my best friend since grade school. We've known each other for 11 years, and I've loved every moment of it.

—-

"Do you know what you want?" Dylan asked me as we walked through the doors.

"I want a couple of pets." I admitted, looking around as we journeyed through the store.

"How much is a couple?" Dylan asked me with a raised eyebrow, swinging his arms lightly as he looked down at me.

I shrugged, keeping my head forward, waving at a cute little puppy that walked by his owner. "Six or seven."

Dylan's jaw dropped. "What? Six or seven?" He asked as if I was crazy.

"Yeah." I nodded, leading the way, not really fazed by his reaction. I wanted a lot of friends, I'm lonely remember?

Dylan ran a hand through his hair. "Crazy." He mumbled, his reaction making me smile.

My ears perked up when I heard multiple dogs barking. "Look! The dogs!" I pointed over to the right side of the store. I dragged Dylan over to the desk, hoping he would talk for me.

"Hi. How may I help you today?" The clerk asked with a smile. I looked up at Dylan, he who smiled and looked away.

I fiddled with my fingers, wishing I could glare at him. "I, uh, I would like a dog?" I stuttered, looking down.

"Yes of course! Right this way." The clerk opened a door for us and we followed him down the hallway. Thank the lord she understood me.

Dylan bumped into me. "Shyla." He whispered, us both knowing he forced me to talk.

"Shut up." I elbowed him lightly, my heart beat still a bit faster than usual.

Barks echoed from behind a door and I smiled.

"They are not in cages. It is an interaction room. If you would like to see them in cages, we could get that ready in a few minutes." The clerk turned towards us and explained.

I shook my head, "This is fine." I said quietly, forcing a few glances at her, my smile slowly faded as I was forced into an uncomfortable situation. The clerk nodded and opened the door, stepping aside to reveal the dogs.

A smile exploded on my face as I saw all of the dogs. They're all playing with each other, clearly enjoying their time.

"Have fun." The clerk said from behind us and closed the door, the door staying unlocked.

I went down on my knees and some dogs came to investigate me.

"Hi!" I said in a high pitched voice, my dog voice coming out. "You're all so cute. Yes you are! Yes you are!" I laughed as a dog licked my face. I heard fast footsteps pound on the ground. My eyes widened as a dog jumped at me, knocking me on my back. The dog licked my face repeatedly, barking excitedly. I laughed and rubbed its head.

"Hey Buddy! You're really hyper." I commented, the dog finally getting off me, his tail never stopping its wag. "You're a pretty dog." I smiled at it as it sat next to me.

A saw a dog a couple of feet away from me. It looked at us like it wanted to come over, but it stayed in his spot.

The dog next to me barked and took a step forward at the other dog. Then he looked back at me, as if he was telling the other dog to come closer.

I smiled at the dog and held out my hand. "Come here Buddy." I called him over. After a second of thought, he wagged his tail slightly and bounded over to me. I did notice something though.

He has a limp.

I wonder what happened.

"Awh. Hey little dude." I ruffled his head as he nuzzled me. The dog from before ran around us excitedly, causing me to laugh.

I played with the two for a few minutes. They got along together really well. It's like they are friends or something.

I looked up at Dylan from the floor. "I think I want these two." I told him, him turning towards me, his hands in his pockets.

He smiled, offering me a hand. "I hope so. They love you." He chuckled, pulling me up, the two dogs watching me carefully.

I nodded and stood up. "Come here..." I looked at the two dogs' collars. "Ben and Nick?"

The two were immediately at my side.

Ben was the dog that knocked me over and licked all over my face.

Nick is the one dog that was a little hesitant to come over to me, the one who has the limp.

But nonetheless they are both so cute.

Dylan knocked on the door. A few seconds later, the clerk opened the door. "Did you two find a dog?" She asked with a smile, Dylan and I both nodding.

"We found two actually." Dylan told the clerk, letting me stay quiet.

"Ben and Nick." I brushed the two dogs' heads, them looking up at me.

"Good choice. I'll get you some temporary leashes and have you sign some paperwork." The clerk explained then disappeared, leaving Dylan and I to wait for her return.

I crouched down next to the two dogs, Dylan facing his whole body towards us and watched silently.

"You ready to go to a new home, Ben and Nick?" I smiled at the two, one hand on the side of their faces. They barked and wagged their tails. "I'm gonna take that as a yes." I laughed, scratching their heads.

The clerk walked back in and handed me the leashes, helping me with Ben's leash because he kept wandering around.

"Good?" The clerk asked after I fastened Nick's leash on.

"Yep." I nodded, following her out of the dog room.

—

After signing some paperwork, it was official that Alec and Ben were now my pets.

"Let's look at the cats." I told Dylan, walking away without him saying yes.

"You wanna take two excited dogs into the cat section?" Dylan asked me, an eyebrow raised, me slowing to a stop.

"Mm, good point. Can you watch the two as I go look at the cats?" I smiled at Dylan, trying to give him some puppy dog eyes.

"Yeah. We can go look at some toys or something." He told me with a sigh, putting the leashes on his wrist.

"Thank you!" I hugged him and walked off to the cat section, an excited hop in my step.

But a certain whine made me freeze. Turning around, I saw Nick and Ben stare at me with a sad face, Dylan frowning slightly.

"Aww." I walked back over to them and kneeled down. "I'll be right back you two, ok? I just want to look at some other friends for you guys. I promise I'll be back in a few minutes." I smiled and scratched their ears. "Be good for Dylan, ok?" I stood up.

Nick and Ben wagged their tails.

I smiled and walked over to the cats, sending one last wave to them.

—-

"Aww." I sighed as I watched all of the cats play, hugging myself lightly.

They were in a glassed off area that was about as tall as a table. I could watch them from above.

I laughed as I watched a cat run into the wall. And continued to laugh as it began to fight its reflection. It was a very fluffy looking cat, and it has quite a personality.

A pure black cat got up from it's sleeping position and started to meow at the fluffy cat.

The fluffy cat stopped fighting its reflection and tackled the black cat. The black cat did not look pleased.

A clerk walked over to me.

"Did you find a cat Miss?" She asked me with a smile.

I smiled back at her, making sure the two cats were in the corner of my eyesight as I said, "I believe I did."