The dog was back. 

It sat at the back door pawing at the glass door. Its pitiful whines tugged at the heart but I knew it was just a ruse. Every time I glanced at it, its ears would perk up and it would start wagging its tail. For something that's half my size, it was good at acting adorable. After dealing with a whole 5 minutes of this, I gave in. 

With a sigh, I reluctantly shoved the comforter off shivering as the cold air assaulted me. My back sounded like a popper as I stood and I lamented over the fact that I had the bones of a senior. I haven't even graduated high school and I was ready to retire. I quickly made my way to the door and unlatched it. As soon as the crack was wide enough, the dog slithered in like the bastard it was and hopped up on the couch. 

After a bit of wrestling and empty threats, I ended up buried under 100 pounds of fluff. The dog laid on top of me contentedly, but I didn't mind it as much. It was much warmer than my comforter and the heat it exuded was heavenly. As I ran my hand through its fur, I couldn't help but notice that it looked more like a wolf than a dog. Its snout was a bit longer and slimmer than normal dogs and its fur pattern was reminiscent of a grey wolf. At the least, it was probably mixed. I don't think I ever heard of wolves having blue eyes.

"I should name you. You're here often enough that you're basically my pet dog." The not-dog shivered as I scratched behind its ears and it tail began to thump against the back of the couch. I turned my attention back to the TV and watched mindlessly as I thought about Avery. 

She hadn't come to school again today. 

I haven't seen her at all this week and it was Thursday. At this rate, she probably won't graduate on time. She wasn't the best student and her grades were mediocre at best. I wouldn't be surprised if she was failing all her classes right now. 

Her disappearing act started around the time she started dating Mark. Some random guy in our grade who thought he was hot shit. He had a bunch of lackeys that fought for the right to wipe his ass and he reveled in it. While I had no personal beef to pick with him I could tell that him and his groupies were a bad influence but she didn't listen.

"You're too paranoid. Theres nothing wrong with them. You don't talk to anybody anyways. How would you know?"

And look at where she is now.

"I think I'll name you Pepper." Pepper continued to wag her tail as I scratched its back. Petting it was a workout. Its fur was long and fluffy. I began to absentmindedly rub its head as I turned my attention back to the TV.  This was probably the 10th time I've seen this episode of Sponge Bob, but it never got old. It was a great way to pass the time. 

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

I jolted awake as my phone's alarm screeched in my ear. With a grunt, I silenced the alarm without looking and fell ass first onto the floor as I attempted to roll over. I could tell today was already going to be a good day.

I could hear the children's cartoons playing on the TV as I gazed out the glass doors at the sunrise. 

Ah. I guess I fell asleep on the couch again. 

I peeled myself off of the floor and got ready for another day of torture. It wasn't until I was halfway done getting ready when I realized that I never let the dog out. 

I searched frantically around the house but I couldn't find the dog anywhere. The sliding door was shut closed and none of the windows were open. How the hell did it get out? I looked at my phone and sighed. If I didn't leave now, I'd be late for school. It was a mystery to figure out another day. I bundled myself up in layers of clothes, shoved my feet in my snow boots and left. 

School was half a mile away so I didn't bother taking the bus and opted to walk all the way to school. Despite the cold, I found the walk peaceful. The air was crisp, the feeling of snow crunching under my boots was satisfying, and there was no one around to bother me. 

I wasn't paying much attention when I bumped into what felt like a wall. I almost fell over but was saved when whoever I bumped into grabbed my shoulders and steadied me. I looked up to see one of Mark's groupies, Devin, staring at me with a weird expression on his face. He leaned forward and seemed to take a deep breath. His curious expression turned into a sneer and I nearly fell again as he shoved me to the side and stomped away. 

"Who pissed in your cheerios today?" I grumbled at him, but he ignored me and continued heading down the hallway, bulldozing through whoever didn't move out of the way fast enough. I rolled my eyes and made my way to my locker. My winter gear barely fit and I had to use my full body to shove the locker shut. 

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People kept staring at me throughout the day. It was starting to grate on my nerves because I couldn't figure out why. I wasn't wearing anything outrageous (just a graphic tee and sweatpants) and I checked multiple times in the mirror to see if there was anything on my face. I brushed my hair today, and I'm pretty sure I didn't stink. I don't remember doing anything outrageous recently. 

I growled in annoyance as the guy sitting next to me glanced at me the 5th time in a row.

"You need something?"

"No, no I'm good." He snapped his head forward and began to diligently take notes. I smacked my teetch in annoyance. 

Lunch wasn't much better. A third of the kids in the lunchroom seemed to watch my every move while whispering to each other. I felt like a freak show. 

I was browsing my phone when someone sat in the seat across from me. I was going to ignore them until they spoke to me. 

"You've been hanging around someone new." I looked up and was surprised to see Mark sitting across from me. Wasn't he absent from chemistry?

"What are you talking about?" I don't recall hanging out, much less speaking to many people over the last couple of weeks. He growled at me annoyed and I couldn't help but notice that he made the sound a little too well. 

"Don't play dumb. I can smell them on you." My eyebrows flew up my forehead and I stared at him flabbergasted. 

"Smell them? What kind of drugs are you on?" I jumped when he slammed his palms on the table. 

"Tell them to leave or we'll make them leave." He ignored what I said and got up to leave.

"Wait!" I reached over to grab his sleeve and he seemed to stiffen up. "Where is Avery? I haven't seen her in a while and you're-"

"Don't worry about where she is." He snapped at me before yanking his arm free. He stalked out of the lunchroom and slammed into the doors. I realized that the kids at the nearby tables were staring at me curiously and I glared at them until they looked away.

What lunacy compelled Avery to date this nutcase?