After school, on her way home, Ashley walked down the street with her backpack hanging from one shoulder.
"I can't believe I got chosen…" she muttered to herself.
"I'm seriously unlucky… and with him?! Of all people. That's so random."
She made a confused face to herself and kept walking.
A few minutes later she reached her house, opened the door, and stepped inside.
Then she stopped.
In the living room stood Liam… next to a huge white dog that looked like a giant ball of fur.
Ashley blinked.
"Umm… Liam?" she said slowly.
"You know I love dogs… but Mom is going to be really mad if you brought a dog home."
She walked a little closer and looked at the dog more carefully.
Then she noticed the collar around its neck and a phone number written on it.
Her eyes widened.
"Liam… you didn't steal someone's dog, did you?!"
Liam looked offended.
"Do you know me as a thief?" he said. "I'm your brother. I found him outside the library, and he just started following me."
Ashley sighed.
"Okay… give me a second. I'll call the owner."
She took out her phone and dialed the number.
After a moment, someone answered.
"Hello?"
A male voice replied, slightly confused.
"Uh… who is this?"
Ashley cleared her throat.
"Hi… um… my little brother found your dog. A big white fluffy one?"
There was a sudden pause.
"Yes! Wait—
how did he end up with you?"
Ashley glanced at Liam and the dog.
"My brother was walking home and the dog just followed him. We have no idea where he came from."
The voice on the other end sounded relieved.
"Oh wow… I'm really sorry about that. Could you send me your address? I'll come get him."
"Sure," Ashley said. "It's okay."
After 39 minutes
Outside, the headlights of a car appeared in front of the house.
A moment later, someone stepped out of the Fancy car. His face wasn't visible yet.
He walked up to the door and knocked.
Ashley opened it.
She looked up—
And froze.
It was Jonathan.
"Oh… it's you," Ashley said, raising an eyebrow. "From that project they're forcing us to do."
Jonathan shifted slightly.
"Um… yeah. I guess."
Ashley smiled politely.
"By the way, my name is Ashley. Nice to meet you."
For a second, Jonathan didn't answer.
He was staring at her.
Then he seemed to realize it and cleared his throat.
"Um… I'm Jonathan."
"Well," Ashley said, stepping aside, "let's get straight to the point."
In her head she added: Before my mom gets home.
She led him into the living room.
The big white dog immediately looked up.
Jonathan crouched slightly.
"Fluffy… hey there. I came to take you home."
Fluffy looked at him for a moment—
Then stayed right next to Liam, refusing to move.
Ashley crossed her arms.
"Um… Fluffy, it was nice meeting you," she said. "But you have to go with your owner now."
Jonathan tried again.
"Yeah… Ashley's right. Come here. I'll give you lots of treats."
After a long moment of hesitation, the dog finally gave up and slowly walked toward Jonathan.
Ashley walked him to the door and led him outside.
And then-
To be continued…..