• About an hour or so later, Jo pulled up in front of a pet store. I already loved Maine, it felt so relaxed compared to New York City. Plus, I never been to a real pet store like this one before; it was huge. We walked in and a tiny bell tinkled as we stepped through the doorway. I heard cats meowing and dogs barking, but I could not get over the giant fish tank that was placed in front of the wall between the two doors. In another corner was another room filled with birds.
    “Happy Birthday,” said Jo. “But my birthday isn’t for another four months,” I said confused. “Well, I thought it might be nice if you had a pet to keep you company when you’re here with me. I’ll be out a lot since I’m still working full time, I took a few days off so you could adjust easier, and you’ll head back to school next week, I’ve enrolled you at Farefield High as a sophomore, and we’ll head on from there. Besides, an animal companion is probably the most loyal friend you’ll ever have,” she pointed out. “Don’t worry a thing about cost, I’m gonna pay for whatever it is that you know is the right choice for you,” she ordered sharply. “Right, okay I’m going to look at dogs,” I said causally. I strode off into the room full of screeching canines and Jo followed right behind me.
    There were dogs of every breed and mix in that room I swear. Jo cooed over the Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, and King Charles Spaniels. I personally was more interested in the mixed breeds when I found my puppy. I just had to have it because I felt something when I looked into his big, caramel eyes. He was a beautiful Siberian husky and Grey wolf mix. He had silky coat, and was pure black. I loved him. He was shy compared to all the other huskies (purebreds) that were begging for attention. I felt empathy for him, he was just like me, the odd one out, and I wanted him.
    “Jo, I found my dog,” I whispered. She was confused as to why I hadn’t chosen one of the purebreds, but she got up to find someone to come get him. When she came back with a female employee of the pet store, I asked her to hold him. She looked at me like I was crazy for taking this dog. “Is there something wrong with him?” I asked hurt. “Not at all, it’s just that he’s not purebred, everyone else has turned him down cause of it, that, and he might be vicious due to his wolf inheritance,” she warned me. I wanted to glare at her and say “This dog is the sweetest creature I’ve ever laid eyes on, how could you say such a thing?” but I didn’t in case she kicked me out without my dog. She handed him to me and winced as if she thought he was going to tear me to pieces.
    He was so warm and soft. I swear I saw him smile at me as I cradled him as if to say we showed them didn’t we? He stretched out slightly as I scratched him behind the ears and closed his eyes. Jo and the pet store worker looked astonished. “I’ll take him,” I decided shortly. “Okay… I’ll go get a leash,” the worker said slowly but I set him on the floor and snapped my fingers and he trotted faithfully behind me despite his young age. They both stood there in awe of the two of us.
    We ended up only paying for his supplies. The store manager was so pleased that we were taking the “bad” dog off their hands that he gave him to us for free. We bought him food and a collar just because we didn’t want him to get lost. I also made sure that we got him a Frisbee, and some other toys to keep him from getting bored. We also did not get him a bed because he would sleep with me. He slept faithfully on my lap the whole way home. “I think he was a good choice for you,” Jo said curtly. “A bad dog? Yeah right, that dog probably wouldn’t hurt a fly,” she went on, still mad at the store’s comment. “So what are you gonna name him?” she asked. I thought hard as I stared at the puppy sleeping on my lap. “How about Darkness, or Ebony?” Jo suggested. Then I thought of what my mom would have named if I was a boy. “Or Shaun,” I said. Jo looked confused again. “Shaun? Are you sure, that’s kind of obscure…” she started but I held up my hand. “Look at him, he looks like a Shaun,” I cooed. As if he knew his name, he perked up his ears and looked at me. Jo looked defiant. “Well, he’s your dog, and he already thinks that’s his name anyway,” she scoffed jokingly.
    When we reached home, Shaun jumped out and ran to the door as if he’d lived here his entire life. “Look how obedient he is,” I told Jo. “I can’t disagree to that,” she agreed as she unlocked the side door. “Remind me tomorrow to head up to the hardware store so we can get you a set of house keys okay?” Jo called as I headed upstairs to my room with Shaun. “On it,” I called back.
    Up in my room, I put down Shaun’s bowl for food and filled it as well as one for water. He ate a small amount before jumping up on top of me while I laid out on my corner bed. I liked sleeping low to the floor and having the shelves around me would give me a place for books. Jo had gotten me throw pillows as promised and put in a thick, white shag carpet over the hardwood floors. I now had a desk, and a laptop with internet access for school work. Shaun loved my walls almost as much as I did, he stared blankly at the walls while he sat at the edge of my bed.
    We agreed that Shaun could go out his own since I knew he’d come back, and because Jo lived out in the middle of nowhere. School was three miles away in town, not out here in the middle of the forest. The ocean wasn’t far away either. Jo said it was maybe twenty miles from town to her favorite Atlantic beach and we could go the next time the weather was nice. Jo lived further inland then most people around here. She says it’s mostly recreational here, and that people come from all over to go hiking, camping, and kayaking. I’ve never done any of those things and I’ve never been to a beach either, having a single mom who worked all the time would do that to you.
    Thinking about mom made me sad all over again and I hated the world all over again. Shaun sensed my pain despite that he was only a puppy, and he whimpered and looked at me sorrowfully. My eyes watered up and I started crying again. I shook while I was hunched over hugging my knees while I sat in bed that night. I hated my situation, I hated knowing that people would badger me right and left about it, I hated knowing that I’d break down every time they did too, I hated knowing I’d be the class crybaby, and I hated that I had to go to school in the first place. The last time I came home from school, I came home to nothing but flames and death. What if I came home after my first day and Jo and Shaun were burnt to a crisp too? What would happen to me then? I’d be all alone again, and I wouldn’t even have my faithful little dog. I didn’t want to go, I would get my heart broken over and over, I’d fail my trig classes, I’d get picked on, my emotions would be all over the place, I might even hurt myself. I knew that I wouldn’t fit in, I would be lost all time, and I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have too many friends.
    I knew that people would call me “goth girl” the way they did at my old school. I hate stereotypes, they judge people before you even know who the hell they are. I’m not, I’m just on the quiet side, and I like dark things, that doesn’t make someone emo… or does it? I wasn’t quite sure anymore.
    Shaun interrupted my breakdown with big slobbery kisses. I laughed weakly, and held him tight. Jo was right, the best friend you’ll ever have is a pet, they won’t rat on you, they’ll keep your secrets, and they’ll be loyal no matter what. I was lucky to have Shaun.