Blank Canvas

●Chapter 02●

As I was arranging things on my counter because it could get shabby real quick, I glanced at the clock hanging above the door of my art gallery. It was almost 7 O'clock. The time for me to usually go back home after shutting my shop. Quickly packing everything into my bag, I was outside my gallery in no time. The fresh air soothed my tired nerves and a smile blossomed on my face.

Not wanting to waste another second, I pulled the shutter down and locked the shop. I pocketed my keys and rummaged through my bag for the bike ones. But before I could I find them, I heard a bark behind me. It was soft but it scared the daylights out of me.

I turned around to find a Golden Retriever barking and galloping in my direction. I was frightened, to say the least. I am not usually scared of dogs because they're so adorable. But my fear was a spur of a moment thing because his bark was so abrupt, my heart almost leapt out of my chest. Besides, it was speeding towards me like a hungry cannibal which was nothing short of intimidating.

My eyes widened and I quickly sprinted in the opposite direction, forgetting all about my ride and its keys.

"Help! Help!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. My sundress was billowing behind me because of the cool gush of air. My hair was sticking all around my face in messy tangles while my feet were running as fast as they could against the ground ferociously.

"Woof woof." I could hear the dog's soft barks behind me. Tilting my head slightly, I saw that it was almost a feet or two away from me. The way I was sprinting might seem like that I was running away from my supposed kidnappers.

I increased my pace even more but it seemed like everything was against me and not in my favor today. I fell down harshly as my left foot came into contact with a stone that seemed to be laughing so graciously at my misery.

"Ouch," I muttered and cupped my knee carefully.

"Woof woof." The Golden Retriever lunged at me and started licking my face.

"Oh, my God." Ironically, I laughed. He didn't bite me which was a good thing. It was then I started feeling so stupid to be running around like a moron. Just then I realized that Golden Retrievers don't bite. 'How can I be so dumb!' Right, like I would know the answer.

The Retriever was so ticklish and I was gasping for air. "Hey." I cackled and ruffled his soft fur. "Stop it... please." I wheezed as I was enjoying his playful behavior.

"I am so sorry," a lanky guy with his top two teeth missing apologized. He seemed to be around my age.

"It's fine." I chuckled and he pried the dog away from me. "And it's really cute." With that I stood up from my place on the ground.

"He indeed is. He was running towards you because you're wearing his favorite color," he said, laughing softly and showing all his teeth. Well, two of them were missing though.

I glanced down at my dress and remembered that I was wearing the blue colored sundress. "Blue is my favorite color too!" I exclaimed happily.

"Wow, that's so cool. I am sure you and Creep can be really good friends then," he chirped, clapping his hands in effulgence.

I scrunched my nose at the word 'Creep' and gave him a dumbfounded look. 'His name is Creep?' I shook my head, thinking about how no mother could come up with such a "creepy" name. Pun intended. And also, no one could be so uncreative while coming up with names. And why'd I want to be friends with him? "Creep?" Was all I could utter.

"Yes Creep. His name is Creep." He nodded towards his dog and started patting his head in a bored manner.

"Woah, it's such a... weird name. Don't you think so?" I asked him, pursing my lips in slight annoyance. The Retriever was such a cute puppy and he named him 'Creep?' I didn't want to come off as judgy so I just kept mum.