The Friday Night Rescue Mission

Friday night at Tyler's house. Everyone who was anyone was there, including Jessica, who I'd been crushing on since September. I leaned against the kitchen counter, trying to look casual while my stomach did backflips.\n\n"Hey, can someone watch Bear?" Tyler's little sister Mia burst into the kitchen, holding the leash of their massive chocolate lab. "I gotta help my mom with something.\n\nBefore I could process what was happening, Jessica volunteered me. "Marcus can do it! He's great with dogs."\n\n"Uh, sure," I managed, while internally screaming. I'd never even pet a dog before.\n\nBear proceeded to drag me through the backyard like I was made of paper. He spotted something—Tyler's dad's vitamin collection, knocked over on the patio table—and made a break for it. I lunged, but Bear was faster. Crunching sounds followed.\n\n"Bear! No! Those are literally, like, expensive vitamins!" I whisper-yelled, like volume was the problem here.\n\nThe back door flew open. Jessica stood there, phone raised. "Marcus, why is Bear eating supplements?"\n\n"Long story," I said, face burning.\n\nBut then she laughed. Not mean laughter. The genuine kind that crinkled her eyes. "Here, I got it." She dropped beside me and helped wrestle the bottle from Bear's jaws. Our shoulders brushed. My heart did something weird that had nothing to do with panic.\n\n"You're terrible at this," she said.\n\n"I know," I admitted. "I was trying to look cool for you and it completely backfired."\n\nShe smirked. "Well, you definitely succeeded at being memorable."\n\nLater, when Tyler and his friends filtered into the backyard, Bear curled up between me and Jessica like he'd planned it all along. I patted his head, still slightly terrified, and Jessica's knee pressed against mine. Sometimes the worst moments become the best stories. And sometimes the worst dog-sitter in history makes a friend who might become something more.