Chapter 3: New roommates

Sophie's POV

“Is this some thing where you’ve decided to follow me until you repay me for helping you or something? Because in that case there’s no need. Shoo!” I say, gesturing to the open door but they flop down on their furry butts and look at me in a way that almost makes me believe they’re amused.

Suddenly I start to smell burnt meat and I turn to the oven where I find my dinner is getting overcooked. With a yelp I hurry over and turn off the heat, grabbing some mitts to get the food out and place it on the stove to cool. Looking over the rib rack I find it’s not too bad after all, the smell having made it seem worse than it was. It might be a bit dry but still perfectly edible.

Turning back to the dogs watching me I place a hand on my hip as I study them studying me.

“If you want to stay for a bit I guess you’re welcome, there’s no one but me here anyway. Though if you poop inside I’ll throw you out head first, deal?” I ask, gwaffing barks is my reply which I take as a yes, despite the nagging feeling that they’re actually laughing at me.

“I’m going crazy, talking to dogs.” I mutter to myself as I turn to get the potato salad out of the fridge.

I retrieve some vegetables from the fridge and make quick work cutting it up before placing it in bowls. Having finished dinner I place everything on the wooden four-person dining table in the living room next to the kitchen. I set the table and soon enough I take my seat with the two dogs next to me. The dogs are so big their heads reach over the dining table despite the fact that they’re sitting down.

“I better find something to call you because I’m getting confused by my own thoughts.” I say to them as I cut up the ribs and place some on my plate, along with potato salad and some veggies. 

They bark in agreement as I take a bite of food and think to myself.

“Alright, you can be Florence,” I say, pointing to the one on my right who got a wound on his side. “And you can be Barton.” I finish, pointing to the one on my left with a wound on his chest.

They huff, seemingly not knowing what to think of the names if their frowning expressions are anything to go by.

“Hey, you should be honored. You’re named after two of the most admirable people in nursing history, Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton.” I explain proudly in between bites.

Looking back at Florence and Barton I find them staring at the plate of ribs on the table. They’re not making a move to get them but I can practically see them drooling. I can’t help but laugh though I still grab two big ribs and give them one each which they immediately start gnawing on like they haven’t eaten in days.

“You’re surprisingly well behaved for strays, though you don’t have collars or anything so I guess you don’t belong to anyone. If you want you can stay here with me but you may end up bored because all I do every day is study and do house chores.” I say, realizing how unexciting my life is. “Well, it’ll be more exciting when I start working in a few weeks.” I say to myself as I finish my last bite of food.

Looking over at the food left, which I had originally thought would be my leftover lunch for tomorrow, I sigh. Taking half of the ribs left I put them on my empty plate before taking the two plates with ribs and standing up. I look at Florence and Barton as they eye the food in my hands hungrily. 

“Lay down.” I order, and they do as told so I slowly put the plates of food down on the floor next to the wall. “Stay.” I tell them as I straighten up and maintain eye contact to make sure they listen to me. “Okay, eat up.” I finally say a few seconds later and they immediately descend on the food making me laugh as I start clearing away the other dishes.

Heading into the kitchen I place plastic wrap over the leftover potato salad and put all the veggies in the same bowl before wrapping that up as well. I take the time to scan over the food in my fridge, or rather the lack thereof. I barely have food to last me a few days and if Florence and Barton stays we’ll run out by tomorrow night.

A soft clinking is heard over the stone tiles of the kitchen when the boys in question appear with an empty plate each in their jaws.

“Well, thank you.” I say in surprise as they hand me the dishes and I turn to do all the dishes from dinner right away.

About ten minutes later I finish and turn around only to find Florence seated just behind me with Barton appearing from the open doorway a second later. As he comes to sit next to me Florence disappears out the door and I can’t help but think about what weird dogs they are, they’re almost too well trained.

Shaking the thought away I shrug and head for the master bedroom down the hall from the kitchen, glancing at the portrait of my parents on the wall as I pass. It’s their wedding picture where dad is holding mom from behind and both are smiling happily at the camera, their smiles infectus and I smile to myself as I enter the bedroom. Looking around at the mess of clothes and papers I sigh to myself, knowing I’m looking at the consequences for sleeping in this morning.

With a huff I start piling the papers in organized bundles on my desk before starting the real task, my clothes. There’s a few articles of clothes strewn about haphazardly and I start picking them up before dumping them in the laundry basket by the door. Barton helps me by picking up my clothes in his jaws and dumping them in the basket as well, making progress much faster. Just as Florence reappears in the doorway I’m done making the bed as well.

“If we’re gonna avoid starvation I better go shopping.” I tell them over my shoulder as I head for the closet where I pull out a pair of light blue high waisted jeans and a long sleeved white shirt.

I start stripping only to hear a shuffle behind me and see how Florence turns around, nudging Barton to follow him which he does with an annoyed growl. These dogs have a weird sense of privacy.

Shrugging I change into the new clothes and tuck the shirt inside the hem of my jeans. I also run a brush through my hair and pull it up into a high ponytail while I’m at it. Even if it’s just a shopping run I want to be somewhat presentable. 

“What do you think?” I ask, making Barton and Florence turn around and pounce at me, licking my face all over. “Hey, it tickles! Stop it!” I shout playfully as I run out of the bedroom towards the front door with my pursuers close behind.

As soon as I reach the front door I tap it with my palm and take a breath as I consider myself safe. I take the opportunity to catch my breath while tying the lace on my white low sneakers and pulling on my beige coat. Grabbing my keys and wallet I turn to the boys studying me.

“Right, I’m going shopping. If you’re still here when I get back I’ll take it as a sign you’ll stay but you’re free to leave if you want. Why am I still talking to them?” I finish, face-palming myself as I leave through the door, hearing them wheeze a bark behind me.