Ruby

~Chapter One~ Alarm Clock

"Sweet!" Hannah said and threw the ball once more and Chip ran after it.

"Thanks Mom, and I promise I'll be home in time." I then looked at Chip as he retrieved the toy. "Can I bring Chip to my cousins'?"

"Hmm..." My mom said as she looked at the ceiling. "I don't think you can. You're aunt there is allergic to dogs."

"I'm visiting an aunt too?" I asked.

"Yes, so you'll have to keep Chip at a Doggy Day Care."

"Can't Chloe watch the dog when you're gone?" Hannah asked. The ball went flying through the air again and Chip ran after it.

"She's coming with me to visit my relatives." I answered. Chip stopped begging Hannah to throw the ball and sat on my lap. I stroked him back and he closed his eyes.

"Oh. Can't Mrs. Calletoff watch Chip then?" Calletoff was my last name. Mom shook her head.

"I work most of the day and I don't want Chip to get lonely." My mother said. She works on the week days so Chip would be lonely for only two days, but he can get destructive when left alone after a few hours.

My father can't watch Chip either because he's on a business trip in New York. He's been gone for two days already, but I still miss him.

"Well, instead of you having to take Chip to a Doggy Day Care, I can watch him." Hannah said in a tone that made it obvious that she wanted to care for Chip.

"Will your mom allow it?" Mother asked.

"You work on weekdays, correct?"

"Yes."

"Then I can just watch Chip for two days. Mother won't mind."

"You sure?"

"Your mom doesn't allow you to have pets. Not even a goldfish." I said.

"Well... I'm not positive, but I think she'll say yes."

"If she does, tell her thank you. I don't want to buy another couch." My mom said and then looked at Chip. I smiled, remembering the day we came home from our grandparent's home and found that Chip had destroyed our furniture.

When hearing the news, Hannah smiled. She enjoyed the thought of having a temporary pet.

"Shouldn't we be heading to the movie right now?" Hannah said after looking at her watch.

"You're right." I said and set Chip off of my legs and onto the other cushion.

"I'd be happy to drive you girls." Mom volunteered. We all sat up from our seats and Hannah and I thanked my mother for the offer. "But Chloe has to come."

"Dang it." I said. I never liked the thought of being in the same car as Chloe. She always found some kind of way to bug me and push all of my buttons.

"What movie are you girls going to see?"

"The Door That Leads To Nowhere. It's a mystery/horror film." Hannah replied. Chloe didn't like mystery or horror, so that meant one thing.

"Doesn't sound like something Chloe would be interested in. Never mind then."

"Yes!" I said. That one thing was that Chloe didn't have to sit in the same car with me.

Mom glared at me for a second and then gestured Hannah and I into the hallway which lead to the front door. Chip stayed in the living room where he retrieved his ball, which was left on the floor next to couch Hannah and I were sitting on, and then hopped back onto the couch and chewed on his round toy.