Live in Color

fourteen - olive

Jude cried all night, much to my dismay. He barked and whined and barked some more. My mom had insisted that we keep his dog bed on the second floor but it breaks my heart to hear him in so much distress, especially from afar. It's three in the morning, my parents both asleep after multiple failed attempts to calm Jude down. I had tried too- he calmed down when I was with him but only minutes after I left to my room he began again.

Having no idea what to do, I text Cole, hoping he's still awake.

Natalie: Sorry this is so late, do you have Jericho's number?

Luckily, after cursing me out for waking him up so late, he gives me the number.

Natalie: Hey, it's Natalie, I got your number from Cole. I need your help with something if you're still awake?

I lay back down on my pillow, expecting to wait a little for a reply like I did with Cole, considering it's so late. Grabbing my phone, I force myself out of bed and down the stairs to go sit by Jude for now. Much to my surprise, a reply doesn't take long at all to come- in fact, I get Jericho's message while I'm halfway down the stairs.

Jericho: Yeah, what's up?

I save his number in my contacts before sitting down beside Jude. He quickly jumps up and into my lap, licking my hand and finally quieting down. I sigh, petting him for a bit before responding to Jericho.

Natalie: We put Jude's dog bed on the second floor and he won't quit barking and whining. I have no idea what to do. Is he scared or something? Is he hungry?

Jericho: Well obviously he's scared, he's in a new environment and he's all alone on the second floor. Does he feel calmer around you?

Natalie: Yeah, seems like it.

Jericho: Then move the bed up to your room so at least he won't feel alone, it'll probably ease his nerves to be around you.

I reread Jericho's text, knowing what he's saying is right. Sighing, I grab Jude's dog bed and begin upstairs, carrying Jude up with me when he has trouble with the stairs. I'll have to remember that and carry him back downstairs tomorrow morning until he learns to use the stairs on his own.

Trying to be as quiet as possible, I make my way into my room and put his dog bed into the corner. Jude quickly curls up on it, not making a sound, so I sigh in relief and get back in bed.

Natalie: It worked, thank you.

Jericho: Sure.

Jericho doesn't say anything else. I just hope he actually goes to sleep- Jericho always looks crazy exhausted. I'm just putting my phone on charge when I notice Jude is beside my bed, standing on his hind paws, trying to get up. I roll my eyes, picking him up and watching the way he quickly curls by my head.

Jude and I fall asleep both almost instantaneously.

x

I feel awful for leaving Jude alone the next morning, but promise myself that I'd go visit him at lunch. After doing last minute studying for my Chemistry test, I force my way to school.

First period passes by way too slow. Second period isn't much better, but at least I have time to study for Chemistry. By the time the bell rings for lunch, it feels like a blessing. Jamie and I are at my lockers when I ask her, "Hey, I'm heading home for lunch to check on Jude. Want to come?"

"I can't," Jamie says, "I'm heading to Mitch's house since he's sick."

I've already heard about Mitch being sick- he wasn't in first period, after all. "Oh, okay. How are you guys?"