what happened to us this time…”

It was later, after the meeting had died down a bit, and Dixie was trying to talk to Jenna.

“…. Oh come on Jenna,” Dixie said, “what is there to be afraid of?”

“A lot.” Jenna said, backing away. “Look at them, look how they flock around him… I can’t compete with that, he probably wouldn’t even talk to me, with his popularity, he could probably have just about any girl in this town. Why would he want me?”

“Trust me on this,” Dixie said, “he’ll like you.”

“I don’t know…” Jenna said, “I mean, I just got here and…”

“… and what better way to be accepted by all the other dogs.” Dixie said. “Look, if you and him start spending time together, and people notice, well… I’ll be coming to you for help!”

Jenna sighed.

“It couldn’t hurt anything, could it?” She thought. “He seems nice and all, and Dixie is right, it would grant me instant acceptance…”

“Oh all right,” she said, “let’s go.”

Dixie smiled.

“Jenna, this is probably the smartest thing you’ve ever done, now, follow me.”

Dixie walked over toward Steele, and Jenna followed somewhat slowly behind her.

Dixie stopped right in front of Steele.

“Hey ya Steele.”

“Oh, hi Dixie,” Steele said.

He was about to say something else, but stopped, as he caught sight of Jenna.

“Well, Dixie, who’s your new… new friend?”

Dixie smiled, turned and winked at Jenna, who smiled nervously.

“That’s Jenna.” Dixie said, “she’s new here.”

“I wouldn’t have forgotten such a pretty face…” Steele said. “So Jenna, huh?”

He smiled.

“Name’s Steele.”

“Yeah,” Jenna said, “I heard your stories.”

“Well,” Steele said. “one tries.”

Dixie started to walk away, and bumped Jenna’s side as she walked by, knocking Jenna off balance.

She stumbled into Steele to keep from falling on him.

She looked back at Dixie, who just smiled and continued walking. Jenna glared at her, then turned back to Steele.

“Say Jenna, why don’t you come outside, and… I don’t know, talk for a bit.”

“Sure…” Jenna said.

“Come on,” Steele said, “follow me.”

He walked forward, and the dogs just got out of the way.

“Who is this guy?” Jenna thought.

She followed him outside.

It was the next day, and Jenna felt horrible.

She’d just gotten home about an hour ago.

Steele had talked for an eternity.

Jenna didn’t know what to think of the Malamute. He was nice, but he seemed…

…too nice.

“Well, whatever the case with Steele, I’m going to sleep, I’m dead tired.”

Jenna yawned and laid down on the porch.

No sooner than Jenna had closed her eyes, a squeaky little voice made her open them again.

“So how was it?”

Jenna sighed.

“Dixie, I really need to sleep.”

“So, didn’t get much sleep in last night huh?”

Jenna looked confused for a minute.

Then she understood.

“No, no, no, no, not… not because of that, no.”

Dixie laughed.

“So?”

Jenna yawned.

“You aren’t going to just leave and let me get some sleep, are you?”

Dixie shook her head.

“Oh alright,” Jenna said, “but after this, please will you leave me be?”

Dixie nodded again.

“We just talked.” Jenna said.

“Talked?” Dixie replied, confused.

“Yeah….”

Jenna yawned again.

“Well?” Dixie said impatiently.

“What?” Jenna asked.

Dixie rolled her eyes.

“What did you talk about?”

“Actually he kept talking about me,” Jenna said.

She yawned again.

“I thought it was kind of odd actually.”

“Kind of odd that the most popular guy in the state has obviously fallen ears over tail for you?” Dixie asked.

“Well I don’t know…” Jenna said.

Dixie cut her off.

“So when are you seeing him again?”

“Tonight I guess.” Jenna responded.

“You guess?” Dixie said, “do you know that I, or any other dog in this town for that matter, would kill to be with that guy?”

“I don’t know he seems kind of… self centered to me.” Jenna said.

Dixie looked shocked, and then looked around to make sure no one else heard.

“Don’t ever say that!” Dixie said. “You have no idea who you’re talking about!”

Jenna rolled her eyes.

“Whatever…” she said.

Dixie smiled.

“Well, I guess I’ll let you get some sleep then, wouldn’t want you yawning tonight, now would we?”

Jenna giggled.

“No,” she said, “I suppose not.”

“Just stay with him Jenna,” Dixie said, “you’ll find out what a good guy he is.”

Jenna nodded.

“Well, I’ll come by tomorrow and see how it went.”

Jenna yawned and nodded.

“Bye.” Dixie said.

“See ya Dixie.” Jenna replied.

Dixie turned and walked away from the porch.

“Finally now I can get some sleep.”

Jenna laid her head down , and closed her eyes.

She heard the door squeak open.

“Jenna, Jenna, good morning girl!” Rosie cried, as she ran out and wrapped her arms around her dog.

“Rosy… not now…” Jenna thought.

She stood up and barked.

Rosie grabbed a blue ball off the porch and tossed it out in the yard.

Jenna looked at it.

“Go get it girl!” Rosie said.

She laughed.

Jenna sighed and stepped forward.

“So much for sleeping…” She thought.

Then she ran after the ball.

“No,” Dixie said, “you can’t go like that, neaten yourself up a bit.”

“What’s wrong with the way I look?” Jenna asked.

“You’ve got dirt on you.” Dixie said.

“I played with Rosie today.” Jenna said.

“Oh you’re hopeless.” Dixie said with a sigh.

She stepped up and started licking Jenna.

Jenna stepped back.

“Hey, hey, what are you doing?”

Dixie sighed.

“Trying to do something with this hair, when was the last time you were groomed?”

“Groomed?” Jenna asked.

Dixie’s mouth fell open.

“Oh my gosh!” she said, “don’t tell me… never mind, for now we’ll work with what we’ve got. Now are you going to let me help you?”

“Sure.” Jenna said.

Dixie started licking her again, and this continued for about ten minutes.

“There,” Dixie said finally, stepping back. “That’s somewhat of an improvement.”

“Don’t stand like that.” Dixie said.

“Like what?” Jenna asked.

“Like you are,” Dixie said, “if you’re going to be with someone like Steele, you’ve got to look important, because you are!”

Jenna sighed.

“Is it worth all this?” She thought, but she remained silent.

“Now the next thing to go is that bandanna.” Dixie said.

Jenna stepped back, as Dixie reached for it.

“No,” Jenna said.

“That thing makes you look like a pup.” Dixie said. “It was cute six months ago, but you’re a year old now. You want Steele thinking you’re a pup?”

“My mother gave me this before I left home.” Jenna said flatly. “I’m not taking it off.”

Dixie sighed.

“Whatever…”

She stepped back and looked Jenna over.

“I suppose you look like something now.”

“Oh really?” Jenna thought, “and what did I look like before?”

“Come on Jenna,” Dixie said, “you don’t want to be late!”

“Of course not,” Jenna said, rolling her eyes.

She started to follow Dixie.

“… and don’t walk like that.”

“What is wrong now?” Jenna asked.

“You walk with your head down, and you look timid, carry your head high, look important remember?”

Jenna shook her head, and followed Dixie down the street.

She was stopped by a familiar voice.

“Where are you off to?”

Jenna turned and smiled.

“Drake?”

He returned the smile.

“How are you doing?” Jenna asked.

“Good.” Drake said.

Dixie had stopped as well, and sighed.

“Jenna let’s go!”

“So?” Drake said.

Jenna looked confused.

“Where are you headed?” Drake said.

“Oh,” Jenna said, “I’m… I’m actually going to meet Steele.”

“Oh…” Drake said, clearly surprised. “That’s…. that’s good, I’m happy for you Jenna.”

Jenna smiled.

“Come on!” Dixie yelled.

Drake smiled at her.

“Well, you better go, wouldn’t want to be late for Steele.”

“I suppose not.” Jenna