The air was turning a bit cooler and the sun was beginning to set as Axel made his way through downtown Marble with his running shoes tied tight and his feet hitting the side walk with little noise as he jogged next to Main Street. He had his usual running partner, his golden retriever Ralphie, sprinting by his side with a grin-like expression on his face. Suddenly, however, Ralphie turned a sharp left, right in front of Axel’s feet. The dog’s bright red leash wrapped around the lanky boy’s feet and he was immediately eye-level with the ground. With a groan, Axel lifted himself up to see where his dog had run off to, sighing loudly when he saw the yellow-haired heathen sitting at the feet of someone, clearly wanting whatever was in their hand. The brunet ran over and grabbed the dog’s leash and gently tugged him away from the individual, “Jesus- I’m so sorry. He’s just a curious guy.” Axel’s cheeks were bright red from embarrassment--both from falling and from his mischievous dog. “A lot like his dad. By dad I mean me. I mean, I didn’t birth him-- You knew that.” He laughed awkwardly, “I mean, we don’t even look anything alike!” It was obvious he was just nervously yammering on at this point.
