Allergies

Miles wasn't too surprised that the dog was well trained. What was surprising was how much attention the animal wanted. The dog wanted to be at his side, even when he was taking care of his other pets. She paid no heed to the birds, so long as she could also be close to Miles. She even insisted on being in Miles' room when it was time to retire, sleeping at the foot of the bed. It was nice having a companion that cared, making Miles question why he hadn’t gotten a dog sooner.

When Miles woke up, he headed for the bathroom like normal, except now with the dog following behind him. He could see from the hall that the bathroom light was already on. He couldn't remember leaving it on the night before, so maybe his sister was inside.

"Leigha?"

"Don't come in," answered what sounded like an old woman who could collapse at any moment, possibly hungover from the night before.

Miles looked at the dog in confusion, who responded by wagging her tail.

"Why not? I need to get ready for school."

"Use the downstairs bathroom."

"But my stuff is in this one."

He could hear someone shuffling around and cabinets opening.

"Here." Leigha shoved the bathroom products into his arms then shut the door. Miles looked down at the items, noticing she had neglected toothpaste. Based on what he had seen, she wasn't naked, so he opened the bathroom door.

"You forgot toothpaste," he announced while grabbing it from the counter. He glanced at the mirror, seeing his sister's eyes were bloodshot and her nose dripping with snot.

"A new kind of hangover," he asked as he retracted his hand with the toothpaste.

"No, some kind of allergy. Get out so I can take a shower." She tried to push him out of the room and Miles barely able to avoid her sneeze.

"You have allergies?"

"Yeah, that's why you couldn't get a dog or a cat. And so you got all those other weird animals."

She slammed the door shut, leaving Miles and the dog outside the bathroom.

"That explains so much now."

---

"SONATA!" yelled Cyrus immediately once Miles and Ramona entered the restaurant. The two high schoolers hurried over to find Cyrus in the break room with Leigha and Anita.

"Me Sonata or her Sonata?" he asked while pointing between himself and his sister.

"Both. Don't bring me your terrible communication skills and expect me to solve it for you."

Miles looked to his sister, who looked better than this morning but still irritated.

"Don't tell me you forgot about my allergies, which is why you took in a dog?"

"And when was the last time you had allergies? How am I supposed to remember?"

"We live in the same house. You could have at least asked!"

"There was never a need to before!"

"Well, get in the habit because I live there too!"

"I would pick the dog over you as a housemate."

"A dog that isn't even yours."

"Still is a better housemate."

"Sonata!"

Cyrus yelling their last name drew the squabbling siblings to the manager’s attention.

"It's been how many days since the dog came here?"

"One," answered Miles.

"Then Miles, take the dog to the pound. It's not a restaurant's responsibility to look after lost pets. And Leigha, go stay with Anita while Miles cleans the house."

"I can't take her to the pound!" "I don't want to move out!" the siblings exclaimed.

"And why won't you?" Cyrus looked to Leigha.

"I need to keep the cover that I'm still in school, so I can't do anything outside of Miles' living parameters."

Cyrus turned to Miles.

"I've been to the local pound before, and they aren't exactly the best with non-collared dogs."

"Why doesn’t someone else take the dog in?" offered Anita, who was waiting on Leigha.

"Who else can take her in?" asked Miles. Everyone looked around the room, all heads turning to Cyrus.

"I can't. I have an apartment."

"Please, Cyrus, she's well trained! I'll even get you the things you will need for her," begged Miles.

"Yes, please, otherwise I will die from allergies," pleaded Leigha.

The Sonatas approached him with a sad look in their eyes that was eerily similar to each other.

"Alright, alright, stop making those faces. I'll pick up the animal from your house after work."

"Thank you!" The siblings immediately bowed then dashed off, Leigha leaving with Anita, while Miles went to change.

"Are you sure you'll be fine?" asked Ramona, placing a comforting hand on defeated Cyrus' shoulder.

"Can't you or Anita take the dog?"

"Anita has a tiny apartment, and my parent's business doesn't allow pets."

Cyrus pulled himself off the wall and slunk back to his office to hide for the rest of the day. What had he gotten himself into?