Chase's POV:

Dawn at last! The sun is starting to rise, meaning it's time to wake up the other pups. We could have a mission any time, so it's best to be prepared.

I slowly walk out of my pup house. I go to Skye's first, which is next to mine. Mainly to see her. It's a great start to my mornings. 

I'll never forget two significant days...

● ● ●

"Chase! It's your turn to hide!" Marshall cheered, smiling.

The two of us, who had only known each other for two weeks, are playing hide and go seek with each other. I'm happier than ever to have a new home, with my loving owner, Ryder, and best friend, Marshall.

Could I get any luckier?

"I'll go hide! You start counting!" I started running.

Marshall closed his eyes. "Okay! One... Two... Three... Four..."

I dashed to a tree, to hide behind. Only to discover a small, cute pup already there...

"Uh, hi!" I smiled, "What's your name?"

The small pup stuttered, nervously. "H-Hi. I-I'm Skye."

"What are you doing here? Are you alone?" I question, concerned about Skye.

"Y-Yes. I don't have a home. Ever since my last owner abandoned me, I had to live on the streets, with hardly anything to eat. I go days without eating. It's tough surviving." she sighed, wiping a tear from her cheek. 

"I'm really sorry to hear that..." I sighed, solemnly.

"Do you live around here?" she asked.

I answered. "I do..."

"Hey, Chase! I found you—who's this pup?" Marshall came, staring at Skye.

I explained, sadly. "This is Skye. I just found her. She's hungry and alone."

"Oh no!" the Dalmatian gasped, "I'm so sorry you have to go through that, Skye!"

"It's okay. I'm used to it... I didn't get your name..." the Cockapoo stared.

"Oh, I'm Marshall!" he smiled warmly.

Is there a possible way to help this pup? I really don't want her to starve like she is... And be alone. She needs a loving home... Maybe Ryder will know what to do.

"Hi, pups! What's going on here?" Ryder asked, noticing Skye.

"A lot, Ryder! This pup, Skye, is hungry... And has been alone. She has no owner or home. Can we possibly give one?" I worried.

Ryder kneeled down, to see the pup. "Are you alright?"

"No..." she bent her head down to the ground, gloomily. 

"I know what will make you feel better. You can stay with us since you don't have a home. We have food to eat and you won't feel like you're alone. How does that sound?" Ryder suggested.

Her eyes lit up. "Yes, please! Thank you so much!"

● ● ●

It has been a few months since Skye started living with us. I have to admit, it feels even better having her live with us. She's more than just the definition of "cute". And recently, I've been feeling different about her. 

What is this feeling?

"Hey, Chase! How are you feeling?" Marshall comforted me.

I admitted truthfully. "I don't know... I just feel different." 

"Different about what?" the Dally asked.

"You know... Skye... I just feel different. About her. What is this feeling?" I ponder.

Marshall puts a paw onto mine. "I know what it is. You like her. As a crush."

"I d-don't. She's just a friend." I blushed.

"It's okay, Chase. I know you do." he smiles.

"Fine. I do have a crush on her. Just don't tell her, okay?" I admit.

"Your secret is safe with me, buddy!"

● ● ●

The day I discovered my crush on her was more than amazing! It took a while to realize it, but Marshall helped me through it...

Marshall...

"Skye... It's time to wake up. It's morning." I whispered to her. 

She slowly moved and her eyelids opened to reveal her lively eyes. 

She stepped out of her pup house. "Good morning, Chase. Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, I did." I blush.

I'm assuming my blush is a bright, crimson red color which is very noticeable. I hope she didn't notice.

"Okay. Let's go wake up the other pups." I change the subject. 

"Let's go!" she walks beside me. 

"Ruff! Megaphone! Pups, it's time to wake up!" I get out my megaphone. 

All four of them don't move a single inch, not even a centimeter. They stay put, resting. Except for Marshall, who's sleeptalking again, which always makes it hard to sleep.

"Liver treats! Mmm! I'll have all of you and then I'll eat you!" Marshall sighed through his dream. It was a dreamy sigh, rather than a pathetic-like sigh.

I glance at Skye. "Do you ever find Marshall's sleep talking annoying?"

"It can be a little loud at times, but I really have no problem with it." she shrugs. 

"Oh, okay. But how will we wake up the other pups? They won't no matter what." I mused, bewildered. 

"Watch and learn, Chase." she picks up a nearby spoon with her mouth. She hits it onto a pup bowl, making a clink sound. That's when the other pups decided to wake up. The Cockapoo looks back at me with a little wink.

Wow! She even knows how to wake up the other pups better than me. 

"It's breakfast time already? Why didn't anybody wake me up sooner?" Rubble came out of his pup house with a sleeping mask over his eyes, "And who turned off the lights?"

"Haha! Nobody turned out the lights, Rubble. It's just your sleeping mask." Skye giggled as she took it off of his head. 

Rubble walked away. "That's better. Thanks!"

"I'm a little tired, dudes." Zuma yawned. 

"Me too." Rocky approached him. 

Marshall grinned. "I dreamed about liver treats!" 

"I know, I know. Because you were sleep talking again." I sighed a bit annoyed. 

"I wish the dream was real. Then I could eat more liver treats. Speaking of food, maybe we should have breakfast now." Marshall suggested.

Skye started up to the lookout. "Yeah, we should go now."

We were far ahead of Marshall, who got himself tangled in our tug toy.

When we got inside, Rubble was still in the elevator waiting. It was all of us who were in the elevator except Marshall. He tripped over our tug toy and was tangled in it. It was a deranged mess!

"Marshall! Be careful!" we warned him. 

He rolled right on top of us and we were all splattered on the ground, like any "normal" day. All the other pups laughed, except me. 

I don't see what's so ironic about his clumsiness. It isn't mature of Marshall at all. It's immature.

I'm the complete contradiction of him. And this got me reflecting. Things I've never cared about before.

I'm the most serious and most mature pup out of all is a good thing. But when Marshall comes into the picture, being my best friend and all, it would make me seem not-so mature. 

And it gets very annoying. His sleeptalking! Him always falling over! All of that! But maybe I'm overthinking. Because I didn't even notice that the elevator is already at the top of the Lookout Tower to the control room.

Ryder smiled. "Good morning, pups! Did you sleep okay last night?"

"We slept okay, Ryder, sir!" I approached my bowl. 

"That's good to hear." he folded the bag filled with pup food, "Do any of you have any plans for today if we don't have a mission?"

"I think I'm going to do some flying with my wings." Skye grinned. 

"I'm going to the bay to do some windsurfing," Zuma added. 

"Okay, then." Ryder started eating his own breakfast. I was specifically next to Skye, which normally wouldn't happen. Does Ryder suspect this?

● ● ●

After breakfast, we always go to doing our own activities if there isn't a mission. I have no plans for today. There isn't any traffic to direct. It's just... Calm. Maybe I'll take a little walk or something. 

"Chase, can I talk to you for a moment before you go?" Ryder asked me.

I bite my lip, nervously. "What is it, Ryder, sir?" 

"You aren't in trouble, Chase. I just wanted to talk to you." he sank into his bean bag chair, "I noticed you've been acting strange around Skye. Her only. Not the other pups."

"There's n-nothing wrong at all, sir." I shake my head as fast as the speed of lightning. 

He interrogated. "There may not be anything wrong, but when you're around her, you seem different. Do you like her? More than just a friend?" 

I guess he already knew, so I should stop hiding it. 

"Can you keep this a secret?" I look down. 

"Your secret will be safe with me, Chase. Now tell me. Do you like her?" he scratched behind my ear. 

"I do like Skye. More than just a friend. I like everything about her. Her personality, her pretty eyes, and everything else. I feel like I can't hold it in any longer, but I will because I don't have the confidence to tell her that." I sigh in despair. 

"You can always talk to me if you need support, Chase. I'm here for you. And if you're not ready to tell Skye about your love for her, then that's fine. I'll always be here." he hugged me. 

I closed my eyes gently. "Thank you for the advice, Ryder, sir." 

"Is there anybody else that knows about this other than me?" he let go of the hug. 

"Only Marshall knows about this." I look up to him, remembering my best friend.

"Okay, Chase. Having a best friend you could open up to does come in handy." he looked up to the ceiling. There wasn't much going on up there. 

"Yeah, it sure does." my voice trails off. 

It does come in handy having a best friend. And in Marshall's case... I do hope we stay friends... Because I feel like, for some reason, our friendship might change...