The Rourke house had never been louder than the day their parents brought home the new dog. He was a big, bouncy mix with a snowy white body and the most adorable brown face, like he’d run through a puddle of caramel. His name? Bruno. And he was way too excited to meet his new family.

Jake, 15, was instantly obsessed. “This is literally the best dog in the entire world,” he said, scratching behind Bruno’s ears while the pup wagged his tail so hard it shook his whole body.

Gaby, 18, however… stood frozen in the hallway, arms crossed and eyes wide. “Why is it looking at me like that?”

Jake looked up. “You mean like he loves you? Because he does.”

“No,” Gaby whispered, backing up a step. “Like he’s about to charge at me and eat my soul.”

Bruno barked once—just once—and Gaby jumped so hard she smacked her elbow on the doorframe.

Jake laughed. “Are you seriously scared of him? He’s a walking marshmallow.”

“Jake, I’m not scared,” Gaby insisted, edging toward the kitchen. “I just don’t trust animals that don’t blink for like five minutes straight.”

“Bro,” Jake said. “He’s literally blinking right now.”

As if on cue, Bruno let out a little whimper and padded over to Gaby, tongue out, tail wagging. Gaby stiffened.

“Nope—no thanks—I’m good—” she muttered, climbing up on the counter like she was avoiding lava.

Jake doubled over laughing. “You are the toughest goalkeeper in Kentucky and you’re scared of a puppy?!”

“He’s not a puppy, he’s a demon disguised in a Costco dog costume!” she yelled, clutching the cereal box like a shield.

Bruno sat and tilted his head, confused and adorable. Jake looked at him, then up at Gaby.

“Don’t worry, buddy,” Jake said to the dog. “She’ll warm up to you by next week.”

Gaby, still perched on the counter, mumbled, “Don’t bet on it.”