A Shattered Song ✔️

Chapter Two: Cat Conundrum

CHAPTER TWO: Cat Conundrum

"EVIE, I HAVE AN IDEA!"

"Oh?" Evelyn had kind of been expecting this, based on how excited Kayleigh was- she was practically bouncing off the nonexistent walls, reduced to four years old again by a flash of inspiration. "And what is that?"

"I," Said Kayleigh with an air of self-importance. "Cannot tell you yet."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow.

"But," Kayleigh continued. "I can assure you that it is perfectly genius. So no, you cannot stop me. Ever."

Evelyn tapped her finger against the open door frame, counting the seconds before Kayleigh cracked and it all came spilling out.

The two were hanging out at Evelyn's house- Kayleigh had somehow obtained permission from both sets of parents, surprisingly enough. Perched on the porch steps as she waited for her parent's car to pull out of the driveway, Kayleigh waved even as she boasted her amazingness to Evelyn.

"It's super awesome." Added Kayleigh when Evelyn didn't reply, shifting the weight of several green shopping bags in her arms. "Perfectly perfect. You'll see."

Surprisingly enough, Kayleigh didn't give anything else away.

Time for Plan B.

"What's in there?" Evelyn asked curiously, peering at the bags innocently. Kayleigh took a step back, shooting her an irritated look. "What? I'm just asking!"

"Top-secret stuff." Kayleigh bragged from a safe distance away. She was far enough that Evelyn couldn't see a thing. "And also snacks. Always snacks. Feel free to help yourself to the smoothie, popcorn, and pretzels, but touch my gummy sharks and you will die a slow and painful death."

"Noted."

Kayleigh smiled angelically.

"Let's just head inside." Evelyn grumbled. Surprisingly, Kayleigh stepped forward to hand her one of the bags- from the weight and crinkling noises coming from inside, she assumed this one held the snacks. A faded white label advertising some sort of company displayed itself from where it swung at Evelyn'd hip. Kayleigh's eyes followed it each time it moved.

So much for sharing.

"Come on. Let's head inside." Evelyn suggested. Contrary to what she'd tell anyone, she really did want the snacks. She was a sucker for popcorn.

And gummy sharks. Those gummy sharks were going down.

"But Evie-" Kayleigh hesitated and glanced back at the bag she'd handed to Evelyn. "Oh, alright." She still didn't move.

Evelyn hefted the bag over her shoulder. "I'll eat your gummy sharks if you don't." She threatened with a big smile. Kayleigh mock-gasped, but Evelyn didn't miss the brief flash of nervousness that made its way across her face.

So this bag did have Kayleigh's precious treats.

Good to know.

Evelyn began to make her way inside, weaving through misplaced armchairs and coat racks. She liked her house and its reliable mess- it was dependable, and Evelyn didn't much care if she tripped over thirty-seven shoes on her way to the kitchen table. The walls, painted a cheerful yellow, were plastered with horrible pictures Evelyn had doodled when she was like, three, that her parents had refused to take down.

One showed two stick-figure girls sporting lopsided smiles- one with red hair and the other with black.

Polar opposites.