Kitty

6

I stretch and yawn, shaking the morning dew out of my hair. I pull my phone out of my pocket with shaking hands and check the time. 6:05. I sigh. When will I stop falling asleep outside? I seem to be doing it more often nowadays, maybe because my cat form likes it. I stretch my legs out in front of me, trying to work the feeling back into them. At least last night was one of the warmer fall nights this week. I carefully stand up, using the bench as support for my shaky legs. I'm so fucking cold.

I hobble back home, thinking on the way. Today's Friday. I only have today's school, then I have the whole weekend to relax. Maybe I'll actually go somewhere. The bookstore sounds like a nice place to go. Maybe Petco. I still need to ask my parents why we've never had a cat. I know a neighbor four houses down that has a dog. Since their dog is super nice to me even when I'm a cat, maybe I'll buy it something.

I shake my head again, clearing it of thoughts and more dew before heading inside. I shift into a cat after closing the door behind me, and sneak into my bedroom. This makes it easier to be quiet. I shift back and shut my door then head to the bathroom.

Long hot showers are so damn nice. I step out feeling clean and smelling like a lemon. I like citrus. I check the time and hurry things up: speedily eating a bowl of cereal, brushing my teeth, changing into a hoodie and shorts, and grabbing my backpack. By 7:45, I'm out the door and on my way to school.

I sit up higher on my bike, pedaling fast, embracing the wind in my face. I inhale the crisp autumn air and smile. I love Fall.

School goes by without incident, meaning I successfully avoid Jay all day. I race home on my bike, free of school for the weekend. I skip inside and throw my backpack down.

"I'M HOMEEE," I yell throughout the house. It doesn't matter anyway, both my parents are at work til like, 5 pm. Poor mom has to deal with Betsy right now.

I grab a piece of chocolate cake and some almond milk and flop down on the couch to watch tv. I flip through the channels, finally settling on some baking show. Wow, I wish I could make a cupcake that fast.

After about an hour of watching the baking show, I turn off the tv and head back to the kitchen. On my way to the dishwasher, I check the time again. 4:36. My parents will be home soon. I think I'll go for a jog before they get home, then hole up in my bedroom til dinner.

I follow through with my plan, coming home sweaty and tired. I head upstairs and take a shower, changing into shorts and a t-shirt. I put some socks on as well, since my lil feet get cold easily on my hardwood floor. Soon I'm reading comfortably on my beanbag, every now and then I hear my parents talking downstairs.

I give up on reading, due to my lack of focus and Jay popping up in my head over and over again. I sigh and put my book back on the bookshelf, then stuff my converse on. Guess I'm going on a walk yet again. And no, it's not because there's a chance I'll run into Jay.

I head outside, taking my time on my walk. Soon enough, I hear someone yelling, "HERE KITTY KITTY", but somehow more sadly.

I approach behind him, waiting for him to turn around. When he does, he jumps, and I'm guessing I came close to giving him a heart attack.

"Leo? What are you doing here?" he says, somehow not out of breath from all the yelling he was doing.

"Have you forgotten I live here, dumbass? You literally just asked me if I saw a cat in my neighborhood like, 2 days ago." I say, sort of upset he forgot. No, I'm not upset, just slightly disappointed about his memory.

"Oh yeah, that's right! Did you say you have seen a tabby cat, or not?"

Ok, now I feel hurt. I glare at him, turning around to go back home, when he grabs my arm.

"Wait, Leo, I'm just kidding," he says, trying to look me in the eye. "Actually, could you help me with something?" he asks, sincerity in his voice.

I pull my arm out of his grasp and look away, trying to hide my blushing. Sadly, my skin is so pasty, it's hard to hide it.

"Um, help you with what?" I say, still avoiding his stare.

"The English homework from Thursday," he says. Okay, now it's his turn to be blushing. I whip my head around and pinch my eyebrows together.

"Really? That was due this morning! It was like, the easiest thing I've done in my life."

"Hey, we get it," he says, rolling his eyes, "You were born to be an English teacher, and I'm way better than you at Math."

I gasp, "Well, I never," I say, acting surprised. "Jay, being slightly mean, other than that time you tripped me? Noooo... I've got to tell all your friends about this!"

He rolls his eyes again, looking slightly offended. "It was you who tripped me, Mr. I Faint When I See Blood."

I blush, looking down. "A lot of people have vasovagal syncope. Don't judge me for it."

"Vague what now?"

"Look it up in your own time, do you want help with your English or what?" I say, meeting his eyes finally.

"Fine, fine, c'mon, let's do it at my place," he says, starting to head towards my neighborhood.

"Wait, what? I've still gotta eat dinner and do my own homework, and why are you walking towards my neighborhood?" I say, slightly panicking at the thought of going to his house.

"Cause I live there? Duh. How do you think I saw the tabby in the first place?"

"What?!? I never knew you lived in my neighborhood? Why didn't you introduce yourself, all those years I've lived here???"

"Why didn't you introduce yourself? I've been here longer than you."

Oh. That's probably true. We moved here when I was 8, my parents tired of living so far away from civilization. I quite liked our cabin nestled in the woods, but I didn't mind moving closer to some possible friends. After we moved, I realized I'm not very good at socializing. So much for possible friends.

"Whatever, fine. Maybe I should've. But back to my main point: I'm hungry, and I still have other homework to do," I state, hoping I won't have to go to his house, but also slightly hoping I will.

He looks at me questionably, saying, "We'll just have dinner at my house. I'm sure my mom would love you. And you can just run in and grab your homework, so we can work together."

I nervously nod and we head to my house.