NekoMentals!

Chapter One

Yurika stroked her Calico cat, Diana. Since school let out a few weeks ago, the high-school student had been busying herself by reading classic literature. "Little Women" was always her absolute favorite, and little Amy was her pride and joy.

When Yurika was little, about two or so years old, her parents died in an unfortunate car crash. Eventually, she got to live with her Aunt Bethany.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. As Yurika stood up to get it, Diana jumped off her lap with a squeaky meow.

"Surprise!" Sachiko sang as Yurika opened the door.

In her hands, she was carrying a small chest. Unlocking the chest, Yurika found a malachite crystal attached to a gold chain. She picked it up with curiosity, and smiled her no-teeth smile.

"Thank you so much, Chica." she said warmly.

Chica was Yurika's nickname for Sachiko; it derived from the last two syllables of her name, and Sachiko loved it more than anything.

Inviting Sachiko in with a gesture, the quiet friend asked, "Come in for a cup of tea, will you?"

When the girls drank their honey ginger tea, they chatted about what they'd be doing over the summer. Murmurs of the beach, sports and libraries echoed throughout the long hallway.

"Is that Sachiko I hear?" Aunt Bethany wondered aloud. Sachiko smiled widely, for she loved her best friend's aunt.

Diana crept around the corner, rubbing against Bethany. Yurika held out her hand, and slowly, the Calico crawled her way to her owner. She jumped onto her lap, and purred a lovely song.

The three young women had their fair share of gossip about the neighbors, newest singers and older celebrities.

As soon as they were done talking, the two teenagers headed down the hallway into Yurika's room, for they had planned a sleepover over the phone. All night, they played games, talked about Sachiko's school crush, and last but certainly not least, what they'd be having for breakfast the next day. They fell asleep around eleven at night, not arising until eight the next morning.

After Yurika and Sachiko were done eating their toast and marmalade, they scurried around the one-story house, gathering all of Sachiko's belongings that she brought.

"Chica, I bought you a necklace as well. I didn't want to give it to you yesterday, since you had already given me one," she explained as she handed the necklace over. It was a yellow citrine with a silver chain, quite opposite to the necklace she had been given the previous day. Sachiko beamed with happiness (and a hint of appreciation) and took it lovingly. Both of the girls helped the other put their beautiful jewelry on, and hugged afterwards.

"Thank you," they laughed in unison, putting their foreheads together.

Yurika walked Sachiko to the door and Yurika exclaimed their usual goodbye, "Farewell, Yurika!"

Sachiko waved and smiled back with her honey kissed eyes at her amazing friend.

Yurika was cleaning the house with her feather duster, when abruptly, the doorbell rang. Did Sachiko forget something again?

She opened the door to reveal a (handsome) young man in a tuxedo. Yurika could feel her face turning a bright crimson, but attempted to make it stop by looking at his tie.

"Hello. You are Yurika Akiyama, yes?"

His voice is surprisingly deep, she noted. All the flustered girl could do was nod her head passionately.

The young man replied with a wink and a smirk, "I am Damion Rose, and I am here to accompany you to the jewel maker's."

Now Yurika was even more confused. Jewel... maker's?