Here, Kitty, Kitty!

Lilac Eyes and a Calm Smile

I wake up under my comforter the next morning with my arms wrapped loosely around something soft. At the moment, my sleep-addled brain can't come up with how I ended up in bed when I'm sure I fell asleep at one of the tables downstairs, too focused on trying to fall back asleep. Instead of giving in, I unwrap my arms from whatever I've been holding on to and stretch them out, letting my eyes flutter open as I do. I look down to see what I'd been holding, thinking that I probably pulled a pillow down from the headboard at some point during the night, only to find the same cat from yesterday curled up close to my chest as it sleeps. I reach down to glide my hand along the cat's back with a soft smile, happy that the cat seems to have warmed up to me so soon.

I stay settled in bed for at least another hour, my hand aimlessly roaming over the cat's fur as I debate just going back to sleep. Eventually, I decide that as much as I'd like to stay in bed all day sleeping and cuddling with my new cat, I should probably get up. I reluctantly sit up and carefully maneuver my way over the still-sleeping cat and off the side of the bed, stumbling a bit before I get both my feet on the ground. I rub the sleep out of my eyes as I make my way to the bathroom.

I'm only in the bathroom for half an hour before I walk out with a towel wrapped tightly around my waist. My eyes immediately go to the bed to check on the cat, only to find it staring back at me. I smile and walk over to crouch down in front of it so we're eye to eye. It stares directly into my eyes without looking away for even a second, almost like it's afraid to look anywhere else. I bring my hand up to scratch behind its ear. "Thank you for coming to bed with me last night." I didn't think the cat's eyes could get any wider but it managed to make them somehow, I couldn't help but laugh at its expression. I give the cat one last scratch before making my way to the dresser to grab some clothes.

The cat followed me when I left the bedroom, sticking by my feet as I prepared breakfast. I made sure to put down and fill the cat bowls before I sat down to eat but it seemingly preferred to eat whatever scraps I couldn't help but feed it from my plate instead. In the end, I couldn't continue to eat while it begged for my food and just laid my plate down after only eating half of it. As I watch the cat take small bites out of the food that was meant to be mine, my thoughts stray to all the cat stuff I'd loaded up on yesterday, specifically the collars I lazily left lying on the counter yesterday instead of finding a place to put them. I'm grinning as I stand from my place on the couch and carefully step around the cat, getting no more than a small glance from it as I walk to the kitchen.

I make my way to the kitchen counter and start rifling through the plastic bag on the counter, eventually pulling out a small dark blue collar. It's nothing special, just a simple collar with some brass tags with my name and number engraved into one of them hanging off the loop. It's not much, but it'll be enough to make me feel like I have a cat even if it wanders the street most of the time. I can only hope I'll be able to get it on without making the cat too upset or getting scratched, though I guess I'll deserve it if I do.

I push the bag further onto the counter before walking away, peeking into the living room before slowly walking in. With the cat still occupied eating my food I unlatch the collar and slowly tiptoe closer. Once I'm only a step behind it I reach forward and just as I'm about to get the collar around the front of the cat's head, it turns around and I quickly pull my hands back to my chest, knowing I've been caught. The cat stares at the collar in my hands as I stay frozen waiting for it to get mad, taking a few tentative steps forward and meowing at me. I reach out to pet its head only for it to nuzzle into my palm and let out a soft purr. I carefully plop myself back down on the couch and look down at the collar in my other hand before bringing it over to the cat, carefully latching it around its neck before continuing to run a hand along the cat's fur.

We spend the next few moments just enjoying each other's company, the cat having slowly made its way onto the couch until it ended up snug in my lap. I was content to stay that way until the cat's ears suddenly perked up and it left my lap. Its ears twitch as it moves around the room trying to listen for something, eventually stopping at the door to go downstairs. Confused, I pull myself off the couch and make my way over just as the cat starts to lightly scratch at the wood. I open the door to see what it wants only for the cat to sprint out the door and down the steps, I almost trip trying to follow after it.