Wings

Chapter 9

It was a beautiful white Angora cat with blue eyes. It was one of the most beautiful cats Olivia had ever seen. She also thought Maine Coons were the most beautiful, too. Olivia had to be dreaming, right? Talking cats don't exist. Cats talk like humans. But apparently, this cat was talking to her just now. Olivia stared at the white Angora cat in shock and surprise. The cat now stared at her somewhat uncomfortably. Was she going too far? Should she walk away?

"You spoke ... to me?" asked Olivia cautiously after some awkward silence had passed.

The cat stared at her to give an answer "Of course I was speaking to you. After Olivia looked around, there were people in the park, but not close to her. They were probably afraid of her because she had wings. After the girl made eye contact with the cat, the conversation began... and their friendship.

"What are you doing here in the park? It's kind of dangerous here, you know? Besides, shouldn't you be at school?"

Olivia sighed softly. "I ran away from school." Then Olivia told her whole story of why she was in the park. The cat looked at her startled and felt sorry that people like Ella existed. Bullies could be really awful. The cat sat down just in front of Olivia's crossed legs and continued to listen until the girl had finished her story. "And that's it," the girl replied with wings.

The cat nodded and opened her mouth to say something, but Olivia interrupted her with the same question, "What are you doing here?"

"I was looking for food and drink here until I saw you," the cat replied to Olivia.

Olivia felt her heart break into pieces. Cats were her favorite animals and her favorite wild cat was a snow leopard. She liked animals in her heart and there were many people who had big hearts for animals. Whenever Olivia saw an animal that was in trouble, she immediately came to the rescue. Then she knew she wanted to help that cat, but only if the cat wanted to.

"I want to help you. If you want, you can come live with me. I live in an orphanage. I'll hide you in my backpack." The girl then began to grab her backpack, put it upside down, and shake it to empty it. Things like schoolbooks, a pen bag, a lunch box, and a cover block fell out. The cat stared at the girl with wings all the while observing her. But the kitty also felt hope and a bit of uncertainty. Will she have a new home? Wasn't she in danger? She watched Olivia stuff her things into her sports bag. After this was complete, she opened her backpack wide and the cat went in. Olivia stood up, put her book bag over her back, and picked up her gym bag. "What's your name?"

"Snowflower, but call me Snow."

"I'm Olivia."

Then the girl with wings left to be out of the park. After she was gone, she left in the direction of the orphanage. Occasionally, Snow and Olivia would talk to each other while they kept the girls alert so nothing could happen to them. Who knows what would happen if they weren't alert? Olivia's wings were somewhat invisible because of her backpack, but she knew they put the others on alert because of her wings. Should she hide forever now? Should she also hide Snow from the world because she could also talk like a human?

*

After Olivia and Snow reached the orphanage, they went inside. The girl with wings immediately went to her room and when she was inside, she closed the door and put her book bag on the bed along with her gym bag. Snow emerged and looked around. "Not a bad room, Olivia," she said.

"I've lived here since I was a baby. Cindy takes care of me. She works at a cat cafe."

Snow looked surprised. Cat cafes were a popular place for some tourists to visit. Not to relax, but also to spend time with the cats. In some Asian countries, like Japan, they have many nice cafes that you can visit. "That sounds like a nice place," Snow said.

Olivia nodded and began to unpack. Snow began washing, even though she was not 100 percent clean. She needed to take a bath. But that could wait. How will Olivia explain to Cindy that she encountered a stray cat? Would Snow be sent back outside? Olivia absolutely did not want that. She has a feeling that she and Snow will become best friends.

*

Some hours had passed and Snow was sleeping on Olivia's bed. Cats were light sleepers and always had to stay alert for anything. Olivia lay next to Snow reading a book. Sometimes she did read books for adults, but she also liked to read books for teenagers. She desperately wanted to be a writer. That was her greatest dream. Then Olivia heard it. Footsteps. She immediately closed her book and gently woke Snow. "Wake up. We're going to have visitors. Hide."

Snow went under Olivia's bed and was just in time because then there was a knock at the door and it opened. It was Cindy. She closed the door and looked back at her. "We need to talk. Do you have time?"

Olivia nodded. Cindy didn't sound stern or angry, but rather somewhat serious and worried. Olivia made room on her bed and Cindy sat down next to her. "I got a call from the school that you had run away."

Olivia didn't make eye contact with Cindy, but she listened. She remained silent.

"I went to school to hear the story but James and Jessie told me a different story about what happened during LO. Olivia, did you really push Ella?"

Olivia remained calm even though she felt anger. How dare Mrs. An lie, just what she believed in? Luckily, James and Jessie came to the rescue. Olivia felt immensely grateful. She shook her head. "No. But I met someone in the park. It's not a person. And I hope she gets to stay."

Cindy looked questioningly as Olivia stood up and then she said Snow's name and the cat emerged. Olivia lifted her up and held her in her arms. Snow's fur was soft like a blanket and Olivia was also grateful that she did not have allergies to animals. Cindy smiled immediately and went over to her. Snow watched quietly as Cindy gently put her hand on her head and began to pet her. Snow began to purr. It felt good and she closed her beautiful eyes.

"What a beautiful cat! What's her name?"

Then the kitty decided to surprise Cindy. "My name is Snow."

Cindy looked surprised. Never in her life would she meet a beautiful cat who could talk like a human. Olivia and Snow both waited nervously for a reaction, but surprisingly, she was chill and quiet. Olivia sensed something was wrong. But what? Maybe it was just her head playing tricks? She looked away sadly then. What if Snow doesn't get to stay?

Cindy noticed that she looked sad and gently said Olivia's name. After looking at her, Cindy said, "Snow can stay here for me, but keep this a secret, okay? Only James and Jessie are allowed to know."

Olivia looked relieved and let out a small smile. Snow pressed her head against Olivia's chin and the girl with wings let out a giggle as Cindy smiled.