The Cat's Out Of The Bag

Chapter Three

As soon as its lunch the next, I run toward the field, trying to ignore the other kids who are actually trying to be physical and not pet cats.

I am glad to see the black cat appear again far away from the sight of the other students, and I quickly greet it.

As I pet its fur, I realize it still has a crusty feel to it and is still dusty.

"Aww, did you not get a bath yesterday? Don't worry. I know what to do!" I pull off my black backpack and grab my water bottle which is full. I stare hesitantly at the cat.

"You're not going to claw me, are you?" I ask the cat, but it just stares up at me, whiskers twitching.

I guess that is a 'maybe not.'

I pull the cat closer to me, and slowly drip the water onto its back.

It lets out a hiss of surprise, but doesn't run off or unsheathe it's claws.

"Okay, good. Just stay." I whisper, rubbing the clean water into its fur. Of course I have no cat shampoo, so hopefully water is enough just to wash away most of the dirt.

And it is. The water beneath the cat is soon brown, dripping down from its fur.

"Wow, you are one filthy kitty." I laugh, squeezing the water out of its fur. It looks up and gives me a disappointed look, as if it knows what has to be done but did not like it.

"Sorry." I shrug, pulling out a small towel I stole from my own bathroom. Within a few moments the cat becomes the most dry it can get, its damp black fur shinning in the sun.

Actually, now that I look at it close I see there are different colors in the cats fur, like hints of brown and grey.

"You are stunning, stray cat." I giggle, petting it behind the ears. In return it gives me the first purr I've heard since I started bathing it.

"I think I should stop calling you cat. I feel it's rude, because I wouldn't like it if I was called 'The Human' all the time, and not Natalie." I laugh again, and the cat settles its wet rear on my lap, flipping over and revealing its belly to the sun.

"What should I name you? Tigre? Oso? Oh, Estrella!" I gasp, seeing the cats black fur shinning. Shinning like a star.

"Yes, you're Estrella, aren't you?" I say in a cooey voice as I run my hands through the cat's damp fur.

It looks up at me with those pretty copper eyes and lets put a half purr, half meow.

I know cats can't talk, but I think this cat just told me it approves.

Then, the bell for lunch rings and I sigh in frustration.

"Why does the bell always sound when we're together, Estrella?" I ask the cat, testing out the new name. I don't actually know its gender, so I quickly check, confirming it's a girl.

Estrella in reply purrs louder if that was possible, and rubs her head against my hand. Then she looks up at me, meowing.

"What?" I ask, but she just meows again, swatting the air. Then my stomach rumbles, and I know.

"Oh, you could've just said so." I chuckle, pulling out some cat treats I had stolen from a store while out on errands.

Estrella sniffs it, purring with delight. Within a second she is grabbing the treats and running off behind some uncut grass and bushes.

"Hey, I haven't even opened it!" I laugh, grabbing her before her tail disappears inside the bush. Her jaw is locked on the treats, and she lets out a small growl as I lightly tug on them.

"No biting! I promise I'll feed you, just let me open it!"

It takes some time, but she finally lets go of the treats and I open them. She quickly runs back up to me and try's to claw away the treats from my grasp.

"Wait!" I giggle, throwing her a handful and she swallows them within three seconds, looking up slyly, staring at the treats again.

"You treat monster." I tease, throwing her a few more as I get up to leave. But before I know it, I almost fall and look down to see Estrella winding herself around my legs again, purring.

I sigh and throw more treats behind her, and as she runs back to gobble them up I sprint off, laughing to myself.

Such a silly stray cat.

*     *     *     *     *

It's math again, and I can't help glancing out of the window that has a full view of the field.

For a moment I think I see a black tail disappear into some bushes, but maybe it it's just my mind playing tricks on me.

I look back and see Riley, who looks like she's about to cry.

That look on her face catches me so off guard I almost gasp out loud, but hold it in.

Why is Riley on the verge of tears? Has something happened?

As Riley looks about ready to burst, she stands up from her chair while Mrs. William is halfway through her lecture.

She turns around and gives Riley an icy stare, as if challenging her to speak.

For a few moments, Riley is silent. Then, she speaks, her voice wobbly and uncertain.

"I-I have an announcement to make. I-uh-" she looks at the teacher, as if willing her to give her the chance to talk.

Mrs. William raises an eyebrow. "Can it wait?"

"I-uh, it's probably better if I just say it now... I guess..." she trails off, waiting for a response. When she doesn't get one, she continues to speak.

"I just wanted to let everyone know to keep a look out for a black cat. My cat went missing yesterday, she is a black cat with long silky fur and yellow eyes. She's about a year or two old, and she ran off while I was at school yesterday. Her name's Star. Please, if anyone has seen her, let me know!"

I feel all the oxygen get sucked out of me.

Black cat? Yellow eyes? Long silky fur? Lost yesterday? For god's sake, her name is Star!

It was too much correct information for it to be a coincidence.

Seriously, the cat showed up yesterday after math, check. Then, it's got yellow eyes and long silky black fur. Triple check. And its name is Star, the name I gave it literally meaning Star in Spanish. Also, she's a girl. Another check.

I have actually checked off all the boxes, which means the stray cat I have been feeding, petting, bonding with and cleaning is not actually a stray, but a lost pet. Little miss perfect's lost pet, actually.

I feel myself start to sweat as the class goes silent, considering the facts.

Should I speak up? Maybe give away a hint?

I shouldn't even be having these thoughts. I should immediately know to warn Riley that her cat is actually just beyond the school, living past the fence on the field, so close to home.

But as I try to speak, nothing comes out. None of the students speak up, either.

Everyone remains silent.

Riley lets out a half sigh, half sob as she crumbles back into her desk, completely forgetting to fix her posture.

She looks miserable.

"Well, I'm sorry Riley. I have not seen such a cat, but please, if anyone sees anything, even the smallest trace, let me or Riley know. I will make sure to warn my other classes as well." Mrs. William says softly, her eyes gazing sympathetically at her.

Then she turns away to get back to her lesson, there being a strange quietness and stillness in the room for the remaining hour.