The Cat's Out Of The Bag

Chapter Ten

Without hesitation, Estrella runs to me, copper eyes bright as she purrs, winding her tail around my legs as usual, clawing for the treats.

Riley is still for a moment, silent tears falling down her face. Then her eyes catch mine.

"Is... is that..."

I sort of would sometimes imagine Riley's reunion with Estrella.

One where Riley ran to her and scooped her up, Estrella purring against her chest like she did with me. But this is different.

Riley is frozen in both shock and sadness, and Estrella stiffens beneath me, her wide gaze locked on her owner.

I expect her to bolt, but she just stays there, her tail eerily still.

"S-Star..." I can tell Riley is attempting to hold back tears, but they just flow as she holds out a hand to Estrella.

To my surprise, Estrella gives the hand a sniff, her tail still entrapped around my ankle.

As soon as she does, her tail frizzes and her eyes grow wide and scared, and I find myself instinctively going down to grab her in case she decides to flee.

But she doesn't. She just stares, a small hiss escaping her lips, ears back as she faces off with seemingly Riley's hand.

Riley crouches, silent as she tries to go in slowly to pet her. But Estrella retaliates, lifting a paw with claws out.

I quickly scoop her up before she strikes and cradle her near my heart. That's when I notice, she's shaking.

Then, I have this oh, so horrible thought, that perhaps there is more to the reason why Estrella fled her perfect home with Riley, but I swallow that idea with some effort.

I know Riley isn't like that, I've seen one to many times how fiercely loyal and loving she is to her pets, not daring to choose between Estrella and Night, constantly making the effort to keep them together.

I could never image her doing such a thing, and as I look into Riley's eyes, I know it's true. She loves Star to death. How can I deny her the right to her pet, just because I'm desperate? Star only chose me because she had a fallout with Night and kept smelling her on Riley. I can tell Star loves and misses Riley, but holds a grudge with Night for just being a dog.

She is very stubborn. Just like me.

"You have water?" I ask.

Riley seems so shocked by that seemingly random and normal question, I can tell for a moment she doesn't fully process it. I mean, who can blame her with her missing cat in the hands of her friend?

"Y-yeah." Her voice breaks, as she grabs the water to hand it to me.

"No. Wash your hands." I nod to her hands, and without much hesitation she does, and I can tell she's starting to piece things together.

Wether it's about me and Star or Night's scent, I'm not sure.

But she soon dries up and blows on her hands, shaking water droplets off.
Then she goes back in to try and pet Star again.

At first she hisses, but then leans slightly forward for a sniff.

I know Star can still smell Night, water would not be enough to wash away the scent of dog. But now, with that scent is also Riley, before Night.

When Riley starts to slowly pet Star on her chin, she doesn't refuse. A smile escapes Riley's lips, and she laughs, practically sobbing.

"My baby..."

After a few moments, Star starts to embrace Riley's touch, leaning toward her, her front paws standing on my arms crossed around her.

Then, I feel it.

A little at first, but it quickly intensifies like a wildfire, spreading through her whole body.

Purring.

She's purring. Because of Riley. Not me.

Without thinking, I force Star back into my grasp as she makes a small squeak of protest.
Riley stares at both me and Star, perplexed.

This is it. This is the end. The end of everything. Of Estrella. Riley's friendship. It all goes down from here.

"I-this..." I don't know where to start, so I just go straight into it.

"Riley, I've known where Star has been all along. Since before we even became friends, since before you knew she was even missing. I've always known."

Riley continues staring at me, her gaze unreadable.

So I tell my story, from the very beginning. When I first met Star. When I bathed her and named her Estrella. When I went off to see her and when I hanged out with her today. At the end I'm crying, and so is Riley.

"I'm sorry," I conclude, knowing it's hopeless.

How could a mere apology make up for all the lies I've told, all the stress I've put Riley through? Heck, she almost lost her dog because of it!

I am on the ground now, sitting with Riley as I stroke Star's fur, weeping. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Riley clench her fists.

In an instant, she pulls Star out of my lap and into her arms. Star meows in shock, but slowly starts purring at Riley's touch.

Riley gets up and gives me a look that makes me want to bury myself and hibernate for the rest of my life.

"Thanks for letting me know." She scoffs, and then she's gone, Star in her arms, until all I hear is the wind and my own gut wrenching sobs.