The Cat's Out Of The Bag

Chapter Eighteen

A week later, I struggle but finally have the courage to pull myself together and throw myself back into school.

It's a lot at first. People notice me and seem to have forgotten I exist, but it doesn't take long for the staring to stop.

I am so caught up in a swirl of happiness, still lingering from the last week that my mind completely glazes over the fact I'm in art and sitting right next to Riley.

I finally notice her when I hear a clicking noise and see her fidgeting with her pen rapidly, frowning at her work. It's a drawing of a cat curled up, but Riley seems to be having trouble with the ears that are still in pencil and not outlined.

I don't know what it is. Maybe it's the turn of events in my life, or the fact I completely forgot about this whole problem with Riley, or the fact she blocked me, but I naturally lean over and give her art a skeptical look.

"It looks really good, but the ears need to be straight but not to much to the side, like this."
I grab a stray pen and without any effort, draw perfect ears to match the cat's fluffy head.

They look exact, and I feel a wave of pride splash through me.

That is until I see Riley's face. She look surprised, but also something else. I can't quite tell.

That's when I realize she's actually drawing Star curled up sleeping, and the only reason I knew how the ears were exactly placed was from all the time I spent petting and watching Star.

"Oh, well, sorry. I should have asked first." I sink back into my chair, watching Riley gaze at the portrait.

Then, she turns back to me, the beginnings of a smile on her lips.

"Thanks."

I finally make it to lunch, and I look over to see Riley sitting with that person again. What was her name? Millie? They seem to be invested in a conversation, but unlike last time, I don't feel any jealousy.

Maybe because right now I'm too happy to care.

I pull out my notebook eagerly and I find a blank page, and I write brainstorming cat names on the top.

I'm shaking so badly, I can barely read it, but I feel another large stir of joy inside me at the fact I have the privilege to even be writing this, to even be thinking of getting my own cat and having the possibility of owning one. It's a dream come true.

But a sense of doubt starts to eat at my happiness. I don't deserve this. After what I did with Star, keeping her away from her owner like that.

But I can't help myself and quickly throw my thoughts back into cat names.

I click my pen just as Riley did, thinking.
Then, it comes to me. A perfect one. In honor of an old friend of mine, or a friend of a friend.

Noche.

Night. Where was Night now? Had she been adopted? Was she still at the shelter? Is she safe where she is?

Suddenly the bell rings, and I realize I spent so much time thinking I hadn't even eaten.

But even as I leave to my next class, Night still refuses to leave my thoughts.

I make way for the park for my mom to pick me up, when someone ambushes me.

"Natalie!" Riley gasps, and so do I.

Why does this keep happening? This is literally the second time.

She grabs my shoulders and shakes me vigorously.

"I can't take this anymore. You have to help me get Night back!"