Just Sh*t: A New York City Story

Chapter 12: A Purrfect Day in Paradise

In the midst of the boys' chaotic vacation in Hawaii, Judah stumbled upon something that would change his entire day: a small, scruffy kitten hiding in the bushes outside their hotel. It had bright green eyes, a coat that looked like a mix of gray and orange, and an adorable little mew that pulled at his heartstrings.

"Guys, look what I found!" Judah exclaimed, scooping up the kitten and cradling it in his arms.

The boys were lounging by the pool, and they turned to see Judah with the tiny creature. Ryan's eyes lit up. "Oh man, it's so cute! What are you going to do with it?"

"I don't know yet! But I can't just leave it here," Judah replied, stroking the kitten's fur. The others looked on, half amused and half bewildered by their friend's sudden attachment.

Judah spent the rest of the day with the kitten, whom he named Mochi after the soft, squishy rice cakes he loved. He took Mochi around the hotel, showing her off to anyone who would look, including the staff and other guests. Mochi quickly became a local celebrity in their little corner of paradise. Judah shared stories about her to anyone who would listen, and before long, he had gathered a small audience around him at the pool, enthralled by his tales of the kitten's adventures.

After a quick trip to a nearby store for kitten supplies—food, a collar, a toy—Judah found a patch of sand on the beach and settled down with Mochi. They spent the afternoon playing in the sand, and Judah couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this carefree. The sun was shining, the ocean was sparkling, and for once, he wasn't worried about interviews or social media. It was just him and Mochi.

Meanwhile, back at the hotel, the boys were half watching Judah's antics from the balcony, half trying to figure out what to do with their own day.

"He's going to regret this," Jackson said dryly, crossing his arms as he observed Judah's obsession with the kitten.

"Are you kidding? He's having the time of his life!" Ryan chimed in. "Look at him! He's practically glowing."

"Yeah, but what happens when we have to leave? He can't just take her home," Jamie pointed out, feeling a mix of concern and jealousy at Judah's newfound happiness.

"Let's not ruin his fun. He needs this," Alex said, leaning back in his chair. "It's not every day you find a kitten in Hawaii!"

Later that evening, after a long day of sun, sand, and play, Judah returned to the hotel, still carrying Mochi, who had finally worn herself out. As he entered the lobby, a few hotel staff members greeted him with smiles, clearly charmed by the little kitten.

"Judah! Is that your new friend?" one of the staff members asked.

"Yeah! This is Mochi. Isn't she adorable?" Judah beamed, feeling a swell of pride.

"Absolutely! You might need to keep her. I heard the local shelter has a lot of strays right now," the staff member said, nodding toward a notice board about pet adoption.

Judah's heart sank a little. The thought of leaving Mochi behind made him feel uneasy, but he also knew he couldn't take her back to New York. He'd barely managed to keep his plants alive back home, let alone a kitten.

That night, as the boys sat around in their hotel room, Judah couldn't stop talking about Mochi. He pulled out his phone and started scrolling through pictures he'd taken throughout the day.

"She's so playful! You guys wouldn't believe how much fun we had. Look at this one! She chased a crab!" Judah laughed, showing off the video.

"Dude, you're totally smitten," Jamie said, half-smiling, half-sarcastic. "But what are you going to do when we leave?"

"I don't know yet. I'll figure it out," Judah replied, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his voice. "Maybe I could find someone to adopt her here? Someone who would take care of her."

The other boys nodded, supportive but aware of the bittersweet nature of the situation. They could see how much Judah cared for Mochi, but they also knew he couldn't keep her.

The next day, before they left for their planned activities, Judah made it his mission to find a good home for Mochi. He asked the hotel staff if they knew anyone who could help and shared her story. To his surprise, one of the staff members offered to take Mochi in. They had a cat at home that would love the company, and they were happy to give Mochi a safe, loving environment.

Judah felt a mix of relief and sadness. He'd only known Mochi for a few days, but it felt like they had been through so much together. He said his goodbyes with a heavy heart, knowing she would be well taken care of.

As they boarded the plane back to New York, Judah reflected on his time with Mochi. The experience had brought him unexpected joy and reminded him how important it was to take moments for himself, to find happiness in the little things—even if they were temporary.

"Who knew a kitten could make such an impact?" Ryan said, nudging Judah as they settled into their seats.

Judah smiled, looking out the window at the receding island. "Yeah. Sometimes, you just need a little furball to remind you what really matters."