The House Across The Street • L.S.

4.

Louis had settled into his new house. He was excited that the small town was significantly less expensive than Doncaster, which meant he could afford a small, one bedroom, one bathroom home in town. He was a lazy unpacker, boxes scattered all around, half unpacked, some open and some closed. He didn't mind the clutter, it was just him anyways.

His home sat across the street from a cafe that was full of stray cats. Louis wasn't a pet person, but he still liked sitting out on his front porch and watching the cats in the windows as he smoked. That was his vice, smoking.

He had smoked since he was a young teen and never stopped, he didn't mind though. He enjoyed the time it forced him to spend outside.

He watched the cats across the street as they jumped and stretched against the cat beds that were attached to the front window. He was in some type of a trance when he heard a soft voice from across the street. His eyes moving to the source of the voice.

"I told you I'd be back kitty, didn't I?"

Louis squinted his eyes more, damning himself for not putting his contacts in. Slowly, his vision began to clear. A short boy wearing a cream sweater, blank jeans, pink converse, and a pink backpack came into his view.

The boy had beautiful curly hair that looked quite messy. He was talking to a cat on the patio of the cat cafe, the patio had a net around the deck which secured the cats inside, but still left the patio outside. The boy sat down next to the all black cat and began petting it.

"I don't know how you haven't been adopted yet, little kitty" the boy spoke while petting the feline. "Maybe it's because you're a black cat, and people are mean to black cats" he said while picking the cat up into his arms.

"it's okay though, nobody wants me either. So maybe we can have each other" he said as he hugged the cat softly. The cat not fighting or hissing, but leaning into the boy as if it agreed.

Louis felt his stomach twist at the words he heard. His eyes not leaving the curly haired boy across the street.

"Ow fuck! Dammit" Louis yelled and flicked his hand. He had been in such a trance that he didn't realize the cigarette burning so closely to his hand.

He dropped the cigarette in the ash tray and looked back up at the cafe, only to be met by the boy staring right at him with a curious look. Louis quickly looks down and stands up, turning around swiftly and walking into his new home.