The Runaway House

Seven . Happy Birthday

   I spend the next few days losing myself in chores and hanging out with Zoe or Travis. He's stuck true to his word and had kept me close for most of the time. He's helped distract me and keep me as happy as possible, teaching me the system at the Runaway House.

Since Travis always gets up early, I do too. Zoe made a habit of crawling into bed with me every night, so I always cuddle her until morning. Then, around ten every morning, she shows up with Samantha and April for breakfast.

I sit with them while they eat, catching snippets of gossip that Samantha and Penelope exchange. With all of the teenagers here, it's bound that romance will flower, and Samantha seemed to be up-to-date on every couple.

April and Zoe become fast friends, but so far the same hasn't happened with me and Samantha. There's something about her that reminds me of a few girls at boarding school—too caught up in things that won't last. Too shallow.

Yet Samantha is incredibly sweet, and even I have to give her kudos for how kind she is to everyone. Especially Travis. Which, even though I'm the new girl and have no right to him, annoys me.

But he seems to prefer me, at least until I adjust to living amongst strangers.

On my third morning here, Travis bursts inside the kitchen. April, startled, spills her milk, and Samantha hops up to grab a towel.

"Lee! Come quick!" He grabs my arm. "I have something to show you."

His hand slides into mine with surprising ease as he pulls me out the door. I glance back just in time to see Samantha's disappointed face and the milk drip from the table onto April's lap.

But Travis drags me through the yard and back behind the barn. There, in a little shed, we keep the chickens. There's a small gap between the shed and the barn, barely big enough for a human. The light drizzle is causing water to drip from the shed roof right into the gap.

And there, resting in the tiny alley, is a mama cat and three kittens. And every few seconds, she gets a drop of rain right splat on her head.

I gasp. "Travis! We have to keep her from getting wet."

He grins. "Problem solved."

I notice he's been carrying a piece of wood with him this whole time. "It should be the right width." He steps closer to the cat, cautiously. Then he slides the piece of wood between the barn and the shed.

But it gets stuck. He grunts and pushes, jamming it in, and the cat meows her protest at the noise. But soon Travis has the piece of wood wedged, at an angle, so that the water falls a good six inches behind the cat.

"They're so precious," I whisper as he comes to stand beside me.

"I thought they'd make you happy. I know your birthday has passed, but . . . I figure you should still get a present."

A shiver shoots up my spine, maybe from the cold rain, maybe from Travis's actions. "That's . . . really sweet." I look to the soggy ground and then glance up shyly. How am I supposed to take this?

"I figured it would make you feel a little more at home." His voice was soft and nervous at the same time.

I nod. "It does. I just . . . Wasn't expecting you to do something like this."

He's fighting a blush, I can tell, and so am I. "Thanks," I blurt. "Do you think I could pet them?"

"Yeah." He puts a hand on my back, any tension dissolving between us. When we kneel down next to the cat, her ears go flat. "It's all right," Travis says, lightly running his fingers down her back. "We won't hurt you."

She warms up to him quickly. I wonder if it's because he gave her shelter, just like he did to me. I reach for one of the kittens, and it curls up in my hands, yawning. It stretches out its little pink tongue, and I giggle.

Travis glances up at me, a look of surprise on his face.

"What?"

He shakes his head, a small smile gracing his lips. "That's the first time you've laughed since Jeff brought you here. I was wondering when it'd come."

I smile at the kitten in my hands, so small and fragile, but with the potential to grow. Just like me. "I think I owe that to you." My fingers run through the soft, gray fur. "Thank you, Travis."

He smiles. "Happy birthday, Lee."

. . . and there's some cute fluff, because fluff is great, and things get really tense after this. plus, i ship them so. hard. auugghhh. thanks for reading! i'd appreciate your votes. <3

xoxo,

rebekah