Imaginary friends

11. new member of the family

Once again I wake up to the sun streaming through my musty window, the events of last night rummaging through my brain as I search for answers.

Getting up seemed harder as my back was tense and slightly warm. walking towards the door I glance at the woman looking back at me in the mirror. My once perfect bun has fallen letting my ruby locks fall over my shoulders. The makeup that I spent what seemed like hours to perfect now smudged and ruined. My elegant white dress splattered with the black venom and ripped at the shoulder, revealing a horrid scar of a bite mark.

Having a warm inviting shower seemed like the only thing clear to me through all of the blurry thoughts running around my head.

Slowly I waked into the bathroom, turned on the shower and undressed. The water was more than perfect as I stepped in, it cleared my mind and soothed my back.

After washing off the black venom and wiping away my makeup I felt much better. It was almost as if nothing had happened. Almost but not quite. 

Once I changed into a comfortable outfit I walked out of my room, stopping mid step when I hear.

"Well aren't you a cute one, yes you are. Yes you are." Taylah's voice echoed through the small apartment, in a high pitched coo.

Walking towards the living room I stand with my mouth agape when I see Taylah playing with a strange cat.

I stutter searching for something to say. Noticing my presence the strange cat turned around and looked directly at me. The cat was black with an elegant blue shimmer to his fur, he also had white socks that stopped at what I thought to be a knee. but what shocked me the most was that this strange cat had glowing green eyes.

"You didn't tell me you bought a cat." Taylah said excitedly as she stroked Kilorn's back. I stared at him as the small creature attempts to smile at me.

"S-surprise!" I cringe at the pathetic attempt to make it seem like I planned for this.

The cat stalks over towards me. It's movements a clear copy of Kilorns, graceful, cool, calm and sneaky. He cheekily rubbed against my legs and waited for a response.

He thinks I don't know that it's him.

"Oh he is soooo cute, I'm so glad we have a new member of the family. Let's call him socks." Taylah giggled as she scrambled up on to her feet and Kilorn's cat form flicks his head towards me with a cheeky glint in his eye. He really has no clue that I know it's him.

Seizing the moment I scoop up Kilorn and bring him to eye level. With a grin plastered on my face I look him dead in the eye.

"No, He looks like a Kilorn to me."  I say as the cat's grin falls. 

gotcha!

"Kilorn, what kind of name is Kilorn?"

"One that sticks." I reply.

"oh ok. Anyway, shouldn't you be at the University?" Taylah says as she walks over to the kitchen. I drop Kilorn on the couch.

I can't take a cat with me to school, and I want leave him here with Taylah. Who knows what he would do. 

"Um, I think I will stay home today, I'm not feeling too well." I say the only excuse possible.

"Oh. Did Kal keep you busy last night?" Taylah said poking her head out from the doorway raising an eyebrow. My smile drops when she mentions his name.

"No." I say sternly 

"How was the date anyway." she yells from the hallway.

"Awful, He was a jerk with a bad appetite." I say smiling to myself.

"Aw, shame I thought he was cute." Taylah says walking back into the kitchen with her running shoes.

"Well enjoy your da- whats that?" she asks pointing my shoulder. I look down to the scar of on my shoulder.

"Oh. um. Nothing really." I say worried that she will see right through me.

"Hmm." she eyed me suspiciously.

"Well stay safe." she said as she walked out the door. She knows me too well; she would definitely know something is up but I'm glad that she lets it slip away.

Once the door is closed and she is well on her way I let out a sigh of relief.