The Tiger

Rusty tries to eat my best friend's pet goldfish

   On Monday, back at school, it was Pet Day. Normally since I never had a pet, I'd stay home and watch T.V. But this time I had someone to bring. My brother and dad got over their shock on the weekend and have learned to accept Rusty into the family. We even got him a red collar with his name written in cursive on a gold tag. I was sitting on my bed, with Rusty on my lap, combing him with the cat brush we bought at Pet Smart. He cuffed softly and rubbed his head affectionately on the palm of my hand. My tiger cub has grown onto me this past weekend. 

   "Ready to go buddy?" I ask him. Rusty cuffs in response. I think that meant sure.

   "Err...... Ok then" I pick him up and place him in the pet carrier. 

As I headed into the schoolyard, I've noticed almost everyone has brought their favourite pet from home. There were dogs, cats, birds, bees, reptiles, amphibians, and rodents of every size, colour, and breed in existence. I felt myself smile. We were so gonna win this thing. When we introduced our pets, everyone was in shock when they saw Rusty. 

   "Sooooooo, yeah this is my pet tiger Rusty, he is just a cub. I found him in the woods on Thursday and now we lives with me." Pretty much sums it up right? My BFF, Anabelle, brought in her fish, Katana.  We were sitting at our desks, which were side-by-side, Rusty curled up contently in my lap. The fish bowl was placed on her desk.

   "Nice goldfish," I complemented. I actually knew it was a Japanese koi, but I called Katana a goldfish just to bug my friend.

   "It's a koi, nimrod." She responded. Believe it or not, that was one of her nicest comebacks. Though I had to admit, it WAS a pretty fish, it swam around in the bowl, shimmering white and scarlet colours. Personally, I've always liked koi. Then there was a flash of orange, white, and black. The fish was lifted out of the bowl with a splash of water.   I grabbed the empty, water filled bowl off of Anabelle's desk and caught the flying fish, landing in the bowl with a Splash! Drenching me from head to foot, before it can land in Rusty's open maw.

   "Ohmygod!!!! Kantana are you ok?!" Anabelle screams, prying the wet bowl from my hands.

   "Oh my....... Anabelle, God, I'm sorry"

   "It's ok, Nia, just keep that little beast of yours under control!" She snaps back at me. Guilt flushed over me. Why, oh why, did I have to have such an irresponsible pet??