The Girl with the Cat

.:Two:.

Lila slumped back in her seat, flicking at the pencil that laid on her wooden desk as the teacher droned on. Lila wasn't quite sure what the topic was, something about the French Revolution. She fought back a yawn, her eyes growing heavy suddenly.

History always seemed to lure her too sleep. Promising her of cats, love, and more cats.

What felt like the eraser on a pencil, jabbed her in the shoulder blade. She turned, it was Suzanne. "We will do the plan after school today." There was finality in her voice, causing Lila to roll her eyes.

She knew she should disagree, but when the plan came to mind eagerness took over her. She imagined Dean and her looking for Machete and while they looked they talked and fell in love. Lila nodded quickly and Suzanne squealed, sinking back into her seat, returning to her phone - not even bothering with the lesson.

Lila glanced around the room finding Dean, who's seat was in the very back. Dean and Faith, a girl who knew how to make your life hell - Lila knew from personal experience - were whispering and laughing quietly to themselves. Faith was latched on to Dean's arm.

Lila turned forward in her seat, her mood suddenly deflating. She would have to tell Suzanne she refused to go through with the plan before school ended in a matter of minutes. Maybe she would just disappear before Suzanne could find her?

    The bell sounded, and Lila quickly gathered her belongings and rushed toward the door. But Lila had all the grace of a three legged spider.

One leg went in one direction and the other leg went somewhere else entirely. Her arms went like a windmill as she struggled to stay upright, but to no avail. She ended up on her back, with her bag and all its contents scattered around her.

Laughter rippled across the room and Lila felt her cheeks heat up. This day was by far one of the worst days of her seventeen years of existence. Lila would never live this down!

Lila was left frozen on her back when an outstretched hand came into view. Her eyes widened when eyes the color of moss peered down at her. Dean.

    Lila's mouth opened slightly as if she were going to say something, but was quickly slammed shut when he spoke.

    "Are you okay?" He asks smoothly, the baritone of his voice reverberating through Lila's bones as Dean grabs ahold of her hand. Lila squeaks in response, flushing lightly when she realizes that Dean is waiting for an actual answer.

     "Marvelous." Lila says shyly, letting Dean pull her to her feet. A small chuckle was his response, the sound deep and heartily. Her heart sped up at the sound but she kept her composure, glancing to Suzanne who stood behind Dean, mouthing the words she dreaded.

    "Thank you for helping me." Lila said, remembering her manners. Dean nodded smiling down at her. She shifted from one foot to the other, wondering how she'd word her question, all the while Dean stood looking amused.

    "Dean?" She said quietly, her heart thrumming loudly in her chest and her palms sweaty. Her nerves would be the death of her! "I-I lost my cat Machete -"

    "Machete?" Lila nodded, she felt that familiar feeling well up in her throat.

    Lila saw Suzanne grinning like an idiot behind Dean. Grinding her teeth together, she cleared her throat. "Y-yeah he has green eyes and golden fur...I was wondering if you maybe helpmelookforhim?" She rushed out the last part, fearing his rejection. Lila's frayed nerves jumped all together, in different directions, and unconsciously she bit her lip.

"Yeah," He laughed. Yeah what? "- I'll help you look for your feline friend!"

Relief washed over her like waves on a beach. She smiled, despite the nagging feeling in her mind telling her bad things were to come.

    "I want to help too." Suzanne said firmly, a large grin taking hold of her features.

Lila shrugged off the feeling, boldly speaking, "Where should we look first?"

    The plan that Suzanne and Lila agreed on was that Suzanne would go to Lila's house, get Machete, and meet up with Lila and Dean.

* * *

    "I feel awful," Lila said, as Dean and her continually searched for her Machete. "I-if you want you can go home..." She drawled out quietly, glancing up at the slightly setting sun. Where was Suzanne and Machete? Suzanne said she'd meet them half an hour ago.

    "Nope," Dean said popping  the 'p', shoving his hands in his pockets. "We aren't going to stop searching until we find him." Lila's heart warmed at his words, but then she frowned, remembering Machete wasn't actually lost. She had lied to Dean..

    Guilt suddenly settled at the bottom of her lungs, making itself known every time she breathed. "Dean I -"

    "Is that him?"

    Lila glanced up at the disheveled looking cat, it walked with the stiffness of age, but also with the fragility of one so withered - with fur that was dull and thin, unwashed and bare - Dean went closer. Lila could see the wildness in the felines grey eyes.

    "Dean that's not -" Dean suddenly jumped back hissing in pain.

    "Machete just scratched me!" He whined like a child, making Lila giggle. She shook her had as she approached the frightened cat. 

    She hesitantly ran her fingers through the old cats fur, her grin widening when the cat purred. "This isn't Machete," she said quietly, making sure not to startle the cat, "Just a stray looking for a home.." Lila glanced up at Dean meeting his mossy green eyes.

    She could see it in his eyes as they left hers latching back on to the cat - and without thinking she grabs his hand, guiding it slowly to the cats golden fur. "She likes you." Lila said, laughing when the cat purred in content.

    "She?" Lila nodded, smiling up at Dean. She missed her Machete. "Do you think maybe we could keep her?" He asked suddenly, catching Lila off guard. She cleared her throat nodding.

    "I don't see why not..." Lila said, her heart pounding against her ribcage at the way he was looking at her. "What is it?"

    Dean shook his head, "It's just that - I'm not allowed to have animals..."

    "We could keep her at my house -"

    "- Delilah." Lila raised an eyebrow, chuckling quietly. "Do you not like the name?" Dean asks, a smirk wiggling on to his face. She smiled looking down feeling shy.

    "I do like it. It's kinda catchy -" Lila said quietly looking up at Dean.

    "Lila! Dean!" A panting Suzanne finally made herself known with Machete in her arms. Lila jumped up, gathering Machete into her arms.

    "I've missed you boy!" Lila said, giggling when he gave her a knowing look.