Zodiac Story- Fallen Stars

Chapter Seven

POV GEMINI

As I'm walking home, I take my striped scarf off from around my neck and put it in my backpack. It's early November, but the sun made it seem warmer than it really is. As I'm walking, I come across a brown park bench with a tiny tabby cat perched on top. It mews quietly and pads slowly across the bench in my direction.

"Aww you're so cute."

I sit beside the tiny kitty, who lays its head on my knees and purrs gently. "Awwww. I like you too."

I pet its head, and find a yellow collar around its neck. The tag reads: Apollo. 67 Sunset Boulevard.

"Hmm, I don't want to return you just yet." I sighed. Just being near the kitty made me feel better about all the confusing stuff that's been happening these days. The cat mewed as if encouraging me to talk with him about my life problems. So I did.

"Well Apollo, have you ever felt guilty about something that isn't your fault? I get to go to Paris with all of my friends, but one of them has to stay here because she wasn't picked to go." I put my backpack and put it on the ground. "Then there's Mr.Brown to worry about. He has some kind of connection with a prophecy I'm still not convinced is real!"

I throw my hands in the air in exasperation. Someone cleared their throat behind me. I jump, even though it didn't scare me. As I turn around I start babbling excuses in order to not embarrass myself in front of a stranger.

"Oh, hey. Sorry did I bother you? I was just talking to this cat. I mean...I guess it's weird since he can't understand me but-" I stopped abruptly. The stranger behind me ended up being the infamous Mr.Brown! Just kidding, it was Leo, but that isn't much better.

My fave went red when I realized I had embarrassed myself in front of my Leo. I mean Leo, he isn't mine.

Leo smirked. "So now you're talking to cats?"

I stammered. "N-no. This cat just seemed lonely that's all. His owner must be pretty dumb to leave such a cute cat all alone like this." Leo hung his head like I offended him in some way. "Actually Apollo is my cat."

Then the tabby jumped swiftly into Leo's arms. Apollo purred and Leo purred back (I think) as if they were communicating. I couldn't help but think of how cute the sight of Leo and Apollo hugging was.

Leo noticed me staring and the mood suddenly shifted as he got excited. "Wait, Gem, does this mean you like cats better than dogs?"

I nod, the question caught me off guard, but I quickly composed myself. I opened my mouth to gush about kittens and all things cat-like. It was good to find something I had in common with Leo. But before I could say anything, he sat on the bench, dumped Apollo between us and whipped out his phone from his back pocket.

He unlocked his phone with his passcode, and I saw that his lock screen was a picture of his family (or at least I think it is). But it must've taken at least three years ago, considering it looks like his mom is in it. It was them all standing in a shallow river lined up shoulder to shoulder. On the left end was an older man that could be his grandpa, beside him was probably his grandma, then there was his older sister (I think), then Leo with his little sister riding piggy back, then his mom, and his dad on the right end. They were all smiling like it was the best day of their lives and the sun was shining bright. It made me envy him, I wish I had siblings.

Leo opened his text messages and went to the one named Water Girl🐬💙. I tried not to punch the bench when I saw the heart. After all it was blue, and I had plenty of blue hearts next to names in my contacts. Who's water girl anyway?