Speak Now

Chapter 17: Why I shouldn't drink. Like...EVER

"Who would ever think that so much went on in the soul of a young girl?"
-Anne Frank
♤♤♤

Cats.

Cats are everywhere. Tabby cats with sly eyes. Snow white Persian cats lounging on the bean bags. Cats with eccentric eyes. Siamese felines licking themselves on the bed.

There must be at least 20, all of them meowing and creating a racket but every one of them graceful and soft footed as they jump across the room.

A long bed occupies the space against the window. Moonlight shimmers through, lighting up the white and black chequered floor.

Against one wall, there's a statue. Two statues, actually. I peer at them curiously and realise they're the white King and Queen from chess. My eyes rove to the opposite wall, where there are two black statues; the Black King and Queen.

"Chess," I gasp, and Adrian nods.

"No pawns?"

He laughs,"There wasn't much room."

Still gaping, I step forward, stepping over a Tabby cat who meows at me lazily before turning its attention back to the ball of string.

"Hey Rebecca," Adrian croons, and picks up his cat. I watch, amused, as he cuddles her against his chest. Rebecca purrs as Adrian strokes her orange and white fur.

As if on cue, suddenly all the cats notice Adrian and rush towards him before flinging themselves onto him. I laugh and step back to avoid stepping over tails.

A cat perched on Adrian's shoulder peers at me curiously.

"That's Lyra," Adrian smiles,"Want to hold her?"

Tentatively, I hold out my arms and Adrian places the cat into them. I smile widely as the car meows in my arms and puts her paws on my shoulders.

"These cats love you," I notice as Adrian tries to untangle himself from the crowd of cats around him.

"Yeah," he says,"I'm the one who feeds them and takes care of them."

"Hmm.." I twirl around, examining the bare walls,"Are all these cats female?"

A pause. It's so long I'm tempted to turn around but then he says,"No. Only two of them. "

He seems to hesitate before adding,"Named after my ex girlfriend and a friend."

I bite my lips as I comprehend his words. Why would anyone name their cat after their ex?
If we broke up, would there be a cat called Madeley?

Against the fourth wall, there's a gaming system attached to a television.

"PS3 right?" I ask.

"Yeah."

Finally when I'm done, I head back to Adrian who sits on his bed while rubbing Lyra behind her ears. She purrs and rubs her head against Adrian's chest.

"So who's Lyra?" I ask casually.

Adrian looks at me,"Hmm?"

"You said you named them after two friends."

His eyes darken,"Yeah."

"From your old town?"

He hesitates,"Yes."

"Must've been close," I observe,"Do you think you'll see them again?"

Is it my imagination or does he flinch?

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"Nothing," he says sharply, and then huffs,"Sorry, it's just...organising a party is so hard and I've been up since 7 and..."