• insomnia •

3.5

Astraea
Wednesday

I didn't get off of work until 6 hours had passed. My feet were aching, body shaking from the amount of coffee I had. Body temperature cold due to the warm summer days outside the shop and the air conditioner. The same person from yesterday was still sick so I had to cover their shift again. I was a little pissed but I got more hours in so that was fine. Daniel headed home earlier as his shift was from 2 to 6.

I walked to the back of the shop, untying my apron along the way. Hanging up the apron and packing all my homework away. Some with doodles of flowers, eyes or lips on the corner of the paper or at the back. showing when I would get detracted from the task at hand. I only completed half of my homework and made a game plan for my essay.

Walking out of the shop smelling like various amounts of coffee and a raging headache didn't help at all. At that point, all I wanted to do was sleep for the rest of my life. Taking my phone out of my pocket with numb fingers and shaky hands. I plugged in my earphones and played my playlist on SoundCloud. Stay by Post Malone played first.

I sighed as I walked down the route back home. Passing by stores, some with sales going on, people coming in and out of, and some closing up for the day. Few dogs passed by with their tail wagging and a look of contentment. There was an alley coming up to my right. As I passed the alley a movement of a white ball of fur showed in the corner of my eye. Stopping in my tracks and looking towards the movement, a susurrate is heard. It was like a zephyr, you had to pay attention to catch it, it didn't help with how soft the sound was.

Taking out my phone and turning on the flashlight feature, I walked into the dim lit alley. I shined my light in different directions until it landed on a small fluffy white ball. On closer inspection, it was a cat. Hunched over and it's body shaking. I was concerned until it turned its face towards me showing that it was eating garbage.

Sighing, I crouched down to the fur-balls level. I stuck out my hand for the kitten to smell me. Staying in that position for a couple of minutes until the kitten sauntered towards me. It was more guard than anything. Once it came close, the kitten smelled my hand and licked it. The white ball then sat down staring at me with curious eyes. Sighing once again, I lifted my hand towards the kitten. The fur was rough and grainy.

Making a motion to grab the kitten another one came around the corner. Emerald eyes showing its murderous intent to stay alive. Black fur making it look more intimidating. That immediately went away as it walked up to me and sniffed my hand before hiding behind the other kitten. Smiling a little bit at the cute action of the kitten, I continue petting the white fur ball.

The black kitten stared at me the whole time, still unsure about me. I stuck out my other hand the kitten and waited for it to come out from hiding. Once it happened I let it sniff me again and get comfortable before I made a motion to pet it. The white kitten purred as I scratched at its ear. 30 minutes had passed of me sitting down in a dark alley petting a kitten, with one watching my every move. As I looked at the black kitten, I noticed its pupils were wider and calmer. I had it sniff me again before I made a motion to pet. The fur was the same, rough, greasy, and grainy.

The sun was about to set. Painting various colors of pink, blue, and purple across the sky. The temperature started to drop too. Shrugging off my jacket and putting both the kittens inside to keep warm, even though they have fur. I struggled to stand up without the use of my hands pushing me upwards. Which caused me to fall back to my butt many times until my thighs burned and I was upright. Sighing, I start walking towards a pet shop I passed. The shop is squeezed between two other shops. Light brown and baby blue painted the shop. The shop's name in big bold letters. There was a sale going on. 50% off on marked items, the sign on the window displayed.

Bringing my back to the door and pushing it open with my butt. A gust of cool wind ran through my hair and body. The kittens were shivering in my arms which made me press them a little closer to my chest. I walked to the cat aisle. Looking for kitten food and treats. I also looked for a collar for them. It was hard to carry everything to the counter. It was a few minutes before the store closed. It was already dark outside which didn't help. I wasn't a fan of the dark. So with that in mind, I did my best to prepare myself for the walk home. Paying for everything, I grabbed the bags and headed out. I wasn't shivering as the warmth from the kittens helped.

The walk home was short, mostly because I walked faster than normal. Once I got to my apartment I was more relaxed. A note was left on the counter. I put down the bags on the counter. Grabbing the note, that was written in neat handwriting, "thanks for letting me stay over again. I stole another sweater and fed Callisto. XOXO. Ps. I love you!"

Smiling, I went towards my bedroom and stuck the note inside my sketchbook where I keep all the notes and cards Daniel has given me. I then put the kittens onto my bed and took everything off. Changing into my pajamas, and throwing my clothes into the basket. Checking the time on my phone and some messages from apps. It was only 7 and I am tired. Sighing, I stretched and made my way to the kitchen. I put away all the food and started to make my own. It was chicken and rice. It wasn't bad.

I then put the leftover food in a container for tomorrow. I heard a little 'meow' and rubbing against my leg, which startled me. Callisto was asking for my attention after how long I was gone. I picked her up, set her on the counter and grabbed her empty bowls and filled them. I then grabbed four other bowls for the kittens to eat and drink out of. Putting them all together and then walking towards the bedroom to see if they were awake.

They were sitting up, sniffing the bed with their eyes wide and curious. Smiling, I walk towards the bed and put them on the ground before I introduce them to the living room and kitchen. Letting them sniff everything out and snooping through some stuff. I open the bedroom door and let them walk out the door, alert and on guard for anything. I sat there, on the floor smiling at the kittens.

I then walk out after them. Leaning against the door and observing. That's how my night was. Watching my cat and kittens interact with each other.