The Good the Bad and the Okay

1. Error 404: Friends Not Found

Valerie's POV 

Humans have weaknesses, that's basically what makes us human. No ones don't not have a weakness, because everyone's human. Right? Wrong actually, you don't have to be human to have a weakness, animals have then insects, and well everything has some sort of weakness. Sure some have fewer weaknesses, but no one has none. Which was what I always believed.

The cat nuzzled against my thing and purred softly with me barely realizing it was there. I wondered how long I had been zoned out while I leaned down to pet the cats surprisingly soft hair. He walked away from my hand and hit a dead rat with his head and I kicked it off the sidewalk, he always brought me dead things from the forest near my house. I saw the sun setting and realized I should be home before dark because my mom is likely having a panic attack thinking I was dead or kidnapped or worse.

The cat walked carefully behind me seeming to plan each step cautiously but still staying at a good pace. I speed up not paying him too much attention and subconsciously chewing at my fingernails. The sun hadn't fully set when I saw the police car outside of my house, either my mom and just called them, or Officer Mike was paying another visit to 'comfort' my mother. I rushed inside where my mom was on the edge of tears in Officer Mike's arms who was too close to be friendly.

"Sorry I'm late, I stayed after school to help clean the class room with my friends," I lied knowing it would be more believable than that I was daydreaming for well over 45 minutes.

My mom sniffed and seemed so frail in him arms and she pretended to be strong while she spoke up, "And you, you didn't call from the school phone? Jesus, Valerie do you ever think about your poor mom who's worried sick?"

Her words stung and I looked down ashamed while Knotts formed in my stomach, "I forgot to call, I'm really sorry I won't forget next time," I lied again.

She swallowed her whole body shaking and Officer Mike whispered something low into her ear and my sadness turned into bitterness since he had no say in this, but of course my mother nodded and spoke slowly, "I think it would be best if you went to your room, I suppose you ate something on the way here?"

I nodded though I didn't because I didn't have any money. I trudged up to my room where I realized the cat wasn't following, so I went into the room alone. My room didn't really look like anybody lived in there, it looked more like a messy-ish guest bedroom with the only thing showing life be the can of cat food that was next to my window still. My backpack fell to the floor with a thump and my stomach growled, but there was no way I was going to head downstairs.

I heard a rustle near the window still and saw the cat jump up towards the can of food as I approached him grinning sadly. He pawed at the food and I sat down on the floor trailing my fingers over his fur softly, "I never named you did I?" I asked myself as though he could answer, "How's Harold? No, then Greg?"

I decided on calling him Greg and looked out the window towards my neighbor's house who had their television pointed towards their window, it was off but I continue to look until a small knock came from the other side of my door. "Come in," I said barely loud enough to be heard throughout the room.

I expected my mom coming into to tell me that I'm not allowed to clean after school or that if I come home this late again she'll homeschool me, but instead a tall figure appeared in the doorway that was not my mother. I stiffened and fixed my posture when he spoke, "Hey kiddo," he began with his eyes bouncing around the room, "your mom was really worried about you."

"I know," I said bluntly, fixing my eyes on a paint mistake above the door frame.

"You should have contacted her when you know you won't be home till late," he continued not catching on that I didn't care about what comes out of his mouth.

I gave a small nod averting my eyes down towards the carpet and he did wait for me to speak, "She cares about you, a lot."

I turned back towards Greg who was eating away at the cat food without a care in the world. Ever since I met Greg I wished I could be a cat, be able to roam freely, eating whatever I want, and having little to no problems in life. He finally noticed I wasn't paying him any attention and excused himself from my room.

Not long after I fell asleep sulking by the window still, but strangely I woke up in my bed. I assumed it was my mother because the cat food was gone and my mom hated Greg. I shrugged it off changing out of my wrinkled uniform into a newly dry cleaned one and ran my fingers through my hair. The rest of me getting ready went by in a sore daze from my muscles protesting against me anytime I moved too much. My back cracked loudly when I looked under the dresser to see if Greg had left or not, apparently he had so I shut the window and headed downstairs to tell my mom about my departure to school. My mom was leaning on the kitchen counter sipping on the tea that was supposed to help her nerves. "I'm off to school," I announced.

She gripped her cup and I hesitated before leaving as she practically glared at what I assumed to be her cell phone on the table. Before I began walking out the door again, "Valerie, Officer Dave suggested I get you a phone so that's yours?" she blurted out before walking away shaking a bit.

"Thank you," I called out knowing she was probably scared I would chat with some middle-aged man and get kidnapped.

I grabbed the phone slipping into my back pocket as I head outside to school. My hands were itching to grab it but if my mom looked out the window and saw me on it she'd been scared a bike would run me over and kill me while I wasn't paying attention. Once I turned a corner and it was for sure she couldn't see me I fished it from my pocket scrolling through the apps I have only seen on television. My only contacts were my mom and Officer Mike which was pretty pathetic, I even contemplated whether or not do delete Officer Mikes number but decided against it. While I started to figure things I ran into a person whose back felt like a brick wall. My nose stung while I walked backward and the guy turned. He was at least a foot taller than me with really soft looking dark skin, but the thing that really caught my eye was Greg trying to fight his way from his arms. "Sorry," i said lightly though i didn't look at his face and my eyes were fixed on Greg.

He looked down at me and I looked up towards his cold expression that quickly turned into a warm smile, "Nah I shouldn't have been standing in the middle of the sidewalk."

"Is that, er, you're cat?" I asked never seeing him before around the neighborhood, but Greg didn't look like he even likes the guy.

"Cat?" the guy asked completely clueless, "he's not-," he was cut as Greg jumped out of his arms and towards my face.

He gripped onto my sweater as I scooped him up laughing as he nuzzled against my cheek with his soft fur. "He's not what?" I asked while Greg was purring overly loud against my cheek.

"He's not very fond of me as it seems," the guy laughed and we stood in silence.

I mentally counted to 10 before petting Greg, "Well, I actually have to head to school so I'm just going to...," I walked around him and continued to prey Greg off me but he's clawing wouldn't budge.

I gave up about halfway knowing he wouldn't move if he didn't want to. But I felt a creepy feeling like I was being followed by someone other than the guy who was holding Greg. He was so behind me and Greg kept his head on my shoulder probably glaring at the guy who wouldn't turn or walk anywhere else. But when I saw the school gates I felt a sense of relief knowing he couldn't follow me inside, or at least he shouldn't. I placed Greg on the ground with him obliging this time. I was too scared to turn and face the guy who had followed me all the way in so I just made my way inside.

Usually, I would go to my homeroom class early as long as I would help with grading she would let me in, but today the bell rang and I was caught in the morning crowd for the first time in two years. 

a/n- hello yes, this is not a shitty fanfic but a story. Enjoy this shit i conjured up.