A Day Without Cricket

Theo

(Takes place during chapter 43 and 44. Ends during chapter 45)

When I wake up this morning, the first thing I think about is that I won't get to see Cricket until late today. I'm kind of disappointed, but I know I don't really have a choice. I have to run errands for Hawthorne and take care of some actual responsibilities. I check my phone and see I have texts from Cricket, Cas, and Hollis. I open Cricket's first, of course. She texted me that she misses me and that she's going shopping with Brennan, Erin, and Cas. I get a big dopey smile on my face while I'm responding to her. I open the text from Cas expecting it to say something similar and I'm not disappointed. What surprises me, though, is that he told me that he's picking up Hollis before he goes to get Cricket. Hollis's text says basically the same thing. Those fuckers. They get to spend all day watching Cricket try on sexy outfits. Then again, everything she wears is sexy. I text them back and tell them to send me pictures.

I finally get out of bed and start getting ready. When I'm almost done, I get a text back from Cricket. Holy shit, she sent a picture and her hair is up in these cute little buns. She looks so fucking good. I'm a little jealous again, but then I realize that I'll be seeing her soon and maybe she will even want to swim again at Hawthorne's. It would be even better than shopping with her to see her in a bathing suit...all wet...shit, I need to focus. I have too many things to do to sit here all day fantasizing about Cricket. Even if I would love to do just that until I see her.

I remember suddenly that Cricket was worried about spending the night away from Sella. Maybe I can bring Stella to Hawthorne's! Then Cricket will get to see her. I bet she'll be so excited about that. I start getting really excited too, so when I finish getting ready, I head straight to Cricket's place to get Stella. I have too much to do today to get her later. I can't help but think that it will probably pretty damn fun to hang out with Stella anyways. I walk into the bookstore and see Luca behind the register. I grin over at him and say hello.

Luca looks a little surprised to see me and looks at me like he's confused. "I don't think Cricket is here. I haven't seen her today."

I laugh a little and wave a hand at him. "Don't worry, dude. She's shopping right now. I'm looking for Stella." I almost laugh again, knowing that Luca is going to think it is really weird that I'm here for Cricket's cat when Cricket isn't even fucking here.

He does, in fact, start looking at me like I'm crazy, but he motions toward the door leading to Aurora's garden anyways. "I think she is outside."

Right when he says that, Stella comes slinking inside and walks directly to me. It's like she knew I was here and came looking for me. I wonder if she can do that. I'm pretty sure she can fly, so why wouldn't she be able to tell when me or Cricket are here...or really anyone she actually fucking likes. Or it could be that maybe, she just has a strong sense of smell like we do, and she wanted to come say hi. She rubs against my leg a little bit and I squat down to pet her. She starts purring, so I smile down at her. "Hey Stella! I know Cricket is missing you, so I wanted to see if you want to hang out with me today. I'm meeting Cricket at my uncle's house later with the rest of my family." I can feel Luca looking at me now like I'm even crazier than before. I get it dude. But its only respectful of me to ask Stella what she wants to do. I'm not going to fucking kidnap her. Or cat-nap, whichever.

Stella hops up onto my shoulder and nuzzles against my face, purring even louder. When her face touches mine, I start feeling a really warm happy feeling that I realize isn't coming from me. I look at her in surprise and realize that she's trying to talk to me. That is so fucking awesome! I didn't realize that I might be able to do that too. "I guess that means yes." I'm smiling at Stella again. This time, I can feel how huge and ridiculous my grin is. I'm really excited that Stella is trying to talk to me.