Rebel The Odds

Chapter 16 - Shopping Date

Chapter 16

Ethan stared at the little moving creature inside the box with distaste, recalling the previous few hours where Leah had somehow managed to convince him to take in the kitten they had just founded at the park earlier because her mother wouldn't allow her to take it inside her house.

Currently, he was back inside his room, sitting on the ground leaning against the foot of his bed as the box was placed near the wall, a cloth covering the floor of the box with some food and water he founded. The little dirty ginger kitten meowing repeatedly.

A notification sound popped from his phone as Ethan grabbed it from above his bed and his gloom face immediately brightened when he saw the sender of the text.

'How is he doing?' it read and Ethan smiled warmly, taking a picture and texting to her back immediately, 'It won't stop meowing'

'Only for a little while, once it grows comfortable, it'll be so friendly with you' she texted back, he chuckled, "That sounds like someone I know" Ethan mumbled to himself while briefly gazing at the little kitten inside the box.

Another ding bought his attention as he received another text that read, 'I will buy some supplies for him in the morning if I have time', immediately, an idea popped inside Ethan's head and he quickly texted back.

'Why don't we go together after school?'

Seeing that she hasn't replied yet, he quickly added 'It'll be easier for both of us since I don't really know much about cats'

Ethan held his breath, anticipating her reply as he waited, he deeply hoped she would agree. His phone dinged and his face lit up as he read it. 'Alright' she texted, he smiled and punch the air.

A meek meow echoed inside his room as he smiled at the little ginger kitten inside the box, patting its head softly.

"Maybe this won't be a bad idea after all"

---------------

"This is for the litter box." Leah said, holding a sack of white sand as Ethan quickly took it from her hand and places it inside the trolley, "Fill the litter box with one or two inches of litter" She stated as she pointed towards the pastel blue litter box inside the trolley.

Ethan nodded his head, following behind diligently.

"Let's buy a bed for him" she said as they walked through the big pet shop, passing a variety of shelves until they reached the bed area. "Which one do you think suits him?" she asked Ethan.

Ethan offered a smile and pointed to a blue cushion-like cat bed that looked comfy and neat.

Leah nodded her head in agreement, a smile on her face, "I was thinking about that one too" she let out excitedly, rendering him speechless as she turned to offer him a dazzling smile. He was totally seeing a new side of Leah; he wasn't sure if it was because the topic of discussion was about what she loved or if she had grown more comfortable around him, he had hoped it was the later.

He was enjoying his self-claimed shopping date with Leah, she kept talking to him, rambling adorably about what she knew about cats and how cute their kitten was. She had been expressing herself more and he couldn't help but find everything so lovable about her.

She grabbed the bed and Ethan took it from her hands, brushing his hands longer then necessarily up to her wrist to feel the warmth from her soft skin, his cheeks blossomed as he saw her eyes giving him a peculiar look.

Ethan turned around and placed the bed inside the trolley.

"We need to buy a suitable cage for him" Leah bought his attention as they passed a row of cages being displayed on the shelves. 

Her hazel eyes scheme through the cages until she stopped at a cage with a mixture of cream and blue color, she reached her hands up to grab it but because it was high on the tallest shelf, she had to slightly stand on her toes to get a hold onto it.

Ethan, from behind, step forward towards her and grabbed the cage with ease, her eyes followed as she gazed behind her to meet his eyes, suddenly aware of their closeness.

Ethan's breathing hitched completely when his eyes landed at her inviting luscious lips, slightly agape, he swallowed the strong urge and slowly look up to meet her hazel eyes before he cleared his throat loudly to break himself from his thoughts, and looked away.

"Tell me..." he lets out, "Tell me when you need something... I am here, so I'll do it for you..." he said meekly, feeling his muscles contracting as he fights himself the urge to hold her back.

To have her body pressed against his, to feel the softness of her skin and be surrounded by the sweet scent she carried. He wanted to ignite, ignite and burn in her warmth.

"I just didn't think it would be that heavy" Leah retorted back as she walks at the end of the trolley while he stands at the front, she rummages through the things inside, completely unaffected unlike his frustrated self.

"I think we bought everything so far... Food, bed, litter-box, scratching pole and even a cage" The girl ran a hand through her brownish-blonde hair dashingly and placed her hands on her hips.

Leah look up to him and smiled, "Let's pay for them"

Once they scan all the items at the cashier, Ethan immediately took out his wallet to pay while Leah was busy rummaging through her backpack for hers.

"I think we should at least split it since I made you go through the trouble" she said as they walked out of the store. Ethan smiled at her softly, "I insist. And besides, it's no trouble if it's for you" he said the last part to himself as she grumbled slightly beside him.

Leah founded quarreling with Ethan troublesome and it might even make things awkward, it wasn't much of a big deal since she was sure to pay back in a different form if Ethan kept on insisting, therefore she let it go. 

"Will you carry all this to your home, yourself?" Leah asked worriedly while she carries the cage in both of her arms.

Ethan gazed warmly at her concern, he could easily carry all the bags by himself with one hand but he didn't want her to feel like she didn't do anything even though she was the one who did everything inside the store.

An idea popped inside his head and he feign a worried look as he gazed at the shopping bags.

"You're right... I can carry them but I am not sure how I'll manage to open the front door by myself since my aunt is at her cafe" he said before looking at her, "Why don't you come over to my house...? And If you have time, you can even meet the cat and play with him a little while"

The mention of meeting the little fellow seemed to work very effectively, as Leah's face immediately brightened and any thoughts of hesitation and doubts cleared from her head as she nodded softly,

"That is, if you don't mind" she said to be polite. 

"Trust me" he begin with a smile,

"I don't"