Nao ran around the block as fast as he possibly could, dropped the bat, and ran some more.

“Shit shit shit fuck shit” he yelled at the sky.

“Why did you come home so early?! You’re supposed to be at school until at least 3pm! FUCK!”

As he ran around scolding himself for being an idiot, Nao realized he would still be more of an idiot if he kept running around like this. He needed to get back in the house. He needed everything to be normal, he needed to…

AAH! THE GUITAR!!!

Nao stopped in his tracks and screamed: “I AM SUCH A FUCKING DUMB FUCKING IDIOT!!!”

An old lady walking her dog looked at him disapprovingly. He hissed at the both of them. Couldn't help it.

Nao sat down on the grass. He needed to think. He couldn’t get back into the house in this shape, so he had to find a place to ditch his clothes.

He let himself fall down on his back and looked up at the sky. It was blue. A few tiny clouds were scattered in it, complimenting the blossoming tree that stood on the edge of the grass.

A lightbulb appeared above Nao’s head, and he jumped up smiling. The tree. That’s a good spot.

Nao checked his surroundings to see if there was no-one looking at him. And when he was assured there was really no-one, he easily climbed up the flowering tree. He went as high up as he thought the branches would carry his weight, to make sure he had as much cover from the blossoms as possible. Then he took his shoes off, wedged them between two branches, and swiftly undressed. He hung his clothes over a branch, and turned into a cat.

Problem solved, and down we go.

Nao looked down. It was about 7 yards to the ground. That wasn’t far. He could easily jump out without getting hurt.

It really wasn’t far.

Really... not... far...

But Nao didn’t move. Stupid cat brain, he thought. You can do this, you idiot.

Get… out… of… the… fucking… tree…

He tried to take the first step, but noticed his claws had buried themselves in the bark. His hair was standing up.

Shit, he thought. How do I get myself out of this tree?

How do people get cats out of trees? They call the fire department, right? But I can’t call the fire department, I don’t have a phone. And besides, if someone climbs a ladder to get me out, they’ll see my stuff. They can’t see my stuff. I climbed this tree to hide it.

“Goddamnit I’m such a bloody IDIOT!”

Nao hadn’t realised that he’d said that last thing out loud when a high voice from below said: “Mummy says you shouldn’t swear.”

Nao looked down. There was a little girl of about 6 or 7 years old, looking at him with big brown eyes.

“Mew?” Nao volunteered.

“I heard you” the little girl said. “You were saying nasty words little kitten. Is it because you’re stuck in the tree?”

Nao sighed. Busted by a little girl. What would the higher-ups think? I’ll get fired, I’ll be banished, or worse…

“You can talk to me sweet kittycat.” The voice sounded. “Talk to me, I’ll help you get out.”

Nao wasn’t sure what to do. She was just a little girl. No one would believe her if she told people she had encountered a talking cat, right? And what else was he going to do?

“Fine” he said. “I’ll talk to you little girl. Will you help me out?”

“Yes!” said the girl. “My name is Ellie, what’s yours?”

“Nao,” said Nao. “But my human calls me Kitty”.

“Why doesn’t your human call you by your real name?” Ellie asked.

Nao looked up and sighed… After a short pause he started: “well… it’s because”

BAM!

Nao got hit by something, and fell out of the tree. He spun around in the air and landed on his paws in the grass, gasping for breath. A rubber ball bounced on the grass two meters away.

“Ha! Got you, Nao!” the girl laughed as she walked over to the panting cat. “You’re out of the tree! Now I can pet you.” She kneeled down next to Nao, and started stroking his fur.

When Nao caught his breath, he started relaxing his paws. When he was sure he was still in one piece, he looked the girl in the eye and stated: “you are one crazy person”.

“You’re welcome” said Ellie.