Aster
I pull into the shelter’s parking lot. Leaf unbuckled looking over at me. “You ready?” “Yeah I am” I reached in the back and pulled out the carrier. “Let’s go” We both went inside and walked up to the counter. “I’m Aster, I had called about looking at the cats and maybe adopting one.” The lady got up from her chair. “Right this way please, I’ll have to go get the master key if you want to take any out and hold them” She disappeared back through the door she came, leaving me and Leaf with the cats. I started looking around, there were old and young cats, and some of every breed, just about. There was one that stood out to me, the cat had only three legs, and looked to be a teenager in cat years. I looked at the tag that showed the breed and it said it was a Nebelung, I didn’t quite know what that meant. She was a grey long-haired cat with green eyes. The lady walked in seeing me looking at her. “I see, you spotted one you like?” “Yeah I have, but could I hold her first?” “Yep, let me open that for ya” “Thanks” “Here you go” She was way softer than she looked. “Does she have any special requirements?” “Nope she is perfectly healthy despite having lost a leg” “Alright I’ll take her, Leaf I picked one” Leaf looked then got up from the spot they were crouching. “I’ll hold her in the carrier for you while you pay the fees and things like that” “Thanks” We followed single file out the door back into the front, the lady going behind the desk. “Alright it isn’t much, but I do have some paperwork you need to fill out”
Leaf
While Aster was taking care of the paperwork and fees, I was carrying the cat in the carrier. I put one of my fingers in one of the holes wiggling it. The cat swatted at it. I did that for a while even as we were walking out the door, because I was distracted I almost ran into the door, but Aster stopped me before I did. “Whoa there, you are carrying my pet so please don’t go running into walls” “What are you going to name her, we can’t keep calling her cat or pet” “oh we huh?” I blushed “Oh shut it” “I’m thinking about naming her Charcoal” “Charcoal, that’s a cute name” I looked down at Charcoal. “Hear that Charcoal, that’s your name, Charcoal” She looked at me as I was baby talking, mewing a very tiny mew. “Aww, did you hear that” I looked up at Aster. “That was so cuute!” “Let’s go because she probably doesn’t want to sit in this for much longer” “Yeah let’s go” We drove off, carrier in my lap.
“Hey do you want to come to my house to hang out with me and Charcoal?” “I would but I really need to clean my house, thank you though” I replied disappointed. “If it was any other day I would” “That’s okay. I’ll drop you off at your apartment, we’re almost there”
Aster dropped me off, waving bye to me as I walked in my apartment. It was only when I realized I forgot to grab the bag with the candle in it. I shrugged next time I see Aster, I’ll tell her then, but also give her my number. I set out my cleaning supplies the way I wanted, and started cleaning.
Aster
I set Charcoal’s carrier on my table. “Hey baby, this is your new home now. Here you go, come on out” As she was slowly coming out I set up her food and water bowl, and her litter box. I showed her both of them. I put her collar on, it fit perfectly, before letting her wonder around my house. I forgot to buy her a bed so I took an old blanket I had and put it by her bowl. I smiled at Charcoal swatting at dust bunnies underneath the couch. I knew getting her was going to be one of the best decisions I’ve made so far. I cooked myself some early dinner. I sat down and ate it watching Charcoal some more. She came up mewing at me, swatting me with her only front paw, trying to pull the fork closer to her. “Naughty, naughty kitty, this isn’t yours, but I think I could make an exception for you” I picked up the smallest bite I had and sat it in front of Charcoal. Charcoal ate the bite purring and rubbing against my legs. I pet her in between bites.
Leaf
I finally get done with cleaning my apartment, and I feel good about it. I prepared myself a bowl of noodles, because I didn’t have enough energy to make anything more complicated than that. I ate them thinking about Aster. I thought about how I first saw her. I never saw someone with vitiligo before, and the way she was so confident too just made her just so much more attractive. Her long black hair was recently braided into tiny tight braids that were then put up in a ponytail. It was the confidence and pride in herself that made me like her, and that she was sweet too. The way she goes into a little rant about things she likes and gets embarrassed about it was cute, and now she got a cat! I hoped to see Charcoal again.
I put my bowl in the sink. I took out the piece of paper that had my number on it. I picked up a pencil, writing more on it. “Hey, I think you’re cool, want to be friends? My # is….I think that’ll work” I said to the empty room. I placed the paper into my hoodie pocket, before getting in some comfortable pajamas. I laid down reading comics.
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