Home

I walk in to a quiet house. The lights are still on, so my parents must be in the basement. I'm an only child, so it's just us three. Well, four now consideringwe have this little furball. I mean, my parents would sometimes volunteer at animal shelters, so they might know a thing or two.

"Mom, Dad," I call for them. "I'm home." The silence here isn't the same as the one with Laureen. It's more...lonely...

"Hey there Grace," Dad comes up first. "did you have fun?"

"Yeah," I respond. Then he notices I'm holding something.

"Hey Grace," Mom comes up right as her look at the ball of fur. "you make new friends?"

"I think she did," Dad answers for me. "are you holding an animal?"

"Yeah," I respond nervously. "it was asleep in the road a few blocks down. Laureen hit the breaks and was a good distance away, she didn't hit it. Her mom's allergic to cats, she couldn't take it with her."

"Oh dear," Mom seems worried for the cat. "it's a good thing you brought it in. I'm good with having a cat, what about you Tom?"

"Oh yeah," he responds. "of course. However, if there's an owner we will return it."

"Right. Anyway, band me the poor little thing. You can relax in your room for a bit and we'll keep you updated. You could also join us, but you're soaking wet. You might want to change first."

"I will," I say. "and I'm going to return the blanket tomorrow, it's Laureen's."

"We might want to wash it then," my dad pops in. "since her mom is allergic and all."

"That's a good idea," I agree as I hand Mom the cat. She gently carries it downstairs leaving me and Dad. "I'll make sure to give it to her."

"That's good. It seems you had fun with Laureen."

"Yeah, I was introduced into her friend group and they seem to like me. I feel like I belong with them. The thing is, I bumped into Laureen in the halls cause we were both late."

"Well, I did tell you to leave earlier. It's fine, it was your first day. It seems you really enjoyed your day."

"Yeah, and don't worry. I won't be late again. Laureen is taking me to school in the mornings, and she said I can't say no."

"Well that's really nice of her. She sounds like a good person. It's kinda relieving to know you found some great friends. Anyway, I need to help your mother."

"Yeah, take care of the kitten. Let me know how it goes."

"Will do kiddo." and with that, he heads downstairs.

I head to my room and put my pajamas on. I take the jacket I was wearing and pull out the sticky note and my phone. I'm going to text Laureen.