Chapter Five

It's so tiny. So delicate.

A little mouse stuff animal

Oh man. It's amazing.

Lyla set it on the floor, waiting for my reaction.

I smiled and walked over to it and picked it up with my mouth.

I love it so much.

Lyla picked me up and hugged me to herself.

"Love you Sammi." She whispered into my fur.

I love you too.

And I promise I'll look out for you.

Peter's Point Of View

I thought we would never find the right person.

Today was day 974 of no owner. (Two years and 244 days)

Today is also the day after Jameson's birthday.

"I wonder how long it will take us to scare away this person." Was what I said to Nalla while we drove to her house.

"I dunno Peter. I think she might be the one." Nalla sighed, ruffling her feathers.

I didn't believe her.

But as time ticked by, I grew more and more found of this Lyla girl.

She talks to us.

She is giving everyone presents.

She is gentle.

Maybe she is the one.

"Peter." Lyla held out her hand for me.

I scurried onto her hand. She picked me up and set me on her knee.

"Hi Jameson." I acknowledge the bunny in her lap.

"Hello Peter." Jameson happily played with his new toy, Lyla smiling down at him.

I looked back at Lyla and saw she had something in her hand

A ball of twine a little bigger than a golf ball.

"Sorry it's so big." Lyla apologized, looking down slightly.

She's adorable. Who apologizes to a guinea pig?

"Aww." I chuckled and hugged her thumb.

She looked up suddenly and giggled. "Thanks Peter." Lyla stroked me softly.

No, thank you, my precious owner.

Nalla's Point Of View

I'm really worried about this.

I never thought we would actually have an owner.

How are we going to reveal ourselves to her? This apartment isn't the biggest. Will there be enough room for us when we turn into our human forms?

"Elisa, be careful." I told her as he jumped up onto a ledge with her fish in her mouth.

"Where's the fun in that?" Elisa laughed and twirled in a circle, wobbling a little.

She dropped her fish.

"Nooooooo." Elisa shrieked and watched it hit the floor. "My love!" She jumped after it.

I rolled my eyes as I watched the ridiculous scene in front of me.

I saw Lyla stroke NamPeterjoon in her hands.

Everyone is so happy. I'm happy. The minute I saw Lyla, watching the birds and I fly around, I felt something. I felt a connection. So I flew over to her.

She stuck her finger through the glass, completely trusting that I wouldn't bite her. Well, she was right about trusting me.

And then she adopted me! I saw some of the others with her too. Everything went perfectly.

"Oh Nalla." Lyla sang with a smile, holding out her arm. I flew over to her and perched myself on her arm. "Oh yeah! I need to get your cage for your gift!" Lyla said suddenly.

I laughed at her cluelessness. I walked up her arm and stood on her shoulder as she got up and grabbed my cage and also a pair of glasses.

"Ok" Lyla plopped down on the floor again and put on her glasses.

She's so pretty.

She started to pull her hair up into a messy bun, and tied it off with a scrunchie.

"Nalla? Do you like it?" Lyla asked hopefully, a small look of doubt on her face.

I snapped out of my train of thought and saw that Lyla held a box in front of me. I guess I didn't notice the present while I was thinking. As I read the box, I saw that she bought me an entire set of toys for my cage!

"No way!" I exclaimed and flapped my wings excitedly.

A smile spread across her face. "Oh good!" She laughed in relief. "Wanna help me put it together?" She asked me.

I nodded my head and Lyla smiled.

She looked down at Jameson. The kid was curled up in her lap, happily snuggling his carrot plushie.

"You can help too if you want little Jamie." Lyla giggled, scratching his head lightly.

"I'm good. Thanks though!" Jameson smiled, holding his toy tightly.

I glanced around at the others.

Elisa was back at it again, dancing with her fish. Ben and Nick were laying down casually, talking and holding onto their toys. Peter and Sammi were both half asleep, lazily talking about random subjects.

"Alright Lyla, let's do this." I turned back to her.

Lyla's Point Of View

"Ugh." I frowned as I tried to screw in the screw with my fingers. I couldn't get it tight enough.

Something poked my arm.

I looked over and saw Nalla trying to fly with a screwdriver in her talons.

Just as Nalla fell from the extra weight, I cupped my hands beneath her. "Careful Jin!" I gasped.

She tweeted.

I stroked her head and picked up the screwdriver.

"I didn't realize there was one." I laughed and got to work. Screwing the screws in were much easier now. "How does it look Nalla?" I asked her as she flew in the cage, testing each toy thing. She flew onto my shoulder and nuzzled my neck. "I'm taking that you like it." I giggled.

I remembered something.

"Nalla, I've got one more thing for you." I pulled the bag closer to me.

I grabbed the last thing in the bag.

"Here you go Nalla." I held out the little bird plushie. "It's like your own little friend." I smiled.

Nalla tweeted happily .. I think.

She grabbed it with her talons and flew into her cage and sat in on the ground of the cage.

"I'm glad you like it." I told her before looking over at the others.

When I spotted the cats, I remembered the litter boxes.

"Sorry Jameson." I apologized as I moved him to stand up.

He squeaked in surprise and followed me as I walked over to another pile of stuff.

"Aww." I sighed softly, watching Jungkook hop with his little carrot in his mouth was the cutest thing I've ever seen.

I sighed and picked him up, he happily snuggled into my arms. I slid him over onto just my right arm. He easily adjusted. "Cute." I mumbled.

I bent over and picked up a litter pan.

I set one under the table where Peter and Jameson's cages are. The other one in the small laundry room. Then I got the litter and spread it in each pan. It was quite difficult with only one hand, but I managed.

"There we go." I sighed happily, feeling accomplished.

One bag at a time, I brought the animals' food into the laundry room as well.

I put Peter, Jameson, and Nalla's cage supplies in a box and slid that under the cage table. I filled up the cats and dogs' water bowls with fresh water and sat them against the counter.

"I think that's it." I smiled to myself, stroking Jameson's head. I smiled down at the bunny. "You ready for the last surprise?" I asked him.

He squeaked and sat up.

"I'll take that as a yes." I giggled. "Ok everyone! Gather around!" I sat down on the floor again.

"Elisa, get down please." I told her as she walked on the kitchen counter. She hopped down and sat next to Jimin.

I smiled as I saw everyone had their toys with them.

"So, to officially announce that you guys are my pets, I'll get you your guys' collars." I announced excitedly.

Jameson's Point Of View

The first thing I noticed when Lyla brought me inside, was the smell.

It smelled like apple pie, with a hint of cinnamon. But most importantly, it smelled like home.

I used to have a home. I was so happy back then.

And then, he left me. He left one day, and never came back. I thought he loved me as his bunny. I thought he would be my best friend. But he left. I think it was all my fault. I must've done something wrong. He wouldn't just leave for no reason. No. It was all my fault.

I can't mess up again.

Not when it matters the most. I have to be perfect. I have to be perfect for her. No matter what happens, I can't mess up.

I won't leave her side. I'm scared she'll leave, just like Andrew. I don't want her to leave. I like it here. She might be the one we can trust.

We could be the best of friends when we reveal ourselves.

I just can't mess up.

The boys don't know that I messed up. I told them that he returned me. I can't let them know I'm a failure. Then they'll have to do everything for me, so it turns out right.

I'm such a failure.