Chapter One

Taking out my camera I line up a shot and take a picture. The stray cat took off after I took a few more shots of it.

Nora would love to create a drawing of this. She always got inspired by animals to draw. I wonder what she'll name this one. Speaking of Nora, my phone vibrated with a message from her. She asked if I had any new photos for her because she was bored. I replied to her saying that she would have some new ones soon before putting my phone back into my back pocket.

I continue walking with the camera dangling from my neck. There were the occasional birds perching about, but they didn't seem interesting to me.

A small smile crossed my lips as I entered the local pet shop. Maybe they had what I was looking for this time.

I recognized a fellow friend of mine working today. We met when I first arrived with my dad and my new stepmom. She wanted to give me a pet, saying that I could get whatever I like. My soon to be friend pointed out a fluffy baby kitten. I was able to hold her tiny form for a bit before having to put her back.

It was the first photo I was able to take in the first week we moved here. A baby picture of the kitten trying to get to me by standing against its temporary enclosure.

My new mother took care of the paperwork, and she gave me enough money to buy everything my new pet would need.

Then every following Saturday I would come into the pet shop and take some random pictures. Of course, I encountered him multiple times and soon we had each other's numbers. And became very great friends soon after.

"Hey Lorenzo, any new animals today?" I ask, stifling a giggle as he drops a dog leash.

After picking up the dog leash, Lorenzo chuckled, "I thought you were my ex, geez!"

"What? She throw nasty punches?" I mock.

"Yes actually, how you'd know?"

I threw a playful punch at him which he dodged, but the second punch hit his arm that he used to block with.

We halted our movements as we heard his manager shout. "Quit fooling around!"

The manager has his arms crossed until he sees me. A big smile spreads across his face and he comes and gives me a hug. "Now I see why Mr. Lorenzo is playing punches."

When he breaks the hug, I shyly smile while saying, "More like being played by punches."

They all laugh, causing me to giggle. I only giggled more as Nolan - the manager - elbowed Lorenzo telling him to quit laughing. He left after telling Lorenzo to get back to work soon.

Lorenzo quickly put the dog leash away and asked me how the fluffy bunny was doing.

Sighing, I responded, "Snowell the fluffy white cat...is doing fine."

"I thought we agreed that she looks more like bunny."

"Not we Lorenzo, you." He looked offended. "And you saw her from the start. Snowell clearly is a cat," I stated.

Lorenzo pulled a face and said, "From the start? I didn't see her when she was born. For all I know her mother is a rabbit."

"Then how do explain her meowing? Or how she never hops? Or how she hates whenever you try to feed her carrots or whatever vegetable you bring?" I stare long and hard as he chokes on what to say.

"Well clearly...," he started, "she is a mixed breed." He continues as I mentally slap him. "And her mother is a bunny which means...th-the father is a cat." His smile is strained with beads of sweat forming on his head.

Slowly, I curved my lips into a devilish smile. "I am punching you for real this time."

As we played our game of cat and mouse, I finally captured him. My legs are on each side of his waist as I have one hand on his chest and the other in the air ready to punch him.

In an attempt to plead his way out he says, "H-hey, you're right she's not a mixed breed. So, please let it go?"

I relax my arm, lowering it a little to give him a chance to explain. "What do you mean let it go?"

"I mean that Snowell is most definitely not a mixed breed, but an experiment," he now states proudly.

"Yeah, now I'm definitely not letting it go." I raise my arm and bring down my punch, hitting his shoulder.

"Arugh...you so hit like a girl," he mutters.

"I am a girl, but I didn't hit like one, idiot."

He uses his hands to hold his weight as he lifts his upper body to meet mine. I grin from winning this battle.

"I just realized that I hit like a girl. Did we just switch genders?" He grins as well.

Patting his chest I said, "I would think you would have noticed."

"Did anyone mention that you are heavy?"

"Would you like another punch? Maybe one in the throat?"

He retreats his confidence, "No, I think I would like to keep speaking."

I lift myself off him without bothering to help him up.

"So," I start as he is off the ground, "are there any new animals here?"

"Yeah, we got another cat an-." I cut him off, interested in the cat.

"A cat?" He shakes his head now knowing why I kept asking about new animals here at the shop.

"This way to the speckled feline."

When he shows me the kitten, I get excited. I play with its paws through the cage. Without even asking, Lorenzo opens the cage for me to grab the cute baby kitten.

He listens to my gurgles of excitement. "It's like you're to talking to a baby."

I look up at him. "I am and she is adorable! And she's going to be part of the family."

And before he decides to say anything else I say, "And she is not a bunny either. Is that clear?"

He nods, but then says, "An experiment?"

"Or that," I say lowering my tone.

"Yep. I got it, neither." He had his hands in the air in surrender.

I gently put her back, hearing her displeased meows as she is locked back in her cage.

"Your mom going to get it all settled?" he asks.

"Yes, then Snowell can have a play partner." Now Snowell should hopefully be distracted and not walk on my homework.

"Okay then, I'll see at school on Monday?"

"Yeah, I'll see you Monday." I gave him a hug before leaving the shop.