Chapter 7
1672 Words
Chapter Seven
I shuffle on the bed, propping myself up on my elbows so I can watch the two kittens play on the floor. They're chasing one of my slippers around, and making me very glad I never wear them. By the time the two of them are finished, I'm sure there won't be any of them left.
A knock sounds at the door, drawing me out of my little kitten loving haze. I don't know what it is about them, but I'm captivated. At this rate, I'm going to start thinking I somehow imbued them with a love potion.
"Coming," I shout, wondering who it can be. Daphne would just have walked in. She has no respect for personal space, something I definitely expect from having a best friend.
I pull the door open and blink a couple of times.
"Can I come in?" Caspian asks, his voice rasping through me and making my heart do a weird somersault.
"Erm, sure. How did you get into the flat?" As far as I know, the front door has a lock on it just like my bedroom does.
"Your friend let me in. She called me Thomas." He frowns.
"That's Mr Smith," I say. "I told her he was helping me with the kitten situation."
"Ah, that makes sense. So, may I? Or would you prefer to have this conversation in your doorway?" The words should sound sarcastic, and yet they don't. I think he probably would have this conversation right where we're standing if he thought it'd make me more comfortable.
"Come in, but watch out for the kittens," I warn.
"Kittens? As in more than one?"
I sigh. "I made another one in potions," I admit.
"That only gives me more questions."
I chuckle. "I was cleaning up my friend's mess. Or trying to."
"Ah. Do they have names?" He sets the bag he's carrying on the floor, and both kittens run straight over to it, sniffing and pawing at the plastic.
"The one from yesterday is Rhubarb. The ginger one is, erm, Ginger." Now I'm telling someone, it seems like a stupid name. And one that's far too obvious.
"Was one of the ingredients you used today ginger by any chance?" he asks.
I nod. "I think that's why it came out this way."
"You don't know if it's a boy or a girl yet, do you?" he teases.
I hang my head in shame. "I don't have the first idea about where to start." And my online searches just led to me staring at cat memes for three hours. Hardly productive research.
"Luckily for you, I do. I brought you everything you need."
"You...what?"
Instead of answering, he dug into the bag and pulls out what looks like a cushion. He places it in the corner next to the radiator, and both kittens plough into it.
"They really like what you brought."
"They should, everything is designed for kittens." He hands me a book from his bag.
"A beginner's guide to kittens?" I read the title to him.
"You said you didn't know anything about them, it seemed sensible to start at the beginning."
"I'm not going to lie, you may be on to something there." I sit down on the floor and cross my legs, aware of how low down it makes me compared to him. I hope he gets the message and sits with me, it could be awkward if not.
Thankfully, he does, and our knees brush against one another as we sit side by side.
"What else did you bring?" I ask.
"Not much. Some toys, kitten food, a food and water dish. Just the stuff you need to get started."
"Thank you," I whisper. "I don't understand why you're doing this, but thank you." My hand almost flies to my mouth in an attempt to shove the words back in, but I refrain. I don't want to draw any more attention to what I'd said than I have to.
"Maybe I saw a pretty girl in need and I wanted to help. Or maybe I really like cats. Or, there is this remote possibility that I'm just a new guy here who wants to makes friends rather than be the odd one out."
"And your choice of friend is a girl who magically creates cats when she tries to do magic?" I raise an eyebrow.
Rhubarb chooses that moment to come up to the two of us and jump about. I think he wants to play, but I'm still learning his mannerisms, so I'm not entirely sure about that.
Caspian isn't phased, and picks up one of the toys, moving it back and forth so the stuffed mouse on the end wiggles about in front of the kitten.
"Is that a mouse on a stick?" I ask, completely forgetting about my other question.
"Yes. And as for making friends with a girl who conjures cats...I think there's more to people than what they can and can't do. Just because your magic does this, it doesn't mean I shouldn't be your friend. Nor does it mean we won't get on well. I'm more interested in you than in your magic, Mona."
My heart swells in my chest, though I try not to let it get too big. I don't want to lose rational thinking.
Rhubarb pounces on the mouse, looking victorious even if I suspect Caspian let him have it.
"We should get them collars," he says.
"I wouldn't even know where to start looking for them. Where did you get this stuff from? And how much do I owe you?" I ask, already disappointed in myself for not asking that sooner.
"Next day delivery is a wonderful thing," he teases.
"Wait, you ordered all this yesterday?"
He nods. "But mostly as an excuse to come talk to you."
"You have my number, why not just ask if you could come over?"
He shrugs. "This felt more personal. I want to get to know you, Mona. And not over the phone."
Oh wow, I've found a rare one. I should try and keep him around. Especially if he's going to forgive me my eccentricities already.
"You still haven't told me how much I owe you for the kitten stuff," I prompt. I don't want him to think I'm just using him to buy me stuff. That's not a good way to start a relationship.
Oh. Look at that. I don't need a potion to tell me what I want after all. Apparently, the attractive new guy is what I'm after.
"You don't owe me anything."
I open my mouth to protest, but shut it again when he shakes his head.
"You can repay me by agreeing to come to a party with me tomorrow night."
"I'm not sure that's a good idea." I glance away.
"Oh, I'm sorry, was that Ryan guy your boyfriend?"
I can't stop the laugh that escapes me. "Far from it. He's my best friend's twin brother."
"You say that like it's not possible to be in a relationship with someone in that position."
I know he's just trying to sound me out, but it's kind of weird to talk about this with him.
"I don't have a boyfriend," I say instead of addressing his comment about Ryan. That has too many complications attached, and whatever my feelings, I don't want to lie to Caspian. That feels like a bad way to start whatever this is between us.
"Okay, so come to the party with me?"
"I'm not really a party person."
"You seemed to have a good time the other night."
Huh. I suppose he's right. Other than the failing at magic in front of others part, I did have a good time. And even the magic part wasn't too bad. I'm used to being in that situation now.
"Alright, fine, I'll go to the party with you tomorrow."
"You make it sound like such a chore," he teases.
"Spending time with you isn't," I murmur as I watch him play with Rhubarb again.
I look around for Ginger, hoping the other kitten is alright. I find her sleeping on the cushion Caspian brought with him.
"I'm thinking about Ginger as a girl," I admit to him, changing the subject completely.
"Probably because she is one," he points out. "When they're a bit bigger, you might want to keep an eye on them or you may end up with kittens that you didn't conjure magically."
I grimace. That sounds messy and not at all like something I want to deal with.
He leans back, his hand brushing against my knee and sending tingles through me. I need to be careful tomorrow night or I'm going to end up falling hard and fast for this guy, even if I do still have a crush on Ryan.
"Who else will be at the party?" I ask.
He shrugs. "I'm new here, I don't even know many people's names. I only get invited because I'm new and people want to suss me out." He doesn't seem as bothered as I'd be in his situation.
"Do you move around often?"
"How did you know?" There's no confrontation in his voice. He seems like a very even-tempered guy, something I can appreciate under any and all circumstances.
"Just a guess from the way you're talking. If you don't want to tell me, it's fine, I just thought..."
"I can't expect to get to know you if I don't let you get to know me too." He smiles at me, driving home that there are no hard feelings about the subject. "But yes. Dad's in the military. We moved every few years. I know I'm lucky to be in an age where I can just text the friends I left behind, but..." he trails off and looks away.
Feeling brave, I place my hand on one of his knees and squeeze lightly. "Just cause you theoretically know something is true, it doesn't stop you still feel the pain," I point out.
"Did you move about too?"
I shake my head. "I never really had any close friends until I came here though. I'm not sure why. Maybe I just didn't feel settled enough."
"But Grimalkin is different?"
I look at him, trying to work out what my true answer really is. "Yes. I think Grimalkin is going to be the kind of place I can finally find people to call my own."
And I hope he's one of them.
- Writer
