Harleigh
After a couple weeks, I’m finally getting settled into the new routine that has become my life.
I go to classes, have lunch with Brian, and generally try to avoid Colten and his group.
His friends have backed off and allow him to continue the bullying, but with each passing attempt, he seems to become more and more agitated when I don’t react. I get the feeling he wants to break me.
I just don’t know why.
The more time Brian and I spend together, the more comfortable I am with being myself around anyone and everyone. He makes me feel safe, and reminds me I don’t need to give a shit what others think. They either like me or they don’t, and I’m okay with that.
Neither of us are all that social, so even though we talk to others around us, we generally keep to ourselves. I’m sure at some point we will make more friends, but until then I’m content with the way things are.
“Hey, beautiful, you have any plans this weekend?” He smirks at me knowingly.
We’re heading back to our rooms to get changed before grabbing dinner in the cafeteria, and my mind is focused on everything I have to do for school. Maybe I can finish a couple of assignments beforehand.
“Oh, you know, just homework and sleep. I might make some time for this guy I know.” I flirt a little.
We’re walking along the path between the school and the dorms when I see something orange in my peripheral vision. “Hey, Bry, what’s that?” I point toward the orange spot near the trees.
“What’s what? I don’t see anything.”
“You don’t see that patch of orange by the trees?” I don’t move my eyes away from it, afraid it will disappear. I don’t think I’m seeing things, am I?
“Oh, yeah, I see it now.” He’s squinting to get a better look. “Wonder what it is?” He sneaks a look over to me before tilting his head in that direction and walking backwards.
I watch him move and can’t help but notice how sexy he is in his tight jeans and converse shoes. He brings the look together with a blood red t-shirt, and my mouth waters with appreciation.
“Good question.” I push away those thoughts and follow him, but what we find isn’t what I was expecting.
Reaching the edge of the trees, an orange cat saunters out and rubs up against my legs, completely bypassing Brian as if he isn’t even there.
“Hi there, what’s your name?” I speak softly to it as I lower myself onto the ground and let it climb into my lap.
When it gets comfy, I check for a tag, and find one easily. “Hi, Orion. What are you doing here, huh? I bet your family misses you.”
Meow, meow, meow.
He’s now rubbing his head against my hand and cuddling into my chest purring as Brian just stands there watching the exchange.
I love cats. They are just so cute, and furry, and warm. I always wanted one growing up, but my dad is highly allergic to them so it was never an option for us.
“Do you think we should take him to the shelter?” he asks.
I know that’s what we should do, but I get this feeling that we need to just leave him be to do his own thing.
“No, I’m sure he will make his way home. He’s clearly not starving or being neglected.”
Brian nods in agreement.
I sit there on the ground for a few minutes just soaking up the snuggles before my stomach starts to growl, making the cat move off my lap.
“Sorry, little guy, I have to go. It was nice meeting you, Orion,” I say, taking the hand Brian offers and standing up. “Maybe I will see you around sometime.”
Meeeoooww.
Brian and I take off back to the trail, and head to our dorms. It’s not until we get there that I realize Orion is following us.
Meow, meow.
“You have to go home. I can’t let you in here. No pets allowed.” But he doesn’t move. He just stares at me with these deep chocolate brown eyes. “Go home. Shoo.” I wave my hand at him before Brian grabs it and unlocks the door, pulling me into the building with him.
“Bry, that was weird, wasn’t it? He just stared at me.” I look at him before swinging my gaze back out the door to the cat still standing there watching us.
He laughs. “You are aware that cats are predatory creatures, right? They are creepy as fuck. Don’t worry about it. I’m sure we won’t see him again.”
I tell him he’s right as we head to our rooms to get ready for dinner, but I can still feel him watching us through the door as we round the corner.
Days go by without seeing Orion again, and I eventually stop looking because I’m sure he went home to his family. That is, until he shows up at my window one evening after class.
Opening up the window to pet him, I talk to him like I did before. “Hey, what are you doing here? How did you find me?”
Seriously, Harleigh? He’s a cat. Your window probably wasn’t even the first one he went to, you’re just the one to pay attention to him.
Meow.
