Making it at the bottom of the staircase, Nova walked towards the front door, ready to face the intruder. Before opening the door, she peered through the keyhole to ensure that whoever was ringing wasn't a menacing person.
On the other side, a familiar figure was standing, frantically shaking her frame. Her body was so wide that it blocked out the entire view of the street, like a giant boulder that had somehow learned to ring doorbells.
"I can't solve your problems, lady."
Nova muttered under her breath, a sneer playing across her lips.
Even though the woman was a next-door neighbour, a 'Hi' was typically enough for an interaction between the two. Moreover, this was the first time she was entering their yard, hence Nova was wondering what she wanted. Whatever it was, she deduced that it was troublesome.
The lady lifted her ample arm, intending to ring the bell again. However, Nova wasn't going to allow her.
"Give me a break."
She hastily opened the door, the scowl on her face shifting to a sweet smile.
"Good—"
"Gee, something's wrong with Purr-ella!"
The lady's voice immensely contrasted with her stature.
'What?'
Inside the smiling facade, Nova was burning up with frustration. There was practically no single person in the neighbourhood who didn't know Purr-ella. Her name was like an alarm for mornings and evenings. She was both a lover and the only child to the lady. According to her, there was no better name anywhere, thus, she felt proud squealing it at the top of her lungs.
"No way, what's happened to Purr-ella?"
Nova feigned concern, her eyebrows knitted together.
"She piddled on the bed, and I said, 'What the hell freeloader!' Since then, she's gone on a hunger strike, turning her nose up at even the finest caviar and salmon. And now she's also refused to come down from the neighbor's fence. She's really stabbing my fragile heart with her tiny, furry paws...!"
Her speaking pace was rather fast.
'Oi, lady! I swear there's no way I'm doing cat chase. I'm already late for school!'
Nova tried hard not to let agitation reveal itself on her face.
"You mind taking me where she is?"
Yet, she blurted out something that was stark contrast to what was on her mind. That was typically Nova's behaviour.
"I don't! You're my only genuine chum..."
She effortlessly began pulling Nova's petite frame away from the door's threshold.
Nova turned red due to the embarrassment of being seen in public in her pink sleeping pajamas, which were not exactly street-ready attire. She regretted muttering the opposite of her will.
Just like Nova's family home, most of the buildings in the neighbourhood were two storeys high with the lawns perfectly manicured. Some of the yards were separated by walls while others by hedges. It was an affluent community which was within a financial district.
Even though the rain had long ago ceased pouring, and the morning sun was shining brightly at the clear blue sky, Nova still felt some aftermath chillness seeping through her flesh, compelling her to hug herself against the cold with her arm. Along the street, two to three people could be seen ambling while holding leashes which in turn were attached to their dog's collars. Some joggers passed by, wearing their running attires.
"I'm so sorry princess! Please return to this maiden!"
At the other side of the street, a spotless black cat lazily lay atop the wall, unperturbed by its owner's yells. Without reacting, it stared at them intently as they closed the distance.
'Tiny furry paws my ass! T-that's...that's just a dog!'
Nova's lips slightly parted. All she knew was Purr-ella the name, and not the actual thing. In her entire existence, she had never seen a cat of such stature.
"Kitty kitty kitty meow!"
She playfully outstretched her hands up towards the cat, beckoning it to climb down from the wall.
"Prrrrrrrup! Puuurrrrfect! Puuurrr-fectly paw-fect! Purr-fect pleeease!"
"Meeeeeow-weeee...!"
For an instant, Nova's eyes locked with a passer's-by, and her cheeks warmed with embarrassment.
"...Uhm, did you check if she's...pregnant?"
"She can't be. She's a maiden, same as me."
"O-oh. I see. If we only had a ladder, then..."
"You're right, a ladder. Hang on a sec, just a tiny whiny bit."
The lady hastily waddled up the street, dissapearing into her yard.
"Kitty, kitty— No. This can't be right. I'm playing with a feline when I'm supposed to be at school? Why don't you just come down already, pussycat...?"
A short while after, Nova saw the lady returning with a ladder balanced precariously on her shoulder, humming a song. She placed it at an angle against the wall, and immediately after, Nova cautiously began ascending. Every second that passed on the street made a knot tighten in her stomach, so she wanted to complete this task as quickly as possible and leave.
"Don't worry, I'll grab you if you slip."
"T-thanks..."
Nova's hands fidgeted as she tightly gripped the rungs one after another.
While climbing, the cat bored its gaze on her, it's ominous eyes making a cold electricity crawl down her spine.
She reached at the top, and luckily, the cat didn't jump or try to make a run. This was the first time she was going to handle an animal, so she kept on licking her lips in anxiety.
"The bunny in that kids show said kitties shouldn't be touched on the stomach...legs, and tails. So..."
Gently, she placed one hand under its chest, and supported its back legs with the other. Fortunately again, the cat didn't squirm, so she held it close to her chest with one arm, and used the other free arm to carefully descend the ladder.
She could feel the cat's chest rise and fall against her own chest.
"Bite me and I'll bite back."
As soon as she stepped on the ground, the lady started clapping enthusiastically.
"Awesome. I'd have never managed that."
'I'm glad I'm done here.' "Haha, it's totally not difficult..."
Nova replied, handing over the cat to the exuberant lady.
"Thanks a bunch, and hey, I think Purr-ella likes you."
"Really? I guess it's cool if pop over sometime to hang out with her a bit, right?"
Nova winked at the lady. Although this is what she was saying, she didn't mean it. Her words were merely a tactful evasion to end the conversation as quickly as possible.
The atmosphere was slightly beginning to warm up.
"Sure, come over whenever."
Right after, Nova retreated back home. She didn't have the luxury of having breakfast thus she promptly changed into her school uniform and left the premise instantly. As she moved outside the gate, she checked the time on her wristwatch. It was 9:36AM. The first period of school had already began.
She ran through the residential streets with her chin practically glued to her chest, heading towards the nearest bus station. The downtown was already bustling with activities and the smell of exhaust from vehicles filled the air. Fortunately, Nova caught a bus that was about to leave on time. It was half full with men and women dressed in suits and ties. For some reasons, practically everyone appeared as though they had bitten on some lemons.
'I guess no one will ever get used to their mundane life in such a dystopian society.'
Nova thought as she sat down in a seat at the back. It was by the window.
The engine roared, and the bus began moving on its route. As they rode through the city, Nova looked out the window, watching as throngs of people frantically hurried to their various jobs.
'I'm so glad I'm not one of them.'
That day, the first class was Mathematics. A subject which was taught by their homeroom teacher. Even if she arrived at school after the chime for the end of the first period had rung, Nova knew that she would still have to face the homeroom teacher considering that he liked extending his lectures by a long duration.
"Sigh...this is annoying."
She mumbled as she leaned back on her seat.