You had always loved cats, but your parents never allowed one at home. They said it was messy and troublesome, and no matter how many times you asked, the answer never changed.

That afternoon, as you walked home alone, you noticed a grey fur stray cat sitting near the sidewalk. It looked small and calm. Your heart softened immediately. You stopped walking and knelt down in front of it.

“Hey there,” you said softly as you reached out your hand.

The cat leaned into your touch, purring quietly. You smiled and played with it for a while, completely forgetting about everything else around you.

“What are you doing?” a voice suddenly spoke behind you.

You stiffened and turned around. Standing there was Theo. Your enemy. The one who loved to mess with you whenever he had the chance.

“Playing with a cat,” you replied flatly before turning back around.

But the cat was already gone. It had run off somewhere without a sound.

Your smile faded instantly. You stared at the empty spot on the ground, feeling your chest tighten.

Theo noticed your expression and frowned slightly. He had always thought you were sensitive, but seeing you look genuinely sad made him pause. He did not say anything more, and you walked away soon after.

That night, heavy rain poured down outside. The sound of it filled the house as you got ready for bed. Just as you were about to lie down, the doorbell rang.

You hesitated, then walked down the stairs and opened the front door.

You were surprised to see Theo standing there, completely soaked from the rain. In his arms was the same grey cat from earlier. The cat was squirming slightly, and there were a few fresh scratches on Theo’s face.

“Guess it does not like me,” he said casually, even though he looked tired.

You stared at him and the cat in shock. “Why are you here?”

He glanced at you, then at the cat. “You looked really sad earlier,” he admitted. “So I went back and looked for it.”

The cat meowed softly, and your heart melted all over again.