One day, she'd kill Amelia.
For the next few seconds, Grey let the satisfaction of the thought wash over her as she jabbed at her phone to lower the volume of her earphones. Her best friend's frantic scream dissipated from a banshee's howl to more of an inside voice. "Amelia, please. I can't understand you when you shout like that," Grey said.
A playful groan stretched over the end of the other line, then more yelling. "I did it! I did it!"
"One more time."
"I. DID. IT!"
"Did what?"
"I got the tickets! Two of them! Meet and greet here we come!"
Grey slowed her jog into a swift walk. Wiping the sweat from her eyes with the hem of her tank top, she looked both ways before crossing the street. Of course, she picked the hottest day of the year to get back into shape. Panting, she shook her head. "We? As in you and I?"
"DUH, who else? I didn't use my photographic memory to memorize credit card numbers and pre-sale ticket opening times just to go to this concert alone. I NEED U, GIRL!"
Grey winced at the lyrics, winced at Amelia's lack of vocal talent. Still, the invite was flattering. "Wait, why buy tickets now? What if something comes up?"
Amelia scoffed. "It's survival of the fittest. People eat those tickets up like piranhas. And nothing will get in the way of me meeting my boys. Specifically, my Rap Monster."
"Your dedication to this group is terrifying."
"Grey, rain on someone else's parade."
"Okay, I'm sorry. My afternoon jog just sucks today. My legs hurt, and the park looks like it's getting further away." Grey rolled her eyes, picking up her pace as the greenery of Harmony Park surfaced into view. Harnessing the rest of her strength, she pushed onward.
"No one told you to do afternoon exercise."
It was Grey's turn to scream. Amelia's complaints of being too loud murmured over the phone. At this, Grey smiled. "Now that we're even, when are we meeting BLT?"
"You're so rude," Amelia coughed, "it isn't for a few months. You've got plenty of time to sulk in a corner and pretend you don't like them."
"You introduced them to me like a day ago, I just don't see the big deal yet." The rest of the conversation became a blur as Grey approached the black, iron archway above the entrance of Harmony Park.
Amelia rambled about her day, her coworkers, her lunch. Under the shade of trees, couples sprawled on blankets. Parents with strollers wheeled over several different walkways while children threw frisbees and balls in the open clearings. Life breathed through this section of the city, and even with the sun beating on her back she appreciated every inch of this place. Her own haven.
Grey turned left at the fork in the road towards Solstice Gardens, the only portion of the park completely shrouded in branches. It was quiet there, as the people that visited only passed through. Even better, Solstice Gardens had a lake, and she'd take whatever cool breeze she could get.
Soon enough, Amelia's voice and the sound of Grey's own breathing echoed through the treetops. The heat vanished, and so did a bit of daylight. At last, she slowed enough to plop onto a wooden bench, putting her hands on her head to steady the air in her lungs.
"Hey! I almost forgot. Two things. First, don't forget about the singles' social tonight, and second, your job interview is in three days. Think you're ready for it?"
Ah, that. Grey sat back and stared at the lake. It wasn't much more than a large pond, but it was enough to take the edge off the stress threatening to ruin her afternoon peace. "I'm fresh out of university. How hard can it be?"
"Grey, its KSJ Industries we're talking about. That amazing skyscraper in the middle of downtown that looks all twisty and French? Where people pull up to work in Porsches and Bentleys? It's your big break. No wonder you're being such a stick in the mud. You're stressed."
"That's putting it lightly. I turned in my application essay as a joke. In case you forgot my best skill in the workplace is coloring within the lines on a coloring page." Grey ran a hand through her hair. Her sweat turned into a sticky sheen over her skin, her still damp clothes almost making her shiver.
"Grey, you're a writer. You hypnotize people with words. That company would be crazy to not at least give you a chance. Besides, if you bomb it then you can just become a bestselling author. Who cares?"
"Meow."
At her feet sat four white paws and an all black fur coat. A kitten cocked its head to the side, shamelessly flashing its brilliant green eyes. One padded paw rubbed against her shin, not to scratch but to play.
"Well hello there," Grey cooed. The cat's long tail curled around her legs, the same way its body followed suit. It didn't seem satisfied until it was wrapped around her ankles. "I don't have any food, but we can go get some--," she peered under its legs, "You're a girl! In that case, I'll call you Luca 'til we find your owner."
"Who are you talking to?"
Static blared through the earphones. Grey flinched at the noise. "Can you hear me?"
"Mhm."
"Oh, I found a little friend! Actually, it found me, but it looks like a stray."
Grey lowered her palm before the kitten's nose. It sniffed once, not putting up a fight when she scooped it up. The animal was soft against Grey's chest, purring as the girl used three fingers to smooth fur on its back.
"Are you holding it? That thing could be loaded with diseases."
Grey shrugged. "She has a healthy coat like she's been owned."
"It's like you want rabies."
Grey furrowed her brows as Luca thrashed in her arms. She crossed her arms tighter, ignoring the cat's screeches. "It's okay, don't be afraid."
A low snarl at the back of her neck implied differently. Grey froze, her blood chilling instantly. Luca wriggled out of her grasp. She didn't check to see where the cat went. Instead, she took a deep breath and slowly turned to the colossal presence at her back.
A bear, blacker than night, growled once more through clenched jaws adorned with a row of pointed teeth. It easily matched her height, tripled her weight. When one of its overbearing paws stepped forward, Grey stepped back.
Since when were bears part of the park?
"Mow." Luca's call was distant, but clear over the pounding of her heart. Why hadn't the cat gone yet? Was she waiting for her?
Grey scanned the cobblestone path on her sides, forcing herself to conjure a solution. She ran in from her left side, and to leave that way would be bringing the bear towards those people in the park. To dash to the right... the clearing into the next part of the park was much further, winding over hills and past sudden turns. How long could she outrun a beast this size?
"Meow."
The bear's gaze flicked from Grey to what was behind her, its lazy tongue licking the front of its teeth.
No. Don't you dare.
The bear stretched another step, this time aiming past Grey. Glazed black eyes narrowed onto a target with a long black tail.
She could leave the cat. Find safety in the open where people could see her. She could forget about this completely. It's what anyone else would do.
Except, she couldn't. Her body refused to go left or right, holding her upright and balanced because it knew what to do. She knew what she needed to do. The bear sat back on its haunches to spring forward, but she shot forward first.
Paws slapped against cobblestone on her heels, vibrations of a roar pressing against her shirt. She dashed over the grass to Luca, who remained still, eyeing both the bear and the girl.
"Luca! Run!" Grey pushed herself to run harder, faster. Air stung the depths of her lungs as she neared the lake. As though hearing her for the first time, the cat's eyes widened. Before she could blink, Luca jumped into the pond.
"Where are you going?"
An invisible force, similar to hands wrapping around her waist, tilted Grey sideways. She screamed as she tumbled into the waves. Water filled her nose, her throat as she sank deeper. A weight pressed on her chest, and even though she flailed and tried to swim those hands wouldn't let her go.
Her lungs burned as she continued to fight against the pull, bubbles escaping her lips as she mustered the strength and cried for help.
She opened her mouth to call again--and stopped. The weight disappeared. Frantic, Grey pulled towards the surface. Her fingers collided with the muddy bank, almost slipping off as she hoisted herself out of the lake.
She wiped the water from her eyes, coughing up her guts as she then wrung out her tank top. Beside her wheezing, Solstice Gardens was the image of tranquility. Birds sang through the branches, the row of multicolored flowers next to her park bench swayed with the breeze.
Neither a single bear in sight, nor a cat.
What? I just saw them...
She couldn't stop her teeth from chattering. Her feet squished in the grass as she trudged towards the pathway that led her back to the front half of the park.
"Luca, come here!" Her hands cupped her mouth as she called through the trees. "Girl?"
Grey whirled as a bush behind her shook--and fell over as a wall crashed into her back.
"Watch where you're standing. You're not one of the trees."
Grey paused at the casual voice, unsure if she found it funny or harsh. She looked him over once as he peered down at her on the ground. Tight black pants with rips at the knee, sneakers, a black baseball jersey button down. The snapback on his head was backwards, barely concealing the black hair underneath.
Cute. Actually, really cute.
"Do you always take up the middle of walkways?"
She prepared to stand, stopping when she discovered an open notebook. She picked it up, sneaking a glance at the first page which asked for a name. "No, I don't."
Min Yoongi.
He snatched it from her palms. "You're still standing there."
She sighed through her nostrils, straightening up. He looked a few years older than her. Two inches taller. "Have, have you seen my cat?"
His dark eyes gleamed with distaste, scowl deepening. "No."
Why is he so angry? It was an accident.
"Do you think you can help me find her?" Grey craned her neck to look behind her at the same bush that moved earlier. A raindrop landed on her nose. She blinked once and surveyed the sky. Thick, gray clouds drifted with the wind. The soft patter of rain mused through the canopy of trees. She raised an eyebrow. It was hot enough to cook an egg on the sidewalk just a few minutes ago.
"I'm sorry for bumping into you." It didn't matter that he hit her first. She was tired, confused, and soaked. She was drunk off of adrenaline and on the brink of insanity.
"I ran into you." Yoongi's expression softened, the intensity of his glare becoming dull, bored. "Don't worry about your cat. She'll come home."
She guessed that was an apology. Still, she frowned. If her calculations were correct, he wasn't in the park when she passed by earlier, a bear lingered somewhere near the hedge bushes, the cat she thought she would keep voluntarily leapt into water. Speaking of water, Grey looked at the lake again.
Yoongi pursed his lips awkwardly, rocking back and forth on his heels. "Good luck finding your pet," he said.
"Thanks." She wiped raindrops from her lashes, facing where Yoongi stood. Except, he wasn't there.
"Meow." Grey squeaked in surprise as Luca strode between her legs.
"Luca, where did he go?" She pulled the cat into her arms as her phone rang. She fished the device from the pocket of her dripping shorts, thanking the stars that it was at least waterproof. A single notification appeared on her lock screen.
SINGLES SPEED DATING W/ AMELIA Â 1hr
Damn.
She was going to be late. Clutching Luca to her chest, Grey jogged through the rain.
:::
EDIT A/N (6/16/20): New reader,
It's two years later, but I hope you don't mind me popping in to say thank you for starting this book. Because of you, I get to have the most special memory. Thank you so much!
I adore you, and I hope that you enjoy the wild ride ahead. I hope it teaches you something. I hope it makes you feel. But most importantly, I hope it inspires you to do what you want to do too!
With love,
M