16

Spencer Cypress

There wasn't a vet nearby in Apple Valley. Apparently, when an animal is injured, most people here just pray that it'll survive or take it out of its misery. We drove over to the town with the cat in a box that he seemed to enjoy fondly.

It doesn't seem that the cat had much problems. It was a little dehydrated and starving but we were recommended some tips.

After passing by a pet store, we began to make our way home. I had the box in my lap with the cat curled up inside.

"Juniper seems to be fond of the cat." Graham said.

"I don't think he's too fond of Juniper, though." I replied.

"What are you going to name him?" He asked me.

"Is he my cat now?" I asked.

"Well, he seems to tolerate you the most. It makes sense. And you could have someone that can keep you company." Graham told me.

"I have you, though." I replied.

"Still. And look at him. Isn't he adorable?"

I opened the box, peeked inside, and saw the cat looking up at me with its large eyes.

"Fine." I muttered.

Graham drove us home. He carried the new cat stuff to my house while I carried the spoiled prince in my hands. Inside, the cat quickly ran under the couch after being chased by an eager Juniper.

"You've got this, right?" Graham asked.

"Ee-yes." I replied with hesitancy.

"Good." Graham hugged me out of nowhere. He crushed my head into his chest, which I didn't mind much.

"Don't forget we're supposed to have a date soon."

"I haven't. Are you free this Friday night?" He asked.

"Uh, I think so. I have a meeting with my lawyer, but it should end soon." I replied.

"Perfect!" He almost jumped while still hugging. "Oh, I'm so excited. I haven't been on a date in so long."

"Can you let me go now? I think my rib cage is puncturing my lungs." I grunted out. Graham let me go and fixed my messy shirt.

"There we go. You look snazzy now."

I knew I was blushing while looking at him. But I didn't bother to hide it.

"Uh, Spencer? Can I kiss you?" Graham asked me. He looked a bit ashamed to make such a request.

"Go ahead, Graham. Do you want to kiss me on my cheek or forehead?" I asked.

I was caught off guard when Graham grabbed my face and forced a kiss on my lips. For a moment, I was caught off guard until I eventually relented and felt myself calm down.

With an open eye, I saw Graham deep into the kiss as his eyes were shut closed and his face also turning a deep shade of red. I knew he felt me smirking.

Graham's shoulders slumped down, his grip on my face loosening. "I knew it." I heard him say.

"Knew what?" I asked.

"Come, Juniper. We need to get to work." He called. Juniper left the couch and joined Graham. "Bye, Spencer! I hope to see you later!"

"Wait! What do you mean 'I knew it'?" I called out. Graham had already ran across the street with his dog in tow. He quickly turned and winked at me before going back inside his house.

I stood confused for a bit before closing my door. I kneeled next to my couch and saw the cat down there looking at me.

"They're weird, right?" I asked him. The cat stared at me with its large yellow eyes. Its black coat made it blend into the shadows. It was essentially a void looking at me.

I started lunch quickly and set up the cat's litter box and food. He seemed to enjoy eating, though he was a bit standoffish when I tried to get close.

"Cat! I have work to do. Try not to bother me." I said. I threw a rat toy and watched him attack it while I set some music on and read over my emails.

More emails had come in from my lawyer. He sent me some documents to scan over. Then I also kept searching through my email history for more evidence against my former boss.

I looked up from my laptop and saw the cat standing next to the speaker.

"You like the song?" I asked him. The cat stretched himself before loafing on the floor.

I smiled to myself.

"I'm guessing you like Buddy Holly, huh?" I asked, expecting a reply. "Hm, well, I can't name you Buddy. I'm pretty sure that's a dog name."

The cat had its eyes closed.

"Holly?" I asked. I searched online and saw it was a gender neutral name. "Holly! Pspsps. You like that name?" I asked him.

The cat looked at me. It was hard to read him. But I'm just going to assume that he likes it. If not, then he should've said something.

"Holly it is. That's your name now. So don't complain about it in the future."

I looked at my reflection in a mirror.

"I'm going fucking crazy." I muttered. I slapped my head before looking back down to my computer and continued working.

After a few hours of working, I shut my laptop and got ready for dinner. Graham sent me a few pictures of Juniper, my Daily Dose of Juniper as he refers to it.

Holly ate his food while I ate mine. There was silence between us, which was a bit calming, but I did miss the chaos from my neighbors.

Going to sleep seemed to be easier than last night. Holly settled in her own bed. And by that, I mean my bed. She had perched herself in the middle of my bed.

"You have your own bed." I sighed.

Holly had the nerve to look at me then landed his head on my linen blanket.

"You're getting cat hair on my things! Kitty!" I whined.

In the end, I ended up sleeping at the end of my bed, almost falling off in the middle of the night. I woke up with my back hurting. Holly seemed to be peacefully rested.

There was a quick knock on my door. I opened it and saw Graham with a large bag in his hands.

"Graham-"

Juniper quickly ran into my house and began to chase Holly. Holly climbed up the jungle gym I had built him and looked down at Juniper like he was lower than him.

"Juniper! Where are you manners?" Graham said.

"It's fine. I don't think Holly minds it." I replied.

"Holly?" He asked.

"Huh? Oh, I named him already. Holly."

Graham smirked. "I guess you're getting attached to him already. Anyways, I brought things for breakfast."

He walked in while I shut the door. "Why? I mean, I appreciate the gesture and company."

"Because I felt like it. I woke up with the desire to see you and figured I'd make you breakfast since you've been eating microwavable French toast for the past few days."

I shook my head. Of course, he knows what I'm eating. And of course he wants to make me something to eat.

"At least let me help." I told him.

"Then come on." He turned and winked at me.

I rolled up my sleeves and joined him in my kitchen. Strangely, the two of us were able to cook perfectly together. I didn't feel bothered by someone else being in the kitchen with me.

While Graham set our food, I prepared the food for the animals. I opened the windows, turned on the music, and then we ate breakfast in peace.

"I have our date ready." Graham told me.

"Can I ask where?"

He shook his head. "Nope. Just know that it'll be a town favorite. I want you to see the best of Apple Valley."

"I trust you, Graham. You better not take me to some commune and make me join a cult." I replied.

Graham giggled. "I won't. Trust me."

Holly had perched himself next to a window while Juniper hoped to play with him. Meanwhile, Graham and I cleaned up, sat on the couch, and decided to put a movie on. Today might just be a lazy day for us.