Petra 🐱

Petra pounced on the bird, trying to bite at it as Jesse waved it around. "No no, it's not real, cutie." he said as he tickled Petra with the feathers. Petra sat up to look at him grumpily. "You gotta wait for Jess, remember? She's still sleeping."

Petra yawned and washed herself with her paws. "Aww." Jesse said, waiting for her to finish before stroking her tiny head. "Meow." Petra protested as Jesse picked her up. "Shh. Come on, time for your nap." Jesse stroked her again and set her down next to Jess.

Looking up at Jesse, who had turned away to tend to another customer, she mewed and pawed at Jess, who didn't wake up. "Mew." Petra patted Jess, who grumbled and turned over. "Hello." A customer called, making Jesse attend to him. Petra looked over her shoulder and saw a boy with lime-green eyes grinning at her.

Jess finally opened her green eyes and swiped at Petra. The two kittens meowed and played with a little rubber mouse Jesse gave to them. "What? But they're mine!" Jesse was saying. Petra sensed the panic in Jesse's voice so she looked up. "Did you pay for her? No. Because I was the one who found her. My mother came here ages ago, wanting to sell my kitten."

"I finally found her and I'm not leaving her here." Petra knew exactly what they were talking about. The boy wanted Jess! Petra meowed softly, protectively standing beside Jess, who just looked at her, confused. They couldn't take Jess away! They shouldn't!

"You better give me back my cat, or I'll call the cops." The boy threatened Jesse, who glanced at the two kittens. "Alright. Can you take both of them? They're happy together." Jesse said, her voice trembling a little. He was going to give in?!

"No, I don't have enough money. I'll take her now." the boy said, walking over to Jess and gently picking her up. "Mew?" Jess meowed at the boy, who stroked her gently. "Come on Jess, we're going home." the boy said, setting Jess in his jacket pocket and leaving Petra alone.

"Mew.." Petra called, unsure what just happened. Was Jess going to come back? Where was she going with the boy? "I'm sorry Pet." Jesse kneeled down next to Petra, who scrambled to her feet and padded towards Jesse. "I had to give in, that boy, was Aiden. Jess was his kitten. Do you understand?"

Petra mewed sadly, setting her head on Jesse's palm. "I'm sorry." Jesse said, stroking her.

***********************

Petra stared at the glass door, waiting for Jess to appear again. It's been a week since she left, and Petra kept waiting. And Jesse was his normal self, but every time he looked at Petra, he sighed. "Meow." Winslow said, standing in front of Petra who ignored him.

Winslow sat at the table with Petra, looking at the door. Who knew Winslow had some heart after all? Suddenly, the door flew open, making everyone jump. "Where's your manager?" it was the boy again, this time, looking angry.

Winslow and Petra glanced at each other, confused. "I'm the manager. What do you need?" Jesse asked coldly, obviously upset that Jess was still gone. "This isn't my kitten. Look! Jess used to be so playful. Hyper.!" Aiden ranted, and angrily set a kitten on the table.

It was Jess! But she looked different. Her eyes were dull and her fur seemed to have lost its sleek black texture. "Hey Jess," Jesse said, stroking the kitten's head gently. "It's stress," he informed Aiden, who glared at him. "What have you been doing to her?"

"Playing." Aiden said but was interrupted by a woman storming into the store. "Aiden, you better not bring home another cat." the woman said, glaring at her son. "Sorry," The woman apologised. "He's been known for animal abuse.. that's why I wanted to give Jess away. Aiden has been hiding her in his cupboard for days and starved her."

Petra couldn't take it anymore. Getting up from beside Winslow, she ran over to the counter, meowing at Jesse. She had to make him accept Jess!

She wanted her back...

Jesse picked Petra up and set her beside Jess. Immediately, Jess perked up and meowed loudly.

"See? They belong together. Aiden, you're not fit to keep a pet, so leave or I'm calling the police because of animal abuse." Jesse said fiercely.

Petra sighed, watching Aiden and his mom leave. Aiden just glared at Jesse, who glared right back. But Petra looked up at Jesse. "Mew."

Jesse smiled and swept them up into a hug. "You guys are too cute. Come on, let's have lunch." Jesse smiled as Jess and Petra curled up next to each other, thankful that they were together again.

-End