Damien

"What a fucking loser," Petechuckled as we stood around a barrel fire in an alleyway, "Couldn'teven make a move on her?"

"I didn't have time."

"Bullshit—ten minutes, tops."

"I'd like to make it a littlelonger," I admitted, "She's gorgeous."

"That she is," Duke said, "Betternot let Pete after her."

"I'll kill you and they'll never findyour body."

"Promises, promises," Pete shookhis head, "You should get her to go to your place—oh wait! Youdon't have one.."

"A hotel?"

"Yeah, how fucking romantic," Irolled my eyes, "Take the woman of my dreams back to a hotel thefirst time we make love."

"First time? Who says there's goingto be a second?" Duke laughed.

"This guy—make love he says!"

"Why am I even friends with the twoof you?"

"Because we know your truth."

"Because we're living it."

I shook my head, "Can I have this onething?"

"If you don't take her, I will."

"Like hell.."

"Boys..." Duke warned, "I reallydon't care who takes her, but she can't very well be TAKEN and thenone of us turns. Can you imagine,-"

"No, no one wants to imagine that!"I growled, "It's a few minutes until daybreak and we'll be,-"

I heard her walk by.

She was heading home.

"See you later."

Pete chuckled, "That father of hersis going to kill you!"

I didn't answer.

I followed her until she reached herdoor and then I let myself fall apart.

I was a cat again...

A fucking feline with a craving sointense for this gentle human that I couldn't bear the thought ofliving this way for the rest of days.

I curled up next to her door—prayingthat maybe she'd be the one to see me first thing and not her father.

"Goldie.."

Dreams of my passed life taunted me anddreams of a future without her did the same.

I wished..

I wished too many times that the cursecould be lifted...

"Well, I guess this is the closestI'll ever come to true happiness."

Even if she took me in, how would Iexplain my transformation from cat to human?!

She would likely die of fear...

Unless, she WAS a witch.

I had to know.

I would follow her the day after andsee where she went.

She went to college—I knew that—forlibrary science.

But who were her friends and how did mycompanions know she was a witch?

Were they holding out on me?

The rain began and I got underneath abox—it would keep me safe for some time.

I saw her light turn on and then off.

"I want you to love me, Goldie.."Icaught myself thinking, "But..I.."

Before I could be more pathetic in myself-pity, I fell asleep again and this time had dreams so gloriousthat I almost didn't want to arise.