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Rain pelted against Catti’s bedroom window, becoming an ever present hum in the background of her mind, only broken up by occasional thunder. Her mind wandered around, never truly settling down. It began to feel like something was nagging at her. Something. But what?
A lightning bolt cracked across the sky, as if on cue.
“Ah, damn,” she groggily mumbled as she sat up in her bed. “My makeup.” Forgot to remove it.
She stood up and exited her room, marching toward the bathroom. The house was quiet, besides the peaceful droning sound of the storm. It was an appreciable difference from how it usually was when her family was awake.
But a different kind of thunder entered her headspace. The sharp, tinny ring of the doorbell.
Catti wondered to herself, “Who shows up this late...?” but found herself drawing blanks. It occurred to her that it could be someone... dangerous. But letting her curiosity win and throwing caution to the wind, she gently opened the front door.
“Catti!!!” Noelle whined. “Thank goodness... I was worried someone else would answer...”
Catti’s eyes went wide. Noelle stood shakily on her doormat, completely drenched. At a loss of words, Catti hastily mumbled nothing more than, “... Come in, quick.”
Noelle stepped inside, still shivering and sniffling. “S-sorry to barge in like this in the middle of the night...”
Catti’s composure started to return to her as she fired off a barrage of questions. “It’s alright... Are you okay? Is something wrong? Are you hurt?”
“I-I’m fine,” Noelle said unconvincingly. “Well, um, physically, at least. Very cold and wet, though.”
“Here, come into my room. It’s warm. Sit down anywhere.” Catti motioned her in as more thoughts struck her. “Let me get you a towel.”
She dashed to the bathroom and fetched a towel, rushing back to see Noelle standing in the middle of the room. Catti laid the towel over her bed, letting Noelle daintily sit down. Catti herself sat down in her desk chair and turned to Noelle with a concerned expression.
“So um...” Noelle began, looking down. “I, well... It’s about my grades.”
Catti raised an eyebrow as Noelle’s posture sank further into a depressive huddle.
“I’m underperforming... I thought I was doing well in English, but...”
Noelle’s voice trailed off. Catti subtly scooted her desk chair closer and laid a sympathetic paw on her shoulder.
“I feel you. English is tricky.”
“N-no, you don’t understand...” She said, shaking her off. “I’ve really been falling behind. Trying to manage my violin lessons, plus the whole cross country fiasco... and my mom is still pressuring me to join the student council, too.”
Catti watched as Noelle took a moment to try and compose herself. She wanted to say something, to do anything to comfort her, but didn’t know what to do.
She took a shaky breath before continuing. “I just feel so worn out... I feel like I don’t have any free time trying to juggle everything, especially with the amount of homework we’ve been getting...” Tears began forming in the corners of her eyes. “I’ve just... skipped out on a lot of writing and stuff. So many late assignments are piling up... I promised myself I would catch back up and get them done... I promised my mom I would...”
A pang of worry hit Catti. Noelle’s mom was... intimidating, to say the least, and not exactly even-tempered. Her outbursts at her assistants gave Catti heartaches thinking about how she might act toward Noelle. Now it seemed like her worries were unfortunately founded in reality.
“Noelle...” Catti started, attempting to soothe her, yet her words stopped shortly thereafter. Out of ideas, Catti simply leaned forward and hugged her tight.
Silence hung in the air, only broken by Noelle’s intermittent sobs. For a short while, the two of them stayed locked in their embrace. Noelle choked out a “Thank you...” as she continued quietly crying in her arms.
The dampness of Noelle’s clothes combined with her tears began to cause a bit of awkward discomfort for the both of them, so they separated. Noelle wiped her eyes and her nose with her sleeve, before saying “Thank you...” again.
“Any time,” Catti responded as tepidly as she could manage. A short pause passed before Catti quickly added “How else can I help?”
“I don’t know... Just a place to stay for tonight? I just... I don't want to deal with my mom again...”
She responded instinctively, seeing genuine distress on Noelle’s face. “O-of course.”
“Thanks... again. I really appreciate it.”
Catti nodded, with an uncharacteristic smile. It quickly dropped as she realized the state of her room. “Sorry for the mess,” she muttered, rushing to tidy up some loose clothing and scattered CD cases. “... Wasn’t expecting guests."
“It’s fine. ... It’s kind of nice, actually.”
Catti stiffened, turning to her in confusion.
“I-I mean... I’m forced to keep my room really tidy. I’m glad your parents aren’t neat freaks or anything.”
“Ah.”
Some awkward quietness transpired before Noelle piped up again. “I like your pajamas.”
Catti was caught off guard, forgetting she was appearing in front of Noelle in anything but her school clothes or her diner uniform. “Oh. Thanks. My...” Her mind quickly reconsidered mentioning parental figures again. “My sister got it for me, as a gift.” She then immediately realized that what she had mentioned was far worse.
“That’s nice. ... Dess wasn’t exactly a neat freak. If anything, she was the opposite!” She said with a jovial, yet minorly forlorn chuckle. “I guess my mom didn’t care as much about cleanliness before... back then.”
Catti changed the subject in a hurry. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Just some water, please. Even though it looks like I have more than enough already, fahaha...” A strange smile crept onto her face as she held up her rain-soaked, and now tear-soaked sleeves.
Catti felt a mix of emotions as she got up, seeing Noelle try to act cheerful in such a sad state. It was so unusual for her to see her as anything but a peppy, easygoing girl with nothing that could knock her down for long. She wished that she could do everything to preserve her happiness... her smile...
She grabbed a cup and the pitcher of water from the fridge absentmindedly as she continued brainstorming. Catti thought about the unexpected complement to her pajamas. They were decidedly more colorful than she usually wore (being a deep blue short sleeve top with white and blue plaid shorts), even though they were less of an eyesore than her old pair.
An idea hit her. She returned to her bedroom and offered Noelle the glass.
“Thank you,” Noelle replied once again.
“Want my old pajamas?” she suggested awkwardly. “They’re not dirty.”
“Sure, that’d be great.”
Catti quickly dove into her bottom drawers, skimming through a plethora of old memorabilia and ritualistic equipment. She couldn’t help smirking in embarrassment as her eyes stumbled across the discarded set.
“Sorry for the... the colors.” She thrusted the neatly folded pajamas toward Noelle, while being too shy to make eye contact.
“I don’t mind,” Noelle said, giggling quietly.
“Alright. Tell me when you’re done.”
Catti waited outside of her door for a short while, contemplating random things. Some of her idle thoughts brought a blush to her face as she pushed her mind past them.
“Ready!” A muffled, excited voice popped from behind the door.
Catti opened it to see... a comical sight. She had truly forgotten how ridiculous they were. The whole garment was a bright pink, cluttered with yellow squiggles and crude drawings of cat faces. The shirt drooped at her waist, the sleeves obscured her hands, and the pant legs bunched slightly on the floor by her hooves.
“Fahahaha... They’re a little bit big for me, don’t you think?”
“Um... yeah. Sorry.”
“It’s fine. They fit well enough to stay on, at least.” She tugged the sleeves back far enough to reveal her hands again and gave a thumbs up. She turned back to the bed and grabbed her damp clothes. “What should I do with these?”
“We have a dryer.”
“Sounds good. Should I-?”
“I got it. You relax.”
“Alright...” Noelle stretched her arms and took a seat on the side of Catti’s bed.
Catti left the room, Noelle’s clothes in tow. She hurried to the washing machine and tossed them in, acting fast so as to not keep her waiting. She set the settings before turning back to her bedroom.
She walked back inside to see Noelle sprawled out across her bed, eyes closed. The sight warmed Catti’s heart; it was such a relief to see her so relaxed after the events prior.
“Oh, hey again,” Noelle greeted lazily, her eyelashes batting. “Your bed is soooo comfy...”
“You can sleep in it if you want.”
“Huh?”
“You can use the bed,” Catti clarified, clearing some space on the floor with her foot. “I’ll sleep here.”
“Wh- I couldn’t do that!” She clumsily sat up. “Taking your own bed and making you sleep on your floor?”
“It’s not a problem. Seriously. I do it all the time.”
I hope she doesn’t think I’m weird for doing that.
“I mean... If you insist, I suppose.” She lost the strength to resist the offer and plopped back down on the bed. “I’m so tired I could practically rest anywhere at this point...”
“You should sleep.”
Noelle yawned loudly. “I guess I should.”
“I’ll get the light.”
“You’re too nice, Catti...”
The hair stood up on Catti’s fur. Being complemented like this felt so strange. She was normally reserved and... a bit cold. It was like Noelle was melting her cool exterior. She couldn’t decide if she liked it or not.
The light clicked off. Catti quietly made a space for herself to rest on the floor, curling up by the bed. Her mind began to drift off.
...
Ah, damn. My makeup.
Never got to remove it.
...
Whatever.
Sharp beeps pierced the quietude of early morning. Catti groggily moaned in defiance.
“Sorry, sorry!” Noelle piped up. “My alarms are loud so I don’t sleep through them.”
“‘s fine. Just... early.”
“Oh gosh. That too.” Noelle seemed to stir quickly. “I should probably get going soon, actually. My mom would be upset if I keep her waiting.” Her voice quieted. “I hope she’s calmer by now...”
Catti groaned, standing up. “Want me to walk you home?”
“Hm? Oh, sure!” Noelle beamed. “It’d give me a good alibi. A true one, at that.”
“What?”
“Well, like, so she knows I didn’t run to someone dangerous. ... Or somewhere dangerous,” she added.
“Makes sense.” I guess that means I’m not dangerous after all.
Noelle hopped off the bed and looked down. “Uhh, I hope my clothes are dry by now, fahahaha!”
Catti giggled as she saw Noelle’s oversized PJs again. “I’ll grab them.”
“Thank you!”
She strolled to the washer and dryer. But just upon first glance, she could already tell something was up. The light was supposed to turn green when it was finished... yet the light wasn’t even on.
“Shit...” she murmured under her breath. She dashed back to the bedroom to see an expectant Noelle fiddling with her hair. “Bad news.”
“What’s wrong?”
She felt a strange resistance to admitting her mistake. “The washing machine... It must’ve lost power.”
Noelle eyed her with suspicion. “You suuuure you didn’t just... forget to turn it on?” she teased.
Catti’s nervous tail flicks betrayed her stoic silence.
“Awww, don’t worry about it. I’ll figure something out.”
In an attempt to save face, Catti tried to think of a solution first. “You can keep my pajamas. I don’t need them.”
Noelle shrugged. “Sure, that works.” She finished adjusting her hair and stood up. “We should get going now.”
“Don’t want breakfast first...?”
“Can’t.” Noelle smiled sweetly. “But maybe some other time.”
“An umbrella?”
“Ah, yeah. I’ll want one of those.
Catti grabbed damp Noelle’s clothes from the dryer. As she began rummaging through a nearby closet, Noelle creaked open the front door.
“Oh, Catti!”
Catti confusedly poked her head out, still holding Noelle’s clothes.
“... It doesn’t seem to be raining anymore,” Noelle commented with a strange wonder in her eyes.
And so the two of them, both still clad in pajamas, headed out the door. It let out a wooden creak as it shut.
Though she didn’t say it directly, Catti could tell Noelle was still worried. As they continued walking, she brainstormed what to do to ease her mind.
“How can I help with... things?” ... I should’ve brainstormed something better.
Noelle was in thought for a moment. “Oh! You mean my whole... homework situation?”
“Mhm,” Catti lied.
“That’s very sweet of you! Well... hm...” Her lips pursed as she pondered. “You could attend my after-school study sessions with Berdy.”
Multiple things about the idea made Catti wince internally. Schoolwork, loss of free time, Berdly... Yet still, she tried to appear unfazed. “I’m not the smartest.”
“Don’t belittle your smarts! You’re nowhere near the bottom of the class.”
“Still...”
“You wouldn’t have to tutor me. Just having someone there for morale support would be nice.”
“... Berdly doesn’t count?”
Noelle laughed nervously. “Berdly is... Berdly. Everyone knows he can be a bit...” She seemed too polite to say much more.
“Fair.” Catti considered the idea. “Friday afternoon?”
“Mhm! At the library computer lab.”
“... Alright. I’ll be there.” Catti was startled to receive a sudden side hug from Noelle.
“You’re the best, Catti!”
She tried to respond with something suave, like “Don’t mention it”, but she just stammered inaudibly instead. She decided to comment on something more grounded.
“We’re here.”
“Ah!” Noelle fished in her pocket for the key to the gate. It clicked into place, letting the tall arches swing open.
Catti was content with staying outside of the property, but Noelle beckoned her forward. Stepping onto the porch, Noelle lightly used the ornate door knocker, then stepped away to stand politely. Catti did her best to mimic her, despite feeling exceptionally out of place.
The door swung open. Mrs. Holiday’s stern glare briefly met Catti’s eyes before arriving at Noelle’s.
“Noelle.” Her voice was powerful, yet clear. “Where were you?”
“Oh, I was just staying the night at Catti’s, mom.”
“It rather looks like you’re still staying there,” she remarked without a hint of amusement. “Those are her pajamas, are they not?” A finger was thrust in her direction.
“It was very kind of her to lend me a change of clothes;” Noelle replied defiantly. “My clothes were wet from the rain.”
“And do they not own a washing machine?” Her tone continued to be judgemental.
“They do, but its power went out last night.”
Catti kept her face neutral so as to not betray the lie, but was internally very surprised to see Noelle cover for her mistake.
“Typical. The electrical infrastructure in this town is ever so fragile.” Amazingly, it seemed like her mom didn’t anticipate such a lie either. “Come in. We’re going to have a talk, you and I.”
“Alright,” Noelle replied as her mother turned back into the house. Noelle watched her carefully before looking back to Catti. The fear in Noelle’s eyes was palpable, yet it was clear she was putting on a very brave face.
“Well... Thank you for everything, Catti!” Noelle chimed with understandably subdued politeness.
“Don’t mention it,” Catti finally replied. She offered up her clothes.
“Oh yeah. Thanks.” She grabbed the clothes out of her paws carefully, not wanting to drop anything. Giving one final glance toward the inside of the house, she turned and approached Catti.
“... I’ll see you later.”
Time seemed stagnant as Noelle’s face came close to hers. Yet in just a couple seconds, she was back at her front porch.
“Bye!” Noelle waved, before she closed her door shut tight.
Catti remained stupefied. Eyes wide, she pawed at her face to confirm if what had happened actually happened. Unsure what to do next, she exited through the wide open silver gate. She considered whether she should close it herself, but found her thoughts remarkably scrambled.
The walk home was a blur. Soon enough, Catti was back in her bedroom as usual. The usual unremarkableness of the whole room seemed irreversibly altered in a way she couldn’t explain. Everything seemed... fresh and full of life. Her head continued to spin as she laid down on her mattress. A sensation all over her body remained buzzing. She didn’t have a word to describe it.
She closed her eyes. Her vision was flooded with recent memories. Of raindrops. Of tears. Of a glass of water. Of a washing machine. Of wet clothes. Of a scarcely damp cheek.
Water, water, everywhere. No other thoughts to think.