Campus Cafe - Afternoon
The cafe was unusually quiet. Not because it was empty, it was full of students chatting, laughing, and studying. But one table was silent.
Alice was sitting with her friends, staring at her untouched drink. She wasn't bouncing. She wasn't talking. She wasn't filming anything.
She was just... sitting.
Chima leaned over to Fatimah. "Is she okay? She's been like this for three days."
Fatimah shook her head. "I don't know. She won't talk about it."
Wony tried to engage her. "Alice? Do you want to try my new smoothie? It's very refreshing."
Alice didn't respond.
Naila, who was half-asleep, opened one eye. "Alice? You're being quiet. That's not normal."
Alice finally looked up. Her eyes were red and puffy.
"Sorry," she whispered. "I'm just... tired."
"Tired?" Chima repeated. "You're never tired. You're like a human battery."
Alice didn't laugh. She just nodded.
"It's fine," she said quietly. "I'll be okay."
The others exchanged worried glances.
***
Campus Park - Later
They had dragged Alice outside, hoping the fresh air would help.
She sat on a bench, staring at nothing.
Finally, Naila sat beside her. "Alice. What's wrong?"
Alice was quiet for a long moment. Then her voice broke.
"Whiskers died."
Everyone froze.
"Who's Whiskers?" Chima asked.
"My cat," Alice whispered. "My cat died."
The silence was heavy.
Naila put an arm around Alice. "I'm so sorry, Alice. I didn't know you had a cat."
"I had him since I was ten. He was old. And sick. And I knew it was coming. But I didn't think it would happen so fast."
Alice started crying. "He was my best friend. He always listened to me. He never interrupted. He just... sat there and purred."
Wony knelt beside her. "Oh, Alice. I'm so sorry."
"I've been pretending to be okay. But I'm not okay. I'm really, really not okay."
Chima's expression softened. "You don't have to pretend with us."
"I know. But I didn't want to be a burden."
"You're never a burden," Fatimah said firmly. "That's what friends are for."
Alice cried harder. Naila held her tighter.
***
Wony's Apartment - That Evening
Wony was pacing back and forth. Her phone was in her hand, and she was scrolling through listings.
"Okay, okay, okay. I need to find a cat. A perfect cat. A cat that will make Alice happy again."
Fatimah watched her. "Wony, you can't just buy her a new cat. Grief doesn't work that way."
"Maybe not. But it's a start!"
"Alice needs time to process."
"Time is boring! Cats are better!"
Chima was also watching. "I can't believe you're trying to buy a cat to fix Alice's emotions."
"It's not about fixing! It's about comforting!"
"Same thing."
"It's NOT!"
Wony found a listing. "Oh! Persian cats! So elegant and so fluffy! Perfect for Alice!"
Fatimah sighed. "At least let her choose."
"I'll choose for her! She's too sad to choose!"
***
Alice's Apartment - Next Day
Wony knocked on Alice's door with a large carrier in her arms.
Alice opened it, her eyes still red. "Wony? What are you—"
"SURPRISE!"
Wony opened the carrier.
A beautiful Persian cat stepped out. It was fluffy, elegant, and had gorgeous brown fur.
Alice stared. "Wony... you got me a cat?"
"Yes! To help you feel better!"
Alice looked at the cat. Then at Wony. Then at the cat again.
"Wony... it's brown."
"Yes! He's beautiful right!"
"But I wanted a white cat."
Wony blinked. "What?"
"Whiskers was white. I wanted a white cat to remember him by."
Wony's face fell. "Oh. I didn't... I didn't know..."
Alice sighed. "It's okay. I appreciate the gesture. Really. But..."
"But?"
"I don't want another cat. Not yet. I'm not ready."
***
Alice's Apartment - Afternoon
Wony sat on the couch, looking defeated. The brown Persian cat was sitting beside her, looking equally confused.
"I'm sorry," Wony said quietly. "I thought I was helping."
Alice sat beside her. "You were trying to help. That's what matters."
"But I got it wrong. I always get things wrong."
"No, you don't. You just... overthink sometimes."
Wony looked at her. "You're the one who's supposed to be sad. Why are you comforting me?"
Alice smiled weakly. "Because you're my friend. And I know you meant well."
The cat meowed.
Alice looked at it. "He's cute, though. Even if he's the wrong color."
Wony perked up. "Really?"
"Really. I'm just... not ready for another cat yet."
Wony nodded. "I understand. I'll take him back."
"No. Keep him. He needs a home."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. But maybe I can visit him sometime."
Wony smiled. "Of course. Whenever you want."
***
Campus Cafe - A Week Later
Alice was back to her usual chaotic self. Well, mostly.
"I'M BACK, EVERYONE!" she announced, bursting through the cafe doors.
Chima groaned. "She's back."
"You say that like it's a bad thing!"
"It IS a bad thing."
Alice laughed. "I missed you too!"
Naila looked up. "How are you feeling?"
Alice's expression softened. "Better. Still sad. But better."
Fatimah nodded. "That's all we can ask for."
Alice sat down. "Also, Wony kept the Persian cat. I want to meet him properly."
Wony nodded. "He's at my apartment. You can come over anytime."
"I'll bring treats!"
"He's a cat, Alice."
"Cats love treats!"
Chima shook her head. "You're impossible."
"I know! It's part of my charm!"
***
Wony's Apartment - Evening
Alice was sitting on the floor, playing with the brown Persian cat. He was purring loudly.
"You know," Alice said, "you're actually really cute. Even if you're the wrong color."
The cat meowed.
Alice laughed. "Fine, fine. You're not the wrong color. You're the perfect color for you."
Wony watched from the couch. "Alice... I'm really sorry I messed up."
Alice looked up. "You didn't mess up. You tried to help. That's what friends do."
"But I should have asked first."
"Maybe. But I forgive you."
Wony smiled. "Thank you."
"Also, I'm naming him Brownie."
"Brownie?"
"Yes! Because he's brown! And cute!"
"That's... actually perfect."
Alice grinned. "I know! I'm full of good ideas!"
"You mean chaotic ideas."
"Same thing!"
The cat meowed again. Alice laughed.
And for the first time in a week, she felt truly happy.85Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEWXnXj3fA
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