They’re not giving up.

I could hardly concentrate on my game due to the mumbling from the other room. They were speaking in hushed tones, so I couldn’t quite understand what they were saying, even if I could hear.

I had to push away the feeling of guilt. Truth is, I always wanted a pet. It always seemed like a good idea, on paper. I was a lonely boy who stayed at home all day every day. A pet would’ve helped me, I think. But every time I asked my mom, she would give the classic answer.

“A pet is a lot of responsibility, you understand? It’s a living being who feels hunger, pain and suffers if not treated well. It’s not a toy. It will get lonely if you suddenly change your mind and don’t want it anymore. Are you sure you want a pet?”

The words always scared me off. I knew what it was to be lonely, and I didn’t trust myself to take good enough care of another living being. What if it got sick and I didn’t notice? What if I forgot to feed it because I’m stupid? I was a kid. I wanted a pet, but didn’t feel ready. Never felt ready.

I paused the game to rub my face and groan into my hands.

There was a sudden knock on my door, followed by several sets of steps running away. It was strange. I could believe Isabelle playing a dumb prank like that, but Alice and Noelle? I think they were the only reason I stood up to check what that was.

I opened the door, and again I found the kitten on the floor, staring up at me with those big golden eyes. It meowed once in that high-pitched tone and stumbled its way between my legs and inside my bedroom.

“H-Hey, wait, you!”

I was going to pick it up and set it outside, but I didn’t dare. If I touched that thing, if I had it in my hands… No, just ignore it. It’s for the best.

Dammit, Isabelle!

The kitten began exploring my bedroom, walking all around. it even tried and failed to climb onto my bed by grabbing the bed sheets with its tiny claws.

I sat down again to continue playing my game, intent on ignoring the ball of fluff awkwardly stumbling around. That worked until the tiny creature began trying to climb its way to my lap, clawing at my pants.

I was going to shake it off. I really was. But the more I looked at it…

“Ugh!” I picked it up. Its fur felt soft, but there were patches of knotted hair and others where some mud had dried up. The cat meowed at me again. It was such a small, fragile creature.

…

And I was playing right into my sister’s hands.

I walked out, left the cat in her bedroom and closed the door. God, hearing it meow for loneliness was fucking painful.

“Oliver, come on!” Isabelle said, coming from the stairs with her friends. “You know you want to keep it.”

“It’s not about wanting, Isabelle,” I told her. “What will you do when we’re all out of the house? We both go to school from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. That’s eight hours of leaving a young cat alone. I’m working on Tuesdays and Thursdays now, too, so I can help even less.”

“I…”

“Will you take it to the vet when it’s sick? Will you pay for its vaccines? Will you buy its food? Do you even know how to take care of a young cat like that? How old is it? Should it still be nursing?”

Behind her, Alice and Noelle shared a look. “We can help with all that, Oliver.”

“No,” I answered quickly, firmly. “If we choose to take care of the cat, it’ll be our responsibility. Mom will tell you the same.” I swallowed, trying to keep them from noticing. “I’m not saying you shouldn’t try to convince mom. I’m saying I can’t help because I don’t feel like I can carry that responsibility.”

Isabelle looked down, pursing her lips. She went to her room, silently followed by her friends.

Man, I felt hated. Alice and Noelle didn’t shoot me mean looks or anything, and neither did Isabelle, surprisingly, but even so.

I went back to my room as well. I still heard the three girls playing with the cat, trying to get it to eat something or drink more water. What were they even feeding it? Before I knew it, I had stopped playing and started searching for info on taking care of young cats. Since its eyes were wide open, it must’ve been at least 2 or 3 weeks old, right? I wasn’t sure.

Then I heard mom’s car outside. Isabelle and her friends went quiet. Mom came into the house, and the girls all left Isabelle’s room and went down to meet her.

I was going to stay in my room. Let Isabelle deal with it. It was her idea, after all. Whether mom said yes or no didn’t concern me.

…

Clicking my tongue, I stood up and made my way down the stars, stopping midway to listen to them all talk in the living room.

“Will you take it to the vet, Isabelle?” I heard mom ask. “Will you buy its food? With what money? Will you leave it alone at home when you’re at school? Will you leave it to your brother or me when you go out partying?”

“...Oliver asked me the same,” Isabelle grunted.

“Of course he did. He’s wanted a pet since he was 10. He knows it’s a big responsibility.” Mom sighed. “I’m sorry, Isabelle, but you’ve always been one to quickly lose interest in things. What happened to your photography hobby? I haven’t seen you use your camera in years. What happened to the bike you asked for last christmas? It’s there in the garage still. I can’t let you make a decision like this on a whim, especially with a living creature. I’m sorry to you girls, as well,” mom continued, addressing Isabelle’s friends. “I’ll call some coworkers. I know a couple that would love to take this little creature in.”

“T-Thank you, ma’am,” Noelle said, but anyone could tell she was disappointed.

I groaned, rubbing the bridge of my nose, then went down to the living room.

“If I said I wanted to keep it, would you let me?” I asked mom.

Everyone turned to me, making me uncomfortable. Still, I kept my eyes on mom. She raised an eyebrow at me.

“Are you sure, Oliver?”

“...” I bit my lip for a moment before answering firmly. “Yes. I think… I think I’m ready.” Not true. I don’t think I’d have ever felt ready if I didn’t try it first.

Mom smiled. “Very well, then. Wait a minute. I’m gonna make a couple calls.”

“W-What? Who are you calling?” Isabelle asked, confused and a little afraid.

Mom smiled. “I’m going to ask some people if they know a vet that’s open on Sundays. You said it was abandoned, right? We need to make sure it’s healthy, and know how to take care of it.”

The girls all cheered, jumping for joy. As for me, I was… kinda dumbstruck? Was it that easy? Isabelle asked and got told no, but I asked and immediately got told yes?

It didn’t feel right.

Noelle came up to me, kitten in her arms and perhaps the brightest smile I had ever seen on her. Her green eyes sparkled like she was about to cry as she looked up at me. “Thank you, Oliver! Thank you! I promise I’ll help however I can! I promise!”

My heart skipped a beat looking at her.

That wasn’t right, either.

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