6. Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Winnie

It is quite a day. I collapse onto the couch in the living room, letting my legs dangle over the armrest. I've talked a bit too much for my own good, even though it is enjoyable, and I love to stay with the kids.

I close my eyes. I didn't even turn the lights on when I got home. But maybe everything's going to be fine. It isn't like I need the lights to be on before I can enjoy my evening.

It's only that...

Maybe I should have known, but I've never been a morning person. Working at a school means a crazy schedule for me. Why can't we make school start later in the day and just let the kids leave later in the day?

I stretch my arms. At least the day went by nicely and most things were what I expected, except...

A surge of heat rushes through me when I think about Telke again. Somehow, I don't think I should care that much about him. He is just trying to be nice to me and I probably shouldn't overthink it.

I rub my forehead, only to be thinking about his hands. When I shelve the books, maybe more arms will help. I stare at my two hands. Sometimes, even controlling two hands turns out to be a struggle. Maybe having four will make it even tougher to get all arms to cooperate.

That sounds like a weird problem to have...

His hands can be used to...

Hug me and pat my back...

A meow comes from my thigh as my cat, Ossa, jumps onto me. I let out a sigh, patting his back. "Look, are you hungry? I'll feed you, okay? I've left you food through the day, though. You've already done with those?"

I get up and my favorite cat, the often silly orange cat, hops off my legs. He is always there to mess with me. I head over to the cupboard to pull his bag of cat food. "My little kitty cat, how are you liking our new life?"

He meows, but I doubt he understands my words. Maybe all he is saying is that I should be quicker at feeding him. I rub his back and he purrs. At least he is cute, I can let him be demanding.

I head to the living room and put food into his bowl. He starts eating in no time. I stroke his back as he eats. "Look, I know you aren't a fan of moving, but we're safe now."

I wonder if he understands. Probably not, but at least it's a fact that we're safe.

He purrs and rubs against my hand before he gets back to eating. He is my best friend for now.

I head to the couch and lie on it again. Maybe I should take a shower and get to bed so I can be up on time for the next workday.

I set my alarm just in case I fall asleep on the couch. Maybe...

If something happens, Telke looks like the one who can protect me.

I shiver at that thought. I'd be better off being on my own than getting close to anyone. He looks very capable of protecting me, but at the same time, he's someone I don't want to get into trouble with. He can easily crush me with those arms.

But he and I are mere co-workers, there shouldn't be any reason for him to want to crush me with those arms. Maybe instead of crushing me, he can... hug me... I tilt my head to the side, but maybe I'm overthinking it. There's no reason for me to get close enough to him that he'll want to hug me...

I feel my cheeks. He is annoying even though I don't even know much about him, and he isn't even here. His silly grin shows up in my mind again. Aw... I suppose he is pretty handsome with his spiky hair. It's tempting to mess with even though I'm not tall enough to touch his hair.

But I don't think getting to know someone else this quickly after I fled my old life is a good idea.

"Ossa... Do you know how to figure out whether other beings are nice or not? Others said pets are good at that, and you're a pet, right?"

He meows. Maybe he doesn't think of himself as a pet. Cats are cats, so he probably thinks I'm the pet instead.

"If I send you to peek at Telke, will you let me know whether he is nice?"

Now, he doesn't even meow. Maybe he is off wandering into another room. Silly cat.

Tomorrow... Maybe I'll run into him again...