Sari smiled, and shook her head, saying, "Nothing. Sorry I'm late. Something came up and I had to settle it first."

"Oh?" Kyle said, "Anything wrong?"

Sari sighed.

"No, nothing's wrong," she replied.

Kyle frowned.

He took her hand in his, and walked out as he said, "That does not sound like nothing is wrong."

Sari rolled her eyes inwardly.

Sometimes, having a boyfriend who was astute could be troublesome. She had heard people saying that boys were immature, little kids and were rough and very dense.

Yet, Rex was not any of that at all.

He was so loving and caring that she could not find any fault at all.

He was so perfect.

His circumstances may not be ideal since he wasn't in school. However, he had told her that he was actually learning online while working.

That was so amazing!

To be so independent, and strong, and doing his best to secure a bright future. She knew he was a twin, and that he had an argument with his father that led him to 'strike out on his own'.

They had shared a lot of things, talking about their families and such, but she had never dared to ask what sort of argument he had had with his father. All he told her was that it was a difference of opinion.

Right now, what was important to her is the present and the future.

"No, really," Sari said, "Nothing is wrong. It's just that … well, our school is having a prom. Or rather, something like a prom."

"Prom? Isn't that normally for the final years at school?" Kyle asked.

"No, of course not," Sari replied, "It's just the typical 'end of the year' celebration thing our school has and yes, the final years make it grander than it needs to be because well, it's their final year."

"Yeah, okay," Kyle said, nodding, "So…?"

Sari sighed, shuffling her feet, "So, nothing. That's it."

In truth, Sari wanted to go with Rex, but she didn't want to burden Rex with it. The tickets were a bit on the expensive side and she couldn't afford to buy two tickets.

Also, even if she did manage to somehow scrape enough money for it, what about clothes? She doubted Rex would have anything formal, and though she wouldn't mind him going in normal clothes, she didn't want to have people judging him because of it.

Not only that, all of the money he was earning went to funding his schooling and living expenses, right? On top of that, he had used his savings on the medical expenses and raising Kitty.

So how could she be selfish and expect him to attend this dance?

Earlier, they had been selling the tickets and she watched as everyone was getting excited about attending. Some of them were already dreaming about any seniors asking them to the prom.

They were only 15, and there were another two more years before they graduated from school. Yet, they acted as if this was something important to go to.

Before Rex, Sari didn't quite get the hype of it.

It was just a school dance, right?

Where people dress up and pretend to be grown-ups.

Now, it was different. She had Rex.

She wanted him to see her school, her friends, and going out with him for a nice, proper date would be so great. It wasn't that her dates with Rex were bad, but it didn't mean one wouldn't want something special once in a while, right?

Reality though, was cruel. Neither of them could afford to attend.

Sari knew this and she accepted it, but she couldn't help but feel a bit sad about it. That was why she said nothing was wrong because, quite frankly, nothing is, right?

Sari grabbed onto Kyle's arm and looked up at him excitedly, "How was your day? How's Kitty?"

Right on cue, Kitty popped her head out from the sling.

Sari cooed and stroked her head, scratching behind the ears, "She loves you so much."

"She probably thinks I'm her mother," Kyle said wryly.

"She's getting bigger. Soon, she won't fit in there any more," Sari said, lifting her out from the sling bag and carried the kitten.

"Oh, a cat is liquid, don't you know?" Kyle said with a laugh, "If it fits, it'll sit. Somehow, I imagine that she'll find a way to fit in, no matter what."

"Then you should stop spoiling her," Sari said, "Once she's old enough, you should leave her behind at home. She needs to roam about more. Be a cat."

"I will," Kyle promised, "For now, she's all alone and still small. I am sure she'll start exploring more once she is older.."

The kitten's head gravitated towards Kyle whenever he talked until finally, she struggled in Sari's arms and reached out towards Kyle.

"She's really like a human, you know," Sari said as she handed the kitten back to Kyle, "I have a feelings she wouldn't want to leave your side though. I mean, I wouldn't."

Kyle grinned at that and held Sari's hand again, "Really? I wouldn't mind that."

Sari blushed.

She had said those words without thinking and when she remembered what she had said, she was aghast. It was almost as if she had proposed to him!

The kitten wrapped its paws around Kyle's neck (or at least, tried to. Just two dainty paws on his shoulders) as she licked his chin.

"Urgh, no, stop that," Kyle scolded her gently, "How many times do I have to tell you? No licking."

In response, she bopped her head onto Kyle's chin and rubbed along his face.

Sari watched all of this with slight envy, but her heart was full.

Envy, because she wanted to be in the kitten's position. She blushed again, just thinking about it, and turned to look away.

What the heck had she been thinking?!

How embarrassing.

She patted her hot cheeks. Rex was too charming.