It was a cold October morning. The sky was grey and had some clouds threatening to be a rainy and heavy day. But that didn't stop me from having a great morning. The lo-fi music played in the background as I was getting ready for school. I liked getting ready in the cold seasons. It had the best fashion and I felt fairly decent in my beige turtleneck sweater, caramel-colored skirt, and my favorite winter boots.

I made my way to the kitchen to grab my lunch box. Mom was into vegan food lately and was cooking every night before bed and packed our lunches. Though Ace was always up early, eating it at home.

As always I found him sitting there munching on a carrot stick with a cup of coffee.

"Morning brother." I smiled and packed my lunchbox in my bag. "How is the hangover?"

He pulled up his cup of coffee. "Much better now that I had my second cup."

"Where's mine?" I asked and he lazily got up and poured me coffee. He handed It to me with a sulky look.

"So let's hear it? How much do I owe you for last night?"

I grinned. "Well, I don't want to hog all the credit since Remi had to slide you out of that window, and get your vomit off her cheek, and hide your naked body from what we thought at the time were our parents."

"Oh shit. So I flashed her again." Ace rubbed his tired eyes. "You didn't tell Kai did you?"

I gave him the "why would I send you to an early death" look.

"Good good." He tapped my shoulder. "You did well sister."

"Why did you go through the window?" I asked.

"I thought our parents were at home."

"Morr." Kai dragged his bag through the kitchen, getting his lunch box. He was the grumpiest in the morning and not talking to him was a mutual agreement after one incident Rehan caused. Let's just say he learned his lesson cause his ears are still ringing from time to time where his earring used to be.

"Gooood morning." Rehan joined us and made fuss since early morning. "Oh, not vegan again. Can we at least have cheese? Some cheese. Or an omelet. Anything!"

Ace and I ignored him as always.

"Just once, let's get dad to cook something," Rehan complained.

"Who's driving today?" I asked.

"I'm sober." Ace put down his cup and took his bag.

"Come on siblings. Let's go before we're late." He ordered

"Just once I don't want to eat grass or rice." Rehan was still murmuring to himself all the way to the car.

We got in and Ace drove us to school.

"I'm going to Devil's den later so get a ride home or take the tramway or something." Ace said getting out of the car.

The devil's den was one of his friend's rented places where the popular seniors gathered to game, hang out and hook up with their girlfriends after school. None of us were ever invited and to be honest, we were technically forbidden to go there. Ace made us promise not to ever go there.

So we all had our own thing. Rehan was well Rehan and no one questioned what he did cause we couldn't understand even if we wanted to. Kai was...well he wanted to spend time with me when Remi wasn't around. And she was always around.

"Okay then. See you at home." I waved at them and headed for classes.

***

After school, Remi dropped me off home before it rained. The weather was really heavy today. There was no one at home. Parents were working second shift, brothers good riddance... and that's when I figured I can do whatever I want.

And what I wanted to do for a while now was redecorate my room. Repainting it.

I ran to the garage and picked up some paint cans and brushes. And headed to my room. Based on my calculations I can paint a wall each day and I'll camp in the guest room until it dries. I was planning on it for quite a while. With help of course, but who could wait. What's the worst thing It can happen?

After I prepped the room and myself in an old long sleeve shirt, I began painting the wall. Swish up, swish down. From blue to white it slowly turned out great.

Meow. Momo was roaming around. "Momo what are you doing here." I looked at my dirty hands. "Go out now."

Meow .

Momo leaned over the paint can and ....splash...all over the floor.

"Momo," I screamed and quickly grabbed her, getting the paint off her with my shirt. "Momo I'm so sorry. Oh, what do I do."

Meow I could hear the other cats coming. Oh no.

I grabbed my phone and ran out of my room closing it. The other cats followed me in the living room.

"Oh shit, what do I do. My cat will die. My cat will die. Momo don't you dare lick yourself."

Should I wash her? Should I use the cat shampoo or should I .... Ugh.

Fuck this.

I went and grabbed the pet cone I had and I searched for her carrier and ended up grabbing another one. Putting Momo in I went straight out the door. I called Ace but he wasn't picking up.

I dialed again.

He was the only one with a car that could drive me to the vet.

I ran out of the house in a panic. That's when I spot my neighbor getting out of the driveway.

"Stop," I yelled and she stopped in panic.

"What is it dear?" She peeked her head out the window.

"Can you drop me off to the nearby vet? My cat just had an accident."

"Oh, dear. But I'm not going in that direction."

"Please anywhere. My brother is not picking up."

"I'm heading to Walter's bridge..."

And that's when it hit me. The devil's den was somewhere around there.

"PERFECT. Hold right there."

She dropped me off close enough for me to run there. I had a clue about where it was but now that I was here I couldn't spot the place. Come on! A sign! Anything.

"Hey watch it!" A man yelled from his car at two girls. "Do you want to die crossing the street like that?"

That got my attention. I turned around and ...that's it! I saw our car parked on a side street. I ran to it and glanced around the houses until I heard music.

Following the faint music, I found the place.

Devil's den.

Yes. Ace. Ace.Ace...I panic walked to the door. I was still covered in paint and in my old shirt but it was an emergency. I had no money and no car. I needed Ace.

Music was blasting inside and I could hear people's voices inside.

I held the carrier close to me. I need to find Ace. I mustered my courage and entered the den. And very soon I knew why I had not been invited.

There was expensive tech equipment everywhere, boys drinking and gaming, some hooking up with their girlfriends. Senior high schoolers really looked like they were adulting. I felt like I might have underestimated senior parties.

One passing guy looked at me.

I smiled. "Um. Excuse me do you know Ace.." But he ignored me.

I walked further down the place and tried to talk to someone but they were all in their own thing.

I tried dialing Ace again but there was no answer. The house seemed huge and there must be over fifty people.

Tears welled up in my eyes. So many people and not one wanted to help me.

"Momo is going to die because of me." I panicked.

"Who is Momo?" A deep voice gave me a jolt.

Surprised at the sudden question, I glanced down in the direction of the couch.

A guy was relaxing on the cushioned couch, his legs crossed and on the table, his arms crossed over his hoodie and he had a large computer book over his face. He was napping even with all the noise?

"Momo will die because of me and there is no one to help me."

He rose and the book fell in his lap. His eyes were like a cold sky on a winter morning. With his piercing gaze, and his dark hair he seemed to be annoyed with me. I felt shivers ran down my back and I couldn't break eye contact.

"Who is Momo?" He asked practically ready to chase me out. "And why are you covered in paint?"

That was it. The last thing I needed was..."I just..my brother..my cat.. my cat fell in my paint and..."

"What?" His eyes opened wide and he rose from the couch in a second. I stepped back when I saw he was two heads over me.

He looked down at the carrier. "Your cat fell in paint and you....?"

"I need to get her to the vet now!" I started hyperventilating with tears in my eyes.

"Come." He grabbed my carrier and my wrist. " I'll drive you."

"My brother.."

But I was already being pulled in a rover. He placed my cat in the back and pushed me in the front seat. He started the car in a second.

"Where to?"

"I take him to Jefferson's vet clinic. It's up through the center and..."

"I know where that is and that's pretty far. Let's just take him to a clinic nearby."

"I don't know any other clinic. My parents took us um... I don't have any money on me." I suddenly realized. "I was thinking I would find my brother and.."

"Don't worry about it. Let's save this cat first. Google vet clinics nearby."

I quickly searched and found one. He drove like a maniac and I was grateful. Not even five minutes later he parked and we got out running to the small clinic.

"Hi, how can I..." The vet stopped seeing how alarmed we were.

"My cat.," I said breathlessly.

"Fell in paint." He finished.

The vet took the carrier and instructed us to sit.

"My Momo Is going to die. How could I let this happen?" My eyes welled up with tears again

"Don't panic hun. You're here now." The receptionist told us. "You did a good job putting on the pet cone."

I covered my face and tried to swallow the sobs. She was right. I was here now. I did all I can. But my tears were coming out from relief and worry.

"Momo is going to be fine." I told my self. "She's gonna be fine."

I placed my hands down and rubbed my eyes.

He patted my head. I looked up at him with my blurry vision. "Thank you."

An hour later the vet showed up and she was smiling. "She is going to be just fine. We took the paint off and did a poison check. She's a bit tired and shaken up so we sedated her. There was no need to trim her hair because it wasn't an oil-based paint. You can come and pick her up in a few hours. I will prescribe some pills for you to give her the next couple of days just in case."

"Thank you." I went and shook her hand. She smiled and then proceeded to tell me what to give her.

We walked outside to the parking lot and I could finally take a breath of air.

"I think it's starting to rain." He pulled out his hand, looking up.

I realized this stranger might have saved my cat's life and I didn't even know his name.

"Thank you so much for the ride and for paying for me. I don't even know how to repay you..."

"It's alright." He said in such a deep voice I felt the shivers again. I could finally properly observe him. He was tall and handsome but for some reason, he seemed unapproachable and scary.

"Want to wait there?" He pointed in the neighboring coffee shop and I hesitated.

Then the rain poured in an instant and my decision was made for me.

"Sure. Let's go." I said.