Eyes flickering open, the sunlight filtered into his eyes announcing the new day. With a yawn Atlas fully opened his eyes and stretched out his body.

With a quick look around, Atlas confirmed he was alone and walked over to his favorite bush and went about his “business.”

“It was very hard to stay dignified and also be a cat,” Atlas thought to himself as he finished up. Especially a strange-looking cat like himself. Atlas was completely black except for a white mark on his chest. Combined with his yellow eyes, most of the students treated him like a kitten instead of with the respect he deserved.

The sun had just barely come up, and Atlas saw that it would be a bit before a certain black-haired boy came with some tuna. As he should if he wanted to be graced with Atlas’s presence.

A few minutes passed and Atlas was quickly growing hungry waiting around. “Hmph” he would have to go searching for some food himself.

The last time Atlas had gone on an expedition to feed himself he had entered through the school backdoors from the school grass fields he lived in. Unfortunately, he had been quickly noticed and been chased off the premises.

Atlas hissed, remembering how embarrassing it had been to be chased out like… like some animal! He remembered a specific human who had tried to kick him!

With that he made up his mind, he was going to embark into the school steal some food right under their noses and get his dignity back!

Stretching once more, Atlas focused and sped off towards the tallest tree on the field. With a few jumps and leaps, he reached one of the highest branches on it.

Within leaping distance was windowsill and the stupid humans had left the window wide open. There was bound to be food somewhere in there, Atlas just had to get in and then get out.

Leaping across the gap from the tree Atlas successfully made it onto the balcony. Jumping onto the window he peered inside and noticed that no one was inside the room.

Entering the office, he glanced around and saw nothing of that he was interested in eating. Knocking over a few mugs filled with pens just cause, he exited the office.

As Atlas left the room, the smell of salmon overwhelmed his senses. He also smelled some vegetables mixed in, but the salmon was the real prize. It was coming from another room around the corner from the area he had just come from.

Bounding across the floor to the room Atlas almost ran straight into the room with the delicious smell of salmon. That was until he came upon two humans having a conversation.

“No, Katie we have to focus on the students, some of them are making me concerned with their behavior” the shorter human. The human named Katie had short brown hair that ran up to her shoulders, with a very soft jawline. She was wearing black slacks with a black blouse and heels.

They were having a very intense conversation and Atlas knew this was his chance to get closer to take the salmon.

“Michael, I understand but this is finally my big break!’ The one named Katie wasn’t facing Michael. She was staring intensely at her breakfast, a salmon salad avoiding his eyes.

“Are you willing to sacrifice these kids for some promotion!” Michael slammed his hand against the table. Katie just looked away, “Mr. Lopez I believe it’s time for me to leave.” Standing up with a cross look on her face she turned and came face to face with a cat sneaking up on her.

Atlas did not hesitate and jumped upon the table. He picked up the biggest piece of salmon and ran off, quickly speeding out and back into the hallway he had come from.

Both Katie and Michael just stared at each other for a few seconds in shock at the theft that just occurred. Regaining composure Katie quickly went after him.

“Get back here!” exclaimed the female as she tried to chase after him but running in heels she could not catch up.

Running past a student who quickly moved out of the way with a look of shock upon their face Atlas dashed into the office he had entered from. From there Atlas jumped out the window onto the tree and to freedom with his prize.

Katie ran after him into the room to see Atlas leap out the window. With a sigh of defeat, she turned to leave the room, and directly behind her was a student.

“Ms. Olson um why were you chasing after a cat?” said the student Atlas had run past moments before. “I was just trying to retrieve my breakfast that’s all,” she said in between breaths with her hands on her knees.

“Oooh Ok um, anyways do you know where Mr. Lopez is? I wanted to talk to him about something.” The student said hesitantly.

Excitedly Katie pointed him towards the break room, “In the break room, go quickly before he leaves ok!” Ushering him out of the room, she quickly made off towards the elevator to get to her office.

Atlas saw all of this occur as he ate his salmon from the tree, he had made his escape too. This was all boring to him, what mattered is that he had regained his dignity and a snack.

Licking his lips, Atlas finished his meal, jumped down from the tree, and sauntered off to have a nap in his favorite bush. Hopefully, that black-haired teen would hurry up with his breakfast before he had to go out looking for another meal.