AN: The last time I wrote a story I was in grade school, I think! (that was a few decades ago...) This was fun, I just hope you like it, too.
'Well, who are you?'
Jordan balanced two grocery bags in one hand while attempting to retrieve her keys with the other. The object of her curiosity meowed at her, but remained sitting calmly beside the red door.
"Shoo! Go on!"
Gently putting a foot under the cat's tummy and moving her out of the way, Jordan unlocked the door and walked quickly to put her bags down on the counter. When she turned around, there was the pretty calico sitting in the middle of her living room like she owned it, nonchalantly washing her face.
"Oh, no you don't!"
The cat made a gentle chirruping sound as she was lifted off the floor and placed firmly down in the hallway.
"Go home! And tell your owner that you're hungry, I feel too many ribs under that fuzz!"
Turning her tail towards the open door, the thin little animal walked away with the grace of a queen. A queen who was not amused with the situation.
"That's more like it. Now remember which apartment belongs to you, OK? It isn't mine!"
Jordan returned to her apartment. She enjoyed the peace and quiet now that her friends had finally decided she was healthy enough to be left alone. If they'd seen her carrying two bags of groceries, they would have lectured her about avoiding exertion, and immediately put her to bed.
Her mind turned to the cat in her hallway. She'd seen a few pets in the building over the years, but she had never seen this little one. It occurred to her that the cat was the first one in her apartment for a very long time who didn't get on her back about something or other. She found herself smiling at that thought.
The next morning Jordan eagerly got ready for work. She may have left the 'zen' lifestyle behind, but she still had a new appreciation for life. As she was pouring herself a strong cup of coffee, she heard an odd scratching. Looking toward the door, she noticed a small white paw sticking under her front door.
One eyebrow raised, she walked over. It seemed her little friend had returned, and was playing with the beams of sunlight shining under her door. Thinking she'd get the cat to go away, Jordan gently tapped the paw, only to be immediately grabbed by surprisingly sharp claws.
"OW! You beast!"
She realized that pulling her finger away wasn't the best move, because the offending claws just dragged along her finger, leaving long red welts behind. Jordan went straight to her bathroom and cleaned her wounds. When she was finished, the paw was still patting along under her door. Deciding to ignore the cat, she sat to finish her breakfast before she left for work. She thought if she didn't give her any attention, the cat would go away.
Sure enough, on her way out she glanced around to see if the cat was still hanging around the hallway. With no sign of white and orange fur, Jordan hoped that she'd seen the last of her attacker.
"She was kind of cute, though…"