Chapter One-An Alternative Option

It was not midnight and there was definatly sound from the pavement.

"Sunlight through the trees in summer, endless masquerading,"

But Misto didn't hear Jemima singing, he only heard Victoria giggle as Plato chased her and spun her around. He scowled in envy, Victoria had opened the ball with him, but had somehow ended in Plato's arms rather than his. He simply couldn't understand it all. Plato was perhaps the most female adored Jellicle, aside from Tugger. Plato however, was kind and didn't switch queens every other day as Tugger did. Yet, Misto was the magic cat, and didn't that count for something? Still he found that his powers were adored for protection from Macavity, not for gaining a mate. Victoria always swept past him, she was the leaves that danced gracefully and merrily on cool autumn days. The leaves that always fluttered upon another door step yet remained in his mind dancing and fluttering as if they were there and then they were not. They stayed with him; looking at him but not clearly seeing him. But Victoria didn't know she was a haunt to him. That he lazed about watching her. To her he was a friend, a kindhearted soul that she cared for but didn't seem to see his need for her to dance upon the doorstep of his soul. He wanted the leaves to go, but they never came to be swept away.

And yet he wasn't the only one in the junkyard wishing for attention. Jemima scowled with envy, Victoria had obviously chosen Plato for her mate so why was Misto still so desperate for her heart? However Jemima wasn't the least bit surprised in his behavior. She had wanted Misto for as long as she could remember but nothing she did ever got his attention. The difference was that he was not leaves dancing upon another doorstep, he was the rain in the little cloud that wants to fall but can't seem to. If it did ever rain then it fell on another heart. Jemima's believed that hearts were meadows, and like meadows they needed only two things sunshine and rain. If the rain never came, then the meadow died. Well Jemima had waited her whole life for the rain, she knew she didn't need a downpour, she only need a drizzle, but her meadow was yellow and dry and the grass curled yellow and brown breaking off at the slightest touch. Her meadow survived by sunshine, by hope. However, Misto was not the only contribute to her unhealthy meadow, everyone was. She often believed that everyone forgot that Jellylorum had another daughter. Victoria was beautiful and the best dancer in the entire tribe, she was a social butterfly and everyone seemed to like her. It was true Jemima could sing better than Victoria; but to a Jellicle what good is singing if you can't dance?

"Misto?" but all he heard was Victoria giggles.

"Misto?" she and Plato were kissing now.

"MISTO!!!"

"Oh huh...what?" Misto asked coming back into the world and shaking his head, the leaves rustled around and he considered hitting himself on the head to see if he could get the leaves to fall out of his ears.

"Give it a rest Misto," Alonzo said patting his back.

"Give what a rest?"

"Victoria!" Alonzo cried tapping his foot impatiently, "Plato claimed her as his mate weeks ago! And believe me she isn't backing out!"

"I noticed," Misto replied grimly as he watched Victoria and Plato snuggling up to one another.

Alonzo grabbed Misto's face in his paws and turned it to face his, "Snap out of it!" he cried, "Why not consider mating another queen?"

"Like who?" Misto asked.

"Like Jemima," Alonzo replied and then added, "I think she likes you."

"I'd hardly call Jemima a queen, she only became one at last year's ball," Misto snapped looking over at Jemima who quickly turned her head away, blushing.

"Yes and you only became a tom the year before and Jem's more mature than some older cats," Alonzo nearly begged.

"Like who?" Misto asked glancing back at Jemima.

"Tugger," Alonzo replied simply.

"Yes well,...still Jemima is so quiet...I've rarely heard her say more than two words in all the years I've know her..." Misto replied slowly, trying to think of a reason against the idea. "She keeps to herself and doesn't let others in her thoughts."

Alonzo rolled his eyes, "Sounds like someone else I know."

"Yes and you've heard the term 'opposites attract'" Misto said.

"If opposites attracted then Bombalurina would be mating Munkunstap!" Alonzo cried.

"Still," Misto attempted to change the subject, "It's like Jemima has something to hide."

"And theres no one like the Magical Mr. Mistoffelees to find out what it is." Alonzo smiled and winked at him.

"NO! Absolutly NOT!" Misto thundered, "I am NOT getting myself mixed up in the private life of any queen!"

"And just exactly why not?" Alonzo exclaimed. "The worse that could happen would be that you might fall in love with her."

"I refuse...under no circumstances..."

"Maybe she needs a friend...," Alonzo replied quietly, "Maybe she needs you."

"Alright, alright, alright...if I become her friend, and take note of the word friend...will you lay off the thought of me mating her?" Misto compromised.

Alonzo pondered this idea, "Yes, I will."

Misto began to walk away, but he turned once to look back at Jemima. He shook his head, "How do I get myself into these things?". The wind began to pick up and the leaves at his feet began to blow...away.