The next few months flew by in a flash, full of singing, dancing, and laughter. Everyone was slowly shaping themselves into proper Jellicles and had started to carve their own little niche in the tribe.

The heartthrobs became evident as the two with the best voices, the Rum Tum Tugger and Bombalurina. Needless to say, they fit into their roles quite easily.

Demeter, Munkustrap, and Alonzo were developing wonderfully as well. They did their best to keep everyone else in line, though it wasn't always the easiest, especially with Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer running around and making a mess of everything.

There were the quieter, younger ones too. Misto, who barely made the age cut and was about a year and a half younger than the twins, was more focused on dancing and magic than his voice. Victoria, who was technically too young to be in the class, had been admitted for the soul reason that there was a significant lacking in Queens. She was also quite interested in dancing. Both of them would have to wait until the next year to sing for a mate, due to their age.

And then there was Macavity. Having yet to find his heart song, he was some what of an outcast among the others. It wasn't like he couldn't sing, in fact he had a very decent low baritone voice. He simply could never find that one true melody. The only one who really accepted him was his friend Bombalurina, and, when she had to, her sister Demeter.

Like many of the Toms in his class, he had the worst crush on Bombalurina. Every day he wished he could find his heart song so that maybe, just maybe, she would choose him to spend eternity with. But it had not yet come to pass.

"Alright class, sing your major and minor scales... Rumpleteaser stop pulling your brothers head fur right this instant!"

Rumpleteazer rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out defiantly at Jenny, who growled at her. Teazer gave a frightened squeak and hurriedly hid behind Mungojerrie. Jenny sighed, and choose to let it slide this once. She had already reprimanded Teazer four times today. She had also had quite a tiring time the previous night, having stayed up until ungodly hours in the morning for her mate to get back from the Northern Hemisphere. What she really needed was a nap. Besides, she didn't think the young cats would mind much if they got out early.

"Very good everyone! How about we take a break? Make sure you are back in here in precisely one hour for dance!"

The adolescent cats poured out of the room, eager to be free of the stuffy space. The room its self was not particularly small, but it was incredibly hot that day and having very little ventilation didn't help.

Once outside, everyone fell into their usual little groups.

"Ungh, it's so hot in there." Demeter groaned. Bombalurina nodded in agreement and bent over, stretching herself out.

"So, watcha wanna do for the next hour?" Tugger asked. Munkustrap shrugged.

"We could go find a mouse to catch."

"We did that yesterday!"

"Do you have any better ideas?"

"We could play a trick on Jenny!"

"No way, Tugger. She's had her hands full enough with Teazer."

"Bombie, what are you staring at?"

Bombalurina looked back at the rest of the group, blinking in surprise. "Hmm?"

"I asked what you were staring at." Demeter repeated.

"Oh, I was just thinking that Mac looked pretty lonely over there. See, he's sitting by himself." She pointed to where Macavity sat, away from the other cats.

"Ugh he's so weird. All he ever does is mope around the den and hum all the time." Tugger commented. Bombalurina punched him in the arm, making him wince.

"Oh, come on, he's not that bad." Bombalurina scolded.

"Well you don't have to live with him. I'm telling you, he's messes up in the head."

"What, just because he doesn't have a heart song? I don't think that's any reason to hate your own brother."

"I'm serious, Bombie. He's not normal." Tugger insisted.

"Whatever. Just because he's a little different doesn't give you the right to hate him. I'm gonna go talk to him." She gave them a decisive nod and, despite Tugger's warning, made her way over to him.

"Hey there, Mac!" She purred. He looked up at her and his whole face broke into a smile.

"Hey, Rina." He replied.

"How are you?" She asked, as she sat down beside him.

"I'm pretty great, now." He said, making her laugh. He could barely contain himself. She was talking to him! Actually, seriously, talking to him! And he made her laugh!

"Are you ready for dance?" She asked.

He just shrugged. "Yeah. I mean, I guess. I didn't really get a chance to go over the steps last. I was, uh... Busy."

"I see." Bombalurina said. "Well, I'm sure you'll do fine. The steps weren't that hard anyways."

There was a awkward silence, and Macavity internally panicked. This was his chance to make a good impression on her, and he was blowing it! She probably thought he was weird like the rest of them. Oh, why couldn't he just be normal!

Bombalurina looked at the tom curiously. Why did he look so nervous? Did he really not talk to other cats that much?

Macavity wracked his brain for a topic- any topic! But his mind was blank. Maybe comment on the weather?

"It's a beautiful day out today."

Bombalurina nodded. "Yeah, even if it is a little hot. Dem, Tugger, Munk, Lonz, and I are going down to the pond later to cool off. Hey! I've got an idea!" She said, turning to face Macavity. "Why don't you come along with us?

"Oh, no, I- I don't want to impose-"

"Nonsense! I invited you, so you won't be imposing. What do you say?"

He opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted by Demeter yelling across the clearing.

"Hey, Bombs! You gotta check this out!" Demeter yelled from the group of friends.

"Yeah, okay! I'll be there in a sec!" Bombalurina yelled back. Mac tried not to show his disappointment.

"I'll talk to you later, okay? Bye, Mac!" She said, waving goodbye.

"See you later, Rina." He said dejectedly. He wished their talk could have been longer. Regardless, she had actually talked to him! He was so happy he didn't know what to do with himself. Maybe things were finally starting to turn in his favor for once in his life. And he was determined to not let this precious chance slip through his fingers.