Thank you for getting to chapter 3! It took me a while to write this, but it is very eventful. Anyways, please Review, and tell me what you think and predict what will happen. (I have a few tricks up my sleeve.) Thanks to Kycklingk for the review! I do love the awkwardness of teenagers, and I hope to combine that with awkwardness of children, creating very awkward kittens. It will make it more realistic.

And I have a new idea for a Jemistoffolees story, and I hope to get the first chapter of that up soon. (Two stories at once; kinda scary.)

Etcetera excitedly led the way through the labyrinth of the junkyard. She leaped from garbage pile to garbage pile, talking a mile a minute. The other kittens remained silent, dismal because of Pouncival's confession. Etcetera didn't seem to understand the melancholy mood as she spoke. "The Rum Tum Tugger is the most handsome Tom ever. I always faint when I see him. He's so cool and attractive. All of us agree that being his mate would be the best!"

Jemima wasn't really listening as Etcetera tried to explain who the Rum Tum Tugger was to the youngest kitten. They eventually reached a human toilet. Sitting on it was a tall cat with a large mane. He was all black, except for the leopard spots on his chest and his brown face. Jemima stood behind Victoria shyly. Etcetera and Electra jumped up and sat next to him. What surprised Jemima was that he was not just a Tom, but an adolescent kitten, only a little older than Plato. Yet his lack of age was made up for by his attractiveness. He was sleek and cool, but also very handsome. He looked down at Jemima. "Who's this?"

Jemima blushed, her shyness so obvious. Sure, she was nervous around the other kittens, but he was really intimidating. The young kitten felt so relieved when Victoria answered for her. "That's Jemima."

"Ahh. Straight-lace's kid." He knew who she was?

It became very clear to Jemima that he liked to act like an adult even though he wasn't really one. She began to wonder if this is what he was really like, or if was just an act to make him look cool. Jemima heard Victoria whisper to him, "She's really shy."

The Rum Tum Tugger nodded, realizing he would have to be the one speaking in this conversation. "Cool. I'm the Rum Tum Tugger, but everyone pretty much calls me Tugger."

"Well I'm Jemima!"

"I know. Vic just said it." Jemima blushed at his words in embarrassment.

"Sorry."

"Don't be sorry!" Tugger felt a pang of guilt for making her feel bad. "So uhmmm, is this your first time outside of your den?"

"Mhmm," Jemima nodded. "It's exciting but also kind of scary since this place is so big."

"You'll get the hang of it. The hardest part is understanding the relationships between everybody. Friendship and mateship often get mixed up. But you can't mate until you're an adult anyways."

"Mate?" Jemima had heard the word before, but had no idea what it meant.

"When two cats are permanently together to have kittens. You can mate with pretty much anyone. Except your parents and siblings of course." Tugger explained. It was very obvious he was just rambling to create conversation.

"Is Etcetera always like this?" Jemima asked, looking up as the striped kitten rubbed up against the young Tom.

"Only every time she sees me," he joked.

Jemima began to laugh. He was funny and handsome, and she could see why the kittens were so obsessed with him.

"What else could one expect from such a hyper kit?" Jemima giggled. Etcetera jokingly hissed at her, which made the black kitten giggle harder. So far, she liked the other cats. They were so friendly and welcoming. That is, except for Pouncival and Plato. They managed to make her feel terrible within the first two hours she knew them.

Tugger laughed at her joke. "So are you as uptight as your dad?"

"No?" She sounded as though she were asking a question, not stating a fact. The inexperienced never viewed her father as uptight.

"That's good. He's not exactly the life of a party."

"Hey!" She felt the need to defend her Father.

"What? Aren't brothers supposed to tease each other?" Jemima gasped. Her father was his brother?

"Wow. Really?" Jemima asked.

"Yup. Poor Straight-lace has to deal with being the lame brother." Jemima began to giggle as he spoke. She really liked this Tom. Did she have a crush on him? Jemima tried to figure out what she felt.

Etcetera was getting jealous. Why was he giving Jemima so much attention? The striped kitten still existed! "We should go back," she stated, not providing an explanation on how she came to this conclusion. Victoria gave her a strange look. It was unlike Etcetera to want to leave Tugger.

"Ok?" she said slowly. "Let's head back guys." The white kitten turned and everyone followed behind her. The group strolled back to their normal section of the Yard. "Jemima, I think he likes you." Victoria spoke just to make conversation.

"Not really," Etcetera muttered.

"Cettie!" Victoria scolded. "You're being kind of selfish!"

"Phooey!" The striped cat stuck her tongue out at Victoria, whose jaw dropped on shock. Electra pounced on top of Etcetera.

"Show respect to Victoria!" Electra exclaimed. For the most part, all the kittens looked up to Victoria, the oldest member of their group.

"C'mon!" Jemima said. "You're acting like Pollicles!" Etcetera was very offended, and before she knew it, Jemima was pinned down by both of the kittens.

"Guys! Let's stop wasting time," Victoria said in between giggles. "Cettie, your mother would not approve." All three dropped the nonsense at the mention of Jennyanydots. Victoria led them to the main yard, where the boys were playing.

"Where you guys been?" Tumblebrutus yelled towards them.

"With Tugger!" Etcetera enthusiastically called back.

"He always gets the girls!" Tumblebrutus muttered.

"Seriously sis?" Plato asked. He didn't approve of the way Tugger acted towards his sister, but there was nothing the small kit could do about that. Etcetera rolled her eyes at her overprotective brother.

"Wanna play with us?" Pouncival leaped in front of the girls.

"No," Jemima said, and the jumped on top of the car that sat off to the side.

"Can't," Victoria said, and Electra followed her example by nodding.

"I will!" Etcetera yelled, and was nudged by Victoria. "Correction; no I can't!"

The three kittens joined Jemima on top of the car. "Why not?" asked Pouncival.

"Because you said mean things about Jemima!" Victoria answered.

"You heard that?" asked Pouncival. "I didn't think you were listening." Jemima frowned, and held back tears. The first Tom she met was so rude! "Jemima, can I talk to you alone?"

"No!" Jemima snapped with fake anger. She was not angry, but sad.

"Please?" Pouncival pleaded.

"Fine!" she yelled and leaped down to join him. He led her out of sight. Once they were out of earshot, he placed a paw on Jemima's shoulder.

"Jemima, I did not mean those things. Plato is really mean to me, and I didn't want him to make fun of me." He tried to explain.

"So you called me an ugly runt, so you didn't get teased about liking me!" Jemima couldn't hold the tears back anymore.

"I really regret saying that. Please Jemima, they're not true." He stared at her for a moment, and she began to think he might kiss her. Would this be her first kiss? Butterflies gathered in her stomach as she thought of how this might end.

She felt a pang of sadness when he stepped back. "Can you forgive me?"

Say no! A voice in her head told her. But she knew that would be a lie. Jemima was very forgiving. As soon as she opened her mouth, she regretted what she was about to say. "Yes."