Author's Note: I am so incredibly excited to post Chapter 11! I love this chapter, and it came so easily when I wrote it. Thing about is is, this is where everything changes. My little review/sneak peek deal from last chapter still stands, so be sure to R&R!
Love, C.

Disclaimer: Believe it or not, but within the past eleven chapters, I have not come into ownership of Cats.

Several moons have passed, and our characters have aged. Mistoffelees came of age two balls ago, and this year is finally Victoria's turn.

XXI

"Got ya!" the tuxedoed tom called, flipping the beautiful queen onto her back. He had pinned her, and held himself in a push-up position above her. Their breaths heavy and their lips just inches apart, they paused that way for a moment, each trying to slow their racing heart. Their lips grew closer, the tom's eyes closed and-

"Got ya!" called the queen, reversing their positions lightning-fast. She giggled at her sudden victory.

Victoria rose gracefully, and dusted her white coat off. She reached out her hand to help up Mistoffelees, and-

They were in their original positions, Misto once again on top.

"Surrender?" he asked, a wicked grin on his face.

Her heart sped up again at the sight of his smile. "I- I suppose," she whispered. Mistoffelees stood and helped Victoria up, both out of breath from the game. The white queen stretched and the tom's thoughts stopped at the sight of her lean, petite dancer's body. She quickly rose to her toes before pliéing and sauntering towards the TSE 1 car.

Misto followed her, watching her every move. "Slow down," he thought, "We're just friends. She probably doesn't even think of me that way… I can't help but think of her though."

"Please, please be watching," Victoria thought at the same moment. "Maybe if I sway my hips a little he'll notice… It's no use whatsoever though. He's older than me, he's so talented, and handsome, and magical… I have no shot at all. He can have anyone. But he's mine though! I loved him first, I was there when he discovered his powers, I've always been his friend. That must be it. I'm just his friend- nothing more to him. I can still try though, right?"

She leapt upon the hood of the car, where she reclined, looking out towards the sunset. Misto joined her shortly, unable to resist being near her. They lie with their sides almost touching, their flanks almost brushing against each others. Each could feel the tension, but both thought it one sided- their own.

"The sunsets so beautiful," Victoria said in awe.

"Uh huh," Mistoffelees murmured in agreement. He could barely stop himself from saying, "But not as beautiful as you." But he held his tongue.

"The Jellicle Ball is coming up," Mistoffelees commented.

Victoria's ears perked up at the mention of the ball. "Where is he taking this?" she thought.

"So it is," she said. "Your third."

"Your first," he answered. "Excited? Nervous? Anxious?"

"Scared," she admitted.

"Perfect Rory? Scared? What is the world coming to?" Mistoffelees joked.

Victoria giggled. "Shut up Misto." Her tone became more serious and worried. "It's my very first ball, plus I'm coming of age, plus I'm opening the ball, plus I have a solo, plus my dad's Munkustrap, so there are expectations, plus I don't have a date, plus I- I'm freaking out."

"Shhhhhh," he soothingly called, sitting up and rubbing her back. "You'll be fine. Actually, you'll be more than fine. You'll be perfect."

She smiled up at him, and leaned over. Her lips gently brushed his cheek, and she slid off the car, waving goodbye. He smiled sadly and waved back.

"I just wish her lips had touched an inch over," he thought, watching her walk away.

XXII

I climbed up the stack of old chairs leading to my den. Inside sat Dem and Aunt Bomba gossiping 'bout the ball while Jemima sat in the corner reading.

"Well, I was talking to Jenny, and she said- Hey, sweetie, how are you?" said Dem, looking up from her conversation.

"Hey, Dem, Aunt Bomba!" I said, coming over to quickly nuzzle my stepmother and aunt. "Watcha talking about?"

"Oh, just the ball. Excited? Oh, I remember my first time! It was wonderful, you'll enjoy it so much, honey!" said Aunt Bomba, smiling.

I smiled back. "I'm excited. Just a bit nervous, though. You two have fun, I'm gonna go talk with Jemima."

My little sister looked up as I walked over, and smiled at me. "Excited for the ball?"

"Why does everyone ask that? No. I'm dreading it. I'm anxious, I'm worried, and I don't have a date." I sighed. "Ugh, I'm sorry, I'm being a bore. How about you?"

"I'm so excited! I don't have a date yet, though. Teazers going with Mungojerrie- they've been inseparable since they became partners. Electra's going with Pouncival, and Etcetera's going with Tumble."

Technically Jemima wasn't supposed to come of age till next year, but as she had been raised with the other cats my age and was nearly old enough anyway, Old Deuteronomy made an exception.

"What about Misto?" Jemima continued.

"What about him?"

"Well, when is he going to ask you?"

"Why would he ask me?"

"Come on Tory, who do you think you're kidding? Misto loves you, you love him, when is he asking you? No one's closer to him than you, and you've adored him since before I was born."

"I have no idea what you're talking about. Mistoffelees is just my very dear friend."

"Tory, I'm your sister. There's no point in lying. Are you going to ask him?"

"There's no way I'm asking him, he has to-" I caught myself. Oh god.

"Exactly."

"Fine. Whatever," I growled.

"Who should I ask?"

"Well, who's left? Tumble, Jerrie, and Pounce are taken… there's Plato, I guess. Alonzo is nice, but he's on the older side, and Cassandra-"

"Cassandra turned him down."

"Again?"

"Yeah, she said she wasn't sure about them, and wanted to go alone. I feel bad, she's kinda playing him, one minute she can't live without him, the next he's just some toy to her. Alonzo's fun, and we could just go as friends. Anyway, Plato kinda scares me."

She closed her book and stood. With a quick peck on my cheek, she called, "Thanks, sis!" and breezed out the door to go find Alonzo.

I smiled at the sight of my petite little sister, and wished that finding a date would be as simple for me as it was for her.