A/N: Thanks to Silent Whisper for reviewing and mike2000 for helping out with my Spanish. This is just a reposted version of the last chapter...
Lars walked forward, wiping sweat off his forehead. His feet were throbbing; he probably had more than one blister. He was regretting that he hadn't thought to wear socks. Lars sat on the ground to catch his breath. Looking around, he realized this definitely wasn't the way to Mexico. It looked more like the woods near Mondo Mountain. Technically, Lars was lost.
Just perfect, he thought angrily.
He jumped, noticing that some nearby bushes were trembling. Lars watched them closely, hoping whatever was lurking in the bushes wasn't dangerous. Very slowly, a fuzzy kitten appeared.
"What do you want?" Lars asked.
The kitten approached and sat on the ground by Lars's sneakers. Lars softened a little bit.
"Are you lost like me?"
The kitten meowed and nudged his hand with its head, asking to be pet. Lars slowly lifted his hand and began to pet the cat, though he knew he was going to regret it later. The kitten began to purr and Lars started to calm down some. He studied the kitten. It had bright green eyes, was a bit on the scrawny side; its fur was a dark brown color....
Just like gingerbread cookies, Lars mused, his mouth watering.
The kitten licked his hand. Going home was no longer an option. As much as "the Whompinator" hated to admit it, he liked cats (especially this one), even though they made him sneeze. Sandy wouldn't allow him to keep the kitten because of what happened to Twister's puppy. Another injustice. It wasn't Lars's fault that Twister had let Chico run around outside without a leash.
"I guess I should call you something," Lars said to him/her. "Gingerbread? Nah, too long. Besides, that name makes me hungry. Cerveza? Wait, that means beer. Snuggles? No way."
Lars suddenly came up with the perfect name, Tesorito, which meant "treasure" in Spanish. He could call the cat Tessy for short.
Lars took a blanket out of his backpack and spread it on the ground. Tonight, he and Tessy would sleep under the stars. They could start for Mexico in the morning. Lars lay down; Tessy followed him.
"Uh-uh, chica," said Lars, depositing Tessy in the grass. "I don't wanna be sneezing all night."
Tessy strolled back over and cuddled next to Lars, who sighed.
"Okay, Tess. You win."