I wanna give a quick "thank-you" to mu unofficial Beta, Gabgalrox. Thanks, Gibster!
"Bomba, please!" Demeter pulled my arm in a failed attempt to arouse me. "You can't miss the ball!"
"Watch me," I mumbled drowsily from under my quilt.
"But we've always gone together! You and I, we always double date-"
"Well I don't have a date this year, Demeter! Just leave me alone!" I snarled and jumped at her defensively. I could feel my fur bristle and rise on the back of my neck. She backed away, her face showing clear disgust. "Look, I'm sorry, Demi-"
"Forget it. I just wanted you to have a good time for once, Bomba. You've been stressed all week."
She left my den to stand with Munkustrap, who had been waiting and listening to the whole breakout.
"Guys, I'm really sorry. Look, give me 5 minutes to get fixed up and I'll meet you there, okay?" they both nodded and left.
Almighty Cat, I hope I don't see him tonight. . .
"I still can't believe you're making me do this. . ." And I couldn't believe I was still trying to convince Truff to go to the Ball, which was tonight.
"Oh, c'mon, kitten, it'll be fun! Misto's a pretty decent tom!" She blinked at me as if I was missing something extremely obvious.
"But Misto scares me," she complained as I attached a red ribbon around her neck in place of her collar. "He does that freaky lightning thing sometimes and it's weird."
I chuckled as I tied the last knot. "Would I ask you to do this if I thought you'd get hurt?"
She looked in the mirror, adjusting my strange knots and ties, and then looked at me. "You haven't been wrong yet . . ."
"So why don't you trust me?"
She shook her head and gave me a half-hearted smile. "That's just it. I think I trust you too much."
I rumpled her golden mane, an exact replica of my own. "Are you ready?" she nodded and took my arm in hers.
"Let's go, Rum."
We met up just outside the party with Mistoffelees, who was with Demeter and Munkustrap. My brother and I had changed from our collars into black bowties while Demi and Truff wore their red bows. I handed Truff off to Misto, giving him a Big Brother look I'd learned to master, which translated into "Hurt her and I'll kill you". He gulped and took her arm, making them both blush. As they entered the ball, Munkustrap followed them. Demeter, however, lingered behind with me. There was something lurking in her deep green eyes. Was it guilt? I sure knew it was mirrored in my own.
"I'm sorry, Tugger. I know this is the first time you haven't had a date for, well, anything." I sighed as she squeezed my arm.
We made our way to a clear spot on the ground. Demi leaned into my shoulder, sending goose bumps up my spine.
She smiled. "This is almost like old times," she whispered.
I wrapped my arm around her waist. "Yeah, if only things had worked out between us, maybe-"
"We wouldn't be in this mess!" we finished together. We both laughed silently and I felt tears sting my eyes. I felt a couple spill down my cheeks onto Demeter's shoulder.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine. Just give a minute." She squeezed me once more as she got up.
"Demeter, wait."
"Hmm?"
I let myself crash onto her shoulder, my face stained with tears. I fell to my knees. "Shh, it's okay. . ." she crooned. She sank to my level, rubbing my back. "Its okay, Tugger."
"But I miss her," I choked out between sobs. I didn't know I was capable of crying.
"Just cry it out, Rum. You'll feel better if you just let it out." I listened.
An hour later, she proved right. We'd stayed outside for a long time. By the time I was ready to go in, the ball was in full swing.
Demeter escorted me in, holding my paw. "Are you sure you're ready to go back right now?" I nodded, brushing a few stray tears from my red eyes.
"I'll be fine. Besides, I've got some people waiting on me."
She grinned. "Good. Have fun. And if you ever need me again," she added, still holding my paw, "all you have to do is ask. I'm here for you."
"Thanks, Demi. You're a great friend."
"Yeah, I remember when I was much more than that." With that, she left me to find Munkustrap.
"Uncle Tugger!" I was greeted with a huge hug from Jemima when I walked into the "Nursery". The Nursery was just the Infirmary with a couple of pillows and toys for the kids. The kittens were never allowed at the Christmas Eve Ball, so every year they come in here. I used to think myself too cool to come here, but Bomba had told me stories and I had gotten curious. I felt a lump growing in my throat.
"Are you gonna sing tonight, Tugger?" Electra asked.
I sat down on a blue beanbag. "Naw, I thought I'd spend tonight with you guys this year."
Etcetera and Electra giggled.
"So what're you gonna do here?" Pouncival perked up.
"I don't know," I answered honestly. Anything to avoid Bomba's piercing eyes . . . her accusing glare . . .
"Sing for us, then!" Jemima suggested, bursting into giggles.
"Yes! Yes! Sing for us, Tugger!" Everyone joined into the demand. I shook my head. But the kittens were persuasive. By persuasive, I meant I was being ravaged.
"Alright!" I shouted before I got glomped by crazy fans. "I've actually got a new one I learned a couple of weeks ago. Here goes:
Brown mice roasting on an open fire
The Frost Tom's nipping at your paws
Carols sung by a Jellicle choir
We're waiting for Sinter Claws
Everybody knows
A salmon and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny kits with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight
They know that Sinter's on his way
He's loaded lots of fish and birdies on his sleigh
And every queen's kitten is going to spy
To see if Pollicles really know how to fly
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kits from 1 to 92
Although it's been said many times many ways
Merry Christmas to you
As I sang the last note, I noticed Jemima's head asleep on my lap. Everyone else had fallen asleep, too. I didn't know whether to feel proud or insulted. I silently left the room. It was time to go home.
"Truff, I'm sorry!" I heard Misto yell from the dance floor. I made my way through the crowd to see what exactly had happened.
What happened, I didn't think I'd ever find out. But what I saw was Truff sprawled out on the floor, her coat stained with punch, and buried under a mountain of snow. The look she gave me was an "I told you so" look I dreaded.
"I honestly don't know what happened, Rum! I was just dancing with her, and-" I almost laughed and punched him at the same time, but I ended up doing neither.
"Save it, Quax. Just help me dig her out." He jumped to my side immediately.
Once she was finally free she jumped into my arms."I told you this was a bad idea!"
I picked her up and started toward the exit. "I'm sorry. Let's get you home."
"Say it."
"No."
"Say it."
"Fine! You were right!"
