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Growing up isn't all fun and games – chapter 7
Jemima woke to a scene that was almost exactly the same as the night before. After getting prodded awake again, Demeter once again told her daughter that Misto was at the cat flap. However, this time Demeter was a bit more concerned because of Jemima's strange reactions the day before. Jemima was more than happy today however, so both cats made their way to the cat flap.
Misto greeted them both when they came out of their home and smiled warmly at Jemima. Demeter winked at Jemima before heading off and the junkyard, which made Jemima blush but huff a little.
"What's wrong?" Misto asked with a concerned face.
"Everyone keeps winking at me!" Jemima huffed.
Misto laughed and said, "Maybe it's because of how cute you are."
Jemima blushed a bit more but laughed with Misto and replied with a sarcastic, "Ha-ha."
Misto look at Jemima modestly and blushed a bit before saying, "It's true you know."
They looked away from each other awkwardly before deciding to get some breakfast.
"Do you want me to conjure something, have me catch something for you, or both of us hunt?" Misto asked.
Jemima thought for a second before deciding that she would give Misto a test. "Well, I guess you would want to conjure something because it would mean more time to do things with me instead us wasting time hunting and not being able to talk," Jemima said sneakily.
"I don't have a preference, it's totally up to you," Misto said honestly.
Jemima smiled at his benevolence and chose to see how Misto conjured mice. Misto agreed enthusiastically with her choice and began to mumble inaudible words before whispering "Presto". Suddenly, four mice appeared in front of him, making Jemima stare at Misto in wonder. He looked slightly embarrassed at Jemima's amazement so he began to split up the mice. Jemima also looked embarrassed for staring at him so the two cats began eating the most awkward breakfast either of them had ever experienced.
When they finished, Jemima decided to ask, "That was really good, but were the mice real?"
Misto laughed at that and replied with, "Of course they were real! What did you think they were?"
Jemima said a bit defensively, "I didn't know. Where did they come from?"
Misto looked around and beckoned her a bit closer. Jemima uncertainly made her way to sit beside him and he whispered, "Don't tell anyone, but I actually have to catch them first. I keep them in this hidden place in my den and then I just call them to where I am."
Jemima looked at him with a surprised face and asked, "You don't make mice appear out of thin air? Don't they go bad?"
"No, I don't make them appear out of thin air. I can do it, but every time I conjure something, something always disappears to take its place. A life for a life, an object for an object."
"Oh, I see. Well, do you want to go the junkyard now or go to my house for a while?"
"Hm, can we go to your house? I've never been inside of it."
"Really? Wow, every Jellicle has been in there. Let's go then!"
They walked slowly towards Jem's house while being spied by an unseen Demeter. Once they were out of sight, Demeter jumped out of her hiding spot and began heading towards the junkyard for real this time. She had now seen how Pounce and Misto acted alone with her daughter and understood why Jem was having a hard time picking. However, Demeter knew deep in her heart which tom would end up with her daughter. It was only a matter of time before Jemima realized it herself.
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When Jemima and Misto were sitting comfily on Jem's bed, they began to talk just like Jemima had done the day before with Pounce. This time Jemima started however, and she started with the hardest questions.
"Why do you like me?" Jemima asked quietly.
"I don't like you." Misto mumbled quietly.
Jemima's head snapped up, "You don't?"
Misto was slightly satisfied that Jemima's eyes held the slightest hint of pain and replied with, "No, I love you."
"Oh, um, why?"
"It's because…because…" Misto stuttered.
"Because what?"
"Because you're the most beautiful thing in the world. You look magnificent, you sing gorgeously, and you have the most wonderful personality. You help others whenever you can, you never say mean things to anyone, you always manage to cheer me up, and you're so fun to be around and yet so immensely mature at the same time. If the Everlasting cat had an image, it would be you."
Misto thought his checks were going to burn off but he wasn't the only one. When he looked at Jemima, she was staring at him with a slightly gaping mouth and her face was as red as her scarlet fur.
"Do you really mean that?" Jemima whispered.
"With all my heart," Misto said as he leaned in to kiss her. This was the longest kiss that Jemima had ever received. To her surprise however, she couldn't tell whose was sweeter: Pounce's or Misto's?
Misto looked at her to see what her reply would be but Jemima kept quiet. To break the silence, Misto said quietly, "Why do you like me?"
"Because you're so nice to me. And you're really mature too," Jemima said just as quietly.
Misto was hoping for an answer that would hint that she liked him more than Pounce but he was disappointed. "Why do you like the moon so much?" he blurted.
"Because it's always there for me. Even when there are clouds, I know it's still there, waiting to comfort me." Jemima said shyly.
"I could be that too, you know."
"Yes, but so could Pounce."
Misto sighed because of Jemima's persistence to keep both toms equal. Jemima saw the gloom in Misto's eyes and decided to try to cheer him up. "Tag!" she squeaked before tapping Misto on the head and sprinting around her house. Misto smiled at her and the two began running around Jem's house.
When they finally stopped, they were both panting hard and decided to take a nap. Jemima settled down on her bed while Misto wondered where he should sleep. He decided to snuggle next to Jemima, which made her purr. However, as he began to wrap his arm around her, she shrugged him off and moved until her fur no longer touched his.
A little while later, Jemima awoke and to her surprise, Misto was once again snuggled next to her. Misto woke up due to her movement and blushed at seeing how close they were. They moved apart and decided to go the junkyard.
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When the two arrived at the junkyard, Jemima was once again greeted by her step-dad, Munkustrap. When he saw her with Misto, his eyes widened and he ask, "I though you were with Pounce?"
Jemima blushed and explain to Munku about her plan with the two toms. He smiled at her solution and said to Misto, "Good luck with her then!"
Misto blushed and the two kits watched as Munku went to sit by Demeter, who greeted him happily and began to groom him. Demeter caught Jem's eye and winked at her, making Jemima blush as well. They decided to go to a less populated part of the junkyard, where Misto showed Jem some of his magic tricks. He shot lighting bolts, teleported himself around the junkyard and performed many other tricks. Near the end of night, just as Demeter was about to get Jemima, Misto conjured up a rose and handed it to Jemima. Jemima mumbled a thanks as Demeter entered their secluded part of the junkyard. Demeter smiled at her daughter and then at Misto, seeing the flower that Jemima had received from him. The two kits, now very close to adulthood, bid each other goodbye and departed to their homes.
As Demeter and Jem were walking home, Demeter asked, "So do you know who you're going to pick now?"
"I'm not sure yet, but I'll know by the Jellicle ball," Jemima answered.
Demeter smiled at the happiness she could see radiating off her daughter. The two cats arrived at their home just as the sun rose and both cats fell asleep quickly.
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Hope you enjoyed chapter 7. Review ? =D
