Okay, so I kinda went back and had a look at this one, had a lightbulb moment (bing!) and then realised that the first 3 chapters would have to changed. Not this one, but 2 and 3.

Sorry!

Plato

I can see her from my hiding place.

It's not a particularly good one, but it was the only place I could see her and still be in the shadows.

I know I really shouldn't be spying on her like this but I can't help it.

I just want to see her.

I know if she looks in my direction, she'll see me, but maybe that's what I want.

Maybe I want her to see me.

Maybe then, she'll dance for me again.

The way she used to before things went wrong.

I shift position slightly and gaze out at the circle of junk.

All the others are there.

I'd blend in quite easily.

But I know that it won't help.

Blending in is something I'm no good at.

I've spent so long hiding in shadows that I now have super sensitive hearing and sight.

I flinch at the slightest noise.

I'm wincing now, at their laughter.

Maybe I'll just stay here and watch her from a distance.

Teazer

There's something about him.

Something mysterious.

Something almost other worldly.

Like he's not from this place.

I tried to talk to my brother Jerrie about it once, but he didn't know who I was talking about.

Maybe he's a spirit from another world come back to haunt me, and that's why only I can see him.

But I know that's just silly.

I've brushed him once or twice.

He's as real as the others.

He's just so shy that they don't notice him.

The current dance has just finished.

We all clap politely as everyone in the group takes a bow and sits back down.

I don't even remember what their dance was.

I was too busy thinking about him.

I hear my name called and I step out.

Maybe if I dance for him, he'll come and dance with me.

But it's very unlikely.

He doesn't like anyone seeing him.

I think that's why he spends so much time in the shadows.

He seems so nice, innocent and sweet.

I really want to get to know him, but he's so shy and quiet that I don't think he'll ever talk to me.

Plato

I can't stand it.

She's just so perfect.

Her calico fur, her warm hazel eyes, even that cute way she tosses her head.

But there's no way she'd ever like me.

I'm no-one, invisible and inaudible too, most of the time.

There's no way she would ever like me.

I'm too shy to talk to her.

Besides, my kind and her kind don't mix.

There is no way in the world that this will ever work.

She thinks I can't see her looking but I can feel her gaze.

I don't want to look at her because every time I see her, my stomach twists up and I die inside.

She's so amazing.

There's something almost fluid about the way she dances, like she's made of water.

I can't help it.

I have to watch her dance.

I watch from the shadows as she moves through the steps and a soft sigh escapes my lips.

The closest I've ever been to her is when she surprised me at the last Jellicle ball.

I was distracted by the dancing and I didn't notice until she was right next to me.

I remember flinching away from her and vanishing into the darkness.

She called after me but I didn't go back.

I don't like it when the others try and sneak up on me.

They all talk so loud I can hear them coming from a mile away, but she crept up on me so quietly that I didn't hear her.

I was scared then.

Now, I want her to do it again and this time, I won't run.

I turn and drift off into the shadows.

Why do I even bother?

She'll never notice me.

Teazer

I'm thinking about him as I dance.

I've only seen him dance a few times.

At the last Jellicle ball, he and Alonzo did several sections of the ball dance together.

He moves with a smoothness, like polished glass.

Yes, glass.

I glance over my shoulder as I dance.

I can see him standing there, just in the shadows.

He's almost fragile, untouchable, like he'd shatter into a million pieces if I touched him.

But I want to really badly.

He's just so cute.

His rust and white fur with a few odd black patches is unusual, even for a Jellicle.

He's very tall, taller than the others and slighter, rather than muscular like the other toms.

And don't get me started on his eyes.

Everyone says that his eyes are ice blue.

But they're not.

His eyes are shining gold, like liquid sunshine, framed by long black lashes.

Everlasting Cat, he's gorgeous and I want him so bad!

I just want to keep him and treasure him forever.

I finish my dance and glance towards the shadows.

He's gone.

The others haven't noticed.

I don't think half of them even know his name.

He's so shy.

I don't think I've ever heard him say more than about four words at once.

I still really want to get to know him.

But every time I try to talk to him, he shies away and then disappears into the shadows.

Pounce and Tumble come over and congratulate me on my dancing.

I acknowledge them, but my mind lingers on him.

There's something familiar about him.

The way he moves, the way he shies away if I come too close.

But I can't think why he seems so familiar.

I turn and watch the other dancers, their movements casting flickering shadows on the piles of junk surrounding us.

Plato

I stand on the wall at the edge of the Junkyard.

Everlasting Cat, I feel so hopeless.

I wonder if she likes me.

I've seen her looking at me, with hope shining in her hazel eyes, like she's hoping I'll talk to her.

But I can never find the courage to do it.

Every time she stands next to me and tires to coax me into talking, my nerve fails me and I run.

I'm so ashamed of myself.

Why can't I just talk to her?

It's not like she's above me in any way.

But to me, she is.

I don't have the guts to do it, to talk to her.

Not anymore.

Not after what I did.

If she ever found out.

If any of them ever found out, I would be dead.

I sigh heavily and drift back to my den, wraith-like and invisible.

The same way I've been for a long time and the way I will probably stay forever.

Aww! I'd forgotten how depressing this was. Oh well!
Yours fearlessly, faithfully and truly
ACDxx