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We stay like this for a few minutes before I start getting up, and Milo follows me instantly, “Come on, we have to pack everything.”

He nods, and before he could even reply, a soft Miaow is heard from my window.

“Huh, is that a cat? Is he okay?”

I turn toward the sound. The same grey cat is perched on the sill, tail flicking, looking at me like he’s asking permission to come in. He’s been visiting me for a few weeks now every time he needs to feel safe and warm. He oddly looks like the cat my mother used to feed... same blue eyes, same grey fur, but he’s way younger.

He always finds his way back here, so I gave him a name. Blue.

“It’s alright,” I say, kneeling as he hops inside. “Hey you, come here.”

Blue pads over immediately and presses his head into my hand, purring softly, as if he’s enjoying himself. I stroke his back, and he leans into me even harder, practically melting against my touch.

My brother crouches beside me, carefully petting him. “He’s cold. Poor cat.” He glances at me with big and happy eyes. “He really likes you.”

“I like him too. He sleeps here sometimes, when it’s cold or raining.”

He keeps petting the cat, thoughtful. Then, with a big smile, he says, “Then keep him. Adopt him so that he never has to be cold again.”

“I don’t know,” I say, still scratching behind Blue’s ears. “I’m not sure if he’ll fit in my dorm. It’s probably going to be too small for him.”

Milo shakes his head immediately. “He can sleep with you, and you can bring him back here during the weekends.”

“I’m not great at taking care of animals.”

He snorts, actual disbelief on his face. “You’re such a liar,” he giggles. “You take care of everyone.”

I smile, looking at Blue, then back at Milo and then kiss his cheek. “Fine. But I’ll need to buy some things for him.”

“Do it! Go! Aunty Hayzel’s coming in a few minutes,” he says, already hugging Blue like he’s made his decision for me. “She’ll stay with me until you come back. And I’ll take care of him in the meantime.”

“Alright.” I brush my hand over Blue’s fur as he curls against my palm. “But if he scares you, just go to your room and wait for me, okay?”

“He won’t scare me,” my brother insists. “He’s adorable.”

Blue wags his tail excitedly as if he knows we are talking about him.

Giving Blue one last gentle pat and a scratch behind the ear, I say, “Be nice, baby, okay? I’ll come back.”

6

Mireya

Past

Play- Possibility by Lykke Li

The Last Firefly

Drawing always makes me feel good. My sketches are not that pretty, but it’s not easy to draw on my skin; the bruises hurt when I press on them with my pen.

The rooftop is cold today, and dad is not home this week, so I think I’m doing well.

I’m glad Dad isn’t here, my arm still hurts, and my back stings when I lie down on my bed, I think... I think I'm scared of him even more now.

Someone starts crying downstairs, loud enough that I drop my pen on my thigh. It’s Milo. He’s crying again. I lean over the edge of the rooftop and yell through the open window, “Mom! Milo’s crying!” My voice bounces off the walls, but nothing answers back.

Why won’t anyone answer me?