I head to the parking lot after my last class…
And groan when I see Ryan.
A total jock and kind of a bully.
But for some reason, he’s crouched next to my car.
I march over and glare down at him.
Angie
What are you doing?
I’m struck by how blue his eyes are…
But I remind myself that he’s a jerk.
I broke up with him for a REASON.
Ryan
Something ran under here.
He leans down and reaches behind a wheel.
Something under the car squeaks.
He stands up, holding a tiny gray kitten.
It lets out another squeaking meow.
Ryan frowns and steps back.
Ryan
Did I say you could have it?
Angie
It was under my car, wasn’t it?
Ryan
But I’m the one who caught it.
Angie
What could you possibly want with a kitten?
Ryan
Maybe I want to keep it!
Angie
You’ll probably get tired of it in a week…
Angie
And dump it somewhere.
I almost think he looks hurt…
Except I don’t believe he’s capable of that.
Ryan
I guess you know a thing or two about dumping.
Angie
You won’t take care of that kitten.
Angie
Just give it to me.
The kitten’s eyes grow wide.
It wriggles out of Ryan’s arms…
And takes off across the parking lot.
Ryan
Because you scared it!
Ryan
We have to catch it before someone runs it over!
At first the kitten is nowhere to be seen.
But then I spot a streak of gray zip between two parked cars.
It dives into the bushes that border the parking lot…
Sharp branches scratch my skin…
But my hands close around something small and furry.
The kitten meows as I climb out of the bushes.
I hold it tight so it can’t get away again.
Ryan jogs over, looking relieved.
Angie
Jumping into bushes will do that.
He points at the scratches on my arms.
Ryan
Come on back to the locker room.
Ryan
Coach has a first-aid kit.
I don’t want to go with him…
Cuddling the kitten, I follow him.
I glance down at the Band-Aids on my arms.
Ryan has cleaned each scratch so carefully.
I can’t believe this is the same guy who…
I push the thought out of my head.
Angie
I guess I’ll…get going.
We let the kitten loose in the locker room.
But it hisses at me and runs away.
He reaches down and catches the kitten easily.
Ryan
I really think I should keep it.
Angie
Just let me take it, Ryan.
Angie
It’ll have a good home with me.
Ryan
Can I ask you something?
Ryan
Why did you dump me?
Angie
You bullied my friend Jason.
Angie
Don’t you remember?
Angie
I caught you slamming him into a wall.
Angie
I never wanted to see you again.
Ryan
You still don’t know the full story, do you?
But then he takes a deep breath and lets it all out.
Ryan
I know you think Jason is your friend.
Ryan
If you could have heard what he was saying that day—
Ryan
He kept telling people that you and he were going out.
Angie
Jason and I never dated.
Ryan
I realized he was just making it up.
Ryan
Especially since you and I were going out at the time.
Ryan
And he said…other things, too.
Ryan
Really terrible things.
Ryan
About you…and your reputation.
My heart plops down into my stomach.
Jason and I have been friends for years.
I’ve always suspected that he had a crush on me…
But I don’t like him THAT way.
I can’t believe he’d ever tell lies about me.
Still, I can’t ignore the look on Ryan’s face.
Ryan and I dated for a year.
I know him well enough to know when he’s telling the truth.
Ryan
I told Jason to stop spreading rumors.
Ryan
He laughed in my face.
Ryan
That’s when you showed up.
Ryan
I shouldn’t have done it.
Ryan
I know that. I’m sorry.
Ryan
But I couldn’t stand hearing him lie about you.
Ryan
And you wouldn’t give me a chance to explain.
I swallow as tears fill my eyes.
I don’t know how to make this right.
Angie
You keep the kitten.
I run out of the locker room before he can see the tears fall.
Later that night, Ryan calls me.
Ryan
I can’t keep the kitten.
Ryan
My roommate is allergic.
Ryan
I don’t want to take it to the shelter.
Ryan
Do you think you could…?
Ryan
I’ll bring it over now.
I can’t believe how sad Ryan looks when he hands over the kitten.
How could I have been so wrong about him?
Angie
Ryan, I need to tell you something.
Angie
I thought you were bullying my friend.
Angie
I didn’t know the real story.
It seems to like me more than it did this afternoon.
It snuggles under my chin and purrs.
Angie
Can I make a suggestion?
Angie
Let’s share custody of the kitten.
Angie
It will live here with me…
Angie
But it’ll belong to both of us.
Ryan’s face lights up with a smile.
I can’t help but smile back.
Angie
And there’s something else.
Angie
If you’re up for it…
Angie
I’d like another chance.
Angie
I mean, if you want to—
Ryan steps forward and puts his arms around me.
The kitten purrs even louder.
Ryan
I’ve missed you so much, Angie.
The kitten meows happily and cuddles between us.
I made a mistake, but now I have a second chance.
We have a whole new reason to stay together.
