The Cat (II)

"Do you remember me?" He asked. I thinned my lips as I prepare to say my answer. "Um," I began, "I kinda remember you but not really."

"I'm familiar?" he clarifies. "Yes! Yes, you're familiar," I claimed. "Looks like you need to work on your vocabulary," he smiled. "Hey, I know that word. It just felt like using it would be disrespectful," I excused. Well, I do really know what that word meant but whatever.

"So…" he elongated the 'o' "You don't really remember me?" I took a second to think. "No clue," I gave up. "I was contestant number 2, remember? The little game we had at that art booth at Stardelle?" I snapped a finger as I successfully remembered his struggling face, "Oh, that's right!"

"You forget easily," he said. "Hey, it's not nice to judge people's abilities," I replied. Wow, I sounded quite a crybaby. "Sorry, but that's the impression I had."

The two of us stared blankly at the moving view at the window pane. "I forgot to ask," I said, "What's your name?"

"Ronnie. A freshmen at Stardelle," he introduced. "I'm Jeiro, also a freshmen in Stardelle." Ronnie's eyes widened as if surprised, "Wait, you're a 1st year?"

"Uhh, what about it?" I muttered. "Thought you're a 3rd year or something." Wha— Do I even look old?! "Umm, if I were a third year student, I wouldn't be able to play in the booths. I'd be sent to class immediately."

"Thought you cut classes," he added. "Wow you really are something, aren't you, Ronnie?" I crossed my arms as I get washed away by his judgmental head. "Do like to paint or do art in general?" I asked, shifting the topic. "Not really. I just wanted to give it a try. I do have arts and paintings as my hobby. Ever since I was a child, I was inspired by someone to do art."

A soft ding played through our ears as the train doors slid open. "Who is this art idol of yours?" I asked. "That's a secret," he winked before leaving the train. As he stepped on the station platform, he turned towards me and waved, "I'll follow you on twitter. What's you're username?" I answered, "@Jeiroxxx" The door closed shut once again.

A few minutes in and I felt a vibration from my pocket. That was quick, Ronnie. I pulled out my phone. "Jeiro, let's do karaoke tomorrow at Kyle's house!" It was a text message from Allison. Wow. "Fine. Just a warning though, I'm bringing yarns and needles if ever I'll stitch your mouth up from your singing."

"You brutal piece of shit. Anyways, bring food. See u tomo," Allison replied. Wasn't I the one who's invited? Why am I bringing food?

"@TheRonniekka has requested to follow you," twitter notified. Really? TheRonniekka? What username is that? I accepted his follow request and immediately got a DM from him. That was quick.

@TheRonniekka

Hey, u the jeiro I talked to on the train?

@Jeiroxxx

Glad u found me. thought ud get the spelling of my name wrong lol

@TheRonniekka

why would i? not as dumb as u :P

@Jeiroxxx

Idk why but you're mean as heck.

@TheRonniekka

Teehee

anyways, u have anything to do tomorrow? me is bored.

@Jeiroxxx

boohoo dont have any friends i see?

@TheRonniekka

as much as i want to rebut you, sadly I have 0 friends in stardelle

@Jeiroxxx

its because u a mean person :P

@TheRonniekka

Really? ;(

none of my friends passed in stardelle, unfortunately

guess im the only smart one. Lol

@Jeiroxxx

hey, u not really mean. I was joking.

alright smarty ass, u wanna have karaoke tomorrow?

@TheRonniekka

Hmm, don't know. My talent fee for singing is pricey.

can you afford me?

@Jeiroxxx

guess that's a no. oh well, see u at school

@TheRonniekka

i was kidding. jeez grandpa calm yo ass.

sure, lets do that tomorrow.

@Jeiroxxx

great. Imma ask my friends first if theyre okay with it.

I texted Kyle, "Hey Kyle, is it okay to bring someone? A friend of mine." A few minutes passed before his reply, "Sure, no probs. Just make sure that friend of yours is not a thief. By the way how did you get a new friend, Mr. AntiSocial?" Wow, I'm not antisocial. This bully.

"I'm not even going to respond to that. Bye Kyle!" I texted, finishing our conversation.

@Jeiroxxx

approved.

@TheRonniekka

Nice! see u at stardelle station tomorrow.

@Jeiroxxx

Okay, bye smarty.

The last class for the day finally ended! Jeez, can I get a one-year break from chemistry? I walked towards the exit of the hall, only to see the duo. "Why the heck are the both of you here? I thought we'll be meeting at the quadrangle?" I asked.

"Yes, but we'd like meet this new friend of yours, Jeiro. Now, where is this guy… or gal? I don't really know the specifics," Allison said. "He's at Stardelle station right now. We'll be meeting there. Just wait your horses!"

We walked towards the Stardelle station to meet Ronnie. I immediately saw him on his phone. He was kinda short, I just noticed that now. "There he is," I pointed. The three of us made our way to Ronnie, who is peacefully on his phone. "Hey, Ronnie."

"Oh, hi!" he greeted. Ronnie, Allison and Kyle exchanged introductions and pleasantries before making our way to Kyle's house.

"Yeah, sing it, Ally!" Kyle cheered. Ally sings, "You like my hair? Gee thanks, just bought it…" She's really into Ariana Grande. Allison's voice echoed throughout the enclosed room. Only the four of us were there and a table of chips and dips at the center. Not to mention the large, flat screen TV that Kyle owns.

I glanced at Ronnie who is carefully browsing the song catalogue, "You find anything interesting?" He shook his head, "I know too many songs that I can't pick one. Can you help me out?" I moved closer to him and shifted my vision towards the catalogue. "Can you sing 'The Greatest Showman' songs?" I asked. "Yeah, but what song? There's a lot of song in that ensemble."

I remembered Ronnie saying about his talent fee last night. So I wanted to have him sing a difficult song. "How about 'Never Enough' by Loren Allred?" I suggested. Let's see his reaction. I bet he'll find it difficult. "Nice! I love that song! Sure!" He answered cheerfully.

His turn came and the three of us sat at the sofa like three judges from The Voice. The moment that the first sentence came out of his mouth, I already felt a presence of an actual singer. "I'm trying to hold my breath." Kyle and Allison was waving their heads as they follow along the song silently.

"All the shine of a thousand spotlights, all the stars we steal from the night sky will never be enough," His voice was amazing. What amazed me more was that he didn't seem to find it hard even though it was a female's song. His voice was soothing and mellow. A lower key from the original but a higher pitch for normal guys. His intonations, dynamics, and tempo was perfect. Most importantly, he knows how to deliver the songs emotions.

Little did I know, I was waving my head with Kyle and Allison as well.

"Never enough, never never," Those high notes were perfect.

"For me…" The three of us were off of our seats. Our hands were applauding towards the singer in front of us. He turned around and bowed at us before approaching me. "So, can you afford my talent fee?" he asked teasingly.

I gulped. Shakingly, I answered, "N-No. You were so good."

He laughed and thanked us.

The night continued with more singing, laughing, and quarrels between Kyle and Allison. At the end, we finished the karaoke and bid goodnight to each other before parting ways. Except for Ronnie since we're both taking the train.

The train had quite a few passengers since it was kinda late already. The both of us managed to get a seat. "So…" I initiated, "You've been a singer since childhood, correct?" He nodded, "I was in the choir at our local church back then. My parents are very religious people."

"Hmm, sounds fun," I replied. He giggled cutely, "Not really, to be honest. But it was fulfilling though." The both of us paused before he asked me something, "You pursuing arts?" He asked. "Yeah. I've been doing art since I was a kid. I mean, it became my bread and butter once. It kinda saved my life, you know? Why ask?"

"Saw your face back on that game at Stardelle's booth. You were so serious and determined. I kinda felt your sadness when you didn't win. I kinda rooted for you in someway, honestly."

"Wow, who knew you had empathy." I received a slap on the shoulder.

"How about you?" He let out a 'hmm,' "Do you pursue art? Specifically fine arts? You also looked serious at that contest, you know?" Honestly, he looked like he was struggling. "I want to be good in arts. It's a thing that I've always wanted to achieve. The ability to show your feelings via colors on a canvas. Isn't that wonderful?"

I nodded, "Indeed." The train arrived at the station where Ronnie gets off. "Guess I'm going. Bye dork face." I waved goodbye before he left. I watched the doors slid towards each other to close. The train moved once again.

RONNIE'S POV

I'm often asked that question. "Why pursue art than focus on singing?" So many people have asked that yet I only answer one thing. The answer I said to Jeiro.

I stepped down the train station and a familiar building greeted me. It was old and was now covered in moss. It is no longer being used but it looked magnificent to me. This place is where I learned my first lessons, danced my first steps, sang my first melody, and met my inspiration. This is my Elementary school.

I glanced over the sidewalk at the other side of the road. When will I meet you again? I looked up, towards the moon. I can now feel what it feels to be you, kitty.

I pulled out my phone and browsed my gallery. In full screen, I viewed the work of art that sparked my passion for it. A painting made by a kid full of hope and colors in his eyes.

A painting of a cat, looking at the full moon.