Chapter 3

Mistoffelees leaned against a 2" by 4" board, with his chest heaving. Pouncival had given him a black eye earlier and Admetus clawed him some more before they both left him alone. Unfortunately, for Mr. Mistoffelees, it's going to be a full jellicle moon for 2 nights instead of 1. 

There will definitely be lots of times for dancing, getting bullied and for Macavity to show up unexpectedly. 

Mistoffelees put his paw up to his bleeding, muddy face and started healing it, making his face cute and charming again. After a few moments of using his magic, he heard someone approaching. Then he remembered that he was going to meet Victoria by the black pipe. The black pipe was only a short distance from him.

 Now She's in earshot thought Mistoffelees. 

I can't let her see me like this. I must cover my scent.

Mistoffelees let himself fall into a puddle of mud that was right next to him. With all of his strength, he dragged himself into the black pipe and leaned his back against the cold dark side of the pipe. Mistoffelees tucked his legs in and slowed his breathing, fearing that Victoria was going to find him. Mistoffelees could feel his heart pounding, like a road runner's feet hitting the ground. Now Victoria was just outside the mouth of the pipe. 

A few moments of silence passed and still Victoria waited for him. Then Mistoffelees could hear Victoria starting to cry. He just wanted to crawl out, hug her and tell her about Plato. 

But that would break her heart, thought Mistoffelees, knowing that Plato and Victoria were mates last year. 

Her heart belongs to me now. 

But I can't tell her now, not in the condition I'm in.

"Something wrong, Victoria?". 

Oh no, that bastard's here to screw up more things for me. 

"Oh no. Nothing's wrong, Plato," replied Victoria, wiping her tears away. 

"Are you sure? Because I heard you weeping over here and I came to see if you were okay" explained Plato. 

No, you came here to steal her from me, like a thief. 

"Well...."started Victoria, feeling a little uncomfortable telling Plato. 

"You can tell me, I won't be mad" pleaded Plato, moving closer to her. Victoria took a deep breath. 

"Me and Mr. Mistoffelees planned on spending the night together in my den, but he hasn't come yet," explained Victoria. 

We WERE going to.

"Really?" said Plato, sounding surprised. 

"I spoke to him earlier and he told me that he was off to his den for the night". 

Victoria looked at Plato with disbelief.

 "H-He wouldn't forget about me, would he?" asked Victoria, feeling that her heart just broke in two. 

Never. 

Plato put his left paw behind Victoria's head and let it rest on his chest. 

"Mr. Mistoffelees can be very unpredictable," said Plato, darkly. 

Another tear escaped Victoria's eye. 

"I guess I should go to my den," said Victoria, drifting away from Plato. 

"Can I walk you to your den?" offered Plato. 

"Thanks Plato, but once we get to my den, I don't want you sleeping with me because Jemima would be heartbroken, if you do," explained Victoria. 

"Actually, before the ball started, I wanted you as my mate again this year," said Plato. 

"But I thought you wanted to be with Jemima?". 

"No, I was just talking to her. I was going to come over to you, but Mr. Mistoffelees got to you first". 

 "Well you should have told me that earlier, because now my heart belongs to Mistoffelees" replied Victoria. 

Always.

"Do you think he would mind if he and I switched partners?" asked Plato. 

"Why are you asking me? You should take it up with him," said Victoria, crossly. 

"Why don't you ask him right now?". 

"Well..." said Plato, swallowing a lump of fear that was building up in his throat. 

"The sun is starting to come up and he might be asleep alrighty".

Victoria started walking towards her den, with Plato right behind her, like a lost puppy. Mistoffelees watched as Victoria's and Plato's legs disappeared from the mouth of the pipe. As soon as he thought it was clear, he poked his head out of the pipe and let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.

 After overhearing Plato and Victoria's conservation, Mistoffelees realized that Plato is going to force him to give up Victoria. 

I am worthy of having Victoria as my mate, thought Mistoffelees.

I just need Munkustrap to help me out. 

Mistoffelees slowly closed his eyes, feeling the warm sunlight on his white fluffy chest as he drifted to sleep.