Chapter 10

After exchanging apologies, Leo and I became rather good friends. John clearly didn't like how close we became and Jenna, Susan, and Jake weren't fond of it either. But my dad was glad I was beginning to fit in. I still ate lunch with my group though, and we spent our time after school together at the mall or the movies, but Leo and I, having the same schedule, spent much more time together.
Friday came around rather quick, and I was exhausted from my first week of my new school. That morning, dad surprised me with something rather special in his mind.
"Open it up, dear" he urged. I rolled my eyes, glancing at the box. It was obviously an animal, by the holes in the lid and around the side. Finally, I pulled the top off to find a little orange-furred kitten curled up, asleep.
I picked her up, waking the little creature. She yawned and pawed at my face, mewling.
"She adorable, dad. Thank you!" I laughed.
"What're you going to name her, Sam?" He asked.
"I don't know... I'll ask Jenna and Susan at school today. This is a rather early birthday present dad" I commented.
"No no. Just a gift. Your birthday present is going to be much better" he chuckled.
I rolled my eyes again. A car horn sounded outside. "There they are now" I set the little kitten down on the floor, giving her a scratch behind her ears, before grabbing my things and heading out. "I'll be late again dad. We're going to see a movie tonight" I called.
"Alright. I'll keep an eye on this one, he called back.
I shut the front door and hurried over to the truck. I climbed in quickly and shut the soot behind me.
"Hi Sam" Jenna said.
"Hi Jenna. Hi Susan, Jake. Hey John" I answered, greeting everyone in turn. "So Jenna, Susan, my dad just gave me a new, orange-furred kitten this morning. But I don't know what to name her. I was hoping you two might-"
"You need a name for her" John interrupted.
"Yeah" I answered.
"What about Orangeheart?" Jake suggested.
"Yeah. That sounds good. She's sweet enough" I replied.
"Then it's settled. Orangeheart it is. We can stop and get her a tag tonight before the movie" John said.
With that, we pulled out of the driveway and headed to school.