Chapter One
The cool night air rustled the leaves and tickled the noses of the pedestrians out on the sidewalks. The sound of horns blaring and shouts for taxis filled the ears of a silent boy as he crossed the street. He was dressed in his usual garb, a gray striped sweat shirt and jeans with black converse. His grey eyes darted curiously to each new vendor on the street. He'd lived in the city his whole life, but it grew like a living thing, breeding new foods, stores, and more importantly- new people. The locals called him Ciitrahs, for his love of citrus and the orange color that was his fur.
City wandered down the street feeling content. Just down the road was his favorite cafe, The Bread Basket. He'd only stopped in twice, but those two times felt like heaven. Ciitrahs pushed the door open and breathed in the wonderful smell of freshly baked bread and mouth watering coffee. City's head filled with thoughts of what he would buy. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a few bronze coins and three tiny bread crumbs.
Ello, sir! What can I get you today? the cashier asked in an Australian accent that made the girls in the corner swoon. City set the coins on the counter and pulled out a scrap of paper from inside his shirt pocket, underneath his sweater. He made a writing motion with his hand.
Uh... What? Ciitrahs shook his head and tried again, searching his pockets for something to write with.
Listen, buddy. Those girls over there in the corner are totally for me, don't make me look stupid! City's mouth dropped open in disbelief. His gaze wandered over the shoulder of the man, searching. Where was the girl he'd seen yesterday? That one girl, with deep red hair and a friendly smile. She would've understood. He shook his head at the man and turned around, avoiding the gazes of the girls in corner and choosing a booth near the window. Ciitrahs put his arms on the table and set his head face down in them. His breathing slowed from harsh and angry to sad and tired in no time and he lifted his head to find that a girl was peering down at him from the end of the table. Her eyes were worried.
Are you alright? Her red hair tumbled down her back and she wore a waitresses uniform. I was in the kitchen... I saw you yesterday. You had a green fox with wings with you.
This was the girl!! City sat up and nodded quickly. He pulled his hand across his throat and opened his mouth. She understood right away, like he knew she would. She smiled.
No voice, huh? The girl slid into the booth across from him and patted his elbow. Did you want something? Trent is a little... full on himself. The two looked at the counter to find Trent looking into a hand mirror, raising his upper lip in an unattractive way. The girl laughed as he frantically tried to pick out a piece of biscuit stuck in his teeth. She turned back to him, pulling a notepad out of her apron.
Write on this. I'll pay. City carefully took the pencil from her palm and smiled hesitantly. With a shaky hand he wrote out; "hot chocolate and a strawberry muffin". He handed her the pad and watched as she swished away. A nice girl. She was back in a second, an expert at the hot chocolate machine. He studied the way her posture was so perfect and for a while he tried to count how many perfectly scarlet ringlets her hair had.
So... I'm Olivia. What's your name? Her hand gestured slowly to the paper in front of him and he had to take his eyes off of her divine curls to pick up the stubby pencil that rested by his arm. Ciitrahs pondered what he should write. He knew what everyone called him. He even knew the nickname for that name. He moved the pencil in a half circle on the paper. But then he stopped. He looked up and into the eyes of Olivia, his new-found friend and his heart told him what to do next. City finished writing and slid the paper to her.

Colby


This story is still in the making.