The Kads Meow

     Visiting Neopia Central now seemed harder than it used to. It was always busy but now it seemed packed. There were Neopians of all shapes, sizes, and ages, running around and trying to find the best deals. Things have gotten easier in the Neopoint department for a lot of people recently. It was great to see so many people able to try things they hadn't before. That's why today felt lucky.

     Kisa had recently been able to save the most Neopoints in her Neopian life! That was SO cool. That meant, for the first time, Kisa would get to try to do something she never thought was possible. It was always too expensive or Kisa was too slow, which made it hard to keep a dream alive—a dream of helping as many Kadoaties in the Kadoatery as she could manage.

     The last time that Kisa visited Neopia, she had tried to help out, but just like she thought, there were too many volunteers and too high of prices for items that the Kads would have liked. It was disappointing, but not totally unexpected. She'd try again next time.

     Now, as Kisa made her way into the plaza, just like she expected there were so many Neopians! Kisa politely nodded and excused her way through the crowd as she headed towards the Kadoatery. When she finally made it, it was rather surprising, but the line wasn't terrible! Maybe this time she'd get lucky.

     Kisa ran up to the windows and looked inside. She excitedly looked at each of the kennels that the Kads were in, each one of the Kads mewing and playing quietly. Kisa's lips pressed together, slightly bummed that her opportunity seemed to be gone. She sighed with quiet disappointment but decided to keep her spot in line.

     "What time is it!?" A Neopian shouted in the direction of the Kadoatery. "0:11!" shouted someone behind Kisa in line. Kisa looked around at the people around her and behind her in line, trying to see what the yelling was about. "Yay! I made it!" the Neopian thanked the other for the time update and got into the line, excitedly. "What was that about?" Kisa asked no one in particular. "They won't take new volunteers until 0:15." the person in front of her said quietly. Kisa's eyes opened, she'd made it in time to hopefully help out! She could have squalled with how happy she was!

     The next 4 minutes seemed to pass slower than a Slorg trying to run a marathon. Then, everyone seemed to get riled up, they were ready! The doors were going to open and then when 0:15 hit....nothing.

     The doors didn't open, and the bell didn't ring. The Kads didn't need anything yet. People started to seem to get impatient. Minute after minute went by and even though Kisa was determined, it felt like it wasn't going to happen. She waited and waited, shifting back and forth to try and make the time go faster. She thought about all the things that Kads could need...Snacks, toys, something to cuddle with. All things that Kisa would love to get for them if they needed it! And that's when it happened…

     The door swung open and a friendly shopkeeper stepped out with a big smile. "Are there any volunteers to help with the Kads?" She excitedly bellowed towards the crowd. People in line cheered, ready to get inside and play with the Kadoaties. Kisa, quickly followed behind the group, hoping to get a good look at all of the Kads. The crowd was loud and there were tall people around so Kisa tried her best to see all the Kads and the things they needed.

     Kisa started to get nervous that she would find a Kad needing something from her. She kept looking and looking but so many of the Kads had already been picked by other Neopians. Kisa started to feel the pressure to find a Kad, she had to hurry or she'd miss her chance again! She desperately didn't want that to happen!

     There was almost a moment when Kisa gave up...but then she saw them. They seemed excited, looking around at all the Neopians filling up the Kadoatery. It was the sweetest looking, little White Kad. Above their kennel, in big letters, it said 'Max'. Kisa smiled as she approached the kennel and Max saw her for the first time. "Hi...Max?" Kisa looked at the sign and back down at Max. Max mewed happily, confirming Kisa's question. Kisa giggled, bending down so she could see Max better. "Can I help get you anything?" Kisa asked. Max let out a big mew and happily made a circle before rubbing their head against the door of the kennel.

     Kisa understood immediately. She knew that Max needed something, and she would be the one to do it! "What would you like, Max? What can I help get?" Max purred in acknowledgement before looking up at the sign below his name. 'Fresh Lemint Juice' is what the sign read. Kisa stood up immediately, gave a quick salute and then headed out of the doors of the Kadoatery, and back into the Plaza.

     Kisa looked around, trying to figure out where she could find Fresh Lemint Juice. There was no time to go into every shop, she had to make her best guess and hope she was right! Juice... Juice would need to come from a shop that sold food so that narrowed her options down significantly. The closest place to the Kadoatery was Pizzaroo. Kisa knew she had to try there first.

     Kisa quickly ran into Pizzaroo and up to the order counter. "Hello, Welcome to Pizzaroo! Can we get you a pizza?!" The Blumaroo behind the counter excitedly shouted. "Fr...Fresh.." Kisa panted, the run really catching up to her, "Fresh Lemint Juice! Do you have it?" Kisa looked at the Blumaroo with hopeful eyes. "Mmm, don't think so! But we do have PIZZA!" The Blumaroo offered, happily. "I'm sorry," Kisa said "I only need a Fresh Lemint Juice right now. I'll come back for a pizza later." Kisa turned and started to head for the door of the pizza shop. The bell on the door rang as she opened the door to leave.

     "Wait up! Did you say you were looking for Fresh Lemint Juice?" A friendly Neopian walked up to Kisa, looking at her expectantly. "Yeah, I need one for a Kadoatie that I just met, their name is Max. I'm sorry, but I have to go I really do need to find this Fresh Lemint Juice before it's too late!" Kisa turned to leave and the Neopian stopped her. "Wait, I have one of those! If you need it, it's in my shop. Would you pay 864 Neopoints for it?" Kisa turned around quickly and excitedly nodded. "Yes! Yes absolutely! Here..." Kisa struggled to get her Neopoints out of her pocket and ended up pulling out more than she meant to, causing the extra to fall to the ground. "Oops...Here are your 864 Neopoints!" The Neopian smiled and handed over the Fresh Lemint Juice to Kisa, who ran away as soon as it touched her fingertips. "THANK YOU!" Kisa hollered behind her as she ran towards the Kadoatery.

     Kisa rushed in, squeezing her way past the other Neopians bringing back items for the other Kads. Kisa found Max pretty quickly. Max mewed with happiness as they realized Kisa was back. Kisa knelt down and smiled at Max. "Here, I found you a Fresh Lemint Juice. Is this what you need?" Kisa passed the item over to Max, expectantly. Max sniffed the Fresh Lemint Juice and thought about it for a moment before turning back to Kisa. Max sat down in front of her, very serious. Kisa got nervous. Did she pick up the wrong item? What about it was wrong? She was certain it was a Fresh Lemint Juice that Max needed. The silence between Max and Kisa only lasted a moment but that moment felt like forever to Kisa. Finally, Max jumped happily. Max mewed and purred with such excitement that Kisa knew she had done it! Max happily spun in circles and Kisa did a happy dance.

     "I'm so glad you like it!" Kisa told Max. Max definitely understood and mewed in thanks one more time before going and enjoying his Fresh Lemint Juice. Kisa looked up at the clock, it was nearly 0:47 now. The Kads needed time to relax. Kisa grabbed her bag and headed for the door to the Plaza, but not before taking one last look at Max. Max was looking at her too, mewing happily and raising their paw to say goodbye.

     "That was awesome," Kisa whispered to herself, smiling, as she adjusted her bag on her shoulder. "I'm definitely going to try again next time." Kisa confidently headed towards the main shops. A snack was in order and a treat well deserved. She had something to celebrate, the first of many happy Kads and a big dream realized.

     No matter how hard something seemed to be to you before, it is always worth the chance to try again. You may have just needed to do some growing and some changing. Through that growing and changing, it's always possible that things can get easier. You are capable and you are worth it! Keep trying the things you didn't think you would ever be able to do. You may end up surprising yourself with how capable you really are!

     The End.