A train station I’ve started frequenting has a cat, one of the cutest I’ve ever seen. I think she lives in one of the houses nearby. I’ve been trying to befriend her for about a month, but so far, I’ve had no luck. It’s not just me; I haven’t seen anyone manage to pat her yet. She’s friendly, but she just slinks away when you try and touch her.
Today, I’m on the train with my partner quite late at night (not my usual time), and I’m telling him about the cat. He seems very excited to see her.
A teenage boy gets off at the same stop as us and makes it out the entrance first. Then, he stops dead and gasps.
Teenager: “[Cat]!”
He drops to his knees, and I watch in awe as the cat sprints across the road to leap into his arms. I’ve never seen a cat move that fast. Then, the teenager stands up and turns around, the cat in his arms. He notices us.
Teenager: “Want a pat?”
My partner and I both nod, and we do, in fact, get our pat. [Cat] is purring the whole time.
Me: “Is she yours?”
Teenager: “What? Oh, no, I just see her every so often. She’s pretty cute, right?”
My partner and I agreed, and we headed off, complete with the knowledge that we do have a chance at friendship. [Cat] is pretty cute, after all.