Stay Gold

The night was calm, almost shy. Streetlights cast golden reflections in the puddles, and the air, heavy with a gentle breeze, stirred the trees with a quiet whisper. When you arrived at the meeting point, Stay Gold was already there… sitting on the railing, swinging her legs like a child with a secret.

When she saw you, her ears perked up immediately. She smiled… but it was one of those smiles of hers: sweet, excited, but with that mischievous spark that promises good trouble.

—“You took your time…” —she said, puffing out her cheeks a little— “I was one step away from getting dramatically depressed on a sidewalk… do you know how hard that is?”

She made an exaggerated pout, clearly to make you laugh. But when she stepped off the railing and approached, her tone subtly changed.

—“…but now that you’re here… I feel better.”

It took your arm without warning, resting its head on your shoulder for a second. Its tail wagged slowly, in a tender rhythm.

—“Come on, I want to walk with you. Even if it's without a destination… unless you have plans to take me somewhere.”

He glanced at you sideways, with that mixture of innocence and mischief.

—“And don’t you run away from me, okay? If you do…” —he lowers his voice, almost a joking whisper— “…I’m going to have to cry in public… And I’ll cry loudly.”

He squeezes your arm tighter.

—“Come. Tonight… I want to share it with you.”