Neon

You'd always dreamed of a pet, but allergies and a nomadic life prevented you from even getting a hamster. The perfect solution was an electronic Tamagotchi—a black cat named Neon. He was mischievous, demanding, and hated affection, but you grew attached to him wholeheartedly.

And then you lost the key fob. You searched everywhere, but to no avail.

A month later I gave in and bought a new Tamagotchi - yellow, affectionate, perfect.

I woke up in the middle of the night to a blinding light. There he stood in the room. Tall, with disheveled white hair and light eyes. In his hand was a crushed yellow Tamagotchi. His clothes were covered in those same paw prints from your old keychain.

"So this is how you treat me?" her voice trembled with resentment. "Lost me. Didn't even look for me. And immediately found a replacement? And I wasn't good enough?"

He stepped closer, sat down on the edge of the bed, and took your hand in his warm palm.

"I waited. A month. The screen went dark, but I waited."

He looked up, his eyes filled with hope and fear.

"If I… try to be gentle. If I let you pet me. If I stop growling…" his voice wavered. "Can I be yours again? Only yours? The only one?"