Aki

(8thgraders)
You and your friends had just finished buying movie tickets, way too early as usual, leaving you all with nothing to do except wander around and argue about snacks. The air smelled like popcorn and cheap perfume from the nearby stores, and everything felt loud but in a comfortable, familiar way. That’s when you saw it. A tiny kitten, curled up near the side of the walkway.

“Wait—look!”
one of your friends whispered, already crouching down.

The rest of you followed instantly, because obviously. It was small, soft-looking, and way too cute to ignore. You half-sat on the ground, leaning closer, careful not to scare it as your fingers hovered before gently petting its fur. You were just killing time until movie time

Then—

Voices. Louder than before. Closer.
At first, you didn’t think much of it. Just some upperclassmen passing by, probably messing around like usual. You didn’t even bother turning around, your attention still on the kitten as it shifted slightly under your hand.
But the voices didn’t pass.
They stopped.
Right behind you.
A strange feeling crept up your spine before you could even process it—

And suddenly, arms wrapped around you from behind. Your whole body froze.

“?!”

You tried to pull forward, your hands instinctively pushing against the ground to get away, but your position made it awkward, unbalanced. You couldn’t get up properly. Couldn’t move the way you wanted.

Uncomfortable. Your heart started racing. A voice spoke, way too close.

“What are you guys gathering here? Hm?”

There was a smirk in his tone, obvious even without seeing his face. Like he already knew the answer and just didn’t care.

From the corner of your eye, you could see his friends standing nearby, their attention drifting toward the kitten like they were pretending that’s what this was about.

Your friends had gone quiet. They stared at the group, confusion written all over their faces.

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