I Unintentionally Became Her Kitten

Chapter 125: Slumber Party

Alisha came down to check on us at one point. I had gotten settled on the couch with Sophia and was flicking through the cable channels mindlessly. Alisha didn't seem to have any streaming services and the cable was a very basic package.

“How is everything down here?” she asked. 

“We were just looking for something to watch,” I explained.

“Hm,” she agreed quietly. “Want some wine?”

I nodded, accepting mainly so Sophia would feel comfortable also accepting but Alisha didn’t even ask her, just disappeared for a few minutes and came back with a bottle of red and three glasses.

Then she sat herself down on the floor, folding her legs beneath her comfortably and leaning back against the couch next to me.

“Do you have any streaming services, Alisha?” I asked. “I wouldn’t mind watching a movie.”

“I didn’t really have much use for them,” Alisha informed. “So… no. But there should be a glamazon account if you want to rent one.”

“Hmm,” I considered and let Sophia decide what movie we watched. She chose a rom com and got settled with her glass of wine while I wondered about popcorn and realized we didn’t have popcorn, but instead I announced I’d make some cookies and hurried off to put them in the oven before settling in to watch the opening.

Alisha stayed on the floor, legs folded neatly beneath her as the movie played. She didn’t commentate or anything like that, just watched in silence.

After a while, when the smell of matcha and butter had drifted in, Sophia shifted nervously.

“Do you care if I go out for a smoke?” she asked.

“Huh?” I questioned.

“Weed,” she clarified.

I felt my shoulders relax a little. I’d had a sudden fear Sophia had gotten addicted to cigarettes but weed was less habit-forming.

“I didn’t know you did weed,” I told her.

She shrugged. “I’m surprised you haven’t.”

I felt embarrassed at how sheltered I’d kept myself in college and high school.

“Is it cool though?” she asked. “I don’t need to get high if it would make you uncomfortable.”

I glanced at Alisha, whose house it was, but she gave an indifferent nod.

“It’s fine,” I agreed.

With that Sophia stood and I went to check on the cookies briefly before coming back to sit next to Alisha.

She was staring intently at her wine.

“What’s up?” I asked.

She shook her head. “Nothing,” she informed. “Just thoughts.”

“Is it okay for Sophia to do weed on your property?” I asked.

“The trace amounts wouldn’t be any issue,” she said. “I’m just wondering where she got it.”

“Right,” I agreed. “She’d probably use a legal dispensary.”

Alisha nodded.

“Have you ever done any drugs?” I asked. “Beyond alcohol, I mean.”

“No, not really. I tried weed once but I didn’t like it. Everything else I don’t trust.”

We sat in the quiet until Sophia returned, stepping up onto the couch before getting settled back down on it. The smell that came off her was familiarly skunky and I wrinkled my nose but said nothing.

The movie resumed for a few minutes until the timer went off and I slid out to get the cookies and distributed them on small plates.

Finally everyone got settled with cookies and wine and in Sophia’s case weed.

It was a sweet movie, ending with a happily ever after despite some absurdity. It had a very standard romcom plot, the lovers broke up, got back together, etc.

Alisha leaned her head against the couch directly beneath my thigh and quietly reached up so I could hold a couple of her fingers soothingly. I didn’t think she was anxious because of the movie, but probably from the stillness.

Sophia yawned as the credits rolled. Her eyes were still a little puffy, but she was calm now.

Alisha stood to leave the room, collecting wine glasses and plates silently when Sophia said, “Alisha,” in an anxious tone.

“Mm?” Alisha acknowledged.

“Thanks for letting me sleep here. I’ll be out of your hair tomorrow,” she explained.

“It’s not a problem,” Alisha told her.

“Well I know your work can be sensitive,” Sophia mentioned. She pulled her feet in closer with some nervous energy.

Alisha didn’t blink, only straightened her body with the last of our dishes in hand. “I don’t conduct business in the house,” she stated calmly and left the room.

I saw the curve of her shoulders though, a little too tight to be completely unphased. With a deep breath I looked over at Sophia.

“Are you worried?” I asked.

“... a little,” she admitted. “Not more than I am for your safety. I know… she’s been nothing but kind to me but we both know how Mom and Dad look to people outside. I can’t know how she treats you behind closed doors.”

I felt my face heat a little and looked away, trying not to let it show much. “I promise she’s only kinder in private,” I reassured. “But I wouldn’t poke her about stuff. Even if she doesn't show it, it’s a little…” I trailed off, trying to find a suitable word but ‘mean,’ ‘rude,’ and ‘inconsiderate,’ didn’t quite fit.

Sophia nodded in understanding though. “Does she know the drug scene of the city well?”

“...in what sense?” I asked hesitantly.

She pulled a ziploc bag of weed out of her pocket. “I need more and I want the cheapest stuff I can find.”

“Uh– well,” I said. “I have no idea. She probably knows who to ask though. But why not buy legally?” I asked.

“Do you have any idea how expensive dispensaries are?” she countered.

“Is it that different?” I asked.

She nodded. “It’s a solid thirty percent more expensive.”

“Huh,” I said as filler.

Alisha came back, gazing at me expectantly.

I got up, “I should go to bed,” I told Sophia, “but don’t be afraid to ask for anything.”

Sophia nodded and scooted down on the couch cushions to get more comfortable, getting ready for bed herself.

“Good night,” she wished us.

“Good night,” I agreed and slid out of the room with Alisha.