Apology Gifts

Sitting at the table in the kitchen, Dakota yawned. She knew about classes but after what happened her teachers allowed her a day off to get back on her feet which she did not plan to waste. Lifting her glass of milk to her lips, she drank slowly. Still half asleep, Dakota was worried about spilling the milk all over herself so she moved slowly this morning.

Dean meowed at the girl. He must have finished eating. Dakota lifted him into her lap. The kitten sniffed at her glass so she dipped her finger into the milk then let Dean lick off the milk. She did the a few times, smiling happily at her baby boy. She felt like a mother around him and he seemed to love her like one. Dakota thought the cat was the perfect gift to herself. She was no longer lonely in her dorm room. She actually would rush back to her room just to see him between classes. Since Dakota did not have much but clothes, there were not many places for Dean to hide. The girl wanted him as comfortable as possible so today the cat choose to go to town for her day off.

After a hot shower to wake herself up, Dakota pulled on her normal jeans and shirt. With the girl's hair still damp from the shower, she decided to just leave it down. That's when she realized no one has seen her with her hair down. She wondered how everyone would react but then she remembered they would be in class so she would not have to worry. Rubbing her favorite kitten, Dakota slipped her wallet into her pocket and headed for town.

Dakota was just about to walk out the doors of the school when someone called out her name. Lifting her ears and turning around, the cat spotted her friend Kendra walking over to her. Dakota smiled and waited for the girl to catch up to her.

“Hey. Where are you going?”

“To town. I want to pick Dean up some stuff.”

“Sounds like fun. Can I come?”

“But don't you have class?”

“No. I only had one this morning.”

Enjoying her company, Dakota agreed and together the girls made their way into town. Kendra asked how Dakota was doing. The cat explained she was still shook up but felt better. A good night sleep really helped her relax. Kendra was happy to hear it. Dakota then explained she wished she could pay everyone back for the kindness with some type of gift. Kendra found the idea to be a neat idea. She said she would help Dakota out.

After buying Dean little kitten boxes to hide in and a few toys, the girls headed around town. Together they used what they knew about everyone to buy gifts. They bought food of different kinds, candies of many flavors, trinkets, flowers, and much more for those who helped the cat. Kendra helped pay for it but Dakota promised to buy her back the second she could. Kendra was not worried about it but Dakota still wouldn't let her friend pay for her stuff. So Kendra dropped it as they went to one last store to buy wrapping paper. After making sure they did not miss anyone or anything, they duo headed to Dakota's dorm.

The cat was worried someone would see and ask questions but they got lucky and everyone was still in class. Making it to the dorm without trouble, the girls set everything on floor. Before they could start, Dakota started setting up Dean's stuff everywhere. Kendra watched as Dean starting playing with one of the mice that Dakota had bought. Being a cat herself, Dakota knew what Dean would enjoy.

With nothing left to side track her, Dakota joined her friend and together then began to wrap and label all the gifts, stacking them nicely to the side till they were finished. The girls talked as they worked. Kendra was careful to keep the topics happy so Dakota would not feel horrible about herself anymore. Dakota was grateful for her friend's help and could not stop smiling as her tail swayed behind her back happily. And before long they finished. Dakota could not believe how quick they finished. She was sure it was going to take a whole lot longer.

Picking up the gifts, the girls made their way around the dorms. Dakota or Kendra placed gifts in front of the doors. Not able to face anyone just yet, Dakota knew they would get their gifts and with everyone getting their own, the cat was confident that no one would steal them from others. But the bell made the cat jump. Dakota was thankful the dorms were not part of the main building but she still did not want to take chances in being caught. The girls picked up their pace and had just made it to Dakota's dorm when people started to enter the building. Dean jumped out of hiding and attacked Dakota's shoe before running to hide again. Finding the kitten adorable both girls giggled at him.

“Thank you so much for your help.”

Kendra smiled, “Your welcome. I'm glad I could help.”

“And here is yours.” Dakota held up a box.

Smiling, Kendra picked up the small box and was surprised to see it was not much bigger than her hand. Dakota watched as her friend opened her gift to reveal a stuffed brown bat. Dakota hoped her friend find it cute and not offensive. Kendra hugged her cat friend and Dakota was happy to see it was a good gift. But Kendra could not figure out how Dakota knew she liked stuffed animals. The cat explained she had seen people in her home town give them as gifts to friends so she copied them. Kendra smiled and thanked her friend. Dakota felt a lot better seeing her friend so happy.

Kendra had class. Carrying her new toy, the girl said good-bye to Dakota then left for class. All day the cat sat at her door listening to everyone find their gifts and open them. The cat was glad she had spent so much time in the library learning about her friends and the others. Smiling, Dakota's tail moved around excitedly. She jumped when Dean pounced on her hand then ran to hide again. Even her baby boy was happy about his gifts.

Now that she has apologized to the school, the cat only had to learn how to control her new form. She was sure once she could control it, everything would be fine. She would not have to worry about hurting her friends or herself after that. With such happy thoughts, Dakota purred as she continued to listen to her friends talk about their new gifts from the feline.