Love & Whiskers (Being Neighborly)

((Y/N)'s POV) Age: 6

Today was the first day of summer vacation and my mom got a remote job, so she has a lot more free time and will work at home or go out somewhere to work. I got out of the shower and felt so excited to go out and play with Spike or something. There wasn't a school nearby or other kids here, but I loved playing with my pets. It was my first summer here since we just moved 2 months ago and school was so hard with home and tests that I could not play a lot of video games or with my toys or pets a lot. Now, I get to really relax and play all summer long! When I got dressed I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled.

(Y/N)'s mind-Finally, no more homework, projects, tests, or unpacking to keep me inside. Let's get this summer started!

I wanted to dress like this because a few days ago was one of those unofficial picture days by my mom and after she got me ice cream for looking cute, so maybe if I wear this, I can get an extra ice cream sundae.

(No POV)

In the kitchen, a big sandwich was being made by someone and when they walked around the sandwich to admire their creation, they licked their lips a little.

They took the sandwich by the plate it was on and tried to take it back to their hole in the living room, but came face to face with a cat peering up from the counter to glare at him.

Jerry smiled a little to seem innocent, but suddenly grab the plate to slip it out from under the sandwich to hit Tom with it.

*SMASH*

*Shatter*

Jerry took the sandwich and ran, so Tom gave chase around the house until Jerry made it back to his hole. Tom slid down and reached in to quickly grab Jerry. With a feeling in his hand, a smile curved onto his face and he pulled out thinking he had Jerry, but instead... he had TNT.

*BOOM*

His face was burnt and covered in gunpowder until he shook it off and looked mad. He thought of a plan to finally capture Jerry as (Y/N) walked into the living room to see what caused the noise.

((Y/N)'s POV)

I saw that Tom failed to capture the mouse I named Jerry when we moved in. My mom always wants him to capture Jerry, but Jerry is so clever. They get along sometimes too, but most of the time he tried to eat or hurt Jerry... I sneak him some cheese when he doesn't deserve to get hurt. I went outside to go play with Spike and Tyke and I know Spike loves to play fetch. I got his favorite ball, but when I got outside, I saw my mom relaxing out here, so I had to be careful.

Mom saw me come outside and I looked for Spike and Tyke, but they weren't here. Things changed when we heard something and Tom came flying out of the house with a hammer in his mouth.

Mom-Thomas!

He spat out the hammer and hid it behind his back while he smiled. My mom got up and walked over to him and he stayed put.

Mom-I already have Spike and Tyke at the vet for their check-ups, so I don't need you going in too and having to repair another window! All just for that little mouse!

He looked scared and I hated it when Mom got angry at our pets or even Jerry, but I know he can't destroy the house either.

Mom-You are going to stay out here today and away from that mouse! I'll do your job for you!

(Y/N)-Mom,... are we still going out tonight? Maybe just listen to music out here to calm down until then. I can even help you with your garden until Spike comes back from the vet.

She could tell that I was scared and she knows I hate it when people yell or get angry. She took a little breath and looked at Thomas.

Mom-Stay out of the house for the day... Some work on the garden does sound nice with some music. As for you (Y/N), just go play in the front yard and 'no' playing with the mouse again.

(Y/N)-Actually... I named him Jerry.

Mom-... Go play in the front yard.

(Tom's POV)

I went to the front yard with (Y/N) since I was stuck out here. I stuck my tongue at my owner and she threw a shoe at me. I shook the print it made off my face before I looked for a shady place out front. It was so hot out here, I don't know how people can stand this. Now (Y/N) was playing by himself and running around without a care in the world and it was still 9 in the morning.

Tom's mind-There's gotta be a way to cool down without getting wet out here.

I looked around, but the shade out here was gonna get hot too, but then I looked across the street and saw Toodles on her chair by her window with a nice cup of lemonade.

Coolhouse, hot cat, and lemonade date equals I WANT IN!!! I did a quick check on my looks to see if I was good to go, but I smelled like dirt and a show. I just gotta sneak in really fast to get ready for a day with Toodles.

(Toodles's POV)

I was looking at a magazine with the A/C on and sipping on some lemonade, but despite beating the heat, today was dreadful. This magazine had cute kittens in it, my show had mothers and their children in it, and here I am constantly fighting off idiot cats that I give chances to date me, but they blow them.

Toodles's mind-Is it so much to ask to find a good boyfriend and future husband to have a family and settle down? At least a kitten to adopt would be enough.

Sadly, I don't have that kind of money to adopt and then care for them right away, so what would be the point?

Toodles-*Sigh*.

???-*Giggles* *muffled*!

I looked out the window and I saw Tom's owner's house, but there was a kid in front of it playing with a balloon he was keeping in the air.

Toodles's mind-Tom's owner has a kid? Or is he just visiting?... No new cars out front... Is that her kid?

I looked back at my magazine one last time before I watched him play in the front yard some more. I just wonder if he was one of those cute human kids and then they turn into a troublemaker. Just then, I saw Tom come out and had a pep in his step while he looked at my house. I rolled my eyes and planned to turn him away at the door since I want the day to myself.

Toodles's mind-You and Butch are both the same. Romantic one moment, but in a very short time, you blow it one way or the other.

I watched him get suddenly pulled into a hug by the kid and looked like he wanted to play with Tom. I saw the look in his eyes from here... Sweet, innocent, and playful. What happened next was Tom tried to refuse until the kid got a laser pointer. He didn't lead Tom into anything to get him hurt, but simply had him run around until Tom blew him off to come see me. This made the kid a little sad at first before he got another toy to play with. I failed to notice when Tom came to my door because I was watching the kid trying to play by himself, but quickly got bored of everything.

*Knock*

*Knock*

*Knock*

This would be a good chance to ask about this kid I don't know about. I went to answer my door and saw this cheap scape took roses from my garden to offer them to me. I rolled my eyes at this and stepped aside a little to see the boy again.

Toodles-Hey Tommy, who's that boy over there? Is it your owner's son?

He looked confused that I ignored his offer, but nodded his head to tell me yes. I guess the only example is that school and just moving in kept him inside. I started to notice that he did look a little cute and Tommy does want to come in... I think it's worth it.

Toodles-Mind if I meet him, Tommy? If you get him to come over, I'll let you come in for some lemonade... Maybe even a peek on the cheek.

He looked like he just won the jackpot and dashed off to his house and I closed my door. No way was he getting a peek on the cheek after the way he and Butch acted the last time I was with them. He's lucky to get lemonade from me.

((Y/N)'s POV)

I kept on trying to play out here because there was nothing really fun to do inside because it was going to get hot in there and I think Mom was trying to get rid of Jerry herself. Right now, Tom was begging me for something and I thought it was to play with him, but then he pointed at the house across the street.

(Y/N)-I can't leave the house with Mom knowing. Is someone over there or did you lose a toy?

He only got on his knees and begged while looking sad... I guess going across the street wasn't so bad. I tried to tell my Mom, but when I asked her, she only screamed because she saw Jerry run around.

Mom-AAAHHHHHH!!! THOMAS!!!

(Y/N)-I thought you kicked him out of the house for the day.

Mom-THE MOUSE GRAZED MY FOOT!!! GET HIM IN HERE!!!

Tom ran in and I guess since she knows where I am going, I just went across the street while Tom ran inside. I heard smashing in the house before Tom and Jerry ran out here. I watched Jerry run over to my game of metal spikes and a red ball and tossed everything out of the bag to make Tom step on the metal pieces.

Tom-Oh, ho ho, hohohohoooo!

He fell to the ground and Jerry got my mallet for critique my auntie taught me to smash Tom's tail.

Tom-AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

I saw him do worse, but I got in the middle of them and tried to stop them, but Jerry ran and Tom chased after him. I couldn't stop them, but thankfully Jerry went into his hole from out here. I like the days they get along better. I made my way back across the street and knocked on the door and a girl cat opened the door with lemonade.

She smiled when she saw me and gave me one of the cups of lemonade.

???-Well, hello there. My name is Toodles. Tommy told me about you. ~

(Y/N)-Oh, you talk too... My name is (Y/N)... Is there anyone else here?

Toddles-Nope, just me. I own this house. Come on in.

(Y/N)-Oh.

I was confused on how a cat owned a house, but I came in to see why Tom wanted to have me come over. We sat in the living room and it felt really cool in here with the A/C on.

Toddles-I knew someone moved in across the street, but I never saw you before.

(Y/N)-Oh, I had lots of school stuff and during the move, Mom picked up more hours to help her before she got her remote job. I stayed at school a lot for homework and still did projects at home.

Toddles-You must've been busy. I'm sure Tom always causing trouble must also be hard.

(Y/N)-Well... It's Jerry that makes him do things a lot and sometimes he is lazy when he wasn't making fun of our dog Spike.

Toddles-That sounds like Tommy... Where is he anyway?

(Y/N)-Trying to catch Jerry... I hate it when they fight.

Toddles-Do you?

I told her how I hate animals and others getting hurt and angry, so I sneak Jerry some cheese sometimes to keep him calm... I can't always do it and I can't blame him for being hungry. I told her a few stories before we moved and she laughed at some of it, but when I got to here, I told her about a black cat I named I named Slobs.

Toddles-*Giggles* Hahahaha!

(Y/N)-What?

Toddles-You just described a cat named Butch... I do know him and he might as well be called "Slobs"... Alley cat is no better than Tom, maybe worse sometimes.

(Y/N)-... I think he can change if he had a good home... I'm just not allowed to bring every animal home. I do like to help them when I can.

Toddles-Awwwww, where was my neighbor hiding this cute little sweetheart? ~

She scratched under my chin a little and I felt my face burn up a little, but I wanted to make something clear. I pushed her finger back down and got a little mad.

(Y/N)-I am not cute!... I am handsome, but if you want to see cute, look in a mirror.

(Toddles's POV)

I laughed at him being a little pouty, but still calling himself 'handsome', and me 'cute'... He is just the cutest thing ever... Actually, Cute, sweet, gentlemanly, smart, and fun to tease. He's everything I wanted in a kitten of my own. I asked if he could pet me while he was still blushing and he knows how to get behind your ear just right.

Toodles-*Puuuuuurrrrrr* Can I adopt you? ~

(Y/N)-What?

Toodles-What?

Just then there was a knock on the door and when I got up to open the door, I saw Tom and he fell down face first onto my floor. I figured he had enough and he introduced me to this cute little sweetheart.

Toddles-Oh Tommy, I lied at first about the peek on the cheek, but you more than earned it for introducing me to this little guy! ~

I gave him a peek on his cheek as promised and put his lemonade outside with him before I closed the door. I wanted more alone time with (Y/N). He asked to hold me and it felt great to be picked up and cuddled, but he couldn't do it for long, so we cuddled on the couch. He wanted to go home... until I turned on a cartoon for him and got more lemonade after I told him how hot it was outside. This only worked for one episode before there was a knock on the door again. I answered it and it was Tom's owner from across the street. I think her name is (M/N).

(M/N)-Awww, well aren't you cute? ~... (Y/N), time to come home. Tom is going to clean while we go out for some lunch.

(Y/N)-Oh, oh, oh! I wanna go to that Italian restaurant! I love their spaghetti!

My heart sank as she swooped in and ruined this moment in the blink of an eye. She walked away before I could say something and I tried to get (Y/N) to stay, but he surprised pet me which made me purr for him again.

(Y/N)-I had a good time over here! We can play games sometimes and I have all summer to do it whenever we like! I'm right across the street too and you'll Spike as long as you don't bother him, but you are a good girl!... Bye! ~

He left and I watched him run to his mother and get into the car while I reached out to him a little. When they drove away and he waved at me as they passed by... my claws came out. I felt so angry that I found the 'kitten' of my dreams and she took him from me while I was enjoying myself. I know in reality, (Y/N) is her son, but...

Toodles's mind-I hate you... THE PERFECT SWEETHEART FOR A KITTEN SHOULD BE MINE!!! MINE!!!

Toodles-*Grunt*.

Just then, Butch hopped onto my porch from the bushes and I was not in the mood for any of his games or anyone else for that matter.

Thanks to that harlot, I was in a bad mood now. I'm sure a soothing bath won't do much, but it's something.

Butch-Heya toots. I was just strolling on by and thought we could bury the-.

*SLAM*

I saw when I slammed the door the door got his toes and face which made him pull out.

Butch-YYOOWWW!!!

I heard his toes pop out from under my door while I got a bath ready for me, but for the whole bath, I only thought of one thing...

Toodles's mind-I was having a nice time before you came by Streetwalker... Next time, I'm making sure he doesn't hear the knock on the door... We could be playing games he wanted by now if that's what it took to make him stay.