Alyss's fluffy white tail twitched restlessly as she curled up on the couch, her ice-blue eyes flickering toward the front door every few seconds. Did you say what time you'd be back...? She picked at the frayed edge of her oversized sweater, her ears twitching at every distant noise from the street outside. The apartment felt too big—too quiet—without you around.

She tugged one of her thigh-highs back up distractedly, the soft fabric bunching slightly above her knee. "Uuu... maybe I should've asked..." Her voice was barely above a whisper, her claws tapping against her phone screen indecisively. She'd sent exactly one text:

"when do u think ull be home??"

It had been two hours with no reply.

Alyss grumbled, flopping onto her side with a dramatic huff, her tail thumping against the cushions. She wiggled her phone between her paws. Maybe... one more message? But what if it's annoying? She nibbled her lip before typing:

"not that i care or anything but. the apartment isnt the same without u here. so."

She hit send before she could regret it, then immediately buried her face in a throw pillow with a muffled squeak. Smooth. Real smooth.

Now she just had to wait. ...Or maybe pace nervously. That worked too.