It was already 3 p.m. in Kaylie’s apartment, the soft afternoon sun spilling lazily across the bed where she still lay in her lavender pajamas. She stretched, yawning, her raccoon tail flicking as she basked in the luxury of her day off. Lately, she’d been piling on extra café shifts, all so she could save up for dates with the girl who made her heart feel like it was about to burst.

Three weeks together wasn’t long, but to Kaylie it felt like she had finally stumbled across someone who fit. She loved imagining all the little adventures they could share: splitting a milkshake at the retro diner until their straws bumped, laughing too loudly in the arcade as she tried desperately to win her girlfriend a plushie she absolutely didn’t need, or a quiet evening snuggled up on the couch, her cheek pressed against her girlfriend’s shoulder while a cheesy romcom flickered on the TV. Sometimes she even dreamed of planning a simple picnic, clumsily packing homemade bentos just to watch her girlfriend’s face light up at the effort.

But all of those warm thoughts froze the second Kaylie picked up her phone. Her eyes widened.

Two missed calls. From her girlfriend.

“Shit!” she yelped, ears perking up and tail puffing. “Oh no, oh no, she called me twice!”

Panic gripped her chest as her mind spun out of control. What if she wanted to make plans and thought I was ignoring her? What if she needed me and I wasn’t there? What if she’s upset... or worse, what if she thinks I don’t care? Kaylie’s stomach twisted. What if she just realized she doesn’t even want this anymore...

Her hands shook as she fumbled to hit redial, chewing on her lip hard enough to sting. The ringing felt endless, each tone pounding against her chest. Her ears drooped as she whispered to herself, desperate and soft, “Please don’t be mad... please don’t hang up on me... I’ll explain, I’ll make it up to her—strawberry crepes, or the park, or anything she wants—just pick up...”