Dear diary:
This happened on my birthday...when Rush took me out? Do you remember?...I do...


I blushed quietly. I knew I was blushing. My face was getting hot and I was feeling kinda shy, staring at this stupid cat whom had his paw out, awaiting my own. Normally I never feel like a stupid teenager, but Rush had a way of making me tremble in my own fur.

"But...I don't dance." I muttered quietly over the gentle theme of music that was wafting in Cafe' de Rose, one of the new high society hot spots in Acme Acres. I don't know WHY I wanted to visit this place. It wasn't my thing at all. Wasn't my cup of tea. It just wasn't me...but I had asked because I had been talked into it by Rhubella. I knew Rush didn't want to go. It wasn't his thing either, but I asked to see if he would take me- and he did. Just to please me. Just to...

I couldn't help myself. My cheeks were on fire and I turned away from him, not so sure of what to say. I had made my own bed this time, and had no way to back out, but that kitten...that slick, slick kitten...he grabbed my paw and lead me out onto the floor anyway.

"I...but, Rush, I -CAN'T dance." I sputtered sheepishly, feeling more and more like a little girl in a place I didn't belong. Nerdy, uncoordinated, clumsy. Just like the nerds in those t.v. shows. Only I was the nerd and this wasn't television. This is what I wanted? This is what I wanted on my birthday? What was WRONG with me. I couldn't stop him. My feet stumbled forward, tripping over my own heels (stupid) but he caught me in his arms and smiled his cavalier, feline grin.

"You're too pretty to sit in the corner. I love the dress. "My boyfriend whispered quietly, wrapping an arm around my lower back, holding me close. His fingers intertwined with mine, where they fit perfectly, and he took a step, twisting my hips and urging me to follow. I didn't know what I was doing, didn't know how to respond, didn't know where to even begin.

"It's easy." He whispered. Calamity could dance. Chaos too. Dad had taught them, but when I tried to learn I tripped and stumbled and fell on my rump each and every time- and now I was here. not the basement laboratory in my father's arms, but in front of a crowd of people all watching. All waiting. Rush was still grinning. He took another step, and all I could do was follow along.

"That's it." He whispered, taking another step. I took another step, and squeaked when I felt fur underneath my toes. I had stepped on his foot! I stepped on his FOOT! He didn't do anything but smile at me, though. That warm, gentle, loving grin that he held onto like he held onto me. He moved anyway, stepping with my foot still atop his, and drew me closer.

"That's it...perfect..."He whispered, and I drew in a deep breath, mortified at what I had done. But he wasn't angry. He was still dancing. Holding me around my hips, moving with my feet over top his own- carrying me.

"They're...they're staring. Everybody is staring. "I squeaked. The geeky, goofy, uncoordinated girl. The loser. The dweeb. The dork. Rush nodded his head.

"I'd be staring at the prettiest girl in the room too, if I wasn't already holding her in my arms. They WISH they could be so lucky. "He whispered quietly, forcing my blush to grow to a blazing crimson. He held tightly, squeezing me, protecting me.

"I promise. They can't hurt you. You're safe...I've got you." He whispered. The cat. My boyfriend. Rush. He was right. I was safe. I had never felt so safe than I did right then, in that moment, held in his arms. We danced until the song ended, and then, he escorted me back to my seat, still smiling the entire time.

You know what, diary? I think I'm gonna keep this one.

---

Drawn by Slicky- whom I cannot thank enough!