It’s so…peaceful. I’ve lived in the big city for so long that something as simple as the soft sounds of waves, gently rocking back and forth along the still shore of a small beach, feels almost magical to me. I hadn’t expected something like this just from trailing some stranger. The wind follows the way of the waves, a breeze like a content breath rustling through the sparse trees and grass that trails off into the sand, barely making a sound as I step through it and onto the beach clearing.

“Wow…”

The sun is setting just above the skyline, submerging itself in the glow of the enormous lake. If this kid knew this was here, I can see why they’d want to split this way, but all alone…? I shake my head and scan the area, though it’s not difficult to spot who I’m looking for: a kid in the same school uniform as me. They’re slightly taller than me, sitting on a lone stump somehow still standing in the sand, their knees locked against one another and their elbows cradled atop them. They rest their head in their hands while the gentle breeze just barely moves hair almost draped over their shoulders. My steps are just as soft on the sand as they were in the grass, a nearly inaudible pap unheard in the gale caressing us, though it continues to whip my longer bangs into my face. Longer hair is annoying, but I put up with it for some reason…

Despite my natural stealth, the other kid perks up while I’m still some feet away, turning with wide, panicked eyes before I hold up my palms.

“Wait, wait! I’m not sneaking up on you, I promise!” I try to assure them, though a nervous tilt of their head tells me I’m not doing the best job.

“Y… You aren’t…?”

I chuckle and relax my body at their response. “Yeah, I get that a lot. I’m just quiet, I guess.”

They seem to relax somewhat at my casual demeanor. They must be used to confrontation, I’m guessing. I walk slower now, making my way beside the stump they’re sitting on. Their frame is rather small, leaving a decent bit of room for me to sit as well, but I pause before taking a seat, not wanting to make them any more nervous.

“So? Whatcha doing out here?” I finally pop the question I’d been meaning to ask the whole way here, though I keep my body turned towards the water, one hand on my hip and the other sinking into my hair. I don’t get much of a response at first, the other kid seeming to fidget around with their hands in their lap, still looking out at the lake like me.

“Thinking…” After some rumination and a few deep breaths on their part this is the answer I get. I feel bad for making them uncomfortable, but I’m at a loss as to what to do when I feel just as uncomfortable as they look. 

“All alone? On a field trip?” 

Erk. I don’t mean to sound so accusatory, and I can see they’re not too happy with my response. Their palms are gripping the edge of the stump, almost clawing into it with their fingers. Ugh. I shake my head at myself. After a moment I look at them and smile. Even if they don’t turn to face me in return, their slight glances are enough attention as I bring my hand down to match the other on my opposite hip. 

“I don’t blame you. It's tiring when lots of people are around.”

They slowly but steadily turn their head towards me at last, if only a bit, nodding in affirmation but still seeming somewhat displeased. A curious hum escapes me as I take that as a cue to begin sitting down. 

“Can I sit with you?” I ask, just in case, arse just barely on the edge of the stump. “I’m pretty tired myself.”

Still reserved, they nod once more and scoot over unnecessarily, what with so much room available as is. I stifle my laughter. It probably wouldn’t do them much good, I think as I sit down, making sure to leave ample space between us. We turn ourselves back to the setting sun in silence, feet stuck to the sand as the light mesmerizes us.

It’s nice. The breeze still accompanies us, though it seems like the other kid is less bothered by their flowing locks than I, despite their’s being so much longer. They seem almost relaxed, however, eyes almost fluttering as night falls upon us. Though, it’s only as they turn to look at me that I realize I’d been staring at them instead of the view. We pull our eyes away from one another awkwardly. I don’t usually pay that much attention to any one person and clearly they’re not used to receiving it. The silence does seem to help them, though they are taking their time in warming up to me and it creates a bit of an awkward atmosphere. Talking hasn’t helped much so far, but I decide to take another shot in the dark.

“So what’s your name?”

Immediately I regret asking. The question seems to pierce them through the heart, their body freezing up as they struggle to even muster a sound in response, remaining on the edge of their seat with their arms crossed and hands grasping at their elbows. Something about that echoes in my mind.

“Wait, sorry, uhh--!”

I begin to sputter out words, trying to grasp at anything to fix my fumble, hands coming up to my chest and clutching at my uniform top. They just remain as they are though. Dang it, this sucks. A painful moment passes until I find something to hopefully save the following one.

“You don’t need to tell me!” I begin, taking their attention away from whatever plagued their mind beyond the simple question I asked. “I get it, actually. I don’t like hearing my name either.”

Almost immediately, they seem to relax. Well, kind of. They unfreeze, hands returning to their lap as they look at me again. Their eyes are wide and curious before murmuring, “Really…?”

I nod, needing to whip my hair out of my face afterward which earns a restrained chuckle from them. “Yeah. Just doesn’t feel right. Can’t really get people to stop, though. It is my name, after all…”

They lower their head a little, pulling themselves back onto their seat and closer to me, hands sliding down to grasp at the edge of the stump they were so precariously perched upon just a moment ago. 

“...It’s just a name…”

Now it’s my turn to perk up and turn to them. “Just a name?” They tense up once I repeat their words. With my hand to my chin, I mumble, “Just a name… Hey, you’re right!” I stand up suddenly, much to the other kid’s surprise. “It’s a name, but it doesn’t have to mean anything to me, does it? Hey, I have an idea!”

They tilt their head at me again, seeming relieved that I agree with them about names, but unsure of just what’s on my mind. “Huh?”

“What’s your favourite animal?” As I ask the question, I move to kneel in the sand. I grab the edge of the stump and look up at them, disregarding the sand dirtying my pants.

“Favourite animal…? Uhm…”

They raise their hand to their mouth, taking a moment to think. I feel bad for putting them on the spot, but I’m just so excited about my idea!

“Uhh… Cat… I like cats… A lot…”

“Cat!” I exclaim, the kid looking away shyly, cutely. Cutely? I shake my head at myself once more, looking back at the other student and smiling. “Then you can be Cat!”

“Eh?!” They seem so taken aback by the suggestion. “I can… be Cat…? What do you mean…?”

I pull myself onto the stump to sit once again Sand flies up and falls around me as I do, but my enthusiasm doesn’t die down for a moment.

“Yeah! You don’t like your name, right?” They nod at my question, slowly looking back at me again. “Then just be Cat! You like cats, so we’ll just be things we like, instead of…whatever!”

They sit on the idea for a moment. Surely it was a bit odd, but for some reason, it really excited me. Abandoning your name for your own identity… I don’t really get it, but I like it a lot.

“Mmm… Hmm… I… I’ll be Cat then…!”

Both of our eyes light up, a newfound joy sparked in us.

“But what about you then…?” Cat asks, sliding their hair out of their face as they look at me quizzically. It’s almost entrancing, the enthusiasm hidden behind their curiosity. They scoot closer to me, yet I’d imagine their chest feels as tight as mine. I can sense their anticipation, almost like they’re actually a cat with a swaying tail.

“Me? Hmm.” I hadn’t really thought that far, but it didn’t take long for me to answer. “Fox! You can call me Fox!”

For once, they smile wide as they look at me, and I smile back, heart beating out of my chest as Cat speaks up, “Fox… That’s a cool name…! Pretty too…”

My happiness only swells hearing them speak, both from their words and their voice. What an odd feeling. “And Cat’s a cute name!” I say, pausing before adding, “And a cool name! I like it!”

We both take a moment to laugh at each other before turning back to the sun which has almost sunk beneath the lake. Stars are already twinkling above us as we gaze at the sky together. I can’t explain it, but I’m really happy here. I think Cat is too. 

“...Shoot, we’re gonna be late for the bus!” My exclamation takes Cat by surprise, jumping up from their seat with a panicked expression, frantically patting the sand off their pants. 

“Oh, shoot, oh no, I’m sorry, I lost track of--!” they exclaim.

Before I have to bear hearing them apologize any more, I stand up myself and take their hand. I continue looking back at them as my body turns away, and I begin to move. “Don’t worry about it! I know a cool path back, just follow me!”

They seem to blush slightly before nodding, following my lead as I leave a trail of sandy footprints in my wake, Cat seemingly wanting to avoid stepping on them as they grip my hand tighter. I can’t tell why, but my heart is racing, and it feels really good.

My heart is still racing as I sit up in bed, covers flying off my chest. I’m not breathing heavily, but I’m still…surprised. Why do I keep dreaming about things that happened nearly two decades ago…? I shake my head. C’mon, Fox. It’s just a dream. An incredibly accurate and vivid dream, but still. Turning my head towards the window while clutching the edge of my blanket, I see the night is young and the nearly full moon is beaming down over the incredibly distant cityscape. It’s time. I toss the covers off fully and slide off my bed with grace and grouchiness. The beaten and worn wooden floorboards creak under my feet just as unhappily. Ugh. Hopefully Cat’s feeling better than this…