Chapter 1

To stay alive, I turned into a chubby orange cat and went to ask my cold and aloof childhood companion, Leonard May, for food at his convenience store every day.

First, I'd flop onto my back and beg for attention. Then, when he wasn't paying attention, I'd snatch a meat stick and bolt.

To my utter shock, Leonard broadcasted my crime live for everyone to see.

Overnight, I became the internet's hottest cat thief. He hauled me back to the store to work off my debt by entertaining customers.

Looking at the cute little cat dress Leonard handed me, I got lost in thought.

I wondered if I should pay off my debt or take over the whole store and Leonard along with it.

*****

I was Alma Page, twenty-two years old, gloriously unemployed, and pondering my existence.

And then, I turned into a cat.

I was an orange, chubby cat who looked not very smart.

When I woke up on the cold floor and saw my furry paws, the first thing I thought was how to pay off my loan.

The second thought was that I was starving.

The hunger felt like a thousand ants chewing me up from the inside.

I wobbled to my feet, hauling my plump, awkward body over to the window.

Outside was the street I knew so well. Not far off, the always-lit 24/7 convenience store was owned by my childhood friend, Leonard.

He was a handsome guy, but we'd been at odds since forever.

Back then, he'd swipe my lollipops. Later, he snatched my spot as the top student.

Now, he was running a convenience store.

However, I had turned into a cat.

I felt that fate had played a big joke on me.

But right now, dignity meant nothing when I was starving.

My only hope for survival was that convenience store. The mouthwatering aroma of food kept drifting from the store.

I jumped out the second-floor window, my plump body making an epic arc through the air before landing with a heavy thud on the grass below.

Good thing I had plenty of padding. I didn't feel a thing.

I dashed toward the glowing store on my four stubby legs, moving faster than I ever had in my life.

The convenience store's automatic doors opened for me.

With practiced ease, I darted under the shelves, hiding with only my round, shifty eyes peeking out.

Leonard was slumped over the counter, scrolling through his phone, bored out of his mind.

He was rocking a simple white T-shirt today, hair a bit tousled, and under the store lights, his profile really stood out.

Honestly, he was pretty easy on the eyes.

But that didn't change the fact that he was still a bastard.

My goal couldn't be more obvious.

I was after that shiny, greasy sausage that was hanging right by the register. It looked delicious.

It was time to put my plan into action.

The first step was to recon.

There were no other customers around, and Leonard was glued to his phone, totally distracted. This was perfect.

The second step was to feint.

I slipped out from under the shelves, prancing over to his feet with what I believed was elegant feline grace.

Then, I nuzzled my fluffy head against his pant leg.

Leonard stiffened for a second.

He looked down and spotted me.

First, there was a flicker of confusion in his eyes. Then, he seemed disgusted.

I sneered at him internally.

But while I sneered inside, my body betrayed me.

I let out a meow so sweet and melodious.

Leonard didn't say a word and just raised an eyebrow.

I knew it was working.

I doubled down and pulled out my ultimate move.

I flopped onto my back, paws in the air, showing off my soft, fluffy, totally defenseless belly.

And to really sell it, I even gave an expert little wiggle, like I knew exactly how to work my charm.

I saw Leonard swallow hard, his throat working as he looked at me.

His eyes shifted from disdain to something bright and mysterious I couldn't quite figure out.

Finally, he put his phone down and crouched in front of me.

"Where did you come from, little furball?" Leonard said.

His voice was deep and a little raspy, with that magnetic charm.

But with zero hesitation, he reached out and totally messed up my precious, carefully groomed fur.

I told myself to hand in there. This was all for that sausage.

I sucked it up and put on my best act, reaching out with my paw pad to gently tap the back of his hand.

Leonard finally cracked the tiniest smile at the corner of his lips.

Now was my chance.

While Leonard was still mesmerized by my feline charm, I pulled off a perfect kip-up and sprang up from the floor in a flash.

My move was so fast that it seemed impossible for a chubby orange cat.

I sprang onto the counter, jaws wide, and grabbed the sausage in one clean chomp.

Then, I spun around, hopped down, and nailed it, all in one go.

The whole operation was done in less than three seconds.

As I dashed toward the automatic doors with my prize in my jaws, I could still hear Leonard's curses echoing behind me.

I did it.

With the sausage in my jaws, I ducked behind the trash can on the corner and devoured it like a starving beast.

This was hands down the best sausage I'd ever tasted in my life.

Stuffed and happy, I gave my paws a good lick, scoping out the glowing convenience store across the street. My mind was already scheming tomorrow's heist.

Tomorrow, I was going to steal a pack of dried fish snacks.