Chapter 1

My name is Chloe. I study nursing at the community college. It' s hard work. I also work part-time at a diner. I need the money for rent and books.

My roommate is Tiffany. We share an off-campus apartment because it' s cheaper. That' s the only reason.

Tiffany wants to be an influencer. Her family has money. They give her whatever she wants.

She thinks I' m boring. I think she' s shallow. We don' t talk much.

One night, Tiffany came home late. She was loud.

"Chloe! Look!"

She held up a dirty, matted cat. It hissed. Its eyes were wild.

"I rescued him! From an alley behind the club. Isn't he precious? I'm calling him Scrappy."

I stared at the cat. It looked sick. And mean.

"Tiffany, you can't keep a cat here."

"Why not?" she pouted. "He needs me."

"Our landlady, Mrs. Davis, has a strict no-pets rule. You know that. And I'm allergic to cats. Not badly, but still."

My nose already started to itch.

"Oh, stop being such a killjoy, Chloe. It' s for my content. 'Influencer rescues helpless animal.' It'll be huge."

The cat, Scrappy, watched me. Its ears were flat against its head. It heard me say it had to go. I could feel its dislike. It was instant.

"He's filthy, Tiffany. He probably has fleas. Or worse."

"I'll clean him up. Don't worry about it." She cuddled the hissing cat. It tried to scratch her, but she just laughed.

This was going to be a problem. A big one.