"Milo! Maisie's getting out of her Traditions class!"
Hearing Maisie's name, Milo shot up on his climber and untucked his mouse. He peered over his shoulder at Feya, who stood in the doorway of Maisie's room.
"Do you want to pick her up with Daisy and me?"
That was a dumb question. Of course, Milo did! He had spent all day watching Feya practice—she was getting better—and was warming up to her. He didn't mind going with her to get Maisie.
He jumped down each layer of his climber and snatched his leash from his kennel once he hit the base. Milo pranced to Feya and stretched his neck.
"Good boy." Feya bent her knees, accepted Milo's gift, and hooked it to his harness. She almost fell standing but caught the wall.
"Mrow?" Slightly concerned, Milo glanced at her leg and up at Feya.
"I'm fine, Milo." Was she? She had been practicing all day. There was no doubt she was tired.
Daisy sensed it, too, and pushed one of Feya's crutches to her with her forehead.
Feya kicked it aside. "Thanks, Dais, but I don't need it."
Listen to your Service Dog, Feya, Milo thought. He hoped she would, but Feya's determination skyrocketed after the incident with Maisie.
Milo kept an eye on her the whole way to Apprentice Hall. Feya trekked slowly, but he was patient. Nevertheless, his attention switched from her to Maisie at the sight of her waiting for them by the chess game.
"Mrow!" Milo freed himself from Feya's grasp and sprinted toward her.
"Milo!" Maisie caught him when he leaped.
Milo purred so loudly—undoubtedly, all of Flamingo Crossings East heard him.
Feya giggled. "Such a cool cat. You should've seen him, Maisie! As soon as I said your name, he grabbed his leash."
"He doesn't like being alone," Maisie elucidated. "It's one of the reasons why I'm trying to find him a sibling."
A pause followed, and then Feya asked, "How was Traditions? I see you got your Mickey ears."
"Boring but interesting," Maisie answered. "I thought I would never get out of there, Feya."
"Let me guess—when Mickey came in, you felt a little Disney magic?"
"The most I've felt since coming here."
Feya stumbled to Maisie and gripped her shoulders. "I'm proud of you, girl. If you can get through Disney Traditions, you can do anything. Why don't we celebrate with a game of ping-pong in the Community Center?"
"Um," Maisie stuttered, appearing nervous again, "I don't know, Feya. I'm a little tired."
"Oh, come on!" she begged. "Just one game? You don't have to be an expert."
"What about your leg?"
"My leg's fine. It's not like ping-pong's tennis or anything."
Milo knew what Feya was pulling. She was trying to get Maisie more comfortable so that she would open up about her brother. He understood, but it was also Maisie's choice. All he could do was see what she decided.
She thought for a minute, nodded, and said, "Okay, sure."
Wow, Milo didn't expect her to say yes, but she did. That was a good sign after spending all week in her room.
The ping-pong tables in the Community Center were near its pool side, lined up like untouched dominos.
Milo and Daisy sat on some chairs next to the table the girls chose and watched them hit the ball back and forth. They synchronized their movements with them. Granted, Maisie and Feya sucked at ping-pong, but it was still enjoyable to watch.
After ping-pong, Feya wanted to try the staircase to the gym again. She got up fine, but Maisie held her arm on the way down. Milo made sure not to get underfoot. Feya could not get hurt.
They reached the staircase's base, and Maisie said, "You did it, Feya!"
"I did, didn't I?" she returned. "The next step is to walk down the stairs without help. And then, Maisie, I'll be on my way to ski again."
"At Bukovel?"
Feya grinned. "Bukovel. Oh!" She jiggled Maisie's arm. "How about I show you some pictures from our last trip there when we return to the apartment?"
"I would love that, Feya."
"Yes!" Feya released herself and sped-walked to the Community Center's exit. She lifted her arm and waved at Maisie.
She and Milo met eyes and seemed to smile.
They ran into a few kids kicking a soccer ball back and forth on their way home.
Feya played with them, but Milo and Maisie stood off to the side.
"You have good footwork, girl," one young man admitted.
"Thank you. Football is popular where I'm from." Feya shook out her foot and turned to Maisie. "Come on, Maisie, give it a whirl."
She almost spoke, but ambulance sirens in the near distance cut her off.
Feya froze. All the color drained from her face, giving her a ghost-like appearance, and her knees knocked so hard—Milo heard them.
"Feya?" Maisie said, snapping her fingers in her face. "Are you okay?"
She didn't move. The sirens drew closer, and her fear became more evident.
Hold on! She didn't think they were…?
Tears pooled from Feya's eyes. She sank to the ground and covered her head and neck, shaking.
"What's wrong with her?" one soccer player questioned.
Maisie pulled Feya up and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. "She's just tired. Thank you, guys, but I'm going to take her home."
It was for the best. Feya should've listened to her Service Dog. Milo spent enough time with Maisie to understand exhaustion and anxiety didn't mix.
They returned to the apartment, and Maisie sat Feya on the living room couch. She fixed her a cup of stress-relieving tea and handed it to her. "Here, this should help."
Daisy stayed close to Feya while she sipped her tea. She didn't even flinch after Maisie accidentally dropped Feya's crutches.
"Sorry," she cutely apologized.
"It's okay," Feya chimed, calm again.
Maisie gave her the crutches and took the other side of the couch. She rested on her hands and observed Feya.
Milo rubbed against her right leg. He next went to Feya and did the same thing with her.
"Oh, would you look at that?" Feya tilted her chin. "It looks like your cat finally likes me, Maisie. I hope that doesn't make you jealous, Daisy."
Daisy didn't react because she was still on duty, but Milo noticed the slight jealousy in her dark eyes.
He left Feya and lay down between Maisie's feet.
"Feya, what happened back there?" she eventually inquired. "Has that happened before?"
"Every once in a while," Feya replied, removing her phone from her jean pocket. "Loud sounds trigger it."
"Do they remind you of... you know?" Maisie tossed her a pink blanket, and Feya caught it.
She seriously looked at Maisie and explained, "I'll tell when you open up to me. Until then, this is between Daisy, my family, and me."
"Sorry," Maisie pardoned, lowering her head.
Feya slid toward her. "It's fine. I'll be patient. And as long as Daisy's with me, I'm safe. Now"—she showed Maisie her phone—"do you want to see the Bukovel pictures?"