Hey there, I'm Noella, 14 years old and harboring a crush on Kaito, the coolest guy at my school for five whole years. My best pals, Mae and Risa, are my partners in crime. One day, on our usual trek home, we stumbled upon a bunny. I swear, I didn't mean to harm it, but now they won't let me live it down.
"Look what you did, Noella! The poor bunny's hopping days are over!" Mae huffed. "Thanks to you, it's hopscotch dreams are shattered!"
Noella's eyes welled up as she stared at the ground, feeling awfully guilty.
"Cut it out, you two!" Risa chimed in, giving each of them a playful bop. "My cousin is a vet superstar nearby. She'll fix this fluffy little guy up in no time."
Mae, putting on her 'No Touching' sign, kept Noella at arm's length from the rabbit as they trotted to the vet. Noella felt like a storm cloud, drowning in guilt. Then, something magical happened: the bunny seemed to give her a knowing glance, but when she blinked, all she saw was its fuzzy backside.
W-wait, what was that all about? I could've sworn that bunny just locked eyes with me. Perhaps my imagination's just hopping around!
The clinic had an "appointments only" sign. A lady peeked out with a puzzled look.
"Can you help this bunny, please? My clumsy friend here turned it into a tripod," Mae snapped.
"Where are your parents?" the lady asked. "This place is adult-only, with appointments. Got any cash?"
The trio rummaged in their pockets, offering up a gum wrapper with some pennies as a tip.
"Please," they pleaded, but the lady shook her head at their creative currency.
"Mae, how many times have I told you we can't rescue every critter?" A white-coated man emerged, scooping up the bunny and expertly wrapping its leg. "It's just a sprain, but needs TLC before it's back in the wild," he said. "And you know the house rules—Mom's allergies can't handle another hospital run."
"Risa or Noella will take the bunny," Mae blurted, eyes darting nervously. She'd planned a secret rabbit heist at home, but her brother was onto her.
"Oh, um, my mansion's too vast. I'd love to, but I'd totally lose it," Risa stammered, fidgeting with her fingers.
Noella glanced away, knowing her parents would ground her for an eternity once her report card came to light. No chance they'd let her adopt a bunny.
"Noella, it's the least you can do," Mae urged.
Trying to be brave, Noella reached for the bunny, which promptly nibbled her finger. Yelping, she got a bandage from Mae's charming brother. Swoon! She agreed to take the bunny.
"Gotta dash, it's late. See you at school tomorrow!" Risa called, checking her watch and sprinting off.
"We're closing up; dinner reservations await," Mae's brother said.
"Catch you later, Noella and Mr. Bunny!"
Sighing deeply, Noella headed home with the bunny in her backpack. At her apartment door, her heart thumped, knowing that report card meant trouble. And sneaking in a bunny? Oh boy.