As I looked down the list, My eyes widened at the opportunity to volunteer at an animal shelter. Naturally, it made the first choice.The day doesn't start with a fanfare or a dramatic twist. Instead, there's a sense of excitement in the air. Our mission is straightforward—spend the day helping out and playing with cats. But, as we step into the shelter, we realize this trip has more layers than we thought. Once done with our work, we go inside the shelter into each group of kitten’s designated rooms. With those cats all around, we end up chatting about everything under the sun. The history of the shelter, current events, you name it. It's a bit unusual for a kitty playdate, but somehow it feels right, like these little guys are here to remind us of the big wide world outside.

As the day rolls on, we discover more surprises. It turns out that the cat shelter has a yard sale out on the front lawn, offering all sorts of hidden treasures. There, I spot a $10 croquet set, calling my name, but my friend (and reality) tugs me back. It turns out my idea of playing croquet in the Brook’s house mall is not very appealing to most. Sometimes, it's the adventures we miss that add the most flavor to life.

I had been catsitting for my advisor, and her cat chose the day after I left to add a touch of drama by giving birth to a litter of kittens. So, after our school's birthday dinner, my advisory and I penned an extra chapter in our itinerary—a visit to the newborn kittens, tiny and adorable. 

As the kittens wriggled in their nest, tiny, mewing, and eyes barely beginning to flicker open, one in particular tugged at my heartstrings. She was an all-black kitten, the absolute embodiment of a midnight shadow. Right then, I knew she was special. We were discussing names, and I took inspiration from the color of her fur to name her ‘Layla,’ Arabic for ‘night.’ We all murmured in agreement, and 

Sometimes, the best stories are the ones we stumble upon when we least expect it.