Like every other day, ten year old Sophia was home alone. Both of her parents were workaholics; her father was a businessman in a renowned company in the city. Likewise her mother, she was a trader, who hardly had time to stay home and spend some quality time with her only child.

Sophia had had to grow up in the care of a babysitter — who wasn't exactly nice to her, yet there was no one around, she could complain to.

After school, each day, she would sit in front of their house, dwelling in boredom. They were relatively new to the neighborhood, so she hadn't had the opportunity to make new friends.

Things tremendously changed for the better, when she met Lilly, their next door neighbor's mid. Like Sophia, Lilly was also ten. The first time they met, they easily clicked and became quite close to each other.

"Sophia, when will your mother be back home?" Lilly had asked, on a snowy day.

She shrugged, nonchalantly. "I don't know."

"How about your daddy?" She inquired.

"I don't know." She gave the same reply. "They are both so busy. They hardly have time for me." She sulked.

"Don't worry, Sophia, I'm always here for you." She smiled. "Come on, let's go to my room and play."

The duo intertwined their fingers and jogged into the house.

Few days later, Sophia was disheartened to hear the news of Lilly going to spend her winter holidays elsewhere. Indisputably, she knew the boredom she hated so much, would be sure to return.

That night, she spent with a heavy heart and when she woke up, she learnt from her babysitter, that her parents had return late last night and had left very early in the morning. It wasn't a new thing to Sophia, but still, she could not control the feeling of sadness that washed over her.

In the evening, Sophia was sitting in the porch, when a heavy downpour began. To avoid getting wet, she was about to rush into the house, when her gaze caught the sight of a stray kitten, a white kitten, hiding by the wall of the house. Her white fur was drenched from the rain. She looked very tiny and sick.

Without thinking twice, regardless of the fact she could get sick under the rain, Sophia ran towards the kitten and picked it up.

She took her directly to the fireplace, to provide her with some warmth. Thereafter, she went to the kitchen and fetched some milk in a plastic bowl and served it to the scared looking kitten. At first, she was hesitant, but immediately she had a taste of the milk, she coulsnt stop drinking, hungrily.

Sophia smiled and stroked her head, as she fed. "Hi, there, little cutie, I'm Sophia!" She enthused. "Henceforth I'll be the one taking care of you. You're my new baby, and I'm your mother!"

The kitten meowed in what seemed like a response and continued feasting on her food.

"What name would you like?" She placed a finger underneath her cheek, thoughtfully. "Mia! Yes, Mia! Hey, Mia! Welcome home!"

On that day, Sophia's joy knew no bound. Not only had she found a daughter, she had found a companion — a best friend.

Since she adopted Mia, she no longer knew what boredom was. Her parents' absence was not much of a bother to her anymore. Indeed, pets are human's reliable best friends!

Unfortunately for Sophia, when her mother returned in the evening, she was not too happy about the Mia staying at the house.

"You will have to return her to wherever you picked her from!" She stated, sernly.

"But mummy—"

"Not buts, Sophia! You didn't ask for mine or your father's permission, before adopting her. That was wrong." She reprimanded. "Therefore, I won't allow you adopt her."

Tears pricked Sophia's eyes and soon, began to stream down her cheeks. "Please don't take Mia away from me. She's the only friend I have right now."

"No matter how much you beg, I won't give in."

Sophia instantly began to cry. She had thought she finally founded a best friend, but all of her hopes came crashing down in just a blink of an eye.

"Look, sweetheart." She placed a hand underneath her cheek, raising her head and making their gazes meet.

"I'm only doing this for your safety. We don't even know if the kitten has a communicable flu."

"We can always take her to a vet, can't we?" Sophia asked, hopefully.

"Fine. I'm going to take her to a veterinary doctor tomorrow for confirmation."

"And you're finally going to allow me keep her?"

Her mother sighed. "If it makes you this happy, I have no choice, but to agree."

"Yipee!" She squealed. "Thank you, mummy."

"But on one condition."

"What?"

"You will have to keep her away from my furniture."

"I will. Mia is a good kitten. I'm sure she's gonna listen to me."

"Good. Come here, sweetie." She hugged her and planted a kiss on her forehead.

"Thinking about it now، I've realized how much your daddy and I have been neglecting you. You deserve to have a companion around, so I won't be stopping you from keeping her anymore. And one more thing, I will try to make out time this weekend, so we can go to any park of your choice."

"Yay!"

"What's my grandkid's name?" Her mother asked, jocularly.

"Mia!"

"Wow! That's such a nice name."

Sophia giggled.

As promised, her mother took little Mia to the vet and had her treated for common cold. After which she was brought back home to Sophia. She was ecstatic to have finally gotten her mother's permission to take Mia in. She became happier and the house less boring.

Everyday, after school, she would hurry home to play and feed Mia. In just a matter of few days, she had gotten really attached to her. She loved her immensely and protected her like a mother hen. She cuddles with her all day and even shared all of her secrets with her. To others, she may be a cat, but to her, she was her child, her best friend and a sibling.

Without a doubt, pets are special and shouldn't be taken for granted. Mia was a proof to that and she vowed to forever cherish her.