It is sunny morning. Caitlin opens large, green eyes and tries to place the sound of something spinning, something scuffling. It has been two weeks since she has brought a puppy home and she wonders if he's crawled into her room again. Slowly, she drags herself out of bed and frowns at the sight of her cat pawing at a dark crack in her closet. The sound of spinning, it slows and stops. He reaches out again and she rushes to haul the door open, with an annoyed "stop that!" When she tugs on the handle, she screeches, as all her clothes come tumbling out. No, wait. These clothes she does not recognise as her own...
Peeling the striped leg warmers off her arm, she missteps, her bare foot sliding on the plush velvet of a navy blue coat with long, azure blue gloves stuffed in the pockets. Her eyes begin to narrow. This must be some kind of practical joke. Her voice calls out to alert her roommate, but she hears no response. There is a yellow scarf that is rather chic and though she doesn't know who these clothes belong to, she thinks she will keep the scarf if no one claims it... A pair of long, black leather boots catch her eye and she finds herself making a "keep" pile, wrapping the scarf around her neck.
At first, she thinks it's a dance costume. The skin-tight leggings are made of shiny, blue lycra. Frowning, she looks deeper into the closet. Her own familiar clothes are all hung neatly, undisturbed. It's as though someone has come into her room in the middle of the night, shoved this foreign bundle of clothes into the closet and closed the doors hastily. It is so strange, but it is not the strangest thing to happen to her. Moving a crushed velvet jacket out of the way, she frowns, bending down to pick up a long piece of material, holes cut out where the eyes should be. A mask. The crease between her brows deepens.
"How cute!" she exclaims, and is momentarily distracted by a soft plush of a dragon, hidden amongst the piles of clothes, picking it up to cradle it in her arms. It is soft and warm and when she holds it to her face, she is sure that she recognises its scent. It is in the only object that brings some sense of familiarity. There is a pouch around its neck and inside, she finds a delicate chain. A white gold star of david, made up of diamonds. Her confusion returns, and with it, a feeling of panic. These are expensive things and they are not hers. Caitlin starts again, eyes widening when she notices delicate, lace underwear caught around the dragon's tail. "What on Earth..."
As soon as her gaze finds the jacket, all soft red leather, she knows. Her stomach knots and she realises that her cat has disappeared, leaving her in the room alone. Tentatively, she bends down and reaches for it. It's been well-worn. Well loved. Her fingers trace over the ridges and seams delicately, barely touching them. Her heart is beating hard in her chest and it's only when she starts to feel light-headed that she realises she's been holding her breath. There is something heavy in the pocket. She reaches inside and pulls out the engraved engagement ring. The diamond is shaped like a star. Her face burns hot. There is a note in the pocket and her hands are trembling as she opens it. Her heart sinks. Please keep these safe for me -- K.P.