This is the start, a first draft. I will come back later to fill it out more, fix mistakes, fix stuff I don't like, fix stuff that isn't written well. Or maybe I'll give up forever, who knows. It's best to write something than try to perfect it from the start or you'll never get past the first sentence.

Pepper sat in the window, swishing her tail as the birds hopped around taunting her. Those birds, they could fly free, but not Pepper, she wasn’t allowed outside. She had always been an indoor cat, only going outside when her owner went with her, which did not happen often. Some might call Pepper an old cat, but she had as much energy as the feistiest kitten, so to call her old would not be fair.

A bird hopped up onto the outside windowsill, a bold move even for a bird protected by glass. He stared at Pepper, and Pepper stared back. They had this daily staredown, and every day the bird won, mostly because Pepper fell asleep. Today though would be different, Pepper would not fall asleep, she would win this game, and then he would have to go back and tell their bird friends about the cat that couldn’t back down.

For a few minutes they continued staring until the bird pecked at the window. Pepper lunged at the window, but the bird stood steadfast, knowing she couldn’t get at him. The bird turned, wiggled it’s tail at Pepper as if to say, “I win,” and he flew away.

“Hey baby,” a familiar voice said, it was Sarah, Pepper’s owner.

Sarah silently petted Pepper as she rubbed her eyes. Pepper purred, she loved pets from Sarah. She loved to lay down with Sarah, cuddle up with Sarah, headbutt Sarah. If a cat could do it, Pepper loved doing it with Sarah.

“You’re a good girl Pepper,” Sarah said, sighing. “You’ve always been a good girl.” Sarah leaned over and kissed Pepper on the head. “I love you so much, keep being a good girl for me.”

Pepper headbutted back, Sarah smiled. “I have to go to the pet store Pepper, but I promise I’ll be back soon.”

Sarah collected her things and gave a long look at Pepper before leaving.

Peck. Peck. Peck. Pepper looked back at the window, the bird returned, he wanted a rematch. As always they stared at each other, Pepper just wishing she could get outside and show that bird who’s boss. This time something different happened, Pepper heard a sound above her and looked up as the latches on the window unlocked then he window opened on it’s own. She stared back at the bird, now just a screen between her and her bird bully.

The bird still stood there, not really sure what to do. He had never been so close to Pepper without the safety of the glass, but now there was nothing but a thin screen between him and Pepper’s paws. Well, that would have been the case if it were not for the screen popping out on it’s own and knocking him away. He flew away chirping a warning to his bird friends. He didn’t know how, but Pepper had finally won the staring contest.

For a moment Pepper looked through the open window, confused. In her experience as a cat, windows didn’t just open on their own, Sarah always had to open one for her. Now an open window stood before her. All she had to do was jump out and she could teach those mean birds a lesson. She stuck her head out the window, below her lay the screen in the grass. The birds were nowhere to be found, too scared to face her. Typical of bullies, always running when their victims can fight back.

Pepper wanted to go outside, she had never been there before. She almost leaped out the window but stopped herself. Sarah had gone to the store, and if she went outside then she wouldn’t be there when Sarah came back. That’s it! She’ll go to the store and surprise Sarah. Sarah always laughed and gave her lots of pets when Pepper surprised her by leaping out from under a blanket or behind a corner, and this would be the biggest surprise yet.

Pepper jumped out the window into the grass. She had never felt such a lovely feeling before. She sniffed the grass, and nibbled it. Delicious! She gobbled down a few blades of grass before remembering what she set out to do. She took a few steps forward, stopped, and looked around. Where’s the store?