Electra sat next to Tugger, looking at Misto sitting on the tire. She was supposed to be sleeping, but she couldn�t, so instead she watched her Misto. She giggled to herself. <Her Misto>. She had the feeling that he liked her too, but no one could ever tell with that tom. He was rather aloof and mysterious, and no one was ever quite sure what he was up to. Many of the Jellicles didn�t fully trust him because he was a newcomer and always seemed like he had something to hide, but Electra did. She felt he was different from the other toms, and although she liked Tugger, she felt deeply connected with Misto. She sensed he had been watching her, but whenever she turned her head to look at the black tom, he continued to glance serenely over the Junkyard. She didn�t know what attracted her to the young tom, for he wasn�t brave like Alonzo, handsome like Tugger, funny like Mungojerrie, or even strong like Munkustrap. She just felt deeply attached to him. She noticed how many of the other toms like Pouncival and Tumblebrutus constantly teased him about his height and for no reason at all, it deeply angered her. He, however, just took it and then walked off. They were so different, the small silent tom and the hotheaded, hyper queen, but yet they were so alike. She felt a strong feeling for Misto growing in her, but she knew he didn�t like poor, uninteresting Electra. Everyone knew he had his eyes set on Victoria, and they did look so charming together, that it almost made Electra sick to think about it. Her solution to that problem was to simply ignore her feelings and cuddle closer to Tugger. She gave one last glance at the solitary figure sitting on the tire, and fell asleep. Had she stayed awake just a bit longer, she would have noticed the small smile creeping across his face when he turned to look at her again.
The next morning shone bright and early on the Junkyard, and the hungry Jellicles went out in search of food. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, as usual, shared some of their loot with the hungry kittens, and Munkustrap began washing Demeter�s fur. Mistoffelees jumped off the tire and went out to scavenge the discarded junk piles for breakfast.
�Hey, Misto!� Etcetera chirped as he passed her. He gave her a placid nod and a respectful, �Good morning, Etcetera� before continuing on his way. Electra followed him with her eyes and gave a small sigh. Etcetera looked at her friend, then back at Misto.
�You like him, doncha?� Etcetera asked, prodding Electra in the ribs.
�Ow! No I don�t. I just�� �Lectra trailed off, trying to find the right words. Etcetera just smiled at Electra knowingly and went off in search of Tugger.
As soon as Misto found breakfast he was joined by Tantomile and Coricopat.
�Are you ready to go, Misto?� They said in unison, leading the way towards the secluded grassy area where they practiced magic. Misto looked at Electra, and then dutifully followed the twins. They noticed his quick glance in the brown queen�s direction, and then looked back at each other as if they knew something he didn�t.
By the end of the day, Misto had mastered how to make objects levitate and how to make them disappear and reappear. The twins could sense his mind was elsewhere though.
�Misto, what�s wrong? You haven�t been your usual self.� Tantomile asked gently. Misto looked at her a bit startled, for it was the first time he had ever heard her speak by herself instead of talking simultaneously with her mate.
�Nothing�� He mumbled, looking at the ground.
�It�s Electra, isn�t it?� Coricopat asked, looking at the black tom.
�Stop reading my mind!� Misto said fiercely. Cori looked taken aback by Misto�s unusual display of anger.
�Sorry.� He murmured apologetically to Misto. �Perhaps we should stop the lesson where it is, and you can have the rest of the day off.�
Misto let out an exasperated breath.
�Look, I�m sorry for yelling at you Cori. Maybe I should have the day off.� Misto said, before disappearing into the forest. He found a small moss-covered patch and sat down. The sunlight broke through the trees and made small patterns on his dark fur. He looked at the sky, still thinking about Electra. He noticed how much time she spent around Tugger, and it upset him. That was what she wanted in a tom, he knew. The mane, muscles, the good looks. All of which he lacked. He had magical powers, but what good would they do? No one could find out about them unless he learned to control it. Until then, what was there to get Electra to notice poor little Mistoffelees? He sighed and his head drooped down lower.
Electra sat by the discarded rug in her den. She still thought of Mistoffelees. She knew he liked Victoria, but she felt so strongly for him it hurt. She saw how those two would always sneak off into the woods, <probably making vows of eternal love and such junk.> Electra thought bitterly. She sighed and glanced out the hole that served as a window.
Misto returned to the Junkyard shortly before nightfall. He had spent the afternoon in the Junkyard, thinking about Electra. He still didn�t know what to do. As soon as he walked into the Junkyard, he bumped into Victoria.
�Oh, Misto, I�ve been looking all over for you!� She exclaimed, holding onto his paw tightly. �C�mon, let�s go!� He let himself be dragged out of the Junkyard, not noticing the small scowl on Electra�s visage.