Reborn to be a Cat

My last clear memory was frozen beneath the cold white fluorescent light in the university laboratory. The air carried the freshly brewed, slightly burnt scent of coffee. My best friend Luna Collins held a ceramic cup, her smile sweet as if glazed in honey. "Stella, you've been up all night, haven't you? Drink some coffee to keep awake. If you can finish this research report before the deadline, you'll definitely take first prize." I was so exhausted my eyes could barely stay open. Without thinking much, I took the cup and downed a big gulp. The bitter liquid slid down my throat, carrying a strange metallic aftertaste. I was just about to ask Luna Collins if she had put something in the coffee when a sharp pain erupted from my core, like countless tiny knives stabbing fiercely. My vision began to blur, and the only thing I could hear was Luna Collins' suppressed, triumphant laughter. "Stella Scott, don't blame me. If anyone's to blame, blame yourself for being too exceptional. Your research findings? It's only fitting that I use them instead of you." That was the last sentence I heard before losing consciousness. When I opened my eyes again, the familiar lab bench was gone, and everything around me had become enormous. Every grain on the dark brown wooden floor looked like a deep ravine, just a few centimeters from me. The leg of the sofa beside me was as thick as a small tree. I reached out to touch it, but saw only a furry white paw raised up. The paw was small and delicate, with pale pink pads, and the nails weren't fully grown yet, showing a soft white. I froze, then tried moving my other 'hand'—it was the same white paw. Panic grabbed me instantly. I looked down at my body—it was covered in soft, fluffy white fur. A thin, furry tail dragged behind me. That's when I realized I had turned into a cat. "Mom! There's a kitten here!" A clear, youthful voice suddenly rang out from above, filled with surprise. I looked up into the light and saw a boy wearing a blue-and-white school uniform. He wasn't very tall; his bangs were a little messy, and the collar buttons of his uniform were undone, revealing a patch of pale neck. He slowly crouched down, his eyes sparkling as he stared at me, like he'd found a treasure. Later, I learned that this boy was named Ryan Carter, a notorious academic underachiever at City No.1 High School. He always ranked near the bottom in every exam, and the teachers would helplessly shake their heads whenever they mentioned him. Ryan moved very gently, carefully reaching out his hand, his palm warm as he softly cradled my body. Every hair on my body stood on end. I wanted to struggle and shout, 'I'm not a cat,' but all that came out was a soft 'meow.' "Such a tiny little thing—I'll just call you Ginger." He gently rubbed my ear with his fingertip, his touch so tender it instantly made me lower my guard a bit. I flicked my tail, still feeling ridiculous—just yesterday, I was a physics professor about to win a major research award, and today I'd become a kitten picked up by an academic underachiever.