Kim Douglas stands at the edge of her new front yard, clutching her backpack tightly. Her eyes scan the bustling street, feeling both overwhelmed and alone amidst the unfamiliar cityscape. She sighs, missing the quiet comfort of her old village, and slowly makes her way toward the red front door.

Footsteps echo behind Kim Douglas, softer than her own. She glances back to see a small, scruffy cat with beautiful, large expressive eyes trailing close, its fur a patchwork of brown and ginger. The cat pauses when she does, blinking up at her with curious intelligence. "Are you lost, little one? Or did you choose me?" The cat meows, its tail flicking, and follows her up the steps to her home.

Kim Douglas kneels beside the cat, her fingers gently brushing its fur as she looks to her parents for approval. "Can we keep him? He followed me home and… he seems special," Her mother smiles, and her father nods, amused by the cat’s apparent attachment. The cat purrs contentedly, rolling onto its back.

The room is silent except for the scratching of pencils. Suddenly, the cat stretches, then speaks in a clear, gentle voice that startles Kim. Ernie the cat: "You seem troubled with your math, Kim. Would you like some help?" Kim’s eyes widen in shock, but her fear quickly melts into awe. She nods, struggling for words as she realises her new friend is not ordinary at all.

Ernie the cat explains difficult concepts with patience, sometimes drawing glowing numbers in the air with a flick of his paw. Kim laughs as he makes learning fun, and her confidence grows with every lesson. "With you here, Ernie, I think school might not be so scary after all,"

Kim smiles as her teacher praises her work and a classmate asks to play. She glances back at her house, knowing her secret friend is cheering her on. The world feels less lonely, and the city begins to feel like home, all because of a magical, talking cat.