Author's note: This chapter is special as it is a crossover with another of my series. People knowing my work will have a good idea of what I'm talking about. For people who don't know the rest of my work, it shouldn't prevent you to enjoy this chapter.
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Just as Misti finished dressing up as a human, Lucy entered the changing room, not looking too happy. Immediately, Misti restarted sobbing of terror. No matter how reassuring I tried to be, it was useless; the poor girl had convinced herself that Lucy would make her pay for the broken costume and kick her out of the pethouse. It was irrational at best, but I understood why she was reacting this way; similar to me, her friends were her whole universe.
Lucy didn't say a word at first. She grabbed the damaged black cat costume, folded it carefully, and placed it in a box along with the detached tail. We watched her going to her desk to write something on a piece of paper. After folding the note in half and placing it into the box, she sealed it using some clear tape.
She then retrieved one of her Cakes & Pets business cards and wrote something on its back before handing it over to Misti.
"I want you to go to this address and explain what you have done to the person who lives there. Bring the box with you."
"..."
"Don't make that face, Misti. You didn't want to listen to me when I asked you to act responsibly while wearing the costume, well, now you don't have a choice. Go now. I have to take care of the café."
"But... Lucy..."
"No buts. You come back here after. End of discussion."
Lucy turned heels and went back to her business, leaving Misti in a distressed state.
"Bwaaah! She hates meee!"
"Misti! No! She is just a bit angry."
"But... I don't know that place! I don't know who lives there!"
"..."
I really didn't know what to tell her. She was scared and very sad. Not only having made Lucy angry felt awful, but on top of that, an onerous burden landed on her shoulders; going to a stranger's place to possibly have her costume repaired.
My hugs were not powerful enough to stop her from sobbing.
"Misti... I'll go... with you."
"... What? No, Clara... You have to go to work."
"I... I'll take a day off."
"But, you won't get paid if you do that."
"I know. But I won't have rent anymore. I'll be okay."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I want to help you."
"Haaa! Clara! Why are you always so nice!?"
What I hoped happened; her cries stopped, and her smile came back, at least for now. When something terrible happened to me, I always went to the café to feel better. Being supported by Lucy and the pets had always been the only thing that cheered me up. Not feeling alone while facing a distressing event was priceless, and this is why I made up my mind; I would risk angering my boss to help my friend.
Misti and I exited the café, and then I called work to leave a message; at least I didn't have to explain myself to anybody directly, but the boss sure wouldn't be impressed. I still hoped it wouldn't get me too much in trouble. That was not something I would have tried if I had not already told my landlord that I was moving out; my leash didn't feel as tight anymore.
While Misti carried her box, I looked up the address Lucy gave her.
"Oh... That's very far."
"How far?"
"Close to an hour and a half. Look."
I showed Misti my phone, and she whined at the incredibly long bus ride awaiting us.
"That is at the other end of town in the suburbs... It's so faaar!"
"It's okay, Misti. We can make it."
"Yeah, at least you are coming with me. Thanks so much again!"
Misti didn't have a bus pass like I did, so we dropped by the convenience store to buy her some tickets; of course, I had to buy them for her because she did not need money while working at the café; her pockets were empty. Right after that, we headed to the nearest bus stop.
Our first ride was not fun, it was crowded and smelly. Protecting the most precious object in her life, Misti had her arms tightly wrapped around her box, pressing it to her chest. If someone were to take it away from her, she would probably die of despair.
Thirty minutes later, we transferred to another line. This time we were able to sit and chat a little.
"So, Clara, I wanted to ask... When you came to the pethouse, and you saw me having fun with Trixie. How did you feel?"
"I... I don't know."
"Were you jealous?"
"Jealous?"
"Yes. I know you like Trixie a lot. And, well... I was kind of having sex with her."
"I don't know. I don't think so. I like Trixie, but I know she likes you too."
"So, what did you think, then, when you saw us on the couch?"
My face turned all red at that point. Misti was asking me questions about things I usually didn't discuss, and it was definitely embarrassing. I wanted to answer the truth but needed to find the right way to describe my feelings to her.
"Poor Clara. Why are you so shy? Tell me!"
"I... I liked it."
"What?"
"When... you played in her hair. It made me feel good."
"Haha. What do you mean? When I was playing in Trixie's hair, it turned you on?"
"... Yes."
"Really? That's hilarious. How come?"
"I don't know... Trixie's hair is so soft... yours too. Mine isn't like that."
"Trixie and I have the exact same hair type. It's a coincidence, but we decided to get the same haircut for fun last month. That's why we look so alike. Hey, why don't we dye your hair at some point? Let's die it blonde like ours and get you the same haircut. I think it would look great on you. And Trixie would lose her shit."
"..."
That was an odd proposition. Trixie and Misti got the same haircut for fun, and now she wanted me to do the same. I couldn't help it but feel fuzzy inside at the thought of changing my hair. I never had the money to do such a crazy thing but always wanted to. If I had no rent to pay, perhaps it was something I could entertain.
"Maybe... I'll think about it."
"Yay! We are going to turn you into a cute blonde!"
"... I didn't... say yes."
"You didn't say no either! So, where are we now?"
"Another ten minutes, and then we will transfer again."
As I looked at my map on my phone, Misti leaned her head against mine. She didn't do it on purpose, but her soft hair brushed on my cheek, sending a little shiver down my spine. Why did her hair turn me on so much?
***
It took another forty-five minutes for us to arrive at our final destination. I was not familiar with this kind of rich suburban area. It felt all weird to see those big houses that so many people could afford. My tiny apartment downtown felt even smaller all of a sudden; perhaps I had been insane for living in it for so long.
As the bus moved away from behind us, Misti and I stood side by side on the walkway, her holding the box and me tapping on my phone.
"So, where are we going now?"
"It's a five minutes walk... It's this street over there."
"Okay, let's go then."
I knew something was wrong with Misti. She played it cool until now, but knowing that she would have to do what Lucy had asked her earlier, explaining to a stranger what she had done to her costume, it was scaring her to death. If she had not been carrying that box, her hand would probably have held mine.
The more we approached our destination, the bigger the houses were getting, and the more intimidated we got.
"Misti... It's this one on the corner. 379."
"Of course, it had to be the biggest one with the giant garage."
"I don't know. Maybe it's going to be... fun?"
"Clara! You are not very good at cheering me up."
"S... sorry."
"... but, thank you!"
Misti kissed me on the cheek before heading to the front door. Not wanting to be on the front line, I stayed a few steps behind her. Holding the box on top of her knee, Misti reached the bell with her small finger. And then the excruciating wait began.
