Her fears

You talk about a lot of things with the flamboyant girl, but inevitably the conversation turns to what her deal is. The playfully badass thing Rita has had going on since you met her gives way to a softer, almost **** expression as she becomes serious.

The rat girl explains it as simply as she can: "I've never identified with the pet thing as much as other girls. I keep going to the adoption center thinking maybe things will click if I just find the right guy, but at the same time the thought of having an owner makes me feel like I'd be... losing a part of myself? I don't know."

You can't say that you really understand her, and tell her that. But you also ask, "Have you considered that you're losing out on a big part of yourself by holding back?"

"Don't get me wrong," she says, "I love being a rat. And I'm not completely against the idea of being someone's pet. I'm just afraid of giving up my independence, I guess."

"I think I'd feel the same way," you say. "But like the woman at the counter said, we have options. You don't have to move in with me. We can just go on dates or whatever."

"Oh yeah? Where would you take me?" Rita asks with a grin.

You pretend to ponder her question before answering. "Well I alread vetoed the explosion factory so, either a destruction derby or the museum of cheese."

"Both good choices!" she exclaims. "But where would you take me?"

"The aquarium," you blurt out without thinking. You're not sure where that came from, but it feels right somehow.

And indeed, Rita is smiling softly. "The aquarium? Sure, sounds like it could be a cute date. When do you want to go?"

It's Thursday now, and you want to have at least one day to talk to Ashley and prepare for your first non-impromptu date with Rita. "Saturday, a little after noon? Or maybe Sunday, I don't know what the opening hours are."

Rita giggles. "Look it up and give me a call. I'm fine with either." Grabbing her napkin and a pen, she writes down a phone number and presses it into your hand. Her fingers touch your skin as she does so, and they linger briefly before pulling back.

You're surprised to feel butterflies in your stomach, but the petgirl sitting across from you is preoccupied with something else. "Oops, had some grease on my fingers!"

Giggling again, she takes your untouched napkin and wipes a spot off your wrist before using it to clean her own fingers. Then the napkin is dropped onto her empty plate. You still have a bite of your waffle left, but you finish it just as Donna walks up to your table again. "How was it? Can I get y'all anything else? Another drink, maybe dessert?"

You feel like dessert would be redundant after a big plate of waffles, so you decline but ask Rita if she wants anything. The answer is no, so you pay for your meals and stand up to leave.

The motorcycle ride is even more harrowing on a full stomach, but you survive the trip back to FPI without injury. Rita says she can drop you off anywhere, but you live close enough to the pet shop that you don't mind walking home from there.

Stopping the motorcycle on the street by the main entrance, Rita waves to another petgirl - a sugar glider? You're not sure but that might be the animal she takes after - leaving the store hand-in-hand with a young girl who might be her little sister. The two girls wave back and make their way to an idling car where a woman, perhaps their mother, is waiting in the driver's seat.

While the two girls get into the back of the car, Rita says goodbye and leans in to plant a quick kiss on your cheek. "Don't forget to call me. Or you'll be sleeping with the fishes instead of admiring them through a glass divider."

You can't help getting a last joke in before parting ways. "Oh, is there a sexy fishgirl pet you want to introduce me to?"

Rita glares at you. "That was supposed to sound threatening! Just call me!"

Grumbling, she puts her helmet back on and jumps on the motorcycle. You're left staring at her backside while she zooms away, filled with amusement and anticipation.