She can help!

the curse kicked in read Naomi's text to Sophie. Less than thirty seconds later, her phone chirped; less than ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Natalie greeted her at the door and Sophie rushed in anxiously.

"Oh my God, did it really happen? Are you ok? What's it like? Are you a ****?"

"Whoa, calm down. Yes, it happened and I'm fine. We need you to test a theory," Naomi said from the couch. "Don't touch me yet, please."

"You're fine?" Sophie asked. "Aren't you a **** now?"

Natalie sat down next to her girlfriend and smiled. "She's not my **** because I don't want a ****. Remember, it just rearranges her priorities to match mine. I want my girlfriend, so that's what she is!"

"...fuck," Sophie muttered. "So it's true. What happens next time someone else touches you?"

"That's why you're here." Naomi put a hand on Natalie's knee. "We think we found a way to make it permanent, but we wanted to test it with someone we trust."

Sophie eyed them warily. "Permanent? As in, you'll be Natalie's **** forever?"

"Not ****," Naomi corrected. "Honestly, who would you suggest? I'm never going to be my own again, and Natalie actually likes me and wants to be with me. She's really a best-case outcome here."

"That's right," Natalie added. "I like Naomi exactly how she is. I don't want her to change, so she's not going to change. And if we don't make it permanent, she won't be able to leave the apartment again without running the risk of becoming a sex **** or worse."

Sophie sighed and sat down. "Is that true, Naomi? Do you still feel like you? If she's been changing you or messing with you, you can tell me."

Naomi put her arm around her girlfriend and grinned. "Yep! Honestly, it feels nice to be this single-minded. No more indecision or guilt! I just do what's best for Natalie. It's kind of freeing."

"Freeing?" Sophie repeated. "To have to do whatever Natalie wants all the time? How on earth is that freeing?"

"I don't have to do whatever she wants. I want to do whatever's good for her! Having a real girlfriend is better for her than having a mindless ****, so that's what I'll do. Now will you please help us with this test?"

They explained their experiment to Sophie, who listened quietly. She grimaced when she saw the angry red welt on Naomi's arm. "So you want me to touch you and see if you become my ****?"

"Stop saying that word," Naomi said with some irritation. It was probably making Natalie feel guilty. "And yes, Natalie's going to be ready to instantly touch me again if things go wrong."

"Why would she even need to? I'll agree to give you back."

Naomi shook her head. "You don't understand. Having me as your dedicated servant would be better for you than not. As soon as the curse kicks in, I'll do everything in my power to remain yours. It may get violent."

"Even if I tell you I want you to go back to her?" Sophie asked incredulously.

"Babe, would you please go touch Sophie so that you belong to her instead of me?" Natalie asked. Naomi was elated that her girlfriend was finally starting to understand the real parameters of the curse.

"Not a chance," she replied. "See? I would never willingly break away from Natalie, even if she asked me to. The same will apply once you touch me."

"If the curse kicks in," Natalie added and Naomi nodded. Naomi scooched away from Natalie and Natalie held one hand a few inches above Naomi's knee.

Sophie sighed and approached the couch. She slowly extended a hand and poked her friend's arm.