The one that looks like Ashley

Your gaze locks on to a girl with an uncanny resemblance to your friend. Her hair is a darker brown, and she might be a bit shorter, but her face is similar enough that you could have taken her to be Ashley's sister if you didn't know she didn't have any. It makes you kind of uncomfortable. Who wants a pet that looks like his best friend?

But curiosity gets the better of you, and you reach down to pull her up so you can get a better look. She takes your hand and rises gracefully, her calm brown eyes staring into yours. She's wearing a loose top that ends at the edge of her rib cage, tight jean shorts, a black silk choker to imitate a collar, and of course two furry black triangles peek out of her dark hair. Standing up, her resemblance to Ashley is even more pronounced; no more than an inch shorter, similar proportions, the same body type. The biggest difference you can detect without getting intimately close is her stomach. She has enough ab muscles that their contours are visible, unlike Ashley who had a flat, smooth stomach the last time you saw her at the pool.

Finally, reaching for the tag wrapped around one of her short's belt loops, you read: Tibby, $300, TO AN ADVENTUROUS OWNER.

"Wow, expensive." You mutter. "And what's that about being adventurous?"

Tibby leans forward slightly to whisper into your ear. "It means I'm worth it. So are you taking me home or what?"

Your surprise at her direct question is nothing compared to your surprise when her tongue darts out to flick your ear lobe, before she pulls back to stand before you like nothing had happened. You're close enough that you can smell the mild aroma of her skin, and her eyes stay locked on yours.

Making an impulsive decision, as usual when confronted with a challenge a smarter person would think twice about, you retort "You bet your ass I am."

A moment later your hands are on her hips, lifting her off her feet. She giggles and latches on with her arms and legs as you carry her past Ashley, who turns to follow you with a surprised "Whoa, I guess you found one you like!"

Depositing Tibby on the counter, you dig out your credit card to pay the adoption fee. The old woman accepts it wordlessly, and steps into the back to retrieve two bags carrying Tibby's things. Thanking her, you help Tibby off the counter and step out onto the street.

Outside, Ashley turns to inspect your new charge. Several emotions play over her face before she settles on a look of mock concern. "Uh, John? Why does she look exactly like me? Is there something you want to tell me?"

Grinning sheepishly, you respond. "What can I say, I've been picturing you on your knees a lot."

"Oh my GOD John, gross!" Ashley swings one of the bags at you, dealing no damage as it contains nothing but clothes. Turning back to Tibby with an apologetic expression, she says "I'm so sorry, but you've just become the pet of a pervert."

"Hey, don't knock it 'till you've tried it."

"Huh?" Ashley is as taken back by Tibby's second utterance as you were by her first.

"Seriously, give it a try. You might even like it." Moving quickly, Tibby pulls the ears off her head and presses them into Ashley's hands. "Now which direction is home? Are we walking?"

You nod. "My apartment's just on the other side of the park. Hey Ash, dare you to wear those until we get there."

The three of you are almost through the park when you bump into your friend Dave. "Sup John, heard you finally got your own place. And a pet to go with it, I see!"

Stepping up to Ashley, he uses a finger under her chin to turn her face up to him, conveniently closing her mouth before she can tell him he's got the wrong girl. Tibby, watching from your other side, does nothing to correct his mistake. "You know how to pick 'em, gonna give you that. But you'll have your work cut out for you if she shares Ashley's temperament as well as her looks."

This time her response is cut off by a sqeak as he reaches into her shirt to pinch a nipple.

"That's a fun sound. Wish I could stick around, but I have to get going."

And with that, he's jogging away.

The first thing you notice when you stop staring after him is Ashley's mortified look. "That was so embarassing, I can't believe he did that! And why didn't you stop him?"

"Oops?" Tibby offers innocently.

"It was over before I could react," you defend yourself lamely. "I'm sorry Ashley, I shouldn't have made that dare. Do you want to give Tibby her ears back?"

Ashley's still miffed, but she's cheered up a bit by the time you reach your apartment. Enough that you feel safe teasing her a little.

"Well you didn't complete the dare, but I think you deserve a treat anyway. Will you come in and have some cake?"