The days that followed (Lea's perspective)

Mackenzie has been a hugger for as long as I've known her, but in the week after her reclassification she became even more affectionate. I guess it started as her just looking for reassurance, which we were happy to give her. Whenever we were in the same room she'd want to cuddle with me or put her head on Craig's shoulder. I even walked in on her lying with her head in his lap a few times. She'd always sit up with a guilty expression, but anything that made her feel safer was good with me you know?

Unfortunately, Mackenzie tends to see the worst in every situation. I think she was afraid I'd be jealous about how close she was getting to my boyfriend, and although nothing could have been further from the truth she started compensating by being extra nice to me. She'd wake up early to make my favorite breakfast, do my share of the housework, that kind of stuff.

It honestly made me feel bad, I should have been the one taking care of her yet here she was putting in extra work for my sake. It got to the point that I had to sit her down and talk to her about it under four eyes. What she told me almost broke my heart.

Mackenzie wasn't just worried about making me jealous, she was terrified that either of us would get bored or sick of having her around and get rid of her. Especially because she could no longer contribute rent, since pets aren't allowed to earn money. All it would take was one projector call and she'd be assigned a new owner.

Now I was the one crying, how could she think we'd do anything so horrid? "Mac, we would never do that to you! You're my best fucking friend and you always will be. Craig loves having you here too, and even if he wanted to he can't get you reassigned. He can take his name off your registration but I'm the primary owner, and if I say you stay there's nothing he can do about it."

"You... you'd pick me over your own boyfriend?"

"He won't make me pick, but if it came down to it yes I would," I told her. "You need me more than I need him, and friends don't abandon friends. Ever."

Suddenly I was being crushed in the tightest hug of my life. It was all I could do to eep for Mackenzie's attention, after which she quickly loosened her grip. There were tears in her eyes too, I could see. "Thank you Lea. You're the best friend ever!"

I opened my mouth again to respond, only to make a muffled sound as her lips pressed against mine. I know she was just overcome with emotions and expressing her gratitude, but my bisexual ass responded to the kiss and before I knew it my tongue was inside Mackenzie's mouth.

That's when Craig walked into the room.