We left for the meal

We didn't talk on the way to Caroline's apartment. Jade breathed in, and kocked up the door, wich opened shortly after. Caroline welcomed us: "Hello you two, please come in."

She was a woman in her early thirties, like Jade. Under her short red hair, a pair of keen grey eyes could be seen, hidden behind a pair of rectangular glasses. Her posture pointed her confidence, showing her will to fight back to those trying to **** her or the ones she loved. I politely averted my eyes while they shared a hug, and probably a kiss.

We all seated in the living-room in silence, I was so nervous I couldn't speak, even holding Caroline's gaze was unbearable. Finally, she sighted and speaked up: "We're not going anywhere now." She then stared right at me. "Listen Andrew: Jade already told me everything that happened. And to be clear, if it wasn't for her, I'd have punched you the moment you setted foot here."

"Hum, thanks Jade." I mumbled, a little scared.

"I don't know much about you, but she put her trust in you, so I'm ready to try and trust you."

She took Jade's hand and added: "So, should we eat before watching...". She didn't have to finish her question, my roomate and I were nodding. I was hungry, and I suppose she wasn't mentally ready to show her new form to Caroline.

The lunch was delicious, a chicken with potatoes. I learned more about Coraline, she's a hairdresser in her own hair salon and she practice judo in her free time. I told her about my work as an independent photographer and my search of a girlfriend.

Once we ate, we all went in the living-room, awkwardly, because we all knew what we should talk about. I gathered every ounces of bravery within me and asked Jade: "Are you ready to...". She briefly took Caroline's hand before nodding. "Yeah, I might be." Thereupon, she stood up at the center of the room.

I took the stone out of my pocket, and after a last visual confirmation from Jade, I turned her back into a monster girl. The latter began to nervously wait for Caroline, fearing her reaction. The redhead slowly stood up and took her girlfriend's hand into her's, watching the flat fingertips, before taking her for a hug. After a moment of surprise, Jade hugged her back, tears of relief rolling on her cheeks.

"We're in this together sweetie." said Coraline to appease Jade, "I'll stay with you." This scene was so touching, I'm sure I was grinning like an idiot. "So," she carried on, "how do you feel exactly ? Does this hurt ?"

"It doesn't hurt" replied the concerned one, "but I feel... something. If I'm hungry, it pushes me to eat. If I'm sleepy, it pushes me to sleep. I feel like an animal instinct has awaken inside me, and I have to keep it at bay."

"I see... Andrew, I have something to ask you."

"What is it ?" I responded.

"I want you to change me the same way you changed her."

...

What ?

"Excuse me ?"

"Cal !" shouted Jade, "why would you want to be... a monster ?!"

"One: I want to understand what you feel and to accompany you through this. Two: you trust Andrew and I believe your judgement, so I assume he's good-willed. Three: we can have our original appearance back. And four: I admit, I'm kinda curious about this."

Jade looked down a little, confused, then lifted her head smiling. "I love you Cal."

"I love you too Jade." Caroline then turned around to face me. "Okay then, do your thing."

"If you're sure of yourself..." I replied, seizing the stone. "Do you know what animal you want to be ?"

"I can choose ? I don't know much about animals... I'll let you choose, just take something that can defend himself."