Comfort her

At first you feel angry, but looking down on her, so broken and ****, that feeling doesn't last. You have no idea what to say to make this right. Instead you just kneel down on the pavement and put your arms around her.

She doesn't push you away like you half expected her to. Instead, after a few seconds, she hugs you back, burying her face into your chest as she sobs openly. It's been a very confusing day for you, but for the first time since this morning you aren't conscious at all of your new body, or of the curse, or of your frustration. None of that matters right now. You rest your head on Allison's shoulder, and you cry too, feeling the day's stress and worry pour out of you.

Allison is the first to recover enough to speak. "I'm sorry," she speaks softly, without raising her head "I'm so, so sorry. You're the one who's gone through hell today, and I've just been such a selfish bitch about it."

You aren't going to let her get away with that. "No, no, you're not, it's o.k. Allison, it's o.k." You start, still struggling to get your sobbing back under control. "You've been wonderful, really. I'm the one who's being too emotional. When I came out of the bathroom and you weren't there, I just panicked. Because I have no idea how I would make it through this without you, Allie. I know you didn't mean those things you said... but when this is over, I promise I'll always be your friend. And if anyone ever picks on you for being who you are, you can just tell me, and I'll kick the crap out of them." You both laugh at that last promise - it must sound pretty ridiculous coming from you as you are right now.

You move to sit on the curb beside her. You lean closely against each other, watching the other customers file out of the mall and into their cars. You stay there silently for a long time. The sun is setting. The mall must be closed by now. So much for the shopping trip. Eventually Allison reaches over and takes your hand, entwining her fingers with your own. "You've never called me Allie before," she whispers, a smile on her face "I liked it." You look into each other's eyes. You never want this moment to end, but you know it will be getting dark soon. As if reading your thoughts, Allison speaks up: