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5.Jackie-The-Junior Dinner-Party.

It's nice for once to not be woken up by an alarm clock. The residential units we stayed in at Mauri's woke us up every morning, and the alarm clock in my room did the same for that first month back. The language lessons happened every day that month from early morning to late at night.

So yet another thing that was common for me back at the jobless center is now again in so short of supply, so I've come to appreciate it again. The simple ability to wake up on my own without an alarm.

Uncurling myself I move to sit up and notice that sometime during the night, Christine has found her way into my bed in just a long shirt and some underwear, and we curled up together. I'm also rather surprised that this doesn't wake Christine, she does curl upon herself a bit more from the loss of my body heat.

Standing and stretching, I work out the kinks and getting a few minor pops from my joints. Only then do I remember that I'm just in my fur, and that I've left my 'toy' on the nightstand.

So I take a second to place it back in my underwear drawer, while I put on some clean clothes. Glancing at my alarm clock I see it's a bit too early for everyone else to be up, at least for a weekend. So I quietly turn on my computer to entertain myself for a bit.

'Good morning sis.' So engrossed in what I was doing I didn't notice that Christine had woken up, so when she speaks, my tail poofs. Causing Christine to do that yipping laugh.

'Morning' As I smooth out the fur on my tail, Christine moves to sit on her normal spot on the edge of my bed.

'Did I miss breakfast?' Shaking my head with a light giggling yip. Considering the display last night as we were making burgers, I think Christine would've known if she was missing breakfast.

'Nope, from the sound of things, everyone else is still waking up.' Christine yawns, making me yawn too. Our conversation, just sort of ends and Christine watches as I just browse around a few tech websites for a bit.

The first sign that someone is making breakfast for us, is when the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafts its way into our room. I've never liked the taste of it, but I've rarely found a person that doesn't like the smell. It is also a sign that food is soon to follow.

Locking my computer I stand before checking to see if I am presentable, while Christine goes to her room to do the same. We meet up at the top landing of the stairs, and head down to the dinning room.

I'm surprised, Mom is up, but so are the Tanners. She's brewing coffee and making breakfast as Patrick's parents talk to each other, Flint is in the living room thankfully, if his scent and the sound of his voice are any indication.

Patrick is sitting with his parents, nursing a cup of coffee. Or from the smell of it as I approach, a cup of milk with 'some' coffee in it. Still, he's down here, walking over, I smile at him with a slight wag of my tail. Then surprise him a bit by moving to sit on his lap rather than the chair next to him.

"I would say it's inhuman to be so perky this early in the morning but." Patrick comments while patting my head, I just push myself up into his touch. It feels so good to have him pet me like this.

He places the cup of 'milk' on the table as the scent of bacon fills the room. The good stuff hopefully, and not the rubbery turkey and fat free stuff we had at the center.

'But I'm not human anymore.' Finishing his sentence and grinning in response to Patrick. Christine takes her seat on the other side of Patrick and Flint enters the room.

"Didn't you and your 'sister' fool around enough last night? I could hear you all the way in my room." Flint glares at me and Patrick, earning an ire filled look from his parents.

'We were playing, not having sex' Though I did masturbate after Christine went to her room, but I'm not going to tell him that. 'So, which one of us is the pervert here to automatically assume we were?' Yea I know, I bit the lure. A new dagger filled glare from his mother cuts off any retort from Flint.

"You do know, there's enough space for you to sit in your on chair Jackie" Patrick changes the subject looking down at me, I just give him a vulpine grin of amusement.

'It's not as comfortable as your lap, besides, I haven't been able to be this close to you once during the week, but now that it is the weekend!' I hear and feel Patrick sigh. Next thing I know I feel his hands move under my arms and I'm lifted, and rather effortlessly too, off his lap and onto the empty chair next to him.

"I wouldn't be able to eat if you sat there." Yea, he has a point, but I decide to play with him a bit. So I mock pout at him with a fake whine. He responds by gently booping me on the nose, and I have to shake my head a few times to prevent myself from sneezing on him.

"I'm not awake enough for these new playful shenanigans. Let me have breakfast and some more coffee, then you can sit on my lap and cuddle me like the lap fox you are." Somehow the playful jab at the end, feels more enduring to me than I thought it would.

Anyway, I'm about to comment about his drink, only to be stopped as Mom arrives with stacks of pancakes and a pile of the 'good' bacon. So further conversation is replaced with eager eating of the delicious fried meat.

Mom does stop Christine and I from mostly filling our plates with bacon sadly, pancakes are nice but this is the good bacon, it smells and tastes heavenly.

"Jackie, Christine, I know this isn't much, and it must be vastly smaller than what you got growing up Christine, but I think the both of you deserve allowances. I'll give you both sixty dollars in cash after breakfast." Sitting down, Mom fills her own plate with pancakes and only a few strips of bacon compared to our piles.

I just stare at her while gnawing a strip of bacon, stunned at the amount of money we're getting.

'That's a 'lot' of money mom. I know we're not tight for funds anymore, but it's a lot to just give to us every week.' Helping Patrick collect some empty plates, he does seem more awake now that he has food in him.

"We can afford it considering Patrick and the Tanners contribute to the upkeep of the house Jackie." Having given my empty plate to Patrick, I reach for some more of that mouth watering bacon from the center of the table. Mom swats my hand away with deft ease.

"You've had enough bacon young lady." But, there's no such thing? Mom looks over to Christine.

"Is it alright with you?" Christine nods once as Mom ignores my fake whine.

'I'm fine with it, and yes it's nowhere near the amount mom and dad used gave me. You guys don't make as much as they do, not even close. Not that aspect maters to me anymore as you all have treated me as your daughter better than they ever have.' I smile with pride, as well as mom. I am also curious now as to how much she did get in allowance, but mom beats me to asking her.

"Just out of morbid curiosity honey, how munch did your birth parents give you a week?" The Tanner's finish eating and add their plates to the pile, Flint nearly bolts from the table causing me to snort in annoyance. Christine is silent for a moment, then sighs.

'When I was five, I started getting a few thousand dollars, in cash, for my allowance. When I hit twelve it went up to about twenty thousand, by the time I ran away I was getting a week what you most likely earn in a year.' My jaw drops as I just stare at her for what she said. So does Mom and Patrick, even the Tanners pause and look over shocked.

"That is a 'lot' of money to give to a kid. No scratch that, it's an obscene amount." I agree, that is a lot of money. I can't imagine what it would be like to just be given it at such a young age.

Christine's ears and tail droop in shame as she just shrugs like it's nothing to her.

'Even when I was five Mom and Dad weren't paying much attention to me, so I think it was more an attempt to compensate. At the time, if I could've spent it to get more time with them, I would've.' Standing up, I walk over to Christine, helping her up to her feet I pull her into a hug, one she returns eagerly.

"That's completely messed up, just throwing money at their kid in an attempt to replace their attention." Patrick comments while standing. I just lead Christine to the living room while still holding onto me. Along the way I hear the Tanners comment that some people just shouldn't be parents if they don't want to take care of their kids.

Sitting down, Christine curls up next to me on the couch, head in my lap. Patrick joins me a moment later on the other side, then picks up the remote for the T.V.

He doesn't turn it on just yet. I gently pet Christine's head, watching her relax as I feel his gaze on me.

"Is Christine going to be okay?" Letting out a sigh I look back at him.

'Learning what happened to her parents is still troubling her, so I guess it is a sensitive subject. Even if they didn't seem to care for her.' Patrick silently nods, turns on the T.V. and starts flipping through the channels for anything decent to watch.

Leaning against him, I rest my head on his shoulder while petting Christine. Her breathing has slowed, and she seems to have fallen asleep. Patrick eventually finds something interesting to watch, and gently drops the remote onto the end table next to the couch. He pats my head as he leans against the backrest.

We're not too far into the show when Mom walks over to me and hands me the collective allowance, one hundred and twenty dollars in Canadian cash. Unlike the United States, which still makes its money out of paper like cloth, Canada makes it out of some kind of plastic that can be bent, folded, and rolled up, only for it to spring back to its original shape.

"Here you go, I'll let you hold onto Christine's till she wakes up." Nodding, I take the cash and stick it into my pocket, wince, then pull it out again. Folding it up carefully I stick it back in my pocket. Durable plastic it may be, but the edges still can poke you unlike the cloth bills.

Mom returns to the kitchen and I just go back to watching the television, just some mindless entertainment. It's enjoyable due to being able to lean against Patrick.

My mind wanders a little to what to do about tonight, who my step sibling may be, and what my father looks like now. Not to mention how hard it will be to not tell him his son is still alive, just not his 'son' anymore.

Looking up at Patrick, and he smiles at me before patting my head again, Christine stirs at this, but some gentle petting on her head in turn gets her to stop moving.

'Maybe we should go somewhere?' Idly throwing out a suggestion for something to do after this program is over. He meets my gaze.

"Do you have any specific place in mind?" Thinking about it, I give a shrug of indifference.

'I don't care where, just someplace out of the house. I've only been to the mall and school since arriving here, the rest of the time I was either in the hospital or stuck in here.' Gently extracting myself from under Christine who's been slowly curling herself up onto my lap, making sitting here a bit uncomfortable.

"Oh! I know, we can go to the mall and you can blow your allowance on clothes and shoes like a typical teenage girl!" His tone of voice tells me he's joking, but that does sound like a good idea, going to the mall I mean. I also don't take the bait from hearing mom let out a snort of laughter from the kitchen.

I could also always use an extra pair of shoes. Just in case something happens to the others I have. I mean someone could steal one or damage them considering what happened to my gym clothes this week, and then I'll be forced to go barefoot again.

'Then do I have permission to have you carry everything I buy, while I drag you to various stores asking if this outfit makes my butt look fat?' Showing a playful smirk while speaking gets my joke across and causes Patrick to let out a laugh.

"If you started to act like that, I would worry about you." I'd be worried about myself too, shoes non withstanding. Pulling out his phone, he taps the screen a few times before showing it to me.

"Looks like you can drive us there if you do want to go. Starting today for the next week, internal combustion engines are allowed. Unless you want to wake Christine and take her with us, in which case I'll have to drive." Shaking my head once. I lean against him some.

'Even though I can't show this affection publicly, I'd rather spend the time there with you alone considering how little I saw you this week.' He nods, stands, then holds out his hand to help me up.

"What about Christine? Will she be fine like this?" Patrick nods to her sleeping form as I stretch a bit, working out the kinks in my body.

'If you can carry her up to my room, and place her on my bed, my scent should allow her to sleep till we get back.' Taking out Christine's share of the allowance from my pocket, I hand it to Patrick.

'Place this on my nightstand to. I'll go wait in the car for you.' Patrick nods, pockets it, and as I move out of the way. Gently picks Christine up off the couch. She doesn't stir in his arms, and I have to admit that Patrick taking care of her hits on those new maternal like instincts, and the attraction I feel to Patrick.

With a happy smile on my face, picking up the set of key's for my car from the key-hooks on the wall. Then out through the garage to where my 'work in progress' junker sits. The remote lock and unlock feature still needs to be fixed on it, so I have to unlock it the manual way before getting in.

Halfway into readjusting the seat and the controls for my size, Patrick knocks lightly on the passenger side window. Leaning over, then with my claw-tip I push up the switch to the 'unlocked' position. Once we're buckled up, I put the key in the ignition at start the car.

The motor starts as soon as I turn the key, everything else may be half working or broken on it, but the engine's good. Well, the engine, brakes, and anything else needed to have it street legal.

Doesn't stop Patrick from joking about my driving by acting scared and grabbing the handle above the passenger side door each time I take a turn. The only time I was that bad was when I was being taught near the end of last month, and I did get better.

"What do you want to do when we get there?" Stopping at a red light I look over at him.

'Walk around a bit, browse a few stores, including the electronics one.' Pausing for a second. 'Pick up another pair of shoes or two.' Hopefully to quiet for him to hear.

The light turns green as silence fills the cabin, my ear twitches as it seems the atmosphere in the car has changed and I can't put my finger on why. It was drilled into me to only pay attention to the road while driving, so I can't look over at Patrick.

"No one is going to force you to walk barefoot Jackie." Of course, he would hear me. Not that he has better hearing than I do, it's just my luck perhaps.

Taking the turn into the mall's parking lot as the light allows me, I start to search for a parking spot a reasonable distance from the front doors.

'I'm not taking that chance Patrick. Something could happen to the pairs I already have.' Spotting an empty space, I ease the car into it and then park it. Shutting off the engine while mentally sighing. Just talking about this is stressful.

A part of me realizes what he's saying is true. The rest of me is strangely afraid of feeling my feet barefoot on any surface for a prolonged period. Pulling out the keys I unbuckle my seat belt and exit the car, making sure my door is locked before I close it.

Patrick follows suit a moment later.

"How many pairs would you be satisfied with?" Working out a kink in my tail I look over the roof of the car at Patrick with my ears swiveling forward. He looks around as I do, no one else is anywhere near us to hear our conversation, we're safe.

"Just humor me okay? I understand that it was rough for you to walk in the dead of winter barefoot on pavement and metal, I also think you may be using this to cover for the overall trauma of being a slave. In any case, how many would you feel satisfied with?" Sighing I let my shoulders and ears slump for a second.

I love him, but I don't think he's correct in his assumption, it's just, uncomfortable for some reason being barefoot.

'Two to three pairs for school. As you know, I've had my gym uniform destroyed and I doubt the new lock will keep them out for long, so I want some backups. A pair or two of slippers for the house, another pair of general shoes for outings like this. Also, a couple of pairs of winter boots, if they make them for Bio-morphs.' In total about seven pairs of shoes, realizing it as soon as I say it, along with Patrick.

My ears droop, I'm barely able afford one pair of shoes let alone that many. An uncontrollable whine builds up in my throat and an uncomfortable feeling in my feet, things kinda fade around me, forcing me to focus on my feet. They feel so cold it feels like they're burning. I try to get off of them by climbing onto something, to ease the pain from standing on them and the ground.

Suddenly I feel Patrick's hands on my shoulders, I grab a hold of them.

"It's fine Jackie, you're okay. You're not at Mauri's anymore." My mind was so caught up in what I now realize are hallucinations, I didn't notice him moving in front of me. Or notice my tail has found its way between my legs as I tried to climb up onto the hood of the car backwards. Is this what a panic attack is like?

'I think, you may have a point.' Whispering as I get off my cars hood, followed by removing my tail from between my legs.

"Jackie, I've seen stuff like this with other escapees. No one goes through what you went through without damage and scars, some have it worse than others. Your nightmares, this, I'm going to talk to your mother later about getting you some help as this is more than we can handle on our own." Squeezing my shoulders reassuringly, he lets me go.

"Just this once, and only to prevent this from happening again somewhere more crowded where unwanted questions will be asked. I'll get you want you said you'd be comfortable with. But! This will be it. It will be as much as I'll do to feed your symptoms rather than work on the disease." Nodding in the direction of the mall entrance, Patrick starts walking. I follow while not stopping my ears from splaying.

'What do you mean by feed the symptoms?' It's a bit of a walk, and with few people around we're safe to talk. I do realize that we'll need to stop as soon as we reach it.

"Keep in mind I'm not an expert in this psychology stuff. It is stuff I learned while helping other escapee's. I think you're using shoes as a way to keep in control and cope, because the feeling of your bare feet against anything but the inside of a shoe reminds you of everything that happened outside of your control. So some part of you thinks the more shoes you have, the less you have to deal with those memories. The problem is you'll never have enough, the ones I'll buy you today will sooth that itch for a bit. Sooner than you expect though, that itch will return and what you have won't be enough. You'll need more, then in turn those won't be enough." Now that Patrick points it the logic behind his reasoning, I kinda see it?

Sighing at him with a momentary glance, I hate to admit it but Mauri's seems to have followed me here.

'I see. You don't have to spend all that money you know.' Looking over at me he smiles.

"It's not a bother. I get to spend some time with you, and help you out." That makes me feel warm, and I like it. I hope that spending some time with him in here helps me ignore what just happened, for the moment. I'm just disappointed that we can't hold hands. He does hold the door for me like a gentleman and I politely thank him in return.

Now inside the mall proper, we wander around before finding a general shoe store instead of some high priced specialty shop. It's some generic chain store that I don't recognize, but it's better that those specialty shops in price. He takes a seat on a padded bench just inside the entrance with a few people.

All guys stereo-typically enough.

"Go ahead and look around, keep in mind I don't have limitless funds Jackie." Nodding I glance about, then spot the sign for the section I need to go to, 'Bio-Morph - women's - non-hoofed'.

Walking over to this section I tilt an ear and listen in on a conversation someone else strikes up with Patrick.

"Are going around shopping with your girlfriend?" I can't help it, my tail wags once at this. The rows of shelving thankfully hides it from anyone not in my isle. It 'is' technically what's going on, but, we can't say it in public yet.

Okay, this is the right section, school shoes and sneakers.

"Nope. Just letting a close friend of my family to choose a few gifts for herself." Being called that will take a bit to get used to. Especially how I feel hearing him lie like this to keep our cover.

Just like no matter the shoe style, Bio-Morph shoes are high heels, even the sneakers. After checking my own size using the pair I'm wearing right now, I find a couple school shoes that will fit me and are acceptable. I place them to the side for the moment.

Sneakers are another matter it seems for women, pink, purple, light pastel shades of similar colors. All in curvy embroidered styles, some are flamboyant, with hearts and other cute symbols stitched onto them. Others are plain, but still in, say pastel a pink for instance.

"That's nice of you to do. How old is she?" Sighing I settle for a couple of pastel blue, or as it says on the box, Robin Egg blue. Never heard of a Robin, other than that comic book character. I would prefer a normal blue color, but compared to the alternatives, they're acceptable.

"She's sixteen. My family and hers just moved into the city a month ago." With the four boxes of shoes I walk up and deposit them next to Patrick and head to the slippers section next.

"Heh, just like every other sixteen year old, I hope you told her you don't have limitless funds?" My ear twitches as they both chuckle. I'm unable to find anything in the women's slipper section, bio-morph or not that is to my liking. So I check out the men's section after using a shoe size mat to see what my size is for the men's section.

"Yea I did, but its fine. Unlike my family's stuff, hers, her sister, and their mother's had items that 'went missing' from the moving company's truck. Shoes, clothes, electronics, and the like. This is just helping her out to be honest, the moving company never coughed any of it up, and we had little recourse. Not like we're rich enough to go through a prolonged lawsuit." Finding a slate gray pair that looks nice and fits, I take it and go looking for some snow boots.

Sigh, I should've known I wouldn't find any considering its spring, getting to late spring at that. So they must've put their winter stuff away or it has sold out. Walking over I place the slippers on top of the shoe boxes and look at Patrick.

The person he's talking is a human guy and looks to be about Patrick's age, in casual clothes. Upon seeing me he politely smiles, I return it as I wait for Patrick.

"It has been nice talking to you, but Jackie seems to be ready to check out." Standing, Patrick shakes the young man's hand, then picks up the four shoe boxes and the pair of slippers. Sigh, the soon my leg fully heals the better.

"Same here. Don't let her max out your credit cards, okay?" Said in a joking tone of voice, but with an undertone indicating he may be talking from experience. Patrick only nods, then leads me over to the checkout counter. A teenage human girl with goth purple hair and wearing the store uniform stands with eyes glued to her phone.

That is until Patrick places the items on the counter. Putting her phone down she rings all the items up with what looks like the most disinterest I've seen in someone.

Only till I notice the total so far being rung up, I wince at the cost of this. No way I'm going to let him pay for all this on his own, I'll pay him back, somehow. I'm about to say something about it, but he holds up a finger.

"I told you this was going to be a gift." Sighing with my ears splaying, I watch him pay for the five pairs of shoes. Then the cashier bags them and hands them to Patrick in a single motion. With them in hand, he exits the store and I follow behind him. If I wasn't so caught up in figuring out how to pay him back I would admire the view.

'I didn't realize it would be that much, I'm sorry Patrick.' We stop in a small alcove with a bench, placing the bag on it before kneeling down to be look at me eye to eye.

"Jackie, it is a small price to pay to help you out right now. If you insist on paying me back, then can you please accept it and in return promise me that you'll talk to whomever your mom and I find to help you solve the underlying issue?" Meekly nodding yes, he smiles, then gives me a short hug, like a friend would. We are in a public place after all.

We continue on through the mall after he picks the bag up, walking in silence till I spot a local retro electronics shop and point it out to him.

'Want to take a look inside?' Nodding in the shop's direction.

"Alright." Moving in front of him I lead him inside, it's an open area mostly. Everything from what looks like game consoles and computer parts only a generation or two old line the walls outside of the checkout desk. A few bins of discount items or display stands broke up the empty space.

Then I spot something called an Atari sitting behind protective glass behind the checkout counter, next to racks of cartridges and a single joystick controller with a couple of buttons.

The small piece of paper under it makes me realize I'm looking at a nearly eighty year old set of electronics. Tapping Patrick's shoulder I point it out to him.

I can see he's interested but considering the price, four figures for the console itself, nearly five figures for the console and everything in the case. I know he can't afford it, and I think he realizes it too upon taking a look at his phone, which most likely has his bank account balance displayed.

So we keep browsing, a few newer consoles catch my interest, newer compared to that Atari that is, but those are out of range of my meager sixty dollars.

Considering neither of us can afford anything in here, we decide to move on and continue onward to the electronics anchor store we went to last week.

On the way I take notice of a small side shop. What catches my eye is it's a specialty shop catering exclusively to Bio-morphs needs and interests.

On display, next to the entrance, they have what I recognize as chew toys for pet dogs, but they're labeled for bio-morph cubs. Without thinking twice, I head inside with Patrick following behind me.

Normally stuff like this wouldn't interest me, but I'm curious as to how they altered mundane items help Bio-Morphs. I know I have to use some special shampoo, this place sells the same brand. I just hope mom gets it for a better price than what they're asking for.

Going into another isle I see kitchen supplies with different looking handles, vacuums claiming to be good at picking up fur, and special bedroom supplies like tear poof sheets with kevlar woven in. Looking into the next isle only shows stuff geared to avian breeds.

The sheets though, they make sense, and I wonder if mom got something similar for Christine and I.

"I never would've imagined so much stuff would need to be specifically tailored, other than clothes, for Bio-Morphs." Nodding in agreement I wander down a few more of the isles with him following for a few more minutes.

'There's a lot of stuff here I recognize from home, please tell me Mom didn't buy them here?' Picking up a brush I wince that they're charging double digits in Canadian dollars for it. I put it back on the rack carefully and quickly.

"We did have to have some stuff made for you two in mind. Like the full body drier in the bathroom, not that it isn't useful to me. The rest though we picked up at a larger chain store, so we didn't spend much. Other than your and Christine's sheets, they're expensive no matter where you go simple because they have that kevlar stuff." Nodding once I make a mental note to take better care of my sheets then, I think that material is only tear resistant, not proof.

Having satiated my curiosity, we head on over to the anchor electronics store where I got my computer. Considering it was my idea to go into that specialty store, I let Patrick lead as we walk through the isle's browsing haphazardly. He only stops when something catches his interest, or lets me look at something when it catches mine.

Being a big box store it's not long before we're asked by salesmen if we're finding everything alright or if we need some help. Politely declining causes the salesman to go find someone else as quickly as he appeared.

We eventually find ourselves in the gaming section, consoles mainly, but some computer gaming stuff is in here to.

'Would've been nice to have some of this stuff growing up. More entertaining than when few channels that TV I repaired could pick up.' Picking up some Chinese made hand held in the style of an older hand held, I look it over. It has two touch screens, and fifty games built in. It is similar, but a lot newer looking in design to some that I routinely found and sold after fixing.

"It would've been, up until someone stole it that is. Couldn't have stayed up every night to guard it like we had to do for the higher value stuff we fixed." Nodding once I place back on the shelf.

That was the worst part of whole process, because of the work involved, and the thin walls, shared ventilation system, everyone on the floor knew when I was soldering and repairing electronics. The shoddy locks gave no protection, so once the devices were working, I had to spend sleepless nights guarding what I fixed till it sold. Patrick would do the same during the day to allow me to sleep.

Didn't take long though, a few days at most, but it was still stressful.

This area is busy with teenagers, of both human and Bio-morph, and we failed to notice this because we were so preoccupied with each other. For a panicked moment we look around at everyone else here. No one is staring back at us, no one has stopped what they were doing except us. No one must've heard us talk about something that we shouldn't have, no one cared.

In fact, those that are here seem to be more interested in evangelizing over consoles or trying to convince others of their opinions than paying attention to us.

"We need to be more careful." Patrick states simply and I couldn't agree more on that.

Going back to browsing, most of the consoles on display here are so new we don't recognize them. We're used to the older models people throw out.

I do recognize one isle, a section labeled for personal computer's or just 'pc' on the sign. So I walk over there with Patrick in tow, I know he's looking at my tail as we do.

So I just swish it back and forth a few times on purpose, suppressing the smile I so want to do.

The racks contain few boxed PC games, and the ones that are there are labeled that all they have are redemption codes. The isle is mostly filled with row upon row of cards for in-game purchases or for gaming services. They're also mostly within my budget considering I know Patrick won't chip in. He's already spent too much on me due to those shoes.

Since I have what's considered a reasonable PC by today's standards, even though I was taking a chance when I first got it. This may be the best bet for me to get to understand what people my 'new' age are into.

"Good choice. One of those digital cash cards will be your best bet. The consoles are out of your price range and you already have a computer." He seems to have reached the same conclusion I did, so I look at the choices I have for game services, then choose a fifty dollar one. The logo for the service seems to be a single lever of some kind of old time steam powered machine.

Making our way to the checkout lanes, I end up spending all but a few dollars of my allowance on the card due to taxes. It's more than I would've been comfortable spending on such a luxury year's ago, but things are different now.

I can justify it as research, after all there were just as many teenage girls in the gaming section as guys. Also, Christine did say there's nothing worse than trying to 'fake' it when being in the culture game. So it means I'm just going to have to play what's popular, even if its boring.

Once we're outside the store, Patrick takes his phone out for a moment, looks at it, then puts it back.

"Wow, time flies when you're having fun. It's already mid-afternoon, we should be heading back home. Your mother may want your help cooking dinner, and well, you, her, and Christine will need time to get ready." Sigh, right, the dinner with 'dad'.

Wait, did he just insinuate just because I'm a girl now it will take me hours to get ready? I look at him and tilt my head and one of my ears to the side for a moment, then sigh and look around. Later, it's too public here to talk about that.

'Right, lets head back home.' Heading back the way we came ends up being a quicker trip than getting here due too not being distracted, that is until I look at a fur and hair salon near were we entered the mall.

Laying in a beauticians chair, while staring daggers at me as her fur is getting worked on, is Diane Cobbler. To be honest, her telling me to stay out of the mall slipped my mind. Not that I would've listen to her anyway.

Thankfully since she's getting her fur trimmed and styled, she's unable to confront us so her death glare is all she's able to do.

"Something wrong Jackie?" I had stopped walking and I hadn't noticed, but Patrick did.

'I just saw Diane over there in the.' I look at the store's name. 'The fluffy tail fur salon, and remembered she told me to 'stay out of the mall'. It's a public place and I have as much of a right to be here as she does.' Patrick glances over, then back to me just as I flip Diane off in return for her dirty look.

Feeling I've taken care of the situation, I walk over to one of the push open doors, waiting for Patrick to open the door for my like before. Since it would put a bit too much strain on my leg, and that I like him doing things like that for me.

Once outside I am glad to see the parking lot is as empty as it was this morning, which of course means we can talk freely.

"You've never antagonized bullies before like this, what's changed?" Sighing I let my ears droop at the question and the implication.

'I don't know, she just, irks me at an instinctual level now. Maybe it's because we're both Alpha's? I felt the need to retaliate and flipping her off seemed the best bet.' Patrick shrugs, but not in the dismissive way I know as we both look around for where we parked. Sigh, he's going to be mulling over that for a while.

Wait, I remember that lamp post! Pointing it out to Patrick I lead the way.

"Maybe that's the case. Still, you need to stop antagonizing her, or she'll do worse than just cut up your uniform." Yea, I know. Last time I did that I ended up with a black eye and tons of bruises after being beaten up after school.

Walking up my car, I stick the key into the passenger side door and let Patrick in first, he gently places the shoes on the back seat, then leans over and unlocks the driver's side door for me.

'Well, I feel that will be harder said than done.' I sigh. 'I'll try my best.' Opening the driver's side door I get in, buckle up, close the door and start the car up. A moment later I'm pulling out of the parking spot and joining the 'long' line for exiting the mall's parking lot. No better time than now to bring it up.

'So, what did you mean when you said I would need the time to get ready?' Unable nor am I willing to hide the slight grin on my face as I hear him shift in his seat. Strange how there wasn't a large line to get in but the line to exit nearly spans the parking lot.

"That, um, maybe you'd have to dress up for the dinner? Not to mention I know it takes longer for you to do showers because of your fur. So I figure the rest would too, you know, Stuff like that." He does have a point, but the full body fur drier kinda fixes that.

'I don't care what Mom and Christine will wear, I'll just put on a nice pair of jeans and a t-shirt, I don't see a reason to dress up when you may get food on such nice clothes and thus ruining them.' I can see him nod in the corner of my sight as we creep along with the rest of the line.

"I don't like formal diners either Jackie, but something like this may require you to dress a bit nicer than that. I may not have firsthand experience doing it, but I know a woman getting ready for one takes a while. Mainly from having to wait for my Mom to get ready for one." Rolling my eyes I sigh.

'No way in hell am I going to wear some fancy dress like.' Well, maybe once, for Patrick, and no one else. 'Nor cover my face with some makeup.' I'm not going to tell Patrick I would be willing to wear one, once for him. He'd joke about it and I'd lose whatever courage I have to try to look nice for him.

"We'll see. To be honest, with your figure, you may look pretty good in a nice dress Jackie." Folding my ears instantly to hide a blush, I refuse to comment on that, or look at him at all.

If I did I know he would be smiling as I can pretty much guess I wasn't fast enough in hiding the blush.

Finally making our way out of the parking lot, it's actually a shorter trip home than heading here as we hit more green lights than red ones. The moment I set the car in park on the driveway I quickly unbuckle my seat belt, and before Patrick can react, I lick his cheek with a smile. Then in one motion, I open the door and exit the car.

I was dying to do that for the entire trip, and If it wasn't for having to hide our feelings due to me legally only being sixteen, I would've. Mainly because what we did could've been considered a date.

That thought causes my tail to swish back and forth that I have no intention of stopping. It goes into a full on wag as Patrick has a big grin on his face upon exiting the car.

I do have to stop staring at him for a moment to lock the car, it's a nice neighborhood but I don't trust it.

"I bet you've been wanting to do that for the entire morning?" Nodding once I follow him back through the garage into the house.

'Yup!' I take only the slippers and the non-school pairs of shoes from his hands, and head upstairs, tail wagging a mile a minute the entire time. As I do I can hear Patrick call out for my mother, to inform her about what happened, and to discuss their options.

Frankly the way I feel right now, I think I'm fine, sure I might have a problem I maybe I can deal with it better next time it comes up.

Upon opening my door, I'm pounced and hugged by Christine, I can even see my computer chair spinning slightly. Gently dropping the shoes and slippers onto the floor I return her hug and allow her to nuzzle her muzzle under my chin.

'I was worried when I woke up in your room and didn't find you here sis.' Her letting go of me lets me see her rapidly wagging tail as well as noticing mine hasn't stopped either yet. Christine's attention then turns to the plastic bag with the shoe boxes and slippers that I dropped.

'Well, it took you long enough, I knew you would come around the light and become a girly girl.' Even though Christine's tone is playful without a hint of malice, I fake an annoyed huff in response as I force my tail to go still.

Letting out a sigh I plop down onto the edge of my bed to rub my injured leg a bit as it feels stiff, then watch as Christine opens one of the shoe boxes.

Just my luck it has to be the light blue pair, no, I'm never going to call it robin egg blue, ever. She widely grins at this and looks back over at me, her expression changes to that of concern instantly stopping her tail.

'Did something bad happen?' Closing the box she jumps onto the bed beside me, she places her hand on my stomach while I stare up at the ceiling letting my legs and tail dangle off the edge of the bed.

'I had, some kind of freak out in the mall parking lot. The topic of shoes came up on the way there, Patrick wanted to know how many I would be satisfied with. When I realized how many that would be, and that the cost would've been more than I could afford. I started to feel strange, like I was walking barefoot on the sub-zero pavement and metal including how much it hurt. Patrick thinks this is a coping mechanism for the trauma of being a slave at mauri's, I'm, not sure if I agree, I may have a problem, I just don't know if I need help.' Christine gently smiles at me.

'I think he does have a good point, I've noticed that you don't like being barefoot as much as possible.' Letting out a sigh I close my eyes for a moment.

'I know he may have a point.' I don't know what to do about it though, I do trust Patrick and Christine, but do I really have a problem? Christine is silent for a moment, does she sense my unease at this issue?

'So, did you enjoy your 'date' with Patrick?' Thank you sis for the change of subject. Getting up I head over to the computer chair plop myself down. Threading my tail through the back thankfully has become an unconscious action by now.

'I wish it was one! It was frustrating to have to act like friends, when all I wanted to do was hold hands and such as we were walking about the place.' Christine tries to hide her giggling while sitting up and taking her normal position at the edge of the bed.

'Well, look at you, Ms tomboy acting all smitten over a boy.' Again I can tell she's joking, I can tell as much from the tone of her voice. Doesn't stop my ears from blushing in response to it.

Turning my attention to the computer I load up a web browser and a few websites. All while hearing Christine rummage through the bag, but I ignore the bait for further playful teasing.

'Oh how 'cute', it even has little hearts on the sides. Guess I was right after all.' Swiveling the chair around I snort and huff while folding my ears to hide my continued blushing.

'I didn't have a choice about it! They didn't have plain women's sneakers, and the others were worse, with glitter and stuff.' Christine is still giggling, but helps me out by placing the shoes and slippers in my closet.

'I guess it won't be long now until you start getting your feet pedicured, styling your fur, maybe even wearing more skirts and dresses.' Christine teases again as I huff and roll my eyes.

'Never in a million years.' Yea I know it's an exaggeration. 'Will I willfully put on a dress when not forced by a dress code.' Christine out right laughs and stares at me with a mischievous grin. I get the feeling she knows something I don't as her tail starts wagging back and forth playfully.

Christine stands and dashes out of my room, to hers, then returns with a container reeking of chemicals, so much that I have to cover my nose. Wait, the only thing I know of that smells like this, oh fuck, not 'that'.

She quickly but carefully clears my nightstand of everything on it and opens the container, placing what I feared it was onto it. Nail care products including nail polish along with other makeup paraphernalia.

'I just realized it Alpha Jackie.' Great, her P.I.D. is mixed in with this as well, considering she must view this as taking care of me, just great. 'That it is Mid-Afternoon. We don't have much time to make ourselves presentable to your 'father' tonight. Especially since it would be rude for you to go to a formal family dinner like this in just a t-shirt and jeans.' What's wrong with a t-shirt and jeans!? Christine gently pulls the nightstand over to me, cutting off my quickest route of escape.

Her grin as she does this is both mischievous and predatory.