- We had such a nice day together – said she, with a sad smile on her face.

- C’mon Lucy… What’s wrong… You’ve been acting weird all afternoon…

- Well – she held her own arm and looked down to the sidewalk – It’s just that… I know we aren’t going to see each other anymore.

- What?

- I’ve got that job overseas…

- Oh! That’s great, Lucy!

- No! - she punched him – It’s not great! I’ll have to go alone, and you’ll still be here!

- I have to finish high school, you know – he laughed – Wouldn’t be smart to just drop out… Besides, your job is only one year! You’ll be back in no time.

- One year is a lot!

- This isn’t industrial age with letters… We have internet, phone and everything else. We’ll be in touch everyday.

- Trust me… Things don’t go that way.

- Why?

- Because you’ll find another one.

- As if I could find anyone half as good – he smiled and pushed her, but Lucy didn’t smile back.

- I know how things are… I’ve been there.

- Jeez, Lucy – he raised his pinkie finger – I’ll wait for you. Pinkie promise.

- You can’t promise that! - she slapped his hand away, tears ready to fall – Nobody can… Nobody did… You’ll be just another one to betray me…

He took a deep breath and hugged her.
- You know I’m loyal like a dog. Don’t talk like our time together didn’t mean anything.

She hesitated for a moment, then hugged him back.
- Well… If it’s okay with you… There is one thing that would keep my mind in peace…

- What is it? You know I’d do anything for you!

- Would you put on a… - she turned her eyes away – Leash?

- Erm… Like a… Dog?

- Yup…

- That’s a weird way of making a pinkie promise – he smirked – And kinda… lewd…

- So… You ok? - She reached into her purse.

- Whatever makes you happy – he shrugged, still finding all of that really funny.

- Here it is – Lucy showed him a red shinny leash with no details – Put it on to promise you’ll wait for me.

- We are… - He looked around – Outside…

- So?

- It’ weird if… people see me using that…

She closed her face.

- Ok ok ok! - he scratched the back of his head – But you owe me one “weird stuff”, you know?

- Please.

He put the leash around his neck anyways, looking around the deserted street hoping nobody would suddenly come from a corner. His eyes crossed with Lucy’s and he blushed even more, his cheeks burning, feeling ridiculous doing that.
- Happy?

She petted his head, while holding the leash with the other.
- Very happy.
Then Lucy stepped sideways and begun knotting the leash to a post.

- I never knew you were into roleplay – he said.

Lucy finished the knot and grabbed a lock from her purse.

- Hey!

She ignored his protests and continued to lock him to the post.

- We should be doing this indoors, you know? - at that point someone could very well cook an egg on his face.

The kind girl placed an empty bowl at his side.

- How thoughtful of you…

His owner… Lucy smiled…
- I’ll be leaving today, and I want you to wait for me like you promised.

- Do I have to wear this leash everyday? - he laughed with her weird sense of humor.

- Be a good boy – she petted him another time, then walked away – See you in one year.

- You forgot to unlock me! - he grabbed her arm.

- No, I didn’t – his owner looked displeased – Now sit!

He released her and sit on the dirty street.
“What?”
- You are scaring me, dear owner… Lucy… You… I…

- Just relax and be a good boy.

She extender her palm to him, and without even thinking, he licked her hands.
They were soft and tasted like love.
His owner felt pleased by that and he felt something burst out of his back.
His tail was wagging happily, like a drunken smile that can’t be controlled.

- NO! - he snapped out of it, holding his pants before they could fall – YOU ARE CRAZY!

- You promised you would wait me!

- I never said I wouldfff… Woulfff… Woofff!

- Much better.

As his face elongated into a muzzle and his tongue grew bigger, talking became almost impossible.
His teeth became pointier, his nails sharper, and his blood hotter...
The boy jumped to attack the evil human girl with his fangs, but the dog inside him resisted and refused to attack his dear owner.

- This spell will make any passerby want to feed you, pet you and play with you.

He wanted to curse her, scream for help, anything. But instead he swagged his tail, happy because she was there.

- One year is nothing. I’ll be back in no time. That’s what you said.

“NO!”

- When I’m back, we’ll continue our romance from where we left it – she smiled like the sun, and he felt like the happiest dog in the world.

His owner walked away and disappeared in street corned.
One second later, he was already missing her, counting the seconds until owner returned.
Seconds until owner comes to play with him.
Until owner pets tummy.
Owner is best.
Owner loves him.
Owner provided for him.
He was safe.
He was happy.
But alone.
He wanted owner back.
He howled every night.
He howled every day.
Year passed.
Owner came back.
Owner had man at her side.
Owner liked that man.
Owner called that man boyfriend.
Owner released him from the post.
Owner took him home along with boyfriend.
They were family.
He. Owner. Owner’s boyfriend.
He would stay with owner forever.
He was complete.