Mark ran over and ripped the dog out of my
hands.
“I said I’d rehome him! Why are you hurting.
Г
“I said I’d rehome him! Why are you hurting
him?”
I almost laughed.
This was my place.
What was he talking about?
Before I could say anything, Danny saw the
dog.
He didn’t even ask what happened.
“Sarah, what’s wrong with you? It’s just a little
dog. What did he ever do to you?”
“Look, you scared him!”
<
They were just like before.
Mark and Danny protect Jen no matter what.
Even if she’s a dog.
Jen was smug.
She snuggled into Mark’s arms.
I snapped.
“Why is he in my apartment? Why don’t you
ask him?”
Danny looked nervous.
“You don’t live here. What’s the big deal?”
I lost it.
く
“I don’t live here? He broke my mom’s
necklace! And wrecked the place!”
“I didn’t hurt him. He was just angry and
peeing everywhere.‘
“He was probably in heat. You should get him
fixed. Maybe he’d calm down!”
They would never let me get the dog fixed.
It felt good to scare them, though.
Buddy flinched.
Mark looked stunned.
“He’s just a puppy! That’s cruel!”
<
“He’s just a puppy! That’s cruel!”
Danny scoffed.
“He did this because you freaked him out the
other day!”
“Mark loves him. Unlike Jen.”
“Jen always puts Mark first.”
I laughed.
“If she’s so great, tell your friend to go find her. Why are you bothering me?”
Mark wouldn’t stand for being talked to like
this.
He was determined.
<
He couldn’t afford to lose me.
It would be hard to find someone whose
birthday was close to Jen’s.
After a long silence, Danny slammed the door
and stormed out.
I smiled.
I told Mark that the dog could stay for a few
days, and I’d think it over.
Mark was confused.
He agreed.
Last time, I didn’t see through their scheme.
<
I would play along and take the first shot this
time.
The next few days, Buddy stayed in the spare
room.
He was quiet.
He was probably scared of being neutered.
I was far from done with him.
I went to a farm and bought pig hormones.
I mixed them into his food.
The farmer promised they’d make him grow
quickly and go into heat.
L
I was planning a surprise for him.
He had to be big enough to handle it.
Thanks to the hormones, Buddy was eating a
lot.
In less than a week, he was huge.
Mark watched him all the time.
He was scared I would do something.
One night, I got home from studying.
I was hungry.
I grabbed a snack.
As soon as it touched my tongue, I knew
く
something was wrong.
It had a strong animal smell.
I opened my water bottle.
It was pee.
Still warm.
I gagged.
I ran outside and threw up.
Jen must have done this.
She was trying to gross me out.
I ran home, ready for a fight.
く
I checked the security camera.
I was shocked.
Mark was hugging Buddy.
He was whispering.
“Danny was able to get your soul into Buddy,” he said. “I know it’s hard being a dog, Jen. Just wait for tomorrow. Everything will
change. Then I’ll punish that b***h.”
I was horrified.
Danny was the one who planned the body
swap.
His parents dumped him and left him to rot.
I gave him money.
He betrayed me.
I wanted to rip them to shreds.
I had to wait, or I would ruin my plan for
tomorrow.
The next morning, I got out of bed.
Mark was holding a gift box.
“Sarah, happy birthday. I hope you like it.”
It was a blue pin.
Danny looked happy too.
“I have a gift for you too ”
く
“I have a gift for you, too.”
He pulled out a small bag.
“It’s a St. Christopher medal. It will keep you
safe.”
I had heard those words twice before.
Last time, I was touched.
This time, it made me sick.
They weren’t celebrating my birthday.
They were celebrating Jen’s rebirth.
Danny couldn’t wait to put the medal around
my neck.
く
I frowned.