Friend's Day Out

Samuel soon said his goodbyes and returned to the car. Alfred closed the door and took his place behind the wheel, driving off the estate and returning to the Griffin Manor. He smiled as he glanced young master through the review mirror at his young master who appeared to be in a world of his own.

"Young love really is intriguing to witness. I can only watch and support them from behind", Alfred mumbled under his breath to himself as he drove down the road. Sitting in the back seat with his eyes closed, Samuel gave a faint smile as his sharp ears caught the faint words of his loyal guard and driver.

Early the next day, Catherina left the Manor and met her female classmates at the city's large Mall, as they had planned previously. They shrieked in excitement when they met in the lobby and hugged each other. Their excitement level increased as they complimented each other on their outfits and various make-up applications.

They spent the next few minutes planning their itinerary for the day, deciding to start with shopping and ending their fun day out with karaoke. They laughed happily as they started their journey, heading directly to the floor of the mall meant for clothes and accessory shopping.

Over the next few hours, the group of friends went from one shop to the next mostly window shopping and buying whatever they could afford. Even though Catherina was from one of the richest family in the city, all her classmates knew clearly that, she was raised to live a frugal life and they as true friends understood it so no one had any intention of asking her to splurge on them.

When their shopping trip ended, they decided to have an early lunch at the in-mall McDees since they had tickets for a comedy show that started in an hour. They had a satisfying meal and topped them up with frosty strawberry and chocolate milkshakes. After lunch, they hopped on the subway and made the five-minute trip to the theatre at the city center.

The opening comedians came in one after the other to deliver their fifteen-minute materials before the main act of the day took the stage and delivered his material. The audience couldn't help but laugh out loud as each art of the material was comedy gold. The group of friends almost cried laughing as they enjoyed their time in the theatre.

A few hours later, the group of friends sat closely together around a small table with snacks in a semi-cramped karaoke studio as Catherina and Helen sang a duet to their favorite song 'I will always love you' by Whitney Houston and Cece Winams. They sang with such passion and accuracy that, an outsider hearing it would confuse them with the actual artists of the song.

After everyone had had a turn, it was time for the group to call it a day. They gathered outside the karaoke studio and gave each other final goodbye hugs. The other girls then took cabs back to their various homes, leaving Catherina and Helen alone.

"So, what now? Do you want to go home?" Helen asked her best friend as they stood alone on the walkway. "I have an idea", Catherina said as she grabbed her friend's hand and started running in a particular direction. "Where are we going?" Helen asked surprised by her best friend's actions. "Don't worry about. You are going to love it", Catherina said with a snicker as she led her friend down the staircase that led to the subway.

Catherina paid the fare and dragged her best friend into the train before its doors could close. "Are you going to tell me where we're going now?" Helen asked still curious. "You'll find out when we get there, just relax", Catherina replied with a smile and started bobbing her head in rhythm to the music on the train.

The subway soon arrived at the station near the coast as it was barely a mile away from the station near the karaoke studio. Catherina led Helen off the subway, up the stairs and onto the pavement. The two friends walked the rest of the distance until they reached the sandy coast.

"So beautiful…", Helen couldn't help but mumble at the orange sky caused by the setting sun. The two best friends stood on the beach as they watched the colorful horizon; soon the sun will be completely set. They stood on the beach; shoulder to shoulder as they took in the sights. "You're right…it's incredible. Want to see it up-close?" Catherina asked the stunned Helen suddenly.

"Hmm, sure I would…wait, what are you talking about?" Helen turned to her friend and asked, confusion plastered all over her face. Catherina laughed as she continued gazing at the setting sun on the horizon leaving her friend even more confused.

After a few minutes, Catherina looked around to ensure that there was no one currently on the beach or near it. Assured of no witnesses, she separated from Helen and walked a few steps forward. "What're you doing?" Helen asked perplexed over the situation. "Just wait and see", Catherina replied.

After getting enough distance away from Helen, Catherina stopped and took a breath. "It's been years since you saw this but don't freak out", Catherina warned. ", Huh! What do you m….", Helen's voice trailed off as Catherina's body glowed as her form expanded until she stood towering over her in the form of a blue, large scaly monster.

Helen's mind went into shock and she could only stand and stare at her best friend's monstrous form. Catherina's large head descended and faced Helen point-blank. "Hey, are you alright?" Catherina asked worriedly in her deep draconic voice. She knew for a fact that Helen was already aware of her monstrous heritage.

Thinking of a reason why her best friend will not remember such a massive topic, Catherina finally recalled what happened the first time she transformed. Her brother had placed a psychological fail-safe on Helen's mind so that she'd forget everything that had happened once she's questioned. She scratched her large head with her claws as she thought through the whole situation.