It was a nice afternoon in the quiet mining town of Possum Springs, at The O'l Pickaxe, everyone was out doing their regular routine while Beatrice Santello, or " Bea " as called by her friends. was working the counter as usual when the doorbell rang, signaling a customer had arrived.

" Hello, welcome to The Ol Pickax-Oh Dear God! " She greeted until she saw just who it was, stifling her laughter.

There in the doorway, stood Margret Borowski, otherwise known as " Mae " triumphantly dressed as WitchDaggah, her cape flowing dramatically as the door closed behind her, the gust of wind nearly knocking her hat off.

" Ah-harr! I''ve come to rescue a fair-maiden from her dungeon in Castle Pickaxe, to join me and my merry-men on an adventure of pillaging and merriment! " the black cat announced as she bounced over to the counter.

" That's really nice of you, Mae. but this fair maiden has work to do, and what's with theatrics? " Bea asked as she checked the cash register for her earnings.

" I'm roleplaying Bea, it's fun! you should try it! " Mae suggested as she placed her hat in her jean pocket.

" I'd love to play stupid damsel-in- moronic distress, but she has wares to sell! " Bea snorted smoke in Mae's face.

" Please, Bea? Gregg and Angus are waiting for us! " Mae pleaded, her wide nightmare eyes staring into Bea's, her ears flattening, her tail swishing back and forth.

" Tell them I'm not coming, Mae. I've got customers to serve here! " Bea told her as went back to counting.

" What? those teens standing behind me giggling for some reason? " Mae said as she thumbed over to the teens in question, who were staring at the two and whispering to each other.

Walking around the counter, Bea went over to assist the teens while Mae trailed behind her.

" Excuse me, but can I help you two with something? " She asked them as she folded her arms and stared at the two.

" Yeah, we're just wondering, Why'd you turned down your girlfriend's date? " The cat teen asked with a smirk.

" Uhhhh, look, She's not my girlfriend. just where did you two get that assumption? " Bea questioned.

" By the way she stared into your eyes dreamily, her heart a flutter! " The rabbit teen chimed in while making a heart with her hands.

" Sounds wonderful, " Bea snarked " Are you two picking on my friend? If so, you need to leave my store! " she defended Mae as she pointed to the door.

" Okay, fine! no need to get pushy, Fair Maiden. We'll just happy for you two is all! " The Cat teen said in response as she walked away with her friend. " What, with the way your Knight's standing close to you and all. "

Bea turned to look at Mae, who was, sure enough standing a little too close to her side, quickly stepping aside as she noticed.

Watching the teens leave, She went back to the counter and finished counting her earnings, placing some in her wallet and the rest in the cash register, locking it.

" Closing up shop? " Mae asked her, taking off her Harfest costume.

" Yeah, it was closing time anyway. " Bea answered, with the closing sign in her hand.

" ...Hey, thanks for sticking up for me with those teens. " Mae thanked.

" Don't mention it. " Bea said as she placed the sign on the front door.

" Wanna hang out tomorrow? " Mae asked her. " Make it up to Gregg and Angus? "

" We'll see Mae, * yawn * for now, I'm tired! " Bea yawned as she stretched her back. " Thanks for dropping by anyways. I appreciate the company, by the way. "

" Anytime, Bea. " Mae smiled. " Need any help? "

" No, I got this Mae, I'll see you tomorrow, alright? " Bea fist-bumped Mae as she was about to lock the door...only for Mae to tap her on the shoulder.

" What is it now, Mae? " She asked, slightly irritated.

"Bea, could you drive me to Gregg and Angus? my legs hurt from walking all the way here. " She asked a little embarrassed for asking for a ride.

" You'll need the exercise...* yawn * but I'll drive you, Tubby. I'll get my keys. " Bea yawned as she opened the door and went back inside as Mae waited for her.

" I'm not Tubby! " Mae called defensively.

Awhile later, Bea returned from the store and locked the front door.

" Let's roll Maeday. " She said to the black ball of unlimited energy.

" Okay, Bea-Bea! " Mae said. Mentally punching herself in the face for using her friend's old nickname.

The two women got into the car and started to head towards the spot where Gregg and Angus should be.

The car ride was quiet and relaxing on Mae's feet, she looked out of the window to watch the trees as they passed by rapidly beside Bea's car, the car radio barely audibly playing heavy metal.

" You're usually talkative, Mae. something bothering you? " Bea broke the silence as she payed attention to the road.

" Nah, I'm just thinking. " Mae told her. In truth she was thinking about what the teens said about her and Bea.

" If you're not feeling well, I could call the guys and tell them you're not coming. " Bea suggested.

" I'm fine Bea, I'm cool. " Mae smirked.

" If it's about what those teens said, don't take it personally. Okay? " Bea assured. " They're just seeing things that are not there. "

" Like Me and... shapes? " Mae added, her pupils shrinking slightly before returning to normal.

" No, not like that...That's different. " Bea dismissed, rolling down her window and tossing out her cigarette.

" Yeah, you're right..." Mae ended the conversation, while butterfly's flew around in her stomach.

They arrived at the abandoned playground to see Gregg fighting invisible monsters along with a dragon with a long light bulb for good measure, with Angus cheering him on.

Upon hearing Bea's car driving up, Gregg stopped his battle and did his trademark scream and flailed his arms.

" I see reinforcements have arrived! ARGGGGGHHH! " He said as he stabbed a monster in the chest.

" Yes, they have!" Mae said as she jumped out of the car with her baseball bat in hand. " Where's the trouble? "

" Right here Mae! " Gregg pointed the the army of monsters.

Bea watched as her friends battled the evil monsters and took another drag of her cigarette, debating if she should just say goodbye and head home or join the fray...thinking it over. " I can't believe I'm doing this, Oh what the hell! I'm going in! "she suddenly smiled and jumped into the battle.

" They should be worried about us! " She chimed in as she fought the dragon to help her friends.

The rest of the battle was won in a few short hours with the gang tired and hungry and laying down on the grass in a circle, with broken light bulbs everywhere.

" That. Was. Awesome! " Mae panted, her arms sore from the battle.

" You said it Mae, it was an honor serving with you! " Gregg saluted before suddenly collapsing, pretending to be dead.

" Same here my leage,...*sob!* " Angus added as he held Gregg and pretended to mourn.

" I feel like a kid again...I just felt my dignity wince in pain when I said that... " Bea smiled, which Mae and rest of the gang noticed.

" There's the old Bea, I know and love! " Mae said before realizing what she just said.

" Huh?... thanks, Mae? This was pretty fun guys, but I've got to get up for work in the morning. " Bea told them as she got up and walked to her car. " You guys need a ride? " she offered, Angus and Gregg immediately piling into the car. " I guess so. "

Getting into the driver's seat, Bea noticed that Mae was still in the playground, looking at something interesting the alligator figured.

" It's getting late, Mae! " She called out to the cat, who's head snapped towards her voice.

" Oh...right...okay. " Mae said to herself as she climbed into the passenger seat, with Bea looking at her confused by her mannerisms as of late.

" Now that everyone's in the car, What are we getting to eat? " She asked her friends as she preformed a U-turn to head back to town.

" Pizza? " Mae suggested to the others, with Angus and Bea shaking their heads and Gregg nodding ecstatically at the prospect of pizza.

" You guys not tired of pizza? " Bea asked, with Gregg and Mae shaking their heads.

" You can never get tired of pizza, Pizza Forever! " Gregg shouted triumphantly.

" Yea Bea, Pizza Forever! " Mae agreed.

" Maybe one more pizza wouldn't hurt. " Angus changed his mind.

Rolling her eyes in irritation, Bea blew smoke out of her nostrils and simply nodded, " Pizza it is then..." Mae sensed something was up with her friend, but couldn't quite put her finger on it. Maybe she'll get her alone to talk it out.

At the Clik-Clak Diner, the gang sat at their usual table as they waited for their pizza to arrive with Mae doodling in her journal and Bea scrolling through her phone.

" So, how was work Gregg? get fired yet? " Bea asked as she turned off her phone.

" Naw, It's mostly the same, except when Mae came over and asked me to hang out with her, today. " Gregg explained his day to her. " You? "

" Gotten a new stock in lumber today, threw out some kids making fun of Mae. " Bea recounted.

" Hehehe, Yeah, they thought that me and Bea were a couple, Can you believe that? Hahaha! " Mae laughed awkwardly as her friends just stared at her.

" I don't know, Mae, They could be right, you two are pretty close..." Angus pointed out as he adjusted his glasses.

" Yeah, I can see it happening, you two getting together...opposites attract as they say, Not that I'll believe them! " Gregg smirked as he put his arm around Angus.

Suddenly slamming her hands down the table and snorting smoke, Bea got up and stomped outside, much to the confusion of Gregg.

" I'll go talk to her. " Mae excused herself to follow Bea to confront her.

" What's her problem? " He asked Angus.

" It's this conversation, it' must've gotten to her. " He answered.

" I'll feel kinda bad, man. " Gregg casted his eyes down, his ears flattening.

" It's not you, Bug. Bea's just stressed. " Angus assured him.

" Thanks Cap'n. " Gregg kissed him on the cheek, making the waitress bringing the pizza D'awwww as she saw this.

" Bea...Bea! I'm talking to you! " Mae shouted as she ran after the fuming alligator.

" Leave me alone, Mae! " Bea snapped as she hopped on the hood of her car and pulled out another cigarette to light it to calm herself down. which Mae snatched it out of her hand and stomped on it.

" What's your problem? Is it because of the pizza, or what Gregg said? " Mae demanded to know.

" *sigh* The second one..." Bea told her.

" Oh...right..." Mae laughed nervously, holding her arm and twirling her foot in circles.

" I noticed the way you were looking at me at the park. you like me or something? Bea asked her.

" Of course I do Bea, you're my best friend! " Mae happily answered, as Bea stared at her, her eyebrow raised.

" You do know that I'm straight, right? " She questioned Mae, who looked at her incredulously.

" What's that supposed to mean?...What, that I'm gay for you or something? " She said defensively, blushing by the second.

" Well, for starters, the way you started acting after we left the Pickaxe, And Bea-Bea...great nickname for someone you'd have the hots for." Bea pointed out.

" Well, what do you want me to call you then? Bitch-gator? " Mae threw out there, making Bea chuckle.

" No, All I'm saying is that I'm flattered, Really. Let's go inside, pizza's probably getting cold, Trash Mammal." She said to Mae as she hopped off her car and took her hand, the cat's face reddening more.

" Y-y-y Yeah, P-p-p- probably so! " Mae tried to say.

" Relax Mae, I'm not requiting your feelings. " Bea assured.

" I know. " Mae responded, feeling dejected deep down.

The two of them entered the diner and sat back down, where Gregg and Angus were finishing their second slices.

" What'd we miss? " Mae asked them.

" The pizza arriving and me and Angus making out. " Gregg said nonchalantly.

" Cool.." Mae sighed as she took a slice.

" You know Bea, if you don't want any pizza, I''ll let you swipe from the Snack Falcon! " Gregg offered.

" Thanks Gregg, but pizza's fine. Besides, I'd rather buy the snacks if you'd don't mind. " Bea turned down the offer.

Checking her watch and noticing the time, her eyes widened, Bea got up from her chair and pulled out her car keys.

" I'd hate to cut our date short guys, but I'd got to get some sleep, busy day tomorrow. you coming Mae? " She asked her.

" Sure, you coming with Gregg? Angus? " Mae asked the guys.

" Naw, We'll walk off this pizza with our fat asses! " Gregg said to his friend. " No offense Cap'n. "

" None taken. " Angus told him.

" I'm sorry for the way acted earlier, Gregg,...I should've gotten angry. " Bea apologized.

" It's cool, Bea. no harm done! " Gregg assured her. " Now go home, before your dad grounds you! "

" Shut up! " Bea laughed as she payed for the pizza.

" See ya dudes! " Mae fist-bumped Gregg and Angus goodbye as she went to join Bea by her side.

Walking out of the Diner, Bea and Mae noticed that it was almost sunrise, making the alligator and cat rush to her car, pulling out of the parking lot quickly to rush to Mae's house.

Speeding down to Mae's neighborhood, Bea's car skidded to a halt in front of Mae's house.

" Hey, thanks for hanging out with me, Bea-Bea. and I'm sorry I've made you late past your bedtime. " Mae apologized.

" It's okay Mae, I'll handle my dad. don't worry about it. Go get some sleep, okay? " Bea told as she hugged the now-blushing kitten.

" Message me later? " Mae asked her.

" We'll see okay? I gotta go, See you later, Love you! " and with that, Bea peeled out and sped down the road, leaving Mae to watch her go.

" I love you too Bea Bea..." she told herself. her heart a flutter.

Parking her car and turning off the engine, Bea noticed Mae's journal on the passenger seat, picking it up and placing it in her pocket.

" I'll return this to Mae when I get off of work. " she told herself as she went inside her apartment.

Bea entered the living room to find her dad fast asleep on the couch, walking over and kissing him on the forehead goodnight.

" He's had a rough night, as always " Bea said sadly to herself as she turned off the tv and lights.

After taking a shower and climbing into bed, Bea suddenly felt the urge to read Mae's journal, it's cover and pages beckoning her to caress them with her fingers.

" No, I'm not invading Mae's privacy, I don't want our relationship to be screwed up again. " Bea scolded herself as she placed the journal by her cardboard nightstand.

curling up into her blankets, Bea struggled the urge to read and get some sleep, but to not avail as the journal won out as her hand instantly reached out and grabbed it.

" I'm so going to regret this..." She told herself as she opened the journal, laughing at Mae's crudely drawn doodles of all the times they've shared since she returned from collage. " Girl's got talent, I'll give her that. " Bea smiled.

Her face suddenly reddened as she laid eyes on Mae's newest doodle...it was her and Mae making out with a heart around them and the words MeaBea written under them. " Oh..my...god. " Bea held her head in her palms. " Mae still loves me. "