Other people seemed to be afraid - horrified - of the little pokemon. Wherever she went, there was always one or two trainers asking her things like, "Doesn't it freak you out a little?", or looking awkward - a little weird-ed out - and murmuring things she didn't always hear.
The truth was, she loved Atticus. She had met the mawile early in her journey, Glittering Cave, to be specific - she couldn't forget the feeling of over-whelming love toward the pokemon. Atticus was her partner pokemon, no doubt, been with her for every gym after she had caught him, every battle. He had fought back when all else failed, he had grown stronger and stronger, always fighting for her.
So yes, she loved Atticus.