The phone was ringing. Zoe had left hours ago and Jillian was allowing herself the luxury of sleeping in. Waitressing at the diner was hard work and Zoe had put her through a thorough, but also thoroughly pleasurable, wringer until just a little before dawn. Jillian vaguely recalled her not even pretending to get around normally when she left. She had walked over to Jillian's window, opened it, climbed out, and then flew away on huge, black, raven-like wings. Jillian had watched her fade to a black dot against the gray of the early morning sky then shut the window and went back to bed.
Now someone was blowing up her cell phone. Jillian growled in frustration. She didn't want to answer it, but knew she had to. One part of her argued that she didn't need to maintain this life's social obligations. Now that Zoe had revealed her new powers to her an invite to her house (Jon's old house, HER old house Jillian reminded herself) couldn't be far behind. Jillian was closer to the stone than ever and once she had it she wouldn't have to worry about this life for another minute. The phone started ringing again. Jillian scowled, sat up, realized she was still naked, realized she didn't care and climbed out of bed. She had left her phone on her dresser like a moron.
Padding over to the opposite side of her room, Jillian briefly glanced at the screen as she picked up the phone. MARILYN. Who the hell was Marilyn?
"Hello?" Jillian didn't recognize her own voice. Aside from the fact that she was still not used to looking and sounding female her new voice was still husky from sleep.
"Jillian?! Did you find the stone? Did you do this to me?!" It was a girl's voice, probably about Jillian's age, but loud and panicky. She sounded like she was about to cry.
"Huh? Do what? Who is this?" Jillian felt stupid. The screen had said Marilyn and the people involved in Jon's new life as Jillian Farber would expect her to know them. Maybe she could pass it off as a simple mistake due to being woken up from a perfectly wonderful sleep. Whoever it was they knew about the stone and that could not just be brushed off.
"What do you mean, who is this? It's me! MIKE!" The voice cracked with strain.
Mike. Moose. Jillian clapped a hand over her normally pouty lips which were now curved in a jubilant smile. Holy shit! She had almost forgotten her little hint to Zoe that Moose was in their way - - that he might understand some things better if he was a girl! Zoe had actually taken the bait! She had used the stone. Moose was a girl! She couldn't help it, she laughed, one quick little giggle that burble out past her lips, unable to be stifled by her tiny hand.
"This isn't funny! Fuck you, Jillian! How did you do it?! This isn't right!"
"I'm not right?" Jillian laughed again, uncaring now if the other girl heard her, "You're the one that has it wrong Mike. It IS funny! And it IS right! You did the same thing to me and now you got what you deserve!"
"I knew you did this!" Mike shrieked in his new female voice, "When did you - - I mean - - wait, if you have the stone then why are you still Jillian?"
"Because I don't have the stone, you stupid asshole," Jillian said cold enough to induce frostbite, "But now I know who does. Besides, even if I did have the stone wishes can't be reversed - - but maybe I can think of something once we get it, and now you've got even more incentive to help me get it." Jillian knew it was cruel and unnecessary, but she couldn't resist, because it was also true, "Plus now I don't have to worry about you constantly trying to feel me up when we should be planning on how to get it back."
"So - - so, who does have it? You're sister? But why would she do this to me?! I'm going over there right now!"
"You better not, Mike - - or should I say, Marilyn? I can call her quicker than you can get there and then you'll be in for a world of hurt!" Jillian considered, "Just get your car and drive over here. We need to talk - - and I want to see what you look like for myself!"
