The school nurse removed the samples from the analyzer and disposed of them, then checked the readout. There was the slightest sag in her shoulders, like she was trying not to sigh out of professional courtesy. She jotted down the numbers onto a post-it, then turned to Zoe and Athena.
"Well," she said, "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but both your changes are permanent." She handed them each a pamphlet. "I'd like you to take these," she said. "They contain the best information we have on your new physiologies, and explanations of how your changes may impact your lifestyle."
Zoe and Athena stared at her in disbelief. She smiled back at them sympathetically. "I know this must seem like quite a catastrophe to you," she said. "But I'm sure you'll both adjust quite well, in time. Your changes are nothing particularily impairing, and transformees are much more accepted in our society than they were when I was your age. Even the rest of the world seems mostly willing to accept transformees on equal terms."
"But," Zoe sputtered, "but how is it that everybody getting transformed is permanent? Both of my brothers, and Karyn, and Sarah, and Athena and I..."
"And as many others in the past week who didn't change permanently," the nurse interrupted. "I understand where you're coming from; I thought it was a little odd myself. But if there were a change in the nature of the virus to encourage permanent transformations, it's hard to imagine the analyzer would be unable to detect it. You know that old saw about flipping a coin fifty times; it's a statistical anomaly. But statistical anomalies are harder to accept when you're on the butt end, aren't they?"
Zoe nodded, still not completely convinced. "All right," the nurse said. "You two should get to your classes, and I'll take care of the paperwork. Remember, if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask!"
Zoe stepped glumly out of the nurse's office and began walking towards class, with Athena slithering along beside her. "Cheer up, Zoe," the naga-girl said. "It could be worse, couldn't it? Just look at your brothers."
The nymph sighed. This was true; it could have been a lot worse. She was still a girl, she was still normal size, and she still had all her limbs, so she could still play her harp. But it was to shake her bad mood; she really had wanted to remain normal. "I suppose it could've," she sighed. "And you?"
Athena shrugged. "I honestly don't think this is too bad," she said. "I mean, it's weird as hell, and it's hard to keep up spatial awareness with fifteen feet of tail, but once I get used to it, I think I might actually like this. Don't you think it's kind of exotic?"
Zoe nodded. Athena could sense that she was still pretty down and said no more, and the two friends continued on to class.
Mikey was walking back inside, feeling pretty pleased with herself, when a boy about her age came up to her. "I saw what you did out there," he said. "Did that feel as cool as it looked?"
Mikey beamed. "Yeah," she said. "It was way cool."
The boy whistled. "It sure looked like it. I wish I could fly. What's...what's it like to be like that?"
She frowned. "It sucks, except for the flying."
His face fell. "Oh. Sorry."
Mikey sighed. It wasn't his fault, he wasn't being rude or anything. "No, that's okay," she said. "It was a fair question."
He brightened. "Thanks. Um...didn't you used to be a boy? That's what the other kids said."
Mikey nodded. "Yeah. And before you ask, it's...well, it's not as bad as not having any hands."
The boy nodded. "I suppose not," he said. "I'm Alan, by the way." He stuck out his hand. Mikey extended her wing, and they both realized their mistake. Alan chuckled, and Mikey smiled a little. "I'm Mikey," she said. "Nice to meet you."
