Hilary learned her lesson. She didn't try to tell anyone else about the stone or her transformation. She only had minimum success at avoiding Braeden since they were now very much a part of the same clique. She was able to coast along, letting her body guide her through the day, but being around Braeden was too much to handle. On the one hand, she now thought of herself as a girl, a heterosexual one who clearly had feelings for Braeden. On the other, she still remembered being Jon, and he was completely freaked out about having feelings for another guy. But she did manage to make it home without shoving Braeden into a janitor's closet at school and making out with him, a scenario she pictured every time she thought about him. So, she considered her day a win in that regard.
One perk of her new life, though, was that she now seemed to be on pretty good terms with her sister, Zoe. They actually walked home together, laughing and generally enjoying each other's company. Jon and Zoe hadn't been on great terms in years; they didn't dislike one another, but they didn't really have much in common, so they just avoided each other. Hilary and Zoe were another story, though. They were clearly very close, and Zoe knew about Hilary's feelings for Braeden.
"So, was today the day? Did you finally toss Braeden in a closet and make out with him?" Zoe asked.
Shit, Hilary thought. She even knows my fantasy.
"Not today," she replied out loud. And not any day if I can help it, she thought to herself. I just have to make it through the next week without sexing up one of those guys. How hard can it be? It's not as if I'm some kind of nympho.
"Are you going to the Cauldron later?" Zoe asked. The Cauldron was the local goth hangout. "I hear Braeden's going to be there."
"I don't think I can make it tonight. Too much school work."
"Really? You're going to put off a chance to see Braeden just to do some school work? That's unusual."
"Look, I have a big day tomorrow, tests and stuff," Hilary lied. "I wouldn't usually choose school over the Cauldron, but I have to tonight."
"Suit yourself," Zoe said. "I'm probably going, so if you change your mind, maybe we can go together."
"I'll let you know."
Hilary and Zoe parted ways at the top of the stairs, each heading to her own room. Hilary closed her door, set her book bag on the floor, and climbed in bed.
Ugh. What a long day. I can't believe I have to go through six more of these. She began to undress, a part of her vaguely realizing that Jon would have shot his wad at the display she was putting on but, for Hilary, this was just another day, changing out of school clothes into something more comfortable.
After stripping out of her clothes, she lay on the bed, her feet stretched out to the chair next to her.
Her room hadn't changed much from what Jon's used to look like. Still sparse decorations. The walls weren't pink or anything like that. Without bothering to get dressed, she fell asleep.
She woke up later to the sound of knocking at her door. "Hilary!" Zoe shouted through the door. "Are you coming tonight."
She wasn't sure what time it was. How long had she slept? The thought of seeing Braeden again stirred up rivaling emotions in her. Should she go to the Cauldron or not?
